Community Recommendation: Scholz Farm and Garden

In this series, I highlight the businesses I like to refer to my friends, family, home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking about Scholz Farm and Garden in Puyallup, WA.

Community Recommendation: Scholz Farm and Garden

I love supporting local and especially love when the owners have a wonderful story and purpose. Scholz Farm and Garden owns and operates a 4th generation family farm in the Puyallup/Orting valley. They are famous for their locally grown sweet corn and the Pumpkin Palace in October. They have a small retail store located right on the farm that is open daily from 9am to 5pm, April through October. Their greenhouses are open and offer some beautiful flowering baskets, potted flowers, and healthy vegetable starts for your gardens.

Scholz has an abundant selection of produce including sweet corn, berries, melons, green beans, zucchini, nectarines, tomatoes, and onions just to name a few! Shopping at Scholz Farm and Garden feels personal, and the owners are extremely helpful in their knowledge of produce and plants. They are pros at gardening and will even help answer any of your personal gardening questions!

Here’s what others have to say about Scholz Farm and Garden:

“I came by today for the first time. Just ate dinner with fresh corn and watermelon and wow! Now I know why the lady helping me said I’ll be back just for the corn. I will definitely be back to freeze some! Absolutely amazing.” – Julie

“We’ve been going to Scholz Farms since about 2002. We’ve always had amazing times and the gang there is top notch! There produce is always great and their corn is hands down the best!! We go there for special flower baskets and veggie starts as well. Great people that have always done right by us and we bring new people there nearly every year! You have been and continue to be a tradition for the Patrick family! Thanks so much for all that you do!” – Eddie

“Your peaches are amazing. Just froze enough for seven pies and have a few left to eat fresh. I’ll be back for more corn later in the week and hope to freeze some of that as well. So much goodness to enjoy.” – Melanie

“You guys are so awesome! Always friendly and helpful. Even help us lug our produce to the car if our hands are full. Bought your green beans yesterday and made them with dinner. They were gobbled up!” – Kerry

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Community Recommendation: Bruno’s Family Restaurant & Bar

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In this series, I highlight the businesses I like to refer to my friends, family, home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking about Bruno’s Family Restaurant & Bar in Eatonville, WA.

Community Recommendation: Bruno’s Family Restaurant & Bar

Bruno’s Family Restaurant & Bar is located at the foothills of Mt. Rainier and gives off a warm family feel right when you enter the restaurant. When the co-owners adopted Bruno the dog from the Humane Society, they wanted to share his love for everyone by opening a restaurant that was perfect for Eatonville locals. Serving hearty American comfort food, Bruno’s is the perfect place to recharge. For a tail-wagging good time and amazing food, there’s no place better. One of my favorite features of Bruno’s is that they are dog friendly inside of the restaurant so you can dine with your pup at your feet, and meet new pups as well. The chowder, chicken friend steak, and homemade pies are must haves when you stop in!

Here’s what people have to say about Bruno’s Family Restaurant & Bar:

We had a wonderful dinner today! The 2 lb clams were wonderful, the beers were great, and the fish and chips, along with the chicken-fried steak, were delicious as usual. Best of all, our server Makai was outstanding! If you are ever in the area, be sure to stop on by for a down-to-earth dining experience 😋

-Ruth

This place and staying at the motel next door was definitely small town hospitality at its best. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and great food whats not to love? This is going to be one of my new go to places when staying over when doing hikes on Mt. Rainier and to tired to drive home.

-Eric

Amazing food (best chicken fried steak ever!), fabulous friendly service and we got to dine with our dog at our feet, her own bowl of water and a puppy burger served as well as we enjoyed the patio with others. She even made another Sheltie friend! Can’t recommend enough. We have made it our go to after going to Mt Rainier just to have green beans and fresh pie!

-Serenity

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5 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

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In the last two decades, real estate has outperformed the stock market at a ratio of 2:1. Real estate has continuously been ranked as the best way to invest money not needed for more than 10 years. So why aren’t more people taking advantage? Here are the 5 top reasons to invest in real estate.

5 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

Immediate cash flow

Once you buy a property and rent it out, you are receiving cash flow within that first month, and every money after that. If you buy in a hot market, you’re able to use the cash flow to pay back that mortgage as well as use the additional funds for repairs, paying a property management company, or any other house related expense.

Appreciation

While appreciation is largely dependent on property, location and economy, the bottom line is that the US population is growing and the need for housing continues to increase. By way of supply and demand, your home’s value will increase over time. For example, since the inventory of homes in Western Washington is in a shortage, buyers will be willing to pay more for your home since there isn’t much competition.

