Are you a single adult, looking for a real estate agent who understands your particular needs and circumstances? I specialize in working with single adults and first-time buyers.
Click on the link below to fill out a questionnaire that will get us started on the road to helping you navigate the course to your new home.
Single Homebuyer Preferences Survey
Or, if you prefer, give me a call for a free, no-obligation, no-hassle consultation. Hire me as your exclusive agent and discover how stress-free the homebuying process can be. Text or call me at 206-708-9800.
Single adults face unique challenges when buying and selling a home. I know because I've done it myself, & a significant portion of my clients are single. This blog provides news & information you need to help you achieve your real estate goals. Alice Kuder, REALTOR®, Green. Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, Seattle, WA
Friday, February 6, 2009
Current loan rates
Here's information on loan rate activity for this week, courtesy of Troy Chambers, loan officer for Arboretum Mortgage.
Rates have remained relatively flat this week after the slight increase at the end of last week. As the negative financial numbers continue to be reported, rates continue to stay low. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to make this a smoother time, as we look forward to a big Spring!
I’m available all weekend, so please contact me directly on my cell at 425-418-5103.
Troy Chambers
Arboretum Mortgage
Phone: 206-720-6628
Fax: 206-860-9340
troy@arboretummortgage.com
Arboretum Mortgage
Phone: 206-720-6628
Fax: 206-860-9340
troy@arboretummortgage.com
Click here to see a table of current loan programs and rates.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Home Fads That Are Falling Out of Style?
Here's an interesting article publishedJanuary 21, 2009 by styledstagedsold
LAS VEGAS – Some home features don’t stay popular forever. More homes are inching away from incorporating the following home features, according to recent consumer preference surveys.
1. Fireplaces: The fireplace skyrocketed in importance in homes in 1991 with 62 percent of new homes having one or more. But the number has steadily been decreasing ever since. In 2007, the number dropped to 51 percent.
2. Carpet: While 54 percent of homes still have carpet floors, the number is decreasing and hardwood floors are taking the place. Vinyl and ceramic tile flooring also are being bypassed more by buyers. Seventeen percent of new homes contain hardwood floors throughout the entire house.
3. Living room: These once-decorative centerpieces of homes are slowly vanishing from newer homes. Thirty-four percent of consumers say they’re willing to buy a home without a living room.
4. Desks in the kitchen: These desks were once looked at as great storage areas but they’re often too small and quickly become clutter spaces in a home, said Gayle Butler, editor in chief of Better Homes and Gardens. Instead, more consumers say they prefer larger desks in or near the family room—equipped with a messaging center—where they can keep an eye on their kids as they work on the computer.
5. Skylights: The little windows that allow natural light to seep into a home from above are falling out of style. Only 10 percent of new homes will include them this year, a continuing downward spiral for skylights.
6. Upscale kitchen finishes: Granite countertops are slowly becoming less desirable among buyers who are now moving toward affordable, low-maintenance laminate countertops—which tend to last longer and now come in various styles.
What trends are you noticing are falling out of favor with your buyers?
Certainly these kinds of trends and preferences vary by geographical area, so don't take this as gospel. How does this report mesh with your own preferences?
LAS VEGAS – Some home features don’t stay popular forever. More homes are inching away from incorporating the following home features, according to recent consumer preference surveys.
1. Fireplaces: The fireplace skyrocketed in importance in homes in 1991 with 62 percent of new homes having one or more. But the number has steadily been decreasing ever since. In 2007, the number dropped to 51 percent.
2. Carpet: While 54 percent of homes still have carpet floors, the number is decreasing and hardwood floors are taking the place. Vinyl and ceramic tile flooring also are being bypassed more by buyers. Seventeen percent of new homes contain hardwood floors throughout the entire house.
3. Living room: These once-decorative centerpieces of homes are slowly vanishing from newer homes. Thirty-four percent of consumers say they’re willing to buy a home without a living room.
4. Desks in the kitchen: These desks were once looked at as great storage areas but they’re often too small and quickly become clutter spaces in a home, said Gayle Butler, editor in chief of Better Homes and Gardens. Instead, more consumers say they prefer larger desks in or near the family room—equipped with a messaging center—where they can keep an eye on their kids as they work on the computer.
5. Skylights: The little windows that allow natural light to seep into a home from above are falling out of style. Only 10 percent of new homes will include them this year, a continuing downward spiral for skylights.
6. Upscale kitchen finishes: Granite countertops are slowly becoming less desirable among buyers who are now moving toward affordable, low-maintenance laminate countertops—which tend to last longer and now come in various styles.
What trends are you noticing are falling out of favor with your buyers?
Certainly these kinds of trends and preferences vary by geographical area, so don't take this as gospel. How does this report mesh with your own preferences?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tips for getting loan approval
Reprinted from: Daily Real Estate News January 26, 2009
These days one of the biggest impediments to closing a real estate sale can be the buyer’s ability to get a mortgage. Here are some tips for anyone who hopes to land a loan:
Turn to the government. The biggest source of loans these days is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA). These programs accept borrowers with lower credit scores and allow them to put down as little as 3.5 percent of the purchase price.
Document, document, document. Borrowers will need bank statements, brokerage statements, W-2 forms and tax returns.
Boost credit scores. Borrowers should avoid having more than one-third of their maximum borrowing capacity outstanding on one credit card. If necessary, rotate the debt among several cards.
Work your connections. Comparison shopping is easy online, but if you have an established relationship with a local bank, try that lender first.
If you need more help than this provides, give me a call: 206-708-9800
These days one of the biggest impediments to closing a real estate sale can be the buyer’s ability to get a mortgage. Here are some tips for anyone who hopes to land a loan:
Turn to the government. The biggest source of loans these days is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA). These programs accept borrowers with lower credit scores and allow them to put down as little as 3.5 percent of the purchase price.
Document, document, document. Borrowers will need bank statements, brokerage statements, W-2 forms and tax returns.
Boost credit scores. Borrowers should avoid having more than one-third of their maximum borrowing capacity outstanding on one credit card. If necessary, rotate the debt among several cards.
Work your connections. Comparison shopping is easy online, but if you have an established relationship with a local bank, try that lender first.
If you need more help than this provides, give me a call: 206-708-9800
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Open House -- a Superbowl Pre-Game Alternative!
Today, Sunday from 1-4, I will be holding open a lovely view home at 4431 Glenn Way SW, just blocks from the Junction in the Genesee neighborhood of West Seattle. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is light and bright, with a versatile floor plan, inlaid hardwoods, 2 fireplaces, terraced gardens and more. Come see for yourself!
EVERYONE WHO VISITS ME AT MY OPEN HOUSE WILL RECEIVE A "THANK YOU" GIFT consisting of a variety of valuable coupons and special offers related to home ownership. For example, $50 off carpet cleaning services by Preferred Carpet Care; a free color consultation (valued at $250) and 10% off interior and exterior painting services by Aurea Painters; $50 off a home inspection by Home Inspections of Puget Sound; and many more! The total value of all the coupons combined is over $1000! These are coupons and offers that I have negotiated with local vendors and are AVAILABLE ONLY TO MY CLIENTS. I will be offering these gift packs at all my Open Houses for the foreseeable future, but I reserve the right to discontinue without notice, so don't delay!
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