EDMONDS HOMES FOR SALE: MEADOWDALE If you are looking for a home in Edmonds, you deserve the most up to date information available. Diverse neighborhoods from "quiet" Woodway homes to waterfront condos or custom homes with all the amenities you could desire are right here at your fingertips. Edmonds is located in Snohomish County between Seattle and Everett on the Puget Sound with a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. You will discover parks, fine dining, boutique shops with a local flair, art galleries, theater, antiques and museums as part of the Edmonds experience. For the most current information on Communities in Edmonds, please click on any of the highlighted/underlined key words for instant access to all active listings. You can be sure to get expert guidance on all of your real e... 02/22/2010

EDMONDS HOMES FOR SALE: EDMONDS BOWL CONDOS If you are looking for a home in Edmonds, you deserve the most up to date information available. Diverse neighborhoods from "quiet" Woodway homes to waterfront condos or custom homes with all the amenities you could desire are right here at your fingertips. Edmonds is located in Snohomish County between Seattle and Everett on the Puget Sound with a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. You will discover parks, fine dining, boutique shops with a local flair, art galleries, theater, antiques and museums as part of the Edmonds experience.   For the most current information on Communities in Edmonds, please click on any of the highlighted/underlined key words for instant access to all active listings. You can be sure to get expert guidance on all of ... 02/22/2010

EDMONDS HOMES FOR SALE: EDMONDSBOWL If you are looking for a home in Edmonds, you deserve the most up to date information available. Diverse neighborhoods from "quiet" Woodway homes to waterfront condos or custom homes with all the amenities you could desire are right here at your fingertips. Edmonds is located in Snohomish County between Seattle and Everett on the Puget Sound with a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. You will discover parks, fine dining, boutique shops with a local flair, art galleries, theater, antiques and museums as part of the Edmonds experience. For the most current information on Communities in Edmonds, please click on any of the highlighted/underlined key words for instant access to all active listings. You can be sure to get expert guidance on all of your real ... 02/22/2010

Edmonds, WA Real Estate | December 2009 Edmonds Home Sales Report Edmonds Real Estate | December 2009 Homes SOLD   There were 44 homes (houses & condos) sold in December 2009 for Edmonds, WA (actually recorded with the Snohomish County Recorder's Office). In this monthly Edmonds real estate update blog, I'll summarize the market and point out any highlights worth noting. Let me know if you have any questions or are thinking about buying or selling into Edmonds or the surrounding areas. If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site. There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Edmonds, Washington.   An overview of those 47 Edmonds houses and condos:  ... 01/27/2010

For the first time in 30 years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has revised its rules regarding disclosures that lenders and mortgage brokers must give to consumers who secure a home loan or refinance. These rule changes are meant to provide greater clarity to the actual cost of borrowing money. And, according to HUD, should save mortgage shoppers on average "$700 at the closing table." Different people will disagree as to whether these changes are right. Certainly the intent is right. But nothing replaces a trusted Realtor to advise you on any home loan purchase or refinance. Good agents will always help you determine which loans are a good value and which are less of one.   Good Faith Estimate (GFE)GFE's are intended to give mortgage shoppers an *estimate* o... 12/10/2009

I got a flyer in the mail the other day, courtesy of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, with happenings in Edmonds, WA for December and January.    Here they are: December 8, 2009 - Edmonds Christmas Ship Sing-Along.  7pm - 7:30pm on the Edmonds Fishing Pier (425-771-0230). December 17, 2009 - Thursday Art Walk. 5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website. January 21, 2010 - Thursday Art Walk.  5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website. 12/09/2009

December 7, 2009 -- On Monday, the Federal Housing Administration started limiting the number of buyers in condo buildings that can get loans insured by the agency. The rules also put restrictions on buildings with poor finances, too many delinquent owners and a high number of rentals. First, a little background for you...The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) determines which condo complexes throughout the country are eligible for FHA financing. If you are looking to get an FHA-insured loan, you can only purchase a condo within a complex that is FHA-approved. It used to be that you just found an FHA-approved complex (with the use of a resourceful Realtor) and were good to go. But on Monday, FHA adds newer restrictions -- even beyond just finding approved complexes. Why not just get "... 12/09/2009

November 30, 2009 -- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has proposed tighter rules for lenders to reduce its risk and assure it can cover future losses. More on this as new information comes out, but here's a quick summary of why they are doing this and what impact it will have on our local real estate market in Edmonds, WA. The FHA insures almost a quarter of all new loans made in 2009, and about 80 percent of that business is from first-time homebuyers.  Especially with the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit, the rush for new purchases has perhaps given some lenders incentive to push the lending limits for less qualified buyers.  This results in higher rates of mortgage delinquencies and because FHA guarantees these loans, they are left "holding the bag."  Here's an interesting statist... 12/09/2009

EDMONDS, WA -- It may come as no surprise now but home prices are down while homes sales are up. Many good deals are to be had and the $8,000 1st time homebuyer tax credit didn't hurt.  With the extension of the 1st time homebuyer tax credit, and the extension to existing homebuyers who hvae been in their homes at least 5 consecutive years out of the past eight, the winter will be interesting to see if the surge in sales continues. See my blog on real estate home sales for Edmonds, WA for specific data for Edmonds. 12/08/2009

