Short Sales, Foreclosures and First Time Home Buyers

06/19/2009 at 9:00 a.m.

The stimulus package includes an $8,000 tax rebate for first time homebuyers. Are you considering buying your first home? Today we offer advice. If your credit rating is poor, what can you do to improve your score? How important is your employer or having money to put down? How can you negotiate a good loan? We also offer answers to those of you facing a short sale or foreclosure. Foreclosure filings in Seattle rose 18 percent in May. Where can you get help? Should you continue making payments or not? How should you talk to your lender?

Plus, weekend weather forecast with Cliff Mass.

Guest(s)

Richard Hagar is a real estate agent and appraiser. He teaches classes on predatory mortgage lending. You can hear his commentaries on KPLU once a month.

Linda Taylor is housing director at the Urban League.

Andrea Misiano is a certified financial counselor at Consumer Counseling Northwest. In the past, she has served in both the collector and lender roles.

Cliff Mass is an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington.