Uncategorized Archives - Page 2 of 2

Seattle ~ Home Buyer Downpayment Assistance

March 10, 2015March 26, 2019Rita Harris

UPDATED: As of March 25, 2019

If you would like to read more about obtaining Downpayment Assistance to buy a home as a medical or dental professional, as a self employed person, or if you just need some additional funds for downpayment, I suggest you hop over to: www.DownpaymentForBuyers.com and read the brief details!

Short on cash to be able to buy a home in Seattle NOW? Then this is for you….

Better to Buy in Seattle or San Francisco?

March 9, 2015Rita Harris

Only 21 percent of Bay area residents can afford to buy homes, according the California Association of Realtors. “I think Austin or Seattle would be better places to buy,” said Stefano Acerbetti, a software development manager for a startup in SFO, though he has no plans to move away from San Francisco.

According to HSH.com, Seattle, home buyers need to earn about $73,000 to qualify for the $352,000 median, according to the analysis. In San Antonio (the closest metro area to Austin it looked at), HSH found a $45,000 salary is enough to afford the $185,500 median price.

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO.
If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.

What sort of steps? How about:
– Interview 3 Mortgage Brokers to talk about financing and determine what kind of loan would be the best fit for you.
– Get PreAPPROVED, not just PreQualified. Difference is that the first option actually gives you power in negotiations with a seller. All you are waiting to obtain is the report by a bank approved appraiser. PreQualification only says that based on the story you told the banker, you “look like” you can afford the house.
– Be realistic what you can afford to buy and know that in a brisk market, you may well be up against other people making offers on the same house. This process is going to take time to be the successful bidder on a property, ESPECIALLY in certain price ranges.
– Interview Professional Real Estate Brokers to look for a good personality match. Is the person a go-getter who is knowledgeable, pleasant but enthusiastic, or do they strike you as a plaid-short coat wearing motivational speaker with a dash of car sales thrown in? (*Hint: Call Rita Harris, Broker as one of your choices to interview!)
– DON’T try to negotiate with the listing agent to buy the house you want. You’re not likely to “get a better deal.” a cheap commission (buyers in our area generally don’t pay that anyway), or be put ahead of any other offer coming in. In fact, you put yourself in a very uncomfortable situation concerning the Law of Agency and representation of your interests! Would you go to court for a lawsuit and have the opposing counsel/attorney represent you in a court case? If the answer is “No” then don’t have the listing agent handle your interests. You need a Professional Broker who is an advocate of YOUR needs and interests.

Be glad you are choosing to find a home here in Seattle, WA. Although there will be a flood of buyers looking this Spring and Summer, persistence will pay off and you are money ahead of trying to buy in San Francisco. Here’s the rest of the story if you’re interested in reading: http://cnet.co/1Bij2Fu

#SeattleRealEstate #BuyInSeattle #BriskSeattleMarket #RitaHarrisBroker

Tenants – Your Landlord Can Boost Your Credit Score!

March 8, 2015March 8, 2015Rita Harris

Are you a Renter in the Seattle area? If you rent an apartment and pay the landlord on time every month, you get no boost to your score — zip.

That is, unless your landlord reports rent payments to the national credit bureaus.

Without a major positive such as rent payments in their files, a missed payment on a credit card or auto loan could have significant negative effects on your credit scores! Sometimes, the only positive thing on your credit report COULD be your stead, regular and on-time rent payments.

Want to read the 411 on this? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/LandlordBoost

#SeattleHomesForSale, #RitaHarrisBroker, #SeattleBuy, #SeattleLandlord

Seattle Homes: Benefitting in 2015!

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015Rita Harris

Do you remember 2006, or is that a distant memory?

Here’s a newsflash – Due to the pent-up demand for housing, Seattle hasn’t seen this kind of traffic and number of pending sales since around 2006!

While houses and condos ARE coming on the market in a steady way, there is still not enough inventory to satisfy the needs of those who are moving to our area, let alone those already here looking to transition from rental units into homes.

What can be done, you say?

For one thing, it would be lovely if lending institutions could let-up on the regulations a bit so that developers/builders who are willing to create multi-family condos & townhomes, CAN afford to build again. Seattle has experienced a number of tall stacks going in, but not all of these are condos Often, they are very small apartments.

Want to read the short article by Marc Stiles of the PSBJ? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/SBJ2006 about Seattle real estate for sale.

If you’re a seller and you would entertain an opportunity for a private, no obligation consultation about your property’s value, contact me.

We can discuss how you take take advantage of this market for serious wealth building!

Classic Colonial Homes – Seattle

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Do you love elegant, Georgian rooms? This is a gorgeous example of deep crown and doorway mouldings, along with stylish furniture decorating.

