One of the most persistent—and damaging—myths about buying a home in Seattle, WA is that of “the normal 20% down payment.” It is true that lenders need to limit their risk when a loan is for more than 80% of…
Veterans of the U.S. military and those who are currently serving on active duty have a number of valuable benefits. Heading the list is the VA Home Loan program. A qualifying veteran can purchase a home in Portland, OR with…
On average, home buyers in Oregon pay closing costs ranging from 2% to 5% of the purchase price. This is a ballpark figure. Many lenders will require that you apply for a loan prior to receiving a more precise estimate…
This blog post is part of the ongoing series in which we answer some of the most common questions among home buyers. Today's question is: who pays for closing costs in Washington State, the buyer or seller? The short answer…
With its natural beauty and strong job markets, the Pacific Northwest attracts residents from all over the country. And many find themselves asking the same question: Should I buy a home in Washington or Oregon? Here's an updated look at…
Home buyers with limited housing budgets often move from pricier coastal areas to more affordable inland cities. It's a common migration pattern that has been well documented over the years. And as it turns out, many Seattle-area residents are now…
In some ways, 2019 will be the "year of the buyer" in Seattle's housing market. Not since the mid-2000s have we seen such favorable conditions. Inventory remains tight, but many other factors point to a great year for local home…
FHA loan limits for the Portland, Oregon metro area have been increased for 2019 in response to rising home values. In 2019, the FHA loan limit for a home purchased in the Portland area will go up to $474,950. That's for…
At the end of November, we reported that federal housing officials were increasing the conforming loan limit for Seattle and most other cities across the U.S. We also mentioned that HUD officials would follow suit with a similar announcement of…
Are you planning to buy a house in Washington State in 2019? Will you be using a mortgage loan to finance your purchase? If so, there are a few general requirements you should know about, before you start shopping for…