Restaurant Recommendation Series: Top of Tacoma Bar

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In this series, I highlight the restaurants I like to refer to my home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking about the Top of Tacoma Bar.

Restaurant Recommendation Series: Top of Tacoma Bar

Let me first say that every time I go to this restaurant it’s packed. But they handle their traffic with great customer service!! The chitter chatter from all the tables makes for a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.

Now onto the food… The Top of Tacoma Bar offers more than a traditional bar. Their selection is broader than just burgers, fries, and wings. Some of my favorite dishes include the pork belly cuban sandwich, jalapeño artichoke dip, and the clam chowder. It’s one thing for a bar to offer a wide selection of plates, but to do it well is just impressive!

All in all, it’s a wonderful place to grab a bite with friends and family alike, while enjoying a game of pool or enjoying the sunset on the outside patio.

Here’s what locals have to say about the Top of Tacoma Bar:

“LOVE the vibe!!!! It’s our secret find! When looking for “the best Bloody Mary in Tacoma” Siri told us to go to The Top! Weekend breakfast is amazing… my fave is the breakfast flatbread. Lunch and Dinner have so many options I can’t even pick a fav since we try new things every time we go. It’s a cool, hip, gritty style bar with uptown chef inspired bar food. Always a great meal to “talk about” after you take photos in the nostalgic photo booth. Hey, there’s even Snickers Bars and Cheetos in the vending machine. Something for everyone. We just keep going!!!!!” –Tracy

“The Top of Tacoma Bar is the best ever. Don’t waste your time going to Applebee’s. Come to the Top. It’s a bar but the food looks and tastes like it came from the Ritz Carlton.” – Christopher

“The atmosphere is really inviting, and I honestly feel really comfortable and at home there. Their food is great, especially their chorizo quesadilla, which is literally all I ever order because of how delicious it is, and their beer selection is tasty, especially their IPAs. I love coming here, and I look forward to every Friday simply because I know I’ll be coming here to enjoy another lunch. This place is a must-go!” -Alex

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/TopofTacoma/

You may also like: Restaurant Recommendation Series: Bar Bistro

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4 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Owners

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2019 has officially begun, and with the new year comes New Year’s Resolutions. Being more active, saving more money, and organizing your life are common resolutions, but what about goals for your home? Here are 4 essential New Year’s resolutions for home owners.

4 New Year’s Resolutions for Home Owners

Start an emergency fund

One of the most essential New Year’s resolutions for home owners is to start an emergency fund. The idea of setting aside $100 cash every month to put in an emergency fund sounds doable, but often falls on people’s “will do later” list. But what happens if you’re faced with a life changing event where you need access to cash? This year, look at your finances and pick a monthly amount to set aside for your emergency fund. You could save over $1,000 in just one year by staying consistent in putting money aside. You’ll be so happy you did if/when the time comes.

Create a disaster kit

Your home is your castle, but it’s not indestructible. If you haven’t already, create a disaster kit to store in your garage so you’re ready to grab it and go should an emergency happen. A disaster kit that includes financial documents, copies of passports, and a home inventory will speed up recovery if disaster hits. Additionally, it’s a good idea to place at least 3 days of canned food in your disaster kit, along with emergency medical supplies so you’re set for a few days.

Budget for home improvements

Most homeowners have goals of what they want to improve in their home, even those who buy brand new homes. This year budget for one or two large projects so you’re able to make progress on this goal list. These large projects may be replacing roofing, kitchen appliances, or adding a living space onto the back of your home. By achieving one or two of these this year, you’ll stay motivated to keep finishing projects throughout the next few years, and with the right budget to do so.

De-clutter

If you feel like you’re running out of storage in your home, it is time to go through each room and de-clutter. Spend a day in each room and create 3 piles: keep, donate, and sell. Once you’ve made your way through your home, combine all the donate items and drive them to a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Once you have all your sell items in a pile, host a garage sale, or sell online via Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You’ll find your life less stressful when you get rid of all the unwanted clutter!

You may also like: Benefits of a Smaller Home

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Community Recommendation Series: Mark Klein, Thin Blue Line Car Detail

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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 all things auto detailing with Mark Klein, Thin Blue Line Car Detail.

