Thinking of buying your first home or trading up?

A recent study by our friends at Fannie Mae shows that Home Buyers did not know the answer to these 3 important questions:

1.) What is the minimum down payment for a home?
2.) What is the minimum FICO (credit) score required to qualify for a mortgage?
3.) What is the Maximum Back-End DTI Ratio?

Many people were unsure how to answer these questions which is probably why a great number of people mistakenly think they don’t qualify for a mortgage or can’t afford to buy a home. According to Fannie Mae, the minimum Down Payment required is only 3%, and the minimum Credit Score to qualify for a mortgage is 620, which is a pretty average number. And what the heck does DTI mean anyway??? DTI stands for Debt To Income ratio. That is the amount of money you pay out to debt each month compared to the amount of income you bring in each month. So a maximum DTI of 45% means you can’t have more than 45% of your income go toward debt of all kinds including your mortgage. That way you won’t have to make a choice between food with your meals or paying the mortgage.

It is always important to arm yourself with knowledge before diving into any adventure!

Get Your Guide to the Hottest Real Estate Market in the Nation

Seattle’s real estate market, both residential and commercial, has been cooking for a few years, making it tough for people who want to enter the  market, or even move within it. That’s where the 1st-ever Metropolist Magazine jumps in to inform.

Our 1st magazine is a 12-page guide packed with 2 main types of content, based on the last 6 months of market activity:

1. Stories
2. Data

Designed to easily inform and inspire you, this guide shares high-level data and professional insights about single-home, condominium and commercial sectors.

By neighborhood

Also, we’ve broken the data out by neighborhood provided by NWMLS data and Trendgraphix. So, if you’re living in Ballard or University District, head over to page 9.

Curious about what’s been going on in West Seattle or Belltown? Those are on page 10, along with loads of other neighborhoods and districts. Fremont? Queen Anne? Madison Park? Yes, yes & yes….and more.

The color coded legend at the top of page 9 will make it a snap for you to understand at a glance.

Our aim?

Keep it simple, but provide great information around a large investment that directly affects the most important things in your life… your home, your family and your future.

Making the most of it

For best strategies and results, we suggest you ask your trusted broker to walk through this guide for more personal insights based on your own home and investment goals.

Whether you’re buying, selling or just checking in on the market, it’s time to download your 12-page Metropolist Magazine now.

Worried about inviting guests over because of Fido?

Pet owners know that [wo]man’s best friend comes with all the love and mess of sharing your life with a furry friend. This can sometimes include …odors. Uh, wet dog, anyone?

And what if you want to entertain for friends & family? Whether your digs are big or small, cleaning up for guests to come over can seem like a daunting task, especially if you have pets.

We found a great article that might give you the insight, tips & hacks you need. Apartment Therapyhas outlined some easy tips to keep your home consistently tidy and pet-smell free.

These small changes can free up your time, keep your possessions looking new, and potentially help in maintaining the resale value of your home. See what you think!