First Time Buyer
How Much House Can You Afford?
August 22, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Like most agents, I talk almost daily with folks considering a home purchase. We talk through all of their wants and picture their dream house in vivid color. Within a very few minutes, however, I start asking the tough questions: “How much can you afford?” “Have you been preapproved?” “With whom?” “May I refer a [...]
15 Things Your Buyer’s Agent Should (Will!!) Do For You
August 21, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
My daughter is currently shopping for a house outside of Washington State, where I’m licensed and practice. Although I cautioned her and her husband against making sign calls and suggesting (strongly!) that she work with a Realtor I interviewed on her behalf and recommend, they decided to make a sign call and then moved forward [...]
6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale
June 3, 2010 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I was recently forwarded this article about buying short sales and thought it was good enough to share! Thanks to BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com, By: G. M. Filisko, Published originally on March 19, 2010 By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. When sellers need to sell their [...]
Will Short Sales FINALLY Become Reasonable?
December 3, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
As a busy agent in the south King County area and down into the Tacoma/Puyallup Pierce County areas, I both list properties for Sellers and assist Buyers in finding their “dream home,” whether it be a first time purchase or a repeat purchase. While definitely not unique to these geographic areas, price points and demographics of buyers and [...]
8 Requirements for the New Homebuyer Tax Credit, Effective NOW!
November 8, 2009 by Gabrielle · 2 Comments
Okay all you first time homebuyers, you’ve been given a second chance! The Homebuyer Tax Credit passed and was signed into effect on Friday, November 6th! What GREAT news! And it gets even better! Not only do first time homebuyers benefit from the tax credit … to the tune of $8,000! … any homebuyer could [...]
Not Buying? You’ll Still Benefit From the Home Buyer Tax Credit!
October 30, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Since the beginning of 2009, first time homebuyers have benefited from an $8,000 gift directly from Uncle Sam. Qualifying for the gift was easy and thousands of people benefited. As I write this, plans are in place to extend and modify the tax credit into next Spring (thank heavens), which will continue to help economic [...]
Homebuyer’s Tax Credit Has NOT Yet Passed — Not Quite!
October 28, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
As I write this at 4:45 PDT, our local news station, along with several lenders and title companies are reporting that the Homebuyer’s Tax Credit has passed and will be extended to April 2010. While that’s GREAT news, it’s not quite right yet, from what I can see. Looks like the Senate has agreed to [...]
Senate Activity on Extending the $8k Tax Credit
October 27, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
Like almost everyone I know that works in the housing industry, I’ve been chasing myself around for the last few weeks trying to get all of the First Time Homebuyers in my client list qualified and under contract so that they were eligible for the $8,000 tax credit … due to expire on November 30th. It’s [...]
Don’t Move Money Around
October 22, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I sometimes hear frustration from buyers who are being asked to produce the papertrail that supports the source of the money being used for the downpayment and closing costs. The underwriter (the person that issues final approval for your loan) requires this information as one method of eliminating the possiblity of fraud, to meet the requirements of investors with whom [...]
Impact of King County Furlough Days on First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
October 12, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
I received a message late last week from one of my helpful resource folks, Garrett Huffman of the Master Builder’s Association, regarding real estate closings and King County furlough days. Earlier this year I posted a blog entry listing the days various King County offices would be closed in an effort to help minimize budget [...]
Still on the Fence? — 10 Reasons to Get Moving!
September 28, 2009 by Gabrielle · Leave a Comment
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: 1. The number of houses available from which you can choose [...]
