Buying a houseboat in Sausalito is one of the most rewarding real estate decisions you can make — and one of the most unusual. The process looks almost nothing like buying a traditional home. Paul and Roman Bergeron of Paul Bergeron Real Estate have guided buyers through this journey more than 50 times, and we've lived it ourselves on more than 20 floating homes. Here's what to expect.
Step One: Understanding What You're Actually Buying
The first thing to understand about floating homes in Sausalito is the difference between the home and the slip. In most cases, when you buy a houseboat, you're purchasing the floating structure itself — but you're leasing the slip (the water space it occupies) from the marina. Slip leases typically run year-to-year or on longer terms, and they come with monthly fees that cover water, dock maintenance, and sometimes garbage. These fees vary significantly from dock to dock.
At some properties — particularly at Waldo Point Harbor — buyers can own their slip outright rather than leasing it. Slip ownership adds value and long-term security, and it's one of the first things Paul and Roman will help you evaluate when looking at any specific property.
The Docks of Sausalito
Sausalito's floating home community is spread across several distinct marinas and docks, each with its own personality:
- Gate 5 — one of the largest and most established houseboat communities, with a mix of classic wooden boats and newer floating homes
- Gate 6 — a mix of liveaboard houseboats and floating homes, known for its eclectic, artsy culture
- Liberty Dock — a tight-knit community with well-maintained homes and an actively managed marina
- Issaquah Dock — known for some of the most architecturally distinctive floating homes in Sausalito
- Yellow Ferry Harbor — smaller and quieter, popular with buyers who want a more private feel
- Waldo Point Harbor — the largest community, with a range of price points and the only area where slip ownership is available
- Commodore — an established, neighborly community known for its long-tenured residents and well-kept homes
Each dock has its own slip lease terms, its own rules, and its own vibe. Having an agent — like Paul and Roman Bergeron — who knows all of these communities personally is invaluable when you're trying to find the right fit.
Financing a Floating Home
Liveaboard financing is one of the biggest surprises for first-time houseboat buyers. You generally cannot use a conventional mortgage to buy a floating home in Sausalito. Only two lenders actively finance Sausalito floating homes: Bank of Marin and a credit union represented by Paul Bergeron (NMLS #399152). Paul and Roman Bergeron have relationships with the right lenders — and for comprehensive loan guidance, visit floatinghomeloans.com.
The Inspection
Before you buy a houseboat, you'll need a marine survey from a certified marine surveyor. The surveyor will assess the hull condition, the bilge, through-hulls and sea cocks, the electrical system, the plumbing, and the overall structural integrity of the vessel. For older boats, a haulout — physically lifting the vessel out of the water for a bottom inspection — may be required or strongly recommended. Survey results can vary dramatically, and knowing how to interpret and negotiate based on findings is where Paul and Roman's decades of experience really pay off.
Closing and Moving In
Once you've completed the survey, negotiated repairs or credits, and secured financing, the closing process is more similar to a standard real estate transaction — with a few extra layers. Marina approval of the slip lease transfer may be required. And of course, if you're planning to live aboard full-time, you'll need to familiarize yourself with liveaboard regulations and the culture of your specific dock.
The day you move in is unlike any other. Waking up to the sound of water, watching the tide change outside your window, becoming part of one of the most unique communities in the Bay Area — there's nothing else like it. We know, because we've done it ourselves.