Rental payments now to be included as part of purchasing a home.

Hey RENTERS we have good news!  Rental payments now to be included as part of the underwriting process!

Happy Home Buyers.

What does this mean?

Did you know that effective Sept 18 Fannie Mae has allowed rental payment history to be included in the underwriting process. Essentially making it easier for renters to become homeowners!  

Rent is most times the largest expense for families and history of paying it on-time will now be considered for credit worthiness.  With Fannie Mae’s new guideline, any missed rental payment wont’ keep you from getting a mortgage.  With what’s going on around us, this couldn’t have come at a better time.

“For many households, rent is the single largest monthly expense. There is absolutely no reason timely payment of monthly housing expenses shouldn’t be included in underwriting calculations,” said Thompson. “With this update, Fannie Mae is taking another step toward understanding how rental payments can more broadly be included in a credit assessment, providing an additional opportunity for renters to achieve the dream of sustainable homeownership.”?

Those you might have been previously rejected due to lack of credit history may have greater chances getting into their dream home.

If you think this will benefit you, reach out today and let’s hop on a call to discuss next steps!

Martin Luther King, Jr. 2021

Fill in the blank…

“I have a _________…”

It doesn’t take a psychic to know what word you chose.

Was it “dream”?

Good chance it was. We all know this line from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous speech. So when we hear those first three words, it sort of naturally comes to mind.

But what many people aren’t aware of is how much he affected the lives of real estate agents, buyers, and sellers.

It was his death that gave Congress the last push needed to pass the Fair Housing Act, back in 1968. It’s pretty involved, but to put it simply…

This was put in place to ban racial discrimination in housing. You can’t be refused the rental or purchase of a house, based upon your race.

Seems simple enough to most people now. A given, if you will. But it didn’t happen overnight. And believe it or not, it still can and does come up.

But guess who’s a big part of making sure this Act is followed…

On the front lines, it’s real estate agents. We’re tasked with making people aware that discrimination based upon race (and many other things) are not acceptable, and they must refuse to work with anyone who wants to do so.

Real estate agents are proud to be a part of this ongoing history.

Today is the day where we take a moment to reflect and pay him respect. It’s also a good day to share some insight into how much more responsibility real estate agents have than meets the eye.

The Home Connection for May!

Welcome to May! With your eye on the market, virtual experiences, important dates and property tax updates.

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Two home in one! Silver Lake/Everett

Have you been looking for an extra large home w/potential of 2 full living spaces? How about 5+beds? MIL, home biz, multi family? This home checks all those boxes & more! Remodeled kitchens, baths, paint, flooring, roof, vinyl siding, gas furnace in 2017, SS appl. & more. Upstairs has an open concept living/dining area. The master has an updated private bath. The lower level boasts full kitchen, dining, family rm & large entry. For full virtual tour and information click here

Tua_listingbe used as a office or studio. Large corner lot. A must see!

The Home Connection for April

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Home buyers in Western Washington “hit the ground running” in January

KIRKLAND, Washington (February 6, 2020) – “All indicators point to a vigorous spring market,” suggested broker Dean Rebhuhn when reviewing just-released statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The report covering 23 counties shows pending sales outgained new listings, record-low inventory that’s down 33% from a year ago, and double-digit price increases.

This information above taken from the NWMLS is exactly what my team has been seeing! We just got a buyer under contract on a home and it was their third offer! Another buyer lost out to a “cash” offer and there were 14 other offers on the same property! Yet another buyer competed with 10 offers. Yes, it is making for a busy January and start to the spring selling season for the Snohomish County Homes Team! 

Snohomish County Statistics as of January 2020

Active Inventory +11% January 2020 vs. January 2019. 1504 available homes came on the market that is up 673 from December.

Pending Transactions +13% January 2020 vs. January 2019/1727 units +458 vs. December

Sold Transactions +12%! January 2020 vs. 2019 /975 homes sold.

Days on Market Snohomish County Active to pending 47 days vs. 49 a year ago.

Median home price in Snohomish County 505,000 +7% last year. Up $21,000 from last month! Our months of inventory has gone up giving more choice for buyers but keeping it a sellers’ market. There is currently 1.43 months of inventory in Snohomish county which is up 12%. In King County there is currently 1.40 months.

Area price and % based on last month (includes new construction

Bothell-$659,000 -2% from last month.

Edmonds/Lynnwood $520,000 +14%.

Everett/Mukilteo $478,000 +11%.

Snohomish/Monroe $510,000 + 25%—– WOW!!

Lake Stevens/Granite Falls $459,995 +18%

Marysville $424,600 +13%

King County Median home prices are $610,000 +3% over last year but down $77k from last month! With an average day on market of 76 days. King County does have a slower percentage growth over last year and days on market is up plus the price point dropped quite a bit over the end of 2019. However, bouncing around monthly depending on inventory and will keep us hopping into 2020.

Here is a snapshot of statistics for all counties under the Northwest Multiple services. 

 

 

The Home Connection January 2020

Happy New Year!!!

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The Home Connection December 2019

Ready or not the holiday season is here and jam packed with so many exciting things to do! Enjoy all Snohomish county and our Puget Sound region has to offer.  Our favorite family tradition is to head up to Leavenworth to see the lighting of the town it’s just magical and this year is the 53rd Annual 2019 Christmas lighting.  If you have time check it out.

May you and yours have a blessed and joyous holiday.

The Snohomish County Homes Team. 

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October 2019 Market Snapshot

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, mornings are colder and does it seem like everything is slowing down? Not necessarily in the housing market! The infographic below is taken from the Northwest Multiple listing service and shows the statistics from 23 counties around Washington state. Here is also a link to just Snohomish county  2019 October Stats    and a few tidbits on King county. With 2020 just ahead I wonder what the year will hold for us and the housing market. Sure wish I had a crystal ball!

October 2019 Market Snapshot Infographic