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Rent to Own Homes in Washington
Just across the border of Canada’s British Columbia sits Washington state. Occupying the northwestern corner of the United States mainland, this state is mostly covered in rain forests and mountain ranges. Most of the residents live in or around the city of Seattle, which is located in western Washington close to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The state is... Read More
Just across the border of Canada’s British Columbia sits Washington state. Occupying the northwestern corner of the United States mainland, this state is mostly covered in rain forests and mountain ranges. Most of the residents live in or around the city of Seattle, which is located in western Washington close to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The state is also home to several other large national forests as well as the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River.The below results are primarily rent to own homes in :
Just across the border of Canada’s British Columbia sits Washington state. Occupying the northwestern corner of the United States mainland, this state is mostly covered in rain forests and mountain ranges. Most of the residents live in or around the city of Seattle, which is located in western Washington close to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The state is... Read More
Just across the border of Canada’s British Columbia sits Washington state. Occupying the northwestern corner of the United States mainland, this state is mostly covered in rain forests and mountain ranges. Most of the residents live in or around the city of Seattle, which is located in western Washington close to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The state is also home to several other large national forests as well as the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River.The below results are primarily rent to own homes in :
The natural landscape of Washington is one of the biggest perks for locals. The mountains provide ample opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and there are never-ending locations for rock climbing and hiking. There are many Washington state parks offering green space for locals to enjoy, and some offer seaside or bayside walking trails and camping sites. One of the most popular is Larrabee State Park positioned on Samish Bay. It features a beach, two lakes and a variety of trails for walking and biking. These parks are maintained by the Washington State Department and are used by local residents for exercise and entertainment.
If you have children, you may also appreciate that many regions of Washington boast high-quality public schools. The state is also home to two prestigious universities: Washington State University and the University of Washington. The economy offers many job opportunities in a variety of fields, including manufacturing, agriculture and technology. While the state does attract a large student population, this is also a great place for professionals and families in search of a healthy lifestyle focused on outdoor activities.
Buying a Home in Washington?
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission offers multiple assistance programs designed to help low-income homebuyers secure primary residences. Most of these programs are offered only to first-time homebuyers and have income restrictions, but it’s worth checking into if you’re going to buy a primary home in Washington state. The commission also offers educational seminars that teach all first-time buyers about the home-buying process.
While you can find tens of thousands of properties on the market in Washington at any given time, there are often more properties for sale west of the mountains. While home prices aren’t necessarily higher on the eastern side, there are fewer residential communities in that portion of the state. In addition to single-family homes, you’ll find some open lots that make it possible to build your dream home if that’s within your budget. When selecting a home, determine how close you want to live to the mountains. Prices may vary depending on the views and surrounding amenities.
Popular Neighborhoods in Washington?
One of the most prestigious cities in Washington is located just a couple miles east of Seattle. It’s called Clyde Hill and is located within close proximity to Lake Washington, the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains. There are many multi million-dollar homes in this city, and many residents enjoy spectacular views of the water and the mountains outside their windows. The median value of a home in this city is over a million dollars, so it’s not a realistic place for every homebuyer.
For lower-priced homes, look to the city of Richland located in the southeastern portion of the state. There are many family-friendly communities within the city, and the median home price is under $200,000. You may also find affordable homes in Tacoma and Seattle. These larger cities are more congested than the smaller towns, but they also keep you close to employment opportunities and many public festivities. If you’re interested in higher education or want your children to go to college while living at home, consider neighborhoods surrounding the universities.
Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes?
You want to buy a home, but there are circumstances delaying your ability to take action on that dream. You may not have an adequate down payment saved up, or perhaps you’re credit score isn’t high enough to get the interest rate you would like to receive. There are many reasons that suitable homebuyers continue to rent for years, but you do have options that could get you out of the rental and into your own home faster than you currently believe is possible. One of the easiest options to take advantage of is the rent-to-own agreement.
This is a special home-buying contract that allows you to start out as a renter and end as a homeowner. Your rental period gives you the time to clean up your credit, save for buying expenses or solve other problems that are currently holding you back from applying for a mortgage loan. Once you’re ready to proceed with the purchase of the home, you simply secure your loan and seal the deal. In some cases, part of your rental payment may go into savings so that you can use it toward the purchase of the home. Not all homes for sale in Washington will offer this type of agreement, but it’s worth asking about if you aren’t ready to sign on the line for a new mortgage payment.
Cost of Living in Washington?
Mostly due to high housing prices, the overall cost of living in the state of Washington is approximately 17 percent higher than the national average. Housing prices are often close to 50 percent higher than the national average. Even though utility prices are typically more than 10 percent lower than the national average, that isn’t enough to offset the high price that you may pay for a home in this state.
Everything from groceries and household goods to transportation will cost you just a little more than the national average in all areas of the state. If you’re moving here to spend more time in the beautiful outdoors, you may consider a reduced budget for entertainment and recreation since there are so many low-cost and free opportunities for entertainment in Washington. If the public school system is better here than in your previous state, you may also save money by giving up the private school tuition for your children.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors and want to open your window every morning to breathtaking views of mountain ranges and blue waters, you’re the ideal resident for the State of Washington. Located in the northwestern corner of the country just over the border from British Columbia, this is one of the best states for outdoor enjoyment. The local terrain features a variety of national forests and state parks in addition to the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River.
The mountains are perfect for hiking, biking, rock climbing and winter sports. The state parks offer beaches, lakes, walking trails, playgrounds and campsites. While the cost of housing is approximately 50 percent higher than the national average, you can save some money by replacing the movies and other expensive entertainment options for outdoor recreation.
Summary
If you enjoy spending time outdoors and want to open your window every morning to breathtaking views of mountain ranges and blue waters, you’re the ideal resident for the State of Washington. Located in the northwestern corner of the country just over the border from British Columbia, this is one of the best states for outdoor enjoyment. The local terrain features a variety of national forests and state parks in addition to the Cascade Mountain Range and the Columbia River.
The mountains are perfect for hiking, biking, rock climbing and winter sports. The state parks offer beaches, lakes, walking trails, playgrounds and campsites. While the cost of housing is approximately 50 percent higher than the national average, you can save some money by replacing the movies and other expensive entertainment options for outdoor recreation.