Moving to Seattle: Home Buyer Guide

In the last decade or so the Seattle real estate market has been on the rise. With plenty of exceptional housing options, a thriving economy and that particular Pacific Northwest charm that so many in the US are looking for, Seattle's real estate market isn't showing any signs of slowing down in the near future. Currently, the Seattle housing market is more affordable than it has been in decades with low mortgage rates and home prices that are nearing their 2004 lows. For all the best home buying tips, including when to buy and helpful hints to get you through the process of moving to Seattle, check out our extensive Seattle moving guide below.

Seattle Moving Guide: Tips for New Home Buyers

The Best Time to Buy Home in Seattle

For new home buyers looking to snag the best deal on their dream home, the winter months are the best time to buy in Seattle. If you are able to brave the rain and can navigate through a busy holiday schedule, you may just be able to find the home of your dreams at a price that can't be beat. This time of the year brings little competition from other buyers and because of this; sellers are more willing to be flexible with their bottom line prices. For the last several years in Seattle, even when median home prices were higher than average, there was a great price depreciation in the winter months. The month of December has shown the greatest overall price drops, with sellers posting smaller, less aggressive asking prices to cater to increased buyer scarcity. We recommend that first time home buyers and transplants to the city keep an eye out for new listings in December and take advantage of the low asking prices in order to close on the Seattle home of their dreams.

Moving Checklist

Whether you're relocating across town or across the country, taking the time to properly prepare for your big move will greatly benefit everyone in the family. For a hassle free move, enlist the help of a trusted residential moving company to get your items from point A to point B. Many full-service moving companies provide packing services, packing and moving supplies, specialty moving boxes and more. Cut down on the stress of moving by creating a "Moving to Seattle Checklist" to help keep the move organized. This will help you keep track of everything from your contact at the moving company to cleaning schedules and when to cancel your utilities. Before packing up your current space it is also a good idea to make an inventory of all the items you'll be bringing with you to your new home, taking special care to measure large furniture and other items. From there, you can easily create a floor plan to help lay out future appliance and furniture placement in your new home. This will cut down on stress levels on the big day and help out your movers too. And don't forget, if you'll be storing certain household items make arrangements for the new storage space at least 4 to 6 weeks before the move.

Property Taxes

For first time home buyers, there are often hidden or extra expenses that come along with owning a home that you may not be prepared for initially. Because Seattle and King County have continued to see steady growth, home values have been steadily rising over the last few years. And although an overall increase in property values does not necessarily mean property taxes will increase, new homeowners should do their best to budget accordingly. Understanding how the property tax system in Seattle works will greatly benefit new home buyers. Luckily, the property tax system in the city of Seattle is fairly easy to grasp and if you prepare properly, your new property taxes won't negatively impact to your budget. In Seattle property taxes are assessed annually for all homes within county limits by the King County Assessor's Office. Each year your residential property taxes will be assessed at full market value, or the amount a buyer who is not obligated to buy would pay to a seller who is willing but not obligated to sell. Most often, the fair market value can be determined be comparing and analyzing recent sales for comparable homes in the area. Some of the other basic criteria for determining how much each homeowner must pay for the property taxes include the levies that have been approved for your area such as schools, parks, fire protection, emergency services and water districts.

Permits

Depending on which Seattle neighborhood you're relocating to, you may need to secure several permits for your move. For new homeowners that plan on using portable storage units during the move or those who need to park a moving van on a busy residential street, the City of Seattle may require proper permits before you can begin unpacking and setting up in your new home. We also recommend registering your vehicle in Washington state as soon as possible. Luckily, the state of Washington allows residents to register their vehicles by mail or in person. New residents have a 30 day grace period in order to register and title their vehicles. New residents are required to present emissions testing paper work and in some cases, vehicles over 10 years old may also require an odometer disclosure statement before they can be legally registered at your new address. For more detailed information on vehicle registration and Washington state driver's license requirements visit DMV.org.