How Does the NewDay Salute Program Work When Buying a Home in Snohomish County?
If you're a military member or veteran planning to buy a home in Snohomish County, Washington, you may be wondering whether there are real estate benefits available to you beyond your financing options.
That's exactly where the NewDay Salute Program comes in.
Through the NewDay Salute Program, eligible military members and veterans may receive a giveback equal to 20% of Annette Stoddard's earned real estate compensation when buying a home with NewDay Real Estate Solutions.
The giveback is applied at closing when approved and properly disclosed. It is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval and is available only after a successful closing and funding.
And there's an important point I want to make upfront:
The NewDay Salute Program doesn't mean reduced real estate service.
You still receive full-service buyer representation throughout your home purchase.
I'm Annette Stoddard, a real estate agent with NewDay Real Estate Solutions serving military members, veterans, buyers, and sellers throughout Snohomish County, Washington.
If you're thinking about buying a home here, let's walk through how the program works.
What Is the NewDay Salute Program for Home Buyers?
The NewDay Salute Program is a real estate giveback program designed to serve eligible military members and veterans.
For an eligible home buyer, the program may provide a giveback equal to:
20% of Annette Stoddard's earned real estate compensation from the transaction.
It's important to understand exactly what that means.
The giveback is not 20% of the home's purchase price.
It's based on Annette's earned real estate compensation from your eligible transaction.
Because real estate transactions can differ, the actual dollar amount can differ too.
That's why I don't want to promise a specific dollar amount before reviewing your transaction.
How Does the NewDay Salute Program Work?
The simplest way to understand the buyer process is this:
You contact NewDay Real Estate Solutions.
We discuss your home-buying plans and your interest in the Salute Program.
You establish your financing with an appropriate lender.
We search for the right property.
You receive full buyer representation through the purchase.
The potential Salute Program giveback is properly disclosed and reviewed by the appropriate parties.
When approved, it is applied through the transaction at closing.
The benefit is available upon successful closing and funding.
The key is to discuss the program early.
I don't want a veteran reaching the closing table and asking for the first time:
"Can I use the NewDay Salute Program?"
Let's address it at the beginning.
How Much Could a Veteran Home Buyer Receive?
The program uses a percentage rather than a fixed dollar amount.
The potential giveback is equal to 20% of Annette's earned real estate compensation on an eligible transaction.
Here's a hypothetical example purely to explain the math.
If Annette's earned real estate compensation on an eligible transaction were $10,000, then 20% of $10,000 would be $2,000.
That does not mean every buyer receives $2,000.
If earned compensation were different, the calculation would be different.
And the program remains subject to the required approvals and successful closing and funding.
The example simply shows what "20% of earned real estate compensation" means.
When Does the Buyer Receive the Giveback?
The NewDay Salute Program benefit is designed to be applied at closing when approved and properly disclosed through the transaction.
It's not a payment you receive when you begin looking at houses.
It's not something paid when an offer is accepted.
And it isn't earned simply by contacting NewDay.
The program is connected to an eligible transaction that successfully closes and funds.
That's why the closing process matters.
Why Does the Giveback Need Approval?
A home purchase can involve several different parties.
Depending on your transaction, those may include:
Your lender.
Escrow.
The real estate brokerage.
And other transaction professionals.
The NewDay Salute Program is therefore subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval.
That's especially important for buyers using financing.
Rather than assume the benefit will be treated a certain way, we want the appropriate professionals to review it.
Clear communication early in the transaction helps everyone understand what's being proposed.
Do I Need to Use a VA Loan?
The published NewDay Salute Program information does not state that a VA loan is required to ask about the program.
The program is identified as being for eligible military members and veterans buying or selling with NewDay Real Estate Solutions.
Your financing is a separate part of the transaction.
That means if you're a veteran using another type of financing, don't automatically assume the Salute Program isn't available to you.
Ask.
We'll review your particular circumstances and make sure the appropriate parties are involved.
Can I Use a VA Loan With the NewDay Salute Program?
This is an important question, but I don't want to make a blanket promise.
VA financing has its own requirements, while the NewDay Salute Program has its own terms.
The Salute Program is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval.
So if you're planning to use VA financing, tell me and your lender about the program early.
Your lender can evaluate how any proposed giveback may be treated in your specific transaction.
