Floating Homes 101 -
A Basic Outline of Important Terms and Concepts
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Floating Homes 101 - by Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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 Instead of opening up the window of your home in the city and viewing a weed-strewn yard (which you would have to maintain if you owned a "typical" home on land), floating home residents can actually open up their windows and drop out a fishing line. Yes, it's kind of a lazy way to go about it, but catching dinner directly from the window (or the deck) of your very own floating home is something that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. And talk about a view!
All views get a little old after a time, however, and should you decide at some point that you want a change of scenery, you can actually move your floating home to a new marina (provided your floating home is docked at a rental moorage facility - see below for more info)...and this is something you obviously cannot do if you own a traditional home on land. You're stuck with the view until you sell the home and move.
If you are in love with the great outdoors, living on a floating home can be an incredibly rewarding, spiritually incomparable experience. And if you like to entertain, having your friends and family over for dinner will be a uniquely enjoyable experience for every single one of your house guests, too.
Living on the water, however, is not for everyone, and there are a few things you should know before you decide to "take the plunge"...
 All floating homes have to be moored (docked somewhere)...and all moorage facilities have corresponding monthly maintenance fees, which include your utility costs (electricity, water, sewer, garbage, etc.) as well as other fees.There are two basic types of moorages that are available when the owner of a floating home is looking for a place to "anchor" their home - rental moorages, and homeowners' association moorages.In the case of a rental moorage, you are renting the actual slip (the actual moorage, the place where you dock your boat) and your landlord will typically pay all the taxes and insurance on the moorage itself and all associated real property costs (such as maintaining the docks and common areas). The monthly fees that a floating home owner pays for rental moorages are typically higher than those that are paid by the homeowner at homeowners' association moorages.
In the case of a homeowners' association moorage, you would actually buy the slip (buy the "water lot" where you dock your home) and as a result of owning your slip, you would typically have a correspondingly lower monthly maintenance fee. Call me directly at 503-807-4504 or email me right here if you have any questions about any of this, and I will fill you in on the details. It all depends on where you moor your floating home, as each floating home association and rental moorage facility has its own unique subset of rules and fees...
 ***There is one significant TAX ADVANTAGE involved in buying your floating home slip (instead of renting the slip). Let's say your floating home has an assessed value of $400,000 - and $100,000 of that total value is the assessed value of the slip. Well...if you own your own slip, in this case, you would only pay taxes on $300,000 of that $400,000 total - because the assessed value of the slip is not taxed! If you are planning for your retirement, this is a very valuable bit of information...and since more and more retirees are opting for the floating home lifestyle, I though it would be wise to throw vital piece of information into the mix here... There are over 30 moorage facilities in the Greater Portland Area, and many of the top facilities, along with their attendant monthly fees for slip ownership, are located on this page. I'm available to answer any questions you might have about the process and challenges involved in purchasing a floating home, and guide you through these uncertain waters...so contact me when you're ready and I'll help you make an informed decision about the best place to moor your floating home.When considering the purchase of a floating home, one of the most critical aspects of the process is the inspection of the float. The float is the actual foundation of the floating home. And because the majority of the float is below the waterline and not visible to the naked eye, prospective buyers need to have a professional inspect this "undercarriage" of the floating home, and the general underwater condition of the floating home, prior to making an offer.
It is also very advisable to have the rest of the home inspected as well. Contact me for more information about the inspection process as it pertains to floating homes - it's not as scary as it sounds, it's just different. And we are all typically a bit afraid of things that we haven't encountered before, and I totally understand that, so just give me a call or email me at your convenience and I'll help you understand it all as best I can...
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Important Terms and Definitions: Floats (also called Flotation or Flotational Devices or Flotational Systems): These are devices on which your floating home rests, providing the buoyancy that keeps your home above water. There are several types of floats that underpin a standard floating home, and here are some of the more common types: Rafts, pontoons, barge/scow floats, and box floats. ***Barge/scow floats are floats that are converted from the hull of an actual ship and are used as the "float" of your floating home. Some barge floats are built brand-new, but many are merely salvaged from old barges and scows. Salvaged wooden and metal hulls work very well as floats, and most have a bilge pump inside the hollow interior of the float which are utilized in the event of water leaks.
