Buying a Home

Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you're not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don't have all the best information and resources at hand.

One of my specialties is representing the best interests of buyers in Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue throughout the home buying process. My comprehensive, high-quality services can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

If you're like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you're buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of my experience as a local market expert for Renton, Newcastle and South Bellevue to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following articles provide useful information and are a great place to start if you're considering buying a home.

How to choose a Neighborhood for Your Home Search Why use a Realtor When Buying a Home?
How to Choose a Home Home Inspections Avert Future Headaches
Take Charge When Buying a Home The Basics of Making an Offer

 

First Time Buyer?

First time buyers and those with low to moderate incomes have many places that will offer help. Here are some of them:

HOME FOR GOOD: www.buildingequity.org

This nonprofit organization offers an "Equity First" program that will buy a property and lease it to a prospective buyer until they can afford to acquire it at a non-marked-up price. Income limits (no more than 120 percent of area's median income) do apply.

HOMESIGHT: www.homesightwa.org

This nonprofit organization offers home buyer advice, financial counseling and purchase assistance loans as well as affordable housing for first-time and lower-income buyers in both King County and Snohomish County: 206-723-4355 or 888-749-4663.

HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST: www.homesteadclt.org

This program offers buyers assistance to purchase a home but Homestead owns the land the home sits on - which is how the program is able to offer a home at lower cost than would be the case if buyers purchased both home and land. For more information check online or call 206-323-1227.

HOPE FOR HOMES:

Participants in the United Way's "Individual development account" funds matching program could qualify for as much as $45,000 in down-payment assistance. The United Way ( www.uwkc.org ), Urban Leage of Metropolitan Seattle ( www.urbanleague.org ), or International District Housing Alliance ( www.apialliance.org ) can offer more details.

WASHINGTON HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER: www.homeownership-wa.org

The center offers basic homeownership classes and homebuyer resources on an ongoing basis. Information is available online or at 866-600-6466.

WASHINGTON STATE HOUSING FINANCE COMMISSION: www.wshfc.org

Provides free seminars on homebuying and operates programs to help.

Federal Calculator Helps You Compare Mortgage Types:

Consumers typically look at one mortgage type and then the next, picking the best option based mostly on affordability. But getting the best mortgage deal is about more than payment size.

The Federal Reserve Board has created an online "Mortgage Comparison Calculator" that allows consumers to compare monthly mortgage payments and the amount of equity they build for up to six types of fixed and adjustable rate mortgages.

The calculator is accessible at https://www.federalreserve.gov/apps/mortcalc/ .

It allows homebuyers to compare seven types of adjustables and several types of fixed-rate loans to determine which deal is best.