Tips for House Hunting in Pullman!
Our market place in Pullman Washington continues to be relatively active. I am still out showing homes in Pullman, and that is always a great thing. Folks are still moving within Pullman, and new folks are coming to Pullman as well.
As summer is in full swing, it can be hot when looking at homes. Here are a few tips that might be helpful for you if you are going out to tour homes. Let’s break them down into two categories, before you look and the actual big day!
Before We Look ~ Do your homework before we look. I know, we all hate homework, but really we need to do it for our own benefit!. Here are two things you can do to ease the process.
Contact your lender ~ That pre-approval letter is so very important. It tells us what price range we need to focusing on. I want to show you homes that fit your needs! And when we find that home, it tells those sellers you are a serious candidate come offer time! If you need help, I am happy to pass on a few lenders names for you to interview.
Use my website ~ Look through My Pullman Real Estate Website and pick out potential candidates that have caught your eye. And look through the listings I send and give me a list of homes that appeal to you. That gives me a better feel for what you are looking for. Communicate with me…I am here to listen!
Take time to make a needs versus wish list ~ Tell me what you need…and what you would love to have. It will further help me zero in on some homes that I want to make sure you should see!
Now the big day is here ~ We are heading out to look at homes! Here are a few things that you might want to remember!
Be selective ~ Ask me to show you the best candidates that fit your needs first. I know you want to see everything…but really we spend our time knowing the inventory and we can ease your process by showing you the homes that meet your criteria first. If none of those are a fit, we will continue to look till we find it! I promise! I want you to love your home!
Shoes ~ Do wear shoes that are easy to get on and off. A lot of folks have had their carpets recently cleaned, so they ask us to remove their shoes. So wear some shoes that you can easily slip on and off. Most folks dress very comfortably and that is important too! Especially if it is a warm day!
Take notes ~ If you are coming from out of town, you most likely have to see as many homes as you possibly can in a short period of time. Really it is best if you limit yourself to about 5 houses a day, but sometimes that just isn’t practical. Especially if you are coming from out of town and have a few days to find that house. This is where the note process is most helpful. Write notes on the fliers to remind you why you liked a home. Discard the fliers of the homes you didn’t like. Simplify!
Take your camera ~ You won’t want to take pictures of all the homes…and you will want to be selective in your pictures. But if there is something you really like about house, snap a picture. It will help you jar your memory later!
These are just a few of the many things that will ease your process in searching for that perfect home in Pullman! If you are looking for that new home in Pullman Washington or Moscow Idaho, feel free to call and interview me or ask any questions you may have!
Buying Your New Home In Pullman Washington
Pullman WA Buyer Tips:
Finding Your Dream Home
Buying Your Pullman Home
- Get connected. Your Realtor has lots of connections to ease you through the buying process. I personally preview homes in our Pullman Real Estate Market for you. I also have a great tool box of great professionals that help us get the job done!
- Get pre-approved. This is a very important step. I know it isn’t fun to go through the process, but it really isn’t as painful as you may think! This way we can look at houses that are in your price range. And a pre-approval letter in hand makes the home searching process less stressful and loads more fun for you! Even if you can’t buy today, contacting a lender can take tons of time off the process. They will have sound suggestions to speed up the process!
- Sign up for an auto-email system. You have better things to do than surfing web site to web site. Have all the listings come to you when they hit the market! And know what the price reductions are when they happen! If you would like to sign up for my auto-email system, you can sign up here. No pressure. No hassle. I promise. I have clients ranging from those who are ready to buy to those who are getting ready to buy. You might just want to get to know me a bit. And that is OK too. Feel free to read my blog and get to know me. Or maybe become a fan of my facebook fan page. Or email or call me. I am here to help whenever you are ready!
Working Together
If you have any questions about Pullman or the Pullman Real Estate Market I am here to help! Feel free to use my my free Pullman WA MLS search…and you are welcome to sign up for automatic market notifications too!
Click Here For Pullman Properties ~
About the Author: The above piece was provided as a community service by Lori Cofer, a local Pullman Washingtion Real Estate Agent. Lori can be reached via email at loricofer@yahoo.com or by phone at 509-330-0086. Lori is happy to assist you in all your Pullman real estate and Moscow Idaho Real Estate needs. Lori is “Your Pullman Washingtion Real Estate Connection
Pullman Real Estate ~ Helping Find a Home For A Hero
Lori Cofer, REALTOR ~ “Your Pullman WA Real Estate Connection”
One of my great joys as a Pullman Washington Realtor has got to be helping someone relocate to our great area and find the perfect house for them to call home. This summer marked one of those special times that I will truly never forget, and a patriotic one at that!
