Mortgage interest rates continue higher

Freddie Mac’s weekly Prime Mortgage Market Survey shows that the average conforming rate last week reached a four year high with the 30 year at 4.58% priced with a half point.

[Read more…]

Stop paying rent: Mortgages with Low Down Payment Options

Recently I wrote about neighbors in West Seattle who were looking for a new place to rent because they have two cats and a dog, limiting their options.  I’ve pets my entire life, this is my cat Rocko at his typical hang-out where he can view everything on our stairs.

In my last post, I shared Fannie Mae’s Home Ready mortgage program which offers a low down payment with improved pricing on rates and mortgage insurance. [Read more…]

Reason to stop paying rent #7: You have a pet

I love my pets, Rocko and Hitch. We have had pets before we had (our now adult) children. I totally understand someone’s anguish when they are trying to deal with where they are going to live when they have pets.
This morning, I was catching up on Facebook and in our local neighborhood group for West Seattle, a neighbor is worried about if their landlord is getting ready to sell the home they are currently renting. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rates are still low

Freddie Mac released their weekly Prime Market Mortgage Survey (PMMS) today showing that last week, conforming mortgage rates were fairly steady after trending higher since the beginning of this year.

[Read more…]

Higher Property Taxes Impacts Everyone

If you live in King, Pierce, Snohomish or many other Washington state counties, you have some sticker shock when you see your 2018 property taxes.  King County is reporting that the average home will see their taxes increase by 17%.  The City of Sumner in Pierce County may see a whopping 22% jump to their property tax. [Read more…]

Mortgage Rates March Higher

Freddie Mac released their Prime Mortgage Market Survey today showing mortgage rates continuing to trend higher.


The PMMS report is based on an average of conforming rates from last week. This is the seventh consecutive week that mortgage rates have moved higher based on this report.

Historically, our rates are still very low. Don’t believe me? Check this out. [Read more…]

Got Bonus? Part 2: Stocks

On Part 1 of Got Bonus, I covered how lump sum cash or increases to salary are treated when it comes to qualifying for a home mortgage loan. In this post, I’ll address how bonuses that are in the form of company stock are treated by lenders. [Read more…]

Got Bonus?

The Seattle Times announced yesterday that Boeing employees will be receiving a record $600 million in bonuses starting next week. From the Seattle Times:

“Boeing’s nearly 66,000 current employees in the state will be eligible for the bonuses. More than 6,000 more who worked at least part of last year before leaving the company will get a partial bonus, prorated according to how long they worked last year.” [Read more…]