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!

If you are thinking about buying a home and getting preapproved, I’m happy to help you! Let’s chat!

Updating your Preapproval Letter

Updating your preapproval letterI’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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Why APR Isn’t the Best Way to Shop Mortgage Rates (And What to Use Instead)

Annual Percentage Rate Apr Mortgage rateWhen you’re shopping for a mortgage, it’s tempting to compare APRs — after all, that’s what the government designed APR for. The problem is that APR is one of the least reliable numbers in a mortgage quote. Here’s why, and what to look at instead.

What Is APR and Why Was It Created?

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More Listing Agents Performing “Sniff Test” on Mortgage Originators

I’m noticing that more listing agents are performing, what I like to call, “sniff test” to check out the lender who has prepared the preapproval letter. By the way, I think this is an excellent idea. This is especially true if the listing agent is reviewing multiple offers, which is happening more in the greater Seattle area with non-distressed homes that are desirable and priced right.

The sniff test is typically a phone call by the listing agent so they can get an idea about the mortgage originator. The listing agent should not ask personal information about the potential home buyer (such as credit scores or available funds). [Read more…]

Seattle Bidding Wars: What You Need to Know to Help “Win” Your Home

I’m noticing more “bidding wars” on new listings in the greater Seattle-Bellevue area. Because of the lack of non-distressed inventory and current low interest rates, multiple offers may occur driving the sales price higher than the original offered price. Sellers and listing agents may try to create an environment for a bidding war by slightly delaying the review of offers and by pricing the home either at or slighltly under what may considered “market value”.

Here are a few tips to remember should you find yourself in a possible “bidding war”. [Read more…]