That's more responsible than assuming every VA-financed transaction works exactly the same way.
Is the NewDay Salute Program the Same as a VA Home Loan Benefit?
No.
They're separate.
A VA-backed home loan is a federal home-loan benefit with its own eligibility and lending requirements.
The NewDay Salute Program is a real estate giveback program offered through NewDay Real Estate Solutions for eligible military members and veterans buying or selling with NewDay.
Don't confuse the two.
You may be discussing both during your purchase, but they serve different purposes.
Do I Get Less Buyer Representation Because of the Giveback?
No.
The NewDay Salute Program isn't intended to trade service for a benefit.
You still receive full-service representation.
When you're buying, that can include help with:
Clarifying your home-search priorities.
Understanding different Snohomish County communities.
Identifying available properties.
Scheduling and touring homes.
Evaluating asking prices.
Reviewing comparable properties.
Preparing an offer.
Negotiating terms.
Coordinating transaction deadlines.
Communicating with the other parties involved.
Connecting you with appropriate professional resources.
Helping move the transaction toward closing.
The giveback is an additional potential benefit.
It's not a replacement for representation.
Step 1: Start With Your Actual Home-Buying Goals
Before we talk about houses, I want to understand your situation.
Are you already living in Snohomish County?
Are you relocating here?
Are you leaving active service?
Are you buying your first home?
Are you selling another property at the same time?
Where do you need to commute?
How much space do you need?
What's your comfortable housing payment?
These answers shape the search.
The Salute Program is valuable, but it shouldn't cause you to buy the wrong home.
The home still needs to make sense.
Step 2: Establish Your Financing
Before we're seriously competing for a property, you should understand your financing.
A qualified lender can help you determine:
Your available loan options.
Estimated interest rate.
Comfortable purchase range.
Estimated monthly payment.
Potential down payment.
Estimated cash needed at closing.
And financing-specific requirements.
If you're eligible for VA financing, your lender can explain how that option applies to your circumstances.
If you're using another type of financing, they can explain that instead.
My job isn't to choose your loan for you.
My job is to make sure our home search works with the financing strategy you've established.
Step 3: Discuss the Salute Program Early
Tell your lender that you're interested in the NewDay Salute Program.
We'll make sure the potential benefit is addressed and disclosed appropriately.
That's much better than surprising someone late in the transaction.
It also gives you a more accurate understanding of how the program may apply before you depend on it.
Step 4: Decide Where in Snohomish County You Want to Buy
Snohomish County gives buyers very different choices.
Someone commuting toward Seattle may consider Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, or other southwest Snohomish County locations.
Someone who needs access to Everett may widen the search.
Someone who wants more space may consider Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Arlington, or other parts of the county depending on budget and inventory.
The right city isn't the one someone online calls "best."
It's the one that works for you.
Step 5: Set a Comfortable Budget
There's a difference between:
What you're approved to borrow
and
what you're comfortable paying every month.
I care about the second number.
Your housing cost may involve more than principal and interest.
Depending on the property and financing, you may also need to consider:
Property taxes.
Homeowners insurance.
HOA dues when applicable.
Utilities.
Repairs.
Maintenance.
And other ownership costs.
Military members and veterans aren't helped by a giveback if they end up buying a house that puts too much pressure on their monthly budget.
The complete purchase needs to work.
Step 6: Start Looking at Homes
Once we know your financing, budget, and priorities, we can evaluate actual properties.
This is where things become much clearer.
Maybe you thought Lynnwood was your first choice.
Then you discover Everett gives you more of the house you want.
Or maybe you thought you'd move farther north, but Lynnwood's transportation access solves an important commuting problem.
That's why I like comparing actual homes.
You're no longer making decisions from general descriptions.
You're comparing real options.
Step 7: Evaluate the Property, Not Just the Price
A lower price doesn't automatically mean better value.
Why is the property priced lower?
Does it need work?
How long has it been on the market?
What's the location like?
Are there HOA dues?
How does it compare with recent sales?
What major systems may need attention?
What are buyers overlooking?
Sometimes a home that's more expensive upfront can be the stronger choice.
Sometimes the lower-priced property really is the opportunity.
We need to understand why.
Step 8: Build the Offer Strategy
When you find the right home, we determine how to approach it.
