The decision of whether to rent or buy a home can be a daunting one, especially for first-time homebuyers. While renting may seem like the easier and more flexible option, buying a home has many long-term benefits that renting simply cannot offer. Here are some reasons why buying a home is a better option than renting.


Building equity

When you rent a home, you're essentially paying someone else's mortgage. You don't have any ownership in the property and don't benefit from any appreciation in its value. On the other hand, when you buy a home, you're building equity with every mortgage payment you make. Equity is the difference between the current value of the property and the amount you owe on your mortgage. As you pay off your mortgage,…

127 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

As your realtor it is important for me to let you know that getting a home ready for sale is a crucial part of the selling process. A well-prepared home can attract more potential buyers and can often sell for a higher price. However, it can be challenging to know where to start and what steps to take. That's why I've compiled some tips to help you prepare your home for sale.


Start with a deep clean.

Before you do anything else, make sure the home is clean from top to bottom. Hire a professional cleaning service if necessary, and make sure every room is dusted, vacuumed, and scrubbed. Pay particular attention to the bathrooms and kitchen, as these rooms can be major selling points for potential buyers.


Declutter and depersonalize.

When a…

105 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


Buying your first home is a major milestone in your life, but it can be overwhelming and stressful. With so many factors to consider, it is important to know where to start. In this blog, I'll share some tips for first time home buyers that will help set you on the path of home ownership.


  1.     Determine your budget: Before you start looking for a home, it's important to know how much you can afford to spend. This includes not just the cost of the home but also other expenses like property taxes, home insurance, and maintenance. Make sure you have a clear understanding of your financial situation and what you can realistically afford.

  1.     Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can give you an idea of how…

128 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 Help us Brighten a Child's Life!

We will be live collecting Crayons for Children's Hospital of Seattle this weekend at the following locations:

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Klahanie QFC 10am-2pm
4570 Klahanie Dr SE
Issaquah, WA 98029 

Kirkland Urban QFC 12pm-2pm
425 Urban Plaza Suite 100
Kirkland, WA 98033

Snoqualmie Ridge Safeway 10:00am-2pm
34828 SE Douglas St
Snoqualmie, WA 98065

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Kirkland Urban QFC 12pm-2pm
425 Urban Plaza Suite 100
Kirkland, WA 98033

Cottage Lake Safeway 12pm-3pm
19150 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd
Woodinville, WA 98077

Last Project Crayon Drive, we collected over 210,000 crayons and we would love to beat that amount this year!

Various crayon drives will be held on weekends throughout the…

549 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The premise of a mortgage rate lockdown is simple: so many American households have such low mortgage rates that some will never move once rates rise, which then locks up housing inventory. Said another way; A homeowner planning to relocate or downsize might find the higher costs related to higher mortgage rates too much of a hurdle to clear.

This is something I’ve never considered in my real estate career because we hadn’t had a period where mortgage rates moved up so quickly and then held higher for an extended period. But now this is a real risk.

For many Americans, homeownership became a reality during the years of ultra-low mortgage rates following the 2008 financial crisis, an environment that essentially lasted all the way up until the…

417 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

PROJECT CRAYON DRIVE IS BACK!

 Help us Brighten a Child's Life!

Once again, The Cascade Team is once again hosting Project Crayon Drive this April! For the young who find themselves at Seattle Children’s Hospital, sometimes the simple things like a coloring book and a few crayons can be as soothing as the trained staff and smiling doctors. Yet, something as simple as crayons often goes overlooked. Each year, Children’s Hospital goes through over 240,000 crayons, but each child only gets a couple to use.

And that’s where The Cascade Team — in partnership with the Children’s Hospital Guild Association and several area merchants — comes in. Throughout the month of April, agents from The Cascade Team will be walking neighborhoods and spreading…

317 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


The home buying process

Are you ready to take the first step towards homeownership? The home buying process can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. Here are the main steps:

  1. Meet with your agent: The first step is to find a real estate agent that you feel comfortable working with. You can ask friends and family for recommendations or search online for agents in your area. Once you have chosen an agent, you will schedule a meeting to discuss your needs, budget, and preferences.
  2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Your agent can recommend lenders to help you get pre-approved for a mortgage. This step is important because it will give you a clear understanding of how much you can…

141 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Mortgage rates dropped further this week. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.27% from 6.28% the previous week. With inflation moving closer to the Fed's 2% target, mortgage rates are expected to decrease further in the coming months, likely to be below 6% by year's end.

Meanwhile, these falling mortgage rates create opportunities for many buyers. A lower mortgage rate brings down the monthly payment for a home loan. If rates drop to 6%, 3.1 million more households will once again be able to afford to buy the median-priced home compared to the beginning of the year. And, 1 in 3 of these households are younger than 40. Last year, 1 in 5 mortgage purchase originations had a rate higher than 6%.

Some sellers are still striking…

160 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Check out this 3 bedroom town home for sale in Scottsdale

Check out this amazing and rare 3 bedroom Townhome in Scottsdale. https://michael.thecascadeteam.com/listing/6538400-17850-n-68th-street-unit-2183-phoenix-az-85054/ or contact me directly at 602.290.1854

For more information or private showing contact me at michael@tctrealestate.com or 602.290.1854


141 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Although slightly, mortgage rates dropped further this week. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.27% from 6.28% the previous week. With inflation moving closer to the Fed's 2% target, mortgage rates are expected to decrease further in the coming months, likely to be below 6% by year's end.

Meanwhile, these falling mortgage rates create opportunities for many buyers. A lower mortgage rate brings down the monthly payment for a home loan. If rates drop to 6%, 3.1 million more households will once again be able to afford to buy the median-priced home compared to the beginning of the year. And, 1 in 3 of these households are younger than 40. Last year, 1 in 5 mortgage purchase originations had a rate higher than 6%.

Some sellers…

567 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post