The housing market in the Pacific Northwest remains competitive with the continued lack of inventory. Home buyers need to be patient and prepared for the process to possibly take a while. There are some actions that you can implement to help improve your odds of having your offer accepted over other offers. [Read more…]
How to Improve Your Odds of Getting YOUR Offer Accepted
July 14, 2024 by Leave a Comment
What if mortgage rates don’t hit 5%?
June 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released their monthly updated forecast for mortgage rates through 2025. This June update no longer shows predicted rates for the 30-year fixed conforming to hit the 5% range. MBA, who tends to be the most optimistic, forecasts that in the 4th quarter of 2025, we’ll see 6.0% for a rate with the homes of 5.8% in 2026.
Should you hold out on Fannie Mae and MBA’s forecast for lower rates in two years? It depends. [Read more…]
Visiting Open Houses? You Need to Be Fully Preapproved
March 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment
It’s fun to visit open houses on the weekends. You may be picturing yourself living in the home, enjoying the backyard or perhaps making a few home improvements to really make it “yours”.
If you’re even thinking about buying a home, I strongly encourage you to get fully preapproved before you find yourself at an open house wanting to present an offer.
Here are some steps I recommend for anyone considering buying a home. [Read more…]
Does Zillow’s Gloomy Article on Buying Now Pencil Out?
November 10, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Zillow’s recent gloomy attention grabbing headline stating “If you buy now, it can take 13.5 years to make a profit on your home sale” has been creating quite a buzz with various media outlets. I thought I’d run some scenarios to compare. [Read more…]
NEW Down Payment Assistance Program
July 15, 2023 by Leave a Comment
We have added a new down payment assistance program where eligible home buyers can receive up to 100% financing. This program is not limited to first time home buyers and there are no income limits with an FHA mortgage as the first lien. Would you like more good news? The down payment assistance is in the form of a second mortgage with a 5-year forgivable option OR a 10-year repayable option.
Here’s more: [Read more…]
5 Steps to Creating Financial Security
April 26, 2023 by Leave a Comment
As a mortgage professional, I get to review detailed financials when someone is looking to buy or refinance a home via their loan application. Sometimes people are using every cent they can or are maxing out their monthly cash flow in order to have a home. I often have people who come to me because they need help restructuring their high-interest credit card debts. And I also help people who are well established. Personally, I would like to see more people on a path to financial security.
Here are a few suggestions for your consideration… not necessarily in this exact order and your plan may vary depending on your financial situation or goals. [Read more…]
How to compete with Cash Buyers? Become a Cash Buyer!
December 19, 2022 by Leave a Comment
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…]
New Income Limits for WSHFC Down Payment Programs
May 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has announced new income limits for some of their mortgage programs.
Here are the new income limits effective May 6, 2019: [Read more…]
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