Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

Are You Really Ready To Renovate? Renovating your Washington home is an exciting prospect that promises to transform your living space into the dream destination you've always wanted. However, before diving headfirst into the renovation process, it's crucial to assess your readiness. Here are five key areas to consider: timeline, construction, loan costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and affordability. 1. Timeline Renovations often take longer than expected, especially today here in Washington where contractors are busier than ever. Establishing a realistic timeline is essential to avoid frustration and disruption to your daily life. Begin by defining the scope of your project. Are you planning a minor update or a major overhaul? Minor projects might take a few weeks, while extensive renovations could extend over several months and even up to a year or more. Weather like we have here in Tacoma, Washington definitely impacts contractors timelines to complete their work. Consult with ...

  Rent It & Forget It. Hold on One Minute... Deciding whether to buy & rent a home in Washington State (or anywhere) is a significant financial decision, influenced by numerous personal and market factors. This blog explores four key considerations to help you make an informed choice: becoming a landlord, handling repairs, understanding the economic outlook, and assessing your financial capability for two mortgage payments. 1. Do You Want to Be a Landlord? Buying a home with the intention of renting it out can be a lucrative investment, but it also comes with responsibilities. As a landlord, you’ll be responsible for finding and vetting tenants, collecting rent, and handling tenant issues. Washington State has tenant-friendly laws, meaning you must be well-versed in regulations to avoid legal pitfalls. These tenant-friendly laws have influenced some landlords from renting, so they’re not stuck with managing a range of laws that can impact their return on investment.  M...

  Investing in Real Estate & Why Passive Income Has Never Been More Important Investing in real estate has long been considered a prudent strategy for building wealth and generating passive income. Among the many locations available, Washington stands out as an exceptional choice for property investment. From our robust economy and favorable market conditions to our high quality of life, there are numerous reasons why buying investment property in Washington is a valuable tool for securing passive income. Below are five of the most important from my perspective.  1. Strong and Diverse Economy One of the primary reasons Washington is an excellent place for real estate investment is its strong and diverse economy. The state is home to several major industries, including technology, aerospace, healthcare, and retail. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Starbucks have their headquarters in Washington, attracting a highly skilled workforce. This economic diversity not...

  Hello ADU's! In recent years, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have become an increasingly popular housing option in Washington state. Buying a home in Tacoma or Gig Harbor is far more expensive than it used to be, and Seattle home prices have outpaced wages. These smaller, secondary residences, often referred to in other markets as granny flats, in-law suites, casitas or backyard cottages, offer numerous benefits that make them a valuable solution to the housing challenges faced by many communities. From increasing housing affordability to promoting sustainable living, ADUs are proving to be a versatile and practical addition to Washington's urban and suburban landscapes. Addressing Housing Shortages One of the primary reasons ADUs are valuable is their ability to address housing shortages. Washington, like many states, is experiencing a significant housing crisis, with a growing population and limited housing stock driving up prices. ADUs offer a way to increase housing dens...

  When Enough is Enough - The Moneypit Home Being invited into a homeowners living room to talk about listing their home is a common activity for most real estate agents. Selling your home in Washington can oftentimes mean timing the market to maximize your return after years of sweat equity and real expense. As a homeowner you’ve often replaced many systems, made repairs and upgrades during your time owning the home, and you’re looking for some return on your investment. But how much spend is too much? Recently in Federal Way, I had the opportunity to meet with homeowners who had spent years touching every corner of their property, making upgrades to flooring, stairwell railings, paint, appliances, room additions, landscaping and more. They showed me their new water heater, new power panel, water filtration system, new furnace, extra storage in the garage. On and on they went, pointing out the amazing work they’d done to their home. And it truly was great work. And now they wa...

  Offer Strategies That Work - Part II In the world of buying real estate, knowing what to offer on a home can be, one of the most anxiety filled decisions of the process. Am I getting a deal?    Am I paying too much?    Will the seller be interested in my offer?    Are their other offers?    How much are the other offers?    What can I do to set my offer apart from other offers?  The number of questions swirling around your head as a buyer (and real estate agent) can be overwhelming, especially when you’re ready to buy a home.  If you’re in the market, everyone is looking for a deal. But if you’ve been paying attention over the last few years, sellers have held the upper hand in real estate because we don’t have enough homes to sell for various reasons. Limited inventory keeps prices elevated. Buyers who’ve chosen to wait out this cycle may wait a very long time. And because there’s pent up demand that has been building f...

 5 Must Do Things Before Buying A Home The prospect of buying a home, whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned veteran can be a daunting project. Especially if you’re new to the market, you’re filled with questions, confusion and possibly even dread, not knowing how to navigate a seemingly complicated housing market. I’m here to help you get the process started if you’re looking to buy a home in Tacoma or Gig Harbor or anywhere in Pierce County. And even if you’re looking elsewhere, these steps are applicable anywhere.   You want to get a handle on your credit score. There are lots of free services out there to access a free credit report. Ensuring you don’t have any derogatory marks against you in the form of late payments or worse, can help you get your score higher. Age of credit, amount of credit used, diversity of credit, on-time payments and other factors can play a sizable role in how your credit score is calculated. The reason it’s so important, is mortgage lend...