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Starting in July, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will require stress tests of drainfields for property sales inspections of gravity and pump to gravity systems. This document outlines the requirements and policies for repairing or replacing septic tanks, including details with regards to testing procedures, repairs, and replacements of defective tanks.  Requirements for Repairing Septic…

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to temporarily lift its ban on buyers directly paying for professional real estate representation until the agency deems it necessary to engage in a formal rulemaking process, a VA official said Tuesday at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference in New York. Although not an official announcement, the comments from…

TPCAR member response to Call to Action regarding short-term rentals and rural zoning nets success At yesterday’s Pierce County Council meeting, Resolution R2024-158s, drafted to include provisions which would have restricted short-term rentals (STR) and removed bonus density provisions for rural lands within the urban growth area (UGA), was amended after successful lobbying by TPCAR.…

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…

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…

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? 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…

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? 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 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…