Gordon Stephenson's Q&A

The Original Pancake House on 15th NW north of 80th.  It's a classic and probably walking distance for you: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/1/5253/restaurant/Ballard/Original-Pancake-House-Seattle

Yes, your agent is supposed to let you know why your offers are being rejected.  Sounds like a pattern...either your agent is doing something wrong (although helping you to write ten intelligently prepared offers at least says he's showing up) or you're pursuing properties in an unobtainable way, or both.

I would...but that doesn't mean YOU should.  I think it depends on your comfort level with the process, whether you think an agent "on your side" can add value (it often can, all you cynics out there), and whether by foregoing having an agent, you can get some benefit in the deal for the seller not having to pay that "buy side" fee. 

That particular lot is zoned L-1, lowrise multfamily.  Lot coverage allowed is 40%, or up to 50% for townhomes. In Seattle, that L-1 zoning requires 1600' of land per unit, and you can build detached units.  Of course, if the structures predate zoning, which most of this 'hood does, anything goes and what's there is "preexisting, non-conforming."Lots of info on the city site: Click here

Just be sure if you're buying that you understand what "private driveway" means for joint maintenance obligations and details on use rights for the respective homes. 

You can get your Zestimate -- home's estimated value - on Zillow by typing in the address on the home page. 

If you can afford to be patient, and timing for your possession isn't an issue, these are an interesting option.  You should get some reasonable discount, 5-10% imo, off what you'd pay for the same house in a "normal" transaction.  Make sure your agent informs you well as to all particulars.  And be mindful that "short sale" is different than a "bank owned" sale.  

A loan for a second home purchased for personal use -- e.g. vacation cabin -- rates will be the same as conforming rates for your primary residence.  Investment property -- different scenario.  You can rent that vacation cabin for a certain amount of time, as long as its primary use is for your own time spent there.  A true investment property, which you only rent out -- the financing falls under different guidelines at rates higher than those for your primary residence/second home.

It's possible -- and increasingly common.  It's called a "short sale."  The current owner agrees to sell at the price you both agree to, subject to the lender(s) agreeing to accept less than what they are owed in order for you to get clear title to the home.

Thanks for looking at the listing! It's a terrific spot and a really fantastic home.