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Adrian Willanger's Blog

By Adrian Willanger | Agent in Shoreline, WA
  • Tips on becoming a Seattle real estate investor

    Posted Under: Market Conditions in Seattle, Home Buying in Seattle, Financing in Seattle  |  February 3, 2012 3:11 PM  |  555 views  |  No comments

    A Seattle real estate investor, like any other businessman, has only one goal in mind and that is to become successful. Success can be elusive and has a lot to do with your belief system. No one has ever achieved something without a firm belief in themselves and in what they are doing.

    When it comes to Seattle real estate, you can only be successful if you become a good marketer. To become a good marketer, you must sell value to others and get them to believe in what you are selling.

    One false belief that is common in business today is the thought that you can do everything by yourself. This has been taught by the so-called gurus as the key to success. Real life experience has taught us otherwise and nothing can be further from the truth.

    There are 2 main things that you must consider if you want to succeed in Seattle real estate and in business.

    1. Teamwork

    Contrary to what these gurus teach, it is impossible for one person to be able to do everything. You must find a team of people who are skilled in different things and form a team that works together efficiently. A good team of qualified professionals brings about balance. Every team member brings their strengths to the table and in this way, success is inevitable.

    2. Coaching

    The best way to learn is to watch those who are already successful. Find real estate investors that have been successful in real estate and learn from them. This is one of the best ways to study because it is practical and real.

    This Seattle real estate market update is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth& Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.


    Related posts:

    1. Things to Consider When Selecting A Seattle Real Estate Agent (10.5)
    2. Frequently Asked Questions about Hiring A Real Estate Agent In Seattle (9.4)
    3. 5 tips on how to freshen up your Seattle home when selling (9.1)
    4. Real Estate Investment in Shoreline, Wa.-Putting together a Business Plan (8.8)
    5. Finding The Right Shoreline WA. Real Estate Agent At The Right Office (8.1)
  • Where Can I Apply for a Seattle Mortgage Besides a Bank?

    Posted Under: Market Conditions in Seattle, Home Buying in Seattle, Financing in Seattle  |  December 19, 2011 7:28 AM  |  514 views  |  No comments


    Where Can I Apply for a Seattle Mortgage Besides a Bank?


    Statistically speaking, most people get their Seattle mortgages through a bank. While there are a lot of benefits to getting a loan from a commercial bank, you have other options available to you. Here are a few places where you can apply for a Seattle mortgage loan besides a bank.

    Seattle Mortgage Broker – People in this industry serve as an intermediary between lenders and individuals looking for loans. Typically, Seattle mortgage brokers have access to a large pool of resources which they can help homebuyers find a loan with the best terms for their particular situation. Most are paid a commission and must comply with banking and finance laws in the consumer’s jurisdiction.

    Direct Lenders – There are people out there who will lend you money directly to purchase a home. For the most part, these people will be friends or family members who have a large amount of cash they are willing to hand over to you. Arrangements like these typically involve a contract that lays out the terms of the loan such as the repayment schedule and interest rates. On the surface, this may seem like the best option. However, money has a way of ruining relationships, so make sure you are willing to take that chance before you sign on the dotted line.

    Credit Unions – Technically credit unions are banks. Unlike commercial banks, however, credit unions are owned by the members of the institution. In addition to receiving better interest rates and terms on your mortgage loan, you will often receive better service. Credit unions are usually more willing to work with members who may have credit problems and the profits generated by the institution are funneled back into the local community.

    Consider all of your available options when looking for the best Seattle mortgage for you. It could end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.

    This blog is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

  • What Is The Total Cost Of Purchasing A Home In Seattle

    Posted Under: Home Buying in Seattle, Financing in Seattle, Property Q&A in Seattle  |  November 18, 2011 8:15 AM  |  497 views  |  No comments

    What Is The Total Cost Of Purchasing A Home In Seattle

    When all is said and done, all of the costs of purchasing a home in Seattle need to be added up for a total figure. Until you do this, you cannot really estimate how much house you can afford. It is something that a lot of people don't do until the last minute, which can result in some sad moments. You certainly don't want to end up falling in love with a home only to find out that the total cost puts it completely out of your price range.

     

    Here are the costs that you're going to have to tally up before deciding on how much you can realistically spend for a home in Seattle.

