It may seem impossible to find the right lender in the sea of mortgage lenders. Give us a call or send us an email and we will provide you with a list of preferred mortgage lenders who are experienced, professional and will get you the best rate possible while educating you about the mortgage market.

Once you have the right mortgage lender you will receive a pre-approval letter. Pre-qualifications are only a guess based on what you tell the lender, whereas a pre-approval will give you a better idea of how much you qualify for. The lender will pull your credit and get more information about you. Employment history, hourly wages, income tax returns, paystubs, bank statements to verify income and much more. In our fast paced Pacific Northwest market sellers do not accept offers unless accompanied by a pre-approval letter or a Proof of Funds for Cash buyers.

Make a list of the things you want to have in the house. Ask yourself how many bedrooms and bathrooms you'll need and get an idea of how much space you desire. How big do you want the kitchen to be? Do you need lots of closets and cabinet space? Do you need a big yard? Most importantly, be prepared to compromise.

Once you've made a list of your must-have's, don't forget to think about the neighborhood, types of schools in the area, the length of your commute to and from work, and the convenience of local shopping. Take into account your safety concerns as well as how long you plan on staying in the area.

Once we search the marketplace and find the home you want, you'll want to make an offer. Most of the Pacific Northwest market is providing great opportunities for buyers not seen for several years. You need an experienced broker who can negotiate with sellers and cooperating brokers to get your offer accepted and help you navigate the pitfalls inherent within the real estate world.

We always recommend a home inspection. It will be well-worth the money spent since it ensures that you are aware the property's structural soundness and condition. This decision however depends on current events at the time. Other inspections may include a roof inspection, plumbing inspection, well inspection for individual wells, or a septic inspection for homes served by a onsite septic system instead of public sewer.

Be sure you talk to your mortgage lender to understand all the costs that will be involved with the closing so there are no surprises. Closing costs will likely include (but are not limited to) your down payment, title fees, escrow fees, appraisal fees, attorney fees, and points you may have bought to buy down your interest rate. Once all contingencies have been satisfied or waived and you have received closing disclosures, your lender will deliver your loan documents to the escrow company and make arrangements for signings.

After all parties have signed, the lender will review all the documents during their final underwriting process, release the funds for escrow to disburse, and the escrow company will have the closing recorded at the County. Possession may take place at a different time.