Buyer Financing and Commission Financing After the Settlement
The below information was shared by NAR in The Hub. We strongly encourage all members to create your Hub account to track updates and information provided by NAR. The recently announced settlement raised several questions regarding access to mortgages and the ability to finance agent commissions. In short, under the settlement, buyers still have the same…
Update Regarding NAR Proposed Settlement in Class-Action Lawsuit
Following up on NAR’s March 15 announcement of a proposed settlement to end the Sitzer/Burnett class-action lawsuit, Washington REALTORS® has released a video update breaking down the three aspects of the proposed settlement and what their impacts are likely to be for real estate practitioners in Washington State. At a fundamental level, the proposed rules…
In the Mood for a Little Spring Cleaning?
In the mood for a little spring cleaning? Whether you hire a house cleaning service or you prefer DIY, you know why a good “Spring Cleaning” is so important. Spring is when we come out from the dark shroud of winter into the light and enjoy the blossoming trees and flowers. Spring is the season…
Battling the Downpour: How Western Washington’s Rainy Season Impacts Homes and the Importance of a Home Inspection
Written by Herb Daniels Battling the Downpour: How Western Washington’s Rainy Season Impacts Homes and the Importance of a Home Inspection As the lush green landscape of Western Washington transforms into a canvas painted in myriad shades of gray, residents brace themselves for the onslaught of the rainy season. While the rain brings its own…
Unlocking the Power of Pre-Inspections
Unlocking the Power of Pre-Inspections: A Strategic Approach for Sellers By: Jon Teabo, President of A-Pro Home Inspection Services In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, sellers are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out in a competitive market. While the legal requirement to disclose property conditions is well established, savvy sellers are increasingly turning…
What Comes Next After Verdict in Burnett v. NAR?
What comes next after verdict in burnett v. nar? After an 11-day trial in the case of Burnett v. NAR et al, and only 2.5 hours of deliberation, the eight-person jury found the National Association of REALTORS® and other corporate defendants liable in the case with a recommendation that the defendants must pay $1.78 billion…
Navigating the Home Inspection
Navigating the Home Inspection Process By: Jon Teabo, President of A-Pro Home Inspection Services The journey of buying or selling a home is an intricate dance, and one crucial partner in this endeavor is the home inspector. As REALTORS, you play an essential role in helping your clients prepare for a home inspection and facilitating…
Tacoma Measure 1 Will Hurt Providers, Renters
Tacoma Measure 1 will hurt providers, renters regina madiera-gorden, realtor Like many of Tacoma’s housing providers, my husband and I are small-scale providers of rental units in the City of Tacoma. Our margins exist in the hundreds of dollars, not millions. Our existence as housing providers in the City, as well as our renters’ home,…
Tacoma Measure 1’s Impacts to Housing Market
tacoma measure 1 will hurt renters, providers Tacoma Measure 1 Will Hurt Small Housing Providers, Renters Tacoma Measure 1 presents an existential threat to rental housing providers in the City of Tacoma as it poses risks which will be too costly to bear for many, particularly small housing providers. Small “mom and pop” providers are…
Cleaning Your Home: Keeping it Simple!
Cleaning Your Home: Keeping it Simple! Who doesn’t LOVE a clean house? There are a lot of new house-cleaning products that advertise to be “the best” and to “work miracles,” but in our experience, the simple, basic products that have been around forever might be the most effective to get the job done: baking soda,…
TPCAR Endorses John Hines for Tacoma Mayor
The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is proud to endorse John Hines for Mayor of Tacoma. Councilmember Hines has demonstrated a consistent and thoughtful commitment to expanding housing opportunities across Tacoma. From his early support and leadership on the Home in Tacoma initiative, to his strong advocacy for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), John has championed policies that…
Read MoreWashington Enacts Statewide Rent Control: What HB 1217 Means for Tenants, Landlords, and the Housing Market
On May 7, 2025, Washington became the third U.S. state to enact statewide rent control – joining California and Oregon – with the passage of House Bill 1217. The law caps annual rent increases on most residential properties and includes special provisions for manufactured housing, among other regulations. Proponents argue the measure offers needed tenant protections amid…
Read MoreNew Property Tax Incentive for Affordable ADUs Now in Effect in Pierce County
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® members now have a new housing incentive to watch—Senate Bill 5529, recently signed into law, officially expands a key property tax exemption for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to include Pierce County. This law encourages homeowners to build and rent detached ADUs to low-income households by offering a property tax exemption on the value…
Read MoreProposed Property Tax Changes Could Deepen Housing Affordability Crisis in Tacoma and Across Washington
As Washington state lawmakers weigh new revenue sources to balance the state budget, proposed changes to the state’s property tax cap are raising alarms among housing advocates—including the Washington REALTORS®, who recently commissioned an analysis to better understand the potential impacts on homeowners. The proposals under consideration would remove the long-standing 1% cap on annual…
Read MoreRent Control Advances in Washington: What HB 1217 Could Mean for Housing Providers
On Thursday, April 10th, the State Senate passed an amended version of HB 1217 which would implement rent control in Washington State. Due to changes made from the House version which was approved in March, the bill must move back to the House of Representatives for a vote of concurrence to be enacted into law.…
Read MoreWashington Rent Control Bill Moves to Senate with Key Amendments
One of the most hotly debated issues this legislative session has involved ESHB 1217 which would enact rent control regulations across Washington State. This bill passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday, March 10th by a vote of 53 – 42. While the bill did move out of the House, several amendments were made…
Read More2025 Legislative Days Event Recap
On January 29 – 30th, nearly 50 TPCAR members joined with 600 REALTOR® members from across the State to gather at the Capitol in Olympia and lobby REALTOR® and housing consumer issues with legislators from every district in the state. The event offered attendees an opportunity to hear from the Washington REALTORS® (WR) lobby team…
Read MoreTPCAR Advocacy Report – January 2025
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® advocacy team has hit the ground running in 2025 as several carry-over items from 2024 will continue to be worked on this year. Those include: Pierce County TPCAR has been tracking proposed short term rental regulations (STR), as well as accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, for unincorporated areas of Pierce…
Read MoreTacoma City Council Enacts Home in Tacoma Phase 2 – Effective February 1, 2025
Tacoma is moving forward with its Home in Tacoma Phase 2 ordinance, a major update to zoning and building regulations aimed at increasing housing density and creating more opportunities for homeownership. As a REALTOR®, understanding these changes is essential to helping your clients navigate the evolving real estate landscape. Key Zoning Changes The new ordinance…
Read MoreOctober Advocacy update
In alignment with our mission to keep members informed on key planning and policy changes, TPCAR shares recent developments impacting Pierce County’s rural density planning and Tacoma’s business resilience efforts. These updates highlight important shifts in growth management strategies, with implications for land use and local business support. Home In Tacoma Update: Phase 2 of…
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