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…
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…
Read MoreNavigating 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…
Read MoreTacoma 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,…
Read MoreTacoma 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…
Read MoreCleaning 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,…
Read MoreTacoma Real Estate Business License information
Tacoma business license update TPCAR is sharing a quarterly update on the City of Tacoma’s Business License program which requires all real estate agents to get a license and pay a license fee to the City of Tacoma if they complete one or more transactions in the City. TPCAR will provide additional details and answers…
Read MoreTacoma Enacts New Rental Housing Code Provisions
New tacoma rental code laws enacted take effect July 24th In early-July, Tacoma City Council voted in favor of new rules to add to its set of Rental Code Provisions. TPCAR is hosting a free webinar for its membership on August 9 to share more about the changes outlined below, and answer any questions. The…
Read MoreEnsure Your Office Agent Roster is Up-To-Date
To review your current office roster of agents, please follow these four easy steps! Thank you for assisting TPCAR in ensuring that your office roster(s) is up-to-date in advance of our 2024 Membership Dues Billing which will be sent out in September. 1. Login to your TPCAR InfoHub account by going to www.tpcar.org and clicking…
Read MoreTacoma City Council Voting on Rental Housing Code Changes Tuesday, July 11
At its July 11 meeting, Tacoma City Council is expected to vote on a final package of changes to the City’s rental housing code. These changes could have significant implications for both residents and housing providers in the City of Tacoma. TPCAR is asking its members to contact Tacoma City Council and encourage them to…
Read MoreIs Your Agent a REALTOR
While all REALTORS® are Real Estate Agents, not all Real Estate Agents are REALTORS®….and the difference is substantial. Read below to learn the REALTOR® difference, and why YOU should Look for the R when buying or selling your home! FIND A REALTOR ADVOCATES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP REALTORS® are members of the largest trade organization in the…
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