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Very few things in life are quite as exciting as buying your first home. It's part of the American dream. And although home prices keep rising, ownership is within the realm of possibility, even for those who don't make humongous salaries. Of course, the larger your down payment, the lower your monthly payments. And if you can come up with 20 percent, you avoid paying expensive private mortgage insurance (PMI). Why you want to avoid paying PMI: PMI typically costs about 1/2 of 1 percent of th... Read Full Post

During the moving process it’s very convenient to use credit for everything from your home loan to your furniture financing to those fluffy new towels. While you’re busy filling out application after application, inquiries are being added to your credit history! Too many inquiries can lower your credit score and prevent you from obtaining future credit at the best rates possible. By following these three simple steps, both you and your credit report can emerge from the moving process in a... Read Full Post

If you’re considering buying a house that’s more than a few years old, there may be some hidden problems you can discover before you make a purchase offer. Although putting a professional inspection contingency in the contract will help protect you from surprises, doing your own inspection before making an offer could save you considerable time and money. How can you tell if a property is worth buying? Here's how to look at the big picture -- for structural concerns, major repairs that ar... Read Full Post

These numbers are based on a three month historical analysis that is updated on a weekly basis. MLS Area 500 (Newcastle, Bellevue South of I-90 & Issaquah South of I-90) Single Family Homes Average Days on Market: 93 Days (Down From 97 Last Week) Inventory of Active Listings: 591 (Up from 562 Last Week) Inventory of Sold & Pending Listings: 165 (Down From 253 Last Week) 47 listings are absorbed by demand each month on average. (Down From 51 Last Week) 11 Months Worth of Supply (Up fro... Read Full Post

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning." 2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." 3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!" 4. My mother taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, ! that's why." 5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, y... Read Full Post

1961 Seattle, Washington, USA Edward E. Carlson, designer Did you know the 605 foot (184 meter) Space Needle was designed by Edward E. Carlson for the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle. The futuristic structure has become a symbol for the city, and is home to festive events such as the annual New Year's Eve fireworks display. The structure has gone through many transformations. Early plans called for a tethered balloon. Carlson's plan called for a soaring needle topped by a disk reminiscent of a f... Read Full Post

With traffic and gas prices both getting worse new numbers tracking use of the new HOT lanes on State Route 167 between Auburn and Renton show that not only are more drivers each week using the lanes, they don't seem to mind paying more for them either. The lane is free to cars with two or more passengers. But state troopers are writing $124 tickets to drivers caught crossing the HOT lane's double-white line. To use the HOT lanes drivers must set up prepaid Good to Go accounts and install win... Read Full Post

Posted by Lonnie Snyder under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, Regional - West, General Information, Statistics, News & Media These numbers are based on a three month historical analysis that is updated on a weekly basis. MLS Area 500 (Newcastle, Bellevue South of I-90 & Issaquah South of I-90) Single Family Homes Average Days on Market: 97 Days (Up From 95 Last Week) Inventory of Active Listings: 562 (Up from 542 Last Week) Inventory of Sold & Pending Listings: ... Read Full Post

Police say there was nothing to indicate a crime. Skeletal remains found Thursday at a construction site in the Renton Highlands likely belonged to a person who was buried more than 60 years ago on the property, Renton police reported. Police excavated the property after an adult jawbone was found Tuesday while the developer was digging to connect utilities to new homes at 2209 Edmonds Ave. N.E. In their excavation, police found more remains, along with metal poles and brackets that likely we... Read Full Post