Alina from Windermere interviews Emily Bort of Movement Mortgage about mortgages, buyer planning, and real estate strategy in the greater Seattle market. Emily shares her path from investment banking into mortgages, how the industry changed after 2008, and why she stays hands-on with clients despite having a team. They discuss recent rate movement into the 6% range, affordability and inventory challenges, and advice for buyers: start early using soft credit pulls, talk with family about support, and choose a trusted realtor and lender over online options. Emily explains move-up planning, using equity through HELOCs, bridge-loan realities, and the importance of liquidity and strategy. They touch on investing, leverage, “forced savings,” house hacking, and local market dynamics with hot pockets and negotiation variance. Emily also highlights Washington’s Covenant loan program and offers guidance on helping kids buy without derailing retirement plans.
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