Tag Archives: Puget Sound area Real Estate

Peanut Butter And Jelly Home Approval?

Posted on by

Getting preapproved before you start looking at homes is crucial for several reasons:

  1. Understanding Your Budget:
    Preapproval helps you establish a clear budget range. By knowing how much a lender is willing to lend you, you can focus your home search on properties that align with your financial capacity.
  2. Saves Time:
    It streamlines the home-buying process. You won’t waste time considering homes that are beyond your financial reach. This efficiency is particularly valuable in a competitive real estate market.
  3. Negotiation Power:
    Sellers often prefer dealing with preapproved buyers because it indicates that you are a serious and qualified buyer. This can give you an edge in negotiations and make your offer more appealing.
  4. Avoiding Disappointment:
    Knowing your budget prevents the heartbreak of falling in love with a home only to find out later that it’s out of your financial reach. Preapproval sets realistic expectations.
  5. Quick Response to Opportunities:
    In a fast-paced market, having a preapproval letter allows you to act quickly when you find the right home. This can be a significant advantage, especially if there are multiple offers on a property.
  6. Identifying Credit Issues:
    The preapproval process involves a thorough examination of your credit history. If there are any issues, it gives you time to address them before making an offer on a home.
  7. Clarifying Loan Options:
    Preapproval provides insights into different loan options available to you. You can choose the type of loan that best suits your needs and financial situation.
  8. Building Trust with Real Estate Professionals:
    Real estate agents and sellers take preapproved buyers more seriously. It establishes you as a committed buyer, making the entire home-buying process smoother.
  9. Smooth Closing Process:
    Having your financing in order from the beginning helps ensure a smoother and quicker closing process. Delays related to financing issues can be minimized or avoided.

In summary, getting preapproved is a strategic step that not only gives you a clear financial picture but also positions you as a serious buyer in the real estate market. It enhances your ability to make informed decisions and increases your chances of securing the home you desire. If you are in the Puget Sound region reach out to me and I will guide you to the best lender associates based on you needs and we will work together to get you the perfect home that goes together beautfully. Just like peanut butter and jelly!

How do high interest rates affect the sale of your home?

Posted on by

Great question! High interest rates can indeed have an impact on the sale of your home. As a professional Realtor it’s essential for me to help you understand how interest rates can influence the housing market and the potential sale of your property.

  1. Reduced Buyer Demand: High interest rates can lead to reduced buyer demand in the housing market. When interest rates are high, the cost of borrowing money for a mortgage increases. This means that potential homebuyers may be discouraged from entering the market or may have to adjust their budgets, resulting in fewer qualified buyers looking for homes. As a seller, this could mean a smaller pool of potential buyers for your property.
  2. Decreased Affordability: Higher interest rates can also impact the affordability of homes for buyers. With higher mortgage rates, monthly mortgage payments increase, which could make it more challenging for buyers to afford the homes they desire. As a result, some buyers may have to lower their price range, leading to potential downward pressure on home prices.
  3. Extended Time on Market: The combination of reduced buyer demand and decreased affordability can result in homes staying on the market for a longer time. With fewer buyers and potential price adjustments, it may take more time to attract the right buyer at a price that aligns with market conditions.
  4. Impact on Home Prices: In areas where high interest rates are prevalent, we may see a moderation in home price growth or even a potential decline in prices. When demand decreases, sellers may find it necessary to adjust their listing prices to attract buyers, and this could lead to a softening of home prices in the market.
  5. Impact on Refinancing: For potential buyers who already own a home, high interest rates can also affect their ability to refinance their existing mortgages. This may lead to fewer homeowners putting their homes up for sale since they may be hesitant to lose their current low-interest rate by purchasing a new property with a higher mortgage rate.

As your real estate agent, I’ll keep a close eye on interest rate trends and how they impact the local market. If we find ourselves in a high-interest-rate environment, I’ll work closely with you to devise a pricing and marketing strategy that takes these factors into account. My goal is to position your home competitively in the market and attract qualified buyers to ensure a successful sale, regardless of the interest rate climate. Rest assured, my commitment is to help you achieve the best possible outcome in any market conditions

Home Prices Predicted To Explode! BUY NOW!

Posted on by

Self-made real estate millionaire Barbara Corcoran says it’s a ‘good time to buy’ because home prices are going to ‘explode’ when mortgage rates drop!

