When a home needs repairs or renovations, there are a couple of options for handling those things. One way is to hire someone who does that type of work professionally. The other way is for the homeowner to handle the issue themselves. Both can be good choices, and a lot depends on the skill set of the homeowner, the kind of work to be done, and the complexity and expense that has to be undertaken. With that in mind, each homeowner has to decide for themselves whether they want to tackle any home improvement...
Seattle’s commercial real estate scene is more competitive than ever, and a number of trends and technological developments are impacting the majority of companies in every industry. Population growth in Seattle continues to remain far above the national average due to expanding native businesses and others relocating to the area.
The competitiveness of the commercial real estate market is due, in part, to the ongoing war for talent that involves recruiting and retaining young professionals. These young professionals, oftentimes referred to as millennials, are already...
When searching for a new home to buy, many home buyers look for a good layout, nice lighting and lots of storage space. However, in all of the excitement of finding a new home, some people forget to watch for signs of a problem. Knowing the most common red flags can help a home buyer to avoid serious problems when purchasing a home.
Water Damage
Water damage can be indicative of many things, depending on where it's located and where it originates. Water damage on or near the ceiling...
In terms of planning for a secure future, is it better to rent and keep your options open for job and life changes and travel, or to purchase a home as a financial hedge against rising prices and higher interest rates? There are two schools of thought, each with merits worth considering, but the options may not be quite so simple.
Changing Demographics
The standard progression has for generations been from school to first job and city apartment, and then to a home in the suburbs. However, that standard is less the norm today than at any time in the recent past. In fact, in 2016, 36...
Selling a home can be difficult, and when it comes to selling a fixer-upper, it can feel impossible. Fortunately, selling fixer-uppers is completely possible when the homeowner knows what they’re doing. For homeowners trying to get a leg up on the competition and help their fixer-upper home find a buyer, here are 5 essential tips and strategies to keep in mind.
1. Set a Lower Price
One of the big draws of fixer-upper homes is that ...
Among the litany of home improvement projects that homeowners can DIY, painting seems to be among the most popular. Interior painting is easy for homeowners, so many of them tend to forego expert crews. That said, getting a professional finish on an interior paint job can be more of a challenge than homeowners realize. These tips can help homeowners paint their walls with wonderful results.
Prep the Walls Before Painting
Prep work is important. Before painting, homeowners must take the time to clean...
A lot of renters set their sights on homeownership. In fact, it's said that 80% of millennial renters in the United States plan to own a home someday. People who have always rented often have a hard time judging when it's time to buy. Purchasing property takes time, commitment and most of all, money. Knowing what's needed can help renters determine when they're ready to buy a house.
You'll Need Money Up Front
Renters who wish to buy...
Savvy homeowners oftentimes look for ways of increasing a home's value, earning them a greater return upon sale. Improving a home's landscaping is one way to increase its value by helping to boost overall curb appeal, as well as improve homeowner enjoyment of the property. The trick is to create a practical balance that works for the people who live in the home. These ideas help homeowners maximize space and use of their yards.
Contrasting Landscaping and Hardscaping
Although green space...
Smart home upgrades do a lot to improve quality of life around the house. Some smart upgrades can save energy, others can save time or increase security. There are so many smart products that some homeowners find it difficult to choose. Below are some of the most creative and useful smart home upgrades sought by modern homeowners.
Thermostat
Smart thermostats take the idea of a programmable thermostat to an all new level. Every model and brand is different, so homeowners can pick and choose the best model for them. Some typical features of a smart home thermostat include:
A home showing doesn't have to have shock value to be memorable but that doesn't mean a seller shouldn't consider the ways in which they can make their home stand out. No matter how cookie-cutter a home may seem to the seller, there are ways to highlight its best features to encourage enthusiasm (and ultimately, better offers for the home.)
A Fresh Perspective
No matter what season the seller puts their home on the market, they'll need to make their home look as fresh as possible—starting with the outside. Flowerbeds, walkways, fences, yards, door stoops, and windows all need to be given the royal...
Homebuyers who make down payments less than 20 percent on a home often must purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) before lenders will approve a home mortgage loan. PMI protects lenders from losing thousands of dollars if borrowers fail to make house payments and foreclose on their homes. Private Mortgage Insurance is also required if borrowers refinance mortgages that have less the 20 percent equity.
How Much Does Private Mortgage Insurance Cost?
Annual fees vary for PMIs from 0.3 percent to 1.5 percent of original loans. PMI costs also ...
