Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

Relocating to Puyallup, Washington: The Hidden Gem of the Pacific Northwest Nestled in the heart of Pierce County, Puyallup (pew-AL-ep), Washington, is a charming city that offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. The city's name comes from the Puyallup Tribe of Native Americans and means "the generous people." If you’re considering a move to the Pacific Northwest, Puyallup stands out as an ideal destination for families, young professionals, and retirees alike. Located just 10 miles southeast of Tacoma, here’s why Puyallup is a fantastic place to relocate to. Proximity to Mount Rainier One of Puyallup’s most alluring features is its proximity to the majestic Mount Rainier. Just a short drive away, this iconic mountain provides breathtaking views and a plethora of outdoor activities. You can gaze at the majestic mountain from endless areas around Puyallup. Whether you’re into hiking, skiing, or simply enjoying nature, Mount Rainier offers cou...

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...

 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...

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...