Community Recommendation Series: Mark Klein, Thin Blue Line Car Detail

Mark Klein was a past client of mine and we got to talking about what he’s passionate about. He is a local law enforcement officer and local car detailer. He was born and raised in the state of Washington but new to Yelm as of June of 2017. He has always enjoyed detailing vehicles since he was a kid and decided in January of 2018 to explore the options of pursuing a business out of it. His wife completes his team and helps him with the details and is very large part of the success thus far.

He can do anything in the car detail world from interior vacuuming, hot water extracting, mold clean up, stain clean up, odor elimination, etc. Exterior washing, waxing, clay bar treatments, polishing/paint corrections, sealant, headlight restoration. He uses only premium products on his details such as Chemical Guys, CarPro, Griots, Adams, etc. He will treat your vehicle the same as he would treat his own and his number one goal is to make you love your car again as if you just pulled it off the lot.

As a client, he was extremely easy to work with. I’d say he was one of my easiest clients because he was prepared with what he wanted and the paperwork organized from the beginning.

Thin Blue Lin Car Detail was recently awarded the best auto detailer by the readers of the Nisqually Valley News. Congrats to Mark and his team! If you need your car detailed, consider visiting my friend Mark Klein with Thin Blue Line Car Detail!

Visit his Facebook Business Page to get your car detailed: https://www.facebook.com/thinbluelinecardetail/

You may also like: Restaurant Recommendation Series: Bar Bistro

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Benefits of a Smaller Home

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Downsizing may seem like a daunting task, but there really are some major benefits of a smaller home. From having less to clean, to less utilities to pay for, to more family time, moving to a smaller home can add value to your life.

Benefits of a Smaller Home

Lower mortgage

The number one reason most people downsize to a smaller home is because they have kids that have left to college and they are left with a 5 bedroom home for just 2 people. Why pay for a home with 5 bedrooms when you only use 1 maybe 2? Moving to a smaller home can help you pay a higher down payment on the new home, and can help you save hundreds of dollars a month in a mortgage.

Less to clean

The amount of space you have to clean is one of the biggest benefits of a smaller home. Gone are the days of setting aside an entire weekend just to clean your home. Have you ever wished you had more house to clean? I didn’t think so. When you reduce the number of rooms in your home, you also reduce the number of surfaces that need to be cleaned. Less room in your home also means less clutter. So it’s really a win win situation.

Less focused on stuff

In a larger home, a big part of your focus is what you’re going to buy to cover all the walls. While furniture is necessary in smaller homes, you’ll have less wall space to cover and likely smaller décor to purchase. You’ll save a bunch of money on décor when you need less stuff!

More family time

When you live in a bigger home, it’s easy for everyone to retreat to their own rooms for time after school to evening. When everyone is thrown together in a smaller living space, it allows for more family time. You’ll spend hours and hours or more time with your family playing games and talking that you wouldn’t necessarily get if you spend all the time alone in your room.

More likely to know neighbors

With big houses comes big lots. And when you have a lot of land, it takes a little more time to spend quality time with your neighbors. Smaller homes often sit closer together. If you sit on your front porch, you’re likely to see your neighbors walking past with their kids and dogs. It’s easy to be a good neighbor when you’re closer in proximity! You’ll find that you become closer with the entire community when you live in a smaller home as well. Attending block parties and neighborhood functions can introduce you to neighbors all around!

You may also like: 4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Fall

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Cozy Private and Peaceful Home on 5 Acres

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Beautiful one story home on 5 acres in Roy, WA with updates throughout. The spacious kitchen is great for cooking and entertaining, while the shop out back is waiting to be put to good use!

home on 5 acreshome on 5 acres home on 5 acres home on 5 acres

One of the many top features of this home is the spacious backyard. The peaceful and private 5 acres is great for farm animals and gardens. This home also comes with a 36 x 36 shop out back.

  •   2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
  •   1,336 square feet
  •   Updated features throughout home
  •   Large kitchen island
  •   Bethel School District
  •   36 x 36 shop
  •   1 year home warranty included

Contact me at 253-686-2174 to schedule a showing!

You may also like: 5 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

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4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Fall

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Just like the seasons of the year, there are different real estate seasons that bring opportunities for home buyers. The spring market blooms along with the flowers, while the fall months dwindle with the leaves. This slower pace could be an advantage for home buyers. If you’re in the market for a new home, here are 4 reasons to buy a home this fall.

