Track Office Agent Rosters in 3 Simple Steps For all TPCAR Designated Brokers, Managing Brokers, and / or Office Staff assigned primary user access, you’re able to verify that your current Office Agent roster is accurate and complete in these three easy steps. Log on to your TPCAR InfoHub account by going to www.tpcar.org and…
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Pauses Septic Stress Testing Requirement
After several conversations and additional feedback provided by Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has made the decision to pause implementation of the septic stress test requirements which were originally effective as of July 15, 2024. This means that, for the time being, a stress test will not be required when…
New septic system stress testing requirements begin July 15
RSS Repair, Replacement, and Testing Guide Starting July 15, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will require stress tests of drainfields for property sales inspections of gravity and pump to gravity systems. This document outlines the requirements and policies for repairing or replacing septic tanks, including details with regards to testing procedures, repairs, and replacements of…
RSS Repair, Replacement, and Testing Guide
Starting in July, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will require stress tests of drainfields for property sales inspections of gravity and pump to gravity systems. This document outlines the requirements and policies for repairing or replacing septic tanks, including details with regards to testing procedures, repairs, and replacements of defective tanks. Requirements for Repairing Septic…
NAR advocacy nets win for VA buyers
The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to temporarily lift its ban on buyers directly paying for professional real estate representation until the agency deems it necessary to engage in a formal rulemaking process, a VA official said Tuesday at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference in New York. Although not an official announcement, the comments from…
TPCAR advocacy nets positive response from Pierce County Council
TPCAR member response to Call to Action regarding short-term rentals and rural zoning nets success At yesterday’s Pierce County Council meeting, Resolution R2024-158s, drafted to include provisions which would have restricted short-term rentals (STR) and removed bonus density provisions for rural lands within the urban growth area (UGA), was amended after successful lobbying by TPCAR.…
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT GRANTED
This past weekend, the Plaintiffs’ counsel in the Sitzer v. Burnett class action lawsuit filed a Motion for Preliminary Approval of the proposed NAR settlement agreement with the federal court in the Western District of Missouri. Today, Judge Bough granted that motion which means that, as of today, the settlement agreement is preliminarily approved. Settlement…
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…
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…
Read MoreTPCAR 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreRent 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,…
Read MoreSound 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…
Read More2026 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…
Read More2026 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…
Read MoreWashington 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…
Read MoreEnsure 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…
Read MoreNAR 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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