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The Big Question: How to Secure Financing to Buy a Home
July 27, 2018 /Now that I’ve moved beyond the strange period of life that was my twenties, one major conversation topic among my friends is real estate. These days, it feels like we’re always talking about which one of us just bought a home or is looking to buy. Another major discussion topic is where these particular friends found the money to buy their homes–was it an FHA loan? Did they receive help from their parents? And, at the risk of sounding tactless, how much exactly did they put down, and what was the home’s final price? The question of where to find the money to buy a home is fairly common these days. Luckily, Pickett Street’s home buyers class, which is offered once a month and is completely free (!), is an excellent resource. The next home buyers class is Tuesday, August 21st from 6-8pm. The Pickett Street team and Cody Touchette of Caliber Home Loans will be there to talk about the home buying process from start to finish. To find out more, contact Sarah Troske at sarah@pickettstreet.com. For now, here’s some insight from the class into how to secure financing to buy a home. 1. Conventional loans Available with both fixed and adjustable…Read more
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The First Three Steps to Buying a Home
May 18, 2018 /You know those things in life that feel sort of insurmountable and impossible to begin? For my partner, it’s putting his socks away. For me, it’s doing my taxes, or going for runs when it’s anywhere above 60 degrees (this Washington State girl needs her cool, mild climates!). And there are larger tasks that can feel difficult as well--finally tackling that home improvement project, perhaps, or selling or buying a home. Fortunately, when it comes to buying a home, Pickett Street has already done all the work to help you get organized and get started. This week, Pickett Street held another class for home buyers. If you missed it, not to worry–Pickett Street holds this class regularly, and the next one will be June 12. Also, for more information about this class or about buying or selling a home, get in touch with the team at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. To further help you, here are the eight steps to buying a home. 1. Decide to buy. Would buying a home would be a smart, positive step in your life right now? Here are a few bits of data to help you make this decision: It is now more expensive…Read more
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Three Common Fears Dispelled: Pickett Street’s Class for First Time Home Buyers
April 20, 2018 /This week, the Pickett Street crew held a class to ease fears and inform and encourage first time home buyers. The class opened with an anecdote from Hurricane Katrina: when many displaced residents were asked what, besides “love,” the most important four letter word is, almost all of them answered “home.” It makes sense that so many people find this word to be so powerful. In a world that can be pretty difficult sometimes, we should always feel secure in our homes. There is nothing like the feeling of returning after a long day to a space that feels peaceful, safe, and uniquely yours. Still, buying a home can also be a source of anxiety. This is where Pickett Street comes in– their home buyers class focuses on helping you feel less like “buying a home is something I could never do,” and more like “Yes! I’m ready!” I love it when uncertainty is replaced with confidence, clarity, and excitement. If you couldn’t make the class this time, not to worry. Pickett Street is making their first-time home buyers class a recurring event. Next one will be Monday, May 14th at 6-7:30pm. RSVP and claim your FREE ticket here! Also,…Read more
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Buying Off-Market Homes: A Conversation with Nicole Leong
April 10, 2018 /It can feel frustrating to dream about your ideal home and then struggle to actually find this home. This frustration is especially real in places like the Seattle area, where the highly competitive real estate market takes some patience (and amazing real estate agents!) to navigate. Because they understand that, for some individuals, dream homes aren’t always where they expect, Pickett Street is able to help their clients purchase off-market homes. While you might be thinking that an “off-market” home involves chatting with a trench-coated individual in some dark alley, the actual process is much more straightforward. I was recently able to chat about buying an off-market home with Pickett Street’s wonderful buyers agent Nicole Leong. Here’s what she had to say. (For more about finding your own off-market home, get in touch with Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com.) What exactly is an “off-market” home? An off-market home is a property that has not been listed anywhere. In an off-market real estate transaction, the seller might consider selling their home if presented with an acceptable offer. Nicole points out that an off-market home is different from a “for sale by owner,” or FSBO, home, which is a property…Read more
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Four Helpful Tips for Spring House Hunting
March 2, 2018 /The other evening I stepped outside after work and found that the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and that fresh, lovely post-rain smell. I had the urge to run singing through the streets Sound-of-Music-style before I remembered I was in the middle of a crowded city, not a meadow in the Alps. Today, I checked the date and was startled to see that it’s March (where did February go?). I don’t want to jinx it, but I think that spring might be here. Spring is traditionally one the busiest times of year for real estate. Great weather makes for pleasant house hunting. Not to mention, front yards tend to have cast off winter’s gloom with new blooms and green leaves, adding significantly to curb appeal. With summer and potential vacation time just around the corner, sellers feel more motivated, leading to an increased inventory. According to Zillow, April through July were the best times to buy a home in Seattle in 2016. Due to the season’s many perks, shopping for real estate in the spring also has its challenges–more buyers are looking for homes, which can lead to increased competition and bidding wars. However, spring is…Read more
