Buyers

Ask Serena ASK SERENA: Why is Seattle Inventory So Low? Welcome to my new Real Estate advice column, “Ask Serena,” where I answer all your burning Real Estate questions. Send them to me at serena@windermere.com, and I’ll try to answer them in future columns. Real estate continues to go gang busters, and I am often asked by buyers why inventory in our area is so […]
Buyers The Importance of Pre-Approval The Pre-Approval Process  There is an important distinction to made between two important steps of your mortgage application process: pre-qualification and pre-approval. They are similar in that they both help to inform your financial standing, but there are key differences between the two. Pre-qualification Pre-qualification is the first step in your mortgage application process. It […]
Buyers Striking Restrictive Racial Language from Your Title Restrictive racial covenants—which excluded people of color from purchasing, leasing, or occupying homes in certain neighborhoods, developments, or regions—have been deeply embedded in the practices of the housing industry since the early 20th century. Although the Supreme Court ruled that municipally mandated racial zoning was unconstitutional with 1917’s Buchanan v. Warley, this decision extended only to […]
Buyers Buying with Remodeling in Mind Everyone has their own definition of a dream home. For some, they know right when they see a home that it’s perfect as is. For others, it takes remodeling to achieve their vision. Whether you’re looking for something in need of a few upgrades or a total fixer-upper, buying with the intention of remodeling comes […]
Buyers How to Increase Your Buying Power When visualizing your dream home, it’s common for buyers to focus on the physical characteristics. But to mortgage lenders, a home is a numbers game. The following categories related to your buying power demonstrate how lenders identify your financial standing and determine your eligibility for a home purchase. Improvements in these areas will increase your […]
Buyers House vs. Townhouse vs. Condo Deciding between a house, townhouse, and condominium can be a difficult process. Knowing how their characteristics align with your life and goals as a homeowner will help guide you to the right choice. What differentiates houses, townhouses, and condominiums? House:  Detached houses offer the most freedom and privacy of the three housing options. They provide the opportunity […]
Buyers The Remote Worker’s Home Buying Process The pandemic’s influences on home life are far-ranging, prompting buyers to look at home ownership through a new lens. Remote work has created a paradigm shift in the wants and needs of homebuyers. Here’s what the remote worker should keep in mind when looking to buy. Location The location, location, location cliché has taken on […]
Buyers Buying a Fixer-Upper For some home buyers, a fixer-upper is their idea of a dream home. Preparing for the process comes down to creating a plan, knowing what to look for, and understanding what financing options are available. Create a plan  Fixer-uppers require a future-oriented mindset. Knowing the magnitude of the project you and your household are willing […]
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Buyers Buying with Your Pets in Mind For many of us, pets play a central role in our home life, so taking into account what is best for them when buying a home is important for both their happiness and that of your entire household. Your neighborhood When looking for homes that are well suited to both you and your furry companion, […]
Buyers Questions to Ask During Your Virtual Home Tour Could you zoom in? Sometimes it can be difficult to get a true glimpse at what you want to see in a room. Asking the agent to zoom in on specific features is commonplace in virtual home tours, and they understand this is part of the viewer experience. Don’t hesitate to ask multiple times. Getting […]
Buyers Saving to Buy A Home During COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way people plan for their future. For those saving to buy a home, the landscape may seem daunting. However, this new world of social distancing and stay at home orders is an opportunity to rethink your spending and saving plans. Keeping the following suggestions for your budget and finances […]
Buyers Coronavirus Protections for Home Buyers As the situation develops with the COVID-19 pandemic, Windermere Real Estate is dedicated to taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus while continuing to work with home buyers. To help with this process, here are some ways you as a home buyer can keep yourself and others safe during the buying process. As […]
Buyers BUYER SUCCESS STORY: When Patience & Taking a Stand Pays Off First time homebuyers get back in the saddle after a three-year hiatus, but this time it’s an instant success with a slight bump! I had worked with first time buyers Alison and Scott when the market was a lot more competitive. They were both successful hard-working young professionals who had saved some money as a […]
Buyers SOLD: Columbia City Turnkey Home 4902 42nd Avenue SouthSeattle, WA Listed: $725,000 Year Built 1905 2019 Taxes $5.588 Fully Fenced Yard Off-street parking Garden Spaces Garage has super high ceilings Updated electrical & plumbing Insulated Storage Shed New windows with screens Heated bathroom floors Jacuzzi tub This delightful west-facing 1904 bungalow, complete with wrap-around porch, sits up high off the […]
Buyers Is the Condominium Lifestyle Right for You? Condominium homes are a great, low-maintenance choice for a primary residence, second home, or investment property. This alternative to the traditional single-family home has unique issues to consider before buying, as well as unique benefits. Increasingly, condos are not just for first-time homebuyers looking for a less expensive entry into the housing market. Empty-nesters and […]
Buyers CASE STUDY: Buying a condo requires A LOT of research & a flaky HOA can cause BIG problems My buyer Katie Virga, the super hardworking principal of Beacon Hill International School, had been wanting to finally settle down and call Seattle home. Katie, originally from Boston, had moved around quite a bit, working in schools in lower income neighborhoods. She had been saving money for a long time in order to afford a […]
Buyers The Risks and Rewards of Purchasing a Bank-Owned Home The process of purchasing a home directly from a lender can be long and arduous, but could very well be worth it in the end. If you have your sights on a particular home or are looking to find a deal on your first, working directly with the lender may be your only option. Purchasing […]
Buyers CASE STUDY: When the Impossible Becomes Reality Sometimes what feels like the impossible actually works out! Deb and Linda consulted with me at the beginning of 2018, as they found themselves in a tricky situation: they loved the home they had lived in for 20 years, which they had totally renovated, as well as the lovely garden that Linda, who is a […]
Buyers BUYER SUCCESS STORY: Amie Found Her Ideal South Seattle House & Beat 6 Other Offers! Amie was one of my first clients many years ago. She was a first-time buyer with a limited income, so we had to look far and wide in Seattle to buy a decent house. Amie is an artist and an interpreter for the deaf and wanted to live in a hip, up-and-coming neighborhood. She finally […]
Buyers SUCCESS STORY: 1st-Time Buyers Get Great Lakeridge Home For Less Than Listed Price + Concession! Originally from the Portland area, Carli and Mark were referred to me by some friends of past clients. They had recently moved back to the Pacific Northwest after five years in Brooklyn, New York, and were renting a Lakeridge apartment with a lovely view of lake Washington. Carli was pregnant with their second child, and […]