Fancy Wedding or New Home?

The Seattle Times recently published an article on how expense weddings are becoming in the greater Seattle area and how some couples are opting for simpler ceremonies. The article quotes an average cost for a wedding, according to a local wedding planner of being $58,000. As a mortgage professional, it’s jaw dropping to me that people spend this amount of money instead of buying a home or saving for retirement. I understand that this is an incredibly important time in a person’s life and a celebration to remember…but once the honeymoon is over, you have beautiful memories and a gorgeous photo album.

What if instead most of those funds were used to buy a home that will most likely appreciate in value creating future financial security? [Read more…]

Helping Your Adult Child Buy a Home

Buying a home for your child is a major financial and emotional decision. It’s a generous gesture that can offer security, stability and help create wealth, but it’s essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making this commitment. Here are some important factors to consider: [Read more…]

Home Buying Hack for Roommates

I have a great tip for you if you’re currently renting with a roommate and considering buying a home. The HomeReady program allows for you to use “boarder income” to qualify for your next home. If you’re thinking about buying a home where your roommate will continue to pay you rent, you may be able to use that rental income for qualifying for your new mortgage on a one-unit home. [Read more…]

Homebuyer Class in Tacoma

Update: Thanks to all our students! It was wonderful teaching you about the home buying process and I look forward to teaching another class again soon! 
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Looking for Affordable Housing? Check out Greater Tacoma!

If you’re looking to buy your first home, you may have to expand your horizon to find a home that’s more affordable. When I bought my first home many years ago, I wound up with a small rambler in Northeast Tacoma. We used an FHA mortgage with a 3.5% down payment (you do NOT need 20% down to buy a home). At the time, I was working in downtown Seattle at the Columbia Center and it was a heck of a commute…but I was so proud to own a home. We only owned it for a couple of years before we were able to sell it and use the appreciation to buy our next “move up” home. [Read more…]

How to prepare for buying a Home this Spring

If you have been thinking about buying a home this spring, you’re not alone. Experts predict there is quite a bit of pent-up demand following the recent sellers’ market and higher interest rates. Many homebuyers have been waiting patiently for a cooler market with lower interest rates…the key word here is MANY. It’s not anticipated that we will see a flood of new listings as homeowners who currently have extremely low mortgage interest rates seem to be less likely to want to sell and lose the rate. As people start to list their homes in the new year, and more buyers get off the fence, we could see housing prices push higher or at the very least, stay the same as the demand for homes is still strong. [Read more…]

How to compete with Cash Buyers? Become a Cash Buyer!

If you tried buying a home over the last few years, you probably lost out to buyers who made cash offers. Sellers tend to prefer cash offers because they can close faster and there are less uncertainties when they are not relying on a mortgage approval from a lender they don’t know. Even in a buyers’ market, a seller will most likely prefer a cash offer over one that is dependent on financing or the sale of another property.

We have a solution! You can also enjoy the convenience of an all-cash buyer with a cash buyer program. This works for first time home buyers and for clients who want to buy before they sell their existing property. [Read more…]

How Much Home Can You Buy with $97K Income with a Low Down Payment

The Seattle City Council recently passed a ban on evictions during winter months in Seattle. I’m all for protecting people when the weather is hazardous, however winter in Seattle is often quite mild. I’m actually very concerned about this legislation and how it may impact the rental market. I’m betting we will see more people decide to sell their Seattle investment property and move to other cities that are friendlier to landlords. Especially once you factor that Seattle laws prevent landlords from being able to screen potential tenants (it’s first come/first serve despite criminal history) and that landlords can only collect up to 1 month’s rent (plus 25% of one months rent if they accept pets) which can be paid over six months. Landlords are really in a risky position if the property is under Seattle’s regulations. [Read more…]