That doesn't mean automatically offering above asking.
It also doesn't mean automatically offering below asking.
We look at the situation.
How long has it been listed?
Has the price changed?
What do comparable sales tell us?
Are there competing offers?
What's the property's condition?
What terms matter to you?
Then we build an offer around the actual circumstances.
Step 9: Complete Your Due Diligence
Once you're under contract, the work isn't finished.
Depending on your agreement and property, there may be inspections, financing requirements, appraisal, title review, HOA review, or other due-diligence items.
Different homes create different questions.
A condo is different from a detached house.
A newer property is different from an older home with deferred maintenance.
A rural property can create different considerations than an urban townhome.
The point is to understand what you're buying before closing.
Step 10: Keep the Salute Program Coordinated Through Closing
While the transaction moves forward, the NewDay Salute Program benefit also needs to remain properly coordinated.
Remember:
The benefit must be properly disclosed.
It is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval.
And it's available only upon successful closing and funding.
That's why this shouldn't be treated as an informal side agreement.
It needs to be part of the properly handled transaction.
What If I'm Buying My First Home?
If you're a military member or veteran buying your first home, don't feel like you need to understand everything before calling.
That's what the process is for.
Start with the basics:
What can I comfortably afford?
What financing options should I discuss with a lender?
Where do I want to live?
What type of property makes sense?
What cash should I keep in reserve?
How does the Salute Program potentially fit into the transaction?
Then take one decision at a time.
What If I'm Relocating From Outside Washington?
Relocation adds another layer.
You may be trying to learn Snohomish County while also dealing with work, military transition, family logistics, and a move.
Don't try to learn the entire county at once.
Start with your daily life.
Where will you work?
Do you need to reach Seattle?
Everett?
Another location?
How often?
Then consider your budget and housing requirements.
From there, we can narrow the map.
What If I Don't Know Which Snohomish County City Is Right for Me?
That's normal.
Snohomish County includes communities with very different housing and lifestyle characteristics.
You don't need to pick a city before we talk.
We can compare communities based on objective factors important to your move, such as:
Housing inventory.
Purchase budget.
Property type.
Commute.
Transit.
Lot size.
Access to services.
Parks and recreation.
And the environment you prefer.
Then you decide what feels right for you.
What If I'm Buying and Selling at the Same Time?
Now we need a coordinated plan.
Maybe you're a veteran selling a Lynnwood home and buying in Lake Stevens.
Or selling in Everett and moving to another state.
We need to understand:
Your current home's likely market position.
Available equity.
Purchase financing.
Whether your sale needs to close first.
Timing.
Contingencies.
Moving logistics.
And how the Salute Program may apply to the relevant transaction or transactions.
Don't wait until you've found your next house to figure all of this out.
Start planning earlier.
Real-World Scenario #1: Veteran Using VA Financing
Imagine you're a veteran moving to Snohomish County.
You're working with a lender and planning to use VA financing.
Your comfortable budget is established, and you're comparing Lynnwood and Everett.
You contact me and mention that you're interested in the NewDay Salute Program.
Good.
We address it early.
Your lender can review the proposed benefit in connection with your financing.
Meanwhile, I help you compare homes and communities.
When you find the right property, we build the offer strategy around that home.
The Salute Program remains part of the properly disclosed transaction and, when approved, the applicable benefit is handled at closing after successful closing and funding.
That's how the program should complement the purchase rather than distract from it.
Real-World Scenario #2: Veteran Using Different Financing
Now imagine you're a veteran but you're not planning to use a VA loan.
You might assume:
"The Salute Program probably doesn't apply to me."
Don't make that assumption.
The published program information doesn't state that a VA loan is required.
Tell us you're interested.
We'll review your situation and involve the appropriate parties.
Real-World Scenario #3: Military Household Relocating
Imagine your household is moving into Snohomish County and you know almost nothing about the area.
Instead of immediately sending you a list of 50 houses, we start with your life.
You need reasonable access to work.
You have a comfortable monthly budget.
You want a detached house.
You'd prefer a certain amount of outdoor space.
Now we can compare communities based on those requirements.
The Salute Program becomes one part of the transaction.
Your lifestyle still determines which home you buy.
Common NewDay Salute Program Mistakes Buyers Should Avoid
Assuming It's 20% of the Purchase Price
It isn't.