I had the great privilege of serving one of our service woman who serves our great country. On Memorial Day weekend we looked at several homes that had been pre-selected by her Mom, a wonderful lady and new found friend. When her daughter arrived I was floored by this special hero. We began our refined search and by the end of the day we were back writing an offer! It really marked a special Memorial Day both for me and this very special first time home buyer! I truly can’t say who was more excited! My buyer, her Mom or me!!! I really hated to see them leave after the weekend…but then over the 4th of July Weekend we did our walk-through! 
Somehow it was all so fitting!!!
There are certain times that I believe will be milestones in anyone’s life. No doubt for my special Marine, owning her first home will be one and she will begin a special new and exciting chapter in her life. And for me, too. I have not only helped one of our great heroes buy their first home, but settled them into our great Pullman community….and did I mention the best part….I have gained two new wonderful friends! What more could you ask for?
Story used by permission
About the Author: The above piece was provided as a community service by Lori Cofer, a local Pullman WA Real Estate Agent. Lori can be reached via email at loricofer@yahoo.com or by phone at 509-330-0086. Lori is happy to assist you in all your Pullman real estate and Moscow Real Estate needs. Lori is “Your Pullman WA Real Estate Connection!”
Pullman WA Real Estate Market Report (YTD ~July 8, 2009)
By Lori Cofer, REALTOR ~ “Your Pullman Real Estate Connection”
Pullman Washington is uniquely situated in the rolling hills of a unique area of the country called the Palouse. This little piece of paradise is a result of the soft silt that was blown in from the glacial out wash during the last ice age according to scientists. The result is fertile hills of wheat, lentil, barley, peas and canola as far as the eye can see. Situated in the middle of this wonderful paradise is Washington State University, home of the Washington State Cougars…Go Cougs!
Pullman is divided into four hills: Military Hill, Sunnyside Hill, Pioneer Hill and College Hill. I specialize in the Pullman Washington Real Estate market and would love to help you find the home that perfectly fits you and your lifestyle.
This 4th of July the fireworks from our local celebration at Sunnyside park were spectacular as always. Enjoy the above picture courtesy of Mark & Eric Tetzlaff of one of our previous community celebrations! We are fortunate to be a part of such a great community whereby we can gather for great community events as these.
We have 39 HOMES PENDING
WE have SOLD 229 HOMES
Our AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET is 126
Our AVERAGE LIST PRICE is 249,408
Our AVERAGE SELLING PRICE is 237,399
Lori Cofer, REALTOR
509-330-0086
loricofer@yahoo.com
About the Author: The above piece was provided as a community service by Lori Cofer, a local Pullman WA Real Estate Agent. Lori can be reached via email at loricofer@yahoo.com or by phone at 509-330-0086. Lori is happy to assist you in all your Pullman real estate and Moscow Real Estate needs. Lori is “Your Pullman WA Real Estate
Pullman WA Real Estate — Beginning Your Online Journey to Your New Home
Pullman Real Estate — Beginning Your Online Journey to Your New Home
By Lori Cofer “Your Pullman WA Real Estate Connection”
Searching for a new home? Maybe it is your first home…or maybe you are relocating….where to do you begin in your search for that perfect house to call home? Here are a few tips for beginning that search that I hope you find helpful.
1. Look on-line. You have already completed this one! Why is this important? Because this will give you a general feel for price in the area. You are welcome to use my free Pullman WA MLS search to preview all homes available in the Whitman County area including Pullman Washington.
Something to remember though, there is a lot you can’t see on-line. But it is a great place to start!
2. Get Pre-Approved. I know this is a hard one to get motivated to do…but a pre-approval letter is a win-win situation for YOU! Here is why:
- A pre-approval letter gives you a realistic price range and let’s you know if you have the adequate cash to buy…and if you aren’t quite ready, your lender can give you advice to help you achieve your goal! Don’t worry, you will get there!
- Your lender will be able to look at the various programs for which you might qualify. There are still some great options out there. But you won’t know until you check it out!
- Having a pre-approval letter in hand will help you in negotiations and is one less thing you will have to worry about!
3. Find a REALTOR who understands the market in your area! Each market is unique, so you need someone who understands not only what you are looking for in a home, but a good value! For example in Pullman, we not only have a city-wide market for Pullman but four mini-markets which consists of College Hill, Military Hill, Pioneer Hill and Sunnyside Hill. Your REALTOR specializes in understanding the local market, and is your advocate through the entire process!
