1031 Exchangers Can Help Their Kids Buy a House
As house prices and mortgage rates rise, young couples struggle with down payments and loan qualifications. 1031 parents who have business or investment real estate can help them purchase a principal residence while still receiving all the advantages of being a real estate investor and completing a 1031 exchange. The investor-parents (the exchangers) can exchange…
NAR Focuses on Fair Housing During Black History Month
As NAR recognizes Black History Month, we honor the legacy of great black leaders by carrying on their fight to eliminate housing discrimination, expand homeownership, and reduce wealth inequality. While the long-lasting impact of historical discrimination would make closing the homeownership gap in America challenging enough, fallout from the pandemic is likely to exacerbate that…
Update on HB 1951
Thank you all for your response to the Washington REALTORS® Call to Action on HB 1951. Across the State, WR Members sent Legislators over 8,000 emails asking them to not pass HB 1951! While the Consumer Protection and Business Committee made significant changes to the bill at the REALTORS ® request, including removal of the…
2022 Hill Day Recap
On January 20, TPCAR joined with other local REALTORS® around the state for the Washington REALTORS® Hill Day. This year’s event was, again, held virtually and offered the opportunity to learn more from our keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, about housing issues and other policies being considered by the legislature. In the time following…
SafeShowings App Now Available
Introducing SafeShowings! SafeShowings Keeps Real Estate Professionals Safe! The number of crimes and murders committed against real estate professionals continues to increase every year. This is why all real estate professionals must put their safety first! Watch the video below for information on how to use your NEWEST member benefit to deter criminal behavior against Real Estate…
5 Tips to Kick Off 2022
We are only 11 days into 2022, and between holidays, weather, and closures, it has been quite a year already! Aegis Land Group Title Company has compiled 5 Tips to Kick off 2022! Check them out to ensure a successful New Year! Shift your attitude Attitude controls everything. Start your day deliberately with the…
TPCAR Meeting with Rep. Kilmer Spotlights Homebuyer Issues
TPCAR Meeting with Rep. Kilmer Spotlights Homebuyer Issues On Wednesday, December 22, US Rep. Derek Kilmer met with TPCAR members, led by incoming Government Affairs Chair and FPC to Rep. Kilmer, Elaine Hilton, to share more about his current projects in Congress, Federal legislation currently being worked on which could impact housing, and to hear…
Home In Tacoma Passes, Ensuring More Affordable Housing
On Tuesday evening, Tacoma City Council voted 7 – 2 in favor of Phase 1 of the City’s “Home in Tacoma” plan. Home In Tacoma aims to achieve a shared vision of all Tacomans having an opportunity for home ownership in a thriving, diverse, and growing city. Home in Tacoma creates a new vision for…
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…
10 Dos and Donts 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 week. Excessive water discharge into the septic system is known…
Proposed Property Tax Changes Could Deepen Housing Affordability Crisis in Tacoma and Across Washington
As Washington state lawmakers weigh new revenue sources to balance the state budget, proposed changes to the state’s property tax cap are raising alarms among housing advocates—including the Washington REALTORS®, who recently commissioned an analysis to better understand the potential impacts on homeowners. The proposals under consideration would remove the long-standing 1% cap on annual…
Read MoreRent Control Advances in Washington: What HB 1217 Could Mean for Housing Providers
On Thursday, April 10th, the State Senate passed an amended version of HB 1217 which would implement rent control in Washington State. Due to changes made from the House version which was approved in March, the bill must move back to the House of Representatives for a vote of concurrence to be enacted into law.…
Read MoreWashington Rent Control Bill Moves to Senate with Key Amendments
One of the most hotly debated issues this legislative session has involved ESHB 1217 which would enact rent control regulations across Washington State. This bill passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday, March 10th by a vote of 53 – 42. While the bill did move out of the House, several amendments were made…
Read More2025 Legislative Days Event Recap
On January 29 – 30th, nearly 50 TPCAR members joined with 600 REALTOR® members from across the State to gather at the Capitol in Olympia and lobby REALTOR® and housing consumer issues with legislators from every district in the state. The event offered attendees an opportunity to hear from the Washington REALTORS® (WR) lobby team…
Read MoreTPCAR Advocacy Report – January 2025
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® advocacy team has hit the ground running in 2025 as several carry-over items from 2024 will continue to be worked on this year. Those include: Pierce County TPCAR has been tracking proposed short term rental regulations (STR), as well as accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations, for unincorporated areas of Pierce…
Read MoreTacoma City Council Enacts Home in Tacoma Phase 2 – Effective February 1, 2025
Tacoma is moving forward with its Home in Tacoma Phase 2 ordinance, a major update to zoning and building regulations aimed at increasing housing density and creating more opportunities for homeownership. As a REALTOR®, understanding these changes is essential to helping your clients navigate the evolving real estate landscape. Key Zoning Changes The new ordinance…
Read MoreOctober Advocacy update
In alignment with our mission to keep members informed on key planning and policy changes, TPCAR shares recent developments impacting Pierce County’s rural density planning and Tacoma’s business resilience efforts. These updates highlight important shifts in growth management strategies, with implications for land use and local business support. Home In Tacoma Update: Phase 2 of…
Read MoreCOT Business License Update – Oct 2024
TPCAR continues to meet with the City of Tacoma’s Licensing Department to ensure current information is available for REALTOR® members who sell real estate in the city. Current updates on license requirements and how B&O taxes are apportioned between the brokerage and agent are shared in this update. We continue to work on the concerns…
Read MoreWhy Local Elections Matter More to REALTORS® Than You Think: Make Your Voice Heard!
The Importance of Voting in Local Elections for REALTORS® As a REALTOR®, you’re likely well aware of how government policies directly impact the housing market, property rights, and the real estate profession. While the Presidential election captures the most attention in 2024, our local elections can have a far more immediate and lasting effect on…
Read MoreTacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® – September 2024 Advocacy Update
TPCAR’s Advocacy team continues to make strides on several issues for our members, as well as track other items which may be of interest to the members and our industry. Below is a report on the past month of advocacy activities and other upcoming items we will be working on in the Fall. Home in…
Read More