Mortgages

Pierce County is the second most populous county in the state of Washington. Pierce County is home to the Mount Rainier volcano, which is the tallest mountain in the Cascade Mountain Range. Pierce County offers its residents and visitors a wide range of natural and geographic attractions and features, as well as several national protected areas, including Mount Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Rainier National Park, and Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

With all that Pierce County has to offer, it is no wonder that so many visitors fall in love with Pierce County Washington and choose to call Pierce County “home.”

Once you have decided to purchase a new home, one of the first things you will need to do is get a mortgage. Unfortunately, today’s home buyers have fewer choices when it comes to getting a mortgages than they would have during the big real estate boom; today’s lenders have returned to more sensible and safe home lending and financing, and have stepped away from the loans based on risky terms that were so popular from 2000 – 2008. However, there are still plenty of options for you to secure a quality mortgage.

When shopping around for a mortgage, you will come across three basic types of mortgages, for the most part. The three basic types of mortgages are as follows:

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Fixed Rate Mortgage

With a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate on the mortgage stays constant and remains the same for the entire length of the mortgage loan, and they payments are split into equal monthly payments for the entire duration of the loan. Especially during the first few years, only a small percentage of the payment in a fixed rate mortgage actually goes toward paying off the principle; rather, most of it is being applied to the interest on the loan.

While there are also options for 10 years, 15 years, and 20 years loans, the most popular fixed rate mortgage remains the 30-year mortgage, due to the fact that it makes the monthly payments lower.

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Adjustable Rate Mortgage

Unlike a fixed rate mortgage that carries an interest rate that remains constant and unchanged throughout the life of the mortgage, the interest rate on an adjustable rate mortgage, or ARM, can change and fluctuate year to year. A particularly popular option is a hybrid adjustable rate mortgage, which features aspects and features of both fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages.

For instance, the mortgage could start out as a three year, five year, or ten year period of a fixed interest rate. After the fixed rate period ends, the loan is then amortized over the balance and remainder of the term with an interest rate that can adjust year to year.

Typically, there are caps on these types of mortgages, on the initial interest rate reset, as well as a cap on the amount that the interest rate can change over the remainder of the loan.

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Interest Only Jumbo Loan

Affluent homebuyers who have irregular incomes most often use these particular types of mortgage loans. As the name suggests, this particular type of mortgage allows you the option of paying only on the interest of your loan for the first few years. While there are options to pay on the principal as well, the option remains to pay interest only.

Interest only loans are structured similarly to adjustable rate mortgages, in that the interest only period lasts for only a certain period of time, whether it is the first 5 or 10 years. After that, the interest rate will begin to adjust annually, with the homebuyer making payments that go toward both the interest and the principal.

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About Pierce County Washington Real Estate

Regardless of the type of mortgage you choose, it is crucial that you do your homework and understand your investment. Be sure that there are absolutely no details of the mortgage that you don’t understand. If you have any questions about how the mortgage process works, or which type of mortgage would be best in your situation, please feel free to call me. I am Vickie Jennings, and I am a Pierce County Washington real estate expert. It is my mission to provide exceptional service to anyone who has come here searching for Pierce County homes for sale. Take a look around my site, then browse through my featured properties to get a feel for the current market. Once you’re ready to search the available homes, give me a call or connect with me online. Let’s get started!

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Stage Your Home

Staging your home to sell is simply the act of sprucing up your home to get it ready to sell. Many people choose to stage their home themselves; however, many sellers see the benefits of working with a home staging professional. Staging your home properly can play a huge role in the offers you receive for your home, so it’s important to not overlook this critical step.