4. Make a list of needs versus wants. Now that you have a general idea of prices and what you can afford, you can begin the all important list of needs versus wants. This will help you and your REALTOR in the initial stages of your search. Just a few examples of things you might want to begin your list with are:
* Bedrooms & Bathrooms
* Square Footage
* Price
* Neighborhood Preferences
* Preferences & Special Amenities
As you look at homes with your REALTOR, some of these things may change, but that is OK! Just revise the list! You and your REALTOR can change it as you go! But with a list in hand, it keeps your search less stressful, and keeps open lines of communication between you and your REALTOR.
Searching for that perfect home is an exciting time! If you considering REALTORS in the Pullman Washington area, I would love to help!
Lori Cofer REALTOR
Pullman WA
Pullman Real Estate — Buying versus Renting
By Lori Cofer — “Your Pullman Washington Real Estate Connection”
As a REALTOR® in Pullman and a member of the Whitman County Association of REALTORS, I take great pride in helping buyers find a house to call home. Often I am asked, “should I buy or rent? Each individual situation is, of course, unique, but there are certainly added benefits to purchasing your own home.
Obviously, the first reason is PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP. We live in a great county where we have the privilege to privately own property. Owning your own home is a part of the American Dream.
Second, is THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE WEALTH. This is done both through APPRECIATION and EQUITY. 
Real estate is not like the volatile stock market with sharp increases and decreases. Instead, it is a long term investment that yields long-term growth in value. For example, on a typical fixed mortgage you are decreasing your debt with each and every payment that you make! At the same time, as the value of your home rises, you are gaining appreciation on your investment! It is a WIN-WIN situation! When you pay rent, it is money gone never to be seen again. And instead of creating your own wealth, you are creating wealth for your landlord.
TAX BREAKS is the third reason for owning your own home versus renting. The US Tax code allows home owners tax deductions for the interest that you pay on your mortgage, paid property taxes as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home.
Fourth is STABILITY. When you have a fixed mortgage you know exactly what your payment will be and that will not change. Rent, however, is always subject to increases. As rental property becomes less available, it is inevitable the rent prices will increase! It is the rule of supply and demand.
Fifth is THE FREEDOM TO DO AS YOU WISH WITH YOUR PROPERTY. You don’t have to ask permission to improve the property. The house belongs to YOU! The choice is YOURS! And best yet, most improvements you make to your property increase YOUR HOME‘S VALUE!
These are just a few of the benefits of owning your own home. There are so many more!
What if you can’t buy a home now? Make steps to purchase in the future! There are a great many things you can do to get ready!
Whether you are ready now, or would like to prepare for the future, please feel free to call or email me. I am here to help!
Lori Cofer
“Your Pullman WA Real Estate Connection”
Pullman Real Estate — Tips on Buying Your New Home
By Lori Cofer ~ “Your Pullman Real Estate Connection”
My name is Lori Cofer of Beasley Realty and I am licensed in both WA & ID serving Whitman and Latah Counties. I enjoy helping clients find the house that says home. Here are a few tips you might find helpful as you begin your journey to buying your new home.
GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER
Credit scores, your overall income, and your debt are all important factors in determining whether or not you will qualify for a loan and what the terms of your loan will be. Don’t be afraid to shop around. But do shop for mortgage rates all at once. Rates change daily, so make sure you are comparing apples to apples. It is true that too many credit card applications can lower your credit score, but several inquires from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if done in a short period of time. So be prepared to do your shopping around as quickly as you can.
WORK WITH A REALTOR
Find a REALTOR®. They are the experts in buying and selling real estate. You may buy or sell a few homes in your lifetime, but REALTORS® deal with real estate transactions on a daily basis. Furthermore, real estate law varies from state to state and are not static. Real Estate is an ever changing business, and you need someone who is well informed to guide you through the complex process of a real estate transaction.
GET PREAPPROVED
This is a tremendously important step. Your want to begin your home search understanding your price range. You don’t want to fall in love with a home you can’t afford. Your REALTOR® will show you properties that are within your price range and that fit your needs. Also, start looking at the low end of your price range. You never know what you may find!
What if you don’t qualify at this time? There are things you can do to improve your situation for the future. Don’t get discouraged! You can do it!! Make a budget and stick to it. Save for your down payment and closing costs. Pay down credit card debt. Check your credit report. And if you possibly can, wait on major purchases like automobiles which can increase your debt to income ratio considerably.
BE REALISTIC
Make a list of needs versus wants. Start with your needs. Then make a list of wants or desires. Often buyers begin the process of looking at home, only to find out their perception of needs versus wants change. Be realistic about your list. And make sure you communicate that to your REALTOR Do, however, keep an open mind. Remember, there is no perfect property. Focus on the top priorities of your list, and let the more insignificant ones or things that you can easily change go. Let’s begin that journey!
Questions? Feel free to contact me. I am here to help!
Lori Cofer, REALTOR® 509.330.0086
