Real Estate
Home Plan
The appeal of this home, Plan HMAFAPW00766 from Homeplans.com, comes from the porch that wraps all the way around providing great outdoor living space. Inside, 1,673 square feet of living space awaits.
Date: 05/31/2012 | Home and Garden
Contracts for home sales dropped in April
WASHINGTON -- A gauge of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell in April from nearly a two-year high in the previous month.The decline was the biggest in a year. Still, sales are well ahead of last year's level for the same month, suggesting the housing market is improving slowly.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Home prices rise in most major U.S. cities
WASHINGTON -- Home prices rose in March from February in most major U.S. cities for the first time in seven months. The increase is the latest evidence of a slow recovery taking shape in the troubled housing market.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Business
Free credit report websites deliver worthless results
Question: I recently went to one of those free credit report websites and paid for a copy of my FICO credit scores. The report said my FICO score is 722 and my husband's is 720, which are both considered to be "excellent" credit.
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
30-year mortgage rate falls to record 3.78 pct.
WASHINGTON -- The average U.S. rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record low for a fourth straight week. Cheap mortgages have helped boost home sales modestly this year.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
Home plan
There's a lot to like in this one-story design, plan HMAFAPW00689 from Homeplans.com. With 2,916 square feet of living space on one level, there's plenty of room to spread out.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Home and Garden
Burpee auctioning famous Kingston garden
KINGSTON -- The famous Heronswood Gardens at Kingston in Kitsap County is being sold at auction.The 15 acres of gardens contain 10,000 plants collected from around the world.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Northwest
Sales of new homes rose 3.3 percent in April
WASHINGTON -- Americans bought more new homes last month, the latest evidence that the U.S. housing market could be starting to recover.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Sales of homes continue to build
WASHINGTON -- Americans are buying more homes in every region of the country, the latest indication that the housing market could be on the mend.An increasing portion of those sales are from first-time buyers, who are critical to a housing recovery.
Date: 05/22/2012 | Business
Screen tenant's credit, criminal history before renting
Question: I have read your articles in The Herald and like your practical advice. My husband and I independently rent a home in our neighborhood. Our question is how does an independent landlord run a credit report on prospective tenants?
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
30-year mortgage rate falls to record 3.79%
WASHINGTON -- Average U.S. rates for 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages fell to record lows for the third straight week. The steady decline has made home-buying and refinancing more affordable than ever for those who can qualify.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Business
Fewer U.S. homes foreclosed on in April
LOS ANGELES -- National foreclosure trends took a positive turn in April, as the number of homes seized by banks declined and fewer properties entered into the foreclosure process.
Date: 05/18/2012 | Business
Woodway pitches smaller plan for Point Wells
WOODWAY -- The town of Woodway has drawn up an alternative vision for Point Wells, the waterfront industrial site where an international developer wants to build 3,100 high-rise condos.
Date: 05/17/2012 | Local News
Home Plan
Looking for a classic country home with room for rocking chairs on the porch? Plan HMAFAPW01301 from Homeplans.com delivers graceful curb appeal.
Date: 05/17/2012 | Home and Garden
40-story apartment tower planned in Seattle
SEATTLE -- A developer plans to begin construction next month on a 40-story apartment tower in downtown Seattle near the Paramount Theater.The 440-foot-tall building will have 386 units and 269 parking stalls.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Northwest
Agency wants to make home loan fees easier to grasp
If you're as busy as I am, asking you to weigh in on yet another request for comment from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is likely to be greeted with a well-understood “humph.”
Date: 05/13/2012 | Business
Gray areas of community property law
Question: Years ago, my in-laws gave my husband a house that really needed a lot of work to make it livable. We have spent thousands of dollars fixing the place up.
Date: 05/13/2012 | Business
Home Plan
Equally beautiful as a primary or vacation home, Plan HMAFAPW01007 from Homeplans.com offers surprising amenities and lots of curb appeal with stone accents.
Date: 05/10/2012 | Home and Garden
Three keys to Silvana
Town's historic general store, tavern, gas station for sale
Date: 05/07/2012 | Local News
Rental property isn't a guaranteed investment
Question: I saw your column on the subject of novice real estate investors. There is one issue I am interested in just as a public issue. This is the idea people seem to believe in that anyone who invests in real estate is somehow entitled to a rental income that is at least equal to their...
Date: 05/06/2012 | Business
Economy in ‘virtuous,’ if slow, cycle, analysts say
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. economy's recovery looks enduring. It's just not very strong.
