KOMO News is reporting that it takes an income of $105K to buy a median-priced home in the Seattle area. This is based off a report from HSH.com. When you dig deeper into the report, here’s how HSH.com came up with their numbers: [Read more…]
Greater Seattle’s Shifting Real Estate Market
November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment
You’ve probably heard that the Seattle’s sizzling real estate market has cooled a bit with home prices starting to come down. This is great news for folks who have grown weary battling in bidding wars only to have their offers rejected time after time. It looks like, at least right now, things may be returning to be more “normal”. [Read more…]
What is a mortgage “buy down”?
October 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
With rising mortgage interest rates, “buy-downs” are the new buzz word. A “buy down” either temporarily or permanently reduces the interest rate on a mortgage loan. With the local real estate market cooling down, it’s not unusual to see a Seller agree to actually pay for a buy-down to help sweeten the deal for a potential home buyer. It can actually be a “win-win” for both buyer and seller as the buyer receives a lower mortgage payment and the contribution paid by the seller may be less than what a price reduction might be. [Read more…]
The Beauty of a Bridge Loan
June 27, 2018 by Leave a Comment
I recently helped a couple successfully close on their new home in Seattle before having to close on their former home in Everett. By using a bridge loan to access equity on the Everett home, they were able to make a winning offer on the Seattle home without it having to be “subject to the sale” of their former home. This help to make their offer far more attractive in a very competitive real estate market. [Read more…]
Coming Soon: Freddie Mac’s HomeOne Mortgage Program
June 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Later next month, Freddie Mac will be offering a new program for first time home buyers. This mortgage program offers low down payment options without the income limit or geographic restrictions that Home Possible has.
HomeOne will be available for both purchases and rate-term refinances on single family dwellings. At least one borrower on the application must be a first time home buyer when the transaction is a purchase and home buyer education is required. [Read more…]
Possible Relief for Seattle – King County Home Buyers
June 15, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Northwest Multiple Listing Service issued a press release indicating that we are finally seeing an increase in new listings being added to the market. The 14,524 new listings that came on during May, in the 23 counties that the NWMLS serves, are the most listings added in one month in 10 years. In King County, there were almost 1000 homes added to the market creating just over one month of inventory – the first time since September of last year. Here’s a link to the NWMLS market snapshot for May 2018. [Read more…]
It’s Hard Being a Home Buyer in Seattle – Here are some tips!
May 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment
CNN recently published an article about a couple’s experience buying a home in Seattle. In a nutshell, their seventh offer was accepted with multiple offers well over the list price and they were able to close quickly without contingencies with a large earnest money deposit.
Home prices and lack of inventory (which I hope is starting to change) have created a highly competitive situation for those who want to buy a home in Seattle. Buying a home just about anywhere in the tri-county area these days is not for the feint of heart. [Read more…]
Are markets shifting in Seattle?
May 11, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This weekend while driving around my neighborhood in Seattle, I noticed more “for sale” and “open house” signs on homes. It’s a welcome sight after how long we’ve been in this tight market with very little housing inventory. [Read more…]
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