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We’ve published many Seattle real estate market reports over the years, and most were geared toward home buyers. Today, we’ll offer some helpful insights for tech employees who are planning to relocate to Seattle in 2024.

Portland, Oregon, home buyers could enjoy a slower real estate market in 2024, with lower home prices and mortgage rates. For these and other reasons, the Portland housing market could be more buyer-friendly in 2024 compared to the past few years. Here’s an updated look at current real estate trends across the Portland-Vancouver metro area, emphasizing the above buyer-friendly conditions.

The Seattle metro area housing market seems to have undergone yet another shift over the past few months. After cooling down during much of last year, the local real estate scene has been warming up again lately. The latest evidence can be found in a new report published by analysts at Realtor.com. It showed an ongoing decline in real estate listings with a price reduction. This suggests that Seattle-area sellers are less inclined to reduce their asking prices compared to a year ago.

In a previous article, we speculated on the possibility that California’s home-price downturn might end. Since then, even more evidence has come to light reinforcing that analysis. For example, data from Zillow and other sources show that the median home price has risen over the past few months. A new report from the California Association of Realtors predicts home sales and prices will increase in 2024. So, let’s look at these two “upturn” predictions for the California real estate market in 2024.

In California, mortgage insurance is often required when a home buyer makes a small down payment. A smaller down payment results in a higher loan-to-value ratio, which can require the borrower to pay mortgage insurance. This article is an educational resource for California home buyers and homeowners who have questions about this subject. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions relating to mortgage insurance in California, including costs, requirements, and other key topics.

It’s widely known that California has some of the highest home prices of any state in the nation. Because of this, it also has a much higher average down payment, when compared to other states. A recent report showed that the median or average down payment in some parts of California now exceeds $300,000, as of 2024.

Today, we’ll be examining current real estate market trends and conditions in Tacoma, Washington — one of the most affordable housing markets in the Seattle area.

As we move into 2024, recent forecasts suggest that the Boise area real estate market could become more competitive for buyers.

Bellevue, Washington is one of the most popular real estate markets in the Seattle area. And if you currently live there, or have visited in the past, you probably already know why. It has low crime rates, great schools, cultural and recreational opportunities, and plenty of natural splendor. It’s also one of the most expensive real estate markets in the state of Washington, and for all of the same reasons mentioned above. So you definitely want to do some research before entering this housing market.

Last year, we heard a lot about real estate markets cooling down all across the country. But now, as we head further into 2024, the Seattle-area housing market appears to be revving up again.

The Portland, OR real estate market experienced a drop in inventory over recent years. Inventory in the Portland area still remains low, though local real estate experts believe we could see a shift in this trend. 

The rest of 2024 could be a great time to sell a home in the Seattle metro area, all the way into the winter months. There are several reasons for this, and we will cover the mall throughout this article. Here’s the short version. Steady demand and a dearth of inventory have created ideal conditions for home sellers in Seattle and other metro areas across the U.S. This has been the story for some time, and a new report suggested that these conditions could persist for the foreseeable future.

A recent report from the government-sponsored mortgage buyer Freddie Mac brought good news for home buyers across Washington. Mortgage rates continued to trend downward last week, after climbing to a 15-year peak toward the end of last year.

This downward trend could help improve affordability for home buyers in cities throughout Washington State. Here’s what you need to know about these recent mortgage rate trends, and how they might affect you when buying a home later this year.

The real estate market in Portland, Oregon has experienced a lot of interesting trends and developments over the past few years. So we thought it might be helpful to provide a 2024 roundup of the latest home price trends for the Portland, Oregon metro area.

Is 2024 a good time to buy a home in Tacoma, Washington? It sure is looking that way. Tacoma home buyers actually have a lot going for them these days, as explained below. The biggest benefits for buyers in 2023 include more inventory, more negotiating leverage, and an overall slower pace within the real estate market.

Don’t make the mistake of using APR alone to compare mortgage offers. Learn why it’s important to understand the difference between APR and interest rate.

