"All Things Edmonds" Blog

December 2009 Edmonds Home Sales Report

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:16:11 -0600

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:

	All homes	Houses	Condos
Number Sold:	44	30	14
Average List Price:	$448,888	$476,779	$389,123
Average SOLD Price:	$373,635	$450,512	$292,459
Total Market Value:	$17,609,786	$13,515,360	$3,094,426
*List-to-Sale Ratio^:**	83.2%	94.5%	75.2%
Average square footage:	2,048sf	2,386sf	1,325sf
$ per square foot:	$199/sf	$186/sf	$327/sf
Average Days on Market:	97	80	134
^*The percentage of the actual sales price compared to the listing (asking) price.

Single Family Residences:
For December 2009, Edmonds home sales trailed off from November 2009 by 25%. These numbers are still nearly twice the number of closings from a year ago. While we're seeing the effects of the traditional winter dip, home sales seem to have found a floor below which we don't seem to be testing, unlike a year ago. Home prices in Edmonds, WA are actually higher than last month even though total sales were down. Part of this fluctuation may be attributable to the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit which was actually extended to April 30, 2010. It took three days longer to sell a house in Edmonds, WA but it's been steady; nothing too out of the ordinary. The average sq ft of these 40 Edmonds homes was 2,386 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 80 days on the market (DOM) for the month of December. The list-to-sale ratio for these homes was 94.5% -- down slightly from last month. What that means is that homes ended up selling at 94.5% of asking price. So the average home listed at $476,779 would have actually sold at $450,512 for the month of December.

Condominiums:
Last month's spike in condo prices was an anomoly. In December, condo prices came back down in line -- and well below the average sale price for houses. Condo sales in Edmonds, WA actually doubled from last month's anemic number. But the average days on market shot up as well, from 80 in November to 134 in December. But, again, the winter months have a way of slowing down the market. This trend was no different than last year.

Overall Market:
It's certainly not a bad time to purchase (or sell) a home in Edmonds, Washington. In fact it is a great time if you are a 1st time home buyer or a long-term homeowner. The former is eligible for an $8,000 tax credit while the latter is eligible for a $6,500 credit. That's a dollar-for-dollar credit. Not just a reduction in taxable income. Actual cash back. Read the information I have written about the program here.

What do these numbers mean? Is it a good time to buy? Is it a good time to sell. It all depends on your individual situation. I would rather buy in a Buyer's market and I would rather sell in a Seller's market. But if you can't do either, it's not the end of the world. Drop me a line for more info or if you have any questions specific to your situation.

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

If you would like to purchase a home in the Edmonds Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

Similar Posts

Statistics compiled by Casey Bui using available NWMLS data | Equal Opportunity Housing | All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

HUD updates consumer disclosure rules: HUD-1 statement and Good Faith Estimate

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:04:11 -0600

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* of the cost of purchasing a mortgage from various lenders out there. The idea was to give them a ballpark figure (hence "Estimate") and consumers trusted that lenders were giving them relatively accurate figures (hence the "Good Faith"). Presently, a GFE is actually not required to be given to consumers. I always insist that my clients be given one however, since it's not only their right, but helps them understand the cost of home loans from the various lender options in the market today.

The new HUD rules for will now require that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs.

HUD-1 Settlement Statement
Upon closing a loan transaction (be it a new mortgage or a refinance of an existing one), lenders are required to produce a standard closing cost form commonly known as the "HUD-1" form. This form details the actual costs of the loan, as opposed to the estimated costs given in the GFE.

Because the time lapse between the GFE and HUD-1 statement is typically 30-45 days, many borrowers can forget what they were told at the beginning of the process. New HUD rules now stipulate a new HUD-1 form (3 pages long now) that requires lenders to show a side-by-side comparison of estimated costs (GFE) with actual costs (HUD-1). This is not a present requirement. This change can be found on the top half of page 3 of the new form.

What this means for you
These new HUD rules are meant to provide consumers with more information. Continue to shop as you have for a home loan and definitely continue to use the expertise of your trusted local real estate professional to help you understand what you're given. Good lenders and mortgage brokers are probably already providing you with the information you need to make sound financial decisions when it comes to home loans.

If in doubt, remember that the customer is always right. Never feel intimidated or stupid to ask questions or to questions what you're told. If you do, you might want to consider finding a new mortgage lender.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

December events for Edmonds, WA

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:35:57 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Condo buyers face new hurdle in FHA financing

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:24:10 -0600

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 "conventional" financing? Well, with a minimal requirement of just 3.5% down, FHA loans are a very attractive option for many home buyers. And with default rates on FHA-insured loans at about 18%, the FHA is looking for more security. I wrote more about lending restrictions on FHA loans in an earlier blog. For those complexes that are approved, there are new restrictions.

Here's a summary:

Only half of all units wiithin a complex are allowed to be FHA financed (the others being conventional loans or other financing).
In 2011, this number goes down to 30%.
There has been talk that the minimum down payment threshold of 3.5% may go up. No word yet on how much but if they are as arbitrary as I think, it might be 5%.
It's not all bad. The FHA has relaxed the numbere of pre-sold units that must have already closed before the lend money to anyone. It used to be that 50% of new buildings had to be sold; that number is now 30%.

