Seller Paid Buydowns in Washington State

Seller Paid Buydowns creating affordability for Washington homebuyers

When a buyer and seller are working to close a deal in a higher-rate environment, a seller buydown is often one of the most powerful tools on the table — and one that’s frequently misunderstood or underused. Rather than simply reducing the sales price, a seller can contribute funds that directly lower the buyer’s mortgage rate or reduce their payment for the early years of the loan. The result for the buyer is often more meaningful than an equivalent price cut.

Washington State buyers: A seller buydown is a negotiated concession — it must be structured correctly at the time of purchase and coordinated between your real estate agent and your loan officer. If you’re considering making an offer or countering with a buydown, reach out before you write the offer so we can run the numbers for your specific loan. 
[Read more…]

Before You Drop the Price: Why a Rate Buydown Saves Buyers More

WA State homebuying strategies

Before you drop your list price or make a lowball offer, read this. A $20,000 seller-paid permanent rate buydown can save a buyer more than $270 a month — nearly three times the savings of a $20,000 price reduction.

Here’s how it works, and why it’s one of the most powerful negotiating tools in today’s market [Read more…]

What Happens to Your Mortgage If You Lose Your Job Before Closing?

what if you lose your job before closing on your mortgageIf you’re buying a home in the Seattle area right now, there’s a good chance this thought has crossed your mind: What if I lose my job before we close?

It’s not an irrational fear. Tech layoffs have been real and visible, economic uncertainty is genuinely elevated, and buying a home is one of the largest financial commitments most people make. The last thing anyone wants is to be mid-transaction when bad news arrives.

The good news: there’s a lot more nuance here than most buyers realize — and understanding what lenders actually look for can help you make a more confident decision. [Read more…]

The Mortgage Porter Weekly | Mortgage Rates, Middle East & Non-QM Mortgages

It’s the first week of June! Here is this week’s Mortgage Porter Weekly.

[Read more…]

Before Your Signing Appointment: What to Bring and Expect

before your signing when you're buying a home in seattle

Your signing appointment is one of the final steps before you get the keys to your new home — or before your refinance closes. Knowing what to expect and what to bring makes the process smoother for everyone involved, including the escrow officer, your lender, and you.

Here’s a practical checklist I share with my clients before their signing appointment, along with a few tips from my background of managing an escrow branch prior to my career in mortgage.

[Read more…]