Tag Archives: buy

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Schools Rule Home Location Choices



Living within walking distance of a school can boost quality of life for families, offering shorter commutes, greater independence for children and easier daily routines. But those benefits often come with a price premium, especially in highly rated school districts, writes Anna Baluch for Realtor.com. Baluch cites NAR data, which shows that buyers will pay more to live in a walkable neighborhood, as they increasingly value convenience over square footage.

When evaluating a neighborhood, experts say buyers should look for continuous sidewalks, safe crossings, traffic-calming measures and good visibility. Michelle Griffith, a luxury real estate broker at Douglas Elliman in New York City, recommends that—before they make an offer—buyers walk the neighborhood multiple times a day to get a good read of what goes on throughout the day and week.

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NWMLS Expands Listing Options


Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), the premier broker-owned multiple listing service in the Pacific Northwest, announced updated listing options designed to further expand seller flexibility while ensuring an open, comprehensive, and transparent marketplace for residential real estate.

NWMLS’s new “First Look” listing option gives sellers enhanced flexibility during the early stages of a listing without walling off inventory inside closed or private networks. Developed in response to member feedback, First Look provides practical solutions for navigating Washington’s public marketing requirements, balancing sellers’ needs for preparation time with buyers’ access to the marketplace.

Read more…

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The Final Walk-through

Closing time can be hectic, but it’s important that buyers not overlook the final walk-through. This is the last opportunity for them to ask questions and ensure the property is in the condition they expect prior to closing.

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Residential Public Marketing


On June 11, 2026, Public Marketing of Residential Homes becomes required by law in Washington State. This means that when a real estate broker is hired to market a home, it must be listed on the NWMLS to ensure it’s visible and available to all brokers and buyers. This process provides sellers with maximum exposure, which helps secure the best price and terms, and also establishes fair and equitable opportunities for all buyers. It isn’t fair when some listings aren’t available to all buyers.

Many real estate brokerages and brokers in WA are looking forward to this law taking effect since it will assure an open, fair, transparent, and comprehensive marketplace for residential properties that promotes competition and fair housing. Buyers and sellers may continue to participate in off-market purchase and sales with the guidance of brokers; the new law doesn’t change this, as it only pertains to marketing.

Have questions? I’m here to help!

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Financing Misconceptions


Myth #1: You need a high credit score to qualify — Buyers can qualify for government-backed mortgages and other conventional loan programs with credit scores around 620 — and in some situations, there is no set minimum. The higher the credit score, the more options a buyer has to get a lower interest rate.

Myth #2: A 20% down payment is mandatory — Many loans can require as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, while some VA and USDA loans don’t have any down payment requirement.

Myth #3: Mortgage rates are the worst they’ve ever been — The peak was actually in October 1981, when 30-year rates hit 18.6%. Rates have bounced around the 7% range in recent years and are currently in the 6.4% range after dipping briefly below 6% in late February.

Have questions? Contact me, I’ll be happy to help!

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The Down Payment Clock


We talk a lot about how hard it is to save for a down payment. The age of first-time homebuyers has been rising, and the ripple effects are real: delayed homeownership means delayed wealth-building, which means the gap between those who own and those who rent widens.

But, like almost everything in real estate, it’s not the same everywhere. In some markets, the “down payment clock” moves quickly. In others, it moves slowly. And understanding which clock you are on might be one of the most practical insights for buyers.

Read more details…

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Tips for Co-buying


The median age of first-time homebuyers hit a record high of 40 last year, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. Low inventory and rising prices have pushed homeownership out of reach for many.

To make housing more affordable, some people are embracing a nontraditional path to owning a home: co-buying with a friend.

Co-buying is a great way for buyers to boost borrowing power, but there are pitfalls. Check out these tips…

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New Rule for Non-Financed Transactions

A new federal residential real estate rule aimed at cracking down on money laundering went into effect March 1st. It impacts transactions involving buyer entities or trusts where the purchase is not financed, such as all-cash sales and sales involving non-regulated lenders. Here’s what you need to know…

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Where Mortgage Payments Are Cheaper Than Rent

Over the past five years, housing prices and rents have surged, making it difficult to save for a down payment. However, in 119 out of 215 metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are lower than rent, mainly in the Midwest and South.

Explore the data collected by the National Association of Realtors.

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Buying and Selling a Home at the Same Time: How Bridge Loans Can Help


One of the biggest stressors for home buyers and sellers is the prospect of being financially responsible for two homes. To avoid that possibility, many buyers make their offer contingent on the sale of their existing home. But contingencies can weaken buyers’ chances of landing the home they want. So, some buyers lean on personal loans, piggyback loans or even their 401(k) savings.

Find out why more borrowers are temporarily tapping the equity in their current home to avoid making a contingency offer on their next home.

Read the details…