Equity

If you make paying off your mortgage a priority, the amount of equity – or the amount of house you actually own – grows quickly. If you pay more toward your principal, choose shorter loan terms, and focus on home improvements, you can speed up the pay off process. By paying more toward your principal, the faster your build equity, even if your home is appreciating slowly. By choosing shorter loan terms, you are eliminating the interest rate for the years you aren’t paying a mortgage. For example, a 15 year mortgage is more per month, but over time you actually save a significant amount since you aren’t paying interest on the last 15 years. Finally, by focusing on home improvements, you increase the value of your home and narrow the gap between how much it’s worth, and how much you owe.

Tax breaks

Investing in real estate can come with tax breaks, which makes this one of the top reasons to invest in real estate. Mortgage interest, operating costs, property taxes, and insurance are among the areas you’re able to deduct from your taxes. You’re sending less money to the IRS, and increasing your cash flow.

You don’t have to be the landlord

If you buy an investment property with the idea of just wanting the monthly income without doing the maintenance, a property management company can help you. When you hire a property management company, they can take calls about leaky faucets and drafty windows. Yes you’ll be receiving less monthly income since you’ll have to pay the property management company, but you’ll have much less to worry about. This is an especially good idea for those who buy a rental out of state.

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Community Recommendation: Deep Root Farm in Puyallup, WA

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In this series, I highlight the businesses I like to refer to my friends, family, home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking about Deep Root Farm in Puyallup, WA.

Community Recommendation: Deep Root Farm in Puyallup, WA

With a name like Deep Root Farm, you would imagine that this company has fresh, local, and delicious food. This is beyond true! Every single person I talk to that has tried Deep Root has been blown away (including myself) and has told everyone they know to try this place! Deep Root has a variety of products from hydroponic micro-greens to baked goods. Deep Root is best known for their Amish bread and famous cinnamon rolls. Impress everyone at your next brunch with fresh scones and homemade jam. One of the best parts about this company is the owner – Monica Flores. She is so passionate about her business and it shows in every delicious decadent loaf of bread that she bakes. It’s one thing to sell good products, but it’s another to build relationships with every customer!

Here’s what others have to say about Deep Root Farm:

Her Amish breads are one of the best breads we have had, especially the garlic and herb one. We almost finish the entire loaf at dinner, and did I mention, they are huge. They are such a steal! Customer service are super friendly and great, too. We can’t wait to order more. You rock, Monica. -Nickie

I picked up my first order today and I’m in big trouble! Her rolls almost didn’t make it home. I ate 3 in the car. It’s only an 8 minute drive! Soft, light, buttery. Best thing that’s been in my mouth in a long time! Bread is gorgeous and we may have dessert before dinner. The cinnamon rolls are calling my name! Cornbread is beautiful! She is one of the nicest people I have met in a long time! We’re going to have a long, yummy friendship! Thanks so much!!! -Iris

Monica puts her heart and soul into everything she bakes and it definitely shows. If you haven’t tried her cinnamon rolls or fresh made dinner rolls, you’re missing out! They are absolutely the best I’ve ever had. Thank you Monica, I can’t wait to place another order soon!! -Nicole

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Community Recommendation: Bertoglio’s Pizza in Yelm, WA

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In this series, I highlight the businesses I like to refer to my friends, family, home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking about Bertoglio’s Pizza in Yelm, WA.

Community Recommendation: Bertoglio’s Pizza in Yelm, WA

Really great pizza places are hard to come by, but if you’re in the Yelm area, you’re lucky to have a gem right in your neighborhood! Bertoglio’s Pizza is a deliciously wonderful restaurant! The combination of high quality ingredients and top notch customer service makes this pizzeria a family favorite. Bergoglio’s Pizza has an extensive gluten free menu which includes cauliflower crust options. They also offer take and bake pizzas which is unique since you don’t really get that option with most pizza places. This is a great place for a date night, a casual weekend lunch joint, or a Sunday family dinner – especially in the summer months!

See what others have to say about Bertoglio’s Pizza:

“This is the BEST pizza I have probably ever had in my life. I have never had a pizza where everything about it is up to par and on the same level of excellence!! The pizza sauce is one of a kind, as well as their crust. Our favorite is the Canadian Bacon Pineapple Pizza – the pineapples are HUGE!! Definitely a summer favorite and our first choice when we want pizza!! So happy they are here!” – Longview

“The owner was very friendly and we could tell he took pride in his pizza, using quality ingredients. We ordered 2 pizzas: BBQ vegan chicken with pineapple and vegan cheese, and the second was vegan beef crumbles with black olives, mushrooms, and vegan cheese. Our family of 5 loved them! The BBQ was my favorite. If this place didn’t serve vegan pizza, I don’t know what we would have ended up eating. So thankful for this place!” – Christine

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3 Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

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There are many benefits of owning a home – personalization, community, and ability to make it your own. One of the often-overlooked benefits of owning a home is the equity you build over time. Here are 3 benefits of growing equity in your home.

