I’ve been working with Fady & Roxana for four years to find a home. We worked together through so much of life’s obstacles - deciding to buy, rethinking buying, having kids, moving, moving back, etc. and now here they are, homeowners in Woodinville!
I’m so happy for them, a new house to raise their family and make a home. And I’m glad I got to be part of their journey! Congratulations!
Yesterday, all of us in the Keller Williams Greater Seattle Facebook group found this post from our Team Leader/CEO, Angie Mykel:
"I'm so tired of feeling helpless while I just sit here, waiting this out, cooped up in my home.
So... today I spent 6+ hours collecting resources for our community. Everything from unemployment info, mortgage forbearance, rental information, food support and healthcare and more."
I wanted to share this resource with you; 12 pages of super-helpful information - from Employer/Employee Assistance to Food Assistance. Please read and share...it's important for all to have this crucial info right now.
Sleek urban stand-alone (no shared walls!) townhome in the heart of vibrant Ballard. The kitchen, living and dining room are made for entertaining! A great space to host your friends or move the party to the big rooftop deck with 360-degree views. Chef's kitchen has all high-end stainless appliances & large island. Spa-like master bath featuring a luxurious tiled dual shower. 4-Star Built Green with in-floor radiant heat on every floor & tankless on-demand hot water. Carport parking off alley.
On top of the new listing I have in Ballard, I also just closed on a new construction live/work townhouse in a prime Ballard location! Congrats to my client on the purchase of her new home!
Sleek urban stand-alone (no shared walls!) townhome in the heart of vibrant Ballard. The kitchen, living and dining room are made for entertaining! A great space to host your friends or move the party to the big rooftop deck with 360-degree views. Chef's kitchen has all high-end stainless appliances & large island. Spa-like master bath featuring luxurious tiled dual shower. 4-Star Built Green with in-floor radiant heat on every floor & tankless on-demand hot water. Carport parking off alley.
Open House this weekend, don't miss it!
1760 NW 61st St., Seattle, WA 98107
Saturday, February 15th, from 2 pm to 5 pm
Sunday, February 16th, from 1 pm to 4 pm
“Can I afford to buy a house? Do I have enough saved? Is my credit okay? How much do I need to put down? What is escrow?
If you’re in the beginning stages of determining whether or not this is the right time for you to buy a home, these are questions that you have likely asked yourself. I have been teaching Home Buyer Classes for years now; I strongly recommend that anyone considering a home purchase attend a home buyer class.
If you don’t understand the home buying process, it can become overwhelming in a hurry. However, if you are equipped with a basic understanding of what to expect, you’ll be able to clearly focus on each step in the process. In a home buying class, a realtor (and perhaps also a mortgage consultant) will carefully explain the process and go through in detail the timeline of buying a home, the application process, the escrow process, home inspections, the appraisal, etc.
Many people have no idea what their credit score is, what it should be if you are hoping to purchase a home and where to start in order to qualify for a home purchase. Your best bet is to look for a class that has a mortgage consultant speaking. The ability to ask questions regarding your credit score and how it impacts your purchase, how to qualify for a loan, which loan products to consider, what the closing costs are, etc. is extremely valuable information that you should have before you get started.
If you’ll be taking out a loan to help finance your home purchase, you will learn about the amount of money you will qualify for, which will then determine the home you will be able to afford. A good realtor and/or mortgage consultant will work with you to determine what price you can comfortably live with (it’s not always what the lender has quoted).
Not only should you walk away with a better understanding of the home buying process, but a good realtor and mortgage consultant will help you think about some important questions, such as:
How much home can I really afford?
What am I really looking for in a home, what are my needs?
Is this my forever home, first home or in between?
How to assess a home’s ability to appreciate?
How much savings do I need to have?
What is the minimum credit score needed to qualify?
Can family members help me by contributing funds?
Why should a home buyer work with a real estate professional?
What type of lender will work best for me?
How do I comparison shop for a lender?
What down payment assistance program works best?
Being informed is the most important first step to homeownership—taking the time to learn about each step of the process will set you up for success down the road!
What a treat to help my clients purchase this amazing and lovingly designed and cared for Mid-Century Modern home in Lake Forest Park! It’s always a thrill when you can match what your client is dreaming of with what’s on the market - Congrats to you both, enjoy!!
Pride in ownership exudes in this unique & custom-built Mid-Century Modern home. Step back in time to 1967 with slate entry, tongue & groove bleached cedar vaulted ceilings, birch paneling & other timeless details/fixtures. With 5 bedrooms & just over 3500 square feet, there is room for everyone! This home has never before been on the market & has only had one owner, who designed it. Just steps to Horizon View Park & deeded into the LFP Civic Club. .. truly Lake Forest Park living at it's finest!
