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Vendor Recommendation Series: Mike Shafer, Sewer Inspector

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In this series, I highlight the businesses I like to refer to my home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking all things sewer related with Mike Shafer, Sewer Inspector.

Vendor Recommendation Series: Mike Shafer, Sewer Inspector

There are so many great things to say about Mike’s work. I was recommended to use him years ago, and haven’t changed sewer inspectors since! He is extremely thorough in his inspections and takes the time to answer any question myself or the clients have.

Some future home buyers don’t realize they need a sewer inspection, but the way I see if is that they can pay $200 for a sewer inspection now, or they can pay thousands and thousands of dollars later on to fix a sewer issue.

Mike works well with my home inspector and tries to schedule his appointment at the same time. This allows any questions to be answered on the spot, and sets the correct expectations for the home buyers. At the end of the inspection, Mike talks with myself and the home buyers about any potential concerns, and give recommendations of local contractors who can do the job.

Here’s what other clients have to say about his work:

Mike Shafer did a professional, thorough job in scoping the sewer line of a house I plan on buying.  He provided a USB memory stick of photos and videos of the sewer line inspection, which is handy for future reference. Also, Mike’s fees are reasonable, and not over the top. Recommended!

-Larry P.

Sewer inspector a trusted partner! As the owner and designated broker of Commencement Bay Broker we are highly focused on our clients experience and developing a long term relationship through the purchase and sale of real estate. As such it’s critical that our vendor partners share our focus and commitment to our clients. Sewer Inspector has earned our business repeatedly over the past 4 years and hundreds of inspections. The information that Sewer Inspector has provided our clients pre and post inspection has saved them ten of thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. The experience and knowledge of Sewer Inspector is invaluable and I highly recommend their service. They are prompt, reliable and flexible which makes working with them very enjoyable. I recommend them to buyer , sellers getting their home ready for the market, investors looking to avoid costly changes to the budget and even other brokers! Countless times Sewer Inspector has gone above and beyond the call of duty. If you are looking for a professional company to provide excellent service and willing to go the extra mile to make sure the job gets done right, then call Mike Shafer, Sewer Inspector.

-Joe T.

You may also like: Vendor Recommendation Series: Vendor Recommendation Series: John Hayes, Farmers Insurance

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6 Home Buying Myths Debunked

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So you’re ready to make the move from renter to home owner. You have thought about the pros and cons and have decided that buying is the right thing to do. While turning to friends and family for advice is appealing, just aware of common home buyer myths. Here are 6 home buying myths debunked so you can do this thing the right way.

6 Home Buying Myths Debunked

Myth #1: The first step is looking for a home

The biggest risk of looking for homes before talking to a lender is setting your heart on a property, running the risk of having your dreams shattered if you don’t qualify to buy that home. Browsing is always fun, but when it comes to serious home buying work, the very first step is to talk to a lender to get pre-approved. This way you know exactly how much you can afford before you start looking at homes.

Myth #2: Your down payment must be 20%

Sure a 20% down payment is ideal if you want to avoid the private mortgage insurance. But not all buyers, especially first time home buyers are able to gather up 20% of their property in cash. Because of this many loan types such as FHA allow as low as 3.5% down, as long as you’re able to pay the monthly PMI.

Myth #3: The only upfront cost is the down payment

If only this home buying myth was true! In addition to your down payment, you’re likely responsible for closing costs, taxes, inspections, insurance, and any fees associated with the community you’re moving to. Not to mention all the fees that come with buying a new house: new appliances, new light fixtures, new hardware, etc.

Myth 4: You can’t buy with bad credit

This is one of the biggest home buying myths. While having lower than a 600 credit score might halt your conventional loan, FHA loans allow those with credit scores as low as 580 to qualify for a loan. When you talk with your lender they will help you raise your credit in the shortest amount of time. They can put your in credit repair courses that ensure progress in a short amount of time.

Myth #5: You don’t need a home inspection

You might be tempted to believe that you don’t need a home inspection, especially if you’ve bought a new construction home in a hot housing market. But beware, if you skip the inspection, you’re responsible for anything that is currently wrong with the home, including the things you don’t know about. The average inspection is under $500, so paying for an inspection up front can help you save thousands down the road and give you peace of mind.

Myth 6: The schools don’t matter if you don’t have kids

While you don’t actually have children attending the nearby school, good schools are a sign of a good neighborhood. This could impact the safety ratings if the neighborhood and overall crime rate. So even through you’re not involved in the school itself, you can take advantage of the benefits that come with living in a neighborhood near a good school.

You may also like: First Time Home Buyer Tips & Tricks.