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Staging Tips

There are several tips and tricks you can you when staging your home to help it sell faster. Below are several tips for how to stage your home to sell:

• Get rid of clutter! This is, hands down, the most important thing you can do to get your home ready to sell
• Pay attention to the grouping of your furniture. Your rooms will feel bigger if you furnish your rooms by floating the furniture away from the walls. Reposition your couches and chairs into conversation friendly groupings.
• Play musical furniture. Feel free to let yourself move some things around, such as furniture, artwork, or other objects around the house. Sometimes, giving something a new and fresh space can make all the difference in the world.
• Transform your rooms. If you have any rooms that are just gathering junk, or aren’t serving a purpose, repurpose them. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic; sometimes, even just adding a piece of furniture or two can make a world of difference.
• Pay attention to the lighting. The difference the proper lighting can make in transforming a room is undeniable. Pay attention to the lighting in your rooms, and aim for a total of 100 watts for every 50 square feet in your room. Increase or decrease the wattage of your light bulbs, if necessary.
• Make your rooms feel bigger. One trick to making a room feel bigger is to paint it the same color as the adjacent room or rooms.
• Neutral and appealing. One of the key factors of how to stage your home to sell is to make sure that you home is as neutral as possible, having mass appeal. You never know who will end up purchasing your home, so it’s important to try to appeal to as many buyers as possible.
• Remove any items or photos from your home that are overly personal. If there are too many personal items of your family in the home, potential homebuyers can often have trouble imagining their family living in the home. Again, think mass appeal.
• Experiment with color. Don’t be afraid to try a bold, dark color on the walls. Homeowners often shy away from colors that are dark, thinking that it will make the room look and feel smaller. However, the opposite effect is often true – dark colors can make any room instantly feel more cozy, intimate, and inviting.
• Vary your wall hangings and decorations. Place and arrange your pictures and artwork in unexpected and creative ways on the walls. This allows potential buyers to look at your walls with a fresh set of eyes. Arranging your artwork in a stereotypical high line around the room can render your artwork and creativity almost invisible.
• As they say, three’s company. It’s important to mix the right accessories when staging the rooms in your home. When grouping or arranging accessories and decorations, keep in mind that odd numbers are always the most appealing. Scale is also surprisingly important, so vary the height and width of the objects. Start with the largest item in the back, and work to the smallest object in the front. Group accessories by common factor, such as color or texture.

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Hire Someone to Stage Your Home

If you have any doubts about how to stage your home to sell, then I recommend that you consider working with a staging profession before selling your Pierce County Washington property. If you’re ready to search the available Pierce County real estate, then you have come to the right place. I am Vickie Jennings, and I am so glad that you are here! I aim to provide each of my clients with the highest level of personal service; in fact, it’s my #1 priority. I offer a complete range of services to my clients, and I am dedicated to providing only the highest level of quality services. I market and sell all sorts of real estate, including residential properties, condominiums, commercial properties, farms and ranches, land and acreage, as well as waterfront and vacation properties.

Feel free to browse through my website, to learn more about me and our area. Search through my current listings, and then give me a call. I look forward to connect you with a home that is perfect for you and your family!

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What Can Go Wrong?

There are several things that can go wrong with a real estate sale, both from a buyer’s perspective and a seller’s.

As a buyer, there are several additional things that can go wrong with a real estate sale. These problems include the following:

• You’re not pre-approved for a mortgage. Once you’ve made an offer on a home, it can be devastating to find out that you weren’t pre-approved for the amount of the mortgage and you can’t get a loan for the total amount that you. For this reason, it is crucial to work with a mortgage specialist, who can help you make an informed decision when it comes to getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
• Interest rates are fluctuating constantly, and sometimes even a small increase in interest rates can mean that you suddenly don’t qualify for the mortgage you need. Again, this is why it is important to work closely with a mortgage specialist, who can help you keep an eye on the market and will let you know of any foreseen increase in interest rates.
• New government legislations. Sometimes, the government will make decisions about mortgages, such as the amount of time a mortgage can be amortized, which would make your monthly mortgage payments higher – and therefore, out of reach for some homebuyers.
• At closing, you may be short on the cash you need for a down payment or closing costs. It is often helpful to try to negotiate low to no closing costs, or even roll the amount of your closing costs into your mortgage amount, if possible.
• Sometimes, your life events, as a buyer, may change. For instance, you may have lost your job, or recently experienced an unexpected separation or divorce, or even an illness or death. There are so many factors that can be life changing, and could affect your desire and also your ability to purchase a home.
• Other times, buyers simply change their minds about a property. Perhaps one of your family members doesn’t like the house. Perhaps you didn’t remember the driveway being quite as steep as it is. You could be unhappy with the home’s inspection report, or notice damage to the house’s structure that you had not previously noticed. There are plenty of reasons buyers change their minds about a home.