Date: 05/04/2012 | Business
Home prices rise 10% in Snohomish County
Home prices are on the rise in Snohomish County, according to a report released Thursday.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Business
Home plan: Country-style cottage
This country-style cottage, Plan HMAFAPW00784 from Homeplans.com, would make a fine vacation retreat or everyday home.At 1,072 square feet on two levels, it fits just about anywhere.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Home and Garden
County’s economy gets mixed report
EVERETT -- Snohomish County's economy is showing signs of recovering from the 2008 recession, but economist Bill Conerly says the region may never return to the go-go days before the economy collapsed.
Date: 05/02/2012 | Business
Cooking tips to help sell your home
Home decorator Jennifer Schweikert, of Just My Style By JMS in Burke, Va., has worked with real estate agents and clients to stage or prepare homes for sale.
Date: 05/02/2012 | Life
Advice for a novice real estate investor
Question: It looks like the housing market might be starting to pick up so it seems like this would be a good time to find some bargains and refurbish old homes and sell them for a profit.
Date: 04/29/2012 | Business
Condo values drop in Snohomish County
Condominium values in Snohomish County dipped by 15 percent on average compared with a year ago, according to the latest notices from the county Assessor's Office.More than 20,600 notices are scheduled to hit the mail Monday.
Date: 04/28/2012 | Local News
'Rare' mill land for sale
Kimberly-Clark has formally offered the waterfront site 'unpriced'
Date: 04/27/2012 | Bizblog
Rate on 30-year mortgage dips to 3.88 percent
WASHINGTON -- The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has dipped to near its record low, keeping home-buying and refinancing affordable.
Date: 04/27/2012 | Business
Pending home sales up
LOS ANGELES -- The job market might still be trying to find its footing, but with pending home sales at a nearly two-year high, the housing market at least seems to be heading back on track.
Date: 04/27/2012 | Business
Home Plan
This country-flavored design, Plan HMAFAPW00730 from Homeplans.com, offers a lovely exterior and a family-friendly layout with surprising amenities.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Home and Garden
Help for military families hit by illegal foreclosures
By Tom PhilpottSo far, several hundred military members who lost homes to illegal foreclosure actions by big banks and mortgage servicers have received settlements of $116,785 each for economic loss and emotional distress. They also have been paid any equity lost plus interest.
Date: 04/23/2012 | Business
Use attorney in non-brokered home purchase
Question: We are interested in purchasing a home privately, that is, without the seller using a real estate broker.
Date: 04/22/2012 | Business
Minority neighborhoods neglected by banks
We know from numerous reports that the housing crisis hit minority families pretty hard. Minority homebuyers by the tens of thousands were trapped in predatory mortgage loans and, as a result, their communities disproportionately felt the impact of foreclosures.
Date: 04/22/2012 | Business
Hiring, home sales may be slowing, reports say
WASHINGTON -- Momentum in U.S. hiring and home sales appears to be slowing, according to fresh data.
Date: 04/19/2012 | Business
Unpaid housing fees raise questions about forgery
SNOHOMISH -- The city is investigating whether forged documents allowed two dozen new homes to be sold without the city first being paid more than $239,000 in required fees typically paid by the developer.
Date: 04/19/2012 | Local News
Home plan
A wraparound porch, a welcoming entrance and a thoughtful floor plan make this house, Plan HMAFAPW00760 from Homeplans.com, a pleasure to come home to.The home features 1,640 square feet of living space on two levels.
Date: 04/19/2012 | Home and Garden
Optimism grows for U.S. housing market
WASHINGTON -- It's been a long time since the market for new homes has looked this good.Rising rents and a healthier job market are inspiring more people to consider buying.
Date: 04/17/2012 | Business
5 turn-offs that will prevent your home from selling
Home sellers find interest heats up in the spring as many families look to get settled in a new place before the school year starts in August.
Date: 04/15/2012 | Business
Protect yourself in land purchase
Question: How would we handle buying land from a person who has title, but still owes the original owner and makes his payments with our payments? He can sign title over to us, but it is not clear title. What do we do to ensure maximum safety for this transaction?
Date: 04/15/2012 | Business
Bank reports boost optimism for housing market
NEW YORK -- Earnings reports from two major banks Friday painted a picture of a healing housing market, with more Americans taking out mortgages, paying them on time and taking advantage of low interest rates to refinance.
