It’s no secret the the Puget Sound region has been experiencing a very hot real estate market… so hot in fact that it may be causing some home buyers to feel a little burned from competing with multiple offers as well as renters contending with rapidly rising rents. Recently KOMO 4 News shared that that Seattle currently has the nations hottest housing market. This is not only good news for those who are wanting to sell their homes, it’s also good news for home owners who may benefit from a refinance.
Puget Sound’s Hot Real Estate Market is Good News for Refis
October 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
HARP extended through 2016
May 12, 2015 by 1 Comment
Earlier this week, Director of the FHFA, Mel Watts announced that HARP (the Home Affordable Refinance Program) will be extended for one more year. From his prepared remarks:
“The HARP program allows borrowers, including those who are underwater on their mortgage and who are regularly making their mortgage payments, to refinance their loans to take advantage of historically low interest rates.
What would you do with an extra $372?
March 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment
$372 is the average monthly savings that my clients who have closed on their refi’s so far in March. With higher appraised values, thanks to the hot real estate market driving up home prices, many clients are also eliminating mortgage insurance with their refi.
Delayed Financing: How Cash Buyers Can Access Equity After Paying Cash (Updated for 2026)
February 26, 2015 by 2 Comments
Editors Note: This article on Delayed Financing has been updated for 2026.
Many homebuyers choose to pay cash to win a competitive offer or simplify the purchase process. But after closing, a common question comes up:
“Now that I own the home outright, how can I access some of that equity?”
That’s where delayed financing comes in.
Delayed financing allows buyers who purchased a home with cash to take out a mortgage shortly after closing — without waiting the typical 12-month seasoning period required for a cash-out refinance.
This strategy can be especially useful for buyers who want liquidity, flexibility, or the ability to reinvest funds after a cash purchase. [Read more…]
Lower FHA Mortgage Insurance + Low Mortgage Rates = FHA Streamline Refi’s
February 3, 2015 by 1 Comment
HUD recently reduced annual mortgage insurance premiums for FHA 30 year fixed rate mortgages by 50 basis points. The annual mortgage insurance premium is part of the monthly mortgage payment and 50 basis is a dramatic reduction. If you have a $400,000 loan amount, this is a monthly savings of $166.67 (400,000 x 0.50% divided by 12 months).