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What to Expect When Selling Your Home

When selling your home, it is often best to expect the unexpected. So many unplanned events can come up, and so it is important to be as flexible and adaptive as possible. Although they aren’t common, there are several things that can go wrong with a real estate sale as a seller, including the following:

• You may have changed your mind about selling your home. Many things could contribute to this change in mind – a job transfer didn’t go through as planned, a suitable replacement home couldn’t be found, etc.
• Financial concerns. You may realize that proceeds from the sale won’t be what you were expecting or anticipating, or that you owe more on the home than you will make from the sale.
• You cannot meet the contractual terms of the agreement, such as move out date.
• Other problems with the property. There are several other problems that could spring up in the sale, including a title that is not free and clear, being short on cash and unable to clear up current liens on the property, inability to complete agreed upon repairs, or undisclosed damage to the home that comes to light.

While it is rare, there are sometimes other, more severe problems that a seller will face in a home sale, such as finding out your property is uninsurable or even unsaleable, due to extenuating circumstances such as being structurally unsound, infested with dangerous mold, and such.

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How to prepare for selling your home

Working with the right real estate professional can help alleviate stress and any potential roadblocks in your transaction, whether you are buying or selling a home. I am Vickie Jennings, and I would love the opportunity to earn your business – and your trust. I provide each of my clients with the highest level of service, and their satisfaction is my ultimate goal. If you are interested in Pierce County real estate, then please feel free to browse through my website for more information on the area, and read through the testimonials of my satisfied clients. Call or connect with me to get started today!

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Pierce County Homes for Sale

Pierce County is the second most populated county in the state of Washington, second only behind King County. The seat of Pierce County, as well as the most populated city in the county, is Tacoma. As part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area, Pierce County is best known for being the home of Mount Rainier volcano, which is the tallest point in the Cascade Mountain Range.

With plenty of green space and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation, Pierce County boasts many natural geographic features, including the following:

• Anderson Island
• Carbon River
• Cascade Mountain Range
• Case Inlet
• Commencement Bay
• Fox Island
• Herron Island
• Ketron Island
• Key Peninsula
• Lake Tapps
• McNeil Island
• Mount Rainier
• Nisqually River
• Puget Sound
• Puyallup River
• Raft Island
• Tacoma Narrows

Top properties for sale in Pierce County are in high demand, meaning that when you find a property you like, you should act quickly and with the guidance of a skilled and professional Realtor at your side.

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Pierce County Homes for Sale

Our team can show you any of the top properties for sale in Pierce County. If your dream home is a luxury colonial estate on the lake, be sure not to miss 11708 Clear Lake North Rd, in Eatonville. This stunning estate is located directly on the shores of Clear Lake, and boasts breathtaking views of Mount Rainier. The 2+ acre estate features gated entry, 125 feet of lakefront, a 2 slip boat dock, and a 4,500+ square feet home with 3+ bedrooms, 2 full and 3 partial baths. The home also features two office/dens, two bonus rooms, a media room, and a gourmet kitchen with top of the line luxury, including a Viking refrigerator, gas cooktop range, double dishwashers and a walk in pantry. A finished 4 car garage, covered deck, and a second home on the property, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms of its own, round out the estate, which is being offered for $1,795,000.