4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Fall

Deals on old inventory

Often times, sellers choose to put their home on the market in the spring, often listing their home too high. If their home isn’t selling, this could result in price reductions over the summer months. By October, if they still haven’t sold their home, they become desperate and potentially price below a home’s market value. So just because you’re not buying in the busiest home buying season, doesn’t mean you don’t get the benefits.

Fewer buyers

Perhaps one of the greatest reasons to buy a home this fall is because there are fewer homes competing in the home search. Families who want to be in their new home by the beginning of the school year will have wrapped up their home buying process a couple months ago. This means less competition and more opportunity for buyers. Additionally, in really busy home buying seasons, often times home buyers will find themselves under pressure to make a decision within hours. When there is less competition, the pressure isn’t so intense for home buyers.

Sellers want to close by end of year

Just like any other asset, a home is an investment with tax consequences. A home seller may want to take advantage of a tax gain or loss so you might see them pushing for a close date before December 31. As a home buyer, ask why the seller is selling, and look for listings that offer incentives to close by the end of the year. This way you can use their urgency to your benefit and come out with $3,000 credit in closing costs or a brand new washer/dryer/refrigerator set.

Harsher weather shows home’s true colors

In the summer months, every home looks great since there is a bunch of natural sunlight, and the front and back yard are looking green as ever. In the fall and winter months, you’re able to see any flaws revealed with the home. As a home buyer, it’s better to see a home’s flaws before making an offer, instead of being surprised and disappointed in the future months.

You may also like: 5 First Time Home Buyer Mistakes.

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A Charmer in the Heart of Fircrest

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Come check out this beautiful one story with basement home just minutes away from HWY 16, shopping centers, schools, and parks. Spacious basement with a secret room that could be used as an office or space bedroom!

fircrest fircrest fircrest fircrest

One of the many top features of this home is the spacious main floor with a newly updated kitchen. When you’re finished in the kitchen, relax and enjoy your favorite beverage in the large backyard with an existing fire pit and deck.

  •   4 bedrooms, 2.25 baths
  •   2,194 square feet
  •   Updated features throughout home
  •   Hardwood floors
  •   Tacoma School District
  •   Finished basement
  •   No HOA

Contact me at 253-686-2174 to schedule a showing!

You may also like: Restaurant Recommendation Series: Bar Bistro

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Restaurant Recommendation Series: Bar Bistro

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In this series, I highlight the restaurants I like to refer to my home buyers and sellers in the Pierce County area. This month I’m talking all about Bar Bistro.

Restaurant Recommendation Series: Bar Bistro

Bar Bistro is cocktail bar/American cuisine restaurant located right off Portland Ave and 512 in Tacoma. Parking is easy to access, which is saying a lot about dining in Tacoma. The environment is small and cozy, with a very friendly and customer oriented staff. And the food… wow! Talk about having a dish for everyone. I would give this place 5 stars all around!

My favorite dish is the Cuban sandwich and the crab mac n cheese. I tend to fall in a pattern with what I order from Bar Bistro, but that’s because I crave these dishes! And the portions are generous, some times I even take half home for lunch the next day.

Here’s what locals have to say about Bar Bistro.

“It amazes me that this place isn’t more popular or maybe I just go at weird times because there’s never more than a couple people there when I go. With that being said, this place has amazing food and delicious creative drinks. Fairly priced so it won’t break the bank and definitely worth checking out. Neat atmosphere and an off the beaten path location.” – Meleah

“Overall, the vibe was right, mixed diverse customers all having a good time that made it feel “right”. I live further away but I’m already thinking of that Cuban sandwich so you know your boy will be back. :)” – Mike

“I have been here about 4 times now and finally felt obligated to drop a line about this amazing little gem. This is the kind of place where you will have a hard time deciding what to order for one. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable the entire time and we really appreciated who appeared to be one of the assistant managers frequently coming around and refilling drinks for us etc! Keep up the good work and I will be back soon don’t let the look of this place discourage you if you are a foodie you need to give this place a try!” – Benjamin

For more information visit: https://barbistrotacoma.com

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4 Mortgage Myths

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A house is probably the most expensive investment you’ll ever make, so it’s important that you have the correct information when doing so. From credit score to down payment, here are 4 mortgage myths that can stand in the way of you making the best decision for you and your family.