A down payment is usually the single biggest hurdle when it comes to turning a buyer's dream into reality. The expense can be enough to make anyone hit the Pause button on their search. But there may be more options for a buyer than they realize when it comes to affording the down payment. See how different loans have different terms and minimums and how buyers can use this to their advantage.
In a Perfect World
A 20% down payment is a minimum that was established for practically as long as modern banks have been in existence. It remains the number the buyer should strive to hit if they're hoping to save money in the long-term....
Many people think they need 20 percent down to buy a home, but it may not be necessary. Home buyers, particularly first time home buyers, could have several alternatives to making a large down payment. Gaining a better knowledge of typical down payment arrangements will help borrowers to make the right choice for them.
Understanding the 20 Percent Down Payment Myth
Lenders offering traditional mortgage loans might cite 20 percent as a standard down payment, but there is a little nuance to this assessment. Putting down a 20 percent payment to get into a house has been a typical preference of lenders for many decades....
A 203k loan is a way for home buyers to both buy a home and fix it up without being subjected to outrageous interest rates. This is a specific type of FHA loan created to stimulate homeownership rates and bring attention to some of the nation's more decrepit neighborhoods. It takes a lot of gumption to buy a home in need of repairs, and the government would like to see more of that go-getter attitude. See how to use the 203k loan to your advantage, so you can end up in the home (and the block) of your dreams.
How 203k Loans Work
A 203k loan isn't the same as a typical FHA loan, although they are granted through the same department. A regular...
VA loans are perfect for those in the US military who want to purchase a home without breaking the bank. These loans don't require the potential home buyer to make a major down payment, which is usually the biggest hurdle in purchasing a home. VA loans may be made through private lenders, but they're backed (up to a certain amount) by the VA, provided the applicant meet all of the requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are available to any active or formerly active member of the military. Certain spouses of deceased military members are also eligible, if their spouse passed away due to injuries sustained during service. Finally,...
It can be hard to come up with a 20 percent down payment. However, this does not mean that prospective homeowners need to delay getting into a first home. Lenders do prefer a larger down payment but will approve a home mortgage with a smaller down payment.
Homeowners can put as little as 3.5 percent and step into their first home. Learn more about FHA home loans and how you may qualify today.
Own Your First Home
FHA loans make it more affordable for individuals to own their first Snoqualmie Ridge home without continuing to save for...
When you're trying to sell your home, strategic home improvement projects can help boost your home's resale value. Home improvement projects can also help make your home stand out among the competition in your area. Knowing what to upgrade and which projects deliver the highest ROI can help you get started.
Deck Addition
Deck additions are relatively low in cost but they have a high ROI, which makes this type of home improvement a favorite among home sellers. With over 80 percent ROI, deck additions deliver great bang for the buck. Why are they so...
No matter what Google and other experts say, the real estate SEO world remains obsessed with backlinks, and too often, how to take shortcuts. The hope of quick organic rankings is oh-so-tempting - and unfortunately, memories are short. I have to wonder how many real estate SEO’s who first suffered the effects of Penguin, have re-focused their efforts towards creating and promoting great content in the past 2 years. Certainly Penguin’s favorite playmate “Panda” is not forgotten… is it?
Building a well-structured website with unique content, and natural...
Homeowners interested in selling a primary residence may want to know more about the capital gains tax and applicable exclusions to avoid handing over a chunk of the profits to Uncle Sam. Whether a seller is able to qualify for a full or partial exclusion, either translates to less money given to the IRS.
Learn more about capital gains tax and full and partial exemptions on the sale of a home today.
What is Capital Gains Tax?
This is a tax on the profit from the sale of a home or other major asset. If a homeowner has owned their home for over one year, any profit would be a “long term” capital gains and the rate of taxation would depend on the seller's tax bracket. Significant exemptions exist for those ...
When selling a home, how it looks is key. Both inside and out, everything from how the furniture is arranged to the color of the paint impact what buyers think of the home. For homeowners who want to help give their home an edge on the housing market, staging is an option that can help homeowners make their home as appealing as possible to buyers. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of home staging homeowners should keep in mind when planning to stage their home or hire someone to stage their home.
Disadvantages of Home Staging
One of the biggest disadvantages home staging has is that it can potentially cost a lot of money and be time consuming. Home stagers will charge just to meet with potential clients, and that can cost anywhere from $150-400. If the homeowner decides to work with the stager, they will then have to cover the cost of furniture, which will vary depending on how much furniture is needed and how long it’s...
