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TPCAR Endorsed Candidates Fare Well in August Primary

By growthzone | November 4, 2021

Thanks to the good work and effort of our volunteer members who participated, TPCAR fielded a strong slate of endorsements for the Primary Election on August 3. All but one of our endoresed candidates were able to advance to the General Election and are well positioned to win office. The below list of candidates received…

TPCAR 2021 General election Endorsements

By growthzone | November 4, 2021

Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors is proud to announce its candidate endorsements for this year’s General Election on November 2nd. The below list of candidates were interviewed by our Endorsement Advisory Committee and received TPCAR support based on their understanding and acknowledgement of the importance real estate plays in our communities, their support of REALTOR…

Guides to Help Prepare for the Winter Season

By growthzone | November 4, 2021

In the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about severe weather. Wind, rain, ice, and snow – We get it all. In preparation for the winter season, we have prepared a series of guides to help people protect their home. These guides are everything you need to know about how to prepare your…

Washington is Open for Business

By growthzone | June 30, 2021

Washington is Open for Business Washington REALTORS and the NWMLS are excited to announce that effective Wednesday, June 30th, Washington State will lift the majority of restrictions imposed on businesses, including those restrictions affecting the real estate industry. However, certain face covering requirements still apply to real estate firms and sellers may impose their own…

Real Estate Professionals Classification as Independent Contractors

By growthzone | June 15, 2021

Real Estate Professionals Classification as Independent Contractors Of the 1.4 million members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), approximately 87 percent are classified as independent contractors. This classification is essential to the real estate industry, homeowners across the country, and to boosting the economy. The ability to work as an independent contractor is recognized…

CDC Eviction Moratorium Vacated and Stayed

By growthzone | June 15, 2021

CDC Eviction Moratorium Vacated and Stayed On May 5, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia struck down the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) nationwide eviction moratorium set to expire at the end of June, concluding the moratorium exceeds the limits Congress placed on the CDC’s authority. In response, the Department of…

10 Dos and Don’ts for New Homebuyers with Septic Systems

By growthzone | June 8, 2021

10 Dos and Don’ts for New Homebuyers with Septic Systems 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…

Changes to Insurance Regulations May Delay Closings

By growthzone | May 21, 2021

Changes to Insurance Regulations May Delay Closings 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 clients in securing home and auto coverage…

Yun: Consumer Spending Likely to Spur Economy

By growthzone | May 19, 2021

Yun: Consumer Spending Likely to Spur Economy The economy is at 99% of its pre-pandemic activity, and growth in Americans’ income and savings could propel housing in the second half of the year, Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, said Thursday at the Residential Economic Issues and Trends Forum during the…

NEW MASK GUIDANCE FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS, COUNTY PHASE UPDATE, STATE REOPENING DATE ANNOUNCED

By growthzone | May 17, 2021

NEW MASK GUIDANCE FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS, COUNTY PHASE UPDATE, STATE REOPENING DATE ANNOUNCED On May 13th, Governor Inslee announced that Washington will adopt new masking guidance as issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”). This guidance allows fully vaccinated people to no longer wear a face covering with certain limitations. The…

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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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