    1. Getting an appraisal 

    In most cases you will be responsible for paying for the appraisal fee. The lender will arrange for this appraisal to be done but it will be added onto the final cost.

    2. Insurance costs 

    If you need to get a mortgage with a high ratio you may have to pay mortgage insurance. Also, since your home in Seattle will act as a form of security on your mortgage, your lender will expect you to get fire and vandalism insurance as well.

    3. Broker fees 

    If you have any type of credit issue or problem proving your income, you may have to work through a mortgage broker to set up a special home loan. Because there is more work involved, you'll have to pay a separate higher fee for the application processing.

    4. Getting a land survey 

    Your lender will ask for a land survey in most cases to make sure that your neighbor’s property or assets are not encroaching on the land. A land survey establishes the boundaries of the Seattle property you intend to buy. 

    5. Legal costs 

    You'll need to get a lawyer to help you make the purchase legal and advise you on any of the legal implications. A title search will need to be done and the mortgage will need to be prepared and registered.

    6. Taxes 

    Needless to say, you'll also have to factor in getting the utilities set up, the cost of the move itself and whether or not you want to have the house professionally cleaned before you move in. 

    Taking all of these things into account, you'll have to go through each one separately when you are purchasing a home in Seattle.  Your agent can walk you through each one so that you can have a pretty good estimate of how much in total it will cost you to buy the house. 

    This blog is courtesy of Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536 helping people buy and sale homes in the Greater Seattle area.

  • The Benefits of Modern Broadview Bungalows

    Posted Under: Home Buying in Seattle, Home Selling in Seattle, Financing in Seattle  |  October 24, 2011 7:36 AM  |  369 views  |  No comments

    The Benefits of Modern Broadview Bungalows

    The modern Broadview bungalows of today have taken on a new dimension. Although bungalows were much bigger some years back, modern bungalows often have a living space that is smaller in size and are beautiful and attractive to live in.

    Bungalows offer a lot of benefits including:

    • Affordability

    Maintaining modern Broadview bungalows is cheaper than many other types of homes. They have fairly modest heating and cooling requirements due to their moderate and open spaces. Unlike other houses, which have high ceilings and multiple floors, air conditioning and heating costs are reasonably lower.

    • Movement

    Bungalows are more accessible than multiple story houses. It is more convenient for an individual with limited mobility to access all the rooms in this type of house.

    • Modification

    As far as modification is concerned, bungalows are not restrictive. More rooms can be added whenever the need arises. It is possible to convert a bungalow into a multiple story house. As a family grows and extra space is needed, more room can be added. In two story homes and condominium units, this sort of flexibility and ability to modify does not exist due to how they are built.

    • Re-Sale

    Bungalows, when well-maintained, tend to have a higher resale value. Many people prefer this style of house because of the benefits it offers and its appearance. They often tend to have a unique appearance compared to other style of houses. You can usually sell a bungalow, even when the real estate market is low, for a good profit.

    • Comfort

    These houses are extremely comfortable to live in. Some have modern balconies for relaxation, dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms and some are equipped with modern entertainment technology as well as leisure luxuries such as swimming pools.

    If you are thinking about buying to purchase a home, a modern Broadview bungalow can probably offer you the benefits you are looking for. Bungalows are beautiful and comfortable for family living.

    Contact Adrian Willanger for more information about bungalows in Seattle.

  • The Risks Involved With A Seattle Home Equity Line of Credit

    Posted Under: Home Selling in Seattle, Financing in Seattle, Credit Score in Seattle  |  October 21, 2011 8:24 AM  |  450 views  |  No comments

    The Risks Involved With A Seattle Home Equity Line of Credit

     

    A Seattle home equity line of credit, commonly known as HELOC, is simply a loan taken against your home. It works very similar to a credit card only it is a secured loan. You can access credit up to the value of the equity in your home.

     

    While this kind of loan offers many advantages, there are risks and disadvantages that you’ll have to keep in mind. Many people who have taken this kind of loan have benefited greatly, while others have lost greatly.

     

    Advantages of HELOC

     

    There are a number of advantages of taking out a HELOC. These include:

     

    ·        Financing

    If you are looking for finances to start or expand your business or invest is a profitable venture, you can take advantage of a Seattle home equity line of credit, to access financing.

     

    ·        Interest

    The interest rate is charged on the actual amount of money you access, not the entire value of your equity. You have the option between fixed or variable interest, depending on what works best for you.

