Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

5 Reasons Why Tacoma's Point Defiance Park is a Destination   Most people not from the Pacific Northwest, or even Washington are aware of Point Defiance Park. As a 760-acre destination for locals and travelers alike, it’s one of the nations largest urban parks and provides the residents of Tacoma a sanctuary from frantic city life.    Point Defiance originally began as a military reservation in the 1840’s and and in 1888 President Grover Cleveland authorized its use as a public park for all to enjoy. The park includes a fully operational zoo and aquarium, the Rhododendron and Rose Garden, beaches, endless trails, a 5-mile loop for biking and walking and even a ferry launch for Vashon Island.  Also inside Point Defiance lies Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Fort Nisqually was a key fur trading post originally located in what is now Dupont Washington. The Granary along with the Factor’s House was relocated from Dupont to Point Defiance in the 1930’s. Unfortunately...

  Making an Assumption is Never Good…Until Now In today’s world of real estate, it’s tough paying higher prices for both homes and interest rates. We were in a low-cost interest rate environment for so long, it almost feels criminal to pay more than 7% to borrow money, but this is today’s inflationary world. What most people don’t know, is that some mortgages are completely assumable…meaning you can take over the current homeowners mortgage which includes a likely far lower interest rate. But, there are several things to consider before making this plan a reality. If you're looking for a home in Tacoma or the Pacific Northwest, it's an important option to consider.   Only FHA and VA loans can be assumable, because they are government backed. Conventional loans are generally not assumable because they have a due on sale clause, meaning the owner must pay the balance in full upon sale of the property. Because FHA loans are likely more common in lower priced homes, it can be...

  Strategies for Winning: Low Appraisal Guarantee If you’re considering buying a home in Washington or most places, with financing, there’s almost always going to be an appraisal required. The entity holding the mortgage is taking the most risk by lending you the funds to purchase the property. If you were in their shoes, you’d want to know as much about the property as possible, to ensure it’s a good risk/reward.    When a homeowner has their listing agent place the home on the market for sale, in general, the agent has done their homework and prices the property within a certain value range that’s appropriate for it’s size, age, condition, location and many other factors. If the home is overpriced, it’s likely just going to sit and sit until the listing expires, or the homeowner realizes that the market is not going to overpay for the home. It’s a tough scenario for agents and buyers.    Sometimes the real estate market is so hot, that buyers may be willing to...

  Off Strategies That Work In the world of real estate, each party to the transaction has responsibilities to uphold to ensure the process follows a logical and successful end. Of course every transaction has unique challenges, surprises and bumps along the way and it’s your Realtors job to make that process as smooth as possible.  When you’re considering buying a home in Washington, there are often contingencies in place as a buyer, that you and a seller agree to, to protect you along the way. Usually there’s a financing contingency, allowing you reasonable time to obtain underwriting approval. There can be inspection contingencies allowing you time to have a home inspector check the home for potential issues. And there can be other contingencies like delivering clear and marketable title, appraisal, well or septic and many other contingencies that could be a valid reason to exit a contract if problems arise.  You may remember during the Covid-19 pandemic, the housing ma...

  Strategies for Winning: Escalation Clauses In the upside down world of competitive real estate, both buyers and their agents inevitably need to consider numerous strategies when submitting an offer for a home. And since we are in an extended sellers market with low inventory, it’s important to consider using every tool in your toolbox when needed.  If you’re thinking about buying a home in Washington, our state offers the ability for buyers to escalate their offer over another buyers offer. Not every state allows it, so I’ll go into the finer details of its used and why it’s often a game changer for many buyers.  Countless times throughout my real estate career, I have sat with buyers after looking at a home they’re considering an offer for. There are strategies beyond just offering a high number. Sometimes there are multiple buyers submitting offers for the same home, and you want to know what it takes to be the winning offer, and escalations play a significant r...

Relocating to a new state, is not for the faint of heart. It takes patience, tenacity, ingenuity and resourcefulness to make a long distance move happen. There are so many factors that come into play when you’ve finally decided to take that dive into the deep end. I manage a lot of people moving to Washington from places like Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago and elsewhere. Because the Puget Sound is a tech hub, with quality education options up and down the state, it’s hard to disagree with the sentiment that Washington is a great place to move to. If you love outdoor recreation, moving to Washington state makes a lot of sense. Like any state, Washington is vastly different north to south , but even more so, east to west. The Cascade Mountains separate the western side from the eastern side, and the climates are vastly different. From Bellingham to Seattle, Tacoma and down to Vancouver, Western Washington gets a lot of gray days, with ample precipitation, though not as much as people...

  3 Reasons Why HOA's Aren't Worth It Homeowners Associations (HOAs) were once hailed as the guardians of neighborhood aesthetics and property values. However, as many homeowners have discovered, the reality can fall short of the promise. While some might find value in the services provided by their HOAs, there are many drawbacks that make homeowners reconsider their association. Whether you’re living in the popular Canterwood in Gig Harbor or Tehaleh in Bonney Lake, homeowners can feel the constant eye of their HOA keeping watch. Here are three compelling reasons why HOAs might not be worth it to you.  Poor Management One of the most common complaints among homeowners in HOA-governed communities is poor management. HOAs are typically run by volunteer boards comprised of residents, and while their intentions may be noble, their expertise often falls short.  Inadequate management can manifest in various ways. Maintenance issues may go unresolved for extended periods, leadi...

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) often generate mixed feelings among homeowners and would be homeowners. While some people appreciate the benefits HOA’s bring, others may find them restrictive or unnecessary. However, there are several compelling reasons why  HOAs are worth it  for many homeowners. Though I focus on buying homes in Tacoma and the greater South Sound, these benefits are found elsewhere as well and are likely consistent across multiple markets. Property Value Preservation: Consider a scenario where there is no HOA to regulate property upkeep. One homeowner might neglect their lawn, while another might paint their house an unsightly color, or even park their cars on the lawn. These individual choices could detract from the neighborhood's appeal, leading to a decline in property values for everyone. By implementing and enforcing rules, HOAs reduce and often eliminate such issues and create an environment where homeowners can feel confident that their property invest...