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What’s On Your MUST HAVE List for Buying a Home?
Congrats! You’ve made the decision to buy your first or maybe second or third home. As your search begins, your inbox is probably being flooded with notifications regarding new listings that are hitting the market each day. Flashy kitchens and pearly white bathrooms catch your eye but are lacking the location and yard space you desire, which puts you in sort of a pickle.
What really matters to you in your next home? 
It’s easy to get lost in the trends that are sweeping Pinterest; you might start to lose sight of your larger goal of buying a home that suits your wish list.
Let’s start with the basic and essential criteria for buying a home—price.
What’s your ideal monthly mortgage payment? The only way to accurately generate those numbers is to speak with a lender and get pre-approved. A pre-approval letter is also required to submit any offers, so it’s numero uno when you start the home buying process.
Don’t know who to work with? A seasoned real estate agent will be able to recommend a trustworthy and quality lender. Most agents have a preferred lender that has proven to be comprehensive and astute in the closing on time. With their support, you can begin your home search informed and with ease.
In addition to being able to connect you with reliable local professionals, your local real estate agent should also be able to provide you with accurate and relevant neighborhood information, as well as someone who is well-versed in negotiating offers when you finally find a home you love! These are all essential traits when it comes to winning in a competitive market.
Once you connect with an agent that you like and trust and have a price point to work with, your agent should ask for your top 5 list, aka what are the top 5 things you need and want your new home to have? What matters most to you in buying a home?
Now, your real estate agent can’t give you the answers—you and your loved ones will need to brainstorm what this list includes.
Whip out a piece of paper and start jotting down your thoughts regarding the following questions:
- Location, location, location! What neighborhood are you hoping to live in? What’s the average price point of that neighborhood? Find examples of homes that are currently listed or currently pending in that neighborhood to give you an idea of what the average cost of a home is within that area. Does walkability matter to you? What would you like access to within close proximity?
- What are your bare minimum number of bedrooms and baths? If you found your perfect home, would you be okay with one bathroom? Or do you absolutely need two toilets or showers? Is there an option to add a bathroom later if the home is on the lower end of your budget? What would you use each room for and how big do the rooms need to be to accommodate those needs? Is no walk-in closet a deal breaker? Jot down your wish list and what you would consider bare bones.
- Turnkey vs. Fixer Upper. It’s okay if you don’t have the design experience of Joanna Gaines and the patience of her husband Chip to execute the entire construction process of a home remodel. If you want a home that you can move into without a worry that you’ll need to change anything in the near future, then honor that. If you are willing to go down the renovation road to save money on price, then communicate that to your agent. Sometimes you can find the exact home you’re looking for, but the bathrooms are dated. Does remodeling bathrooms sound like a fun project? If so, check out homes that are a little rough around the edges with good bones! If renovating a home sounds like hell, consider that creating your dream home might be working with a builder on a new construction project.
- Do you need a yard? What’s important to you about an outdoor space? Would you like to have a yard that’s big enough for you to throw a ball for your pup to retrieve? Would you prefer a deck that you can have BBQs on with your family and friends? Is garden space essential for your sanity? Consider what you would realistically use this space for and how it would fit with your lifestyle.
- Living space. Functionality is what really matters with this one. What do you use your living space for? Do you need plenty of space for your kids’ toys or a spacious kitchen to cook and host guests in? Would you prefer everything on one level, or split up on multiple levels? This is obviously extremely subjective and can sometimes be best understood when viewing homes in person and visualizing your furniture and daily activities.
My hope is that these questions have been helpful in generating your “top 5” list of non-negotiables in a home. Write them down and communicate them with your real estate agent. Ensure they understand what your “MUST HAVES” are vs. your “NICE TO HAVES.” Once you’ve established your criteria, start looking at homes in person! It might even help you refine what really matters most in your upcoming purchase.
Do you have a question about buying a home in Tacoma? Feel free to get in touch with REALTOR® Ferrah Seifert at ferrah@windermere.com or at (253) 970-7579.
Charming & Spacious Mid-Century Home w/Outdoor Oasis in Tacoma’s Proctor District
Mid-century charm and city convenience are wrapped into one not-to-miss package with this 2,136-square-foot residence! Nestled in the Proctor District and merely minutes to schools, grocery stores, shopping, dining, transit, parks and more, this move-in ready beauty presents a truly rare opportunity. In addition to impeccably maintained spaces that have been thoughtfully updated (a new water heater and furnace, plus updated baths are in the mix!), you also have a fully fenced yard ideal for picturesque entertaining! Located at 2602 N Huson St Tacoma, WA 98407, this turnkey treasure is listed for $490,000.
Eye-catching curb appeal delights as soon as you arrive home, and the front door opens up right into the welcoming formal living room. Cheerful sunlight pours in through a huge picture window, and original hardwood floors shimmer with style. A stone-accented gas fireplace anchors the space, while beautiful built-ins offer the opportunity to display framed photos and treasured keepsakes. Whether you’re visiting with loved ones here or just enjoying a quiet evening reading a book, this spacious haven is ready for all that comes your way!
The layout flows into the large dining room, and from here the kitchen is just steps away. The smart layout ensures that everything you need is in reach, and generous cabinetry offers lots of storage for kitchen essentials. Additionally, an adjacent dining nook offers a lovely, sunny spot to enjoy laidback meals or your morning cup of coffee from!
One of this home’s major highlights includes all of its flexible living space. In addition to 3 main bedrooms, downstairs you’ll find a large rec area and office, and upstairs you’ll find an additional bedroom with a skylight. If you’ve been dreaming of having designated space for a fitness center, hobby room, playroom, etc., the potential for it all awaits in this versatile layout! You’ll also want to be sure not to miss this home’s updated baths—each immaculate space boasts modern amenities alongside contemporary style, ensuring this home-sweet-home is ready to take on the future!
When the sun comes out and the weather warms up, this home shines even more. A fully fenced backyard offers a lush lawn for pets and little ones to play on, and a secluded patio provides your very own little getaway. Host guests for weekend barbecues, or just kick back on a lounge chair and sunbathe in peace and quiet! Those who love to garden are also in for a treat here—you can easily choose to keep things simple, or you can put your green thumb to work tending to the greenery and planting your own favorites throughout the park-like landscaping.
Living in Tacoma’s Proctor District
At 2602 N Huson St Tacoma, WA 98407, not only are you in one of Tacoma’s most highly desired neighborhoods, but you’re just minutes to shopping, dining, grocery stores, schools, and much more! Kandle Park is literally just a block away, and here you’ll discover a pool, playground, skatepark, and more. North Proctor Street right in the heart of the historic Proctor District is just 0.7 miles away, and here you’ll find Metropolitan Market, Safeway, the Proctor Farmers Market; restaurants like Europa Bistro, Cactus Proctor, Viva Tacoma, Pomodoro, and more; shops like Compass Rose, The Pacific Northwest Shop, Teaching Toys & Books and much more; and so many other cute boutiques and things to do! You’re also close to all of the amenities along North Pearl Street, and Highway 16 is just a 4-minute drive away.
Interested in learning more? Click here to view the full listing! You can also contact REALTOR® Ferrah Seifert online here or give her a call/text at (253) 970-7579.
Is Staging Your Home Really Worth It?
Before you list your home, your listing agent is likely to suggest that you stage your home in order to attract more buyers and receive higher offers. Sure, a staged home looks beautiful, but once you hear about the costs associated with staging, you might start to have doubts about whether it’s ACTUALLY worth it.
That is probably exactly why you’re reading this article—you’re trying to do some more digging as to whether or not staging is worth the money you’ll spend. The short answer is YES, it’s worth it! Here’s why:
- According to the National Association of Realtors, for every $100 that you invest in staging your home, the potential return is $400. That means that if your home is listed for $400,000, you would leave approximately 10% ($40,000!) on the table by not staging. That isn’t chump change!
- Staging offers the impression of a certain lifestyle by optimizing the space. It can help attract buyers who are trying to envision themselves as the new homeowners. This technique also removes your personal touch from the home (making it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living there) and broadens your buyer pool.
- When rooms are empty, they actually feel smaller. So, staging provides examples for how a buyer might position furniture and gives them a better idea as to whether or not their current furniture will fit.
- Staging also highlights architectural features of the home to draw potential buyers’ attention to the aspects of the home that are unique and appealing. There is also a high likelihood that buyers will notice more flaws when a home is vacant, which shifts their attention to everything that needs to be updated vs. visualizing living there.
- According to this Forbes article, “A staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home, and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 days or less. That is statistically 87% faster than non-staged homes.”
Based on those data points, I think we can all agree that staging a home will only work to your advantage of getting top dollar and selling quickly!
Do you have a question about selling your home? Reach out to REALTOR® Ferrah Seifert at ferrah@windermere.com or at (253) 970-7579.
3 Reasons Why I Moved from Seattle to Tacoma
5 Reasons Tacoma is One of the Best Places to Live
As a Tacoma native and Western Washington University alum, I’ve lived all along the I-5 corridor. As soon as I graduated college, I was bound and determined to move out of my parents’ house, so I moved to Seattle with big dreams of someday owning a home up there. After living in this major metropolitan city for 8 years, my husband and I began investigating different opportunities to invest our hard-earned money, and buying a home was the obvious choice.
