Current mortgage loan rates

Interest rates for 30-year fixed mortgage loans settled back down a bit this week, so there is still time to qualify for rates just under 5%. Recent volatility is just a reminder that these sweet rates won't last forever.

This table of rates is provided courtesy of Troy Chambers, Loan Officer for Arboretum Mortgage.
You can contact Troy at 425-418-5103. www.troychambersmortgage.com

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft!

Identity theft is an increasingly prevalent problem. It can happen to anyone, it can destroy your credit, and it causes a huge disruption to the lives of its victims. Learning how to prevent and detect ID theft -- BEFORE you become a victim -- can save you time, money and aggravation down the line.

On Wed., Feb. 16th, Sgt. Darryl Williams, of the Seattle Police Department, will give a free presentation about how to protect yourself and avoid stolen identity.

Sponsored by Savvy Seattle Women: A Homeowners' Network, the workshop will take place at "The White House", aka Law Offices of Best and de Vrieze, 3909 California Av SW. It is open to the general public for no charge.

The event starts at 6PM with a wine and cheese social, followed by Sgt. Williams presentation from 6:30-7:30.

This gathering is also a business promotion opportunity. Bring your business cards and network with other local business owners before and after the feature presentation.

For more information, go to: www.SavvySeattleWomen.com, 206-708-9800, SavvySeattleWomen@comcast.net

Current mortgage loan rates

Don't look now, but interest rates on 30-yr. fixed rate mortgage loans are starting to creep up, as we knew they would. By historical standards, they are still very good, but as a general rule of thumb you can estimate that for every 1% increase in rates, you will qualify for 10% LESS home. In other words, if you qualify for a $330K mortgage at 4.5% interest rate, you will only qualify for a $330K loan if the rates increase to just 5.5%. (I repeat, these are very rough figures with a lot of variables involved, but you get the idea.)

Here, then, is a table of rates as of Thursday, Feb. 10th, 2011. Information courtesy of Troy Chambers, Loan Officer for Arboretum Mortgage. 425-418-5103. http://www.troychambersmortgage.com/

Resources for "Greening" Your Home

I have a new website, sponsored by Seattle-King County Realtors Association, dedicated to all things green. Check it out and I believe you will find lots of valuable information about "greening" your home. Some of the topics: Seattle Energy Audit; Deals, Rebates and Incentives; Designing and Remodeling.

Let me know what you think!

You are invited to The White House!

Identity theft is an increasingly prevalent problem. It can happen to anyone, it can destroy your credit, and it causes a huge disruption to the lives of its victims. Learning how to prevent and detect ID theft -- BEFORE you become a victim -- can save you time, money and aggravation down the line.

On Wed., Feb. 16th, Sgt. Darryl Williams, of the Seattle Police Department, will give a free presentation about how to protect yourself and avoid stolen identity.

Sponsored by Savvy Seattle Women: A Homeowners' Network, the workshop will take place at "The White House", aka Law Offices of Best and de Vrieze, 3909 California Av SW. It is open to the general public for no charge.

The event starts at 6PM with a wine and cheese social, followed by Sgt. Williams presentation from 6:30-7:30.

This gathering is also a business promotion opportunity. Bring your business cards and network with other local business owners before and after the feature presentation.

For more information, go to: www.SavvySeattleWomen.com, 206-708-9800, SavvySeattleWomen@comcast.net