MyNorthwest.com - Real Estate http://www.mynorthwest.com MyNorthwest.com delivers up-to-the-minute local news and information for Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area. en-us 15 MyNorthwest.com 144 21 http://www.mynorthwest.com http://www.mynorthwest.com/img/lg_mynw_144x21.gif Buying beats renting in Seattle if you stay 3.6 years, says Zillow http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2277883 Buying a home is a better financial decision than renting for Seattle-area homebuyers intending to stay in their home for at least three years and seven months, according to a first quarter analysis from Seattle-based Zillow. Mon, 20 May 2013 08:16:29 PST Banks loosen up, remain wary of risky loans http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2277860 Stringent mortgage standards have kept many potential homebuyers on the sidelines the last few years. Mon, 20 May 2013 07:52:42 PST Home annuity could supplement seniors incomes http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2275638 A recent article in U.S. News and World Report suggests seniors and baby boomers consider turning their homes into an annuity by using one of the least tapped avenues of a reverse mortgage. Thu, 16 May 2013 08:01:22 PST Rain break: Owning in Mexico could become easier http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2275620 Purchasing real estate in Mexico has been a confusing for proposition for people looking to leave the rain or for those seeking a less expensive place to retire. Thu, 16 May 2013 07:37:02 PST Low credit scores holding back borrowers http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2273776 Would-be borrowers who have credit scores below 620 are increasingly being denied a mortgage, struggling to meet lenders more stringent underwriting standards, Elizabeth Duke, member of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, told attendees at the recent Housing Policy Executive Council. Tue, 14 May 2013 07:18:10 PST Incomes, rates keep states homes in affordable range http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2273750 Low mortgage rates and stabilizing incomes are keeping Washington states home affordability high despite increasing home prices, according to the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington. Tue, 14 May 2013 06:53:00 PST Want the house? Drop the contingencies http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2272835 As the inventory of for-sale homes remains at low levels, sellers are allowing fewer contingencies. Mon, 13 May 2013 07:31:32 PST About time: Fannie Mae begins taxpayer payback http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2271592 Fannie Mae announced that it will pay $59.4 billion in dividends to the U.S. Treasury, helping to reduce the net cost of its taxpayer bailout to $21.1 billion, Reuters reported. Fri, 10 May 2013 10:34:39 PST Zillow survey: Buyers still unclear on loan process http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2270739 Potential homebuyers are racing to apply for loans, but many incorrectly answer basic mortgage questions, according to a new survey by Seattle-based Zillow. Thu, 09 May 2013 09:49:50 PST Lenders didnt try hard enough, early enough http://www.mynorthwest.com?nid=800&sid=2269701 In a recent column, I explained why one of our nephews decided to walk away from his home loan. While he questioned if the move was "morally right" when he first contemplated the decision, the unwillingness of his lender to respond to his numerous requests for an interest rate reduction eventually changed his outlook. Wed, 08 May 2013 07:50:03 PST