Tax accountants/CPAs and attorneys
Here’s a spreadsheet where I keep a list of legal and tax/CPA professionals that might be good to work with. Unless noted, I have no direct professional experience with any of them, but they seemed reasonably well-qualified and worth checking out: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Bl7cE7wbmPhq8w6sZLsYWzZ6zNdhJ6tSSdx1MRlUxeY/edit?gid=1962610692#gid=1962610692
If you have someone you recommend– and are NOT that actual person, or related to them, or have some other conflict of interest in recommending them– please add their name and website/contact info in the comments, or send it to me here.
Mortgage Lenders
For mortgage home loans, here’s a good list of places to get quotes from: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/mortgages/mortgage-lenders or this list for more: https://money.usnews.com/loans/mortgages/best-mortgage-lenders
I would check out Guaranteed Rate mortgage (for low fees, supposedly), Rocket Mortgage, NBKC bank, and the New American one. Looks like 3% is still a viable minimum downpayment as of writing! (Might be 3.5% in reality.)
Compare the APR you see offered when you get a quote, NOT the stated interest rate, since the APR includes several fees, and is the most apples-to-apples thing to compare across lenders. In general, I recommend a 30 year fixed rate mortgage, unless you know what you’re doing, are in a strong financial position, and have a good reason to do otherwise (significantly lower interest rate, for example.) Remember that you can– and often should– refinance if rates drop lower than whatever you sign up as, and you can always make extra payments to payoff earlier.
Auto mechanics
Seattle-area
I’ve been taking my vehicles for years to Richard Reid at Maestro Motors in West Seattle. He’s extremely competent, honest, and does great work. He will give you a frank assessment of whether you should or shouldn’t do something, regardless of his own business interest, which I really appreciate. Labor rates were around $125 – $130/hour in 2024. Linda, the front office manager, is also great. Give them a call at 206-933-9351 or email maestromotors.seattle@gmail.com
Address: 4516 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126
Text ONLY: (206) 635-1521