The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers this short video explaining the various financing options available, Washington State grants available, and free education for home buyers.

Oh, by the way…if you didn’t already know, it doesn’t cost you anything to have a REALTOR® represent you 100% as a buyer. Ask for details.

source: WAHomeowners.com

———————–

Watch – 9 Steps to Ownership Video

First Time Home Buyers

———————–

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter * Realtor * 253-222-6000 * www.treysellshouses.com * treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Saving money for things like a downpayment, closing costs, or just moving expenses can sometimes be a challenge. When I saw this list provided in a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage newsletter, “The Mortgage Market Guide,” I thought I would share just to provide some great ideas for saving that extra money for you to buy a home.

———————–

Boost Your Savings…Without Hardly Trying

These days most people would welcome the idea of having more money in their savings account. Here are a few ideas that can help make that possible. And the best part is…you’ll hardly feel it!

Bring Your Lunch to Work – Most people spend $6 (or more) when they buy their lunch, yet spend $2 when they pack it themselves. That’s a potential savings of $20 a week or $1,040 dollars a year.

Durable over Disposable – Using products like Handi-Wipes (semi-disposable rags) as opposed to paper towels, and a rechargeable razor rather than the disposable kind, can save about $200 per year.

Hold an Annual Yard Sale – You should have no problem making at least a hundred bucks. Besides, you’ll get rid of all that household clutter in the process. Whatever you don’t sell can be donated to charity and used as a tax write-off.

Ask for Discounts – From buying airline tickets to paying a medical bill, always ask if there’s a discount to be had. The worst that can happen is you’ll be told no.

Get a Library Card – As opposed to buying a book for $20 or renting a DVD for $4, get it for free. If you average 3 movie rentals a month, you’ll save yourself over $140 a year.

Watch Those Utilities – Changing over to energy-saving light bulbs and low-flow showerheads is a great start. Also, most utility companies offer a home audit you can complete online. If not, go to http://hes.lbl.gov for a virtual inspection of your home. You may be surprised to learn how much energy (and money) you could be saving.

The good news is that suggestions like these are merely a start. Taking the time to discover inefficient habits in your household and making a few minor adjustments can lead to more savings opportunities than you may realize! And that’s great news, both today and in every kind of economy!

Those who qualify:

• Military Service Members
• Foreign Service Employees
• Intelligence Community Personnel

Facts:

• Must be under contract by April 30, 2011
• Must close the sale by June 30, 2011
• Must serve 90 days outside the U.S. between January 1, 2009 & April 30, 2010.
• Extends the benefit to spouses of a qualifying person.

LEARN MORE ABOUT $8,000 TAX CREDIT

Many people are unaware that the $8,000.00 credit under the Homebuyer’s Assistance Act was extended and an additional year added for military service members, foreign service employees and people in the intelligence community. The reason behind the law is that people serving abroad will not necessarily have an opportunity to search for a house in a timely manner and should not be denied credit due to their service to the nation.

Such qualifying individuals have until April 30, 2011 to enter into a binding contract and must complete the sale by June 30, 2011. To qualify, one must be in the military, foreign or intelligence services and serve for 90 days outside the U.S. between January 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010. The law extends the benefit to spouses of a qualifying person. The new law also waives the repayment of the credit if the service member sells the house within 3 years due to official extended duty.

This reminder should be of particular interest in Pierce County with the upcoming return of Fort Lewis Army troops & McChord AFB personnel.

source: This update is brought to you by your friends at McFerran, Burns & Stovall, P.S.

LEARN MORE ABOUT $8,000 TAX CREDIT

———————–

Relocating to Fort Lewis

Relocating to McChord AFB

———————–

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter * Realtor * 253-222-6000 * www.treysellshouses.com * treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Tacoma WA Real Estate Prices to Rise in 2010 | Kennewick WA | Bremerton WA

Spring has come in the Northwest – and it’s brought good news for Tacoma WA Real Estate! Here are even more reasons why we live in one of the best areas in the country!

