Buying a Home

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Buying a Home Stop Judging Manufactured Homes Until You Know What They Really Are Quick answer: Today’s manufactured homes are built in a factory to a federal building code, then moved and installed on site. They can be a solid, more affordable way to own a home. The key is knowing how the home was built, moved and installed, and that is where an experienced agent helps. Let me […]
Buying a Home What Is a Resale Certificate and Why Does Every Condo Buyer Need One? Quick answer: A resale certificate is a report from the condo association that the seller gives the buyer. It shows the HOA’s dues, reserves, special assessments, lawsuits and rules. In Washington you generally have 5 business days after you first receive it to cancel the purchase, so read it right away. If you’re buying a […]
Buying a Home How Institutional Investors Changed Our Local Housing Market (And What’s Happening Now) Quick answer: For several years, large investment companies bought many homes in Pierce and Kitsap County with cash, which made it hard for regular buyers to compete. Many are now pulling back, so people who want a home to live in have a better chance again. If you’ve been trying to buy a home in […]
Buying a Home Pierce County Home Prices Are Flat: Should You Buy or Wait? Quick answer: It depends on your situation, your readiness and your strategy. Waiting for a perfect moment rarely works. The buyers winning in today’s Pierce County market are the ones who are prepared, pre-approved and clear on what they need. If you’ve been following Washington’s housing market lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines: “Home Prices […]
Buying a Home How to Win a Home Without the Highest Offer If you think winning a home in today’s competitive market is simply about throwing the most money at the seller, you’re missing the bigger picture. I’ve been helping buyers navigate Washington’s challenging real estate landscape for years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty: the highest offer doesn’t always win. Your Buyer’s Agent is […]
Buying a Home Your 2019 Home Buying Strategy Won’t Work in 2026 – Here’s What Will If you’re still trying to buy a home like it’s 2019, you’re operating with outdated information. The real estate market has fundamentally changed, and buyers who don’t adapt are consistently losing out on homes to those who understand the new landscape. Let me be direct: the strategies that worked five years ago simply don’t cut […]
Buying a Home Why Your Online Pre-Approval Might Get Rejected (And How to Fix It) Look, I’m going to save you from learning this the hard way. Last month, I watched a couple lose out on THREE homes because they thought their “instant online pre-approval” was golden. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. But here’s the thing – online pre-approval can absolutely work. You just need to know what you’re doing. The […]
Buying a Home Can You Buy a House in Pre-Foreclosure? What Buyers Need to Know Quick answer: Yes, but it takes time and the owner has to cooperate. You buy directly from the owner before the auction, as a regular sale if they have equity, or as a short sale if the lender agrees to take less than is owed. In Washington the auction cannot happen until at least 90 […]
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Buying a Home How to Find the Best Mortgage Rate in Tacoma: A Lender Guide Quick answer: No single lender always has the best rate in Tacoma. Your rate depends on your credit, down payment, loan type and the day you lock. To find the best deal, ask 3 to 5 lenders for a Loan Estimate on the same day and compare the rate, fees and APR side by side. […]
Buying a Home What Is a Feasibility Study? Understanding the Critical Step Before Building on Your Lot   You’ve found it. The perfect piece of land where you’ll build your dream home. The location is ideal, the size is right, and you can already picture where the house will sit. You’re ready to make an offer. But before you get too excited, there’s a critical question you need to answer: Is it […]
Buying a Home Can You Sign a Buyer Agreement for Just One House? Here’s What You Need to Know When you’re ready to start seriously looking at homes, your real estate agent may ask you to sign a buyer broker agreement (also called a buyer representation agreement or buyer agency agreement). For many first-time home buyers, this document can feel intimidating—especially if you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to working with one agent […]
Buying a Home Are Buyer Broker Agreements Negotiable? What Home Buyers Need to Know Quick answer: Yes. In Washington you must sign a written buyer agreement before your agent can be paid, but the terms are yours to negotiate: how long it lasts, how much the agent is paid, which homes or areas it covers, and how you can end it. If you’re starting your home search in Washington […]
Buying a Home Why You Need to Sign a Buyer Broker Agreement Before Touring Homes (And Why That Protects You) If you’re starting your home search in Washington state, you’ve probably encountered something that feels a bit surprising: before you can tour homes with a real estate agent, you’ll need to sign a buyer broker service agreement. For many first-time buyers, this raises immediate questions: Why do I need to sign something just to look […]
Buying a Home What Does Your Perfect Weekend Look Like? Why It Matters in Homebuying Home shopping typically focuses on tangible features: square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen quality, location, and price. These factors matter, of course. But they’re only part of what determines whether a house will actually work as your home. The missing element in many home searches is lifestyle alignment—whether the property supports how you […]
Buying a Home The Home Tour Survival Guide: How to Remember Which House Had What Quick answer: Give every house a memorable nickname, rate each one with the same simple scorecard, and write down deal-breakers and must-haves as you go. Then review your notes the same day, while the details are fresh.   Why You Need a System When Touring Multiple Homes If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon looking […]
Buying a Home Why More Millennials and Gen Z Are Turning to Real Estate Investment The rising cost of everyday essentials—groceries, utilities, insurance, healthcare—has fundamentally changed how Americans approach their finances. What used to feel like comfortable household budgets now require constant juggling and difficult choices. For many, a single income source no longer provides the financial cushion or security it once did. This economic pressure has fueled dramatic growth […]
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