Category: News

The U.S. housing market is poised for a healthier, more active year in 2026, with major forecasters calling for lower mortgage rates, more home sales, and steady—not runaway—price growth. A Market Turning the Corner After several years of low inventory and higher borrowing costs, many economists see 2026 as a turning point rather than a repeat of the recent slowdown. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) projects that existing-home sales could rise by about 14% in 2026, helped by easing mortgage rates and solid job growth. At the same time, NAR expects nationwide home prices to increase around 4%, supported by strong demand and an ongoing shortage of homes for sale. Mortgage Rates: Gradual Relief, Not a Freefall Prospective buyers should not expect a return to the ultra-low rates of…

Buying a home isn’t only about the interest rate — it’s also about how you structure the deal. One of the most overlooked tools is negotiating credits that reduce your upfront costs or improve your monthly payment. When done right, this can make a home purchase feel a lot more comfortable without changing the home you want. A common strategy is a seller credit, where the seller contributes money toward your closing costs (and sometimes prepaid items like taxes and insurance). Another option is an interest rate buydown, where funds are used to temporarily lower your rate for the first year or two (like a 2-1 buydown). These tools can be especially helpful if you want to preserve cash reserves after moving in. The key is matching the strategy to…

When most people apply for a mortgage, they assume approval is all about income, credit score, and down payment. While those are important, underwriters look at far more than just the basics. In fact, some of the biggest approval delays — or denials — come from details borrowers never realize matter. Here are five things underwriters pay close attention to that often surprise buyers. 1. Consistency of Income — Not Just the Amount It’s not only how much you earn, but how stable your income appears over time. Sudden changes in pay structure, recent job switches, bonuses, overtime, or commission income can all trigger extra scrutiny. Even higher income doesn’t always help if it lacks consistency. Underwriters want to see a clear, predictable pattern that suggests your income will continue…

🎉 Congratulations to our newest Tacoma VA homeowner! From application on 12/1 to keys in hand on 12/12 — proof that VA loans can move fast. In many cases, VA financing closes quicker than FHA or even conventional loans.

Applying for a mortgage can feel overwhelming, but the process is more structured—and often faster—than many buyers expect. Once your application is submitted and documents are provided, the loan begins moving through a clear sequence of steps designed to keep everything on track toward closing. In the first one to two weeks, your lender reviews your application, income, assets, and credit, and collects required documentation. During this time, employment and assets are verified, disclosures are issued, and the appraisal is ordered. Quick document uploads and prompt responses here can significantly reduce delays. By weeks two to three, the appraisal is completed and underwriting takes a full look at your loan file. The underwriter may request a few final items or clarifications, which is very common. Responding quickly during this stage…

Fed Cuts Rates — What It Means for Washington Veterans Paying Over 6.125% The Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% rate cut this week, and while the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, this move often leads to lower refinancing opportunities — especially for VA loans. For Washington State Veterans who locked in rates at 6.125% or higher, this could be the best window we’ve seen in years to explore an IRRRL (VA Streamline Refinance) or full VA cash-out refinance. Why This Matters in Washington 1. WA Home Prices Make Every Rate Drop Count With the median home price in Washington well above the national average, even a small reduction in rate can mean hundreds in monthly savings for VA borrowers. 2. VA IRRRL Programs Shine When Rates Improve For qualified…

Interest rate headlines have been front and center lately, and for mortgage borrowers the tone is cautiously encouraging. Recent data shows mortgage rates holding roughly steady in the high‑5% to low‑6% range for many well-qualified borrowers, a noticeable improvement from the peaks of the last couple of years. While no one can guarantee the exact timing or size of future moves, the overall direction has shifted away from constant increases and toward a more balanced, buyer‑friendly environment. Central bank policymakers are now openly debating when and how quickly to ease policy, rather than whether further hikes are necessary. That shift alone has helped calm longer-term bond yields, which are a key driver of fixed mortgage rates. As investors increasingly price in the possibility of modest rate cuts over the coming…

2026 Conforming Loan Limits in Washington State The baseline limit for most counties in Washington for a single-family home in 2026 is: ➡️ $832,750 However, some higher-cost markets — particularly in the Seattle region — have increased conforming limits due to higher local housing prices: ➡️ $1,063,750 in King, Pierce & Snohomish Counties 2026 Washington State Loan Limits by County County Metro Area 2026 Conforming Limit Adams Othello, WA $832,750 Asotin Lewiston, ID-WA $832,750 Benton Kennewick-Richland $832,750 Chelan Wenatchee-East Wenatchee $832,750 Clallam Port Angeles $832,750 Clark Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro $832,750 Cowlitz Longview-Kelso $832,750 Douglas Wenatchee-East Wenatchee $832,750 Franklin Kennewick-Richland $832,750 Grant Moses Lake $832,750 Grays Harbor Aberdeen $832,750 Island Oak Harbor $832,750 Jefferson Port Townsend $832,750 King Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue $1,063,750 Kitsap Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard $832,750 Kittitas Ellensburg $832,750 Lewis Centralia $832,750 Mason Shelton $832,750…

Thanksgiving has a special way of bringing families together, and with that comes meaningful conversations about the future. While everyone gathers around the table, it’s natural to talk about plans, goals, and dreams for the coming year. For many families, homeownership is one of the biggest and most exciting milestones to plan for — and the holiday season creates the perfect space to start that discussion in a relaxed, supportive setting. As you enjoy time with loved ones, sharing your vision for buying a home can help everyone get on the same page. Whether it’s deciding what area you want to live in, discussing budget expectations, or thinking about the features that matter most, Thanksgiving offers the chance to explore these ideas without pressure. You might even find that family…

Becoming a homeowner when you're self-employed can feel intimidating, but with the right preparation, it’s absolutely within reach. One of the most important steps is organizing your financial documents early. Lenders will typically ask for two years of tax returns, year-to-date profit and loss statements, and consistent income records. By gathering these documents ahead of time, you make the process smoother and show that your business income is reliable. Another key step is strengthening your credit profile. Even if your income varies from month to month, a strong credit score can help offset that volatility. Paying down revolving debt, avoiding new credit applications, and monitoring your credit report for errors can make a big difference in the loan programs you qualify for. Self-employed borrowers often find that small credit improvements…