Date: 04/14/2012 | Business
Home plan
Surprising amenities and special touches make this 2,000-square-foot home, Plan HMAFAPW00921 from Homeplans.com, a lovely choice.Bay windows dress up several rooms, including the front bedroom, the master bedroom in back, and the dining room.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Home and Garden
Consumer watchdog proposes crackdown on mortgage companies
WASHINGTON -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday will consider a host of new rules that would force the nation's mortgage servicers to provide greater accountability and transparency in their dealings with borrowers.
Date: 04/09/2012 | Nation & World
Snohomish County home prices look stable
The number of homes for sale in Snohomish County last month was down nearly 44 percent compared to March 2011, indicating a stabilizing housing market.
Date: 04/09/2012 | Business
Living trusts don't save taxes, but can be helpful
Question: As seniors, we have twice been approached by salesmen for trust lawyers.
Date: 04/08/2012 | Business
County home sales up; fewer houses on market
The number of homes for sale in Snohomish County last month was down nearly 44 percent compared to March of 2011, indicating a stabilizing housing market.
Date: 04/06/2012 | Business
Home plan
At 2,129 square feet, this country home offers elbow room for the family.The covered front porch provides a shelter for the inviting paneled front door with its flanking side window lights.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Home and Garden
Now renters can screen landlords
Successful entrepreneurs and small business owners are good at spotting trends. More importantly, these individuals have a knack for monetizing while others may miss a golden opportunity.
Date: 04/02/2012 | Business
Joint house deal goes sideways
Question: I purchased a home as tenants in common with a friend. I paid more than $40,000 down and my friend paid nothing down. My friend is listed as the "borrower" on the loan and I'm the "co-borrower." We have been splitting the monthly mortgage payments.
Date: 04/01/2012 | Business
Home plan: a single-story design
Vaulted ceilings lend a sense of spaciousness to this three-bedroom home, plan HMAFAPW01243 from Homeplans.com. The single-level design features 1,408 square feet of living space. An unfinished basement offers the opportunity to double that space.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Home and Garden
A cure for the common vacant storefront
Seattle Times deputy business editor Rami Grunbaum writes about a program that arranges for arts groups to temporarily occupy vacant retail spaces to keep them active and spified-up:
Date: 03/26/2012 | Bizblog
Price isn't only reason a home doesn't sell
My recent columns about reducing your asking price in order to sell your home generated more response from readers.
Date: 03/25/2012 | Business
Sales of new homes fall again
WASHINGTON -- Sales of U.S. new homes fell in February for the second straight month, a reminder that the depressed housing market remains weak despite some improvement.
Date: 03/24/2012 | Business
Bank of America starts foreclosure rental program
WASHINGTON -- Bank of America has launched a pilot program that will let some homeowners at risk of foreclosure become renters and stay in their homes.
Date: 03/24/2012 | Business
Mortgage rates rise above 4%
WASHINGTON -- The average U.S. rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose above 4 percent for the first time in five months. The sharp increase suggests the window to buy or refinance a home at historically low rates is closing.
Date: 03/23/2012 | Business
Home plan
For a getaway that has both sleek style and a comfortable open layout, discover plan HMAFAPW01236 from Homeplans.com.
Date: 03/22/2012 | Home and Garden
U.S. home re-sales complete best winter in 5 years
WASHINGTON -- U.S. home sales are gradually coming back. A mild winter and a stronger job market have helped boost sales ahead of the crucial spring buying season.
Date: 03/22/2012 | Business
Skotdal buys Everett Elks building
EVERETT -- As the first residents began to move into the 178-unit Library Place apartments next to the Everett Public Library, developer Skotdal Real Estate said Friday it had bought the neighboring Everett Elks building out of foreclosure.
Date: 03/20/2012 | Business
Home not selling? The price is too high
Question: I read your recent column in The Herald and I find it lacks any truths that apply to the housing market. You say to price your home to sell, but what is that price? You say to compare to other homes, but what if there are no other homes that you can compare too?
Date: 03/18/2012 | Business
Some states saw spike in foreclosures in February
LOS ANGELES -- Foreclosure activity surged last month across about half of the nation's states, as banks tackled a backlog of homes with mortgages that had gone unpaid yet remained in limbo due to delays stemming from foreclosure-abuse claims.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Business
Home plan
Enjoy time with family in this comfortable one-and-a-half-story bungalow, plan HMAFAPW00474 from Homeplans.com.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Home and Garden
To sell a home quickly, you must price it low
Question: I have been trying unsuccessfully to sell my home for the past few weeks after being told by my company that I would have to relocate. I am single, so I have no family concerns, but I am worried about having these payments hanging over my head after my move. My company offers me no help...
