Mortgage Market Update for the week of January 16, 2024

Where are mortgage rates? What may impact the direction of mortgage rates this week? Check out my latest video for more information!
If you are considering buying or refinancing a home, even if it’s a year or more away, I am happy to help you create a plan. Please contact me for more info!

Why It Makes Sense to Buy Before Mortgage Rates Move Lower

Seattle area Real Estate Broker, Kim Mulligan, posted this on Facebook a couple of days ago regarding a recent listing:

“For those of you that were clamoring to be my neighbor, I have bad news. A pricing war ensued and an offer was chosen last night. Ends up we had well over 80 parties tour the home in two days, several offers came forth, and a lucky buyer will get to share a fenceline with me. Why do I mention this? Many people think that there isn’t a market right now because of interest rates. Yes, buyers are careful and shy. The truth is some people have to move in any market. Sellers don’t need to be afraid to list their homes. Yes, buyers are choosey, but priced and presented well, and with the right lender where you can change your interest rate when it drops down again, your home could sell within 3 days as well![Read more…]

Marry the House. Date the Rate.

I can’t take credit for the catchy phrase “Marry the house. Date the rate”. It’s being posted by mortgage professionals and real estate agents all over social media. What does this phrase mean? [Read more…]

The REAL Income Needed to Buy Median-Priced Home in Seattle

Seattle income

KOMO News is reporting that it takes an income of $105K to buy a median-priced home in the Seattle area. This is based off a report from HSH.com.  When you dig deeper into the report, here’s how HSH.com came up with their numbers: [Read more…]

NEWS FLASH: Mortgage Master now offers Bridge Loans

I’m pleased to announce that Mortgage Master Service Corporation is once again, offering bridge loans to our clients. A bridge loan allows a home owner to tap equity from their current home for down payment on their next home before their current home has sold.  With a bridge loan, there are no monthly mortgage payments and the interest that accrues is paid off at the closing of the buyer’s listed home. [Read more…]

You just “won” the highest bid on a hot Seattle home… now what?

2015-04-29_0814The Puget Sound Business Journal recently posted an article about a 1,100 square foot home in Ballard that sold $158,000 over list price. There is no denying that Seattle’s real estate market is hot largely due to lack of inventory and rising rents. (A’ hem…if you have been considering selling your Seattle area home, now could be the time).

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Seattle Real Estate Chat [Video] on Preapproval and Commitment Letters

In this episode, Jim Reppond and I discuss Commitment Letters.  A commitment letter is kind of like a preapproval letter on steroids. And in this hot sellers market that the greater Seattle area is currently experiencing – many buyers can use a little extra help to stand out from a similar competing offer.  A Loan Commitment Letter may be the extra boost that could help some home buyers.

Check out our last episode!

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Updating your Preapproval Letter

j0403639_2I’m often asked by home buyers “does my preapproval letter expire” or “what happens if we don’t find a home in a few months”. Preapproval letters should include two dates: when the letter was prepared and when the preapproval expires.  Fear not, most of the time, it should just take providing a couple documents to your loan officer so they can “dust off” your application and provide an updated pre-approval letter.

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