Jeffrey Thornton - EXP Realty

Jeffrey Thornton - EXP Realty Guiding buyers & sellers in Greater Seattle through first homes, investments, upsizing, downsizing & luxury. Let’s find your perfect home—call or text today!

Helping buyers & sellers in Greater Seattle with expert guidance on first homes, investments, upsizing, downsizing & luxury. Whether you're buying or selling, get a seamless experience with tailored strategies & market expertise.

05/22/2026

$850K in Seattle.
$1.6M in Bellevue.

Same region… completely different housing market.

For buyers, this changes what your money actually buys.

For sellers, it changes your pricing strategy, buyer pool, and expectations.

Seattle can offer more value, walkability, and condo opportunities.

Bellevue still carries a major premium for schools, newer homes, tech access, and Eastside demand.

Neither is automatically better — but the strategy is completely different.

If you’re buying, selling, or relocating around Seattle or Bellevue, this is the kind of math you want to understand before making a move.

05/19/2026

Most first-time buyers around Seattle are comparing the WRONG payment.

Same house…
but seller concessions, rate buydowns, and different loan structures can create VERY different monthly payments.

A lot of buyers never even see multiple options side-by-side.

Comment “OPTIONS” and I’ll run different payment scenarios for your budget.

05/17/2026

A lender qualifying you for a payment and a payment actually feeling comfortable are two VERY different things.

Especially in Seattle’s market.

This is a simple framework I like for thinking about realistic housing affordability.

05/17/2026

One of the biggest mistakes I see?

People buying based on what they qualify for instead of what actually feels sustainable month to month.

Especially in higher-cost markets like Seattle.

There’s a huge difference between:
✔️ approved payment
✔️ comfortable payment

05/15/2026

A lot of homeowners are about to make the wrong move with their mortgage.

Refinancing, recasting, and paying extra toward principal are NOT the same thing.

And for many people with lower rates already… refinancing may not make sense at all.

Especially if you might move before hitting the break-even point.

Comment “RECAST” and I’ll send the side-by-side calculator.

🏡 SOLD in Kent! 🎉Huge congratulations to my buyers on closing on their new forever home! This one checked so many boxes,...
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.

It’s less about what you want to buy…
and more about what a lender will actually approve.

That’s where most people get surprised.

05/12/2026

New Homes Can Be CHEAPER Than Resale Right Now…

This surprises a lot of people…

In today’s market, some new construction homes are actually cheaper than resale — once you factor in builder incentives.

We’re seeing things like:

* Rate buydowns
* Closing cost credits
* Upgrades included

That can shift the math more than most buyers realize.

Not always… but in the right situation, it can make a big difference.

Curious what that looks like at your price point?

05/08/2026

If you think this is a buyer’s market… you’re going to lose the good homes.

Two homes. Same Seattle neighborhood. Same week.

One sold $20K over asking.
One cut $30K and sat.

Inventory is up — but that doesn’t mean every buyer has leverage.

Move-in ready homes? Still competitive.
Overpriced or dated homes? Negotiating.

This is a priced-right market.

Comment MAP and I’ll break down where you actually have leverage.

Save this if you’re buying or selling in Seattle this year.

05/06/2026

If you’re paying $3,200 in rent right now… this might change how you think about buying.

This Northgate townhome comes in around $3,080/month in the example I ran.

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

Built in 2023 and close to North Seattle College + light rail.

Comment MAP and I’ll run your numbers.
Comment TOUR if you want details.

Save this if you’re comparing rent vs buying in Seattle.

Address

17820 24th Avenue NE
Shoreline, WA
98155

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