Money Magazine has released its latest home-price projections for the country’s largest metropolitan areas. Here are the 10 cities where it believes home prices will rise the most in the next year, and the 10 where it foresees the most substantial declines:

Where Prices Will Rise:

Santa Rosa, CA, 6.0%

Cheyenne, WY, 4.7%

Kennewick, WA, 4.6%

Merced, CA, 4.4%

Bremerton, WA, 4.2%

Fairbanks, AK, 4.2%

Corvallis, OR, 4.1%

Tacoma, WA, 3.9%

Anchorage, AK 3.8%

Bend, OR, 3.3%

Where Prices Will Decline:

Miami, FL, -22.5%

Fort Lauderdale, FL, -21.3%

West Palm Beach, FL -18.5%

Phoenix, AZ -18.5%

Las Vegas, NV -15.4%

Tampa, FL, -13.8%

Pensacola, FL, -13.6%

Gainesville, FL, -13.4%

Suffolk, NY, -13.4%

New York City, NY, -12.9%

Source: Money Magazine (03/20/2010)

———————–

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter * Realtor * 253-222-6000 * www.treysellshouses.com * treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Interest Rates hit near 40 Year Lows – Tacoma Real Estate

Interest Rates have been a major factor in fueling the Real Estate market. Read through this brief report offered by Keller Williams International.

———————–

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage average fell further to 4.87 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending Oct. 8 from 4.94 percent last week. “Such low rates are spurring mortgage demand,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist, in a statement.

“Interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate loans were the lowest since mid-May; 15-year FRMs were at a record low since data were first collected in 1991 and 5-year ARMs also hit an all-time record starting in 2005. Compared to a year ago, consumers could shave almost $134 off their monthly mortgage payments on a 30-year fixed-rate loan for $200,000 by refinancing.

In addition to spurring mortgage demand, applications were up to a 19-week high over the week ending in Oct. 2, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association – applications to purchase a home were at the strongest pace since the beginning of 2009.

source: Keller Williams

———————–

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings  

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.  

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter   *   Realtor   *   253-222-6000   *   www.treysellshouses.com   *   treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Early fall is the time to prepare your home for winter & the colder weather it brings. Following these 9 simple steps offered by Puget Sound Energy can help manage your home’s energy costs & save in heating expenses.

1. Check doors & windows for leaks & drafts. Make sure doors seal properly, and add weather-stripping to keep heat from escaping.
2. Examine heating ducts for leaks. Repair or replace damaged ducts.
3. Add insulation to your attic, and weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent air from escaping.
4. Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use.
5. Have the furnace inspected and serviced to make sure it is in proper working order.
6. Clean or replace the furnace air filters at least every two months during the heating season. The furnace will run more effectively and use less energy.
7. Set the thermostat at the coolest level you can without making your rooms uncomfortable.
8. Lower the thermostat at bedtime or while away during the day.
9. Make sure all heating vents are opened and not blocked by furniture or other items.

source: Puget Sound Energy

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings  

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.  

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter   *   Realtor   *   253-222-6000   *   www.treysellshouses.com   *   treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Interest rates are at 40 year lows. Here is a cute video that explains the impact of interest rates on your mortgage payment and some very good reasons to take advantage of today’s interest rates!

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Trey Affolter * Realtor * 253-222-6000 * www.treysellshouses.com * treyaffolter@kw.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

How to Buy a Home Before $8K Tax Credit Deadline

With the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit expiring November 30, and that it can take 30-45 days to close a home, here are 5 tips to expedite your home purchase in order to take advantage of the tax credit.

1. Get Pre Approved for Mortgage.

2. Make sure you are liquid

Have enough money available for your down payment and closing costs as your mortgage requires.

3. Avoid “Short Sale” Listings

A short sale occurs when a homeowner owes more on their home loan than what they are selling the home. Because the current lien holder has to approve the sale and the loss, these properties can take months to close.

4. Don’t go on a shopping spree before you close

Avoid making any big purchases on a credit card or with any financing programs. Big purchases may affect you home loan and your ability to qualify.

5. Work with a Realtor®

source: smartmoney.com 

The Trey Affolter Team at Keller Williams Realty always welcomes comments and is available to answer questions about Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County Real Estate, South King County Real Estate, and North Thurston County Real Estate.  

253-222-6000

http://www.TreySellsHouses.com

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional