Sausalito, California · On the Docks Since 1985

Life is Better
on the Water

Your complete guide to floating home living in Sausalito — dock culture, buying guides, financing, and community life. Curated by people who actually live here.

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What Is Floating Home Living?

Sausalito's floating homes are a world unto themselves

Nestled in Richardson Bay, just minutes from San Francisco, Sausalito's floating home communities are among the most unique places to live in America. These aren't houseboats you take for a cruise — they're full-time residences, rooted on the water and rooted in community, where neighbors share docks and know each other by name. Paul and Roman Bergeron have been guiding buyers, sellers, and the simply curious through this world since 1985. Everything you need to know about floating home living in Sausalito — from dock guides to buying tips to life on the water.

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Everything You Need to Know

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The Docks Guide

Waldo Point Harbor (282 berths), Kappas Marina, South 40 Dock, Liberty Dock, Issaquah Dock, Yellow Ferry Harbor, Gate 6 Road, Gate 6 Co-op, Kappas East & West Pier, Commodore, and Varda Landing — every community profiled in detail. The most complete floating home dock guide in Sausalito.

Explore the Docks
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Buying Guide

Floating homes don't follow the same rules as land homes. Land leases, slip fees, unique inspections — our step-by-step guide walks you through every stage of the purchase process so nothing catches you off guard.

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Life on the Water

Morning fog, pelicans at the bow, neighbors gathering on the dock at sunset. Floating home living is as much a culture as a real estate category. Get a feel for what daily life actually looks like on the Sausalito docks.

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Financing Guide

Most floating homes don't qualify for conventional mortgages — which changes everything about how you finance one. Our guide explains liveaboard loans, chattel loans, down payment requirements, and which lenders to call.

Learn About Financing
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Blog & Articles

In-depth articles on dock life, the Sausalito market, what to look for in a floating home inspection, and the questions buyers ask most. Written by Paul and Roman Bergeron from four decades of experience.

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Work With Us

This site is the resource. When you're ready to actually buy or sell a floating home in Sausalito, Paul and Roman Bergeron at Paul Bergeron Real Estate are the people to call.

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Your Guides

Meet the Bergerons

Paul Bergeron first walked onto a Sausalito dock in 1985 and never really left. His son Roman grew up on those same docks — riding his bike along the gangways, absorbing a lifetime of floating home knowledge before he ever got his real estate license.

Together, they've closed more than 50 floating home transactions and personally owned over 20 floating homes across Sausalito's docks. They are the people to know in this world.

60+Years combined
20+Homes owned
50+Transactions
Our Full Story →
Paul Bergeron
Paul BergeronSince 1985
Roman Bergeron
Roman BergeronLicensed Agent
Photo: On the docks at Gate 6½, Sausalito
From the Blog

Recent Articles

Basics

June 2026 · 8 min read

Floating Home vs. Houseboat: What's the Real Difference?

Most people use these terms interchangeably — in Sausalito, they mean very different things. One is a permanent home. The other moves. Here's what you need to know.

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Dock Guide

May 2026 · 11 min read

Gate 5 vs. Gate 6: Which Sausalito Dock Is Right for You?

The two most well-known floating home communities in Sausalito couldn't be more different. One leans artsy; the other, polished. Paul Bergeron breaks down both.

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Financing

April 2026 · 9 min read

Can You Get a Mortgage on a Floating Home? The Honest Answer

The financing process for a floating home is unlike anything in traditional real estate. Some qualify for conventional loans. Many don't. Here's the full breakdown.

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Ready to find your floating home?

Paul and Roman Bergeron have been matching people with the right dock, the right home, and the right community since 1985. Reach them through Paul Bergeron Real Estate.

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