No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.
Buying a house in Seattle is a huge financial undertaking, so you’ll want to determine whether or not you can afford a home in the city based on your financial situation. This article will help you decide if buying a home in Seattle in 2022 is financially possible for you.
“Can I afford to buy a home in Seattle right now?” With house values having risen across the Seattle metropolitan area, this is a very common question among home buyers.
Here’s an updated look at housing costs, mortgage rates, and other factors that will determine whether or not you can afford to buy a house in Seattle 2022?
In February 2022, Seattle’s medium home value is $900,084, according to the real estate information company Zillow. The median home value for the Seattle metro area has gone up 12.1% over the past year.
Experts agree that home prices will continue on a strong upward pace, though perhaps not as aggressive as they were throughout 2021.
That said, home prices are a primary consideration for those who want to know if they can afford to buy a home in Seattle.
Related: Seattle housing forecast
Anyone thinking about buying a home in Seattle in 2022 should consider some of the surrounding areas as well. Earlier, we talked about the big gap between the median home value for the city of Seattle, and for the broader metro area. There are relative bargains to be found once you move away from the city itself.
For example, the median home price in Everett, Washington was around $624,231 in February 2022. That’s a lot lower than the median house value within the city of Seattle. So, home buyers clearly have a lot more buying power in these more affordable markets.
For a lot of would-be home buyers in the Seattle area, the down payment represents a major financial hurdle. But it might just be a perceived hurdle.
In fact, there are some widespread misconceptions regarding down payment requirements for home buyers. Surveys conducted by Realtor.com and other groups have shown that many people think they have to make a down payment of 20% or more when buying a home. But that’s inaccurate.
In truth, down payments can be as low as 3% for conventional home loans, and 3.5% for FHA-insured mortgage loans. Additionally, the VA program for military members and veterans offers 100% financing. (Learn more about your down payment options.)
A down payment gift from a family member or other approved donor could also help you afford to buy a home in Seattle. This is where a third-party contributor gives you money to help cover your down payment and/or closing costs. These days, a lot of different mortgage programs allow gifts. We’ve covered this topic before, and you can read more about it here.
Mortgage rates are another important consideration for many home buyers in the Seattle area, since most of them use mortgage financing to complete their purchases. And on this front, we have some good news to deliver.
Unlike the steadily rising home prices in Seattle, mortgage rates have been steadily declining over the last few months. In fact, average rates have hit all-time lows three times in the last few weeks.
On January 31, 2022, Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 30-year fixed home loan reached 3.55%. At the beginning of 2017, the average rate for a 30-year loan was 4.20%. Even though today’s rate is a lot lower, it’s actually on the rise from where rates were at the beginning of last year. Rates have been slowly increasing for months, though at a gradual pace. Rates are still relatively low compared to where they were years ago.
Looking forward, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts that rates will remain low through the end of this year. More specifically, rates will reach 4% by the end of 2022.
But it’s those house values that home buyers really need to pay attention to. This is primarily what will determine whether or not you can afford to buy a home in Seattle. And those who postpone their buying plans until later this year will likely encounter higher housing costs.
Having an estimate of your monthly housing payments will help you determine if you can afford to buy a home in Seattle. And we can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a family-owned mortgage company based in Bellevue, Washington. We have been offering mortgage programs to borrowers in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho since 1992. We can give you a mortgage rate quote along with an estimate of your monthly housing payments. Please contact our staff to get started!
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
{hours_open} - {hours_closed} Pacific
No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.