Courtney Potter's (courtpotter) Blog

For those in subprime and/or foreclosure distress, there are more and more options for you.  Nation's Housing syndicated columnist Kenneth Harney (Dec. 16, 2007 Seattle Times) clearly presents the main avenues those with subprime and/or ill-suited mortgages can take for some needed relief.  A vol...

Home sellers, here are some good tips to get your place sold faster. (from Seattle Times Dec. 16, 2007)  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2004073793_tips16.htmlBe active in the entire process, use the internet, and don't overprice.  "Some 84 percent of buyers use the Internet to s...

This article from The Seattle Times on Nov. 18 illustrates how King County's condominium market has been a solid segment in this current economy.  This continues to support that many people want to live near work and the myriad benefits of urban living.  With the encouragement of infill and the p...

With the tightening of lenders in this current market, potential home buyers are seeking new sources for their down payments.  Basically, the days of zero-to-minimal funds down are gone.  I read an article from the Nov. 11 Seattle Times that talked about this.  It's written by Washington Post rep...

All too often borrowers wait until the last minute or until it's too late to address a resetting mortgage rate or a change in other circumstances (death in the family, job loss...) that would make mortgage payments unaffordable.  To alleviate things, loan modification is one option, but lenders p...

One Seattle-area real estate analyst suggests, and is really counting on, King and Snohomish County home prices to remain strong or increase soon.  Even though many developers are offering discounts and "toys" to lure in buyers during this economic stall, with home inventory at less than 6 months...

This article from this past Sunday's Seattle Times talks about the mortgage fallout going on in Pierce County.  Washington has been quite fortunate of late in that the state hasn't had the foreclosure problems that have been extreme in other parts of the nation, thus this is the first mention of ...

It's about time again for the monthly all-you-can-eat Swedish pancake breakfast at the Sons of Norway Hall in Bellingham.  It takes place this coming Saturday, October 20 from 8-11 am.  For $6, you get an initial plate of ham, eggs, 2 pancakes with lingonberries, and an orange slice, plus plenty ...

The impression most people have of the current housing slump is that it's really a mess and that it wouldn't be worth looking into a mortgage -- current rates and underwriting standards are barriers too big to qualify in today's market.  Forget that thinking.  With good ratios and credit scores, ...

I'm wondering if many folks in Whatcom County (and WA in general) are affected by the fact that their home is taking long (in some cases many months) to sell.  Are retirees having to wait to travel across the country?  Are soon-to-be retirees having to wait to downsize?  Inventories have been up ...