Tacoma’s Rental Code May Be Changing — Here’s What REALTORS® Need to Know
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
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Outdated Capital Gains Rule is Keeping Homes Off the Market
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
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
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
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
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…
TPCAR Endorses John Hines for Tacoma Mayor
The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is proud to endorse John Hines for Mayor of Tacoma. Councilmember Hines has demonstrated a consistent and thoughtful commitment to expanding housing opportunities across Tacoma. From his early support and leadership on the Home in Tacoma initiative, to his strong advocacy for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), John has championed policies that…
Washington Enacts Statewide Rent Control: What HB 1217 Means for Tenants, Landlords, and the Housing Market
On May 7, 2025, Washington became the third U.S. state to enact statewide rent control – joining California and Oregon – with the passage of House Bill 1217. The law caps annual rent increases on most residential properties and includes special provisions for manufactured housing, among other regulations. Proponents argue the measure offers needed tenant protections amid…
New Property Tax Incentive for Affordable ADUs Now in Effect in Pierce County
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® members now have a new housing incentive to watch—Senate Bill 5529, recently signed into law, officially expands a key property tax exemption for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to include Pierce County. This law encourages homeowners to build and rent detached ADUs to low-income households by offering a property tax exemption on the value…
TPCAR Primary Election Candidate Endorsements
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors is proud to announce its candidate endorsements for this year’s August 3 Primary Election. 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 issues,…
Read MoreTPCAR Seeks Volunteers for Grievance ad Professional Standards Committee
The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors is seeking volunteers to serve on its Grievance and Professional Standards Committees. Each volunteer will be considered based upon their good standing in Tacoma/Pierce County Association of Realtors®-including compliance with NAR’s required Code of Ethics training. Their experience and knowledge in the different facets of our profession will also…
Read MoreTPCAR Endorsed Candidates Fare Well in August Primary
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…
Read MoreTPCAR 2021 General election Endorsements
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…
Read MoreGuides to Help Prepare for the Winter Season
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…
Read MoreWashington is Open for Business
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…
Read MoreReal Estate Professionals Classification as Independent Contractors
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…
Read MoreCDC Eviction Moratorium Vacated and Stayed
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…
Read More10 Dos and Don’ts for New Homebuyers with Septic Systems
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…
Read MoreChanges to Insurance Regulations May Delay Closings
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…
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