December 2015

How Long Does It Take To Save A Down Payment?

In a recent study conducted by Builder.com, researchers determined that nationwide it would take“nearly eight years” for a first-time buyer to save enough for a down payment on their dream home. Depending on where you live, median rents, incomes and home prices all vary. By determining the percentage a renter spends on housing in each state and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, they were...

Selling Your House? 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t For Sale By Owner

In today's market, with homes selling quickly and prices rising, some homeowners might consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are five of those reasons: 1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate With Here is a list of some of the people with...

Buying A Home? Do You Know The Difference Between Cost & Price?

As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, you must be concerned not about price but instead about the ‘long term cost’ of the home. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by...

Home Prices: Past, Present & Future

CoreLogic released their most current Home Price Index last week. In the report, they revealed home appreciation in three categories: percentage appreciation over the last year, over the last month and projected over the next twelve months. Here are state maps for each category: The Past – home appreciation over the last 12 months The Present – home appreciation over the last month The...

What You Really Need To Qualify For A Mortgage

A recent survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is actually necessary to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The study pointed out two major misconceptions that we want to address today. 1. Down Payment The survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the...

Relocated to the East Coast for Love! Had to say goodbye to her Redmond Home – Pleased with the process!

Tony helped me through the experience of selling my home with patience, great suggestions and good contacts. As I live on the east coast this was a long distance transaction, plus I’m a house selling novice. He suggested improvements that made sense to me to get the most for my money and was very good about telling me which ideas wouldn’t maximize my profit. He acted almost like a general contractor,...

NAR Reports Reveal Two Reasons to Sell This Winter

We all realize that the best time to sell anything is when demand is high and the supply of that item is limited. The last two major reports issued by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed information that suggests that now is a great time to sell your house. Let’s look at the data covered by the latest Pending Home Sales Report and Existing Home Sales Report. THE PENDING HOME...

New Listing – Remodeled Rambler on Sunny Lot in great Redmond Neighborhood of English Hill

Listed for $500,000 Updated rambler on a sunny, south facing lot in Amberley on English Hill. The open floorplan boasts 1,680 s.f. and features 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths plus on a 8,247 s.f. lot! This home has been carefully maintained and extensively updated - including remodeling the kitchen and baths! Formal living and dining room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and ample windows overlooking the...

NWMLS November Market Report: “Intense” Holiday Market

KIRKLAND, Washington (December 4, 2015) - Inventory remains "critically low," but there are fewer house-hunters in the hunt during this holiday season so motivated sellers and buyers are seeing success, according to brokers with Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Its just-released statistics for November show year-over-year gains in pending sales, closed sales, and prices, but a steep decline in...

Prices & Mortgage Rates Going Up in 2016

The monthly mortgage payment on a home is determined by two elements: the price of the house and the interest rate you pay on your mortgage. Recently released reports are revealing that the experts expect both elements to increase in 2016. HOME PRICES CoreLogic has projected a nationwide 5.2% home value appreciation for the next twelve months. Here is their breakdown by state: MORTGAGE INTEREST...

The Impact of Higher Interest Rates

Last week, an article in the Washington Post discussed a new ‘threat’ homebuyers will soon be facing: higher mortgage rates. The article revealed: “The Mortgage Bankers Association expects that rates on 30-year loans could reach 4.8 percent by the end of next year, topping 5 percent in 2017. Rates haven’t been that high since the recession.” How can this impact the housing market? The...

Rent vs. Buy: Either Way You’re Paying A Mortgage

There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your mortgage or your landlord’s. As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households must consume housing whether they own...