Simple. Fast. Affordable.

Whether you're upsizing, downsizing or looking into a mortgage refinance, our expert Home Loan Guides can’t wait to partner with you on this big milestone.1 We make the residential mortgage process fast, easy and straightforward so you can focus on creating memories, not paperwork. We also offer our eSigning Experience, allowing you to close online from virtually anywhere. You can even sign right from your phone!2 All this and more makes Solarity your best option for home loans in Yakima, Ellensburg, Toppenish, Selah, Wenatchee,  Vancouver, Spokane, the Tri-Cities and all of  Washington state.

Or call for today's rates: 888.626.1799

 

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Home loans with a boost

Introducing Solarity Credit Union and the best mortgage experience you’ll ever have. We make the home loan process fast and easy. You can apply online in just a few minutes.

Rated 98 out of 100 by thousands of Solarity borrowers, our online mortgage process saves you time so you can focus on the things that really matter.3 And our expert Home Loan Guides are here to help every step of the way.

 

Home loan options include:

  1. Flexible loan terms to fit your budget and lifestyle
  2. Competitive rates and affordable payment options
  3. Flat origination fee, saving you thousands on closing costs
  4. Convenient e-Signing closing to save you time
  5. Servicing of your loan stays with Solarity – always!

The Solarity eSigning Experience

When you choose Solarity's eSigning Experience, you complete the entire closing online, from the comfort of your home or office. You can skip the drive across town and focus instead on this exciting occasion....closing on your home loan!

So be sure to tell your real estate professional or title company you'd like to utilize Solarity's eSigning Experience for your closing.

 

  1. Sign from anywhere using your phone, tablet or computer
  2. Review your documents ahead of time before signing
  3. Remote Online Notary (RON) certifies the process (no need to leave home!)
  4. Close with your Solarity team and closing partners - all in one place: online

Get your personalized quote

Your expert Home Loan Guide will get to know you and what's most important to ensure you get the home loan that's right for you!

Give us a call today:

1.888.626.1799

Or start your application online:

Let Solarity Help With A Pre-qualified Today

Pre-approval: what you need to know

Pre-approval is an important first step in applying for a home loan. It gives you an idea of what you're likely to qualify for. It helps you figure out how much home you can afford and how much you'll be able to borrow.

Here's what you'll need to start the pre-approval process (full PDF checklist):

  1. Current address
  2. Driver's license and Social Security number
  3. Two months of bank statements
  4. Employment history for the past two years
  5. 30 days of pay stubs and the last two years' tax returns
  6. List of current debts
Talk about home loans in Washington

Let's talk about your ideal home loan

Applying for a mortgage shouldn't be difficult. We make is FAST and EASY with 3 simple ways to get started:

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Online

It takes less than 10 minutes to apply online. Submit your application and we'll follow up with you to discuss your situation.

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Ready to talk to someone right now? Our Home Loan Guides are ready to talk to you, too! Call 1.888.626.1799.

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Common questions about home loans

If you choose a fixed rate mortgage, the rate you lock in during the loan process will be the rate you have for the life of your loan. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage is one of the most common, traditional types of loans, and can be a particularly attractive option when rates are low.

If you choose an adjustable rate mortgage (or “ARM”) your rate will likely vary over the life of the loan. Many ARMs have what is known as an introductory period in which your rate stays the same for a specified amount of time, followed by periodic rate adjustments for the remainder of the loan. In a "5/1 ARM," for instance, your introductory rate will stay the same for the first five years, and your rate may then adjust up or down each year thereafter. The introductory rates on ARMs are often lower than their fixed rate loan equivalents.

Most lenders offer a wide variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate home loan options (Solarity does!). Solarity's expert Home Loan Guides will help walk you through the loan options to help you find the one that’s best for you and your particular situation.

A pre-approval letter is a document that states the dollar amount a lender is willing to lend toward a home purchase. It is important to have it when you start house hunting because it will show both your real estate agent and the sellers' agent that you’re a serious and qualified buyer.

Closing costs are the fees and expenses you pay for a home loan and are typically between 2% and 6% of the loan amount. Closing costs consist of lender fees—such as the loan origination fee and discount points—as well as third-party fees, escrow account funds and prepaids like taxes and insurance.  

At Solarity, we offer transparent loan pricing: our loan origination is a low, flat fee instead of the more common 1% of loan amount. The advantage of a flat fee is that no matter how large your loan is, your loan origination fee remains the same, which can save you money at closing.

Lenders are required by law to clearly disclose closing costs at the bottom of Page 1 of the standardized Loan Estimate form, which you can explore here. Lenders must deliver this form within three days of receiving your application. Whether you’re buying or refinancing, it doesn’t cost anything to apply for a home loan at Solarity, and you can apply online in just a few minutes. Once we receive your application, we can estimate how much you’ll need to bring to closing.

Still have questions about closing costs? Connect with our expert Home Loan Guides who can clarify any further questions you may have.

Solarity has a number of no down payment and low down payment options. For many loans, Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI may be required if you put less than 20% down. Read more about down payment requirements and saving for a down payment.

We can typically turn around a pre-approval letter very quickly - within 48 hours and a pre-qualification letter the same day. Supplying as much financial information as possible to our expert Home Loan Guides will move the process along quicker.

Want to learn more about what a pre-approval is and how it works? Watch our video.

