The 7 best homes of the year

Seattle, Washington. Built in 2007, this floating home lies on the shore of Lake Union. The two-bedroom house has radiant-heat flooring, maple cabinets, American cherry flooring, and a rooftop deck.

The living room, dining area, and kitchen open to a water-level deck. $695,000. Rick Miner, Coldwell Banker Danforth, (206) 940-1180. STATUS: Sold.

Newport, Rhode Island. This shingle-style carriage house built in 1900 sits on the border of Ballard Park. The five-bedroom home has four fireplaces and both hardwood and marble floors.

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The 0.59-acre property includes bluestone terraces, stone walls, and an outdoor fire pit. $3,595,000. Don Desrosiers, Gustave White/Sotheby's International Realty, (401) 848-6713. STATUS: Same.

Austin, Texas. This six-bedroom, landmarked French colonial was built in 1922. Interior details include marble floors, pillars, custom ironwork, and a barreled brick ceiling in the family room.

The property features a two-bedroom guesthouse, a pool, a cabana, and an outdoor kitchen. $3,795,000. Cord Shiflet, Moreland Properties/Christie's International Real Estate, (512) 751-2673. STATUS: Sold.

Bar Harbor, Maine. Set on 5 acres, this house with five en-suite bedrooms features views of Frenchman Bay and Arcadia National Park. Built in 1994, the cedar shingled home has an elevator, a fireplace, large windows throughout, and a studio.

The exterior includes eight viewing decks for 360-degree vistas. $3,950,000. Kim Swan and Betty Bryer, The Swan Agency/Sotheby's International Realty, (207) 288-5818. STATUS: Same.

Key West, Florida. Built in 1948, this three-bedroom home lies in the historic Meadows neighborhood. Details include a floating mahogany staircase, a media room, a 12-foot saltwater aquarium, and a downstairs master suite.

The back wall of the house is lined with 16 glass doors, which open onto a tropical garden and pool area. $2,295,000. Lori Langton, Bascom Grooms Real Estate, (305) 923-1685. STATUS: Same.

Oakland, California. This three-bedroom loft is in a former dry-goods warehouse built in 1924. The bilevel home features exposed masonry, wood trusses, and a kitchen with a breakfast bar and stone countertops.

Building amenities include bike storage, security alarms, and proximity to the Bay Bridge Trail. $989,000. Sara Garabedian, Red Oak Realty/Top Agent Network, (510) 206- 2170. STATUS: Same.

Schuyler, Virginia. This two-bedroom home outside of Charlottesville is on a 3.7-acre wooded lot. With its two-story open floor plan, the house was designed to let light shine in.

Features include a woodstove, wall cutouts, exposed beams, upper balconies, and a rooftop deck. $250,000. Peter Wiley, Frank Hardy/Sotheby's International Realty, (434) 422-2090. STATUS: Sold.

**Want more? Check out 7 homes for holiday entertaining**