Washington State Mortgages, Made Clear. Buying or Refinancing? Let's find the right loan together.
UPDATE: Be sure to check out our up-to-date guide on Renovation Mortgages for your next home remodel!
Fannie Mae’s HomeStyle Renovation Mortgage allows for higher loan to value (low down payment). Loan amounts over 80% loan-to-value will have private mortgage insurance that will eventually drop off the mortgage. [Read more…]
A few weeks ago, I shared that we’re remodeling our kitchen. Boy-oh-boy what a chore it is…we started the process months ago and are just starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. As I’m going through this first hand, I thought I’d share tidbits of things we’re learning along the way. Today, I’ll share the story of our kitchen counters.
Let’s start by discussing what we had on our “old” kitchen (photo above). [Read more…]
We’re getting ready to remodel our kitchen and recently discovered Second Use. Second Use is locations in Seattle and Tacoma. They sell second-hand items for your home from furniture to all types of fixtures. [Read more…]
A Step-by-Step Guide for Washington Homebuyers (Updated for 2026)If you’ve found a home that needs work — outdated kitchen, worn roof, cosmetic issues, or more significant repairs — you may be wondering:
“Can I finance the purchase and the renovation together?”
In many cases, the answer is yes — through an FHA 203(k) rehabilitation loan, a program insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
An FHA 203(k) loan allows you to purchase (or refinance) a home and finance eligible repairs into one mortgage.
But where do you actually start?
Here’s a clear, practical breakdown. [Read more…]
You can remodel your bathroom without having to get permission from the owner.
My husband is in the process of remodeling our basement bathroom. You can see a glimpse of the salvaged “ship’s door” that will be the door to the commode.
I’ll be sure to share more photos of the progress!
