Floating Home Facts and Information
- 20% – 30% down is required for most loans on floating homes.
- Insurance generally runs 10-20% more per square foot than a normal home.
- Moorage fees covering utilities, dock maintenance, and slip rental can run from $100 to $1000+ a month.
- Dug fir logs, often the foundation of choice, can last a lifetime.
- Most floating home moorages are pet friendly.
- An inspection is a must for the foundation, called a dive survey, and an above water inspection is always recommended.
- Many floating home marinas are gated communities that you cannot enter without permission (I can take you).
- It is rare for homes to be available on the Willamette River.
- The Jantzen beach moorages are in the busiest river traffic area.
- Floating homes on the Multnomah Channel traditionally have the lowest moorage fees.
- Only a small number of moorages have available car garages.
- Each floating home has its own slip, similar to a land lot, and it must be bought or rented out. Some moorages only rent slips while others require them to be purchased.
- Watch out for “weekenders” these floating homes are specially zoned and can only be lived in on the weekends and for two weeks out of the year. The rest of the time they must remain vacant.
- Certain moorages will allow you to rent out your home, most will not.
- A number of floating homes in the Jantzen Beach area will be affected by the new I-5 bridge project.
- Air traffic, noise, and strong winds is a concern depending on the moorage.
- Children, generally under the age of 16, must wear life jackets at all times on the moorages.
- Floating homes are a unique and wonderful vacation home or lifestyle choice!
- Contact me anytime with specific questions.
