Author: Emily Cressey

Buying a Townhouse in Seattle: What Buyers Should Know

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Seattle Home Types Buying a Townhouse in Seattle: What Buyers Should Know For many buyers, buying a townhouse in Seattle provides an appealing middle ground between a condo and a detached house. You may get your own entrance, multiple floors, parking, newer construction, and sometimes a rooftop deck while staying closer to the city than … Continued

Buying a Single-Family Home in Seattle

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Seattle Home Types Buying a Single-Family Home in Seattle For many buyers, buying a single-family home in Seattle means more privacy, a yard, additional storage, and greater control over the property than you would typically have with a condo. The tradeoff is that you are also taking responsibility for the roof, exterior, sewer, drainage, landscaping, … Continued

Should You Sell or Keep an Inherited House as a Rental?

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Inherited Property Decisions Should You Sell or Keep an Inherited House as a Rental? If you inherit a house with substantial equity, keeping it as a rental can sound appealing. Instead of selling a valuable asset, you keep the property, collect rent, and potentially benefit from future appreciation. Sometimes that is a very good decision. … Continued

Who Pays the Bills, Mortgage, and Property Taxes After Death?

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Inherited Property Finances Who Pays the Bills, Mortgage, and Property Taxes After Death? When someone dies owning a home, the bills connected to the property do not simply stop. Mortgage payments may still be due, property taxes continue to accrue, insurance needs to remain in place, and utilities or maintenance expenses may continue while the … Continued

How Are Sale Proceeds Distributed in an Estate?

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Inherited Property Finances How Are Sale Proceeds Distributed in an Estate? When an estate home is sold, families sometimes expect the money to be divided among the heirs immediately after closing. Usually, there are several steps between selling the property and distributing the remaining inheritance. The estate sale proceeds may first need to account for … Continued

What Is Step-Up in Basis for Inherited Property?

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Inherited Property Taxes What Is Step-Up in Basis for Inherited Property? If you inherited a parent’s home, step-up in basis may be one of the most important tax concepts to understand before deciding whether to sell. In simple terms, the tax basis of inherited property is generally based on the property’s fair market value when … Continued

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Seattle?

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Seattle Home Seller Timeline How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Seattle? The answer depends on what you mean by “sell.” There is the time it takes to prepare the house, the time it spends on the market, and the time between accepting an offer and actually closing. 9–12 Weeks, Start to … Continued

Best Seattle Neighborhoods for Home Appreciation Potential

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Seattle Neighborhood Buying Guide Best Seattle Neighborhoods for Home Appreciation Potential If long-term value matters to you, it is natural to ask which are the best Seattle neighborhoods for appreciation. But there is an important distinction between a neighborhood that went up the most last year and one that may have strong long-term fundamentals. Home … Continued