Buying a house in Seattle and the surrounding Seattle suburbs can be a huge task even if you are not a first time homebuyer. Making sure to get everything in order from the very beginning is vital. Financing changes from day to day and you can be sure that the negotiations involved in purchasing or selling a house also are ever changing. I like to actually make a custom binder of information for each of my clients – I cater it to whatever their situation happens to be. Both buyers and sellers really like to have this handy before they get started. I offer a lot of tips on understanding the Seattle home buying or selling process as well as guidance on avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls.
Here are a few pointers to get you started, but feel free to email if you want help with Seattle real estate!
Financing….
Getting financing in order is a must before you get going as a buyer. Even if you think that it shouldn’t be an issue, make sure and check is out because the lending environment has changed and it is important to know what you are working with. Just because you had a preapproval a month ago does not mean that your expectations should be the same today.
Home Inspection…
Two words: Get one. I think that luckily buyers have come around and realize that spending $300-$500 is a sound investment and a good insurance plan in case of issues. It is important, too, for sellers to realize how important it is for a buyer to inspect the property before purchase, too. A buyer inspecting your property prior to purchase shifts a lot of the liability to their court! Many agents will recommend an inspection prior to putting your house on the market. It is not always necessary and in some cases should just be avoided. While it is a nice idea to know in advance what is going to come up on an inspection, it also adds greater liability to you when it comes to disclosing known property defects. Let the buyer take responsibility for the inspection.
Real Estate Agents –
Well obviously I think you should use one – I am biased after all, but use an agent that actually knows what they are doing, please. Use an agent that is fluent in the current trends and technologies of Seattle real estate and an agent who is not completely negative. Use an agent who is motivated and has numbers and stats to back up their performance – even in 2008. The last thing you need is a negative nonperforming agent to drag you down in a 2008 or 2009 Seattle real estate market! Houses are selling! Interest rates are low! There are less buyers out there and more competition for you when you are selling your house, but that does not mean that real estate is dead. Seattle relocation is huge and people are still moving!
OK – there are a few starting points – if you have questions about Seattle real estate, please feel free to drop me an email. Interested in Seattle foreclosures? Seattle REO? Seattle short sales? Seattle suburbs real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com (Also if you get a chance, make sure and check out my personal favorite Green Lake house!)
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