8812 86th Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 | $1,499,000

For SaleFOR SALE IN GIG HARBOR

Oct 28

Written by Karima Neghmouche

3 bd | 2.25 bA | 2,528 sq ft

Waterfront living, the Gig Harbor way.

There are waterfront homes, and then there are homes where the water becomes part of your everyday life.

Set along 100 feet of west-facing, low-bank shoreline on Lay Inlet, this is the kind of property people move to Gig Harbor hoping to find: a private dock, incredible sunsets, abundant wildlife, and a home designed to keep the water in view.

From the moment you step inside, your eye is drawn straight toward the inlet. The home has great bones and a wonderfully functional layout, with nearly every main living space oriented toward the waterfront. All of the bedrooms are positioned on the waterside of the home, so mornings begin with water views and evenings end with the glow of the setting sun.

The main-floor primary suite makes everyday living easy, with direct deck access and a front-row seat to the ever-changing scenery outside. The living and dining spaces flow toward an oversized waterfront deck built for long summer dinners, morning coffee, sunset cocktails, and gathering with friends while boats drift by.

Down at the shoreline, this property really comes to life. The private dock already has water and power, making it ready for boating days, paddleboards, kayaks, crabbing gear, or simply pulling up a chair and watching the tides roll in. Low-bank access makes getting to the water easy, while the firepit and waterfront seating create an entirely different outdoor living space just steps from the house.

And the neighbors? Expect plenty with wings and fins. Eagles, osprey, seals and other Puget Sound wildlife are regular visitors, while the shoreline offers opportunities for clamming and beachcombing right outside your door.

Inside, the home offers room to make it distinctly your own. The spacious kitchen features abundant storage and a breakfast bar overlooking the dining room and water beyond. A cozy fireplace anchors the main living room, while downstairs, an expansive family and media room opens directly to the waterfront patio and covered hot tub. A second bedroom and water-view bonus room offer flexibility for guests, an office, gym, hobby space or additional living area.

Recent improvements—including a new roof—provide a strong starting point for whatever vision comes next. There’s also generous parking for an RV or boat and, refreshingly, no HOA.

All of this is tucked into a peaceful waterfront setting while still keeping you close to the places that make Gig Harbor so easy to love: parks, tennis courts, Uptown, downtown, shopping and Highway 16.

This home isn’t about perfection polished into every corner. It’s about something much harder to recreate: the land, the exposure, the shoreline, the dock, the views and the way the home sits on the water.

And when you do want shopping, dining or entertainment, Uptown Gig Harbor is close by with roughly 35 shops and services, restaurants, coffee, fitness and Galaxy Theatres/IMAX. From Uptown, downtown Gig Harbor is only about an 8-minute drive, so restaurants, the waterfront, marinas and local shops remain easily accessible.

One of the things that makes this property so special is its setting in the Rosedale area of Gig Harbor. You get the peaceful, tucked-away feeling of waterfront living while still being close to parks, everyday conveniences, shopping and some of the area’s favorite outdoor spaces.

Just up the road, Sehmel Homestead Park spans 98 acres and offers four miles of trails, tennis courts, athletic fields, basketball, picnic areas, gardens, a playground and expansive meadow and forest areas. It’s the kind of place you can use year-round for a morning walk, an afternoon with the kids, or simply getting outside without having to go far. PenMet Parks

For those quick everyday stops, The Rosedale Market is especially convenient — located right on 86th Avenue NW, just down the road from the home. It adds to that neighborhood feel where you can grab something nearby without heading all the way into town.

A little farther south, Kopachuck State Park offers two miles of easy hiking trails, beach access, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, boating and some of the best sunset views in the area. The park is also dog-friendly on leash and includes picnic areas, playgrounds and waterfront access overlooking the Sound.

Here, we’ve also included conceptual renovation images for inspiration—showing ideas for a more open, updated waterfront home while preserving what makes this property so special. Think vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, a reimagined kitchen, updated baths and spaces designed to make the most of the views.