It’s becoming more common for families to have multiple generations living under the same roof. Some families opt to commit to buying a “multi-generational” home together designed to accommodate their lifestyle, whether it’s a home with an attached or detached dwelling unit (aka mother-in-law apartment) or even a home built specifically for generations to live together, there are options available for living with your parents and/or grown children. [Read more…]
FHA vs Conventional Low Down Payment Mortgages for Home Buyers
May 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment
It is a very competitive market for home buyers in the greater Seattle area. I’m finding that many of my clients who are using FHA for financing are not feeling the love from home sellers. It’s not unusual for home sellers, or more likely their Listing Agent, to steer away from FHA offers when a conventional offer is in hand. [Read more…]
Updates to Fannie Mae Guidelines
May 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Last week, Fannie Mae released Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2017-04 with underwriting updates, including the special pricing for when home owners refinance their home to pay off student loans. Fannie Mae is the Federal National Mortgage Association and basically provides funding for conventional “conforming” loans. [Read more…]
2016 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State Mortgages
November 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Conforming loan limits for homes in King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County received a boost with the high balance conforming loan limits of $23,000 for single family dwellings.
All other counties in Washington state will have 2015 conforming loan limits.
2015 Conforming Loan Limits for Washington State
December 14, 2014 by 1 Comment
Please visit our Conforming Mortgage Guide which includes current conforming loan limits for home across Washington state.
Earlier this month, the FHFA announced the 2015 conforming loan limits for homes located in Washington state. A conforming loan is a conventional loan (ie Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac). Loan amounts that exceed the conforming loan limit are considered jumbo loans (or non-conforming) and have different underwriting guidelines and rates.
The FHFA increased the loan limits in three counties (King, Pierce and Snohomish) effective 2015. All other counties will have the same loan limits as 2014.
BREAKING NEWS: 2015 Conforming Loan Limits HIGHER for King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties
November 24, 2014 by 3 Comments
I just received notice from FHFA that overall, 2015 loan limits will remain the same for most counties except for a few counties with higher loan limits. In Washington state, the counties with higher loan limits in 2015 are King County, Snohomish County and Pierce County.
2015 Conforming Loan Limits for King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties:
- One Unit: $517,500 (increased from $506,000)
- Two Unit: $662,500 (increased from $647,500)
- Three Unit: $800,800 (increased from $783,000)
- Four Unit: $995,200 (increased from $973,100)
All other counties in Washington state have the same loan limits as 2014.
Stay tuned for announcements on FHA and VA loan limits for 2015.
New Conforming Price Adjustments for Mortgage Rates
December 19, 2013 by 3 Comments
UPDATE: DECEMBER 23, 2013: Incoming Director of the FHFA, Mel Watts has announced that he will delay the increase to conforming price adjustments (aka LLPA or guarantee fees).
This week Fannie Mae revealed conforming price adjustments (LLPA) which will increase the cost for mortgage rates in 2014. This complied with the Fed beginning to pull back on their bond buying program will certainly cause mortgage rates to trend higher.
Conforming Loan Limits may go DOWN in 2014
September 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
There’s been a lot of recent chatter about the possibility of conforming loan limits being reduced in 2014 that home buyers in the greater Seattle area and home owners should be aware of.
Reuters reports that Denise Dunckel, a spokes person for the FHFA recently stated “a gradual reduction in loan limits is an appropriate and effective approach to reducing taxpayer’s mortgage risk exposure”.
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