Definitely not (unless you want to)! You can do the ENTIRE process online, applying for a Solarity home loan from your home computer or mobile device. In addition, you can call our expert Home Loan Guides. If you walk into a branch, we can connect you with our Home Loan Guides that way, too!

We will work around your schedule and will communicate with you in the manner that's most convenient for you. We go to great lengths to make the entire process for you as easy as we can. You can even close the loan from your mobile phone (message and data rates may apply). We can't wait to help you get started! 

First-Time Home Buyer? Let’s Get Started.

With so much to offer, there has been a recent influx of new people moving to Washington to experience its beauty for themselves. On top of this, many big businesses are coming to the cities, thanks to the benefits it offers (say hello to no state income taxes).

This increase in competition can be challenging for some first-time home buyers in Washington state, but luckily there are a range of programs through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission that you can take advantage of. Their definition of “first-time home buyer” also offers some leniency and extends to anyone who hasn’t owned or occupied a primary residence for the previous 3 years, so if you’re not brand new to home ownership but you fall into that category, you can still apply.

Additional questions about home loans:

Generally, home buyers are responsible for closing costs that can include escrow fees, recording and documentation fees, homeowners insurance, mortgage fees, and title insurance fees.

To get a better understanding of the total due upon closing, Washington state has a document called a Loan Estimate, which can give you a general idea of how much you’ll pay at closing. Usually, the amount is between 2% and 5% of the total cost.
Depending on the part of Washington that you’re located in, there are several different local initiatives that you can apply to be a part of. One of the biggest ones is in Seattle, where homebuyers with an income under $75,380 can qualify. You can be provided with up to $55,000 that you can use for covering closing costs and part of the down payment.

Where you apply for financing is also extremely important, because there are certain programs that run through the local banks and credit unions. The Boeing Employees’ Credit Union is one such place, with an offer of $7,500 for a first-time homeowner grant for eligible members. Make sure to explore all opportunities before you make your decision, so that you can rest assured that you’re getting the most assistance possible.
Washington state offers several free first-time home buyers educational seminars where you can learn more about purchasing and maintaining your new home. These seminars are open to the public, and will give you the majority of the information that you need to participate in their assistance programs. These seminars can also help you to achieve the credentials that you need to qualify for these programs as well.

Evaluate Your Options As A New Buyer

There are two main types of home loans in Washington state for new buyers that are offered through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. The Home Advantage and the House Key Opportunity are both programs for discounted mortgage rates in Washington state, and can be applied to a conventional loan, as well as FHA, VA, or USDA loans.

The main requirement for both programs is the completion of a five-hour long educational course about being a first-time home buyer (which is currently being held virtually), where they will provide you with all the necessary information.

The Home Advantage program has three major requirements, and can provide new home buyers the opportunity to get the lowest interest rate possible on their new home.

The requirements for this program include:

  • 620 minimum credit score
  • Maximum 50 percent debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
  • Annual income under $160,00

If you qualify for this opportunity, you can also look into the WSHFC EnergySpark program, where you can get even more of a discount on your interest rate by purchasing an eco-friendly home. If you can’t find one, the program also allows for the purchase of a home that can be renovated to meet Washington’s green standards.

Created for potential home buyers that are on the lower income side and who need assistance with their down payment through another government program, this program has income limits that must be considered. They can range from $75,000 to $140,000, based on the location that you’re looking to buy and the size of the house. There is also a cap on how much the home can cost (depending on location), with a range from $265,000 to $575,000.

Similar to the other Home Advantage program, the House Key Opportunity offers competitive rates on your interest level, which can be used in conjunction with FHA, VA, or USDA loans. If you’re applying for a conventional loan, you can qualify if your income is below 80% of the area median.

Putting a down payment on your first home can seem intimidating, with many first-time home buyers trying to figure out how much they should set aside. The good news is that there are a lot of programs to assist you in making this payment, with the average amount of down payment assistance falling around $10,000 in Washington. These loans will need to be returned before looking into WA state refinancing rates or selling your home, which is something to keep in mind when considering if they’re right for you. There are a few requirements, the biggest of which is a credit score of 620 or above. Additionally, the income limits and requirements vary from program to program, so it will depend on which one you choose.

This opportunity for assistance can be combined with the Home Advantage mortgage program, providing extra help for those that need it. The DPA can offer up to 4% of your total mortgage, or 5% for a conventional HFA Preferred loan. The payments are deferred for 30 years and there is no interest charged on the loan.

The Home Advantage DPA is also needs based. If your income is below $105,300 a year ($134,000 in King or Snohomish counties), you may qualify for a $10,000 loan to put towards your down payment. The payments for this program are also deferred for 30 years, although the interest on the loan is increased to 1%.

Working in tandem with the House Key Opportunity, this program for an extra $10,000 can come in the form of a second mortgage. With a 1% interest rate, payments on this loan can be deferred for up to 30 years as well. The required income limits for this program are lower than others and vary based on location, as well as the number of people living in your household.

 

Helpful articles and information

 

Solarity honored at 2024 Golden Hammer Awards for Habitat for Humanity support

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Solarity Credit Union donates 800+ school supplies to YWCA to help local kids start the school year

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Solarity donates $40,000 to the Memorial Foundation and toy Jeep to young patient

Solarity Credit Union’s president and CEO, Mina Worthington, was thrilled to gift three-year-old Jeremiah with a brand new, electric toy Jeep! In addition, Solarity donat...

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Solarity’s Home Loan Member Experience Survey score from March 2022.