Alena Botros
Fri, June 2, 2023 at 2:00 AM PDT·4 min read

Appearing as a guest on Good Morning America this week, Barbara Corcoran answered several questions from viewers, ranging from when the right time to buy a home is to how to win a bidding war. As for the former, Corcoran said now is the time to buy.

“It’s a good time to buy because the minute interest rates go down, everybody’s waiting for them to go down even by a point, and when they do, they’re going to come rushing back in the market,” Corcoran said. “Prices are going to explode, and you’re going to be paying more for the same house. And you can always refinance, remember, when and if interest rates come down.”

It’s not Corcoran’s first time advising against even attempting to time the market. Previously, on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Corcoran said to forget about the timing, again stressing that now is always the time to buy.

The self-proclaimed “NYC Real Estate Queen,” founded the Corcoran Group with a $1,000 loan in 1973, which she famously turned into $66 million, after selling her business in 2001. She’ll always be a powerhouse within the real estate industry, but now most people know her as the spunky, blunt, and well-dressed shark on ABC’s Shark Tank.

Another viewer asked Corcoran how to win bidding wars, saying that he and his fiancee have been looking for a house but have been out bid every time they’ve found one they like. Corcoran said the key is to look like the “best deal in town,” while playing on the seller’s emotions.

“You have to be prequalified for your mortgage so you can go in there as an all cash deal. I’m an all cash deal, it’s not contingent, I already got my mortgage—you want that power behind you,” Corcoran said. “You also want to go in and realize it’s never just a financial deal. Get a nice piece of stationery and handwrite a note to that owner, and tell them how much you love the house. It makes a difference because people like to sell homes to people who love their house.”

As for the different types of mortgage loans that buyers can choose from, Corcoran said it depends on how long you’re going to live in that home. If you’re going to live there a long time, or at least except you are, Corcoran said a conventional rate mortgage at the shortest term you can afford, is the best option. On the other hand, if you’re only going to be living there for a short period of time, likely under five years, she said you’ll want to get an adjustable rate mortgage because it’s cheaper.

When Corcoran was then asked if there’s any way to get relief as someone who’s “house poor,” a term used to describe someone that’s spending more than 30% of their income on housing, she answered: “you don’t get relief from that.” In coastal cities, Corcoran said, people are spending more than 40% of their income on housing. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, in her view—people are forced to save by paying off their mortgage.

“When it comes time to retire, for most of us, it’s the only money we have to retire on,” Corcoran said.

Now if you want to make the most out of your home purchase, she said you’ll always get the best return in a high-traffic area. And if you want to make a killing, buy a home in an up and coming area. Corcoran’s formula for doing so? Follow the creative community and see where they’re living, and check out the nightlife.

And of course, a Corcoran Q&A couldn’t be complete without touching on rentals and renting. As for rent prices, Corcoran said they’re going to continue to go up, and there won’t be any relief. When interest rates go up and chase people into the rental market, rents generally go up. But when interest rates go down, that doesn’t mean rent follows. Corcoran said she’s never met a landlord that brings down their rent, ever. And, most of us know how she feels about renting—that it’s a “no-win game.”

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

Remember~ date the rate, marry the home. As the famous Will Rogers said ” Don’t wait to buy real estate, by real estate and wait. Good advice everyone and I am just the gal to help you so reach out with all your real esate questions and needs in the Puget Sound region.

What’s Up with Real Estate?

Posted on by

Unless you live under a rock (I can say that as I’ve been known to camp out under a pebble now and then) There’s no doubt you’ve been hearing about the housing market, right? In many experts’ opinions the feeling is we are settling back into the same speed of travel as in 2019. I agree and am hearing from several agents that they are getting increased traffic at open houses; some are still getting multiple offers and we are still low on inventory! Predictions are that in the mid second quarter rates will settle in the 5% range which, is historically a good rate. Buyer’s may have a higher rate; however, inspections are back to protect yourself, negotiations are back to have items on an inspection addressed and some sellers are giving incentives with closing cost credits. I even have some great lenders that have 2 -1 buy down programs to offset some of that payment in the first year or two. A more stabilized market for all really is a good thing! Thoughts? Feedback? I am here to help!