3 Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

What is home equity?

First off, let’s take a look at what home equity is, and how it affects you as a home owner. Home equity is the portion of your home that you truly own – the difference between the home’s fair market value and the outstanding balance of all liens on the property. Home equity is also known as real property value. The average home increases between 3% and 5% in equity per year.

Move up opportunity

One of the biggest benefits of growing equity in your home is the move up opportunity. With the rise in prices, homeowners naturally experience an increase in home equity. This increase allows them to put this money down toward a larger house to fit their family’s needs in the future. For example, if a family puts down $55,000 into the house, and the house has increased in value by $10,000, then the family’s home equity is really $65,000. When you buy your first home, the down payment is often times one of the largest hurdles to overcome. When you buy your second and third homes, you’re able to use your home equity toward the down payment of the new home, granted the market is healthy.

Gain in seller’s profit

In today’s market, when a home buyer looks at the amount paid when they bought their home and then the amount they received after selling, it’s clear that some homeowners were able to walk away with a large gain. A seller’s profit is jumping fast compared to over the last few years.

Out of a negative equity situation

Negative equity occurs when there is a decline in home value, an increase in mortgage debt, or both. Often times home owners see this situation when the housing market crashes and their area’s home values decrease. Many families experienced these challenges over the last decade. The good news is many families have moved beyond a negative equity situation since the market has recovered and they are able to use the growing equity in their home to get out of their negative situation.

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Spring Home Selling Tips

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As spring starts to blossom in the Pacific Northwest, it’s also a time when people consider buying a home. Moving at the end of spring allows for families to get adjusted after the end of the current school year and before the next. The following spring home selling tips are unique to the spring and are much different than the tips to sell your home in other seasons.

Spring Home Selling Tips

Spring Cleaning

Many people take advantage of the better weather and longer days in order to tackle their spring cleaning chore list. For the main entry make sure you dust the lights, clean the baseboards, clean the entire front door and shine the knob on both sides. For the living room, wipe the walls, ceiling, and do a deep vacuum and sweep. If the windows have any blinds, use a gentle solution to clean the dirt off of the blinds. In the bathroom it’s important to clean vanities, de-clutter the top of the sink, clean the tile and glass to the shower, and re-grout if necessary. Finally, in the kitchen, go through the refrigerator and clean out any old items. Deep clean the stove top and oven, getting rid of any grease that’s been caked on. Focusing on deep cleaning your home is something that you should do every spring, and is one of the most important spring home selling tips!

Lawn Care

Since the sun starts to shine in the spring in the Pacific Northwest, it’s important to make the lawn, walkway and front door look as good as you can. Developing a good first impression can improve your chances of selling since you’ll draw more people in to tour your home if your front area looks appealing. Additionally, it’s important to clean your gutters, mow your lawn and cut shrubs down, and sweep away any debris on your walkway. Finally, it’s important to pay attention to colors of your plant pots, flowers, and house. You’ll want to make sure all the color complements the exterior of the home so the front of your home is pleasing to look at.

Choose The Right Agent

Your real estate agent will be responsible for various things throughout the selling process so it’s important to choose wisely. The right agent can also advice listing at the correct time, and picking the right price. Additionally, a strong agent will have knowledge on recent home sales in your neighborhood, distinguishing characteristics of your property that make your home more valuable, and outside variable that affect price.

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4 Simple Ways to Save for a Down Payment

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The down payment is often the largest hurdle first time home buyers face. Whether you’re going the FHA route and can put as low as 3.5% down, or you’re going the conventional loan route with 20% down, saving for a down payment can take some time. Here are 4 simple everyday ways to save for a down payment.

4 Simple Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Make a budget and stick with it

The number one way to save for a down payment is to create a budget. It’s hard to monitor your finances if you don’t know where you and your family stands. Take some time to review all your expenses every month and see the areas where you are over spending. For a lot of people, dining out can cost hundreds of dollars a week, whereas meal prepping at the grocery store could be a couple hundred dollars a month. Once you are aware of how much you spend in each area, make a budget and hold yourself accountable to sticking to it. Weekly checkpoints are a great way to keep yourself on track.

But first, coffee

Coffee is a huge part of how people function, so it’s hard to think about how coffee can actually cost you hundreds a month. If you pick up a coffee from your local coffee shop every morning, you could be spending $5 a day, for 30 days a month. This means you are allocating $150 a month just to coffee. And this doesn’t even include the days you go back for your afternoon pick me up. Think about buying coffee ground from the grocery store and making your own morning coffee. Also, a lot of workplaces offer coffee in the cafeteria for a subsidized cost or even free, so relying on that for afternoons can also help keep the cost low. Remember, saving doesn’t mean you have to get rid of things all together, it just challenges you to find different approaches.

