Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

Sound Sound Spotlight - Gig Harbor Historical Background Gig Harbor, one of the Sound Sounds best kept secrets, dates back to 1840 when Captain Charles Wilkes of the U.S. Exploring Expedition named the harbor after using a gig (a small boat) to navigate the waters. Initially a fishing village, Gig Harbor evolved as European settlers arrived in the late 19th century, developing a robust economy based on fishing, boat building, and timber. Prior to these European settlements, modern day Puyallup people called Lushootseed settled at the mouth of the harbor and were there until they were relocated to a tribal reservation.  Geography and Climate Gig Harbor is situated on the southwestern shore of the Puget Sound, across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. The town’s waterfront, dotted with boats and marinas, reflects its maritime roots. The climate is typical of the Pacific Northwest, with mild, wet winters and cool, dry summers. The surrounding forests and waters provide a rich natu...

Relocating to Washington From Las Vegas - Part I   Moving from Las Vegas to Washington State more than 5 years ago, was a monumental task that I didn’t fully anticipate being as challenging as it was. On top of the move, COVID-19 began raging shortly after I relocated and created layers of complications beyond just social distancing.    As a full-time licensed real estate broker, connecting with people and generating business from conversations is a primary source of lead generation. Coming from Las Vegas where I had lived the majority of my life, the adjustment to a new city, culture and geography took time. I didn’t know my way around. I didn’t know anyone and the pandemic ensured it would be even a bigger mountain to climb than I’d anticipated. As a newcomer from the desert southwest, I’ll share some of my key learnings and how I have navigated the change from Nevada to Washington. And for the record, I’m so glad I made the move, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t things...

  Why Buying Real Estate Today Still Makes Sense Real estate has been a topic of conversation on most people’s minds the last several years. From the Great Recession of 2009, through the years of post-recession stagnation and the decreasing volume of new construction, to the pandemic and seismic shift in real estate, causing prices to skyrocket, we have seen many markets in a relatively short period of time. Without those previous markets, we would not be where we are today. Supply Shortages Driving Price Appreciation : Many regions are facing a shortage of available housing units relative to the growing demand for housing. Rapid population growth, urbanization trends, and limited land availability exacerbate this supply shortage. As a result, property prices are on an upward trajectory, presenting opportunities for investors to capitalize on potential capital appreciation. As homeowners committed to historically low interest rates through the end of 2021, even through the extremes...