Get a sneak peek at the 2023 housing market with our new forecast infographic. Find out how home price appreciation, mortgage rates, and home sales are expected to change in the coming year.

Are you planning to relocate to the Seattle metro area in the near future? Wondering what the local real estate market is like, and what it takes to buy a home? You’re in the right place.

As we explained in a recent blog post, the real estate market in Portland, Oregon has undergone quite a few changes. And it looks like that could continue into 2024 as well.

Recent forecasts and predictions for the Portland-area housing market suggest that things could be very different next year, compared to what we’ve become used to.

The biggest change has to do with the overall pace of the real estate scene.

Numerous reports have shown that the real estate market is cooling down, and that sellers are going the extra mile to attract offers. Among other things, this means they’ll probably be more willing to accept offers with government-backed mortgage loans, such as FHA and VA.

FHA loans are one of the most popular mortgage options among home buyers in the state of Washington, second only to conventional home loans. The FHA mortgage insurance program offers a number of benefits for borrowers, including a down payment as low as 3.5%. In this guide, we will explore the FHA loan down payment rules and requirements for borrowers in Washington. This will help you make a more informed decision about which type of loan you want to use.

Home buyers seeking a VA loan in Washington often have questions regarding the amount they can finance versus the amount they have to put down. Today, we will address one of those common questions: Can a VA loan cover the entire home purchase price in Washington?

Home buyers in California have struggled with housing market supply shortages for years, with inventory levels dropping to record lows. Now, in the spring of 2024, California’s real estate inventory shortage appears to be easing a bit. In a promising turn of events for prospective home buyers, the housing market experienced a significant uptick in supply during February. That’s based on a recent report from the California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.).

An overview of the “escape clause” contingency for VA home loans that allow borrowers to back out of the deal in a low appraisal situation.

For years now, we’ve been hearing that Seattle, Washington is a seller’s market due to supply shortages and other factors. But the Seattle real estate market has changed a lot over the past few years. So we thought it was high time to revisit this subject by examining the latest housing trends and data.

Belltown is the most densely populated neighborhood within the city of Seattle. It’s also one of the most popular places to live in the city, well-suited for those seeking a walkable urban lifestyle. The Belltown neighborhood has a somewhat gritty and industrial history. But over the past decade or so, it has evolved into a haven of trendy restaurants, cool boutiques, exciting nightlife, and modern residential towers.

Explore the fundamental criteria for securing a VA home loan in our comprehensive guide. We delve into the key requirements including credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and documented income, providing insights to help military members and veterans navigate the loan process seamlessly. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or seeking to refinance, understanding these VA loan prerequisites is crucial for a successful mortgage application.

People researching the Seattle-area real estate market are often surprised by the home price discrepancy between Tacoma and Seattle. Home prices within the city of Tacoma tend to be significantly lower than those in Seattle. But why? What factors make the Tacoma real estate market so much more affordable, when compared to the city of Seattle? After all, they’re both part of the same metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and only about 30 miles apart.

Are you thinking about moving to the Boise metro area and buying a home? You’re not alone. While population growth has slowed since the pandemic boom, the Boise-area real estate market continues to lure home buyers from other parts of the country. This guide gives you a broad overview of the Boise-Nampa metropolitan area, with an emphasis on relocation and home buying. We will cover everything from geography to economy, and from real estate market trends to local attractions.

When buying a home in the state of Washington, you have an opportunity to request a real estate survey to identify the legal boundaries. Your mortgage lender might require a survey as well, if you’re financing a home purchase. As a buyer, you’ll want to know what a real estate property survey is, what it does, and how it could protect you as a homeowner in Washington. This guide answers all of those questions and more.

VA loans are a popular mortgage financing option for home buyers in the San Diego metro area. In fact, San Diego County usually has a higher VA loan volume than any other county in the U.S. With its many Navy and Marine Corps bases and facilities, the San Diego area has a huge military population. That means there are many home buyers in the area who could benefit from using the VA loan program.