4 Mortgage Myths

Myth 1: You have to put 20% down no matter what

This is one of the most common myths that catch home buyers, especially first time home buyers. When buying your first home, the thought of putting 20% can be a scary feeling, and can even discourage you to begin the process. With FHA loan, you’re able to put down as low as 3.5% down, which makes hoe ownership possible for more first time home buyers. It’s important to note that if you put 3.5% down with an FHA loan, you’ll be required to pay mortgage insurance very month, that you wouldn’t have to pay if you put 20% down.

Myth 2: You need an excellent credit score to even qualify for a loan

If you’re a first time home buyer, you might not have a great credit score because you’re simply just starting to build your credit. In the olden days, you were required to have a 680 credit score to even be considered in qualifying for a home loan. Now, with FHA loan, you’re able to qualify with as low as 580 and 620 with conventional loans. If you have a lower score and nee help, it’s important to talk with you lender so they can set you on the quickest path of credit repair.

Myth 3: Renting is cheaper than owning a home

A mortgage seems expensive when you look at the MSRP of the home. $500,000 sounds like a lot of money, and it is, but you’re likely not paying it all upfront. Yes, sometimes a monthly rent payment is cheaper by a few hundred dollars but there are a couple things to consider when comparing them side by side. The first thing to consider is that when you pay rent to your landlord, you don’t see that money again. When you put money away to your mortgage, it’s going straight to your investment. Additionally renting payments can and probably do increase every year. When you sign a 30 year mortgage, you’re locking in the monthly payment for the next 30 years.

Myth 4: Mortgage rates are the same everywhere and with every type of loan

This is one of the mortgage myths that can cost you the most amount of money. If you qualify for VA loans, you’re able to omit a down payment, and sign with the loan type that has the lowest mortgage rate of all loan types. Additionally, many credit unions have less fees than big banks so they’re able to offer lower rates. Spending time researching the loan type that’s right for you can make a big difference on your monthly payment.

You may also like: 5 First Time Home Buyer Mistakes.

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Top Things Realtors Wished Their First Time Home Buyers Knew

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Navigating the real estate market as a first time home buyer can be overwhelming and daunting. From negotiating, to scheduling open houses, it’s a comprehensive process that takes some research and patience. In an effort to clear up the process, a handful of real estate agents were asked, “what are some things that you wished your first time home buyers knew.” Here’s what they had to say.

Top Things Realtors Wished Their First Time Home Buyers Knew

Shop the Neighborhoods, Not the Upgrades

When going from an apartment to a home, it’s easy to fall in love with a newly remodeled house that has shiny floor, an open concept, large bathrooms, etc as it’s what your ideal home would look like. However, when a home has recently been remodeled, the ceiling for equity for that home is lowered as the previous owners put their own time and money into the upgrades. Additionally, while you can upgrade countertops, kitchen, or backyard spaces, you can’t upgrade the neighborhood. It all comes down to location. If you like the location of a home, but not so much of the floor plan, you can always remodel. This is one of the top pieces of advice realtors had to give their first time home buyers.

Be Prepared to Act Quickly

Currently we are in a seller’s market. Inventory is relatively low and competition is high. It’s common to see homes going for 100K higher than their original listing price, as competition is that fierce. If you’re serious about buying a home, you and your agent should be prepared to view the home and make an offer as soon as possible. Waiting even just a few days can run the risk of losing the home.

Create a Wants Vs. Needs List

While have a bonus room may seem like an urgent priority, it may not be your highest priority. Whether you’re buying a multi-million dollar home or searching for something under $150,000, it’s rare to find a home that checks every of your boxes. Break down the checklist of all the things you’re looking for in your next home and categorize them into wants vs needs. The helps narrow your focus and prevent moving into a disappointment home that covered your wants vs. needs.

Ask Questions

As overwhelming as the first time home buying process is, the benefits far outweigh the stress. Your agent is there to answer any questions you might have regarding financing and the overall home buying process. Be sure to go to your realtor with any questions you might have regarding the process as you’re likely no the first person who has asked that question. A good agent will stick by you until the end working their hardest to get you into the home best suited for you.

You may also like: 5 First Time Home Buyer Mistakes.

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