The potential giveback is equal to 20% of Annette's earned real estate compensation on an eligible transaction.
Assuming the Benefit Is Guaranteed
It isn't.
The required approvals still apply.
Waiting Until Closing to Mention It
Discuss the program early.
Assuming You Must Use VA Financing
The published Salute Program information doesn't state that a VA loan is required.
Assuming VA Financing Automatically Means the Giveback Is Approved
Don't assume that either.
Your specific transaction needs appropriate review.
Choosing a Home Because of the Giveback
The home and payment still need to make sense.
Spending Every Available Dollar to Buy
Keep appropriate reserves.
Five Questions I'd Ask Before a Veteran Buys in Snohomish County
1. What's Your Comfortable Monthly Housing Payment?
Not simply your maximum approval.
2. Where Do You Need to Be Regularly?
Build the location around your real routine.
3. How Long Do You Expect the Home to Work for You?
Your expected timeline matters.
4. What Type of Property Actually Fits Your Life?
Condo?
Townhome?
Detached house?
More land?
5. Have We Discussed the NewDay Salute Program With the Appropriate Parties?
Don't leave that conversation until the end.
Does the NewDay Salute Program Make Buying a Home a Good Idea?
Not by itself.
And that's important.
A real estate benefit shouldn't convince you to buy a home that isn't affordable or doesn't fit your life.
The Salute Program can potentially make an eligible transaction more beneficial.
But the purchase itself still needs to stand on its own.
If buying makes sense, then we look at how the Salute Program can fit into the transaction.
That's the right order.
So, How Does the NewDay Salute Program Work When Buying a Home?
For an eligible military member or veteran buying with NewDay Real Estate Solutions, the process is straightforward.
You discuss the program with us early.
We help you navigate the home-buying process with full-service representation.
The potential giveback is equal to 20% of Annette Stoddard's earned real estate compensation from the eligible transaction.
The benefit is properly disclosed and reviewed by the appropriate parties.
When approved, it's applied through the transaction at closing.
The program is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval and is available only after successful closing and funding.
That's the NewDay Salute Program from the buyer's perspective.
It's not a substitute for a good home-buying strategy.
It's a potential additional benefit for eligible military members and veterans who choose NewDay Real Estate Solutions to represent them.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NewDay Salute Program for Buyers
What is the NewDay Salute Program for veteran home buyers?
It's a real estate giveback program through NewDay Real Estate Solutions. Eligible military members and veterans may receive a giveback equal to 20% of Annette Stoddard's earned real estate compensation when buying an eligible property through NewDay.
Is the giveback 20% of my home's purchase price?
No. It's based on 20% of Annette's earned real estate compensation, not the home's purchase price.
When is the NewDay Salute benefit applied?
The program states that the benefit is applied at closing when approved and properly disclosed. It is available only after successful closing and funding.
Is the giveback guaranteed?
No. It is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval.
Do I need a VA loan to use the NewDay Salute Program?
The published program information doesn't state that a VA loan is required. Your specific financing and transaction should be reviewed to determine how the program may apply.
Can I use VA financing with the NewDay Salute Program?
Potentially, but don't assume approval. Because the program is subject to lender and transaction approval, discuss it with your lender and NewDay early in the buying process.
Do I receive less buyer representation because I'm receiving a giveback?
No. NewDay states that eligible participants still receive full-service representation, including guidance, negotiation, resources, and communication throughout the transaction.
Military Member or Veteran Thinking About Buying in Snohomish County?
If you're considering buying a home in Snohomish County, let's first figure out whether the home, payment, location, and timing work for you.
Then we'll determine how the NewDay Salute Program may fit into your transaction.
I'm Annette Stoddard, a real estate agent with NewDay Real Estate Solutions helping military members, veterans, buyers, and sellers throughout Snohomish County, Washington.
Serving military members and veterans is personal to me, and the NewDay Salute Program is one way NewDay can give something back while still providing full-service real estate representation.
Annette Stoddard
NewDay Real Estate Solutions
Real Estate Agent | Snohomish County, Washington
+1 425-330-9794
Important program note: The NewDay Salute Program is subject to lender, escrow, brokerage, and transaction approval. Benefits are available only upon successful closing and funding.