***Box floats are large, seaworthy boxes that are built from wood, metal, styrofoam, or other seaworthy materials, and attached together to form a working float. Box floats are actually large floating docks on which the actual floating home is affixed. Box floats are typically sealed, hollow or filled with styrofoam.
***Pontoon floats are typically comprised of two long floats which are made of fiberglass, steel, aluminum, plywood, or any number of other floatable materials - and are placed lengthwise along the bottom of the actual home. They are typically set at the outer edges of the home and are connected by a smaller, bracketlike support structure. Pontoon floats are either completely hollow, or they are filled with a foam product. Pontoon floats are very effective when it comes to towing a house boat, which is something the homeowner might have to do, if they want to "relocate", or if they are bringing a brand-new floating home into their slip.
***Raft floats are the most common type of float. Tree logs serve as the foundation of the raft float, and after they are bundled together into a cohesive flotational structure, your floating home rests directly on top of the raft. Some of the floating homes found around the world have been resting on the same logs for several decades. Logs do eventually become "waterlogged" and sink, but it's a very slow process.
All flotational systems (floats) have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. The deterioration of the materials that comprise the float is the most pressing issue here, especially for floating homes on salt water - within the floating home communities in Oregon, we don't have to worry about deteriorating floats as frequently (due to the fact that all of our floating homes are moored in fresh water). Even so, it's always wise to have a thorough inspection done on the floats of any floating home you are considering purchasing.
 Floating home: A home built on "floats" that is anchored to a semi-permanent location on the water.House barge: A floating home with a hull that is constructed for towing/navigating the water if the owner wants to relocate. A house barge houses people directly on the water, but it does not need to comply with the construction and utility requirements applicable to floating homes. House barges are more typical in the Seattle area.
Houseboat: A live-aboard vessel that has its own motor and is free to travel the waterways, not having to be moored in one permanent location.
Moorage: A facility for docking, or housing, a floating home. The owner of a floating home will have a slip that will be located within a moorage facility.
Slip: The "water lot" at a moorage where a floating home is "anchored". Some moorages rent slips; while others sell slips.
Stringer: A support beam that supports and connects the wooden logs found within a float. (You can watch an informative, brief video about floaing home stringer repair - which will explain a lot about stringers - right here.)
Swim float: An extension that is built on to the deck of a floating home, designed as an area where people can swim, or entertain, and have more deck space.
To read additional basic information about floating homes, click here to view a series of frequently asked questions (FAQ's). To watch a brief, informative video about the floating home lifestyle in Portland, click here.
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Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Call Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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 Graham Marden is a REALTOR® with Prudential Northwest Properties in Portland, Oregon. Marden, who holds the Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation, has been selling floating homes on the river and real property on land in the Portland area since 1994. Graham Marden ranks among the Top 1% of real estate agents nationwide in terms of overall Web site traffic. If you are interested in buying or selling a floating home anywhere in Oregon, floating homes expert Graham Marden has a wealth of experience at the ready...call Graham direct at 503-807-4504 or click this link and email Graham right now. |
 ***MEDIA INQUIRIES: Internationally recognized floating homes expert Graham Marden has received extensive worldwide media exposure, in such major venues as the New York Times, MSN Real Estate, The Freshwater News, Oregon Home Magazine, Portland's "Oregonian" newspaper, and many other well-known major media publications. To request an interview with floating homes expert Graham Marden, select one of the following options: Call Graham direct at 503-807-4504, fill out this brief email form, or go to Graham's Media Page. |
Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Call Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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Saving you time on the Internet is my primary aim...
Because if you didn't think you could find what you were looking for
quickly and efficiently right here on the World Wide Web, you would
more than likely be flipping through the Yellow Pages right now...
Here is a time-saving tip designed to make things a lot easier for you
while you research floating homes for sale in Portland Oregon on the Internet.
