When it comes to buying your first home, are there two words that are more unpleasant and unwelcome than “down payment?” How about “closing costs?” That’s because first-timer buyers are often surprised by this expense, or at least confused about how much they will need to pay. 

Additionally, buyers may not understand that some of the fees under the closing costs umbrella are not set in stone. Yes, there are ways to save money on closing costs. We’re breaking down the potential savings. 

What are closing costs?

First, it’s important to understand the role closing costs play in your mortgage—especially because we’re not talking about a measly amount. Closing costs can range from 2–6% of the total cost of your loan. So, on a $250,000

What is The Ultimate Selling Experience?

Efficiency, ease and value, what every home seller is looking for when selling a home.  From our retargeting and text platforms to our home search with real time InRix Drive Time and automated home feedback system, our clients experience the efficiency of our technology.  Coupled with our experienced and dedicated full-time agents and supported by the most advanced technology available you’ll quickly see the difference. 

Staging Boost: Covering everything from staging to painting to cosmetic renovations and more all managed through your personal Staging Boost manager, our clients experience the ease of preparing their home to sell while reaping the maximum value for their home.

What is The Ultimate Selling Experience?

Efficiency, ease and value, what every home seller is looking for when selling a home.  From our retargeting and text platforms to our home search with real time InRix Drive Time and automated home feedback system, our clients experience the efficiency of our technology.  Coupled with our experienced and dedicated full-time agents and supported by the most advanced technology available you’ll quickly see the difference.

Staging Boost: Covering everything from staging to painting to cosmetic renovations and more all managed through your personal Staging Boost manager, our clients experience the ease of preparing their home to sell while reaping the maximum value for their home.

Preparing your

In previous generations, when homeowners reached a certain age, they started thinking about reverse mortgages and even assisted living. But many of today’s seniors are looking to buy a home, opting to downsize or even buy their dream place.

New data from the National Association of Realtors® shows that, together, young baby boomers, older baby boomers, and the silent generation comprised 39 percent of the buyers in 2019. Senior-related housing only accounted “for 13 percent of buyers over the age of 50; that number was eight percent for buyers 54 to 63 years and 29 percent for buyers 73 years and older.”

If you're in one of these demographics and are weighing the pros and cons of buying a home, read on. There are a number of factors

By Erica Sweeney

Christmas trees are the centerpiece for many holiday celebrations and traditions. But, as consumers become more environmentally conscious, many may wonder: Which type of tree is more eco-friendly, real or fake?

After all, cutting down real trees seems to be shrinking our already depleted forests. However, fake trees are made of plastic, which doesn't seem all that green, either. 

These days, a survey by CGS found that for more than two-thirds of consumers, environmental concerns drive their purchases, and they're willing to pay more for sustainable products. Younger consumers, like Gen Z, are even more environmentally aware, with nearly 70% making an eco-friendly purchase over the past year.

So which tree fits better

There’s a myth that the real estate market shuts down over the holidays and that it’s a terrible time to buy a home—because who wants to buy a home when you could be spending that time with family. You saw where we said “myth,” right? 

The truth is that buying a home over the holidays can yield you a great deal while minimizing the competition. Here’s what you need to know if you’re in the market now. 

Look past the sparkle

You’re going to see some inflatable Santas and lights galore. Some homes might have 20 years of holiday décor displayed throughout every square inch. While these sellers may have been smart to declutter and keep the holiday stuff light this year, it’s up to you to try to see beyond it. What do the bones of the

KIRKLAND, Washington (November 7, 2019) – “People are moving here, home prices will continue to increase, inventory shortages will occur. That’s our future,” remarked Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Northwest in Gig Harbor, upon viewing the October statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Active listings of homes and condos totaled 14,379, the lowest level since April. Compared to a year ago, last month’s selection declined more than 21% and was down 10% from September, according to the new report from Northwest MLS. The year-over-year and month-to-month volume of new listings also declined last month. On a positive note, MLS figures show system-wide gains in October’s pending sales (up nearly 5.6%), closed sales (up

Nearly 60% of consumers who claim to live in a haunted house say they didn’t know their house was haunted until after they moved in, reveals a new survey from realtor.com®.

What makes a house haunted? Strange noises and shadows are the spookiest occurrences reported by homeowners. Forty-eight percent of survey respondents said items inside the home shifted on their own, 47% said certain rooms felt haunted, 46% said they would feel touched, and 44% said their home had hot and cold spots, according to realtor.com®’s fourth annual Haunted Real Estate Report.

“Moving into a new home is a really exciting time, but finding out that your new abode has an unwanted guest can definitely put a damper on the celebration,” says Nate Johnson, chief

In a recent ad campaign, real estate startup Bungalo has announced that throughout the month of October, they will be checking their listed properties for paranormal activity.

The real estate company even hired actual paranormal investigators to visit their properties in order to find out if they have ghosts. The investigators include Jeremy Rettig of Genesis Paranormal Services, as well as Becky Vickers who has appeared on the television shows Ghost Adventures and Ghost Stories.

Josh Stolz, who is the creative director at Bungalo, stated, “This is our first real campaign that takes a step into a bit more of a creative territory,” adding, “We wanted to show both aspects: the regular inspection combined with the paranormal inspection.”

Over the  years many of us have come across this with buyers, so in light of the new commission changes I have reached out to many of our agents from here and across the country  and locally here is the Seattle market for their best objections to buyers when they say: “I only want to work with the listing agent.”

The overwhelming number of responses lead us to a lot of good material, including simple explanations of what listing agents do, giving advice, one-liners and the all-powerful “good luck.”

Here are our favorite responses. Try out the ones you like the next time you come up against this objection.

Use a one-liner

Sometimes, all you need is a sentence or two to get the job done. Short, sweet and to the point, here are some of the