Cottage on a pier asks $1.25 million near the Ballard Locks

Hidden away from the street just west of the Ballard Locks, this little cottage gives “on the waterfront” a new meaning. While the front yard is at least partially on land, the house itself is boosted up on stilts—so by the time you get to the backyard, you’re on a full-on fishing pier.

Similar to a neighboring home listed last month, the house is secluded from street level, requiring a trip down some stairs before even reaching the front yard. But once you’re down there, the water is so close that you can even get a view from the front lawn.

Inside, two bedrooms and a bath and a half nestle up in a cozy layout, which includes an open living room and kitchen with a built-in dining bar. But the real highlight of the living space is a sun porch at the back directly facing the water for watching the ships go by in all sorts of weather conditions. Get more sunshine on the back deck—or keep going onto a fenced-in dock for a closer look at the point where the Ship Canal begins and Shilshole Bay begins.

3453 NW 54th Street is listed for $1.25 million through Seattle Afloat—and while that’s a decent chunk of change for 840 square feet, owning a stretch of saltwater certainly factors into that asking price.