Recently, I spoke with a Seattle homeowner who is planning a major remodel. Like many homeowners, he initially reached out asking about a HELOC — which is often the first option people think of when they want to improve their home. They currently have a very low rate with their existing mortgage, which is one reason why they’re considering a home equity line of credit.
As we talked through his plans, budget, and long-term goals, it became clear that there were several ways to approach financing a remodel, each with very different advantages and limitations.
If you’re considering remodeling your home — whether it’s a kitchen overhaul, an addition, or a full transformation — understanding these options upfront can help you choose the strategy that fits your project best. [Read more…]
If you have been finding the current lack of inventory a challenge, you may want to consider a renovation mortgage. A renovation mortgage (or rehab loan) allows you to finance improvements to the property beyond the sales price of the home. The renovations begin after closing and there are no restrictions on the types of improvements. You can even use this on your existing home as a refinance if you love your location and neighbors and just want to make changes to your home. 
If you have been thinking about buying a home this spring, you’re not alone. Experts predict there is quite a bit of pent-up demand following the recent sellers’ market and higher interest rates. Many homebuyers have been waiting patiently for a cooler market with lower interest rates…the key word here is MANY. It’s not anticipated that we will see a flood of new listings as homeowners who currently have extremely low mortgage interest rates seem to be less likely to want to sell and lose the rate. As people start to list their homes in the new year, and more buyers get off the fence, we could see housing prices push higher or at the very least, stay the same as the demand for homes is still strong. 
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