Seattle-area home buyers often want to know how different cities and communities compare with each other, in terms of home prices. Today we address one of those common questions: Is Bellevue cheaper than Seattle, from a real estate perspective?

Seattle, Washington has experienced a luxury condo boom in recent years, with a number of new projects coming onto the market. This trend is reshaping the downtown Seattle real estate market in a number of ways. This guide provides an overview of the luxury condo market in downtown Seattle and the surrounding area, as of 2024. It covers popular condominiums, current trends related to features and amenities, and other factors relevant to home buyers.

Recent reports have shown that the Denver, Colorado real estate market could be more friendly toward home buyers in 2024. Home prices have flattened out after several years of steady gains. Houses are taking longer to sell with fewer offers. And the Denver metro area was recently singled out as having the biggest increase in new real estate listings over the past year.

Before paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a home in Seattle, you want to make sure the neighborhood is a good fit for your lifestyle. This is arguably just as important as the house itself. So let’s explore the most popular neighborhoods in Seattle, from a home buying perspective.

We’ve published many Seattle real estate market reports over the years, and most were geared toward home buyers. Today, we’ll offer some helpful insights for tech employees who are planning to relocate to Seattle in 2024.

In this guide: An explanation of “Mello-Roos” taxes in California and how they can affect home buyers, including the pros and cons of buying in such a district.

Will the rest of 2024 be a good time to refinance a home in the state of Washington? Can homeowners benefit from the drop in mortgage rates that occurred at the end of 2023? Those are two of the frequently asked questions we’ll be addressing in this mortgage market update for 2024.

As a Seattle-area mortgage company, we do our best to educate local home buyers about their different mortgage options. To continue that tradition, we’ve created an FHA loan fact sheet for borrowers in the state of Washington.

Portland, Oregon, home buyers could enjoy a slower real estate market in 2024, with lower home prices and mortgage rates. For these and other reasons, the Portland housing market could be more buyer-friendly in 2024 compared to the past few years. Here’s an updated look at current real estate trends across the Portland-Vancouver metro area, emphasizing the above buyer-friendly conditions.

It is important for everyone to diversify their investments and one of the assets that people often look toward is real estate. In a healthy market, real estate should appreciate in value.

Whether buying or renovating an older property, many people are interested in learning how to instill modern luxury in older property. The good news is that this is easier than it sounds, and it can be accomplished by following a few simple tips.

VA loans are a popular mortgage financing option for home buyers in the San Diego metro area. In fact, San Diego County usually has a higher VA loan volume than any other county in the U.S. With its many Navy and Marine Corps bases and facilities, the San Diego area has a huge military population. That means there are many home buyers in the area who could benefit from using the VA loan program.

Seattle, Washington has experienced a luxury condo boom in recent years, with a number of new projects coming onto the market. This trend is reshaping the downtown Seattle real estate market in a number of ways. This guide provides an overview of the luxury condo market in downtown Seattle and the surrounding area, as of 2024. It covers popular condominiums, current trends related to features and amenities, and other factors relevant to home buyers.

The state of Washington currently ranks #7 in the nation when it comes to the total number of military personnel living in the state. Because of this, plenty of folks could benefit from using a VA loan to buy a house. But there are specific steps you’ll need to take to get the ball rolling. In this article, you’ll learn how to apply for a VA home loan in the state of Washington.

In 2023, higher mortgage rates cooled the real estate market in Washington and elsewhere across the country. But home loan rates have been trending downward lately, and some economists expect this to continue into 2024. According to one recent forecast, lower rates could accelerate the housing market and increase home sales across Washington in 2024. Lower borrowing costs could increase buyers’ demand and bring more homes on the market.

The Spokane, WA housing market in 2024 anticipates modest growth, with a steady rise in home prices and a notable increase in inventory levels. Despite the challenges of higher mortgage rates, buyers and sellers are adapting, suggesting a more balanced market. This environment promises better opportunities for homebuyers while maintaining healthy activity for sellers.

