Congratulations! You have your pre-approval from your favorite online Seattle mortgage lender. Now it is time to go shopping for your new home! Have you decided which type of property is best for you? Let’s consider the differences between single…
When you decide to buy a home in Washington State, pre-arranging your financing is the logical starting point. Sellers need to be reassured that you’ll be able to get a loan and complete the transaction, but you also need to…
The nature of the real estate market remains competitive and active, mainly due to limited number of units and high demand. Many prospective buyers are seeking homes and will take any measure and assume any responsibility to stand out and…
There is an enduring myth about home ownership still making the rounds after many years. It says, “You should always make a down payment of at least 20%. That is the norm when buying a house.” Many aspiring homeowners in…
You’ve decided the time has come to stop making your landlord rich and buy your own home. Congratulations! Becoming a homeowner in Seattle, WA is one of the best things you can do for your family’s security. Home ownership is…
Whether we like it or not, our FICO scores have an effect on our lives. What is this mysterious three-digit number, how does it affect us, and how can we make it as good as it can be? The name,…
When you apply for a loan to buy or refinance a home, the lender will get an appraisal to document its value. If you’re purchasing the home, we’ll use the lesser of the agreed purchase price or the appraised value.…
Closing costs are an unavoidable expense during the home buying process. While many first-time home buyers know they will have to save up money for a down payment, they may not realize they will also have to pay additional costs.…
You may not know this, but this is really two questions in one: How much home will my personal budget allow? How much home will the lender approve us for? The first question is a personal one. Even though we…
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…