As you can see, we are down on listings from the same time last year but pending's (homes that have accepted an offer) are up! In all of Snohomish County there are 740 homes for sale. A huge jump from 2022 however this is a sign that buyers have more choices. Still just under a month of inventory however much better than 3 days!
Local Market Update Snohomish County
Local Market update for Snohomish County. The market is resetting from massive jumps in the last few years.
Local Market Update Snohomish County
King County pending's are up and one month inventory. Prices in King County over all are only down 1.4% from last year.
King County housing market update
Skagit County is seeing a bit more inventory at almost a month and a half. Great price point overall for those willing to go up more north.
Skagit County local housing market update

Are You and Your Home Prepared for Winter?

Posted on by

I have posted before but I think a great reminder that we are still in winter and storms happen. Take care of yourself and your home. 🌩⛈🌬💨

Remodeling What Is The Biggest Bang For The Buck?

Posted on by

There are so many good reasons for home improvement — even in a tough economy. You may want to boost your home’s future sales value, add livable space, refresh an aging room or feature. Or you may just want to enjoy your home more, especially if you wanted to move but the market didn’t cooperate. Find out which projects could bring you joy — and some cash back!

Is the kitchen the biggest project that will pay you back or the bathroom?

A Room By Room Tour

If You Won The Lottery?

Posted on by

Must have a good location when selling your HOME

Posted on by
Add seasonal flowers for curb appeal

One thing is common among all properties that receive multiple offers these days: the home is in a good location. Location is nearly always what drives homebuyers in their search. Before considering price, number of bedrooms or size of home, a buyer looks for location.

If your home is on a busy street, not in the best school district or near a freeway on/off ramp, chances are you won’t receive the kind of activity that a well-located home would. In that case, work closely with your agent to price the home correctly.

Must be priced right

Buyers in any market look for perceived value. Homes priced 10 percent (or more) over their market value won’t get noticed. Pricing isn’t an exact science, and it’s nearly impossible to pin a precise number to a home until buyer and seller sign a contract and close. Then, the price officially becomes the home’s market value. Until that time, agents can provide sellers with a value range. Have a good location? Does your home show well? Are you in a strong sellers’ market? Price your home on the bottom of that price range and you’ll be sure to attract buyers — and possibly multiple offers.

Must show well

A generation ago, sellers simply did some deep cleaning and maybe some de-cluttering before their first open house. Presentation wasn’t as important then as it is today, given online listings. More buyers today develop an emotional connection to a home. They want to imagine themselves in your home and not feel like they’re a guest. What does that mean? Appeal to the masses. If you have a good location and you plan to price your home realistically, then you need to make sure you give buyers what they want. If you can afford it, make cosmetic upgrades; invest in some staging and work to turn your home into a “product.” Emotionally disconnect from your home and try to see it more objectively.

Plan on having the home in perfect condition for the photo shoot. A buyer’s first impression of your home likely will be via the Internet or an email from their agent. Make them want to step inside. The more buyers you attract to your home, the more activity.

Know your market

Don’t assume that national trends apply to your region, city or neighborhood. If you’re not in a strong sellers’ market or you spend a fortune on last-minute upgrades, you could be in for a giant surprise. Just because you hear about bidding wars and multiple offers on the news doesn’t mean that applies to your area. Home selling is like the stock market it is goes up, down and can have a bit of a lull when interest rates go up and what is happening in the news for your area and even around the world.

Work with a good Realtor and, no, not all agents are Realtors learn the difference.  A local Realtor knows the area and what has recently sold as well as ones that have sold over the past six months to a year. Knowing those homes, having walked inside and personally knowing the agents who have sold them matters. This is market data that an outsider just doesn’t have access to. This knowledge empowers good local agents to educate their sellers.

The Home Connection

Posted on by

Happy Tuesday and Welcome to August! Yep, I am a few days late on the monthly newsletter please forgive me I was having a very fun weekend at the Gorge and Watershed. A bit slow and tired today but it was worth it. 🙂 So as we slide into August enjoy with some great events, ideas, tips, real estate news and its National watermelon day so go enjoy!

The HOME CONNECTION JULY

Posted on by

Its been a HOT, HOT summer and the Real Estate market is no exception! Lets take a peak at your EYE on the market and then relax a bit with some grilling tips plus other tips, tricks and events. Enjoy!