The population of Idaho has increased significantly over the past few years, and with good reason. The state offers several benefits for those relocating from other parts of the country. It’s arguably one of the best places to buy a home, and here are some reasons why.

As we move into 2024, recent forecasts suggest that the Boise area real estate market could become more competitive for buyers.

Home buyers in the state of Washington have a lot of options when it comes to mortgage financing. We have covered many of those options in previous blog posts. Today, we will focus on the most popular type of mortgage loan for Washington home buyers: the conventional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Attention Seattle-area homeowners: the best time to sell a home is right around the corner. According to a recent report from Realtor.com, the best time to list a house for sale is during the week of April 16 – 22. Spring is generally considered to be a good time for selling a home, but in 2023 it could be even better. Keep reading to find out why!

Here is a list of the things an ideal buyer would come to the table with. This list doesn’t mean you must meet all the below requirements, but for a seller, these are the attributes of a perfect buyer and the more boxes you can check the better.

Ready to DIY some home renovations? All you need are basic tools you may own, can buy inexpensively, or rent, a little willingness to learn, and a lot of elbow grease.

Buying your first home can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to getting your finances in order. What are some obstacles you could face and how can you overcome them?

The Bellingham, WA, real estate market in 2024 is likely to slowly relax from a tight inventory and sellers market to a more favorable option for would-be homebuyers. Is now a good time to start planning to buy a home in Whatcom County?

Buying your first home can be a roller coaster of emotions and excitement. Mistakes are easy to make, so here’s a guide to avoiding the most common pitfalls for FTHBs.

Prospective homebuyers need to be prepared when entering Seattle’s real estate market. Having the right lender and a loan as far along the approval process as possible can be critical to beating out competition with cash offers on the table in most scenarios.

There are a lot of areas often overlooked in a seller’s market because homeowners assume their house will sell no matter what. With housing inventory at a record setting low, your house will probably sell anyway — but isn’t it worth taking a little extra trouble so you can sell it for even more?

What can you do to make your offer stand out? Here are a few tips to making your best offer and increasing your odds of coming out a winner.

There are plenty of questions to ask yourself when it comes time to renovate your home. Should you do it yourself or hire an expert? How much should you spend? And what exact projects should you consider?

If you’re looking to buy a home in 2022, you should be aware of some of the challenges that might come your way. Here are a few hurdles to look for, along with solutions to these potential issues.

Ready to think about buying a home in Oregon? Wondering how much earnest money you need to come up with? It all depends on how sure you are that the home is right for you, and how big of a statement you want to make to the seller that you’re a serious homebuyer.

Don’t overspend on closing costs when buying a home in Washington! Learn common mistakes to avoid and save money. Contact us to start your home buying journey today!

If you’ve never owned your own home, you may want to take some time to consider why becoming a homeowner is a financially sound investment to make. Of course, buying a home is not a small feat.

Sometimes sellers can make a home purchase more affordable for buyers taking out a VA loan by offering concessions. This article will explain how seller concessions work on VA loans. Washington State has a fairly large military population.

Hopeful homebuyers need to be prepared for challenging Denver housing market trends. Partnering with the right mortgage lender and making a strong offer can tip the balance in your favor.

What are the top Pierce County, WA, real estate trends this year? Perhaps more importantly, what is the Pierce County, housing market forecast for 2024? Let’s answer these questions to help you determine whether next year is a good time to buy.

Prospective homebuyers need to be prepared when entering Seattle’s real estate market. Having the right lender and a loan as far along the approval process as possible can be critical to beating out competition with cash offers on the table in most scenarios.

What are the top Boise real estate trends this year? Perhaps more importantly, what is the Boise housing market forecast for 2024? Let’s answer these questions to help you determine whether next year is a good time to buy.

How will the rate of increase in home prices in 2022 compare to the past few months? Is there a “housing bubble” that could burst at any moment? More importantly, is 2022 a good time to buy a house?

There are several reasons why a 2021 housing market crash is highly unlikely.

