Springtime! We open our home to bring in the fresh scents of spring and send old man winter on his way. What better time to discard the old and bring in the new while helping Mother Nature— by going green. With spring comes spring cleaning. It’s an annual chore we all struggle through. While these hints won’t make spring cleaning much more enjoyable, the suggestions below might help you get through your chores a little [...]

Income taxes are due this month and if you’re among the 75 million or so Americans who have yet to complete a 2011 tax return, it’s time to figure out exactly what share of your income will go to the IRS. It’s worth pointing out that, when it comes to home deductions and credit, a lot of people get things wrong. While there are any number of mistakes one can make that will lead to [...]

Keeping our families and homes safe is a priority for all of us. Unfortunately, crime is on the rise in many areas of the country. Over 2 million burglaries occur every year, with the average dollar loss per home at over $2,000, not to mention personal safety concerns. Burglary victims often feel vulnerable, as their personal space has been violated. Residential burglaries statistically occur during the day while families are at work or school. Most [...]

HARP is designed to help more homeowners get into new, more affordable, more stable mortgages! If you have been unable to get approved for a traditional refinance because the value of your home has declined, you may be eligible to refinance through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Many mortgages that are underwater today were given to homeowners at the peak of the market in 2006-07, when sales prices were higher than  they are today. [...]

It’s fair to say the world of the mortgage originator has been transformed markedly today.  An ailing housing market, record foreclosures and sweeping regulatory reform have all made for a vastly changed landscape for mortgage originators.  As the wholesale lending business continues to contract amid the departure of some of the biggest wholesale lenders, and with regulations like the Federal Reserve’s loan originator compensation rule, how are independent mortgage originators and small to medium-sized mortgage [...]

We understand things are changing in your world with the closing of the MetLife Home Mortgage side of MetLife. We want you to know Mortgage Advisory Group is here for you as an excellent option. While you are taking this time to analyze the changes that life throws your way consider the opportunity to work for an outstanding regional company with decisions made locally.  We are ready, willing and able to accommodate your business pipeline [...]

By Anne Ramsey… It not too late to prepare for the sub-zero temperature drop that we inevitably get for a week or two in the winter. I am sure you remember two or three years ago here in Washington, when it was so bitter cold that pipes began to freeze and break, and we had day after day of snow. A few precautionary steps taken now will save you from heart break and costly repair [...]

HomePath® Versus HomeSteps® What is the difference? Homepath® is offered by Fannie Mae and Homesteps® is offered by Freddie Mac Both agencies developed their specific program to assist their effort in reselling Real Estate owned properties (REO) Homepath® is an actual financing option offering financing to 97% with NO mortgage insurance and NO appraisal Expanded seller contributions towards closing costs are allowed. Available for owner occupants and investors. Homesteps® provides borrowers with a limited 2 [...]

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people and sending more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and many types of appliances and cooking devices. Washington State requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units built or manufactured in the state. They require the seller of [...]

Wait! That house may seem like everything you’ve ever wanted, but before you make an offer, take some time to consider a few things beyond the size, style and price. 1. Visit at various times of day The windows that let in so much light during the day may be a peeping Tom’s dream at night. That seemingly quiet residential street may be a noisy, highway-feeder street during morning or evening rush hour; or it [...]