If you own a condo in Washington and you’re thinking about selling, this one’s for you. Most sellers get their home ready with paint and staging — but very few think about whether their condo project itself is financeable and what the financing options are.
Condo & HOA Red Flags Before You Buy in Washington State
August 5, 2026 by 1 Comment
Buying a condo or townhome in Washington means you’re not just qualifying for a mortgage — you’re buying into an association’s finances too. This guide walks through what to check before you write an offer, how HOA dues factor into your qualifying ratios (now and later, if you refinance), and how reserve funding, litigation, and special assessments can affect your financing. [Read more…]
Townhome vs. Condo: Which Is Right for You in Washington State?
July 29, 2026 by 1 Comment
This post compares the ownership structures of townhomes and condos in Washington State — what you actually own, what you’re responsible for, and how that affects your monthly costs and financing.
Townhome vs. Condo: What’s the real difference?
“Townhome” and “condo” get used almost interchangeably by buyers, but they’re legal ownership structures, not architectural styles. A building can look like a townhome and still be legally structured as a condominium — and that distinction matters more for your wallet than the floor plan does. [Read more…]
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Changed the Rules on Condo Financing — Here’s What Seattle Buyers Need to Know
April 3, 2026 by 5 Comments
If you’re shopping for a condo in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, or anywhere in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County, there’s something you need to know: the rules just changed. On March 18, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issued Lender Letter LL-2026-03 and Guide Bulletin 2026-C — a coordinated update to how condominiums qualify for conventional financing. Some of the changes expand access to more buildings. Others will make it harder for some projects to qualify. And a few will affect what happens at closing. Here’s a breakdown of what changed, what it means for buyers, and what questions to ask before you make an offer on a condo. These guideline changes also impact homeowners who are planning on refinancing their condo with a conventional mortgage. [Read more…]
Is Your Condo FHA Approved? Why It Matters – Updated 2026
November 26, 2007 by 7 Comments
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2007 and has been substantially updated in 2026 to reflect current FHA condominium approval rules, including the Single-Unit Approval pathway and today’s recertification process.