There are several reasons why home inventory is low, some of which include historically low mortgage rates, eager investors, and slowed new construction.

Wondering if the neighborhood of Ballard in NW Seattle, WA could be the best place to live and raise a family? Find out what locals love about Ballard.

The unexpected costs of buying/owning a home in Oregon are a fact of life. Whether you own your home or are looking to purchase, read about the surprises you can expect to face as a homeowner. From lightbulbs to roofing repairs let us help you prepare with first-hand knowledge from the housing experts.

What exactly are buyers looking for right now? Let’s take a look at some of the trends that home buyers want in 2022.

When considering the refinance of a current mortgage, many homeowners choose to wait, anticipating that interest rates will decline further. But rates are higher now than they were last year, and numerous influences can cause them to continue to rise.

Immediately after the housing crisis, buyers with poor credit struggled to find home mortgage loans. Now, the market has changed the buyers with poor credit have more options when it comes to mortgage financing. This article discusses some options for those who have bad credit but are in need of a mortgage to buy a home in Washington.

If you’re a senior, you may have considered downsizing, but only do so after making some careful considerations. This article will discuss how to plan and how to choose the belongings to take with you.

If buying a home in Washington State is on the agenda this year, you may want to consider getting in the market sooner rather than later before the spring season heats up.

Many people may be concerned that Seattle may be in the midst of a housing bubble. Is it? And will it burst any time soon in 2022?

The real estate market in Denver has seen healthy gains in recent years, and this past year was no exception. This article will go over the housing market in Denver and where it’s expected to go in 2024.

If you are thinking of applying for a mortgage in Washington State, the loan amount you take out matters a great deal relative to the price of the home you intend to buy. Read on to find out more and to check out our loan limits tool.

While a gloomy outlook on the real estate market can strike fear in some hearts and may deter a purchase until a later date, the fact is that this is an excellent time to purchase property. In fact, there are three good reasons why potential buyers may want to start moving forward with their buying plans soon.

With mortgage bubbles and real estate issues still in recent memory, one might feel that their best option is to buy their next home using cash instead of borrowing the necessary funds. In today’s article we’ll explore the pros and cons of paying cash for that next house or condo.

Generally when you are purchasing a home, you are buying below the appraised value and you are making a down payment. The good news is this means you have “instant equity” in your home. For some homeowners, this means may…

Home buyers in California have struggled with housing market supply shortages for years, with inventory levels dropping to record lows. Now, in the spring of 2024, California’s real estate inventory shortage appears to be easing a bit. In a promising turn of events for prospective home buyers, the housing market experienced a significant uptick in supply during February. That’s based on a recent report from the California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.).

For years now, we’ve been hearing that Seattle, Washington is a seller’s market due to supply shortages and other factors. But the Seattle real estate market has changed a lot over the past few years. So we thought it was high time to revisit this subject by examining the latest housing trends and data.

Explore the fundamental criteria for securing a VA home loan in our comprehensive guide. We delve into the key requirements including credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and documented income, providing insights to help military members and veterans navigate the loan process seamlessly. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or seeking to refinance, understanding these VA loan prerequisites is crucial for a successful mortgage application.

VA loans are a popular mortgage financing option for home buyers in the San Diego metro area. In fact, San Diego County usually has a higher VA loan volume than any other county in the U.S. With its many Navy and Marine Corps bases and facilities, the San Diego area has a huge military population. That means there are many home buyers in the area who could benefit from using the VA loan program.

Seattle-area home buyers often want to know how different cities and communities compare with each other, in terms of home prices. Today we address one of those common questions: Is Bellevue cheaper than Seattle, from a real estate perspective?

Recent reports have shown that the Denver, Colorado real estate market could be more friendly toward home buyers in 2024. Home prices have flattened out after several years of steady gains. Houses are taking longer to sell with fewer offers. And the Denver metro area was recently singled out as having the biggest increase in new real estate listings over the past year.

