Buying A Home While Quarantined

Soooo, I am very much an introvert and haven’t been too bothered by this ‘shelter in place’, but I am just about caught up on my shows that I record and realized that I am a bit antsy today.  For those of you who are finding you are running out of things to do, I decided to share somethings you can do virtually and guess what, you can buy a house during quarantine! 

 

I just recently had a couple do just that and they are closing in 3 weeks!  Here is how it works:

  • We may be in doors, but homes are still online and finding a home is still very accessible!  As a broker, I am still able to show homes as long as an appointment is made, and we don’t overlap visits. (homebuying was never a group activity, so that hasn’t changed much)
  • My lender partners all have online approval processes and can provide you insights on your pre-approval and/or what you need to do if you aren’t quite ready yet. (I have two couples working on this piece, they should be ready to go in a matter of weeks!)
  • If down payment assistance is what you need, all programs have an online option if you need to take a class and doesn’t require you show up in person. 
  • The title/escrow companies all have virtual document preparation, earnest money delivery, and signings.
  • I am glued to my computer, so I am available to help you in anyway you require my assistance! 

This epidemic does not have to stop your life, and with rates being so low this is a great time to get in the homebuying market! Contact us today at nicole@bascombrealestate.com or 206.250.3133

How to Finance a Home Renovation

 

finance a home renovation

Outdated kitchen. Overrun backyard. Unusable basement space. If you have a home project in mind, the first thing you must consider is how you’re going to finance a home renovation. Here are the most common options for completing it.

Cash. Paying in cash is the most straightforward financing option, just save until you have enough money to cover the expenses. This will help eliminate spending outside your budget; however, it can also extend your timeline.

Mortgage Refinance. If you’re making payments on your home for a few years and your interest rate is higher than current market rates, you may be eligible for a mortgage refinance, reducing your payments and freeing up some money.

Cash-Out Refinance. You can tap into your home equity and borrow up to 80 percent of your home’s value to pay off your current mortgage, plus take out more cash to cover the renovations. This option is encouraged only when you’re making improvements that will increase the value of your home, as it can add a lot of interest and fees.

Home Equity. Getting a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. You receive usually up to 80 percent ( in some cases you can go up to 90 percent) of your home’s value, minus the amount of your loan.

Retirement Funds. Homeowners can consider pulling money from a 401K or IRA account, even though they aren’t specifically meant to finance a home renovation. This option might incur additional penalties or tax payments. But may be worth it when making improvements that will benefit them financially in the long run.

Setting Strategic Goals: The Great Debate

The Great Debate

With social media abuzz around the great debate of ‘is this a new decade or not’, I for one am excited for what this year and the 20s will bring! My focus: setting strategic goals. I stopped practicing new years resolutions many years back when I realized, they just didn’t work as measurements that were going to be truly attainable in a new year.

setting strategic goals images

 

What I have found effective is practicing setting strategic goals throughout the year. But, I do have specific goals I set at the top of the year to get me motivated for the year to come. The beginning of a year is a time of reflection, renewal, reworking, and revitalization for me; and this new year and decade (I chose a side) has come with a sense of accomplishment just waiting for me to get there!

In order to walk into what is waiting for me, I have a few things I do to prioritize:

1. Identify the most important thing(s) I need to accomplish this year with realistic dates set to accomplish them
2. WRITE IT DOWN and post it prominently so that I see them daily, weekly etc.….
3. Create a process and/or processes to ensure I have the tools and support necessary to achieve them
4. Revisit my list of goals at set times to ensure I am on track
5. Get started and stay committed to my process.

I am beyond excited about this year and what’s in store. Whether your decade started 01/01/20 or will start 01/01/21, I pray you to walk in His will for your life and blow your goals out of the water! I know I am!

Nicole & Bascomb Real Estate Group

#LifeGoals

As 2019 comes to a speedy end, time is intent on trying to leave me behind with how fast it’s going by!  I don’t know about you, but I find myself having to take stock of my next moves much more often then I use to.  Time waits for no (wo)man and it certainly is not making any concessions for me; which brings me to #LifeGoals.  

 

Taking stock or evaluating your next moves doesn’t have to involve writing a business plan for your life.  All your plans do not have to be on a 1 – 5-year track, short #LifeGoals are highly effective in helping one move forward in a very meaningful way.  Take for instance the holiday season we now find ourselves in, what goals have you set for this time? The new year is just around the corner and planning for your 2020 moves requires your immediate attention! This is the perfect opportunity to do things you’ve put off because you had it categorized under ‘next year I will….’; or ‘I will wait for the new year’; no do it now!  Take that mini-vacation you‘ve been putting off but need desperately; take your kid(s) to that place they refuse to leave you alone about; read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for a year; seriously start the process to becoming a homeowner with the simple act of pulling your credit and reviewing it; the opportunities for small victories are endless. Completing these small tasks can get you to your final goal(s) surprisingly quick and you don’t have to put them off or feel as if you don’t have time or capacity, just do it!  

As for me, I followed this path and completed some major projects both at home and at work that probably may not have gotten accomplished had I not started small.  I am making headway towards my strategic goals that do require more time, thought and attention and I am feeling invigorated! Just take 1 – 2 hours out of a day, or every other day, and get started! #LifeGoals 

 Have a great week and give us a shout with your questions/comments/inquiries customerservice@bascombrealestate.com and follow us at https://www.facebook.com/bascombrealestategroup/

The Importance of a Good Mattress

I am a sleeper; when it is time to get in the bed, I am laser-focused about getting there! My mattress plays a huge part in the quality of sleep I get and as I have gotten older, the type of mattress I need recently changed.
You’ve got more options than ever when mattress shopping these days with no shortage of brick-and-mortar and online-only retailers to choose from. Here are the factors you should consider when you’re shopping for a perfect night’s sleep.

Mattress construction: The most popular mattress types are innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and adjustable air mattresses. Each has pros and cons when it comes to durability and comfort customization.
Firmness: Mattress firmness plays a huge role in the quality of your sleep. Mattresses that are too firm or too soft can cause aches and pains, so it‘s recommended that you test a mattress for 10- to 15 minutes at the store before making a purchase.
Sleeping position: Your mattress should match your sleeping style (side, back, face-down, etc.). You want a mattress that keeps your spine in proper alignment. For example, some mattresses are better for side sleepers, while others are better for back sleepers.
Size: It’s not quite as simple as choosing between a king and a queen mattress. You should also consider your height, as some mattresses are a better fit for shorter people while tall people will want a longer mattress, so their limbs aren’t hanging over the edge of the bed.
Stability: For couples, you should consider how the mattress reacts when one person moves, so the other person’s sleep isn’t disturbed in the middle of the night. Particularly if one of you is a sleeper (me) and one is not (my husband).

Moving For Work, Should I Buy?

real estate agents in Seattle Washington

When you move to a new area, particularly for a new job, one of the many decisions that may be considered is whether you should rent or buy a home in your new city.  Either way, real estate agents in Seattle Washington will be a huge help in deciding which is which. Also, there are additional questions one would consider:

  1. How long will I be here?
  2. Does it make sense from a financial perspective?
  3. Where would I live if I am not familiar with the area?

The list of questions goes on, but for transplants to the Pacific Northwest the answer is pretty simple, YES! Buying property in either King, Pierce, or Snohomish Counties is a practical move given our booming economy and market.  If you stay 1 year or 10 years, the property you purchase will more than likely cost you less than renting while you reside in the area. Given the increase in rents, if you leave the area you can convert your property to an investment vehicle or sell it and use the equity for your next move.  Finding the right area and checking real estate agents in Seattle Washington is just a click or call away. Let us help you answer those burning questions around buying!

Must Have Home Depot Tools

 

home depot tools

 

When you own your home, things are going to break and, unless you want to spend your money on visits from a neighborhood handyman, you’re going to need to fix them yourself. Luckily, you don’t need an arsenal of tools to handle most home maintenance fixes. These five home depot tools will cover most of your basic projects.

1. Cordless drill. A cordless drill is a must-have for installing cabinets, drawer pulls, hinges, picture frames, shelves and hooks, and more. Whether it’s for do-it-yourself projects or repairs, you’ll use your cordless drill just about every month.

