Here's why buying now is important.

The thing that many people don't seem to really understand is that for every little bit the interest rate ticks up, and homes appreciate in value buyers are losing the amount of house they can purchase at a given amount. 

A lot of people say they want to wait and save for more money down.  But if homes appreciate even 4% in a year you would have to save that much more than you thought you would to buy the same house.  

For example:

You want to buy a $400,000 house and you don't want to pay mortgage insurance.  So, you want to get a conventional mortgage with 20% down.  Today that would be $80,000,

but next year at 6% appreciaton that house will be worth $424,000.  You've been saving for a down payment of $80,000- now you need $84,8400.00.  And that doesn't even take into account the loss of buying power when the interest rate goes up- and it is going up.  

So, when is the time to buy?

NOW!  There are so many programs out there to help you get into a home with little or no down payment.  Call me- I can help!

Tips for Buying in a Competitive Market

Barbecue Season Is Coming!

Latest Trends Heat Up Barbecue Industry As the May-September peak outdoor cooking season approaches, consumers can expect to see grills, smokers and outdoor living products in high demand. The trends that will drive sales during 2014 and beyond include: Wood Pellets on the Rise: Made from compressed sawdust, wood pellets are heating up grills and smokers across the country. An all-natural product, wood pellets produce a strong, slow-burning source of heat that gives a unique, smoky flavor to foods. This year, new wood pellet grills and smokers are making it easier to cook outdoors no matter what time of year. Wood pellets grills and smokers use a variety of pellet forms to create different smoky tastes, all with a simple and easy cleanup process. Portability: Whether tailgating for the big game or cooking on the beach, portable grills and smokers make it easy to cook delicious foods wherever you want. Industry manufactures are making it easier to take the party anywhere—from parking lots to campsites—by making light-weight and durable grills and smokers. Collapsible, small portable parts and all-terrain features make it simple to cook and smoke foods on-the-go. Ovens in the Outdoors: New innovations are making it easier to do anything you can do inside, outside. With outdoor gas and wood-fired ovens, cooking enthusiasts can make a pizza, roast vegetables, bake desserts, and more all from the convenience of the backyard. Outdoor ovens provide an extra cooking space during the holidays, and allow families to cook their favorite dishes while enjoying the outdoors any season of the year. Keeping Accessories Organized: When entertaining in the outdoors, it's important to have everything you need right at your fingertips. New innovations such as countertops with drawer storage and drink coolers make it easy to enjoy any party outside. With full sinks, refrigerators and lighting, you can bring all the amenities of your indoor kitchen, outdoors. Source: Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Judy Gratton Your Real Estate Edge

Now is the time to sell your home for the highest price. Really!!

If you are thinking of selling, now is the time to get the highest price!

Call or text me for more information– 206-276-3289

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6 Basic Home Maintenance Tips

6 Basic Steps to Home Maintenance
 


Moving into your first home can be a proud and thrilling experience – and painting and decorating in your own time and your own style is certainly part of the thrill. But new homeowners may not think about maintenance until something clamors for attention.
To protect your investment, keep your home in good shape, and minimize emergency repair costs, a panel of home maintenance experts recommends the following:
Know the control points – Know the location of the main water valves and electrical circuit boxes. (The information may come in handy later.) Check your home and grounds regularly for water leaks, poor air flow, any signs of mold or mildew, or even peeling paint.
Take a class – Many home improvement stores and some adult schools, offer free or low-cost classes in home maintenance. Having a check list will make it easier to stay in control, and knowing how to do basic fixes will save you money in the long run.
Assemble a tool kitp – For small repairs and general maintenance, put together a basic tool kit. At minimum, you should have a hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers, as well as a utility knife, a retractable tape measure, a level, a small drill set and a roll of strong electrical or duct tape.
Keep a calendar – It will help you remember regular maintenance chores such as changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and/or changing furnace filters.
Have a maintenance fund – Nothing lasts forever, and that includes appliances like water heaters and furnaces as well as carpeting and furniture. You will sleep easier if you keep a savings account for emergencies and cosmetic repairs or replacements.
Know when to call in a pro - Electricians and plumbers contractors are licensed because they do potentially dangerous work. Don’t try to work on your furnace or clear out backed-up plumbing or re-wire a circuit by yourself. Call in a contractor or licensed handyman when needed.

Judy Gratton Your Real Estate Edge

Mortgage Changes to Know in 2014

Fixed Mortgage Rates Tick Up in 2014

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates up slightly for the second week in a row. "Mortgage rates crept up further following the uptick in the 10-year Treasury yield as minutes of the Federal Reserve's last meeting indicated little possibility of a pause in the central bank's reduction of bond purchases,” says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. “Housing starts in January fell 16 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 888,000 units, below consensus forecast. Permits were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 937,000 in January, also below consensus." According to the survey, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.33 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 20, 2014, up from the previous week when it averaged 4.28 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.56 percent. 
 Results reveal that the 15-year FRM averaged 3.35 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.33 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.77 percent. 
 The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.08 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from the week prior when it averaged 3.05 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.64 percent.
 Survey shows that the 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.57 percent with an average 0.3 point, up from the previous week when it averaged 2.55 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.65 percent. 
 For more information, visit www.FreddieMac.com. Judy Gratton Your Real Estate Edge Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.