Before paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a home in Seattle, you want to make sure the neighborhood is a good fit for your lifestyle. This is arguably just as important as the house itself. So let’s explore the most popular neighborhoods in Seattle, from a home buying perspective.

Will the rest of 2024 be a good time to refinance a home in the state of Washington? Can homeowners benefit from the drop in mortgage rates that occurred at the end of 2023? Those are two of the frequently asked questions we’ll be addressing in this mortgage market update for 2024.

As a Seattle-area mortgage company, we do our best to educate local home buyers about their different mortgage options. To continue that tradition, we’ve created an FHA loan fact sheet for borrowers in the state of Washington.

Portland, Oregon, home buyers could enjoy a slower real estate market in 2024, with lower home prices and mortgage rates. For these and other reasons, the Portland housing market could be more buyer-friendly in 2024 compared to the past few years. Here’s an updated look at current real estate trends across the Portland-Vancouver metro area, emphasizing the above buyer-friendly conditions.

Like many parts of the country, California’s housing market has suffered from chronically low inventory levels for quite some time. Supply levels dropped further during the first few months of 2023 due to higher mortgage rates that cooled the real estate market. But in the early days of 2024, California housing market inventory levels are starting to rise again. And once again, mortgage rates play a central role. Rate reductions over the past couple of months have brought more sellers into the market, increasing inventory levels.

In 2024, home buyers in Washington could enjoy lower mortgage rates than last year (on average), along with higher loan limits for FHA and conventional loans. Those are just two of the Washington mortgage trends you should know about in 2024, if you’re planning to buy or refinance a home. So let’s take a closer look at these trends and what they might mean for borrowers in 2024.

Surveys have shown there are many myths, misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding VA loans. Some people who are well-qualified for the VA loan program, and could benefit from it, might be reluctant to apply due to misinformation. As a Washington-based mortgage company that specializes in VA loans, we do our best to educate military members and veterans about their mortgage-related benefits. So today, we will “debunk” seven of the most common myths relating to VA loans in the state of Washington.

What’s the average VA loan amount in the state of Washington? How many VA loans are processed and closed in Washington each year, and how does that compare to the rest of the nation? These are just a few of the questions we can answer by reviewing a recent VA loan usage report published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, summarizing the previous 12 months.

A recent housing market forecast published by Realtor.com suggested that California could have several of the hottest real estate markets in 2024. Southern California, in particular, is expected to see significant growth in 2024 in terms of home prices and sales. Here’s a look at the hottest California real estate markets of 2024 based on industry analysts’ latest data and projections

Will 2024 be a good time to buy a home in the state of Oregon? As a mortgage company that serves the entire Pacific Northwest, we do our best to educate home buyers on current real estate market conditions across the region. Today, we set our sights on Oregon.

As we approach the end of 2023, we thought it would be helpful to take a look back at how the Seattle-area real estate market has changed over the past year. No one can predict future real estate trends with complete accuracy. But hindsight has a way of helping us prepare for the future and make more informed decisions. With that in mind, here is our 2023 year in review for the Seattle housing market.

The state of Washington currently ranks #7 in the nation when it comes to the total number of military personnel living in the state. Because of this, plenty of folks could benefit from using a VA loan to buy a house. But there are specific steps you’ll need to take to get the ball rolling. In this article, you’ll learn how to apply for a VA home loan in the state of Washington.

Federal housing officials recently announced that they would be increasing the conforming loan limits in 2024 for most counties across the U.S. Here in the Seattle metro area, the 2024 conforming loan limit will be set at $977,500 for 2024. Home buyers in Seattle who need to borrow more than this limit can do so as long as they have the income to support it. When you borrow more than the conforming loan limit for your particular county, it’s considered a “jumbo” loan.

Military members and veterans in Washington often use VA loans when buying a home. This popular mortgage program allows borrowers to finance 100% of the purchase price, avoiding the down payment altogether. Like all government-backed mortgage programs, VA loans have specific requirements when it comes to documentation. Some document requirements come from lenders, while the Department of Veterans Affairs imposes others.