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…
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…
Ambassadors Club
What is an Affiliate Ambassador? A TPCAR Ambassador is a an Affiliate Committee member volunteer who is committed to help grow and retain TPCAR membership through an extension of the association’s communications, events, networking, and mentorship programs. Think of an Ambassador as a PR extension of TPCAR. Ambassadors help retain members through personal outreach via…
Read MoreState Legislative Session Update
The State Legislature ended its session on Sunday, April 23 at 10 pm. .Several bills which seek to increase housing supply, reduce building costs, and update agency law received strong support in the legislature and were delivered to the Governor for his signature. Below is a list of some of the highest priority bills for…
Read MoreTacoma Business License Increase Likely to Hit Agents Across Pierce County
TPCAR has spent the past few months conducting additional review of the City of Tacoma’s recently enacted business license rates for 2023-24. The increases, enacted by Council in late-2022, apply to any real estate office and REALTOR® (agent) who conducts one or more transactions for property within the City of Tacoma and is based upon…
Read MorePierce County Sales Tax Increase to Fund Affordable Housing Being Discussed
Pierce County Sales Tax Increase to Fund Affordable Housing Being Discussed TPCAR’s Advocacy team has, in recent months, been working closely with members of the Pierce County Council to craft framework for a proposal to raise sales tax by .1% – raising an estimated $20 million per year – to fund affordable housing solutions. A…
Read MoreCity of Gig Harbor Enacts Short-Term Rental Regulations
City of Gig Harbor Enacts Short-Term Rental Regulations After passing three moratoria, and taking nearly 18 months, Gig Harbor City Council passed final regulations at its February 27 meeting which allow Short-Term Rentals within the city. The ordinance, which takes effect March 8, allows short-term rentals in all residential and commercial zones where dwelling units…
Read MoreCity of Tacoma Side Sewer Disclosures
Side sewer disclosure for real estate transactions in tacoma Did you know that prior to buying or selling a property in the City of Tacoma, real estate professionals are required to provide a Side Sewer Education Flyer to buyers and sellers they are representing during closing of a property? In fact, this requirement has been…
Read MorePierce County Housing Authority Announces RFP to Sell Homes
Pierce County Housing Authority Announces RFP to Sell 120 underperforming Housing Units The Pierce County Housing Authority (PCHA) is requesting proposals from Licensed Residential Real Estate Brokers to provide residential real estate services for the sale of PCHA’s Scattered-Site Single family homes located throughout Pierce County. The total roster of properties owned by the PCHA…
Read MoreThe Importance of a Sewer Scope when Buying a Home
The Importance of a Sewer Scope Inspection When Buying a Home By: Jon Teabo, President of A-Pro Home Inspection Services A sewer scope inspection is a critical component of the home buying process that is often overlooked or ignored by potential home buyers. Despite its importance, many home buyers do not understand what a sewer…
Read MoreCity of Tacoma Business License Fee Increases
Tacoma City Council enacts new business license fees for 2023-24 In November 2022, Tacoma City Council passed an ordinance which increases business license fees by as much as 700% over the next two years. While Council claims that only 10% of businesses will incur significant fee increases, real estate is one industry which will experience…
Read MoreTPCAR Welcomes New Board Directors for 2023-24
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® hosted its Annual Installation Gala on Thursday, November 3rd with the highlight of the evening being incoming Washington REALTORS® President Alisha Harrison installing TPCAR’s new Board Directors for 2023 – 24 terms, as well as Mike Stewart being installed as 2023 TPCAR President. We look forward to each of these…
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