Your Home in Bellingham

What’s keeping you away from homeownership? If you're going to pay monthly for your housing expenses, why not pay towards something you own? Somewhere you can make renovations, and potentially increase the value of your home over time. If you're ready to buy, contact me today!

If you’re a homeowner, think back to your experience being a first-time buyer. What do you wish you would’ve known? What would you tell first-time buyers before they enter the world of homeownership? We would love to hear from you!

When buying a home, it pays to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. During the due diligence stage, you'll want to give every aspect of the transaction a once-over before closing. Among other things, you will want to review your appraisal and inspection before the due diligence period ends.

What are you in the market for? Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, we can help. Our role in the process can look different depending on what your needs are. For some clients, an agent may be the listing agent for the home you are selling as well as your buyer’s agent if you are purchasing a different home. No matter what you need, we are here to help. Let’s chat!

When you start considering a property, there are a few key things you should always try to look at before making your decision. While some factors, like size, can potentially be adjusted in the future, others, like location, cannot. Here are 5 factors you should consider when buying a property.

Do you know the difference? Assessed value is the amount your local government thinks your home is worth - this is what is used to determine property taxes. Appraised value is the amount a professional home appraiser thinks your home is worth. This amount is typically used by lenders when considering a mortgage application.

Today’s home buyers are looking for move-in ready homes. Ensure your home is in top condition to get the most attention and the highest possible price. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, focus on features that most home buyers really want to see. Over 80% of buyers are looking for homes with exterior lighting, energy saving windows, and ceiling fans. These can be a low cost investment that buyers would love and that you can enjoy for as long as you live in the home.

If you’re in the market for a new home, there is plenty you can do ahead of time to make the process go a little smoother. A major step in the home-buying process is securing your home loan with a lender. Here is a brief list of items your lender will likely ask for to determine how much buying power you will have. Getting these documents ready now will help to streamline the process!

The first step is to find the right real estate agent to help you market and price your home. You will work with your agent – who will study the sales of homes similar to yours – to set the right asking price. You should give your home a deep cleaning before listing it and reduce clutter by getting rid of extra furniture, décor and personal items. After discussion with your agent, you may consider investing in any minor repairs they recommend to maximize profits. If you are ready today, let’s talk!

Character and charm, or fresh and modern...what is your style? Would you rather live in a historic neighborhood or a new development? When it comes to choosing your next home, what part of the style means the most to you? Let’s chat in the comments!

Wondering what costs you will need to consider when becoming a homeowner? Here is a brief list of what to expect once you purchase a home. While you may have an idea of what your mortgage payments will look like, it is important to know what is included in that payment and what else you need to prepare for.

A house title denotes ownership rights: It is the bundle of rights that dictates who has legal or equitable interest in the property. It also details the limitations on ownership. When you purchase a home, a title company conducts a title search to ensure that the seller is the sole owner of the home and no one else has any legal claim to or against the property.

Are you considering stepping into the world of homeownership? Before you start browsing the internet for available homes in your area, ask yourself these questions! This will help give you the best starting point and help you get into the home of your dreams that much faster. Once you’ve done that, we are here to help!

Contract contingencies are quite common in real estate transactions and are put in place to allow prospective homeowners to cancel a contract without penalty. Contingencies reduce risks for buyers, and what is allowable varies from state to state. However, many contingencies are common to every state.

Buying a home can seem intimidating, especially if it is your first time. We are here to help walk you through every step of the process and would love to hear what concerns you have about buying a home. Share your questions in the comments or send us a message today.

Mortgage rates are constantly changing, but do you know what dropping rates could mean for you? Whether you are looking to buy or looking to sell, a drop in interest rates can impact what the market will look like for you. Here are some ways the market is impacted!

Worried about getting a mortgage if you work for yourself? If you’re self-employed, the loan approval process will be somewhat similar to that of a W-2 salaried applicant. You’ll need to provide certain documentation to verify your employment income and prove to the lender that you’re a creditworthy fit for a mortgage in general and a certain sum. We can recommend a lender today and get you one step closer to homeownership!

Today’s home buyers want convenient house plan designs that help them stay organized, allow them to live comfortably through all stages in life, and keep utility costs low. More importantly, buyers are looking for homes that don’t require much work on their end. What are your top 2 must haves in a new home from this list?

Have you heard this phrase before? Marrying the house means that you should focus more on finding the right property rather than trying to time your purchase to get the lowest interest rate. You are not committed to your mortgage loan interest rate for life—as long as you can refinance it down the road. Don’t lose out on time building your equity waiting for a rate. If you’re ready to buy today, let’s chat!

You can change the cosmetics of a house, but you can’t change location. Don’t ignore a home you love in a neighborhood you have been dreaming about just because it requires a change of paint or other cosmetic updates. While we always want to find you a home that checks as many of your boxes as possible, it’s important to prioritize finding a home that you can adjust to fit your requirements.

Ready to dump your rental and buy a place of your own? Contact me today for a list of homes in your area!

Ever wonder what impacts your interest rate? While the market makes a large impact on rates, other factors can also impact what interest rate you can expect. Check out the factors that impact your interest rate, then let me connect you with a trusted lender to get your home buying process moving!

Buying a home is a significant financial commitment, so it's essential to be well-informed and prepared before applying for a home loan. Any changes that would impact your credit should be avoided for some time before and during the entirety of your home-buying journey. Don’t risk securing a great loan and rate!

When house-hunting, focus your attention on the permanent details such as location and layout. These are key elements that either cannot be changed or will be expensive to modify. In addition, keep in mind that minor cosmetic issues such as carpet, wallpaper, and paint colors can be changed easily and economically to suit your own style.

As a real estate professional, I've seen firsthand how a clutter-free home can create a sense of peace and harmony during the home selling process. Ready to declutter and let go of what no longer serves you? Take the time as you pack for your move to sort through your items and donate/get rid of anything you don’t use! It will make your move-in that much smoother.

Rain or shine, cold or warm, I am ready to sell your house. While some seasons may seem more active in the market, that doesn’t mean there is a time of year when I’m not ready to help you sell. Let’s get that “For Sale” sign in your yard!

Setting the right price is the single most important decision you'll make when you decide to sell your home. One of the most effective ways to sell your home fast is to price it competitively. If you price it too high, then your home will likely spend more time on the market. A great agent will help you decide on the best price for your home to ensure it sells as quickly and as profitably as possible.

What are you not willing to compromise on when it comes to your home search? While we do everything in our power to find a home that you don’t have to compromise for, sometimes you may need to have some wiggle room in your choices. What feature are you not willing to go without?

Have you prepared financially?
Are you pre-qualified?
Have you found the right neighborhood/area?

So, are you ready? Whether your reaction is, “Yes, right now!” or “I will be pretty soon,” I’m here to help

In general, homeownership will benefit you more than renting, because you’re gaining possession of a valuable asset. Think you might be ready to buy? Contact me today!