King County Real Estate and Community News

Aug. 1, 2024

Home Builders offering financing incentives WA King, Pierce Thurston County

Interest rates got you down? There are options!

Many WA state new construction home builders offer below market financing interest rate incentives

Contact us today to find out how we can be of assistance to you and a free list of new builder financing incentives!

New Construction Home Builders Offering Below-Market Interest Rates: King, Pierce and Thurston County New construction homes

The allure of owning a brand-new home with a mortgage rate lower than the market average is undeniable. In recent times, some new construction home builders have been making headlines with enticing offers of below-market interest rates. While this might sound too good to be true, it's essential to understand how these deals work and what to look out for.

How Can Builders Offer Lower Interest Rates?

Several strategies enable builders to provide lower interest rates to homebuyers:

  • Interest Rate Buydowns: Builders may temporarily reduce your interest rate for a specific period, often one or two years. This is achieved by prepaying a portion of the interest on your behalf. While attractive, remember the rate will eventually revert to the market rate.  
  • Mortgage Subsidies: In some cases, builders might offer direct subsidies to reduce your monthly mortgage payment. This can be a significant benefit, especially in the short term.
  • In-House Lending: Some builders have their own lending arms and can offer more competitive rates than traditional lenders. However, it's crucial to compare these rates with other options to ensure you're getting the best deal. 

While these offers can be tempting, it's essential to approach them with caution:

  • Hidden Costs: Look for any additional fees or charges that might offset the savings from the lower interest rate.
  • Limited Home Choices: Builders might restrict your choice of homes or floor plans to qualify for the lower rate.
  • Temporary Savings: Remember that interest rate buydowns are temporary. After the initial period, your rate will likely increase to the market rate. 
  • Fine Print: Carefully read all the terms and conditions of the offer to understand the full picture.

Is It Worth It?

Ultimately, whether a below-market interest rate from a new construction home builder is worth it depends on your individual circumstances. If you're planning to stay in the home for a long time and can handle potential rate increases, it might be a good option. However, if you plan to sell within a few years, the long-term benefits might be less significant.

It's always advisable to compare offers from multiple builders and lenders to find the best deal that suits your needs. Consulting with a financial advisor can also provide valuable insights into making informed decisions.

Have you seen any enticing offers from new construction home builders? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below.

 

Our website features the best real estate search for homes, condos, land, new construction and foreclosure properties available WA. It is the only site you will ever need! It is easy-to-use and updated by the official Realtor®’s database every 15 minutes. 

You can save searches, and get daily email alerts of new listings, price changes, sold data, and market reports. Interactive maps allow you to view properties on a map or refine your search by drawing the boundaries around the area you desire. 

Curious about what’s happening in your neighborhood? You can create a custom market report to see what’s active, under contract, and sold in your neighborhood! 

Considering selling or refinancing your home? Get an INSTANT property valuation now!

Contact us today to find out how we can be of assistance to you!

Posted in Videos
April 25, 2023

best neighborhoods in Tacoma WA

Best neighborhoods in Tacoma WA

 

Tacoma is a city with a lot to offer, from its beautiful waterfront to its vibrant downtown. But with so many different neighborhoods to choose from, it can be tough to decide where to call home. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tacoma in our opinion. You can also search all Tacoma WA communities.

Browns Point is a beautiful neighborhood located in Northeast Tacoma, Washington. It is a peninsula that juts out into Puget Sound, and it offers stunning views of the water, mountains, and city skyline. Browns Point is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. It is also home to a number of parks and recreation facilities.

This one speaks for itself, Tacoma has many beautiful waterfront and water view condos and homes. There are multiple waterfront neighborhoods.

Old Town Tacoma is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of the city. It is home to a variety of businesses, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Old Town is also a great place to live, work, or visit. The neighborhood is known for its charming, historic architecture. Many of the buildings in Old Town were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These buildings give the neighborhood a unique character that is not found in many other parts of Tacoma.

  • Point Ruston

Point Ruston is a beautiful waterfront neighborhood located in Tacoma, Washington. It is home to a variety of single-family homes and condos. Point Ruston is a great place to live, work, or visit. The neighborhood is known for its stunning views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Point Ruston is also home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and businesses. The neighborhood is also close to a number of parks, Ruston Way trail and recreation facilities. There are multiple conods and communities in Ruston neighborhoods, contact me for a detailed list for Point Ruston or search Baker Condos Copperline and Rainier Condos.

The North End of Tacoma is a charming neighborhood with a mix of historic and modern homes. It's home to some of Tacoma's best restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions, including the Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Art Museum. The North End is also a great place to live if you're looking to be close to the water.