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Homes For Sale in Puyallup WA – Summerwood Park

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This 5 bedroom home located in the Summerwood Park neighborhood of Puyallup, WA is a must see home and will not last long. This home is nestled back off the main roads, yet just minutes away from all amenities, freeways, and JBLM. Check out the upgrades in one of the hottest homes for sale in Puyallup WA. 14002 63rd Ave E, Puyallup, WA 98373.

Homes For Sale in Puyallup WA – Summerwood Park

Chef Kitchen

Chef kitchen homes for sale in puyallup wa

The chef kitchen alone makes this among the most popular homes for sales in Puyallup, WA. With the double wide refrigerator, you’re able to store more food for your family, as well as impress your dinner guests. The extra wide island is the centerpiece of the kitchen holding 5 bar stools comfortably. The contrasting counters and cabinets makes this kitchen a timeless hub for you and your family to spend quality time and cook many meals together.

Hardwood Throughout

hardwood throughout homes for sale in puyallup wa

This craftsman home features hardwood floors throughout the main level of the home. The continued hardwood showcases the elegance of the home, as well as makes it easier to clean up after your family, friends, and fur babies. The medium brown color makes it simple to coordinate your furniture.

Open Loft

open loft in homes for sale in puyallup wa

The upstairs loft a comfortable space where your family can gather to watch movies and play games. With the open railings to the downstairs, the loft feels extra-large with light coming in at all angles. It also faces away from the stairs, giving you and your family privacy.

Full Laundry Room

laundry room in homes for sale in puyallup wa

Not only does this laundry room have a built in sink, it also features ceiling high cabinets, great for storage. With all of the cabinet space, you’re able to organize your cleaning liquids as well as use the space for extra linens if needed.

Covered Outdoor Patio

outdoor covered patio homes for sale in puyallup wa

With summer just around the corner, a covered patio is necessary. This home showcases a double wide covered outdoor living space, making in a top feature of this home and one of the most popular homes for sale in Puyallup WA. The openings on the 3 sides of the patio make it easy to enjoy the weather, while blocking out rain and snow. Additionally, with the open patio, you’re able to keep an eye out on the kids while they play in the yard.

To schedule a showing, call (253) 686-2174.

You may also like: First Time Home Buyer Tips & Tricks.

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First Time Home Buyer Tips & Tricks

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Buying a house is thrilling especially when it’s for the first time! The learning curve is steep, but doing a little financial homework can help you navigate the system and set you apart from the competition. Here are six first time home buyer tips and tricks to ensure your home buying experience goes smoothly.

First Time Home Buyer Tips & Tricks

Check your credit

As a first time home buyer, the more you know about your own financial situation the better. Your credit score is one of the most important factors in determining if you qualify for a loan. Simply, the higher your credit score, the higher the chances you qualify for a loan and the lower your interest rate on your mortgage. Visit Credit Karma for a free credit report that determines your overall score as well as areas of strength and opportunity.

Research agents

Not every agent is the best agent for you. Talk to your friends and family and see who they’ve had luck with in the past. You want your agent to be in your corner at all times, giving you confidence in the home buying process. Having a great agent will ensure the success of your transaction and give you peace of mind. Additionally, a great agent will have experience with first time home buyers like yourself and can have ready to go solutions for any bumps along the way.

Check out the neighborhood

Before you put an offer on a home, check out the neighborhood. A good rule of thumb is to avoid buying the nicest house on the block as it won’t appreciate as well. Remember, you’re not only buying a house, you’re also committing to the neighborhood, the block and general surroundings. Explore the closest grocery stores and shopping centers and decide if that commute is one you want to make on a weekly basis.

Schedule a home inspection

Just because the home you’re about to buy looks like it’s in good condition, it never hurts to get a home inspection. By having a professional inspector come to the skeleton of the house, you’re able to catch any red flags early on. For example, if the home inspector finds an issue with the roof, you can show the inspection report to the home seller and ensure that they fix the issue before you move in. Home inspections are generally under $500 and can save you thousands of dollars to fix issues you didn’t even realize where present in the house.

Be open-minded

As a first time home buyer, it’s easy to find what you think is your dream house and turn away any other options, passing up some hidden gems. Make a list of your non-negotiables and nice-to-haves so you don’t turn every bullet into a non-negotiable. Additionally, when homes in open houses are staged, they tend to complete your vision of living in the home. Don’t let this prevent you from buying an unstaged home, pay attention to the floor plan, moldings, and size or rooms.

Save up for closing costs

It’s not just the down payment you need to save up for when buying a home. You’ll also need to account for the closing costs, transfer tax, escrow fees and prepaid interest. By anticipating these costs when you first analyze your budget, you’ll avoid being blindsided by the costs at the end of the home buying process.

You may also like: 7 Steps to Buying a Home in Pierce County.

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