You have to love it when you and the people you meet here in the rain, get to take their umbrellas and go do something good together out there in the "real rain"----the real world. I met Courtney here on ActiveRain way back when I first started playing here in the rain and we got to know each other as she and I duked it out on our way to the top two spots in Seattle----here on ActiveRain. In those days it seemed like a daunting feat to get to the top, but now I just enjoy sitting up there with Courtney. We met for real, the first time, at the first Seattle ReBar camp a couple of years ago and have seen each other at Raincamps to follow----and have always threatened to work together. As those of you that know Courtney know----and for those of you that don't know her yet----Courtney has carved out for herself a nice little niche in the world of houseboats. If you want to know anything about houseboats----or floating homes as they are also known----just ask Courtney Cooper. It was great fun doing the inspection with her and having the inspection be a floating home to boot made it extra special. Houseboats are the quintessential definition of Seattle eclectic----and I relish every opportunity to wander the docks. This is not an easy feat because most of the docks are private-----some even gated. At this inspection Courtney had brought in a diver to che It was a beautiful day on Lake Union and the views were worth a million bucks----or two. Here is one of the views----pretty spectacular don't you think? Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
I had the distinct pleasure of doing an inspection with Courtney Cooper, of Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services the other day. 
ck out the "foundation." I was happy to defer to others everything below the finish floor surface. This was one crawl swim space I did not mind NOT inspecting-----although it would have been cool checking out 100 year old logs. The diver brought some trinkets up for us all to check out----like this crawdad----aint't it cute?
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I would think that would take a specialist. I don't know nuthin' bout sellin' no houseboats!
Wow Charles,
I am sure that this aspect of Seattle real estate has never occurred to a lot of us. Please post a little on the special aspects of houseboat inspection, other than permanently flooded basements :)
all the best...
Charles - I'll bet the moisture meter has lots of fun on a floating house!
What a fun learning experience. I would not even know where to begin.
House boat inspecting has got to be interesting. The post was great Charles, as per usual, and thanks for the idea to feature some of the people I work with.
Now that is something I just never thought about.
Must really break up the day. And with a fellow A.R. member I am sure made it that much better.
Tough to split a craw fish 3 ways though.
Enjoy the day
What a cool niche. I guess Water Intrusion takes on a whole new meaning on a house boat.
Great pictures and story that goes with it! :) Thanks!
Alan, the key is that they float----after that......
Bill, I will work on that
John---especially below the water line :)
Diane---fun indeed
Jack, Courtney deserves it for sure
Don---yes just one bite----some of them actually get pretty big
Gene, you have got that right
Chris, you are welcome
You are a lucky man. I have never met Courtney but am a avid fan. Her reputation and market is legendary!
Mr Charles,
I am still in Alaska and I am thinking that if you would apologize for the wrongs you have dun to me, I might come back down. Another feature on me would be much popular.
Nutsy
Do I recognize that dock from "Sleepless In Seattle?"
I recall two wandering home inspectors finding their way into one of these boat communities. ;)
Paul, for sure
Nutcase---but I love it where you are right now
Jay, could be
Jim, anyone I know ;)
Too cool. The closest thing we have here in Minnesota is ice fishing houses. Not quite the same.
Now THAT is one niche I had never even knew existed...Other than the Susquehanna River we don't have alot of water around Central PA...Thanks for the post Charles...Enjoy the day.
Hi Charles, Thanks for introducing Courtney and also for expanding our thinking of other types of homes and the need to inspect those as well. Each type of dwelling has it's own unique challenges and we need to at least be aware , if not understand the nuances of all types of dwellings. Isn't it great when we get to meet those that we know on line. The bond can be so terrific and the feelings we get from it are so enjoyable.
Reuben, well an ice fishing house would be pretty stable 8 months of the year in your area :)
Ernie, I have often wondered if there are other areas of the country with houseboats.
William----everyone I have met on line has lived up to the real life meeting.
Hey Charlie! How the heck have you been? Love this post, 'specially the cute little 'dad ;)
Debi
Debi, there you are!-----nice to see you.
Nice to see you too, Charlie! Good to be back....
What a nice niche Courtney has and nice you have gotten to work with her. I've always been fascinated by the idea of living on a houseboat.
How did the Home Boat inspection go? Wow, and a diver needed to explore the "foundation".
Oh, the view is spectacular. I see where there could be some privacy issues with the houseboats proximity to each other.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Charles,
What a great place to take your next class for a inspection, I know I would of liked that better than the home we inspected together. Maybe Dave H could go to and set up his ladder on/over the side, ha,ha.
Brad Gotham Granite Peak Inspection, Inc.
I have always loved those Seattle houseboats, they are very special. By the way, when do you start scuba lessons, it could be another whole new avenue of business for you!
Ana
Do those Dads turn red when you cook them?
Sue, just kind of imagine a floating condo :)
Brad----that would be interesting
Ana, I had enough of swimming back in the primordial ooze :)
Jack, I belief they do----no different than lobsters I guess
Charles, Charles, Charles! You are a an amazing inspector and I had so much fun with you - I can not wait to Roast you MR!!! MY only complaint is I told you no pictures from the waist down!!!!! I am a little more bouyant than I would like to be right now. See you at the next one!
PS - Molly let the Crawdad go as it tried to crawl out of the jar and take her on:) Your inspection was PRICELESS.
Courtney, I can see the marquee now, "GIANT CRAWDAD ATTACKS SEATTLE!"
I had good intentions of bringing the crawdad home to join the snails the diver picked up for me from the previous dive inspection. But when I saw the crawdad's pinches emerging from the jar full of water, I decided the little fella was better off in the lake. Good to see you and thank you for a thorough inspection!
Charles - do you really have over HALF A MILLION point on AR??? Wowzers!!!!
Molly, nice to see you again----probably a wise decision on the crawdad unless you were planning on eating him :)
Courtney, I know---can't really believe it myself----I have this problem with "consistent" :)
So cool. My wife has always had a fascination with house boats. We may need your and Courtney's services in the future!!
Hi Charles, WOW, I'm super envious, ...I love houseboats and would enjoy inspecting one someday. but there aren't many around here. Thanks for the pics, that must have been awesome. jay
Jim, are you thinking of moving to this area? Do you have any houseboats down your way?
Jay, they are fun-----although a little scary from a liability point of view :)