I help people leave the rat race and join the human race. This is my "why."

Real estate values have recovered and most folks now find that they have quite a bit of equity in their homes. Of course, that equity doesn't do much good just sitting there. Is it ever a good idea to use some of that equity to pay off credit cards, pay for college, or make home improvements?

Real estate prices are cooling in Washington and on the Olympic Peninsula. In Seattle, price reductions are becoming more common than multiple offers. Port Townsend and Jefferson County is sure to follow suit.

As we navigate the first month of 2018, let's focus on getting our financial houses in order. Here are three great financial resolutions for the new year!

In Washington State, property taxes account for about 30% of all state and local taxes. The amount paid by each homeowner is determined, in part, by the value of the property.

By all means, pay off your mortgage as quickly as you can! But don't believe everything you read online.

What really happens at the escrow company when it's time to close your loan?

As soon as the money is received, the crooks wire it out of the country and that money is gone.

While it may sound nice to imagine that nothing can go wrong with your real estate transaction, we have to be prepared for the possibility that things don't come together perfectly.

Title insurance usually protects against errors or omissions in deeds, mistakes in examining records, fraud, forgery, undisclosed heirs and spousal claims. Ultimately the policy protects the owner and lender from the possibility that the seller (or previous sellers) couldn't rightfully sell the property.