Another one of the top properties for sale in Pierce County is at 8917 N Thorne Lane SW, in Lakewood. This beautiful lakefront listing features two homes on the property, as well as 80 feet of waterfront. The property features gated entry, a new boat dock, 3 bedrooms, 1 full bath, a great room, fireplace, and large walk around deck. The finished basement comes complete with a pool table, shuffleboard, and a partial bathroom. The guest home is just over 750 square feet, and features one bedroom and a full bathroom. Enjoy all that nature has to offer in this wooded paradise, perfect for swimming, boating, skiing, fishing and bird watching.

If living on the lake is not included in your real estate dreams, the classic beauty located at 10515 47^th Street E in Edgewood just might be. This beautiful home features 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, and will welcome you home with an impressive cascading waterfall and pond. A vaulted grand foyer opens up to a den with gas log fireplace on the main level, a spacious family room, and a luxurious kitchen featuring new countertops and a dining nook. The master suite features a newly remodeled bathroom, and all appliances stay with the home. The home also features newly refinished hardwood floors, an easy care yard, new exterior paint, and RV parking and hook ups.

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List Your Home with Vickie Jennings

If you have decided that Pierce County is the place you would like to call home, you have certainly come to the right place! If you have any questions or would like more information about the top properties for sale in Pierce County, or if you would prefer to search the many fine Pierce County homes for sale, feel free to give our team a call. Our broker Vickie’s mission is simple: to raise the standard by providing her clients with honest answers and direction, a positive outlook, outstanding customer service and professional expertise. The satisfaction of every one of our clients is her ultimate goal, and personal service is her number one priority. With a wealth of affiliations and diverse interests, our team is proud to offer a complete range of services.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, we are there to help you in every step along the way, including title/escrow. Browse through our website, which features information on our team, as well as featured properties, community information, local resources, and a handy search tool. Take a look through our current listings, and then call or connect with us to get started today!

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Moving Tips

Moving can arguably be one of the most stressful events a person will go through. From everything to buying and selling homes, to the risk of items being lost or damaged in the move, it is easy to see why. There are plenty of sources and lists offering moving tips and ideas to reduce stress. Here is a list of the top 5 moving tips that we always recommend to our clients when moving to Pierce County.

• Be prepared. Having a plan and sticking to it will make your move go much more smoothly. Keep all documents and papers related to the move in a singular location, and maintain easy access to important phone numbers and documents.
• Name the place. When packing, label the boxes with the items inside and the room the box belongs in. This one may seem like a no brainer, but it will save you endless amounts of frustration.
• Update the postal service. Fill out the postal service change of address form six to eight weeks before your move, to make sure that you receive all of your mail with as little interruption as possible.
• Keep the kids occupied. On move in day, coloring books and crayons can be a lifesaver! Pack some toys and games for your children that are easily accessible. This will give them something fun and familiar to do while you’re unpacking and settling in.
• Keep your pets safe. Another thing to consider on move in day is how you will keep your pets safe. A good idea is to isolate them in a room that will have no or minimal foot traffic during the move. Be sure to include their food, water, and toys in the room and put a note on the door letting people know that your pets are inside. This will keep them from darting out the door and escaping… or even worse.

These top 5 moving tips won’t completely eliminate the stress of a move, but they will make the experience much more pleasant. We’ve helped a wealth of clients with their moves to Pierce County and would be happy to help you navigate any or all of these steps!

