If you’ve been thinking about buying a new property in the greater Seattle area, there is a lot of preparation to do before being ready to make an offer on the home of your dreams. I’ve put together this new home buyers tips series so you can get a feel for the steps of the adventure that lies before you!Most buyers start by looking at homes online to get a feel for where they might want to live and how far their money may go. For example, here in the Seattle area, condominiums tend to offer the most affordable housing options, at around $350,000 or more, and single family homes in North Seattle may start at around $500,000. For more detailed views of homes for sale in different Seattle neighborhoods, you can check out our location pages here.
I have put together this six part video series to help you get a feel for the steps of the process – from looking, to closing – so you can be prepared to have a successful and enjoyable home buying experience. When you are ready to look at property, or if you have any other questions, fill out the form on this page and let us know what you need.
Part 1: Getting Started Buying Homes In Seattle, WA
Tell Us What You Need!
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.Part 2: Home Buyer Tips – Ready To Invest In A Seattle, WA House For Sale?
Buying a home can be a great investment – or a nightmare. It’s important that you go into the deal with your eyes wide open. Knowing how long you plan to stay in your home, what the general appreciation rate is likely to be, and the costs of selling when you decide to move on can help ensure your home stay is profitable! In addition, you need to be able to afford to get into the home in the first place. Do you have good credit? Are you pre-approved? Good. Guess what – you DON’T need to have a 20% down payment. That’s a major relief for many home buyers looking to enter the Seattle real estate market.
Part 3: Home Buyer Tips – The Risks Of Dual Agency & Why You Need A Buyer’s Agent (vs. Seller’s Agent)
When buyers transition from shopping for property online (at Zillow, Realtor, Houses.com, Trulia etc.) and are ready to start looking at property in real life, they must transition to using a real estate agent to help them. But who will they use? If you just call the name of the real estate agent whose name is on the yard sign, you’ll be talking to the SELLER’s AGENT who has a fiduciary responsibility to represent the SELLER. He’s not representing YOU. If he does try to represent both the buyer and the seller, it’s called dual agency. Dual agency IS allowed in Washington state (with disclosure and permission) but in some states it’s not allowed due to it creating a conflict of interest! Generally, most buyers find it of greater benefit to call in their own agent to represent their needs and their interests. Together, we can put together an offer that’s appealing to the seller and strong enough to get accepted, but not one that leaves you exposed and at risk of overpaying or losing your earnest money.
Part 4: Home Buyer Tips – Transitioning From Looking Online To Making Offers On Homes For Sale In Seattle, WA
So, are you ready to jump in the car and go look at houses? When the answer is yes, you’ll need a good real estate agent to get yuou started. Anyone with a license can unlock the door and let you into the property, a good agent will help you identify the homes that are the best use of your time to go and visit, and then – when you find one you love – help you put together a strong offer.
Part 5: Home Buyer Tips – Show Me The Money! Emily Cressey on The Costs Of Buying A Home In Seattle, WA
Are you financially prepared to enter the buyer’s market? Most home buyers want the nicest home they can afford, it’s human nature. But it’s important to consider the full costs of buying a home. In addition to “just” the mortgage payment, there are a lot of other joys of home ownership that come with a price tag.
For example:
- Taxes and Insurance
- Utilities
- Home Maintenance and Repairs
- Yard Care and Landscaping
- Maid or Cleaning Services
- Home Owners Association
Plus, don’t forget about the costs of the move itself:
- Movers
- Paying two house payments for your old and new property, if they are not sold simultaneously (we can help you with that to make it easier…)
- Closing costs and mortgage points
- Time off of work, if needed to move, pack etc.
Moving is definitely a big project which is why, these days, most people only sell a house once every ten years or so. If you’re going through all that effort and expense, I want it to be a win for you. Let’s talk about how much it will really cost, so you can plan ahead and not feel “squeezed” when closing day comes. Then… when you’re ready… let’s get started! Call me at: 206-395-6262… or… for the phone averse… fill out the form below.
How Can We Help You?
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.Part 6: Home Buyer Tips – How Can I Help You Move Into ACTION To Achieve Your Goals?
At some point, you will decide you are ready to transition from “thinking about buying a house” and looking online, to actually being ready to go out and look at homes, in the hopes of finding one to make an offer on. I can help you make this transition by:
1) Making sure you’re quickly seeing all the homes available on the market, (PLUS some that are NOT on the MLS)
2) Put you in touch with one of my best lenders to help you get pre-approved for a house you can comfortably afford.
3) Help you narrow down neighborhoods to get the best combination of house & location
4) Get you inside the homes with my “magic” real estate key…
5) Strategically assemble & present STRONG offers for today’s fast-moving Seattle real estate market so you can be protected, but still accepted, when you are ready to buy that home you’ve been looking for.
6) Walk you through all the after-contract pitfalls, like inspections, appraisals, financing and contingencies. And all this is service comes at no extra cost to you because the property SELLER has already agreed to pay for it.
If you have more questions about the home buying process, please fill out the form below. You can also download our Home Buyers Guide which we keep updated so you can best understand what is happening in the national real estate marketplace and how that impacts home buying and selling trends for you!
We are here to serve and there are no dumb questions, so feel free to reach out and we look forward to speaking with you!
