May you be surrounded by friends and family …
and may you be full of good things … like TURKEY!
and may you find a comfy chair afterwards to nap it all off!
Residential Real Estate in SW Washington State
Residential Real Estate Services with Passion, Integrity, Knowledge
by Gabrielle
May you be surrounded by friends and family …
and may you be full of good things … like TURKEY!
and may you find a comfy chair afterwards to nap it all off!
by Gabrielle
I know, I’m a broken record. Buy now. Don’t wait. Get going. Don’t look back on 2009 as the year you “should have” bought and didn’t. Here are 10 reasons why you may not want to wait any longer to buy a new home:
Next year, the rates could be at 6.5%, which is far more “normal” than the extreme lows we are seeing at 5.0%. This rate of 6.5% would take the monthly payment on a $300,000 loan up to $1896.20 per month (P&I). That equates to a difference of $285.74 per month in mortgage payment. Follow me here…… That $285.74 per month is the same as $57,000 in purchasing power. This means that if someone is qualified at $300,000 at a 5.0% rate today, next year, if rates increase to 6.5%, that same buyer will only qualify up to $243,000. Spread this information to your buyers who are “on the fence”. Money is cheap right now but won’t be that way forever.”
“In today’s market, with a loan amount of $300,000 and an interest rate of 5.0%, the monthly payment would be $1610.46 P&I.
Downpayment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price when using an FHA loan, or even zero percent if you are buying a qualified USDA house. (That’s a home in a designated rural area.) Actually, there are a few other zero percent loans, too. School teachers police and fire officers all have some special programs available.
So … have I convinced you? Or at least given you a bit more to think about?
If you’ll forgive me for sounding a bit like a the local town crier: It truly IS Time to Get Off the Fence! It just doesn’t get … and may not get … any better than NOW!
by Gabrielle
A good home inspection, in my opinion, is so much more than just a thorough “systems” check.
As an active agent representing both Buyers and Sellers, I’ve had sales go “south” due to bad inspectors (not bad “inspections!”). After all, the inspector really can influence the type of decisions that a client/buyer/seller must make. They can scare them off by emphasizing things that perhaps are just future maintenance items, or can de-emphasize items that can be chronic issues.
For example, I’ve had inspections done by potential Buyers for a listing of mine, that backed out because a gutter was leaking. I’ve had inspectors tell us that a hot water heater was at the end of its useful life when it was less than seven years old. And then I’ve had wonderful inspectors that truly help a Buyer understand that just because the linoleum floor has a small split doesn’t mean the house is falling apart around them.
A good inspector is gold. They can truly help support a transaction and they can truly be an asset to a Buyer. I encourage inspections for every single purchase — whether new construction or a 50-year-old home. There’s always something and being informed is priceless.
Be absolutely certain that the home inspector you choose is certified and licensed!
by Gabrielle
In this trickier market, it can be imperative in the eyes of a Buyer that the house in which they’ve fallen in love be in “perfect” condition. Now, granted there’s absolutely no such thing as a house in “perfect” condition, but a house where it’s obvious that the Seller has taken good care of the property and truly gotten the house in tip-top shape as it goes on the market, can truly make or break a Buyer’s decision to make an offer. After all … there’s another house on the market just down the street — sometimes for less money.
I’ve begun emphasizing the importance of a pre-listing inspection to my clients, the Sellers. Learning about and taking care of all the little things makes a home just that much more attractive to a potential Buyer. And heavens, we certainly want to hang on to those Buyers right now!
When a Seller can show a potential Buyer a fully-checked-off inspection list, that’s a tremendous selling point and benefit.
As always, be absolutely certain that the Inspector you choose is property certified and licensed!
by Gabrielle
Drive to the end of a culdesac and in to your attached two-car garage—then walk straight in to your new home. There are no stairs at any entrance! Even better, these easy-care duplex-style condos are just up the path from the private Lake Meridian Village beach with its tennis court, cabana, and picnic tables.
Once inside, the huge high vaulted ceiling and new vinyl windows bathe the living and dining areas with natural light; even the kitchen is light, bright and open!. Quiet mornings can be spent in the beautifully landscaped and fenced backyard with its soothing pond and patio. Three bedrooms, 2 baths and laundry area round out the essentials.
Lake Meridian Village provides the best in comfortable living! Well maintained and managed, the siding, roofs, and windows have all been recently updated. Make an appointment to see what the best in lakefront living is all about!