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Things to Avoid When Moving to Pierce County

There are also several things to avoid when moving, including mistakes that are commonly made when working with movers and moving companies. Here are just a few tips to help your move go more smoothly, and avoid costly mistakes:

• All movers are NOT created equal. Like any sort of service providers, moving companies perform at a wide range of levels. You need to be comfortable with the company you do business with.
• Never rely solely on an online price quote. Moving companies need to see what you’re moving in person. Only after seeing the items to be moved in your home will they give you a written estimate, which they are bound to.
• Watch for the classic warning signs. Less than credible moving companies tend to follow the same patterns. Asking for a big deposit or payment up front, showing up in a rental truck or a truck without their name on it, and claims that are almost always too good to be true are some of the most common red flags to watch out for.
• The lower price is not always the best deal. As is true with many things, you get what you pay for with moving companies. Most people who complain about getting “ripped off” by a moving company will also admit that they were drawn in by the lowest bid.
• Start planning now. You’ll be better served all around by planning in advance for all aspects of your move.

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Moving Companies in Pierce County

There are several moving companies from which to choose in Pierce County. It is always a good idea to get multiple estimates and work with a company you feel comfortable with. Here’s a list of some of the more popular options for moving companies in Pierce County. If you’d like our personal recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact us today!

• Two Men and a Truck – 970-279-0067
• Last Minute Movers – 206-391-0204
• Lile North American Moving – 253-584-2222
• Boush Moving – 253-845-8829
• APEX Moving and Storage – 253-864-7870
• World Wide Movers – 253-472-8400

When you’re ready to search for Pierce County real estate or if you would like more information about financing a home, moving, or anything having to do with the home buying and selling process, you have come to the right place! I am Vickie Jennings, and I focus on making the process of buying and selling real estate fun, but also educational and rewarding. I offer a complete range of real estate services, and would love the opportunity to find your perfect home for you! Personal service is my top priority, and I am completely dedicated to providing you with the highest quality service to meet all of your real estate needs. Take a look through my current listings, and then call or connect with me to get started today!

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Pierce County Homes

Pierce County is a county located in Washington, and has the second highest county population in Washington, second only to King County. Named for the United States President Franklin Pierce, the county was formed in late 1852 and is most notably the home to the Mount Rainier volcano, the tallest mountain in not only the Cascade Range, but the entire United States, as well.

Perhaps one of the main reasons that families, professionals and retirees choose to live in Pierce County is because of the area’s diverse landscape and wealth of exceptional recreational attractions. Pierce County boasts many natural and geographic features, including the following:

• Anderson Island. Anderson Island is the southernmost island in Puget Sound. Accessible by boat or ferry, Anderson Island is just below McNeil Island.
• Carbon River. Carbon River is sourced from the Carbon Glacier on Mount Rainier, and flows through Mount Rainier National Park.
• Cascade Range. The Cascade Range in one of the major mountain ranges in the western United States, extending from British Columbia, through Washington and Oregon, all the way to California.
• Case Inlet. Case Inlet is located in the Puget Sound, and is a body of water between Key Peninsula and Hartsline Island.
• Commencement Bay. Commencement Bay is a bay located in Puget Sound. Tacoma is located on Commencement Bay.
• Fox Island. Fox Island is another island in Puget Sound, popular among locals for fishing and scuba diving.
• Herron Island. Herron Island is another island in southern Puget Sound, and is a privately owned island. Access to the island is limited to boat.
• Ketron Island. Another island in Puget Sound, Ketron Island is a very small island with just a few residents. There is limited access to the island, but a ferry is available.
• Key Peninsula. Key Peninsula is known to locals as “The KP” or “The Key.” This peninsula was given its name from its key shape, and is home to two state parks.

Once you’ve decided that Pierce County is the place for you, there are several tips to keep in mind for how to buy a home. We’ve put together this list of things to keep in mind when thinking about buying a home, many of which are helpful in deciding how to buy a Pierce County home:

