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Washington Senate Bill 6346: What REALTORS® Need to Know 

By sean@tpcar.org | February 6, 2026

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…

Ensure Your Office Agent Roster Is Up to Date 

By sean@tpcar.org | February 3, 2026

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…

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

By max@tpcr | January 9, 2026

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…

Tacoma’s Rental Code May Be Changing — Here’s What REALTORS® Need to Know

By sean@tpcar.org | December 9, 2025

Tuesday, December 9th at 5 pm, Tacoma City Council will be voting on an ordinance that would amend the 2023 Landlord Fairness Code Initiative—better known as Tacoma Measure 1. These proposed changes represent meaningful progress toward a more balanced rental housing framework, but they also highlight how much work remains to ensure that Tacoma’s rental market stays…

Tacoma’s Measure 1 and the Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing 

By sean@tpcar.org | November 7, 2025

Tacoma’s housing market continues to feel the effects of Measure 1 — a set of policies passed by initiative in November 2023 that, while intended to promote stability for renters, are instead accelerating the loss of affordable housing across the city. The recent sale of several Goodman Real Estate properties is a case study in how…

Outdated Capital Gains Rule is Keeping Homes Off the Market

By sean@tpcar.org | November 7, 2025

In This Article When Congress last set the capital gains exclusion in 1997, the average U.S. home cost about $145,000. Nearly three decades later, home values have more than tripled—but the tax rule hasn’t moved an inch. The lack of action on this is now pointing the US real estate market directly at a “capital…

NAR Advocacy Update: Big Wins for REALTORS® and Housing Affordability

By max@tpcr | October 3, 2025

NAR continues to be a leading voice in shaping housing policy at the federal level. Last week, NAR representatives took part in a bipartisan congressional panel focused on housing affordability. They emphasized the critical role REALTORS® play in expanding access to homeownership and ensuring that policy decisions reflect the real needs of our communities. Among…

2026 TPCAR Board Of Directors Nominees

By max@tpcr | September 18, 2025

2026 TPCAR Board Of Directors Nominees The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is proud to announce its candidates for the 2026 TPCAR Board of Directors. TPCAR’s Board of Directors is responsible for guiding TPCAR in alignment within the association bylaws, setting policy, and ensuring the organization’s mission is carried out effectively. Make your voice heard!…

Cultural Resources Final Bill

By max@tpcr | September 12, 2025

On Sept. 2, 2025, the Pierce County Council approved Ordinance No. O2025-522s—adopting a new “Cultural Resources Protection” — a package billed as both a housing-permit streamlining measure and a cultural and historic sites safeguard for tribal artifacts. The ordinance raises SEPA categorical exemption thresholds while creating a front-loaded cultural review so applicants get earlier certainty.…

TPCAR Endorsement Recommendations for 2025 Elections 

By sean@tpcar.org | July 1, 2025

2025 is a local election year, meaning city council and mayoral races are a large focus for TPCAR’s advocacy team. This year’s primary is being held on Tuesday, August 5th, and there are several key races which are likely to be competitive, and which will have a significant impact on housing in our region.  Candidates…

Northwest MLS brokers say motivated home buyers turn to creative financing options:

Submitted by Frank Hawkins; Hawkins-Poe Real Estate Services Brokers with Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) are reporting a return to some creative financing methods as motivated home buyers and sellers grapple with higher mortgage rates. Despite that, and the seasonal slowdown in activity, 6,435 hopeful homebuyers succeeded in having sellers accept their offers to purchase…

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How will this economy affect the local housing market compared to the Great Recession?

BY JENNIFER HAWKINS, TPCAR Board Director Question: What are the similarities and differences between the potential recession we’re facing and what happened in 2008 in regard to housing? I would like to start off by saying recession does not equal housing crash. In fact the 2008-2009 recession is the only recession that created a housing…

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How is a Home Warranty Different from Homeowners Insurance?

How is a Home Warranty Different from Homeowners Insurance? Homeowners insurance and home warranties are both designed to help safeguard your home, but they each offer different types of protection. A home warranty is an excellent supplement to a homeowners insurance policy, and a homeowner should consider purchasing both. What is homeowners insurance? Homeowners insurance covers…

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Gig Harbor extends its short-term rental moratorium

On September 12, 2022, the City Council extended the moratorium allowing the city to evaluate the drafted regulations for Gig Harbor against legal framework currently taking shape across the country. This action further extends a moratorium which began one year ago. The city currently does not have any code which directly applies to short-term rentals…

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Sumner City Council relaxes rules on ADUs

At its August 15 meeting, Sumner City Council unanimously approved changes to the city code regarding accessory dwelling units. City code previously only allowed ADUs on lots of 12,000 square feet or more. The changes adopted lower that number to as low as 4,000 square feet if the ADU is attached to the main unit,…

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Update on real estate class action lawsuits

Class action attorneys will soon begin to notify members of the class in the Sitzer/Burnett class action lawsuit in Missouri. Plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit are raising questions about how broker compensation is paid. Although the judge granted class certification in the case in April, the ruling was procedural and does not reflect on…

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Bailey : 2022 TPCAR Mascot

Meet Bailey! TPCAR’s Chief Barketing Officer TPCAR is proud to introduce Bailey, our new Chief Barketing Officer. Bailey comes to TPCAR with 5 years of experience in sales and advertising layout, with a focus on real estate barketing. Bailey is results-driven, especially when it comes to getting treats and belly rubs. Bailey is a lifelong…

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Call for Board Nominations

Show your commitment to the value of TPCAR membership and help to shape its future! You may nominate yourself or a committed TPCAR colleague. Nominating candidates for office is a valuable service to the association and your thoughtful participation in this process is greatly appreciated. Eligible candidates must be members in good standing of the…

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TPCAR comments on Home In Tacoma – Phase 2

The Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors (TPCAR) believes home ownership needs and opportunities must be at the heart of Phase 2 of Home in Tacoma. Home ownership provides countless benefits to our communities, and to the homeowner as well. While public comment is reviewed, and the next phase of Home in Tacoma is shaped,…

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Tacoma set to begin Phase 2 of Home in Tacoma Project

Home In Tacoma – Phase 2 Project Overview  Home In Tacoma – Phase 2 will be a high-profile public process to implement the new policies through changes to residential zoning and standards, along with actions to promote affordability and ensure that housing supports multiple community goals.  Because housing and neighborhoods are important to all of…

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