Manage subscriptions

When you get to the point where you don’t even know what you’re subscribed to anymore, you’re likely spending too much on monthly subscriptions. Go through all your monthly and yearly subscriptions and get rid of services you don’t benefit from. For example, if you find yourself subscribed to multiple music streaming services, pick your favorite one and get rid of the other. These services can give you back $10-20 a month!

Sell items

Selling unwanted items can make you hundreds of dollars a month, while cleaning out your home! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, truly. So go through your basement and see what you can sell. A helpful tip is if you plan to sell seasonal items, do so about a month before the season/holiday. This catches folks who are looking for that exact item, instead of catching people after the holiday hits and it’s not the front of their mind.

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5 Ways to Add Curb Appeal in Tacoma, WA

As a home seller, you want your home to make a strong lasting impression on potential home buyers. If they like what they see on the outside, they’ll be interested to see what’s on the inside. Check out these simple, low cost improvements that will boost your curb appeal in Tacoma, WA.

5 Ways to Add Curb Appeal in Tacoma, WA

Dress Up Your Door

If your front door is visible from the road, it’s good to dress it up so it catches potential home buyer’s attention. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color with a fresh coat of paint. If your door has paint chips all over it, the impression of your home may come across as older and not well-maintained. Dressing up your front door is integral to adding to your home’s curb appeal in Tacoma, WA.

Outdoor Lighting

If buyers are interested in your home they’ll drive by your home when it’s bright outside and when it’s not. Low voltage landscape lighting makes a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal while also providing safety and security. If you aren’t able to add light fixtures to your walkways, solar lights are a good alternative. The warmth of lights in the front of your home can add to your home’s curb appeal in Tacoma, WA.

Mailbox Makeover

If your mailbox is visible from the front of your home, wipe it down so it looks well maintained. If potential buyers walk up to your home, you don’t want them to linger by the mailbox wondering why there is ivy growing on all sides. It’s also wise to match your home’s exterior color or surrounding it with a beautiful flowering garden.

Clean Your Walkway

Well designed and maintained walkways make your home feel warm and inviting while providing structure to the front of your home. For a dramatic improvement to s generic straight concrete path, replace it with a contoured one made of stone or brick. For a small upgrade, apply colored concrete resurface to the old walkway. Brick pavers offer traditional beauty to the landscape of most homes.

Add Furniture

If you have a patio in the front of your home, a good way to help potential buyers to imagine their life in your home is to add seating to your front patio area. This adds pops of color while helping the potential buyers imagine themselves sitting in the front of the home drinking coffee on a sunny morning. The more you can paint the picture for buyers, the more they will be interested in your home and thus boosting your curb appeal in Tacoma, WA.

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5 Reasons to Move to Washington State

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With a booming job market paired with a temperate climate, it’s easy to see why Washington State is a popular state to live in. According to USA Today, Washington State was ranked the 4th fastest growing state in 2019. So let’s take a look at some specific reasons to move to Washington State.

Jobs

With Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks and Boeing all headquartered in Seattle, it’s understandable why the Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia area is the employment engine for the state. Washington State is also unique in that the Eastern side of the state, opposite Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest agricultural producers, especially for seafood and fruits such as apples and cherries. That’s a lot of employment opportunities, which makes jobs one of the biggest reasons to move to Washington State.

Water

If you move to Western Washington, you’re sure to run across the Puget Sound while you’re there. Cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue are located right on the water so you’re bound to see a view while you’re there. While the water is pretty cold during the fall, winter, and spring months, during the summer you’ll see families gather round the many lakes and bays the state has to offer and remains one to the top reasons to move to Washington State.

Outdoor Activities

With three national parks within state boundaries – Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier, Washington is a mecca for those who enjoy the outdoors. Hikers flock to popular hikes such as Mt. Si., Rattlesnake Ridge, and Mailbox Peak, whereas those who prefer water sports are seen sailing, kayaking and fishing throughout the state.

Green

Washington State prioritizes sustainability and frequently ranks in the top five in various categories of the most environmentally friendly states. Especially in Western Washington, you’ll see an emphasis on recycling and composting as well as mass transit options such as the Light Rail and Sounder. In 2015, Washington State was ranked as the nation’s most bike friendly state and also hosts the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike race every year.

Diversity

With Seattle being a melting pot of different cultures, you’re surrounded by diversity. You’ll find yourself learning about new cultures on the regular and trying different foods. The row of restaurants adjacent to the University of Washington, informally known as the Ave, hosts over 50 restaurants of 30 different cultures. The diversity in this state inspires creativity and drives innovation statewide.

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