How Much Money Do You Need to Buy a Home?

Did you know that you don’t need a 20% down payment to buy a home? In this video, I discuss what funds are needed during the home buying process.

If you’re interested in buying or refinancing a home, please contact me!

Appraisal Waivers on Conforming Mortgages

no appraisal required - appraisal waiverSome conforming mortgages for refinances or home purchases may not require an appraisal. It all boils down to what the response is from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s automated underwriting systems on whether or not an appraisal is required. You may have perfect credit and tons of equity in your home, yet no appraisal waiver if Fannie or Freddie’s underwriting systems determine it’s not eligible.

Your next conforming mortgage might be eligible to not have an appraisal if it meets the following criteria: [Read more…]

Appraisals waived for some refinances!

Please visit our updated Refinance Guide for Homes in Washington.

In order to be eligible for to have an appraisal waived, Fannie Mae’s automated underwriting system, Desktop Underwriter (specifically version DU 10) must determine the property qualifies. This process takes place once the lender has an application and has ran it through Desktop Underwriter.

Refinance transactions that are eligible to have an appraisal waived include: [Read more…]

Waiving your financing contingency?

The greater Seattle real estate market is hot. With the lack of inventory, some home buyers have found themselves in a position where they feel they need to waive their financing contingency or the appraisal. I see this strategy happen when home buyers have been competing with multiple and/or cash offers.

[Read more…]

You just “won” the highest bid on a hot Seattle home… now what?

Seattle home for saleThe Puget Sound Business Journal recently posted an article about a 1,100 square foot home in Ballard that sold $158,000 over list price. There is no denying that Seattle’s real estate market is hot largely due to lack of inventory and rising rents. (A’ hem…if you have been considering selling your Seattle area home, now could be the time).

[Read more…]