If you are relocating to Seattle, here’s a few tips:

1. The Stranger and http://seattleweekly.com/are the two weekly papers that offer a lot of information for the Pacific Northwest newbie. The Seattle Times and the Seattle PI also offer a lot of information about the northwest.

2. Networking sites are a great way to make friends in Seattle. Tribe.net, Facebook.com, MySpace.com, and for the more professional types LinkedIn.com is a good resource as well. But for an insiders tip, I’d highly recommend Biznik and Seattle’s Green Drinks events as a perfect place to start if you want to jump right in with both feet.

3. If you don’t know about Craigslist’s free online newspaper classifieds. Well now you do…

4. If you don’t have a professional buyer’s real estate agent working for you, you’ll notice the difference. A great buyer’s agent, saves you time and money. With a Global Positioning System onboard, and a wealth of knowledge of getting deals closed, finding your dream home is only the first step. Protecting your interests throughout the buying process is 80% of the job. A buyer’s agent will help you through the whole process from finding the home, to finding a lending agent, to getting inspections underway, there’s seemingly endless confusion to buying a house… a great buyer’s agent will cut through that confusion and help you close on time, and on budget.

5. Buying a home in the current market requires a mortgage agent that knows how to close a deal. How well do you know you banker, or mortgage broker? Make sure this person, whomever you choose, is someone that you trust, and who speaks to you in a language that makes sense.

6. Want to see some cultural landmarks… try this map!