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…
Rent 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.…
Washington 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…
2025 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…
TPCAR 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…
Tacoma 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…
October 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…
COT 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…
Why 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…
Tacoma-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…
City 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…
Read MoreTPCAR Candidates Successful in Elections
Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors endorsed 16 candidates in this year’s General Election and are pleased to announce that 15 of those 16 were successful in their election. Support for levies related to public safety, parks, schools, and fire protection saw a majority of success with 4 of our 6 endorsed levies passing. To view…
Read MoreNorthwest 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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreHow 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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