Johnson Team Real Estate

Your Bellingham Real Estate Resource

fawn

The Truth About Down Payments

by

If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case. Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you Continue Reading about The Truth About Down Payments

Thinking of buying, selling, or refinancing? 

by

See What These Numbers Mean For You! Interest rates are the rates at which money can be borrowed for a set period of time. The higher the rate, the more money a borrower must pay in the form of interest on the loan. When mortgage rates are lower, this makes the purchasing of a home more affordable. Although the cost of mortgages is closely tied to the interest rate, the price at which Continue Reading about Thinking of buying, selling, or refinancing? 

Why Pre-Approval Is Even More Important This Year

by

On the road to becoming a homeowner? If so, you may have heard the term pre-approval get tossed around. Let’s break down what it is and why it’s important if you’re looking to buy a home in 2024. What Pre-Approval Is As part of the homebuying process, your lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. According Continue Reading about Why Pre-Approval Is Even More Important This Year

Bridging the Gaps on the Road to Homeownership

by

Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. But, the path to achieving this dream can be quite difficult. While progress has been made to improve fair housing access, households of color still face unique challenges on the road to owning a home. Working with the right real estate experts can make all the difference for diverse buyers. It's clear that achieving Continue Reading about Bridging the Gaps on the Road to Homeownership

Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership

by

Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional. So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership. Customizing to Your Heart’s Continue Reading about Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership

Home Equity Can Be a Game Changer When You Sell

by

Are you on the fence about selling your house? While affordability is improving this year, it’s still tight. And that may be on your mind. But understanding your home equity could be the key to making your decision easier. An article from Bankrate explains: “Home equity is the difference between your home's value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It Continue Reading about Home Equity Can Be a Game Changer When You Sell

2 of the Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates

by

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ve probably been paying close attention to mortgage rates. Over the last couple of years, they hit record lows, rose dramatically, and are now dropping back down a bit. Ever wonder why? The answer is complicated because there’s a lot that can influence mortgage rates. Here are just a few of the most impactful factors at play. Inflation and the Continue Reading about 2 of the Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates