Are you looking to buy a home in Tacoma Washington? If so then you might qualify for the City of Tacoma Downpayment Assistance Program.Designed to help home buyers who can afford the payments but do not have the money for a downpayment or closing costs. Tacoma will loan up to $20,000 interest free to qualified buyers.The map below shows the areas that are available for downpayment assistance.The downpayment assistance can be used towards a downpayment or closing costs. There is no interest and the loan is paid back when the home is sold, refinanced, or the buyer no longer lives in the home. Or after 20 years of ownership.There is income guidelines that are as followsFamily Size Income Family Size Income 1 $37,050 5 57,200 2 42,350 6 61,400 3 47,650 7 65,650 4 52,950 8 69,900If you would... 04/28/2008

The downtown Tacoma condo market remains sluggish to say the least. Another week passed with no solds and very few pendings. Buyers definitely have an advantage as condos sit, many of them vacant, looking for someone to take ownership. Prices have been reduced again and concessions are sure to be granted if buyers were to take an opportunity to purchase in the revitalized area of downtown Tacoma.  Watch for downtown Tacoma Condo market updates every Monday on Brian's Blog!  Search for condos at www.findwestwaRE.com or contact bsolinsky@kw.com for your own personalized search. 04/28/2008

Tacoma Washington, known as the "City of Destiny" from the early Northern Pacific Railroad days, is emerging as a culture Mecca for luxury Tacoma real estate, urban condo living, and unique northend Tacoma Craftsman homes. It has been said, purchasing the right Tacoma Victorian home for sale can be a great Pierce County Washington investment for anyone serious about living in the Greater Seattle region. For those of you who are thinking of buying a Pierce County home or Tacoma property, you will find twelve distinct Tacoma real estate districts to choose from; favorites such as Tacoma Old Town, Proctor, Sixth Avenue, and Stadium District to name a few. But not to be overlooked, Tacoma real estate also consists of miles of pristine shores lined with many lovely waterfront homes and affor... 04/24/2008

  This post is to generate awareness for a fundraising effort being undertaken by an agent in my office.   Ryan Christensen is a young real estate agent and avid mountain climber. He had committed to climb two of the world’s tallest mountains this summer in The Climb to Fight Breast Cancer 2008. Raising money for breast cancer research at the Fred Hutchinson Clinic in Seattle.       However, like most mountain climbs this story has a twist and this is where you can help. Ryan had his tonsils removed in March. Most of the time tonsils are a simple procedure and you are back living life within a few days. Ryan was not so lucky. There have been three surgeries and multiple visits to the emergency room along with seventeen units of blood. Just now Ryan is starting to feel better. This all ... 04/23/2008

Browns Point is a small part of Tacoma, witch located across the water from the city. If you look at Browns Point from the Old Town, you will think that it is a peace of Italy. Most of the homes have a great view of the Puget Sound, Tacoma or Port Lights. Browns Point has great schools and a general feeling of safe and good neighborhood. It is 30 minutes away from the airport and 45 minutes away from Seattle. The closest grocery shop is 5 minutes away. You also have a great selection of restaurants in Federal way new mall area. The average price of sold home in Browns Point is $423,000. 04/22/2008

Tacoma real estate and Pierce County real estate continues to be affordable for military personnel throughout the Tacoma real estate markets; in and around Ft Lewis and McChord AFB. Based on increased requests for property showings in DuPont, Puyallup and Tacoma homes for sale, the VIP Team at Keller Williams Realty Puyallup is making a determined effort to help military buyers and sellers with their local real estate needs.Aaron Hunter, Jr., the VIP Team Leader and a military retiree, was contacted by two different military buyers this Sunday requesting immediate visits to Spanaway and Roy homes for sale, one of which is planning on putting an offer on the Roy property as soon as he can increase his loan limit with his lender on Monday. "I understand very well, the stresses military bu... 04/20/2008

As of March 31, 2008 North Tacoma experienced the following trend in real estate.  This is from the Proctor District to Stadium Way to 6th Avenue. Here is the recap-Number of homes for sale = 130Number of homes sold = 17.Number of months inventory based on solds = 7.6 (if no other homes go active in the market)Average active sales price = $494,000.Average sold price = $472,000.Average days on the market for sold properties = 87.Average days on the market for all properties = 119.  If you have any questions about this market, or any other market, please do not hesitate to contact me. 04/17/2008

As of March 31, 2008, Tacoma's North Slope Historic District had the following trend in real estate-There were 44 homes for sale.Number of homes that sold = 4.Number of months of inventory based on solds = 11 (if no other homes enter the market)Average days on market for sold properties = 134.Average days on market for all properties = 226. 04/17/2008

The Proctor District in Tacoma has a farmers market that starts Saturday April 26th.Hours of operation 9am to 2pm each Saturday from April 26th to November 1st. The Proctor Farmers Market website can be found by following this link. The Proctor Farmers Market is full of local growers, artists, and vendors who provide a wide range of local foods and merchandise. There is entertainment for both adults and the kids. Dogs are often walking around and there is always something exciting happening. We are lucky in the Tacoma are to have so many farmers markets to attend. Now that spring is here (or at least it is supposed to be here) we can start getting out to our local markets and enjoying the fruits (and veggies) or our area. I will be continuing to post articles about the other neighborhoo... 04/16/2008

If you are ready to plant a garden and you are not sure what to plant, than this story is for you. I just completed a huge landscaping project in my back and front yards. I have almost half of acre covered with good, new top soil mixed with TAGRO. It is a blank canvas, perfect place for a gardener. I am trying to create an European garden, full of flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables.  In the USA we all creat our gardens from the stand point of reseling our homes. So, we plant some shrubs, put lots of mulch around, spray grass with chemicals that kill weeds, and than we go to the grocery stores to buy strawberries that do not smell or taste like strawberries. WHY? You bought a home with land, so use it and enjoy doing gardening together with your children.If you would travel in Europe,... 04/14/2008

Just in time to enjoy our great weather the Spring edition of the Tacoma Condo Tour is being held on April 19th and 20th.The following Condos will be participating in the tour.27th. St. Station505 BroadwayCity StepsThe CommencementEsplanadeGranvilleMarcatoMc Carver VillageMetro City HomesMidtown LoftsPoint RustonRoberson at Ledger SquareStadium 302The WalkerThe tour headquarters is at the Tacoma Convention Center. Hours of the tour are 10am to 6pm both days. I hope to see many of you at the tours!Best,ScottContact Scott Cowan Rainier Real Estate at (253)-219-1194 to purchase or sell homes or property in the Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, and greater Pierce County area. Visit my profile for more information on my services. Call today (253)-219-1194. You can contact me via email by using t... 04/14/2008

10 Things I Learned from the "10 Things I Hate About You" House   2814 N. Junett St, Tacoma, WA  Built in 1905 (Quick background:  The above home was used in the 1999 movie "10 Things I Hate About You", which starred Heath Ledger who recently passed away.  The movie's plot was a modern day adaptation of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew".  In 1991, 8 years before the movie was filmed here, I was working as a painter's apprentice and was assigned the task of stripping this old 4600 square foot home to prepare it for painting.  The current 15+ layers of paint was in serious disrepair - cracking, peeling, so the idea was to take it all off.  Chemical strippers were no match for the job and had the potential for damaging the beautiful wood craftsmanship underneath.  The only solution was a... 04/11/2008

All I wanted was some testimonials for some websites I'm (finally) building.  I had no idea my request would end up generating so much business.  Can you do something similar to generate business too?  Here's what I sent on Good Friday on an email blast to my client list: Mountain Bars, Boo Boo's, and Easter Memories... On this beautiful, sunny Good Friday Eve, I'm taking a short mental break from the tumultuous world of  finance and mortgages to share an Easter memory.  Two food fetishes that I inherited from my Father are Cheddar Cheese and Brown & Haley Mountain Bars, and as Easter approaches, Mountain Bars call out to me (Side Thought:  I wonder if they've ever considered making Cheddar Cheese Mountain Bars?  Wow!!!). I love the Brown & Haley legacy:  Two guys meet in a Tacoma churc... 04/07/2008

It is the second year when I use TAGRO in my flower and vegetable garden. It is natural, everything grows incredibly well and it is really cheap. Last year I payed $24 for a small truck of this material. This year,  we are changing the landscaping in our back yard, so we needed a lot of new soil. I ordered 10 cubic yards and paid $95 including delivery. You wil have to mix it with top soil, because it works as a soil conditioning.www.tagro.com253-502-2150. TAGRO makes it easy to be green.In the Northwest we enjoy an amazing environment: snow-capped mountain peaks, clear-flowing rivers, sky-piercing evergreens. And more people than ever are moving to the Northwest to enjoy this beauty. More residents mean more homes, more industry-and more waste. We've learned to view the waste as a reso... 04/03/2008

I hope you know what Upromise is and use it to shop on-line. But if you don't and you have children - please, take a look at their web-site. You will save money for your kid's collage by doing what regular shopping or on-line shopping. I get 7% back from snapfish, 1% back from ebay, 3% back from overstock and 6% back from vista print, where I order my business cards. It is not much, but you can invest it and in 15 years, you might have $5,000 extra for your kid's school.www.upromise.com 04/03/2008

Living in Tacoma is great! This time of year our weather starts to turn towards being warmer (ok not that warm) It's light out later.....(ok not that late) and it is time for Baseball! The Tacoma Rainiers Season Opener is TONIGHT at Cheney Stadium! I know it will be cold there tonight but it will be a great time. Minor League Baseball is one of the things that makes living in a smaller community great! Getting to know the players. Being able to sit right next to the field without taking out a mortgage. Seeing the kids all smiles and jumping up and down when the team comes on the field. These are all fantastic things that we get to experience at a Rainiers Game.I know I will not be able to attend as many games as I would like this season. However, every game I do attend will be a special... 04/03/2008

The 75th Daffodil Parade will be held on Saturday April 12th! (In honor of my birthday)(Just kidding it's just a coincidence) The parade starts in Tacoma and goes through Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting. There will be close to 40 floats filled with Daffodils. Over 80 other entries, including marching bands, mounted units, ROTC groups etc. The history of the Daffodil Parade is a long and rich. I have included a link that takes you to the Daffodil Parades history page.   The Children’s Daffodil Parade will be held April 5th. Starting at 10am in the Proctor District This will be the 47th. For more information click here. The Daffodil Parade is one of Tacoma’s grand traditions and a source of civic pride. I hope to see many of you line the streets to watch the parade!   Contact Scott Cowan Ra... 03/26/2008

The available housing inventory in the Greater Tacoma Washington area has been increasing the past few months. Recent number show that the inventory in the following areas has reached upwards of 14 months. The largest amount of inventory is in the Gig Harbor area with 16.7 months worth of inventory on the market.   North Tacoma has 14 months worth of inventoryCentral Tacoma has 12.5 months worth of inventorySouth Tacoma has 11 months worth of inventorySoutheast Tacoma has 11.9 months worth of inventory   Inventory levels are calculated by how many months it would take to sell the existing number of homes on the market at the current pace of home sales in the specific area. I anticipate that the inventory levels will drop as we enter the spring and summer sales periods. With the existin... 03/21/2008

It's right around the corner - the Tacoma Farmer's Market (also known as the Broadway Thursday Market).  The dates are May 15 through October 16, on Broadway starting at 11th St.  If you have never been you have to check it out.  I think the biggest commodity there are the bouquets of beautiful fresh flowers.  I sit in my office at 11th & Broadway and watch people flocking to the market to get their fix of good food, beautiful flowers, fresh produce, jewelry and lots more!  So, mark your calendar to come downtown to check out the market and treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of flowers each week.  For $10 (which is far better and fresher than the grocery stores) you can get a colorful bouquet to match your decor, or what a great way to surprise your sweety! 03/21/2008

It's a great time to be a residential Real Estate Consultant, for most of us.  Along with the market adjusting itself, there is also an adjustment going on with the available Realtors.  Many people got their license during the HOT market to make a quick buck!  Those people have or are falling by the wayside.  Due to the market conditions the last few years all they had to do was "take orders", a sign in the front yard was all it took to get multiple offers, most of the time.  Not so today!With today's market conditions Realtors have to do their homework i.e. market research and a solid marketing plan in place to get homes sold.  Keep this in mind when you are interviewing prospective Realtors to market your home.   Don't be afraid to ask probing questions about their experience, longevi... 03/21/2008