Homeownership & Lifestyle

Homeownership is more than a mortgage — it’s about community, lifestyle, and long-term planning.

This section includes personal insights, community involvement, and home-related topics that reflect the broader experience of owning and living in the great Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Real Estate Chat: Mold, Asbestos and Lead – Oh My! [Video]

This week’s episode of Seattle RE Chat featured a special guest, James Mallory, President of Environix. James shared a lot of important information about mold, asbestos and lead, all of which can be potentially be found in Seattle area homes.

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Main Stream Media Misses Message on Mortgages [Rant Warning]

2013-08-14_1419Recently a piece that was aired on ABC news about mortgages and was brought to my attention. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen something so misleading and sensational about what consumers should watch for when obtaining a mortgage.

The segment features Erin Lantz from Zillow who claims to have saved a couple thousands of dollars on their home mortgage. Erin is Zillow’s Director of Mortgage Business and prior to Zillow, her lending career was at Countrywide and Bank of America, during the subrime era.

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From the Mortgage Junk Mail Bag

JunkIt’s been a while since I’ve shared a POS (piece of solicitation) from the junk mail bag. I don’t have an issue with lenders trying to obtain business from home owners by mailing marketing pieces…although I do wonder why they must resort to marketing to strangers instead of working with past clients.

This letter was sent last month. It was packaged in a folding security envelope to look as if it may have contained important information, such as the code to an ATM card. It was only a trick to get one to open it. [Read more…]

Buying a Vacation Home in Washington

WPointless Jones Island San Juan WAashington State has so many great areas for folks to vacation in.  From the deserts in eastern Washington, rugged mountains, the Pacific coastline or the San Juan Islands; I think our state pretty much has it all to offer. It’s no wonder I’m seeing more clients taking advantage of lower home prices and interest rates to buy a second home.

Here are some requirements lenders have for financing an vacation (or second) home:

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My first painting: JP Patches

My new hobby that I’ve recently picked back up is painting. With my son off to college, in the evenings and weekends, I’m really enjoying picking up the paint brush.

Here’s my first finished project: JP Patches on black velvet.

Rhonda Porter's JP Patches on Black Velvet

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