The Cost of Renting vs Buying
Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a close decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median priced home today (30%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median…
Strategy Around Capital Gains Tax
Although you have just recently purchased your home, the time to start planning for capital gains tax is now. We live in an area that not only has a history of rapid price appreciation, the higher cost of entry to…
Worried About Your House Not Selling?
This article I wrote in response to this concern coming up from several clients: If you are considering selling your home, you may be wondering how your home will really do in relation to the market. Although our market as…
A Look At New Construction – Housing Starts
With our population on the rise and housing demand high across the country, you might be wondering why builders just don’t build more homes to satiate the demand. According to the New York Times, the United States added 1.24 million…
Appraisals – A Critical Part of the Transaction
With the tight market for buyers and the common practice of escalating up the offer price one savvy tactic for buyers is to offer, up front, to cover the difference if an appraisal should come low. Let me back up…
Short-Term Housing Options – Successful Home Selling and Buying
If your home no longer suits your needs, a move may be in your future. Since many areas around the country have a shortage of homes for sale, you may be concerned about your ability to find your next home…
Average Seattle Home Prices Still Below 2007 Peak Prices
The Case Shiller Index rose by 5.4% year-over-year through February . The Seattle region rose by 11% – still -1.7% from the peak in 2007. In the most sought after areas and the upper end prices are above the 2007…
Cost vs Value of Remodeling
Improvements to your property usually have a positive impact on price when it comes time to sell. According to the website remodeling.hw.net, improvements to curb appeal and energy efficiency caused an overall gain in remodeling project payback in their 2016…
Supply and Demand
You may look at this graph and insist there is a real estate bubble forming once again. This is not a result of a housing bubble because this time the market has skyrocketed because real people with real jobs that…
Don’t Miss These Home Tax Deductions
Owning a home can pay off at tax time. Take advantage of these home ownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the…
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