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— THINKING ABOUT BUYING? START HERE —

Buying a home is exciting, and it helps to walk in with a little bit of a plan. A few things worth thinking through before you start touring homes:​

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  1. Get a sense of your budget first. Talking to a lender early, and getting pre-approved before you fall in love with a house, gives you real numbers to work with.

  2. Separate your must-haves from your nice-to-haves. It keeps the search fun and focused.

  3. Think about lifestyle, not just the house. Commute, schools, and neighborhood matter as much as square footage.

  4. Loop in an agent early. It costs you nothing as a buyer, and it means someone is in your corner and watching the market for you from day one.

FINANCING OPTIONS COMMON IN OUR AREA​

  • Conventional Loans — The most common option. Typically requires a stronger credit score, and if you put down 20%, you avoid mortgage insurance.

  • VA Loans — Available to eligible veterans and active-duty military. No down payment required, which makes this a popular option given how close we are to JBLM.

  • FHA Loans — A great fit for many first-time buyers. Lower down payment requirements (as low as 3.5%), though it comes with mortgage insurance.

  • Rehab/Renovation Loans — Rolls the purchase price and renovation costs into one loan, which is a nice option for a fixer-upper or a home that just needs a little love to feel move-in ready.

​This is general information, not lending advice. I'm happy to connect you with a lender I trust:

Marc Hendrickson - Turn Two Mortgage | Jaimie Garrett - New Rez

— BEFORE YOU SHOP —

  • Looking to buy a home in Steilacoom, WA or our surrounding area? Choosing your real estate professional is the most important decision you will make when buying property.

  • Be a smart consumer. Understand your finances and connect with a lender to shop for a home loan that's right for you.

  • Get pre-approved. This takes very little time and lets you know the price range that fits your lifestyle.

  • Know what you want. Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time and necessary repairs.

  • Keep your debt load to a minimum. Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase.

  • Be prepared to view new properties quickly.  Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.  

  • Have instant access to your agent. Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice.

— BEFORE YOU BUY —

  • Submit a strong competitive offer.

  • Include a substantial earnest money deposit. Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit.

  • Try to minimize the number of contingencies. Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer.

  • Hire an inspector. A professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.

  • Check zoning regulations and covenants. Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.

  • Request an updated property survey.  Be sure it clearly marks boundaries. Check for problems.

  • Make sure you know what stays or goes.

  • Get agreements in writing. Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later.

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