As Johnny Cash sang “I’ve been everywhere”, so to had I in 2019! Well, it sure felt like it, at least. As you can see from this Google Map, I sold homes from Puyallup to Anacortes and everywhere in between. I’m always happy to help my clients relocate, whether here in the state or outside. That’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to working with Keller Williams Greater Seattle; the opportunity to build a team of brokers and staff to help my clients no matter where they want to live. Moving to Vancouver, WA? How about Reno, NV? My team or fellow Keller Williams brokers in other states are going to help you find the right home for you.
Please let me know if you are thinking about a move - either here in the Seattle area - or further out. Even if you aren’t ready, it’s always a great idea to start brainstorming on the next steps. That’s what I’m here for, to help make your move (or your listing) go as smoothly as possible!
Millennial homebuyers have passed Baby Boomers and Gen Xers for the fifth year in a row. This cohort accounted for 46% of mortgage originations during the third quarter of 2019, up 3% from a year ago. During the same timeframe, Gen X accounted for 35% of mortgage originations (down from the year-ago figure of 37%), while Baby Boomers accounted for 17% (down from 18%).
If you’re a millennial looking to buy a house, here are five things you can do to make that dream come true.
What’s the biggest challenge facing millennial homebuyers? Student loans. Over 44.2 million Americans are paying off a national student loan debt of $1.48 trillion—and, in 2016 alone, the average student loan debt was $37,172 per graduate!
As if student loans weren’t enough, consumer debt has postponed the home-buying dream of many millennials. In fact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that, second to student loans, the two expenses that delayed saving for a down payment were credit card debt (32%) and car loans (32%).
Since buying a house is the most expensive purchase you’ll make, you should be debt-free before you buy one. If you have any debt, get on a budget and find a debt reduction strategy that works for you to pay off those loans. Only then will you be ready for the next challenge: the down payment. But don’t be discouraged if you aren’t 100% debt-free, your lender will be able to help you navigate your options.
Most of us don’t pay cash for our first home. In fact, 98% of millennials buy with a mortgage. That’s why it’s important to have a strong down payment—not only to lower your interest rate but also to help you pay off your mortgage even faster. 10–20% is recommended. If you have 20% tucked away, you’d bypass private mortgage insurance (PMI)—additional insurance lenders make you have that protects them if you stop making mortgage payments.
If you’re struggling to save for the down payment, you’re not alone. One-fourth of millennial home buyers couldn’t do it alone, accepting a money gift from a friend or relative. And because of high rents and student loans, some millennials need more than seven years to save for a down payment, according to one study by Builders Online.
That’s why, if you’re still saving, you must be patient and stay the course. Keep saving! Start with a clear plan. Know how much house you can afford. Stay motivated with a goal tracker. And with a smart plan like this in place, it can take less time than you think.
If you’ve already paid off your student loans and saved for your down payment, good work! The next step is to get into the housing market. In the past few years, the housing market has had a shortage of sellers, which has not only raised the prices of homes, but also has caused competition among buyers. Gen Xers are typically buying more established homes instead of starter homes, so your competition is other millennials—and your parents.
Yep, that’s right. Just as millennials are finally moving out, empty-nesting baby boomers are downsizing into the very starter homes that millennials are trying to buy. You might find yourself in bidding wars with buyers who have a bigger budget and more home-buying experience.
While you should expect competition—especially in hot housing markets such as Seattle, Nashville, and San Francisco—that doesn’t have to derail your home-buying budget. Stay in the game with these tips:
First, get pre-approved for a home loan before you make an offer. A pre-approved loan means that your lender has looked over your finances and decided that you can cover the down payment and the mortgage payments. Though it can take some time to get, a pre-approval letter sends a powerful message to the seller that you’re a serious buyer.
Second, act decisively. Do everything to keep the process moving. For example, tighten the timeline of your home inspector. Most inspectors can inspect a house within five days of your request. Never ask a motivated seller to wait weeks for a home inspection if you can get it done in days.
Lastly, be human with the seller. Send a handwritten letter, explaining why you and your family like the home. Selling a home can be emotional for homeowners, so you never know how far a personal letter can go.
Another challenge facing millennials is the rising value of homes. For many —especially those that have just managed to pay off student loans and land a stable job—rising market prices could be the most frustrating hurdle they face.
Fortunately, the housing market is beginning to slow down. NAR predicts a 1 to 3% growth in housing prices this year, which is far less compared to the 5 to 7% annual growth over the last five years.
