Derek Huit · NMLS #203980 · Cardinal Financial

Washington homebuyer guide

Washington's tax picture, price points, and military presence all shape how buyers here should compare loans.

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What Washington buyers should know

Washington's tax picture, price points, and military presence all shape how buyers here should compare loans.

Military buyers: Joint Base Lewis-McChord

JBLM near Tacoma is one of the largest military installations in the country, and VA buyers PCSing there often shop in Pierce and Thurston counties. If you're relocating on orders, ask how your housing allowance, existing entitlement, and PCS timeline fit together before you start touring homes.

First-time buyer notes

Washington has no state income tax, which changes your budget math compared with other states — but higher price points in the Puget Sound region mean jumbo loans come into play more often. Compare conforming and jumbo paths side by side, and always look at the full monthly picture including taxes and insurance.

New construction

New builds are common around the Puget Sound. Builder incentives can look attractive, but compare them against lender credits and rate options from your own financing — the best deal on paper isn't always the best loan. Get your own pre-approval even when a builder offers in-house financing.

The one step that matters most

Before you tour a single home, get pre-approved. A real pre-approval from Derek Huit, NMLS #203980, tells you exactly what you can offer with confidence — and it costs you nothing to start.

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Ready when you are

Get a real pre-approval from Derek Huit, NMLS #203980 — soft credit pull, real numbers, no obligation.

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Soft credit pull. Real pre-approval. No obligation.