Edmonds, WA Real Estate | October 2009 Home Sales Report Edmonds Real Estate | November 2009 Homes SOLD   There were 47 homes (houses & condos) sold in November 2009 for Edmonds, WA (actually recorded with the Snohomish County Recorder's Office).  In this monthly Edmonds real estate update blog, I'll summarize the market and point out any highlights worth noting.  Let me know if you have any questions or are thinking about buying or selling into Edmonds or the surrounding areas. If you want to learn more about how we transfer property in Washington State a really great site to visit is the Escrow Association of Washington site.  There you can find definitions and explanations of the home buying process for Edmonds, Washington.     An overview of those 47 Edmonds houses and condos:     A... 12/08/2009

What is RESPA?The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) guides those in the residential lending world on how to disclose important facts about the costs of buying a home.  HUD is requiring that loan originators provide borrowers with a standard Good Faith Estimate that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs and that closing agents provide borrowers with a new "HUD-1" settlement statement. New RESPA regulations were published November 17, 2008 and are scheduled to take full effect on January 1, 2010. The "New RESPA Rule FAQs" were comprised from industry questions and are posted to facilitate implementation of these new requirements. Rather than try and explain it all hear, I'm providing a link to HUD's website where you can read all the information for yourself. Casey 12/01/2009

We've all heard the mantra about being thankful and giving of your time, talent and resources during the holiday season. And it's true; we should. And not just in November and December but at all times. But if this is the first time you've done something, consider giving back by thinking locally.  Here are some ways to give during Thanksgiving in Edmonds, WA: Annie’s Community Kitchen provides free meals from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., Edmonds WA 98027, and needs volunteers to help prepare, serve and organize food, wash dishes and collect donated food. More info: 425-744-8090. Edmonds Community College Foundation, 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036, supports access, success, and excellence for students, faculty, and staff at Edmond... 11/25/2009

Here's a 3-minute cartoon video on closing costs and how they work. When inquiring about home mortgages, be sure to ask your lender for a "Good Faith Estimate" which outlines your likely costs when buying a home - be it a condo, townhouse, or detached single family house. Drop me a line if you have questions (none are too dumb to ask!) or want a referral to some very trustworthy people. 11/13/2009

Hey buyers, do you qualify for down payment assistance? Real estate prices - and especially those in areas like Edmonds - are still pretty healthy. In fact, the average home price in Edmonds for 2009 so far is $389,500. The homebuyer downpayment assistance program is available to teachers, public employees, veterans, folks with disabilities, and more. Check out this 3-minute video for an overview and let me know if you have any questions.   11/12/2009

EDMONDS, WA -- Edmonds lost a city community leader in Councilmember Peggy Pritchard Olson today. Until as late as last week, she was still at her job at the City Council working on behalf of the people of Edmonds.  A complete story of her passing was written up in the Seattle Times today.   - Casey 11/09/2009

If you're thinking about how best to time the market to get the best price on a home, here's a thought: DON'T. The overwhelming consensus is that our interest rates of 5% or so won't - and can't - last forever. They WILL go up. Once the economy rebounds and people starting getting their jobs back, growth will increase putting pressures on inflation, which increases interest rates.  Here's a simple 3-minute cartoon video explanation as to how increased interest rates will affect your buying power.   11/09/2009

This animated video can help you decide to buy vs. rent. It's a straightforward look at some of the pro's and con's of buying and selling. There are so many advantages - from tax deductions, to zero or reduced capital gains tax on certain profits of a future sale of your home, to simply having ownership in a community - that it's important you know before you rule it out.  Of course you will want to consult with a CPA or other financial expert to learn about your specific situation. Don't miss out on the convergence of exceptionally low interest rates, low real estate prices, federal tax breaks for new and current homeowners and the opportunity to take ownership in your community.     11/06/2009

EDMONDS, WA -- Seattle Times writer Lynn Thompson wrote a nice article on Edmonds, WA in the November 5, 2009 edition of the paper.  It focuses mainly on how the town has evolved and yet kept true to its past, with the shops and stores that have clustered around the downtown area. It's worth the read.  Perhaps over some coffee or breakfast at your favorite eatery.   11/06/2009

On Wednesday, Nov 4, the U.S. voted 98-0 to pass the expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit and yesterday, the House voted 403-12 in favor of it as well. The extended and expanded bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.  Among the bill's provisions, it will: extend the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit through April 30; create an additional $6,500 tax credit for current homeowners who have lived in their property for 5 consecutive years out of the past 8 (they must sell that home too); require proper documentation (aka proof) that they purchased a home on their federal tax filings. For details, check out this summary of the tax credit changes on my Google Docs. I've also posted a FAQ summarizing homebuyer tax credit changes for those who have further questions.     11/06/2009

New Page 1 The United States Senate has passed the home buyer tax credit extension (and expansion) 98-0 and has sent it to the House of Representatives where House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has said it will likely get passed and sent to President Obama for signature.    I thought this would be a good opportunity to share a cartoon that was developed to explain how the tax credit works. The cartoon states that the credit expires at the end of November, but we'll go on the assumption that it'll actually get extended.   11/05/2009