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1031 Exchangers Can Help Their Kids Buy a House

By growthzone | March 21, 2022

As house prices and mortgage rates rise, young couples struggle with down payments and loan qualifications. 1031 parents who have business or investment real estate can help them purchase a principal residence while still receiving all the advantages of being a real estate investor and completing a 1031 exchange. The investor-parents (the exchangers) can exchange…

NAR Focuses on Fair Housing During Black History Month

By growthzone | February 9, 2022

As NAR recognizes Black History Month, we honor the legacy of great black leaders by carrying on their fight to eliminate housing discrimination, expand homeownership, and reduce wealth inequality. While the long-lasting impact of historical discrimination would make closing the homeownership gap in America challenging enough, fallout from the pandemic is likely to exacerbate that…

Update on HB 1951

By growthzone | February 8, 2022

Thank you all for your response to the Washington REALTORS® Call to Action on HB 1951. Across the State, WR Members sent Legislators over 8,000 emails asking them to not pass HB 1951!  While the Consumer Protection and Business Committee made significant changes to the bill at the REALTORS ® request, including removal of the…

2022 Hill Day Recap

By growthzone | January 31, 2022

On January 20, TPCAR joined with other local REALTORS® around the state for the Washington REALTORS® Hill Day. This year’s event was, again, held virtually and offered the opportunity to learn more from our keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, about housing issues and other policies being considered by the legislature. In the time following…

SafeShowings App Now Available

By growthzone | January 25, 2022

Introducing SafeShowings! SafeShowings Keeps Real Estate Professionals Safe! The number of crimes and murders committed against real estate professionals continues to increase every year. This is why all real estate professionals must put their safety first! Watch the video below for information on how to use your NEWEST member benefit to deter criminal behavior against Real Estate…

5 Tips to Kick Off 2022

By growthzone | January 11, 2022

We are only 11 days into 2022, and between holidays, weather, and closures, it has been quite a year already! Aegis Land Group Title Company has compiled 5 Tips to Kick off 2022! Check them out to ensure a successful New Year!   Shift your attitude Attitude controls everything. Start your day deliberately with the…

TPCAR Meeting with Rep. Kilmer Spotlights Homebuyer Issues

By growthzone | December 29, 2021

TPCAR Meeting with Rep. Kilmer Spotlights Homebuyer Issues On Wednesday, December 22, US Rep. Derek Kilmer met with TPCAR members, led by incoming Government Affairs Chair and FPC to Rep. Kilmer, Elaine Hilton, to share more about his current projects in Congress, Federal legislation currently being worked on which could impact housing, and to hear…

Home In Tacoma Passes, Ensuring More Affordable Housing

By growthzone | December 10, 2021

On Tuesday evening, Tacoma City Council voted 7 – 2 in favor of Phase 1 of the City’s “Home in Tacoma” plan. Home In Tacoma aims to achieve a shared vision of all Tacomans having an opportunity for home ownership in a thriving, diverse, and growing city. Home in Tacoma creates a new vision for…

Changes to Insurance Regulations May Delay Closings

By growthzone | November 4, 2021

At Cross Insurance Agency we believe in “Insurance with no surprises.” With that in mind, we felt it was essential to reach out to our partners and friends in the Mortgage and Real Estate industry with an update on some recent changes in the insurance marketplace in Washington state that may impact you and your…

10 Dos and Donts for New Homebuyers with Septic Systems

By growthzone | November 4, 2021

Inspect your system annually. Routine maintenance allows you to catch issues before they become emergencies. Pump your tank every 3-5 years or as frequent as your service provider suggests, based on technology and system usage. Spread out your laundry loads over the course of the week. Excessive water discharge into the septic system is known…

Tacoma Is Considering New Tree Regulations: What REALTORS® Should Know

The City of Tacoma is working on a major update to its tree and landscape regulations and the final rules could affect homeowners, buyers, developers, and properties throughout the city. No final ordinance has been adopted and the City is still developing draft regulations and taking public input with its next public hearing scheduled for…

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TPCAR Announces Endorsements for the 2026 Primary Election

Ballots for Washington’s 2026 Primary Election will be mailed beginning July 17 and must be returned by Tuesday, August 4. As REALTORS®, we have an important opportunity to support candidates and policies that understand the connection between housing, economic opportunity, and strong communities. The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is pleased to announce its endorsements…

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A Major REALTOR® Advocacy Win: How the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Could Expand Homeownership Opportunity 

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act took effect Saturday, July 11th, advancing one of the most significant bipartisan federal housing packages in nearly two decades.  For REALTORS®, this legislation matters because it addresses the problem at the center of today’s affordability crisis: there are not enough homes available for the people who want to buy them.  The…

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Rent Cap Reminder for 2027

The maximum annual rent increase percentage is calculated using the June 12-month percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, all items, for the Seattle area as published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is expected to be released in mid-July. Landlords issuing rent increase notices on or after June 1,…

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Sound Transit Reaffirms Commitment to Tacoma Dome Link Extension

Sound Transit recently approved an updated delivery plan for its ST3 expansion program, providing greater clarity on the future of light rail service in Pierce County. While the agency is faced with significant funding challenges across the regional system, the Tacoma Dome 2035 Link Extension remains a committed project and continues to move forward as…

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2026 Election Season Underway: Candidate Filing, Local Races, and TPCAR’s Advocacy Process

Election season is officially underway in Washington State, with candidate filing week running from May 4 – May 8, 2026. Candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 in order to appear on the ballot for this year’s Primary and General Elections. This year’s election cycle includes several important races throughout Pierce County and across Washington…

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2026 Washington Legislative Session Update

Housing and Policy Changes Impacting REALTORS® and Property Owners The 2026 Washington Legislative Session has been another busy year for housing policy. Over 600 bills were introduced, with roughly 140 housing or real estate issues included. Major themes included increasing housing supply, expanding zoning flexibility, tenant protections, and new tax policies.Several bills passed focusing on…

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Washington Senate Bill 6346: What REALTORS® Need to Know 

This week, Washington lawmakers introduced companion bills, SB 6346 and HB 2724, that would create a new state tax commonly described as a “millionaires’ tax.” The bills would impose a 9.9% tax on Washington taxable income beginning January 1, 2028.   Both bills are written to include a $1,000,000 standard deduction (combined $1,000,000 for spouses/domestic partners), meaning that the tax would be paid upon any income…

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Ensure Your Office Agent Roster Is Up to Date 

View Your Active Agents and Dues Payment Status by Brokerage  This page explains how Designated Brokers and Office Managers can view their active agent roster by brokerage to both manage their roster and see which agents have not paid their REALTOR® dues for each office they manage.  Using the “Change Org” feature, DBs with multiple offices can easily switch between brokerages…

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NAR addresses housing affordability, incentivizing institutional owners of single-family rentals to transition back to owner-occupants. 

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a move to restrict large investors from purchasing single-family homes. This comes after record-high home prices and a shift in buying power in major American markets. The administration is moving to codify sweeping bills through Congress in the upcoming sessions. NAR advocacy representatives are focusing on a nationwide transition…

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