Seattle real estate has been interesting this year -
Great prices for buyers, lower interest rates, and lots to choose from, but unfortunately this has been couple with uncertainties in both buyers and sellers as well as tighter lending requirements and absolutely ridiculous appraisal guidelines and rules.
How can you even begin to find the confidence to buy? When you do realize that your situation allows for home buying now, then you need to find someone to help guide you through the process.
- Find a Realtor that you truly enjoy working with. They should keep you informed even when there is nothing to tell. Life is way too short to work with someone you do not trust or like.
- Know what your guidelines are! Wife wants X features, but husband only thinks they can afford Y features in a home. Buyers remorse is a big issue if you don't make this decision up front.
- Get help locating a property in Seattle within your guidelines. This is very important!
- Realtor structuring a strong offer on your behalf and going through the paperwork with you
- Negotiations are always with with your best interests at heart, but you have to be honest and let us know what you want.
- Realtor - helping to schedule inspections, appraisal, escrow appointments, etc.
- Also providing you with an overall picture of the sales process
- Make sure to get them: Referrals, referrals, referrals! - Inspector, insurance contacts, utility contacts, favorite restaurants or vets and doctors in the area, etc...
- Look at the resale!!! Seattle buyers should always look at their exit strategy- this is an investment as well as a home! How well will this house or condo sell in the future?
Finding your way...
I like to make up a binder with lots of information for my first time home buyers in Seattle - I want to give them something that might help along the way or clear up any confusions. I also like to look over the Good Faith Estimates from the lender to make sure all charges seem to be in line and have them ask questions if I see anything out of the ordinary.
Do you need info on being a first time home buyer in Seattle? Need a free home buying guide? Want info on the $8000 tax credit? courtney@cooperjacobs.com Cooper Jacobs Real Estate, Seattle real estate, @CourtneyCooper
Picture credit: Morgan Cooper Photography morgan.cooper@comcast.net
Courtney Cooper
Seattle Realtor, Owner/Designated Broker/EcoBroker
Cooper Jacobs Real Estate
206-850-8841
(Seattle real estate - search all MLS listings from all companies for FREE), SeattleAfloat.com (Seattle Houseboats), GreenLakeLoop.com (Green Lake Blog), QueenAnneBoulevard.com (Queen Anne Blog), MagnoliaView.com (Magnolia Neighborhood Blog)
About Me:
Seattle real estate has been a big part of my life for well over a decade since I began my career in real estate,but also before that time when I was in the process of purchasing my own first home. Buying your first home can be quite overwhelming,but I have managed to help many first time home buyers along the way.
Move up Seattle buyers and other types of specialized purchasing is a great passion of mine! I love Seattle houseboats and you can find me down on the docks of Lake Union and Portage Bay several times a week. Other aspects of Seattle real estate that I adore include Queen Anne Real Estate,Wallingford Real Estate, Ballard Real Estate, Green Lake Real Estate, Laurelhurst Real Estate, Magnolia Real Estate,andSeattle Waterfront Real Estate.
In addition to being a Seattle residential broker and founder of Cooper Jacobs & Seattle Afloat, I am also a member of CBA (Commercial Brokers Association) and head of the Cooper Jacobs Commercial Division in an effort to provide excellent commercial real estate services to the Seattle commercial real estate industry. With a background in accounting and management, it is my great pleasure to coordinate our Seattle commercial brokers.
About Cooper Jacobs Real Estate's Seattle Branch:
My office at Cooper Jacobs Real Estate LLC is located centrally near all my favorite Puget Sound neighborhoods just a few blocks up from Lake Union in Seattle’s Wallingford. Cooper Jacobs Real Estate is a wonderful place filled with talented Seattle real estate brokers and I count myself extremely lucky that I get to spend so much time with these wonderful people. We specialize in different Seattle neighborhoods and suburbs in both residential and commercial real estate and are all very passionate and excited about each of our favorite Seattle neighborhoods and industries!
©Courtney Cooper ©Cooper Jacobs Real Estate LLC
Hi Courtney,
A great "sandwich" you created. Lots of meat in the middle and the most important 2 crusts.
Finding a Realtor you are comfortable working with, who is knowledgeable and professional
and always considering reselling when you buy.
Good advice.