Thanks for the response!

Not every bank offers the 3% down. We were able to get it through a local credit union using their First Time Homebuyer option. To qualify, you need to have not owned a home in the past 3 years, and we got our loan at month 39.

We originally applied through Chase, and they only had a 5% down option, unless you were under a certain income limit.

You're absolutely right about lumber prices being inconsequential in Seattle, and the coasts in general. I'm in northern Indiana, where you can get a 3/2 ranch built for $300,000, so the $24,000 hits a little harder here.

I should keep local economics in mind more often.