Question 1

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties across the Puget Sound — including Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Clyde Hill, Des Moines, Black Diamond, Tacoma, Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Arlington, and Darrington.

Question 2

Can I search live MLS listings on your site?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Property Search page pulls live NWMLS data with full filters, photo galleries, and map view. Create a free account to save searches, favorite homes, and get email alerts when matching listings hit the market.

Question 3

Do you offer multilingual services?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our team provides services in multiple languages to ensure every client feels comfortable and understood.

Question 4

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Simply contact us for a free consultation. We'll discuss your goals and create a personalized plan.

Question 5

Why choose Nations Realty?

Accepted Answer

With 30+ years of experience, 2,000+ families helped, and deep local expertise, we bring unmatched knowledge and dedication to every transaction.

Question 6

Do I need to be a citizen before I can buy a house?

Accepted Answer

No. Citizenship is not required to own property in Washington. What lenders ask for varies by program and by your immigration status: many look for a valid work authorization, a Social Security or ITIN number, and a documented income history, often around two years. Permanent residents, visa holders, and ITIN borrowers each have different options. Talk to a lender about your specific situation before assuming you do or do not qualify.

Question 7

What type of credit score do I need to buy a house?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the loan. FHA insures loans down to a 580 score with 3.5% down, and 500 to 579 with 10% down, but most lenders set their own higher minimums, commonly around 620. Conventional, VA, and USDA loans each use different thresholds. Higher scores generally qualify for better rates. Ask a lender to pull your credit and tell you what you qualify for today rather than relying on a single number.

Question 8

How many people can buy a house together?

Accepted Answer

As many people as you'd like. Multiple buyers can purchase together, which can help with qualifying for a larger loan.

Question 9

Can I use my work history from my country of origin?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the lender can verify your work history from that country. If your current job is in the same profession as in your country of origin, that may help you qualify to buy a home.

Question 10

Why should I buy a house if I'm just here for a few years?

Accepted Answer

Owning can build equity and gives you a housing payment that does not reset with the rental market each year. Mortgage interest may be deductible, but only if you itemize rather than take the standard deduction, and limits apply, so check with a tax professional about your own return. Over a short horizon, buying and selling costs can outweigh the gains, so it is worth running the numbers on your actual timeline before deciding.

Question 11

If anything goes wrong with my house, who is responsible to fix it?

Accepted Answer

You, as the owner, are responsible for your house. Nations Realty has a number of resources we can refer to you, from plumbing to electrical services, moving companies, painters, and more. Just ask us!

Question 12

How much can I afford?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your income and any debt you may have, along with other factors. The mortgage broker will help you calculate the value you would qualify for. It's best to work with your lender first and get 'pre-qualified'.

Question 13

Can I look for a house first before I talk to a lender?

Accepted Answer

That would be backward! It's highly recommended that you talk to the lender first and get a pre-approval letter before you start looking for a home.

Question 14

How long does the process take before I become a homeowner?

Accepted Answer

It varies depending on your situation and the lender's process. Typically, it takes between 30 to 60 days to become a homeowner.

Question 15

How much do I need for a down payment?

Accepted Answer

There are many programs available, ranging from zero down payment to 20% down payment. We can help you own a home with as little as zero to three and a half percent down payment.

Question 16

How much do I have to pay the real estate broker?

Accepted Answer

This changed in August 2024. Buyers now sign a written agreement with their broker before touring homes, and that agreement states what the broker will be paid and how. Sellers are no longer automatically responsible for the buyer's broker, and compensation is no longer published on the MLS. A seller may still agree to contribute toward your broker's fee, but that is negotiated as part of your offer rather than assumed. We will put our compensation in writing up front and walk you through how it is handled on each property.

Question 17

Can I just buy the house directly from the seller without a real estate broker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. However, it's not recommended! There are many legal and technical issues that you need to be aware of when buying a house. It's best to work with the professionals at Nations Realty!

Question 18

What are closing costs?

Accepted Answer

Closing costs are typically 2-5% of the purchase price and include loan fees, title insurance, escrow, and inspections. We'll provide a detailed estimate early in the process.

Question 19

How do you determine my home's value?

Accepted Answer

We conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) looking at recent sales, active listings, market conditions, and your home's unique features to determine optimal pricing.

Question 20

How long does it take to sell a home?

Accepted Answer

In our market, well-priced homes typically sell within 2-4 weeks. We'll discuss timeline expectations based on current market conditions.

Question 21

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

Accepted Answer

Not always. We'll advise on repairs that offer the best return on investment. Sometimes a competitive price is better than costly updates.

Question 22

What's your commission structure?

Accepted Answer

Our commission is competitive and covers professional marketing, negotiations, and full-service support. We'll discuss specifics during our consultation.

Question 23

What services does property management include?

Accepted Answer

Our full-service property management includes tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, property inspections, financial reporting, and legal compliance. We handle everything so you can enjoy passive income.

Question 24

How do you screen tenants?

Accepted Answer

We conduct comprehensive background checks including credit history, employment verification, rental history, and criminal background. This thorough process helps ensure reliable tenants who pay on time.

Question 25

What are your property management fees?

Accepted Answer

Our fees are competitive and transparent, typically a percentage of monthly rent. We'll discuss our pricing structure during your consultation based on your property type and needs.

Question 26

How do you handle maintenance requests?

Accepted Answer

We provide 24/7 emergency maintenance coordination with our network of trusted vendors. Non-emergency requests are addressed within 24-48 hours, and we always get owner approval for repairs over a set threshold.

Question 27

Is real estate a good investment in the Puget Sound?

Accepted Answer

The Puget Sound region has shown consistent appreciation with strong rental demand due to major employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing, and excellent transportation. We can help you analyze specific opportunities.

Question 28

What types of investment properties do you specialize in?

Accepted Answer

We help investors find single-family rentals, multi-family properties (duplexes, triplexes), fix-and-flip opportunities, and long-term buy-and-hold investments throughout the Puget Sound region.

Question 29

What is a 1031 exchange?

Accepted Answer

A 1031 exchange allows you to defer capital gains taxes when selling an investment property by reinvesting proceeds into a like-kind property. We can guide you through the process and connect you with qualified intermediaries.

Question 30

How do I calculate return on investment (ROI)?

Accepted Answer

ROI considers purchase price, rental income, expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance, management), financing costs, and appreciation. We provide detailed ROI projections for every investment property we recommend.

Question 31

What types of commercial properties do you handle?

Accepted Answer

We handle office, retail, and industrial leasing and sales across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties — from single-tenant storefronts to multi-tenant office buildings and warehouse/flex space.

Question 32

Do you represent tenants, landlords, or both?

Accepted Answer

Both. We provide tenant representation (site selection, lease negotiation, market analysis) and landlord representation (leasing strategy, marketing, tenant screening). We'll disclose the representation structure upfront on every engagement.

Question 33

How is buying commercial different from residential?

Accepted Answer

Commercial deals involve longer due diligence (environmental reports, zoning and permit review, estoppel certificates), different lease structures like NNN or modified gross, cap-rate-based valuation, and commercial financing with higher down payments. We walk clients through each step.

Question 34

Can you help with investment advisory for commercial assets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide cap rate analysis, ROI projections, and 1031 exchange coordination for commercial acquisitions, and we partner with Kennedy's Team to structure deals across residential and commercial portfolios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What areas do you serve?

Can I search live MLS listings on your site?

Do you offer multilingual services?

How do I get started?

Why choose Nations Realty?

Immigration & First-Time Buyers

Buying

Selling

Managing

Investing

Commercial Real Estate

Still Have Questions?