If you love this style, there is a more affordable version on Seattle’s Capitol Hill and just listed in the last few days by a friend of mine! For you folks, I am always available and have time to meet you if you’d like to take a peek. No appointment needed to see the interior. Want to come along? eMail me or phone me…. http://www.seattleareahomes4sale.com/contact/

‪#‎HousesInSeattle‬, ‪#‎SeattleHousesForSale‬, ‪#‎SeattleRealEstateListings‬,‪#‎ColonialHomeInSeattle‬, ‪#‎GeorgianBrickHomeSeattle‬

Own a Piece of History? Kurt Cobain’s Family Home on The Market

March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Holy Smokes! When did Aberdeen, WA
become the hot-bed of real estate values?
Probably while we were sleeping….

According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, Kurt Cobain’s family home in Aberdeen is now on the market (again), this time for a mere $400,000. Here’s the link to sneak a peek:
http://bit.ly/KCobain

‪#‎HousesForSaleSeattle‬, ‪#‎KurtCobainHomeForSale‬,‪#‎SeattleAreaHomesForSale‬

Photo credit – Special thanks to the PBJ.

Are YOU A Landlord in Seattle? Know Someone Who Is?

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

This tidbit of news might be helpful to them to know, now at tax time, so feel free to share the info! I pulled it directly from a property management firm in our area:

“Under the Small Business Jobs Act, landlords are required to report to the IRS payments of $600 or more to a vendor or service provider in the course of the year. This is done by issuing a 1099-MISC form. This requirement started in 2011 and includes payments to service providers such as plumbers, carpenters, yard service providers and repair people. The Form is provided to the IRS and to the service provider. This requirement applies to both residential and commercial property.

Landlords need to obtain the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the service provider, using Form W-9 or a similar form.”

*BTW – Nothing found herein should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a legal opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of law. You should obtain the advice of an attorney well versed in these matters.

Home Prices in Mountlake Terrace, WA (Near Seattle)

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Psssst! Know someone who lives in Mountlake Terrace?

Their newspaper just released this week the comparison news that “Mountlake Terrace home prices have increased by 8.8 percent, sales up 23.1 percent.”

Nice little piece of gossip to share, right?

‪#‎SeattleHomesForSale‬, ‪#‎SeattleRealEstate‬, ‪#‎AvailableSeattleHomes‬,‪#‎SearchSeattleHouses‬

Financing Advice Especially for Home BUYERS:

March 3, 2015March 6, 2015Rita Harris

Are you or someone you know going to be in the market to buy a residence this year? (This can be ANYWHERE in the country.)

If you’re thinking of financing your purchase, here are six steps to take before you get a mortgage. Forward this on to family and friends who may be thinking of getting a mortgage now, or in the future.
Then let me know how I can be of further assistance!

UPDATED: As of March 25, 2019

Short on cash to be able to buy a home in Seattle NOW? Then this is for you….

According to HSH.com, Seattle, home buyers need to earn about $73,000 to qualify for the $352,000 median, according to the analysis. In San Antonio (the closest metro area to Austin it looked at), HSH found a $45,000 salary is enough to afford the $185,500 median price.

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO. If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.

Are you a Renter in the Seattle area? If you rent an apartment and pay the landlord on time every month, you get no boost to your score — zip.

That is, unless your landlord reports rent payments to the national credit bureaus.

Without a major positive such as rent payments in their files, a missed payment on a credit card or auto loan could have significant negative effects on your credit scores! Sometimes, the only positive thing on your credit report COULD be your stead, regular and on-time rent payments.

Want to read the 411 on this? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/LandlordBoost

Do you remember 2006, or is that a distant memory?

Here’s a newsflash – Due to the pent-up demand for housing, Seattle hasn’t seen this kind of traffic and number of pending sales since around 2006!

While houses and condos ARE coming on the market in a steady way, there is still not enough inventory to satisfy the needs of those who are moving to our area, let alone those already here looking to transition from rental units into homes.

What can be done, you say?

Want to read the short article by Marc Stiles of the PSBJ? Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/SBJ2006 about Seattle real estate for sale.

If you’re a seller and you would entertain an opportunity for a private, no obligation consultation about your property’s value, contact me.

We can discuss how you take take advantage of this market for serious wealth building!

Holy Smokes! When did Aberdeen, WA become the hot-bed of real estate values? Probably while we were sleeping….

Psssst! Know someone who lives in Mountlake Terrace?

I for one, can tell you that the market for a buyer is very brisk, whether here in Seattle or in SFO.
If you are serious about being able to get a home or condo this year, YOU need to take proactive steps in advance of stepping into a real estate agent’s car or attending open houses.

Holy Smokes! When did Aberdeen, WA
become the hot-bed of real estate values?
Probably while we were sleeping….