• Don’t buy if you can’t stay put. If you can’t commit to staying in one home for at least a few years, it isn’t right.
• Start by shoring up your credit. A few months before you begin house hunting, obtain a copy of your credit report and make sure all of the information contained is accurate. Now is the time to fix any errors and do what you can to make your credit as good as possible.
• Aim for a home you can really afford. There are a number of calculators available online that can analyze your income, debts, and expenses and determine how much house you can realistically afford.
• If you can’t put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan. There are wide ranges of public and private lenders that also offer low-rate mortgages with a small down payment.
• Buy in a district with good schools. This tip actually applies even if you don’t have children in school – when it comes time to sell your house, you’ll realize that being in a good school district is a top priority for many homebuyers.
• Get professional help. Even though the Internet offers plenty of access to housing information and listings, you will almost always come out ahead by obtaining the services of a qualified Realtor.
• Choose carefully between points and rate. It is almost always a better deal to take the points – the lower interest rate will save you money in the long term.
• Before house hunting, get pre-approved. The benefits of getting pre-approved are two-fold. It saves you the heartache of falling in love with a house you really can’t afford, and it also puts you in a better position to make a strong offer when you find the house that’s right for you.
• Do your homework before bidding. Your starting bid should be based on the selling price of neighborhood comps, or similar homes in the neighborhood.
• Hire a home inspector. The job of a home inspector is to point out any potential problems with the house that could lead to costly repairs down the road.

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Why It’s Good to Hire a Realtor

If you’re thinking about how to buy a Pierce County home, one of the crucial first steps is deciding whether or not you want to hire a Realtor. Although the choice is yours, buyers are almost always better off utilizing the services of a professional Realtor, who will work with your best interest in mind and help you with strategies for negotiating, once you’ve found the home that’s right for you. Realtors can offer fantastic resources to you as a buyer, and they help facilitate the transaction process. A good Realtor can provide a neutral, unbiased voice of reason, which is especially helpful in negotiations, which can be an emotional roller coaster for even the most experienced of buyer.

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Real Estate for Sale in Pierce County

If you’re wondering how to buy a Pierce County home or if you’d like more information on Pierce County Washington real estate, feel free to give me a call. I’m Vickie Jennings, and I strive to raise the standards in real estate, by providing my clients with a positive outlook, an honest perspective, and outstanding service. Personal service is my top priority, and I would love to offer you a home evaluation or tell you more about the Pierce County market. Browse through my blog and website to learn more about the area, and then call or connect with me to get started today!

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Chambers Bay

The Chambers Bay golf course has less than a year to go in its preparations to host the 2015 U.S. Open, the biggest professional golf tournament in America. The United States Golf Association selected Chambers Bay in 2008 and the course has been making preparations ever since. According to articles released by the course, a dozen new tees have been added and at least three green complexes have been modified, too.

Most recently, tee times are being significantly reduced to make sure Chambers Bay is in peak condition for the world’s best players. The reduction in tee times began in September, with the course being shut down two days per week. Starting the second week in November it will shut down three days a week, and will be closed Monday through Thursday beginning the last week of November through early March. Why the reduction in tee times? The fine fescue grass is quite fragile and is particularly vulnerable in the winter. Since the grass doesn’t grow from November to March, nothing regenerates during that time.

In addition to making sure the course is top-notch for the 2015 U.S. Open, our community as a whole is prepping for the anticipated 240,000 people who will be arriving to enjoy the event. Getting people to and from Chambers Bay is one of the biggest concerns, with the course accessed via a two-lane residential road. While the traffic plan won’t be released until early next year, plans for shuttle lots and bus service have been talked about.

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U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

It’s expected that the region will see approximately $150 million in economic impact during the one-week tournament. But the region is most excited about the long-term financial impacts that the worldwide exposure will produce. For many visitors, this will be their first time being exposed to our region – it’s likely to have an impact on tourism and knowledge of our community for years to come.

Here are some quick facts to remember:

•    The U.S. Open will be held June 18-21, 2015
• Location: Chambers Bay in University Place, about 10 miles southwest of Tacoma.
• Tickets: Tickets information is available through the USGA website, although all final round tickets and weekly ticket passes have been sold out since summer-2014.
• This will be the first U.S. Open held in the Northwest.
• It will also be the first time that the U.S. Open has been held on a course with fine fescue grass.
• Fox will be doing its first golf broadcast at the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.
• Chambers Bay first opened for play on June 23, 2007.
• The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and is the centerpiece of a 930-acre park owned by Pierce County.
• The property was formerly a sand-and-gravel quarry, which was quite popular with off-road, four-wheel and dirt bike enthusiasts.
• During construction, 1.4 million cubic yards of dirt and sand were removed, cleaned off site, and returned to sculpt the course.

