Puget Sound Properties & Lifestyle

  Is It The Right Time To Refinance Your Mortgage? The Mortgage refinance business has been nothing but crickets for the last 2+ years as mortgage rates have been climbing steadily since January 2022. We haven’t seen rates above 7% in nearly 20 years, but that’s the environment our country has been in, since we’ve been tackling skyrocketing inflation. By increasing the cost to borrow, the Federal Reserve has tried to slow the economy without bringing it to a screeching halt.  As recently as August 2024, unemployment numbers are slowly rising and consumer spending has also pulled back. The stock market has seen more swings and corrections and the Fed is looking at making some monetary changes. When the Fed reduces interest rates it doesn’t have a direct correlation to mortgage rates, since those are tied to the 10-Year Treasury. Yet still, mortgage rates have been dropping and are at their lowest rate in 2024.  Family, friends and clients have been asking whether it’s the ...

Home Upgrades That Are A Poor Return on Investment When it comes to home improvements, not all upgrades are created equal. While some can significantly increase your property's value and appeal, others may not provide a good return on investment (ROI). Understanding which upgrades are worth the expense and which aren't can save you time, money, and frustration. Buying a home in Tacoma often means buying an older home with years of renovations, upgrades and updates. Not all of them bring value and depending on your market, these may shift in value. 1. Home Theaters The idea of having a dedicated space for watching movies, complete with a large screen, surround sound, and plush seating, is undoubtedly appealing to a lot of people. However, home theaters are a niche luxury that doesn't appeal to a broad audience. The cost of setting up a home theater can be substantial, often ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the level of sophistication and customization. W...

  3 Things That Will Ruin Your Scheduled Home Closing Closing on a home is an exciting milestone, but it can quickly become a nightmare if certain pitfalls are not avoided. To ensure a smooth and timely closing, you should be aware of these three critical issues that can derail the process: depositing closing funds at the last minute, missing a bank wire deadline, and accepting fraudulent instructions. 1. Depositing Closing Funds Last Minute One of the most significant mistakes you can make is waiting until the last minute to deposit or transfer your closing funds. Closing funds typically include the down payment and other associated costs, and these funds need to be cleared and verified by the bank before the closing can proceed. Oftentimes, people will leave funds in an investment account or 401K, and not do the appropriate homework on when and how those funds can be transferred and released. Why It Matters:  Banks often have specific hold times for large deposits, especiall...

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 Home Features Buyers Are Looking For Right Now Homebuyers and especially Gen Z buyers who are moving into the market are looking for things that most people didn’t have on their radar just 5 years ago. Home trends are changing and with homes becoming more expensive, buyers tastes are more specific. Here are five things to consider adding to your home to give it more value and marketability over the years ahead.   1. Electric Car Chargers - These have become more and more popular as electric cars increase market share and buyers need a place to charge them, A Level 2 (240-volt) home charging station allows you to plug your car in, during the evening and have a full charge by morning. Depending on your power panel at home and space, you should be able to add that feature to give your home a leg up against the competition.    2. Tankless Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks in markets where the water is hard and full of sediment wreak havoc on hot water tanks that aren’t...

  When Buying A Home…What Makes A Good Offer: When it comes to buying a home in Washington, making a compelling offer is crucial. In a competitive real estate market, it’s important to understand that a good offer is not solely about the highest price or being the first to make an offer. There are multiple factors that can influence the seller's decision. Here are three key aspects to consider when crafting a strong offer: 1. It’s More Than Price While offering a competitive price is very important, it’s not the only factor that sellers consider. As buyers agents, it’s incumbent upon us to ask the listing agent/owner, what’s important to them. It could be flexible timeline. It could be trying to offload existing furniture to ease the move. It could be wanting to find someone to care after a specific thing the property has like gardens or historical architecture. Other key items could be: Contingencies: Contingencies are conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed. Common c...