Katherine O'Leary-Cole, Mortgage Advisor

03/05/2024

As the business manager/co-manager for a few very small companies, I think it's important to regularly brush up my skills, take objective stock of the progress we're making, communicate about the direction of our businesses, and ensure that our actions align with our goals.

In that vein, this quarter I'm taking a virtual "Management Info Systems" class at a local community college primarily to update my skills in Microsoft Office (much has changed since I took my last formal class on this topic fresh out of high school!).

An interesting project that I just submitted (and went WAY too much in depth LOL) was about my marketing efforts for Pallin' Around Charters Hood Canal based on our social media accounts and email newsletter. It was a good excuse to force myself to sit down to convert subjective data to an objective format.

Most important conclusions for us?
- Social media ads are an expense, but effective
- Visitors like "Personal" posts for our brand (know your brand!)
- Most of my personal network in the PNW is "Divers"
- Story posts perform better on Facebook
- Striking solitary images perform better on Instagram
- Both platforms incentivize video (so scary!!)
- Most mentioned in reviews: Food, Diving, Experience
- Lodging & Travel are starting to gain traction for our services
- Other important info for our business ;)

There is nothing I would rather be doing!!!

02/29/2024

Whew! As the lender representing my first-time homebuyer on this manufactured home on long-term leased land (at Lake Cushman), this was not an easy transaction but so worth it for her goals! Ready to start planning your mortgage strategy? Give me a call/text at 360-582-6827.

02/01/2024

Wait, do you even work??

8AM Answer too many mortgage emails
9AM Update AirBnB listing/communicate with clients
11AM Dive class on stress & rescue
1PM Arrange appraisal/reassure first time homebuyer
2PM Social media for charter/dive business
3PM Prep for cooking/dive travel clients
6PM Reassure homebuyer again
7PM Start grouting a shower
10PM Working on taxes for carpentry business

08/01/2023

As true Hood Canal folks, we run/partner a few businesses & would greatly appreciate any & all likes, shares, comments & reviews. Thank you!!!
Pallin' Around Charters
Katherine O'Leary-Cole, Mortgage Advisor
Little Wing Woodworking
Jade Scuba Adventures

06/14/2023

Hi there! It’s been a minute since we’ve introduced ourselves & explained our businesses. Having trouble keeping up? Us too, sometimes! Our goal? Our common thread? Bring together many of the life experiences we’ve had to guide others to the best experiences of our special place in the world- Brinnon, Washington on the Hood Canal 🥰 We hope you’ll join us on our joyful adventures!

My passion is helping first time homebuyers craft a mortgage strategy that will allow them to purchase a home in our area + meet their long term goals. Homeownership means something different for everyone & I love guiding others to achieve their goals! Katherine O'Leary-Cole, Mortgage Advisor

When I’m not advising on credit & downpayment strategies, I’m diving & working in the dive business with Ashley Arnold of Jade Scuba Adventures. I’m going on four years as a certified diver, from 18 dives a year to spending several hours in the water today perfecting instruction techniques. I am fortunate to have a dive mentor that demands excellence from those that trust her & I’m excited to build our careers together! We recently opened a shop in Brinnon behind the Cove RV Park and Country Store with Summer Ventura where we offer air fills, guided scuba/snorkel tours, rentals & personalized instruction.

Which leads me to the boat my partner Captain Kelley & I purchased and spent nearly a year renovating to take our friends out on the beautiful waters of the Hood Canal! Pallin' Around Charters is a hard-worked dream come true for us. Our focus is on sunset dinner cruises, with my decade + experience in the restaurant business & the magic of Jeremiah Wren from Pleasant Harbor Marina you can expect an outstanding meal on any trip with us! We will be running a handful of dive cruises with friends & shellfish/kayak tours as demand arises.

When Captain Kelley is not Captain-ing, he is running his carpentry business Little Wing Woodworking focused on “solving problems with wood” in Brinnon. Sometimes I tag along as “holder” (not skilled enough to be a go-for!) & painter. Trust me, I’m owning a 53-year-old wood boat, carpentry skills come are very helpful!

Also, we rent out our home on AirBnB (check out the listing at Olympic Oasis) & plan to expand into all-inclusive weekends that feature the unique experiences of Brinnon like a cozy knitting evening, mushroom tours, live music, river resort evenings & oyster farm tour/tastings. Stay tuned for our latest adventures!

05/18/2023

Need help with a downpayment? Check out this program offered by the state of Washington!

Did you know that the state of Washington has a down payment assistance program that kicks in 3-4% of the purchase price of your home as an interest-free loan that is not due until you sell your home? With many sellers in today’s market willing to contribute towards closing costs, your home purcha...

05/16/2023

Putting together guides for the two first-time homebuyers that I have helped get started on the property ladder in the past few weeks- what are some things you wish you knew on your first property?

05/02/2023

Are you waiting to buy a home? Why?

According to Chief Economist Selma Hepp of CoreLogic (specializing in financial, property, and consumer information, analytics, and business intelligence);

04/11/2023

Let's start your journey as a first-time homebuyer!

03/10/2023

02/17/2023

Do you know what your DTI is? Do you know what DTI is?

DTI is "debt-to-income" ratio. It's the primary hurdle I see to first-time homeownership. DTI measures your monthly debt obligations (your complete housing payment, required credit card payments, auto payment, student loan payments, etc.) to your income (pre-tax, before insurance deductions). While we generally shoot for a max DTI around 45%, different loan programs have different requirements.

Want to know more about how to increase your options for purchasing a home? Let's chat! 360-582-6827

01/30/2023

In the last three months of 2022, more than 40% of homebuyers received a concession (closing costs, a new roof, updated appliances, etc.) signaling a return to a more balanced real estate market. If you have limited funds for a down payment, now could be a good time to get in the market as interest rates continue to decrease!

Buyers have received concessions such as money for repairs and mortgage-rate buydowns in the big shift.