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Chambers Bay Homes for Sale

While our entire community is excited to be hosting the U.S. Open in 2015, Chambers Bay is more than just a beautiful golf course – it is a beautiful backdrop for some of the finest homes in University Place, Washington. Positioned on the beautiful Puget Sound, the city of University Place is home to more than 31,500 residents. You’ll find University Place nestled halfway between the state capital of Olympia and the state’s largest city, Seattle.

In addition to the golf course, Pierce County Washington property in University Place offers views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound. When you choose to explore your housing options here, you’ll find everything from quaint condominiums to sprawling waterfront estates and mansions. Rest assured knowing that University Place offers something for buyers and budgets of all types.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the 2015 U.S. Open from the comforts of your new Chambers Bay and University Place home or simply want to learn more about your real estate options in the Pacific Northwest, it would be my pleasure to assist you. With years of experience in this real estate market, let me put my knowledge and expertise to work for you.In the meantime, please feel free to browse my website to learn more about our communities and do not hesitate to contact me when you’re ready to find the perfect home. I look forward to hearing from you soon and to welcoming you home to University Place and Chambers Bay. Connect today!

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Selling in Pierce County

Are you thinking about selling your home in Pierce County? Whether you are thinking about upgrading into a bigger home, downsizing after the kids have moved out or if you simply want to move into a different neighborhood you will find that not only are there numerous real estate opportunities available to you, but selling your home is not as scary and frustrating as you might think.

In the same way that buying a home is an important decision that should not be made lightly, selling your home is also an important step and process. Selling a home can be confusing, frustrating and a very emotional experience, but if it is done right then you will sail through it with ease. Here are some of my top tips on How to Sell Your Pierce County Home:

• Plan ahead: Before you hire a realtor and put your home on the market for sale, make sure you have taken the time to plan out the process. In order to get top dollar for your property it’s important to do a thorough inspection and invest some time and money into fixing up the property. Some things that should be taken care of include plumbing issues, roof problems, foundation issues and other repairs that will completely turn off potential buyers. Once the most important repairs have been made then you might also want to give your home some TLC and repair broken windows, give the house a fresh coat of paint, plant some pretty flowers and water the grass and make the home presentable for future showings. A little love and attention can go a long way!
• Hire a realtor: While it is completely possible to represent yourself in a sale, I highly recommend working with a licensed and experienced real estate agent who can help to alleviate some of the worry and frustration that comes along with selling your home. Your realtor should always have your best interest at heart and will work towards helping you sell your home for the right price and to the right buyers in a timely and efficient manner.
• Price it right: Pricing your home right is the most important step in the sales process. If you price it too low then you will be losing out on money, but if you price it too high then you will be losing out on buyers. Consult with your realtor and ask for a CMA – a comparative market analysis – that will show you what similar homes to yours in nearby neighborhoods are selling for. It also helps to follow markets trends and real estate news that can help you price your property right.

There are numerous other tactics and tips you can follow to help you sell your Pierce County Real Estate including staging the property, including appliances and furniture to sweeten the deal, add in upgrades, investing in various marketing strategies and more.

