Financing, Grants & Education for Washington State Home Buyers – Video

Washington State Home Buyer’s Financing Opportunities, grants, & Free Education. 

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

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Watch – 9 Steps to Ownership Video

First Time Home Buyers

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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

Tips for Saving Money towards Buying a Home

Money Saving Ideas to Save towards Buying a Home

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.

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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!

 

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Additional Home Buying Resources

Watch – 9 Steps to Ownership Video

First Time Home Buyers

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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 | Washington State Real Estate 2010

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)

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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

 

Real Estate Market Update thru Sept. 2009

 

Market Update thru September…

INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE  At the end of September, the supply of homes for sale was reported down 1.8% from the previous month in 27 major metropolitan areas. We all know the factors. Home prices are very affordable, mortgage rates and very favorable and first-time homebuyers are taking advantage of the $8,000 tax credit set to expire at the end of November, now just seven weeks away.

Source: Inside Lending Newsletter from Peter and Dawn James

For Information about the local Real Estate Market in and around Tacoma, contact Trey Affolter.

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

Need to Hurry Your Home Purchase Before $8k Tax Credit Expires?

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 

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

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Tacoma is the Best Housing Market

Tacoma Real Estate Rates Tops in 10 Best Markets

Moody’s Economy.com forecasts Tacoma to make a case as the best place in the United States to invest in Real Estate through year 2013. Based on the Case-Shiller index, Tacoma median home price is estimated to go up 20.7% in that period.

Read entire article

 

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

 

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

Top Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Buy a Tacoma Real Estate Home

Top Reasons to Buy A Tacoma Real Estate Home…NOW!

Thinking of buying a home in the Tacoma to Seattle area or other surrounding cities within Pierce, King, or Thurston Counties? Consider these reasons:

1. $8,000 Federal Tax Credit – Available for qualified first time home buyers until December 1, 2009.

2. Low Interest Rates – Home Mortgage rates remain at near record lows.

3. Unbeatable Investment – Even in a down real estate market, over the long term home prices still appreciate more than the stock market.

4. Available Loans – Lenders are still lending money and there are great home mortgage programs available.

5. Great Selection – With so many homes on the market, buyers have a lot of options.

6. Home Prices – Home prices have rolled back to early 2000 prices. Home affordability is better than it has been in years.

 

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

 

Further Real Estate advice is offered in the additional articles below. Educate yourself!

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Additional articles about Tacoma Real Estate to educate yourself. Enjoy!

Good News Released for the Tacoma Real Estate Market!

Time to Get Off the Fence and Into a Home

Time to Buy a Tacoma Real Estate Home…or refinance?

Washington Real Estate on Sale…Just Got Cheaper!

 Is The Real Estate Market Tide Turning?

What are your waiting for? It’s Time to Invest in Tacoma Real Estate 

Order you copy of “Now’s The Time To Buy…Top 10 Reasons Why,” Today!

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Real Estate Links:

Home Buyer $8000 Tax Credit

Down Payment Assistance Programs for Washington State Home Buyers

CLICK HERE TO SEE FREE HOMEBUYER’S RESOURCES

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The Trey Affolter Team, 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

Home Buyers are Returning – from Seattle to Tacoma to Olympia Real Estate

Home Buyers Taking Advantage of Real Estate Market

Thanks to record low mortgage rates and declining home prices, 55 million families- or half of all U.S. households – can afford today’s median priced new home, according to figures released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

“With home values in many markets at the lowest level since 2003, an $8,000 tax credit available to first time home buyers, fixed mortgages under 5 percent, and an outstanding selection of homes to choose from, buyers are starting to recognize that this has the makings for a one-time opportunity to break into the market,” said Joe Robson, the NAHB Chair.

• Affordable home values
• Historically low fixed mortgage rates
• Outstanding selection of homes
• $8,000 First-time home buyer tax credit

Source: PCBank

Tacoma Real Estate to Seattle Real Estate to Olympia Real Estate home sales have picked up and so have surrounding cities within Pierce, King, and Thurston Counties. Don’t miss your opportunity.

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

 

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

The Trey Affolter Team, 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

Pierce County Real Estate Positive News – Washington State

Good News for local Real Estate

Take a quick glance at these positive facts for Tacoma Real Estate and the surrounding cities within Pierce County.

• Home median prices held steady in the month of May
• Pending home sales are up 23% this may from May 2008
• Home inventory is down 30% this may from May 2008

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

 

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

The Trey Affolter Team, 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

Time Running Out on $8,000 Tax Credit for Home Buyers

Act Now for $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit

First-time home buyers from should note they have less than six months to take advantage of the current $8,000 tax credit, which expires December 1, 2009.

• First-time home buyers purchasing any kind of home, new or resale, are eligible for the $8,000 tax credit. 
• The law defines “first-time home buyer” as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.

Learn more about $8,000 Tax Credit

  

 

Search Washington State Real Estate MLS Listings

 

Your Tacoma Real Estate Professional

The Trey Affolter Team, 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