Homebuyer tax credit extended & expanded

This big announcement has garnered so much press in the past couple of days that I didn't see the need to post it myself, but then I realized that I shouldn't assume you may have heard it elsewhere.

This past week, Congress passed, and the President signed a bill authorizing an extension of the $8K tax credit for first time homebuyers. Better yet, they increased the income restrictions so that more people qualify and they added a $6500 credit for some existing home owners who want to buy a new home.

The current credit was due to expire at the end of this month (Nov. 30, 2009). That deadline has been extended until April 30, 2010. This is obviously good news for a lot of people.

Click here to download a PDF file published by the National Association of Realtors, which outlines the stipulations and differences between the expiring credit and the newly expanded credit.

Still have questions? Give me a call for a no-obligation consultation regarding the potential for you to take advantage of this windfall. 206-708-9800.

N. Admiral Open House

This weekend I will be holding open a classic, turn-of-the-century home which boasts 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in the North Admiral neighborhood. 2300 sq. ft. of living space on a 4255 sq. ft. lot, this home is listed for $575,000 by my colleagues the Johnson Team.

The address is 1936 47th Av SW and I will be there from 2-5 on Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday. As I often do, I will be giving coupons for Husky Deli ice cream cones to all comers.

Prefer a private showing? Text or call me at 206-708-9800 to set up a time.

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. Call or text me to find out where I'll be this weekend.

Open House Search engine.

Current mortgage loan rates

Rates for conventional 30-yr fixed rate mortgages are still excellent! But this can't last forever, so if you are thinking of buying, the sooner you talk to a lender, the better.

Here is a table of current rates, subject to change, of course.

Thank you to Troy Chambers, of Arboretum Mortgage, for this information. Here is Troy's contact info in case you need a good lender.


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

Free "Open House" list

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. Call or text me to find out where I'll be this weekend.

Open House Search engine.

New! Single Homebuyers' Network

Are you single and thinking about buying a home on your own? Would you like to meet with others who are in the same situation?

Here is your chance to help shape and mold this brand new networking group while it is still in its infancy.

There is NO CHARGE to participate. There is NO COMMITMENT required. There are NO sales presentations OF ANY KIND -- guaranteed.

This is a group devoted to education and support of individuals (with or without children) who are facing the challenge of buying a home on their own.

I will moderate the group, but participants are free to use (or not use) the services of any agent from any real estate company they choose.

Interested? Give me a call at 206-708-9800. Meeting times, dates and places still to be determined.

Search for small homes, made easy!

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.

New! Single Homebuyers' Network

Are you single and thinking about buying a home on your own? Would you like to meet with others who are in the same situation?

Here is your chance to help shape and mold this brand new networking group while it is still in its infancy.

There is NO CHARGE to participate. There is NO COMMITMENT required. There are NO sales presentations OF ANY KIND -- guaranteed.

This is a group devoted to education and support of individuals (with or without children) who are facing the challenge of buying a home on their own.

I will moderate the group, but participants are free to use (or not use) the services of any agent from any real estate company they choose.

Interested? Give me a call at 206-708-9800. Meeting times, dates and places still to be determined.

Are you an FTHB?

It was bound to happen. With all the media attention aimed at first time home buyers, a new acronym was inevitable. FTHB stands for "first-time homebuyer". If that's you, you can be glad that you have so much information at the tips of your typing fingers to help you find the perfect home and an excellent agent to help you through the often-daunting process.

My full-service website at www.AliceSellsSeattleHomes.com is loaded with free information and tools such as Property Watch, an automated property search engine; a mortgage calculator;an Open House list, and more.

I realize that many people prefer to look for homes on their own before contacting an agent, but if you are ready for help in taking the next steps to home ownership, please call or text me at 206-708-9800. I would appreciate the opportunity for a short interview to tell you how I can help you.

Real Estate for Single Homebuyers: Safety During Power Outages

Much as I'd like to deny it, our local weather has taken a marked change in just the past few days. It's time to start preparing for potential power outages.

Click here to download a PDF file with information about what to do before, during and after a power outage.

Open House today

Today, from 1-4, I will be holding open a cute 1940's rambler in the Westwood neighborhood of West Seattle. This terrific little 2 bd/1 bath starter-home is in great condition -- move right in. It has a level, fenced back yard with detached garage and alley access. The address is 7719 31st Av SW; priced at $269,000. MLS# 29069502.

Here's where you can find a list of all Open Houses listed in the Nortwest Multiple Listing Service.