Windermere Blog

Increasing Your Home’s Curb Appeal

First impressions are extraordinarily powerful, and your house is no exception. When others approach it for the first time, does it strike them as clean, inviting and well maintained? In real estate, these all-important qualities are known as “curb appeal.” If you plan to put your home on the market, or simply want it to look its best, here are some ideas that will ensure your home makes a positive first impression.

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Posted on 12 June 2013 | 4:15 pm

New Features vs. Character

We are often asked, “Which is the better buy, a newer or older home?” Our answer: It all depends on your needs and personal preferences. We decided to put together a list of the six biggest differences between newer and older homes:

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Posted on 6 June 2013 | 10:41 pm

Ask the Short Sale Expert: Advice on Buying an FHA Short Sale

Q:  I am interested in buying an FHA short sale. I’ve heard they can be tough. Do you have any advice?  Travis in Renton, WA

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Posted on 31 May 2013 | 8:56 pm

Ask the Short Sale Expert: How Long After a Short Sale Can You Buy Again

Q: I've done a short sale. How long before I will be able to buy another home?
Mike in Kirkland, WA

 

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Posted on 29 May 2013 | 7:07 pm

Windermere Real Estate Launches Search App for iPhone

We’re excited to announce that the new Windermere Real Estate Search App is now available to download in the iTunes App Store.

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Posted on 28 May 2013 | 5:57 pm

Why Rising Home Prices Won’t Help Most Underwater Homeowners

Rising home prices have been in the news.  The upside:  It’s a solid sign of a recovering economy.  The downside:  It is creating unrealistic optimism among underwater homeowners, causing many of them to think, “I’ll just hold off on a short sale and see what happens.” That decision could be a very costly mistake for homeowners. Here’s why.

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Posted on 27 May 2013 | 5:17 pm

Question To Ask When Buying A Short Sale

Q: I'm thinking about making an offer on a short sale. What questions should my agent and I ask the listing agent to make sure the transaction goes smoothly?

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Posted on 24 May 2013 | 8:00 pm

5 Things to Consider if You're Behind on Your Mortgage

Financial setbacks like the loss of a job or large medical bills can make it tough to make ends meet. If you find yourself behind on your mortgage payments, it helps to be proactive.  It's also good to know that federal and local agencies, even banks, are working to help those who are behind on their mortgages from going into foreclosure.

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Posted on 22 May 2013 | 5:22 pm

The Gardner Report: Oregon & Southwest Washington I First Quarter 2013, Volume XXI

Windermere Real Estate is proud to partner with Gardner Economics on this analysis of the Oregon and Southwest Washington real estate market. This report is designed to offer insight into the realities of the housing market. Numbers alone do not always give an accurate picture of local economic conditions; therefore our goal is to provide an explanation of what the statistics mean and how they impact the Oregon and Southwest Washington housing economy. We hope that this information may assist you with making an informed real estate decision. For further information about the real estate market in your area, please contact your Windermere agent.

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Posted on 21 May 2013 | 4:56 pm

Short Sale FAQs: Understanding the Short Sale Process

What Is A Short Sale?

A short sale is the sale of a property for less than what the owner still owes on the mortgage. A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure when a homeowner needs to sell and can no longer afford to make their mortgage payments. The lender agrees to accept less than the amount owed to pay off a loan now rather than taking the property back by foreclosure and trying to sell it later. Lenders agree to a short sale because they believe it will net them more money than going forward with a lengthy and costly foreclosure process.

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Posted on 21 May 2013 | 2:45 pm