What Is a Deed of Trust? Washington's Version of a Mortgage
Washington home loans use deeds of trust, not mortgages. What the three-party structure means, how non-judicial foreclosure works, and why borrowers should care.
Topic
Mortgages
All 31 articles tagged “Mortgages.” Researched for Greater Seattle, written in plain English.
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What Is a Mortgage Rate Lock?
A rate lock freezes your mortgage rate for a set window while your loan closes. How locks, extensions, and float-downs work — and the mistakes that cost real money.
What Is PMI and When Does It Go Away?
PMI is mortgage insurance you pay when you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan. How it's priced, when it drops off, and how to end it sooner.
Buying a Home When You're Self-Employed in Seattle
Freelancer, founder, or 1099 contractor? How self-employed Seattle buyers actually get mortgages — the two-year rule, the write-off trap, and prep timeline.
What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in Washington?
Most Washington buyers need a 620 for a conventional loan and can go as low as 580 on FHA. Here's the score floor by loan type — and why higher saves real money.
Fixed vs ARM Mortgage for Seattle Buyers: How to Choose
An ARM's lower intro rate is real money in a high-priced market — and so is the reset risk. The break-even framework Seattle buyers should actually use.
Mortgage Rate Buydowns Explained: 2-1 Buydowns, Points, the Math
How 2-1 buydowns and discount points actually work, what each costs on an illustrative $640K loan, and the breakeven math that decides which pays.
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