Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Pet Ownership

Click here to visit my Prudential website for a list of resources concerning pet ownership.

Free list of Open House events

Here's an easy way to get a list of all the houses being held Open this weekend. Use the search tool link below to find all Opens or just those that fit your criterion.

It includes listings by various real estate companies/agents, assuming the event has been posted in the NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service).

I hold an Open House nearly every Saturday and Sunday. This weekend I will be at 7719 31st Av SW, in the Westwood neighborhood of West Seattle.

Open House Search engine.

Loan rates are still good

Loan rates for 30-yr conventional mortgages are still very low -- hovering right around 5%. It's easy to get lulled into a false sense of security about loan rates, as if they will stay low forever (or at least until you need them). If you are thinking about buying, remember that the interest rate you pay on your loan can greatly affect how much house you can buy and how much your monthly payments will be. You might be surprised at the the significant difference that even a quarter of a point can make.



Here is a table of current loan rates (subject to change without notice), along with a short editorial comment from Troy Chambers of Arboretum Mortgage.


"We have seen very little change in interest rates this week, and that’s a good thing! Rates are still very low, and many people are scrambling to cash in on the tax credit being given to first time home buyers. If I get a loan within the next 2 weeks, I will be able to get it closed in time for borrowers to take advantage of this credit. Let me know if you know of anyone who is in need of a refinance or a preapproval letter. I am able to produce them within 5 minutes!

Please contact me at anytime, day or night on my cell at 425-418-5103."


Troy Chambers
Arboretum Mortgage
Phone: 206-720-6628
Fax: 206-860-9340
troy@arboretummortgage.com

Turn your clocks back tonight!

Just another little reminder that Daylight Savings Time ends at 2AM Sunday, so you should turn your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed tonight.

I don't know about you, but I always find at least one clock or timer I forget to reset. And I still have a VCR that does the time change automatically EXCEPT it's set for the OLD parameters for which weekends the time changes. Ah, technology!

Happy Halloween!

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Identifying Your Lifestyle

Single homebuyers often have different lifestyles than those who are couples (with or without children). Here is a questionnaire that may help you identify some of your particular needs and wants in relation to buying a home. I invite you to print out this PDF file, answer the questions and then call me for an appoinment so we can discuss them. This will enable me to be even more effective in helping you find the right home. You can call or text me at 206-708-9800.

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Housing Styles

Townhome, condo, co-op, single-family residence ... which style of home is best suited to you? Price is not the only differentiating factor. Here is a chart which compares and contrasts your various options.

Note: this is provided as a PDF file because charts/tables do not transfer well into Blogger (the formatting gets lost).

Visit my Prudential website for more Resources for Single Homebuyers. Click the "Single Homebuyers" tab at the top of the home page. Or call/text me for an appointment to discuss your options in person. 206708-9800.

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Renting vs. Owning

Portions of this article are formatted as a table, which does not translate well in Blogger, so please click here to download the information as a PDF.

The Pros and Cons of Renting versus Owning a Home

Visit my Prudential website for more Resources for Single Homebuyers. Click the "Single Homebuyers" tab at the top of the home page.

Search for Small Seattle Homes with one Click!

Are you searching for a small home in West Seattle? I've made it very easy.

Just click on the headline to this post or the link that follows and you will see a list of ALL the ACTIVE LISTINGS in West Seattle that fit the following search parameters:

1+ bedrooms; 1+ baths; 1250 sq. ft. or less; 1 story or 1 story w/ basement; $320,000 or less.

Search for Small Homes in West Seattle.

When you find one or more you want to see, give me a call or text me at 206-708-9800.

Looking for small homes in other parts of Seattle? No problem!

South Seattle Small Home Search (Burien, Des Moines, Tukwila, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, Normandy Park)

Seattle/Eastside Small Home Search (Issaquah, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Samammish, etc.)

Seattle Proper, Small Home Search (Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capital Hill, etc.)

Again, when you find one or more you want to see, give me a call or text me at 206-708-9800.

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: 10 Steps to Home Ownership

10 Steps to Home Ownership

1. Consider advantages & disadvantages:
Do you really want to own a home?

2. Consider the market conditions:
Is this the right time for you?

3. Assess your credit standing:
Do you need to repair or improve?

4. Assess your finances:
Do you have cash for a downpayment, closing costs, etc?

5. Create a budget:
What monthly payment can you afford?

6. Contact a lender:
What amount of loan do you qualify for?

7. Compile your wish list of home features:
Prioritize wants vs. needs

8. Interview & choose an agent
How do you find the right agent for you?

9. Search for a home
How do you find the right home for you?

10. Make an offer and close the sale

Visit my Prudential website for more Resources for Single Homebuyers. Click the "Single Homebuyers" tab at the top of the home page.

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Home Security

Home security covers a broad scope of topics from door locks to smoke alarms to neighborhood watch programs.

The time to begin assessing the safety of any home is before you buy it. Once you find a house you like and want to purchase, take the time to visit the local police station to research local crime statistics and see if they meet your expectations. You may find that the actual crime rate in any given neighborhood may be significantly higher or lower than its reputation would lead you to believe.

Once you move into your new home, be sure to either re-key or change all the locks. Otherwise, it is impossible to who among all past occupants, neighbors, landlords, etc. might have a key to your home.

Here are some other websites with helpful tips:

Home Safety Council:
http://homesafetycouncil.org/mysafehome/index.aspx

Crime Doctor Advice:
Home Security/Burglary Prevention
http://www.crimedoctor.com/home-security.htm

Small Homes in West Seattle: Seach with one click!

Are you searching for a small home in West Seattle? I've made it very easy. Just click on the headline to this post or the link that follows and you will see a list of ALL the ACTIVE LISTINGS in West Seattle that fit the following search parameters: 1+ bedrooms; 1+ baths; 1250 sq. ft. or less; 1 story or 1 story w/ basement; $320,000 or less.

Search for Small Homes in West Seattle.

When you find one or more you want to see, give me a call or text me at 206-708-9800.

Looking for small homes in other parts of Seattle? No problem!

South Seattle Small Home Search (Burien, Des Moines, Tukwila, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, Normandy Park)

Seattle/Eastside Small Home Search (Issaquah, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Samammish, etc.)

Seattle Proper, Small Home Search (Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capital Hill, etc.)

Again, when you find one or more you want to see, give me a call or text me at 206-708-9800.