So, if you're considering purchasing (or even selling) a condo in Edmonds, keep in mind that there are new guildelines that your lender should be aware of. Ask first; you'll save some time and heartache.

Now I'm off to educate my own condo clients....

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

FHA proposes tighter rules for lenders

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:35:54 -0600

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 statistic: for the first nine months of 2009, 18% of FHA borrowers were at least one payment behind or in foreclosure, compared with 14 percent for all loans, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Part of why FHA guarantees these loans is to promote home ownership among folks who otherwise might not afford it. It gives lenders an incentive to lend out money. But at the same time, just because the FHA is guaranteeing these loans isn't license for lenders to qualify the really unqualified. Or so says the FHA.

The New Rules
The FHA proposes to require lenders to have a net worth of at least $1 million in the first year and $2.5 million within three years. That's up from the original requirement of $250,000. The government agency also wants to tighten approval requirements for lenders who want to originate, underwrite or service FHA loans and make them liable for those loans, including ones originated by mortgage brokers.

The agency is tightening its regulations as its finances continue to worsen. FHA said in mid-November that its reserves fell to $3.6 billion, compared with $685 billion in outstanding insured loans for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. That's a ratio of 0.53 percent and far below the 2 percent threshold required by Congress.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

King & Snohomish County sales up; prices down

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:40:39 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Real Estate Data for Edmonds, WA - November 2009

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:21:25 -0600

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.

An overview of those 47 Edmonds houses and condos:

	All homes	Houses	Condos
Number Sold:	47	40	7
Average List Price:	$440,916	$436,733	$464,813
Average SOLD Price:	$422,622	$420,097	$437,050
Total Market Value:	$19,863,245	$16,803,895	$3,059,350
*List-to-Sale Ratio^:**	95.9%	96.2%	94.0%
Average square footage:	2,121sf	2,258sf	1,338sf
$ per square foot:	$199/sf	$186/sf	$327/sf
Average Days on Market:	78	77	80
^*The percentage of the actual sales price compared to the listing (asking) price.

Single Family Residences:
For November 2009, houses in Edmonds, WA sold at a relatively good rate. We are seeing the inevitable dip with the coming of the winter months but compared to a year ago, the number of homes sold in Edmonds, WA is 300% better! Prices are down significantly but at least the volume has picked up dramatically. This is a good overall sign of the real estate market for our area. Even given the slower real estate market, most folks should be happy with an average marketing period of under three months.

The average sq ft of these 40 Edmonds homes was 2,258 sq ft. These homes spent an average of 77 days on the market (DOM) for the month of November. The list-to-sale ratio for these homes was 96.2%. What that means is that homes ended up selling at 96.2% of asking price. So the average home listed at $436,733 would have actually sold at $420,097 for the month of November.

Condominiums:
It's hard to make general statements on just seven closings for the month of November. We saw prices increase dramatically. In fact, there is a general trend over the past year for higher and higher sales prices for condos. This might be explained, in part, for the higher end condos built along the Sound.

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

Similar Posts

Statistics compiled by Casey Bui using available NWMLS data | Equal Opportunity Housing | All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

New lending disclosure law in effect: RESPA and the Good Faith Estimate (GFE)

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:52:23 -0600

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

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Ways to give during Thanksgiving in Edmonds, WA

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:52:54 -0600

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 Edmonds Community College. Cash and vehicle donations are needed. More info: 425-640-1274 or www.foundation.edcc.edu.
Edmonds Food Bank, 828 Caspers St., Edmonds, WA 98020, is located at Edmonds United Methodist Church. Food and cash donations are needed. Donations are accepted through the north door of the church from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. More info: 425-778-5833.
Need some help with dinner this year? Thanksgiving at Westgate Chapel in Edmonds is open to anyone who would otherwise spend the holiday alone or not have enough money to feed their family. This will be the 15th year that Westgate has put on this dinner. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive one hour early for hors d’ouvres and family photos. Westgate Chapel is located at 22901 Edmonds Way.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Casey

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Closing Costs: A cartoon explanation

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:56:54 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

WA state down payment assistance: a video explanation

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:28:48 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Edmonds Councilmember Peggy Pritchard Olson died today

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:30:24 -0600

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

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

How interest rates affect your mortgage payments: A video explanation

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:29:50 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Rent vs. Buy - a cartoon explanation

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:35:26 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com

Seattle Times article on city of Edmonds, WA

Casey Bui (Rockwell Realty) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:42:35 -0600

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.

www.CaseyBui.com - Learn about real estate and how I can help you.

My "All Things Edmonds" Blog - For all the details on Edmonds, Richmond Beach and Shoreline that you'll never be able to find in one place.

SEARCH THE MLS NOW. YOUR FREE, CUSTOMIZED SEARCH ENGINE. LOOKING FOR A BETTER MLS SEARCH ENGINE? CLICK HERE FOR THIS FREE & PRIVATE MLS SEARCH ENGINE WITH THE MOST POWERFUL SEARCH TOOLS ANYWHERE.

_______________________
Casey Bui, MPA, RealtorAssociate Broker,
Residential Real Estate Division
Rockwell Realty
(206) 234-5611
caseybui@gmail.com