4 WAYS TO BORROW A DOWN PAYMENT

Planning to buy a home sometime soon? It’s an expensive proposition, and if you need help coming up with a down payment, it’s important to know which sources you can tap to make your home-buying dreams come true. Here are four ways to borrow a down payment.

1. 401(K) RETIREMENT PLANS OR LIQUID ASSETS

Many 401(k) plans have special borrowing provisions that allow you to repay the amount borrowed with preferential terms. Some 401(k) plans even allow you to avoid penalties buying a primary home, while others have fewer restrictions for first-time homebuyers (defined as someone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 36 months). Every 401(k) plan is different so check for details with your Human Resources department. Additionally, if you have liquid…

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FIRST LOOK AT NEW MOUNT SI HIGH SCHOOL; DESIGN APPROVED; SAFETY, GROWTH ISSUES UP BUDGET BY $20 MILLION

January 27, 2016 by Danna McCall from Living Snoqualmie Blog

Snoqualmie Valley School Board President Geoff Doy described the designs for the future, re-built Mount Si High School as “a school to be proud of,” saying the schematic plans brought tears to his eyes.

Raised above flood levels; constructed of low-maintenance, durable materials; secure with fewer points of entry; open spaces with stunning views of Mount Si and Rattlesnake Ridge; innovative outdoor roof areas; street level/under building parking; a compact, streamlined design influenced by the needs of students, teachers and administrators; a connected yet separate freshman campus. It seems nothing was missed while designing the future Mount Si High School.

The schematic design…

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SEVEN UNWRITTEN ETIQUETTE RULES ALL HOME BUYERS SHOULD KNOW

You like being under a microscope? Whatever your answer to that question may be, you’d better get used to being scrutinized when you’re trying to buy a home. Your behavior can sway sellers to bestow their precious home on you—or pass you up for someone nicer or way less annoying.

Naturally, The Cascade Team is here to help! Just be sure to follow these heretofore unwritten rules of house-buying etiquette to stay in the good graces of all involved.

GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A HOME LOAN

Getting pre-approved and knowing exactly how much house you can afford before shopping for a home is key to winning over sellers, real estate agents agree.

“It is simply misleading to look at a home you don’t know you qualify for”. Yes, this is an…

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YOU'RE THE BEST TYPE - GIVE BLOOD

The Cascade Team Real Estate Redmond Office is excited to announce and promote our first ever blood drive to support Bloodworks Northwest! We've partnered with our friends at the QFC in Redmond Ridge to host the Bloodmobile that will be in place for the event on Saturday February 20th from 10am - 4pm. Registration for the event is available now and encouraged ahead of time as slots are limited. Just click on the picture below to get signed up today! More information about Bloodworks Northwest is below as well. 

Did You Know?

As a unique, hybrid provider of health care services for the community, Bloodworks Northwest collects, tests and distributes essential, lifesaving blood to nearly 90 hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. We’re…

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WESTERN WASHINGTON HOUSING MARKET 2015 YEAR IN REVIEW

KIRKLAND, Wash. (Jan. 21, 2016) – Members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 88,331 closed sales during 2015, outgaining the prior year’s volume of 77,276 transactions for a 14.3 percent increase.

Measured by dollars, last year’s sales of single family homes and condominiums were valued at more than $34 billion. Compared to 2014, that dollar volume represents a gain of nearly 23 percent.

The sales activity reflects the work of 23,800 brokers across 23 counties in the member-owned Northwest MLS.

Last year’s completed sales included 75,975 single family homes (about 86 percent of the total) and 12,356 condominiums. The total units and dollar volume surpassed the previous highs during 2007 when members registered 82,197 sales…

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Selling Your Home In a Hot Market

Selling a home is a seller's market is far different from selling a home in a buyer's market. If you are wondering about our current market, then let me assure you: It is indeed a fabulous time to sell! Not only will your "days on market" be remarkably fewer in a sellers’ market, but you might receive multiple offers, which could drive up the sales price.

It's generally a good idea to take advantage of pent-up demand because it's the demand that drives competition. The larger number of buyers for your home ought to increase the odds you'll make more money. Some homes, especially those referred to as unique homes, meaning homes that can be difficult to sell in any real estate market, will generally stand a better chance of selling in a seller's…

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SMART BUDGETING CHECKLIST: ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE

  Planning and budgeting for annual home maintenance projects is just plain smart. First, it ensures that you’ll have money on hand to perform routine maintenance when it’s required. And second, it keeps your home in tip-top shape — helping you avoid costly, unexpected repairs.

Use this checklist to plan and budget for your routine seasonal projects. It’s an easy way to stay on top of year-round home maintenance!    PRINT

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SEATTLE (SEAHAWKS) VS CHARLOTTE (CAROLINA PANTHERS) REAL ESTATE COMPARISON

HOME VALUES IN SEATTLE AND CHARLOTTE

Comparison Highlights

• Seattle, WA tends to be more expensive for home buyers than Charlotte, NC. During the last year, Seattle home values have risen by 12.8%, while Charlotte home values have risen by 5.8%.
• Seattle is 193% more densely populated than Charlotte.
• People are 6% less likely to be married in Seattle.
• The Median Age is 2.7 years older in Seattle.

Cost of Living Comparison Highlights

• Charlotte is 48.3% less expensive than Seattle.
• Charlotte, housing costs are 100.9% less than Seattle housing costs.
• Health related expenses are 21.7% less in Charlotte.

Crime

• The crime indices range from 1-100. A higher number corresponds with more…

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King County Home Prices Break Pre-Recession Record

Puget Sound area home sales, prices still strong as backlog of buyers compete for scarce inventory

• Average Home Price in King County Hits $508,000: (1st Time over $500k)
• Prices up 15.5% YTD
• Buyers Continue to Compete For Scarce Inventory
• King County now "Well Above" Pre-Recession Record for July 2007
  

KIRKLAND, Washington (January 6, 2016) – Home prices have "clearly recovered" in King County and a few other areas served by Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Many member-brokers say prices are likely to keep rising as a backlog of buyers compete for depleted inventory.

Those were among reactions from brokers upon reviewing the December statistics from the MLS. The latest report shows the year ended on a mostly positive note…

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Join The Cascade Team - Redmond To Get Your Real Estate Career Primed For Success in 2016?

The Cascade Team is a brokerage built to support our agents, provide the best training and technology, and to be a vital part of the communities we serve. 

As you look at brokerages to call home and build your real estate career, there are two very important questions you should always ask yourself. The answers to these questions are critical to the success of your career as a real estate professional.

Does your real estate brokerage help you sell homes?

OR

Does your brokerage sell “things” to the real estate agents?

By providing full marketing support which can be seen HERE: The Cascade Team not only helps you attract more listings, But we also help you attract more buyers. In face we currently represent 53% Buyers and 47%…

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