Buying your first home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make — and one of the most rewarding. A starter home is typically the first step on the path to building real equity, and in Washington State there are more options to get there than most first-time buyers realize.
When I bought my first home, I ended up in a small rambler in Northeast Tacoma — FHA loan, 3.5% down, and a brutal commute to downtown Seattle. But I was so proud to own something. We only lived there about two years before appreciation gave us enough equity to move up to our next home. That’s how starter homes work — and it’s why I believe so strongly in helping first-time buyers get into the market even when it feels out of reach.
Here’s what you need to know about loan programs, down payments, credit, and how to position yourself to compete in today’s market. [Read more…]
Cryptocurrency has come a long way since 2022—and so have the rules around using it to buy a home. If you’ve built wealth in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital assets, you may be wondering whether that wealth can help you get into a house. The short answer: yes, with the right documentation—and in some cases, without even selling your crypto.
Dave Ramsey is someone a lot of people follow for financial advise. Lately he’s been showing up A LOT in my Facebook stream pushing his thoughts on mortgages, home ownership and credit. Some of his ideas, I don’t totally disagree with. In fact, I shared a post that came from his group encouraging people to continue to pay rent and make their mortgage payments during the pandemic if at all possible (ie nothing is for free). However, I don’t support what he instructs his followers who are considering buying a home and I also have an issue with anyone who pushes their “team of vetted real estate agents”…I would be really surprised if there is not some sort of financial relationship associated with this referral arrangement.
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest hurdles for Washington State homebuyers — especially in 
