With affordability tight across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, I’m seeing more buyers team up with someone other than a spouse or partner — roommates who decide renting no longer pencils out, adult siblings splitting an investment property, or longtime friends going in together on a home. If that’s you, Washington’s vesting rules are the same ones that apply to any unmarried co-buyers, but the practical questions around exit strategy and unequal contributions tend to matter even more when there isn’t a relationship holding things together. [Read more…]
Questions Your Mortgage Loan Officer Should Be Asking You
July 11, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This is a companion piece to my post on 10 Questions You Should Ask a Loan Officer Before Working with Them. That post covers what to ask me. This one covers what I’ll be asking you — and why.
Once you’ve chosen a loan officer, the process shifts — now you’re the one answering questions. If it feels like a lot, that’s normal. Good underwriting is thorough because it protects you from closing on a loan you can’t comfortably sustain, not because anyone’s trying to trip you up. [Read more…]
What Happens to Your Mortgage If You Lose Your Job Before Closing?
June 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
If you’re buying a home in the Seattle area right now, there’s a good chance this thought has crossed your mind: What if I lose my job before we close?
It’s not an irrational fear. Tech layoffs have been real and visible, economic uncertainty is genuinely elevated, and buying a home is one of the largest financial commitments most people make. The last thing anyone wants is to be mid-transaction when bad news arrives.
The good news: there’s a lot more nuance here than most buyers realize — and understanding what lenders actually look for can help you make a more confident decision. [Read more…]
Before Your Signing Appointment: What to Bring and Expect
May 29, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Your signing appointment is one of the final steps before you get the keys to your new home — or before your refinance closes. Knowing what to expect and what to bring makes the process smoother for everyone involved, including the escrow officer, your lender, and you.
Here’s a practical checklist I share with my clients before their signing appointment, along with a few tips from my background of managing an escrow branch prior to my career in mortgage.
[Read more…]Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Washington State?
May 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve been watching the market, waiting for the “right time,” or wondering whether buying now is a mistake — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I hear from Washington home buyers right now.
The honest answer: there’s no perfect time to buy a home. But there are better and worse times — and understanding what’s actually happening in the market can help you make a decision you’ll feel confident about. [Read more…]