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 An Internet Quick Tip from Christian Ullman, Web Developer...Did you know that you can quickly return to any web page on the Internet, simply by bookmarking it? First, press and hold "Ctrl" on your computer keyboard...then press and hold the letter "D" at the same time...you can then immediately return to that web page again, whenever you want to do so, simply by locating it in your "Favorites" file and clicking it. For example, if you bookmarked this particular page, you could then find it listed in your "Favorites" file...and it should read -"Portland Oregon Floating Homes"...pass this tip on to your friends and family... |
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9600 SW Barnes Rd.,
Suite 100 - Portland OR 97225
Direct: (503)807-4504 - Office: (503)292-9393 - FAX: (503)292-7708
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 While you are here looking at Portland floating homes, feel free to take an unhurried look around. Discover how Portland real estate agent Graham Marden can help you bring your personal real estate dreams to life...
Graham Marden's cutting-edge Internet tools make buying or selling any home a virtual breeze...The full web site link menu is located at the bottom of every page on this site.
To contact internationally recognized floating homes expert Graham Marden, simply fill out the brief form found on Graham's Portland Oregon Floating Homes "Email Me" page.
Click "Send" when you are finished, and Graham Marden will get back to you in short order to help you assess your personal situation.
Graham's Portland Oregon floating homes consultations are always free of charge.
Call today and chat with Graham Marden about your personal floating homes in Portland search -- or send Graham an email in 2 seconds using the email panel located immediately below...
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| Graham Marden is a REALTOR® with Prudential Northwest Properties in Portland, Oregon. Marden, who holds the Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation, has been selling floating homes on the river and real property on land in the Portland area since 1994. Graham Marden ranks among the Top 1% of real estate agents nationwide in terms of overall Web site traffic. If you are interested in buying or selling a floating home anywhere in Oregon, floating homes expert Graham Marden has a wealth of experience at the ready...call Graham direct at 503-807-4504 or click this link and email Graham right now. |
| ***MEDIA INQUIRIES: Internationally recognized floating homes expert Graham Marden has received extensive worldwide media exposure, in such major venues as the New York Times, MSN Real Estate, The Freshwater News, Oregon Home Magazine, Portland's "Oregonian" newspaper, and many other well-known major media publications. To request an interview with floating homes expert Graham Marden, select one of the following options: Call Graham direct at 503-807-4504, fill out this brief email form, or go to Graham's Media Page. |
    Beautiful floating homes in Portland Oregon...your new life on the water awaits!
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| Portland Oregon Floating Homes: by Graham Marden, Prudential NW Properties
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***MAIN MENU - Scroll down slowly to view all options...
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 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - View All the Floating Homes for Sale in the Portland Area: View all the floating homes for sale in the entire Portland area...view Graham Marden's showcased Portland Oregon floating homes (great values!)...take virtual tours of beautiful Portland Oregon floating homes, access a map of current floating home communities, view brand-new homes across Portland and the entire state, view marinas and moorages, and a lot more... |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Floating in Paradise: The Ultimate Urban Lifestyle: Once you climb aboard your floating home and settle in, you will inevitably start to relax...it happens every single time. Whether it's the gentle, rolling water directly beneath your feet, or the indelibly spiritual nature of the area...well...it's simply THERE, whatever it is. Wildlife is abundant...and the views are indescribable. You might eventually get so relaxed, that you'll want to start living life again - instead of merely being a spectator to it. |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Floating Home FAQ's: Top floating homes expert Graham Marden answers some frequently asked questions about floating homes...find out how floating homes are different from typical real estate properties, what's involved in the floating home buying process, and more...get fast answers to questions commonly asked by novice buyers...Taxes? Insurance? Moorage facilities? Buy the slip or rent it? Get fast answers here. |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Floating Homes 101 - A Basic Outline of Important Terms and Concepts: Find out the difference between a raft float, a barge float, a box float and a pontoon float...get fast access to easily understandable definitions and basic floating homes terminology...find out the two basic options for "docking" your floating home and living on the water in style...can you fish directly from the window of your floating home? (yes!)... |
Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Call Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - How to Get the Maximum Number of High Bids When Selling Your Floating Home: It's a numbers game...and if you work with an "average" real estate agent, who doesn't have a prolific presence on the Internet, your home won't get seen by the staggering numbers of qualified home buyers that Graham Marden's homes are seen by, 24 hours a day...Graham Marden's site is in the Top 1% nationwide in terms of total hits... |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - A Real Estate Tip That May Save You Thousands When Purchasing a Floating Home: Reading this one, single, very informative Web page can save you thousands of dollars on your next home purchase...find out what the most common critical mistakes are that home shoppers make, when shopping for a floating home (or any other type of home)...find out why it pays to use a qualified expert when purchasing a home... |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Get a Free Floating Homes Consultation With Graham Marden: World-renowned floating homes expert Graham Marden has a wealth of experience to share with his clients...his properties have been featured in The New York Times, he has been consulted by floating homes manufacturers and developers worldwide - and you can consult with him for free, simply by clicking the link above and visiting this page. |
Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Call Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - 16 Top Moorage Facilities and Their Fees: Did you know that if you own a floating home, there is a tax break involved if you own the slip that comes with it (the slip is the place where you dock your floating home)? Find out about the monthly fees associated with the top floating home marinas and floating home moorage facilities in the Portland area, right here...find out the exact number of slips that are available at each facility; find out if the communities are gated; find important venues near each facility, such as groceries, gas stations, restaurants, hospitals, and more. |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - New Homes in Portland: View all the new homes for sale in the Portland Oregon area...view beautiful high-rise condos and townhomes in the downtown Portland Oregon area...view new single-family homes, townhouses and more...view every single new property for sale in the entire Portland Oregon area...call Graham Marden if you don't see what you are looking for...Graham can find you properties not available on the Internet... |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Stop Renting - Start Owning: Find out how you can stop throwing away money on rent, and own your own home...there are many little-known program available right now, for qualified home buyers. Graham Marden specializes in helping people who have been stuck paying rent for years, get into a new home, using these great programs. (***Note: First-time buyer programs are NOT available for floating homes.) |
Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Call Graham Marden - (503)807-4504
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 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Why Searching For Homes Online Can Turn Into a Trap From Which There Is No Escape: So you're online, searching for homes, and you think you spot a winner..."Aha!" You say to yourself. "There it is!" Thinking happy thoughts, you go see the home without FIRST securing the services of an expert buyer's agent...and you deal with the seller's agent only...and you buy the home! Oops. The neighborhood isn't as desirable as it LOOKS online. The home prices are "off". Avoid the trap! |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - What's My Home Worth? - Get a Free CMA and Find Out Fast: Finding a good starting price for your floating home is the first critical step in the sales process. If you're considering selling your existing floating home, you can get a free Comparative Market Analysis, from top real estate expert Graham Marden, by email, in seconds...fill out the brief email form on this page, get your home seen by floating home buyers worldwide. |
 Portland Oregon Floating Homes - Contact Floating Homes Expert Graham Marden by Email Right Here: Taking the first critical step and contacting the No. 1 floating homes expert in North America is a very smart idea, if you are considering buying a floating home - or selling your existing one. Graham Marden is one of the nation's top floating homes experts, and you can contact him 24/7 using this Quick Contact Email form. |
| Graham Marden is a REALTOR® with Prudential Northwest Properties in Portland, Oregon. Marden, who holds the Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation, has been selling floating homes on the river and real property on land in the Portland area since 1994. Graham Marden ranks among the Top 1% of real estate agents nationwide in terms of overall Web site traffic. If you are interested in buying or selling a floating home anywhere in Oregon, floating homes expert Graham Marden has a wealth of experience at the ready...call Graham direct at 503-807-4504 or click this link and email Graham right now. |
| ***MEDIA INQUIRIES: Internationally recognized floating homes expert Graham Marden has received extensive worldwide media exposure, in such major venues as the New York Times, MSN Real Estate, The Freshwater News, Oregon Home Magazine, Portland's "Oregonian" newspaper, and many other well-known major media publications. To request an interview with floating homes expert Graham Marden, select one of the following options: Call Graham direct at 503-807-4504, fill out this brief email form, or go to Graham's Media Page. |
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