My best advice, then, is patience. Once you start shopping, don’t give in to the temptation to stretch your dollars and buy a home that’s out of your price range. Keep your monthly housing payment (which includes mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA dues, etc.) to no more than 25 to 30% of your take-home pay on a 15-year, fixed-rate conventional mortgage. No home is worth sacrificing your retirement or your kid’s college fund. However, do consider stretching your “zone”, the area you are hoping to purchase in. Likely this is your first house, but not necessarily your forever house. Look at areas that will provide good resale a few years down the road - say where new public transportation is coming to. Build equity now for your forever home in the future.
One of the best things you can do as a first-time homebuyer is familiarizing yourself with the buying process.
That’s why it’s extra important for millennials to work with experts who know what they’re doing. Look for an agent who brings at least four years of experience to the table, one who knows the market well enough to find a great deal on the home that’s right for the buyer.
Partner with a real estate pro who has the heart of a teacher and takes time to listen to your needs and answer your questions. A good agent is more concerned about your bank account, not theirs.
Thanks to Rachel Cruze (#1 New York Times best-selling author, helping people learn the proper way to handle money and stay out of debt) for these tips.
Seattleites (amongst many, many others) love midcentury modern design. There are midcentury modern homes scattered in neighborhoods all over the area and even new construction projects are borrowing the clean lines and open, airy interiors. When original midcentury modern homes come onto the market they are snatched up quickly and many clients add this architectural style to the top of their wish list. Its enduring popularity can be seen on TV and in the movies, in commercials and print ads, and without a doubt in nearly every furniture store and home decor website you visit. Just search for midcentury modern and the results will pour in.
So, you’re one of the many who love this look; the clean lines, the shapes, colors and materials speak to you. You want your surroundings to feel minimal and clean, to have that interesting yet timeless look and for the outdoors to pour into your space but you have a tight budget. And you know the classic furniture pieces aren’t cheap. What’s a midcentury modern lover to do?
Budget Decorating Doesn’t Happen Over Night
If you are on a small budget, this will take time. But this can be part of the fun, searching for the right pieces at the right prices. Break the design into categories: Furniture, accent pieces, rugs, paint colors, etc. Which rooms do you want to focus on? What pieces do you need for each room? Find images of rooms you love as inspiration and let the search begin!
Patience will be your friend. Again, you can make it fun; think of it as a treasure hunt. Check Etsy, eBay, Craigslist and other sites regularly. Some sites may have items that need some work, but the price is better…are you good at repairs or refinishing or would you like to learn how? That might open up your choices.
For smaller decorative items, check Target, Ikea, West Elm, CB2, Overstock, Room and Board - the list goes on and on. Your local nursery (Swanson’s Nursery is wonderful) will likely have a wonderful selection of indoor plant pots that will fit well into this aesthetic. Even Cost Plus World Market has shifted a fair amount of their products towards midcentury modern (hello budget!)
There are plenty of stores in the Seattle area that specialize in midcentury modern decor. Just Google midcentury modern and you’ll realize you’ve probably got a shop nearby. Pieces may be expensive, but you never know what you might find. Also visit thrift stores, garage sales, and Goodwill. Another super fun place to search through is the UW Surplus Store - you never know what you’ll find there!
There is no shame in buying reproductions of vintage mid-century modern pieces. Just do your research and read reviews as to the quality of the furniture. Buying a reproduction of your favorite midcentury modern piece will jumpstart your decorating and keep your budget in line.
Maybe it’s just one piece that makes the statement, say a chair or table that you’ve loved forever. The remaining pieces needn’t be strictly midcentury modern, but just follow along with the aesthetic of this style of decoration. Midcentury modern was all about clean lines, organic curves, and shapes and a range of different materials that are still popular today. You can finish the room with inexpensive lamps, tables, rugs and other items. Again, have you been to Target lately? They have tons of items that would fit that bill.
Uncluttered and sleek lines, functionality and natural light all are at the heart of midcentury modern. Functionality is important. Charles and Ray Eames designed their furniture with function being every bit as important as the form - and they mastered both. If you can, minimize window coverings (or just do away with) so the light shines in. Now grab your favorite beverage, curl up in a warm blanket and take in the colors, shapes and light you’ve created. You’ve earned it (and done it on a budget!!)
Seattle Diverse Properties is a Real Estate group based in the Seattle, Washington area. We specialize in properties on both sides of Lake Washington.
I love what I do and I hope it shows. Nothing is more satisfying than helping my clients find or sell their home so that their next chapter in life can unfold! If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
Saviya Robinson (206) 334-8348
RealSaviya@gmail.com