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Why It’s Good to Hire A Realtor

Many people choose to represent themselves when buying or selling a property. For this reason alone numerous individuals don’t understand Why It’s Good to Hire a Realtor. Representing yourself is perfectly doable and it ends up saving you a lot of money, but in some cases you can also lose out on a property you really wanted to purchase or lose money on a home you are trying to sell due to poor strategy. Real estate agents deal with buying and selling homes – that is what they do. A licensed and professional realtor has the knowledge and training necessary to help a client achieve every possible real estate goal. Realtors also have a specific set of skills, resources and contacts available to them to market your property efficiently and to set the perfect price for your property. A real estate agent also works within a vast network of other professionals, which allows them to market a property efficiently and get it sold quick. Working with a realtor is not necessary, but it is highly recommended if you are looking to achieve specific results in your sale.

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Homes for Sale in Pierce County

Whether you are looking to sell your current home or if you are interested in Homes for Sale in Pierce County don’t hesitate to Contact me for guidance, support, advice and information. I would be more than happy to not only help you sell your current home, but also to help you find your new home in the area. Connect with me today so we can set up a time to meet and discuss your goals and options regarding Pierce County Real Estate.

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Current Market Trends

With the third quarter coming to an end it’s time to look back and discuss some of the most important National Market Trends affecting the Washington real estate market as well as the industry as a whole. It’s no surprise that the whole country is still struggling to recover from the economic downfall and the real estate housing bubble from 2008-2009. Although there have been significant gains made in the majority of the United States others are having a hard time keeping up and staying afloat. This is mainly due to homebuyers who don’t trust the market and individuals who are staying put and avoiding risks in order to protect themselves from a similar financial crisis.

Many programs have been put in place to ward off housing bubbles and a similar financial situation, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, which is exactly why the real estate market is recovering at such a slow pace. Washington state’s housing market rebounded from its low first quarter performance and the annual rate of existing home sales rose more than six percent in the second quarter of this year. The increase from the first to the second quarter is very important, however year over year activity is still down across the entire state.

Apart from homebuyers not willing to take risks on the market another big factor in the slow recovery is the fact that there is a huge lack of inventory on the market. This is more pronounced within the state’s major metropolitan areas and you may have noticed that there aren’t as many Pierce County Homes for Sale available on the MLS.

In other news, monthly foreclosures across the United States increased by seven percent in August. This is the first time foreclosures increased since 2010. The good news is that while the number is up from last month, it is still down nine percent from a year ago. This statistic shows that although the foreclosure crisis is well behind us, the messy business of cleaning up the distress from the lingering housing bust continues in many markets. This also suggests that mortgage lenders are finally adjusting to the new standards for proper foreclosures that have been implemented in may states by legislation, litigation or both.

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Why Pierce County is a Great Place to Buy

Washington is among the fastest growing states in the country and Pierce County grows in population at the same rate as the entire state itself. This is because numerous individuals are attracted to the lifestyle, job opportunities, attractions and more that the area has to offer. It’s easy to make the move and to settle into an apartment in the area and there are numerous opportunities available for individuals who are not ready to buy a home. For residents who are ready to purchase a property it’s important to understand Why Pierce County is a Great Place to Buy.

The market in Pierce County is recovering just like the rest of the country, however the inventory is more stable here and pricing is also on its way to becoming more stable. A rise in home prices could be seen only if more individuals relocate to the area and the population increases. The biggest variable for the future of the real estate market in Pierce County will revolve around the inventory of homes that are owned by financial institutions or by owners who are reluctant to sell at a loss.

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Move to Pierce County

Are you considering making the Move to Pierce County? You are in for a treat. This wonderful city is known for its outstanding coffee, outdoor recreation, entertainment, culture, beautiful landmarks, prominent attractions, outstanding job opportunities and a stable housing market. Whether you are a veteran visitor to the area or a newcomer you are sure to fall in love with the city and all that it has to offer.

If you would like to learn more about Pierce County, the local real estate market, current listings or more information about relocating to the area check out the Resources page for helpful links and information. You can also contact me with any inquiries and questions that you may have. I would be more than happy to assist you will all of your real estate needs, show you around the area, help you browse through current listings and visit open houses and answer any questions you may have about Pierce County and the wonderful communities and neighborhoods. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

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