First Time Buyer
MainVue Homes at The Bridges in Auburn, WA
January 18, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
New home-building in Auburn, WA continues to increase, as evidenced by a quick drive through the area. One of the most ambitious new developments in Auburn is The Bridges, by MainVue Homes, located just east of 124th, between 304th and 288th. A few years ago I watched as the area was cleared and developed with [...]
You Can Test Drive a Car … But Not a House!
January 14, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
The last couple of weekends have included a few hours helping our son decide what car to buy. We’ve been to this dealer and that, had him prequalified … and have driven a number of cars, usually with the all-chatty salesman in the backseat telling us exactly why this car is THE one to buy. We’ve [...]
A Great Lender Helps From Start to Finish, Especially in a Short Sale
January 11, 2012 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
One of the very first steps in the home buying process is determining how a Buyer will pay for their new home. Not only must a Buyer determine much they can afford, but how an offer must be structured–whether closing costs must be paid by a Seller, gift funds will be used for a down [...]
Okay, Should You Sell … and Buy in 2012?
December 27, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Like many, you may have been sitting impatiently on the fence for the last three years hoping for a miracle that would allow you to sell your existing home without sacrificing too much more equity … and buy at today’s price and interest rate. At least once a week I get a call from a previous [...]
Congratulations on Your New Home!
December 9, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
Five months in the making … and here it is! Congratulations, Gary! May you enjoy many many years in your new house! And who wouldn’t – all that brand new space just for you, combined with an awesome view of Mt. Rainier and the foothills! Whoo hooo!!! There’s a mountain there … a BIG [...]
12 Reasons Why That House Might Not Qualify for FHA Financing
October 19, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
In my practice, FHA loans are used for the majority of home purchases. At the moment, without a doubt, an FHA 203(b) is the most logical choice. Credit score qualifications start at about 580 (depending on the lending institution involved), interest rates are awesome, the minimum down payment requirement is only 3 1/2%, closing costs run [...]
Congratulations to a Few More Summer-Time Closings!
October 5, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I was pleased in August and September to assist a few more families with new homes. A big congratulations to them and wishes for many many years of happiness, laughter, and peaceful times in their new abodes: Diane, Mariah, and Sierra — Congratulations on your new condo purchase in Issaquah! It was so much fun to [...]
Congratulations Eric & Melanie!
September 1, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
First time homebuyers Melanie and Eric are thrilled with their new house! Congratulations to you both; may you have many many years of happiness here. Now crack open that champagne and celebrate! Thank you for allowing me to be of assistance in your home search and purchase. I was truly honored! And to two of [...]
Being a Buyer’s Agent Requires Amazing Knowledge
June 8, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Being a Buyer’s Agent … that broker who assists buyers find their dream house and guides them through to closing of their purchase … requires an amazing amount of knowledge in today’s market. Just a few years ago, being a buyer’s agent essentially involved locating and assisting a buyer in writing an offer, carrying it [...]
4 Critical Facts When Selling Your Manufactured Home
March 15, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Selling a manufactured home on land is a bit different than selling a stick-built home. There are a few more inspections and requirements, not to mention finding a lender that will lend! Here in the Auburn area of Western Washington, I’ve had the dubious pleasure of working through a few sticky manufactured home transactions [...]
What Kind of a Buyer are You?
March 4, 2011 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Talking with prospective buyer clients every week involves having frank discussions about how they see themselves reaching their new house goals. Listening to them describe the sort of house they want along with how they see themselves living in the home, the neighborhood and location, helps set up a relationship that describes how a buying [...]
So … What IS a Buyer Agency Agreement?
February 8, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
In a previous post, I wrote a bit about why a Buyer Agency Agreement is important and how a Buyer / Broker relationship might occur. I also indicated that, as a rule, I require a Buyer Agency Agreement to work with Buyers. So what, exactly, does a Buyer Agency Agreement obligate a Buyer to do? [...]
Working With Buyers — That Scary Buyer Agency Agreement
February 8, 2011 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
I love working with Buyers. The excitement of shopping for houses, seeing homes through their eyes, and the ultimate gratification everyone has when the transaction closes and move-in day occurs! It just doesn’t get much better than that!! But working with Buyers is a tremendous amount of work. There’s a lot of stress involved, a myriad [...]
Another Rewarding Closing for First Time Homebuyers!
November 5, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
It’s just SO rewarding to hand the keys over to first time homebuyers! Especially one that’s been five children in the making! Last night I had the pleasure of giving the keys to a buyer moving into their very first … very own … brand new, built-just-for-them, house. And it was really cool! Imagine having [...]
FHA Mortgage Insurance Changes & How They May Impact a Sale
September 27, 2010 by Gabrielle · 1 Comment
You may have heard that costs surrounding FHA loans is changing in October, reducing the dollar amount needed at closing for Upfront Mortgage Insurance, while increasing the monthly portion of mortgage insurance that is added to a homeowner’s payment. If you have previously been approved for an FHA loan but haven’t yet found a home, you’ll [...]
