Buying a first home around Puget Sound comes with a few local habits that surprise people who move here. None of them are hard once someone explains them.
Set the budget before the search
Decide on a monthly payment you can carry comfortably, including taxes, insurance and any HOA dues, and work backward to a price. The pre-approval letter is the ceiling, not the target.
Understand the local contract
Seattle offers often carry escalation clauses and short inspection windows. We explain each one before you sign anything, and we tell you when a clause is not worth including.
Look past the finishes
Condos on Capitol Hill and small craftsmans in Ballard both photograph well. Ask about the roof, the sewer line, the HOA reserves and the neighbors before you get attached to the kitchen.
