Answers by Gayle Terry

Check the official school district tools Go to the local school district’s website. Look for: “Attendance zones,” “boundary maps,” or “school finder.” An address lookup tool where you can enter the property address. Many districts post notes like “subject to change” or show proposed/future maps.

A “probate sale” means the property is being sold by the estate of a deceased owner under court supervision, rather than by a typical individual seller. That has a few practical implications for you as a buyer: The seller is usually an executor/administrator, not a regular owner They may know little about the property’s condition or history. Disclosure requirements can be more limited, depending on your state. Court involvement and possible delays The sale may need court approval after you make an offer. Timelines are often longer and less predictable than a standard sale.

I have great lenders that are very creative and will help you get the best possible loan. Plus I am a great negotiator, from first time home buyers to Luxury homes in Spokane. However, if you do want to go this route these are the caveats. You might be able to, but it’s usually a risky way to “finally afford a house.” A 40‑year term mainly lowers the monthly payment by stretching debt much longer, and that comes with big trade‑offs. Here’s the core of it: 1. Will it actually make the payment affordable? Compared to a 30‑year loan, a 40‑year typically: Lowers your monthly payment only about 8–12% (approximate range). Increases your total interest paid dramatically over the life of the loan. Example ballpark (just to show the scale): $400,000 loan, 6.5% interest 30‑year: ~$2,528/month, total interest ~$510k 40‑year: ~$2,375/month, total interest ~$740k You save ~$150/month but pay about $230,000 more over time. If your budget is so tight that only that extra ~10% makes the difference, you’re taking on a very thin margin of safety. call and we can talk, Best, Gayle Terry