     

    ·        Repayment

    When it comes to a HELOC, repayment focus is on the interest accrued first, for up to 15 years. It is only after this that the principle becomes payable.

     

    Even with these advantages, you must consider the disadvantage of HELOC. Some of these disadvantages are:

    ·        Repayment

    Once the loan is in place, the lender can and probably will hike up the repayments you need to make each month. Make sure that you are able to meet these hiked repayments before taking the loan.

     

    ·        Credit Ratings

    Your credit rating can be affected adversely if you fall behind on payments or make some payments late. You must therefore plan your finances very carefully before jumping into a HELOC. At the worst, you can lose your home if you fall badly behind on repayments.

     

    Take note of these advantages and disadvantages before applying for a Seattle home equity line of credit.

     

    For more information on buying or selling real estate in and around Seattle contact Adrian Willanger, Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates. 

  • Buying Your First Shoreline Home - Co-Buying Options Part 1

    Posted Under: Home Buying in Shoreline, Financing in Shoreline, Property Q&A in Shoreline  |  October 11, 2011 6:45 AM  |  466 views  |  No comments

    Buying Your First Shoreline Home  Co-Buying Options Part 1

    If you are having a hard time scraping together the money required to make a down payment on your first Shoreline home purchase you do have an option that you may not have considered before. Have you ever thought about co-purchasing a home with one of your close friends or relatives? This may be the solution that you need to start investing your money into Shoreline real estate.

    A lot of people overlook this option since it is quite a jump to take on a business relationship with a friend or member of your family. Also, this kind of endeavor must only be made with a trustworthy person. Anyone that has not yet reached this level within your trust group should not be used for this type of arrangement since many friendships have been ruined when business becomes a part of the relationship.

    Making an agreement

    Once a verbal agreement has been made it will need to be transformed into a legal one. It is advisable to use a real estate attorney that has drafted up this sort of agreement before.

    A lawyer that has experience in co-ownership agreements has seen the kinds of potential problems that can come up in the future. While all may seem promising during the first discussions, things can become heated later on and can cause this type of ownership to turn into chaos. For example, if anything is not fully understood between the two parties involved it can create confusion down the road. When everything is in writing, however, these are easily cleared up to everyone's satisfaction.

    Think about the possibility of investing in your first Shoreline home with someone else if you are short on a down payment and don’t want to wait any longer to get started. It really is a lucrative option that can get you towards home ownership much sooner.

    To find that perfect property for sale contact Adrian Willanger at Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 206 909-7536.

  • Do You Have To Get A Mortgage At A Bank To Buy A Shoreline Home?

    Posted Under: General Area in Shoreline, Home Buying in Shoreline, Financing in Shoreline  |  October 4, 2011 6:35 AM  |  453 views  |  No comments

    Do You Have To Get A Mortgage At A Bank To Buy A Shoreline Home?

    If you have never purchased a home before you may be wondering whether you need to buy a Shoreline home using a bank mortgage or whether there are different options available. There are certainly other choices than just banks for mortgages and in some cases they may be much cheaper!

    Here are some of your options for getting a home loan.

    Credit Unions

    A credit unit can be a great resource for a mortgage when you want to buy a Shoreline home. You need to belong to one of the unions first before you can make an application for one. There are a lot of different credit unions - one to meet almost anyone's needs. Just look on the Internet and find out which ones in the area you qualify to work with and check their loan terms. In some cases you will see lower rates or better features offered on the mortgages offered.

    Internet financial websites

    While it is important to be careful when looking at Internet financial institutions, there are some reputable companies out there that can give you a great mortgage to buy a Shoreline home. If you consider ING, for example, it is totally Internet-based, yet does have a stand-up reputation in the financial world. There are others as well. Simply do your homework to find a banking company that you can trust on the net.

    Private loans

    As long as you are borrowing money from people that you know very well, stay away from this type of loan entirely. The rates are high and there may be conditions attached that do not work in your favor.

    It is always wise to go shopping for a loan to buy a home at the right price. Don't just settle for the rate that your bank is offering. You do have choices and in many cases you can end up saving thousands of dollars over the course of the years.

    Looking to buy or sell in Shoreline Washington put Adrian Willanger’s years of experience to work for you, call him directly at 206 909-7536 or email.

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