April 20, 2023

best neighborhoods in puyallup

Best neighborhoods and real estate communities in Puyallup WA. 

If you're trying to decide where to live in Puyallup, I've put together a list of some of the best neighborhoods and their amenities. Not every community makes the list but have some great things to consider, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about or want to search all Puyallup real estate communities, have a request for a subdivision, price point, structure characteristics or requested criteria otherwise. I know Puyallup homes for sale inside and out. 

 

Downtown Puyallup has a diverse housing market, homes may consist of historic, condos, new construction, multifamily and riverfront listings. Zip codes are typically 98371 and 98372 zip codes. Some properties are conducive to farms, acreage or equestrian listings. Downtown has great entertainment including a wide variety of restaurants, antique shops, farmers market, coffee, bars, the fair and miscellaneous things to do. Properties may also be within walking distance of the sounder train for commuters. 

South Hill Puyallup consists of homes in the 98373, 98374 and 98375 zip codes. Proximity to schools, shopping, the South Hill mall, Costco or home improvement stores, entertainment and restaurants has a wide variety of options. The communities are often planned developments, new properties often with an HOA, older homes have typically larger lots and no homeowner's association. 

Often well-kept and gated community homes may have some advantages of friendly and social neighbors, community gatherings or other amenities. Shalimar Puyallup homes top this list. 

Deer Creek real estate community has often larger homes on good sized lots, some with views and and is a great real estate community.

Rodesco Puyallup homes for sale also makes the list due to custom homes, large lots and a beautifully designed neighborhood. It's also located just off the top of S. Hill making for an easier commute.

Sunrise neighborhood in Puyallup is a very large community with several smaller subdivisions. Home can range from entry-level first-time homebuyers to custom new construction. Several of these communities have views of the Puyallup and Orting valley on higher end homes.

April 17, 2023

Best neighborhoods in Auburn WA

Best neighborhoods in Auburn WA. 

If you're trying to decide where to move next check out our list of best real estate communities located in Auburn WA. These are just a few of the subdivisions and many more may be available not on the list. View all Auburn WA real estate

 

Lakeland Hills located in King and Pierce County of Auburn WA is a master planned community consisting of condos, single family and some luxury home listings. The neighborhood has several parks, walking trails and community activities. Lakeland Town center has shopping, restaurants, espresso and many small businesses. 

Auburn WA is well known for many waterfront, lake front, riverfront, view properties and other amenities. If you're searching for Auburn WA waterfront real estate the link above has all currently available homes for sale updated every 15 minutes from the MLS. 

Jornada real estate community has impressive views of MT Rainier, Auburn valley and for commuters there is great access to HWY 167, 18 and I5.

There are multiple condo communities offering affordable housing options in Auburn WA. If you have a specific development of interest, price or structure amenities the page above may be helpful. 

April 17, 2023

best neighborhoods in Bonney Lake

BEST NEIGHBORHOODS AND REAL ESTATE COMMUNITIES IN BONNEY LAKE WA

 

If you're trying to decide where to move next this list of best neighborhoods in Bonney Lake may help you decide. There are several other communities that did not make the list but may be worth exploring. Please contact me any time to discuss pricing, amenities and other neighborhood features. 

 

Tehaleh is a master-planned community located in Bonney Lake, Washington. It is a beautiful and peaceful community with a lot to offer its residents. Tehaleh is surrounded by nature, with mountains, forests, and walking trails. The community also has a variety of amenities, including schools, parks, dog park, coffee shop and dining.

Trilogy at Tehaleh has a clubhouse, pool, work out equipment, social gatherings and a restaurant.

One of the best things about Tehaleh is its sense of community. The residents are friendly and welcoming, and there are always opportunities to get involved in the community. There are a variety of clubs and organizations, as well as events and activities that are held throughout the year.

Tehaleh is also a great place to raise a family. The schools are excellent, and there are plenty of activities for children of all ages. The community is also safe and secure, making it a great place for families to call home.

Sky Island Bonney Lake homes for sale

Panorama West community

Sky Island Neighborhood is a beautiful and convenient place to live in Bonney Lake, Washington. It is a master-planned community with a variety of amenities, including homes, parks and homes with amazing views. Panorama West is a small subdivision located within Sky Island.

One of the best things about Sky Island and Panorama West Neighborhood is its location. It is located just off of State Route 410, which makes it easy to commute to and from Seattle and Tacoma. The neighborhood is also close to a number of shopping and dining options, as well as several parks and recreation areas.

Debra Jane Lake Bonney Lake neighborhood

Debra Jane Lake homes for sale are located just East of HWY 410. The community has a small non-motorized lake, boat launch, community pool and many nice amenities.

Search all available homes for sale in Bonney Lake