We are often asked “is now a good time to sell my home?” The answer to that question is based on what your family’s personal and investment goals are. If you have been thinking about selling, now definitely is a good time. Here are five reasons why: Reason #1: Your House Will Get More Exposure Now in LateContinue reading “Fall 2015 is a great time to sell – 5 Great Reasons to Sell Your House Today”
Author Archives: Kerstin
Summer 2015 Newsletter – Brooks & Heinze Seattle Real Estate Team
Seattle Market Update: No inventory! The kids are almost out of school, the temps are up, and the lawns are starting to turn brown. It must be summer (in a few days anyways)! The Seattle real estate market is suffering from severe inventory shortages (few people list their homes for sale) and motivated buyers areContinue reading “Summer 2015 Newsletter – Brooks & Heinze Seattle Real Estate Team”
Risks of Overpricing your Home
The news of low inventory and many properties selling above asking price in multiple offers in hot neighborhoods makes many sellers eager to price their home high because they want to make sure they get the highest price possible. Pricing the home correctly is really, really important. Of course, you don’t want to underprice theContinue reading “Risks of Overpricing your Home”
Prequalified vs. Preapproved – what’s the difference?
Prequalification vs. Preapproval: These terms are often used interchangeably — but there are big differences between the two. With a prequalification, the lender is performing a few checks on the prospective borrower’s finances to determine the home loan amount they may qualify for. A prequalification letter tells you how much the client will probably beContinue reading “Prequalified vs. Preapproved – what’s the difference?”
What to Consider When Buying Hardwood Flooring – article by guest blogger Ron Anders
There are a lot of reasons to buy hardwood flooring: it’s easy to take care of, it looks nice, and it can increase the value in your home. Hardwood floors are also better for people with allergies than carpet. So, if you are convinced that installing hardwood floors is right for you, here are someContinue reading “What to Consider When Buying Hardwood Flooring – article by guest blogger Ron Anders”
Has the Seattle Housing Market Gone Nuts? Yes! But why?
The market sure has heated up. Prices are going up and multiple buyers are competing for the few houses available.
So what’s going on?
– Seattle Unemployment is Low:
In February the Seattle area’s unemployment rate hit its lowest level since September 2008 at 5.1%.
– Consumer Confidence is High:
Confidence is now at a new post-Financial Crisis high.
– Mortgage Rates are Still Attractive:
Current interest rates are roughly on par with where they were in August 2011 and still two points below the 6.41% average rate during the height of the housing bubble through 2006
– Limited Supply of Homes Available for Sale:
There is about a 1.8 month supply of homes for sale in King County. A 4-6 month supply is needed for a balanced market between home buyers and sellers. We are NOT in a balanced market – we have a strong seller’s market.
Homeowners–the primary wood destroying organism (blog written by Charles Buell)
One of the most common wood destroying organisms in the NW is the Moisture Ant. Like Dampwood Termites and Anobiid Beetles, they are “opportunistic” in the sense that moisture conditions have to be correct (conducive) for them to be present.As a Licensed, Washington State, Home Inspector and a Licensed Structural Pest Inspector, if I foundContinue reading “Homeowners–the primary wood destroying organism (blog written by Charles Buell)”
Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team – Fall Newsletter 2013 (mailed 10/18/13) – State of the Market, Winterizing your Home, When to Short Sell, and more
Dear Clients and Friends, What an exciting year 2013 has been for real estate so far. I am sure you have heard the buzz of multiple offers returning to the market place. Homes selling in a few days. Home prices soaring. But is that the whole story? What does it all mean? Please read our newsletterContinue reading “Brooks & Heinze Real Estate Team – Fall Newsletter 2013 (mailed 10/18/13) – State of the Market, Winterizing your Home, When to Short Sell, and more”
How to get Preapproved for a Home Loan
One of the first steps you will do when you think about buying a home is talk with a mortgage broker to get preapproved for a home loan. As a real estate agent, I am often the first contact for home buyers and I am often asked how to get preapproved for a home loan. Your realContinue reading “How to get Preapproved for a Home Loan”
Competition is Fierce – Hot Seattle Housing Market
Multiple offers – Rising Property Prices – Rising Interest Rates – Low Inventory – Preinspections – Cash Offers, …. this is what my clients are dealing with everyday now. Yes the market is hot. It’s exciting and exhausting. The video below, recently aired on King 5, describes what buyers are going through well. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO WorkingContinue reading “Competition is Fierce – Hot Seattle Housing Market”
Kerstin G. Brooks, Broker 