Date: 03/11/2012 | Business
Home plan
This one-story plan, design HMAFAPW00629 from Homeplans.com, provides maximum livability in a compact design.The open layout offers 1,898 square feet of living space on one level.
Date: 03/08/2012 | Home and Garden
Q&A: A look at Obama’s latest mortgage-aid plan
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is offering some relief to homeowners who have government-backed mortgages. Under a program President Barack Obama unveiled Tuesday, the government would cut the fees it charges to insure those borrowers.
Date: 03/07/2012 | Business
Local home sales rise in February
Home sales in Snohomish County continue to outpace last year, though the supply is beginning to dry up, according to a report released Monday.
Date: 03/05/2012 | Business
Renting vs. buying home comes down to job stability, finances
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Renters often hear jeers that they're paying somebody else's mortgage.They feel pressure to escape rent increases and take advantage of low home prices last seen a decade ago.
Date: 03/04/2012 | Business
Mortgage documents further clarified
Question: I was able to pay off my mortgage last October and read in your column that I should have a "satisfaction" document. What I received is a paper called "Substitution of Trustee & Deed of Reconveyance." Is this the same thing?
Date: 03/04/2012 | Business
Home Plan
Whether you choose the stately brick design or a casual farmhouse alternative elevation, plan HMAFAPW01251 from Homeplans.com will make an impressive statement on your block.
Date: 03/01/2012 | Home and Garden
Home prices hit new lows in U.S. largest cities
LOS ANGELES -- A key gauge of home prices in the nation's largest cities fell in December to its lowest level since the start of the housing crisis in mid-2006.
Date: 02/28/2012 | Business
How to choose the best real estate agent for you
Question: We are planning on selling my mother's home this spring and do not know any real estate agents. Can you suggest a good way to select an agent we can feel comfortable working with? Are there interview questions we should ask?
Date: 02/26/2012 | Business
U.S. home sales jump more than 4 percent in January
WASHINGTON -- Sales of previously occupied homes rose in January by the highest pace in nearly two years, flashing modest signs of health ahead of the spring-buying season.
Date: 02/22/2012 | Business
Staging your home can help it sell faster
Question: We want to sell our older home and buy a townhouse or condominium.Frankly, our house is a bit rundown and may be hard to sell. What should we expect from a real estate agent to sell this house?
Date: 02/19/2012 | Business
Contractors anticipate better market for remodeling
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Residential contractors are hoping that tight-fisted consumers will decide they need a new bathroom.Or maybe it's time for those old kitchen counters to go.Perhaps it would be better to add another bedroom than move?
Date: 02/19/2012 | Business
Home plan
Charming and economical to build, this 1,319-square-foot brick design, plan HMAFAPW01295 from Homeplans.com, is ideal for first-time homeowners, retired couples, or anyone who would enjoy an affordable, easier-to-maintain home.
Date: 02/16/2012 | Home and Garden
Empire State Realty Trust plans $1 billion IPO
NEW YORK -- The company that runs Manhattan's Empire State Building is planning an initial public offering that could raise as much as $1 billion.
Date: 02/14/2012 | Business
4Q home sales up in state, but not prices
Sales of existing homes in Washington rose in the final quarter of 2011, but prices continued to drop.
Date: 02/13/2012 | Business
Learn the real estate lingo, get suggestions at websites
Real estate is no easy game, as "underwater" homeowners have found in recent years. You need your wits about you, and these sites help you do that with plain language and suggestions.
Date: 02/12/2012 | Business
Two ways couples can own real estate together
Question: My (then) fiance and I bought a house a couple of years ago with both names on the deed and mortgage. The paperwork specifically lists us as single persons. We each pay 50 percent of all payments and fees. We were married six months ago. Neither of us has changed our legal names. Do we...
Date: 02/12/2012 | Business
Deal will mean $648 million for those with troubled mortgages in the state
OLYMPIA -- A $25 billion agreement reached Thursday between states and the nation's biggest mortgage lenders should help several thousand Washington homeowners refinance, and thousands more who've lost their houses through foreclosure could receive checks for $2,000 each.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Business
Q&A: What the mortgage settlement might do for you
WASHINGTON -- The mortgage settlement that government officials announced Thursday is intended to help victims of foreclosure abuses that followed the housing bust.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Business
States, 5 biggest banks reach $25 billion foreclosure-abuse settlement
WASHINGTON -- U.S. states reached a landmark $25 billion deal Thursday with the nation's biggest mortgage lenders over foreclosure abuses that occurred after the housing bubble burst.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Business
Home Plan
For those who dream of living in a vintage-style home while retaining the comfort of modern amenities, plan HMAFAPW00431 from Homeplans.com is a perfect choice.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Home and Garden
Home sales increase, prices shrink in January
Snohomish County's housing market continued the trend it's been following for the past few months: Pending sales and closed sales are up, prices are down.
