The One-Page Home Buying Plan (Seattle Edition)
A fill-in-the-blanks one-page plan for buying a Seattle home — budget, must-haves, offer rules, and walk-away lines, decided before the pressure starts.
Topic
First-time buyers
All 29 articles tagged “First-time buyers.” Researched for Greater Seattle, written in plain English.
All Buying a home 240Seattle 122Neighborhoods 113Buyer & seller education 108Selling a home 80Seattle market 77Washington state law 70Contracts 49Commissions 32Inspections 31Mortgages 31Eastside Seattle 29First-time buyers 29Condos & townhomes 28Market data 24Relocation 24Investing 22Closing costs 19South King County 11Luxury Real Estate 10North Seattle Suburbs 8Staging 8Taxes 8Moving 7New construction 6
How I Would Buy My First Seattle Home Today
An opinionated first-person strategy essay: the exact sequence we'd follow to buy a first home in Seattle today — file first, neighborhood flexibility, ugly-duckling targets.
The 10 Numbers That Matter When Buying a Home in Seattle
A cheat sheet of the ten numbers every Seattle buyer should know cold — from your real monthly payment to your walk-away price — and why each one matters.
Lake City Seattle Neighborhood Guide 2026
Lake City is one of Seattle's last in-city value plays — real houses at outer-suburb prices, a gritty main drag, and quiet surprises near the lake.
Lease-to-Own in Washington: Read This Before You Sign
Rent-to-own deals are marketed to buyers who feel locked out — and most are structured to favor the seller. How they work, where the money leaks, when they make sense.
Buying With a Co-Signer in Washington: What Both Sides Sign Up For
A co-signer can get a Seattle mortgage approved — and takes on real, full liability doing it. How lenders treat co-signers and the family conversation to have first.
How Much House Can I Afford in Seattle? (2026)
Use the 28/36 rule with real Seattle income levels, current rates, and conforming loan limits to find your realistic price range before you start touring.
How to Buy a Home in Seattle: 2026 Guide
A step-by-step Seattle home buying guide covering pre-approval, neighborhood selection, competitive offers, inspections, and closing — with real numbers throughout.
WA First-Time Homebuyer Programs 2026
WSHFC Home Advantage, down payment assistance, and Seattle Office of Housing grants explained for first-time buyers in King and Snohomish counties.
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.
A First-Time Homebuyer's Guide to Seattle Neighborhoods
Honest tradeoffs for first-time buyers in Seattle — where to look, what to expect, and which neighborhoods are over-marketed for the value you actually get.
How Many Homes Should You Tour Before Buying?
There's no magic number — tour enough homes to calibrate value in your market, often a handful to a dozen. How to know when you've seen enough to offer.
Compare Greater Seattle agents by fee — before you sign anything.
Manaky Homes is a free marketplace where local agents publish their own fees, side by side. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when it opens.
Join the waitlist — it's free