Jeff Thornton - NMLS 1152466 - Cardinal Financial

05/22/2026

Seattle and Bellevue may be close on the map, but in 2026 they are acting like two very different housing markets.

$850K in Seattle vs $1.6M in Bellevue is not just a price difference.

It changes the buyer pool.
It changes the seller strategy.
It changes the lifestyle.
And it changes the monthly payment conversation.

For Seattle sellers, pricing and presentation matter more than ever.

For Bellevue sellers, demand is still being supported by schools, tech access, and Eastside lifestyle.

For buyers and relocators, the question is not just “where can I afford?” — it is “which market actually fits my life?”

Curious what this means for your situation? Send me a message and I’m happy to be a resource.

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

A lot of VA buyers don’t realize you can actually use your VA benefits to build a custom home in Washington State.

And for some buyers around Seattle, the math can make more sense than competing for resale homes right now.

VA construction loans can potentially finance:
🏡 Land
🏡 Construction
🏡 Permanent financing

…all in one loan structure for eligible buyers.

Comment “VA” if you want examples of VA-friendly custom build opportunities or construction loan options around Seattle or nearby areas.

05/15/2026

Most homeowners should NOT refinance right now.

Especially if you already have a lower interest rate.

A lot of people are confusing:

* refinancing
* recasting
* paying extra toward principal

…and they are completely different strategies.

In some situations, recasting can lower your payment while keeping your existing low rate — if your loan allows it.

Comment “RECAST” if you want the side-by-side calculator.

05/15/2026

🏡 SOLD in Kent! 🎉

Huge congratulations to my buyers on closing on their new forever home! This one checked so many boxes, and I’m incredibly excited for them as they start this next chapter.

We were able to secure a seller credit and come in at asking price with a clean, competitive offer in a market where strategy still matters.

Congrats again, you guys earned this one. 👏🏡

— Jeff Thornton
Seattle Area Realtor / Mortgage LO
eXp Realty | Cardinal Financial

05/14/2026

Seattle is expensive…

but this is what most people miss.

It’s not the price — it’s what it takes to actually qualify.

At the $800K range, buyers are running into a different reality.

Curious what the bigger challenge is right now — price or qualifying?

05/09/2026

If you think Seattle is a buyer’s market right now, this is worth seeing.

Two homes. Same neighborhood. Same week.

One sold $20K over asking.
The other cut $30K and sat for over a month.

At the same time:
• King County inventory is up ~40%
• Snohomish County is up ~60%
• Median price is down 5% YoY ($859K)

On paper, that looks like a buyer’s market.

In reality, it’s a priced-right market.

Move-in ready homes that are priced correctly?
Still competitive. Still getting multiple offers.

Overpriced or dated homes?
Those are negotiating.

That’s the difference right now.

If you want to know where you actually have leverage — based on your price range or area…

Comment MAP and I’ll break it down for you.

Illustration only. Market conditions vary. Not a commitment to lend.

05/06/2026

If you’re renting in Seattle, this math is worth seeing.

This Northgate, Seattle home comes in around $3,080/month with 20% down — while similar rentals are running closer to $3,200+.

MLS 2503982
10350 Wallingford Ave N Unit B
2 bed | 2 bath | 870 sf | $534,999 | $45 HOA

Built in 2023. Low HOA. Close to light rail and North Seattle College.

Most people don’t realize how close owning can be to rent right now.

Comment MAP and I’ll run your numbers on this.
Comment TOUR if you want details or a showing.

Illustration only. Terms vary. Not a commitment to lend.

05/02/2026

$150K income sounds like a lot… until you actually run the numbers.

In today’s market, that can land somewhere around an ~$800K home —
and that’s with minimal down and no other debt.

Add something like a car payment or a few credit cards, and that number drops faster than most people expect.

That’s the part a lot of buyers don’t see upfront.

It’s not just about income — it’s about what you carry with it.

Hope this gives a little perspective if you’ve been thinking about buying lately.