The Real Estate AF Blog - Homeownership Exposed: The Truth About Buying A Home in 2023

The Real Estate AF Blog

Homeownership Exposed: The Truth About Buying A Home in 2023

News Flash, Folks! The internet lies, deceives and misrepresents. I’m seeing all kinds of absolute Poppycock on a regular basis. (Yes, I said “poppycock”.) So, I’m going to give it to you straight and expose the actual truth about buying a home in 2023 in Western Washington. 

Just the facts:

• First time home buyer programs are readily available for zero or little down and with the proper guidance, most people can qualify.

• You DON’T need 20% down. That is a thing of the past, unless you’re utilizing equity from a previous purchase.

• Mortgage insurance isn’t a reason not to buy any more than paying interest on your loan or paying for homeowners’ insurance. It’s just part of the cost and the rewards far outshine it.

• Yes, the interest rates are high and getting higher, but that means that the courageous and capable are the only ones in the market to buy, so you get to negotiate a better deal than when borrowing money is cheap and the competition is through the roof. Rates are temporary. 

• Corporate Box Banks give terrible advice, hand out useless pre-qualifications and rarely deliver without costing you unexpected money, delays and useless other hassles. Seriously, you don’t “have a relationship with them”. You are a number and they can’t deliver the best service, for a hundred different reasons. Hint: Your Real Estate Broker will connect you with a great Mortgage Broker.

• It is a highly competitive market for buyers and it will require the best proven systems, strategies and experience to successfully find the right home, negotiate the best possible outcome and get you to the winner’s circle. No, your Aunt Susie (who does real estate part time) does not have the ability to do this for you. Send her some flowers and then hire a Great Real Estate Broker who has their finger on the pulse of the market and the experience to get the job done.

• A great real estate broker has great relationships with the lenders, title insurance, escrow, inspectors and other professionals you will need on your side to get the job done. So, start there.

• You absolutely MUST get off the internet and speak with an actual human being about your goals. The WA Home Hunt Team is a small group of local professional real estate brokers who have the best technology available, the training/experience necessary, and proven systems that will get the best possible outcome. It starts by having the courage to reach out and start a conversation. I can promise you this for sure… We aren’t a bunch of pushy salespeople looking to talk you into something. We are real people, just like you, who are offering wise counsel to talk you through everything.

Written by: Jeryd Smith, Founder of WA Home Hunt and a real estate broker, licensed in Washington State. Is he an idiot or a genius? Who knows, but he is opinionated and that's just what this writing is… his opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.