2. Drain cleaners. Shower and bathroom sink drains are susceptible to clogs because of the daily buildup of hair and whisker clippings. You can use chemical clog removers like Drano, but they’re expensive and the lingering chemical scent is unpleasant. Instead, buy some plastic drain cleaners that can reach into the drain to pull out the clog of hair and gunk. You can purchase them on Amazon or at a local hardware store for a low price.

3. Shop-vac. No matter how careful you are, spills and accidents will happen and there are some tasks that just can’t be handled with paper towels or a standard vacuum, like pet messes or broken glass.

4. Loppers. Even the minimum amount of care for your landscaping will require some loppers to remove damaged branches, vines, thick weeds, and any other unruly plants in your yard.

5. Flashlight. You’re going to want something a little more powerful than your iPhone flashlight when you’re in the crawlspace!

Want more relevant content about homes? Click here and learn more!

Cautionary Tale of a First Time Homebuyer

 

first time homebuyer

 

As a real estate broker, my relationship with my clients doesn’t end at the closing of their transactions. I provide support with whatever my clients need. There are questions about rates as they are ready to refinance; home renovation; new purchases and the list go on.

Recently one of my clients contacted me, she had purchased her home the previous year and had some concerns regarding her transaction. She was a first-time homebuyer and had purchased a condo and after a year she confessed she wasn’t happy with her transaction. We got together for tea, so I could find out what exactly her concerns were and help her resolve them. What she disclosed to me was one of the many things I discuss with my clients but may not always get; full disclosure.

What the problem was

She acknowledged that, although I talked with her about providing me and her lender full disclosure regarding her purchase, she did not provide it. There was pertinent information that needed to be shared with us as her homebuying partners, but she omitted these crucial pieces. Now she finds herself in a situation she isn’t necessarily happy with because she did not provide me with all the critical information I needed to help her make the right decisions when it came to her purchase. She is very happy she bought a home, but not necessarily the circumstances by which it was purchased. This is the first time I’ve had a client admit this to me. I was so glad she did. We were able to discuss a plan of action and next steps and we are on the way to her turning this situation around for the better!

What can you do as a first time homebuyer

As a buyer or seller, it is imperative you work with someone who you can trust. You need to trust in their ability to execute your real estate transaction properly. Trust their capacity to counsel you through the process, and your comfort in sharing all the information that must be shared. Even if you have bought and sold before and are not a first-time homebuyer. Every transaction is different and requires a professional to ensure your needs are met and you end up with the best-case scenario for you! Study after study and survey after survey reflects the need for a real estate professional and consumers’ wantonness to work with one. What is not shared is the need to provide your real estate agents in Seattle Washington with the adequate tools she/he needs to support you and your family!

Grant Money Available for All Homebuyers

Summer is here and the time to buy is now! As a Realtist with the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), we are offering an amazing opportunity for all homebuyers regardless of your current status as a homeowner.

NAREB has partnered with Eagle Connect and United Security Financial to provide a grant program for homebuyers to support our 2 million new black homeowners in 5 years (2Mn5) campaign! Grant funding for your new home purchase ensures you don’t have to pay back the funds you are awarded for down payment assistance and/or closing costs AND you don’t have to be a first-time homebuyer. Many down payment programs are for first-time homebuyers and must be paid back when you refinance or sell, but these funds do not!

Contact Bascomb Real Estate Group today to get qualified; we want to support you in buying a new home for the first time OR the second, third or fourth time!!

When Life Steps In

Have you had the best laid plan to be consistent with a specific task and/or process only to see life step in and completely change your trajectory?? You’ve started a new project that is very important; you get a great rhythm going and you are getting comfortable with the process and BAM, full stop! If you haven’t experienced this, I certainly have and very recently.

Sharing information with the community; educating; and providing the services that we provide for home buyers and sellers is core to our real estate work. In order to do this social media plays a central role in the sharing of that information. But life stepped in and I haven’t been online for the past two months and I must admit, I did miss sharing information with the community.

My hope is as I return to my platforms, you continue to find value in the information I share. So thanks to all of you who engaged with us prior to our hiatus and our hope is you continue to find value as we move into another summer!

About Us

Purposeful in providing the most personal of services, our firm is small in size by design in order to enhance the exceptional service we provide.  We are one of the premier real estate agents in Seattle Washington that prides ourselves in offering superior knowledge and skill making us the only choice for your real estate needs.