Date: 02/07/2012 | Business
Forced to sell
Soon after husband's death, Marysville widow faces foreclosure
Date: 02/06/2012 | Local News
Half of county home sales were foreclosures or short sales
Nearly half of all single-family homes sales last year in Snohomish County was either a short sale or foreclosure, according to Washington Property Solutions, a short sale negotiating company based in Bellevue.
Date: 02/06/2012 | Local News
Title, escrow companies can review quit claim deeds
Question: As an employee of a local title company, I would like to please have you clarify your article on quit claim deeds, to prevent any frustrations on consumers' expectations of what a local escrow and title company can provide them.
Date: 02/05/2012 | Business
Home Plan
You might be surprised at the spacious layout inside this traditional design, Plan HMAFAPW00321 from Homeplans.com. Efficient design makes the most of 1,536 square feet of living space, which can be doubled by finishing the full basement.
Date: 02/02/2012 | Home and Garden
President Obama details broader home refinancing plan (Video)
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — President Barack Obama called on Congress Wednesday to make it easier for millions of additional homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower interest rates even if they owe more than their homes are worth. He conceded that his administration's housing plans so far...
Date: 02/01/2012 | Nation & World
Obama details broader housing plan to encourage refinancing
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- President Barack Obama called on Congress Wednesday to make it easier for millions of additional homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower interest rates even if they owe more than their homes are worth. He conceded that his administration's housing plans so far have not...
Date: 02/01/2012 | Business
VA home loans are available to vets long after their service
Question: I am a veteran, 50 years old, and I wonder if I can still use my VA loan benefit. I have never used it before.Answer: Yes, you can use your VA (Veterans Administration) loan benefit any time, no matter how long you have been out of the service.
Date: 01/29/2012 | Business
Answer isn’t fewer mortgages but smarter loans to homebuyers who are ready
During a recent financial workshop I conducted at my church, I met a single mother who couldn't afford her mortgage.
Date: 01/26/2012 | Business
Home plan
Spanish architecture meets modern livability in this one-story home, plan HMAFAPW00735 from Homeplans.com. The home has 2,612 square feet of living space on one level.
Date: 01/26/2012 | Home and Garden
Marysville gives residents a chance to discuss marina cleanup
MARYSVILLE -- The city is giving residents a chance to learn more about a grant that could be used to help clean up the Geddes Marina.
Date: 01/25/2012 | Local News
County home sales rise in 2011
Nearly 3,000 fewer homes were listed for sale last year in Snohomish County than in 2010, according to a report released Monday by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. But sales of single-family homes rose 9.6 percent, and the median single-family-home price in 2011 dropped 11.6 percent to...
Date: 01/24/2012 | Business
Giving home to daughter is tricky
Question: What are the tax consequences of a quit claim deed on the recipient? We want to give our house to our youngest daughter and continuing living in the house until we die, paying for the property taxes, upkeep, etc., but not owning it any more. How does a quit claim deed work?
Date: 01/22/2012 | Business
Home sales up at end of dismal year, offering hope
WASHINGTON — Home sales in December reached their highest pace in nearly a year. The gain coincided with other signs that the troubled U.S. housing market improved at the end of last year.
Date: 01/21/2012 | Business
Home plan
Details make the difference in this one-story home, Plan HMAFAPW01168 from Homeplans.com. With 1,794 square feet on one level, the well-designed home offers plenty of space for a young family, but finishing the full basement could double the home's living...
Date: 01/19/2012 | Home and Garden
How to go about acquiring an ownership stake in son's house
Question: I plan to buy half of my son's house, and we will use it as a rental as he is buying another house to live in.
Date: 01/15/2012 | Business
Home plan
This American classic, Plan HMAFAPW00914 from Homeplans.com, features a full wraparound porch. Inside, the design offers 1,673 square feet of finished living space on two levels. An unfinished basement allows for expansion space of 979 square feet.
Date: 01/12/2012 | Home and Garden
Despite Boeing hiring, state economy still stalled
The state economy continues to be weighed down by a slack housing market and less demand for construction, despite bright spots in key areas such as aerospace and computer software, the state's chief economist told lawmakers in Olympia on Monday.
Date: 01/10/2012 | Business
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