Where we decided to move depended on these 3 factors:
- AffordabilityWe both agreed that we didn’t want to purchase a property that would require a ton of renovations, and we also wanted at least a small yard for our pup. Our dreams of owning a home in Seattle proper were instantly crushed once we determined our desired price range and started looking around in the neighborhoods we liked. So, I extended our search criteria to include Tacoma. Not only could we buy a turn-key home in a desirable area within our budget, but we could also have a sizeable yard! Homes are simply a better value in Pierce County, and property taxes are also considerably lower than King County.
- Culture
During my time in Queen Anne and Ballard, I enjoyed the lively nightlife and access to restaurants and entertainment at every corner. When considering moving down south, I felt a slight twinge of panic at the thought of giving up living so close to local boutiques, tasty treats, and nights out on the town. I was raised in University Place, so I had an image of what the local scene was—but boy, was I wrong.
Into Asian Street Eatery
The City of Destiny has grown significantly in recent years, and the local culture is thriving. Since moving into our home in Tacoma, I still haven’t dined at all of the new restaurants because I’ve been visiting some of the long-time favorites like Indochine Asian Dining Lounge, The Harvester, and Cook’s Tavern. One of my favorite new restaurants is Indo Asian Street Eatery- if you haven’t been there yet do yourself a favor and check it out. I’ve also explored exhibits at the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM), brought my little one to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, and attended multiple farmers markets at Point Ruston and Proctor District. They even have a Tacoma Night Market each month filled with local vendors and food trucks galore.
- CommunityMoving back home had its obvious perks of being close to my extended family, especially once we decided to grow our family. However, even if you are not from Tacoma, people actually smile at you when you walk down the street and there is a high likelihood that you’ll see a few familiar faces after frequenting the same brewhouses or local coffeeshops. Tacoma has a small town feel that is comforting and provides a nest to build upon. There is also a plethora of opportunities to get involved with your local neighborhood. For example, you can attend the Turkey Trot in Proctor, check out Pod Works (a club designed for entrepreneurial moms), or volunteer at one of the many organizations working to make a difference in our community.
Compass Rose Boutique in Proctor District
If you’re considering taking the leap to get more bang for your buck, let’s chat about the various neighborhoods and where you could start your search. I would even make the trip up north to buy you a coffee—as long as we can go to Café Vita or Ballard Coffee Works! 😉
You can reach out to REALTOR® Ferrah Seifert at (253) 970-7579, ferrah@windermere.com, or via this contact form.
Selling Your Home? Here Are the Top 5 Home Updates You Can Make for the Best ROI
According to this article via NerdWallet, 70% of American homeowners believe that their house is their biggest asset. And as you might expect, taking the time to keep up with repairs and make smart improvements to your home are proven ways to increase your home’s value.
When you’re determining where to spend your time, energy, and money on home updates, many homeowners will want to focus on areas that will bring them the highest return on investment (ROI) in the long run.
Here are the top 5 areas to focus on for the best ROI:
haminteriors.com
- The Kitchen: According to Remodeling magazine’s “2018 Cost vs. Value Report,”“A minor kitchen remodel recoups 81% of its cost in added value on average, versus 53% for an upscale kitchen remodel with stone countertops, custom cabinets and commercial-grade appliances.”At the same time, according to this article on ConsumerReports.com, a survey of millennials revealed that having a modern kitchen that’s been updated is an ideal home feature for more than a third of respondents. Luckily, a few savvy kitchen updates can go a long way—stainless steel appliances, a fresh coat of paint, new flooring, on-trend counters, and even new cabinetry hardware can give a major facelift to an aging kitchen. The article shares that sellers can expect a 3-7% bump in sale price after making these updates, which can end up being well worth the initial investment.
- Bathrooms: Bathroom remodels also offer a solid ROI. This page on HomeGuide.com offers an in-depth look at not only what you can expect to pay for a bathroom remodel (depending on how much you plan to do). The article shares that bathroom remodels can offer an average ROI of 70%, but of course this will differ depending on the renovation choices you make.When you’re considering how to remodel different aspects of your bathrooms, the shower and toilet are of the utmost importance. According to this article on ConsumerReports.com, people over 50 years old generally don’t want to have to step over a tub to take a shower, so curbless showers are a great idea. Not only are curb-less showers easier to get into and wheelchair accessible, but their design is elegant and streamlined as well.If you’re choosing a new toilet, consider picking a taller toilet that makes getting on and off easier. The Glacier Bay N2428E(sold at Home Depot for $99) is one example of a great choice—this toilet is ADA compliant and the seat is 2-4 inches taller than standard toilets.
- Paint: Whether you’re giving your kitchen or bathroom an update, paint is another factor that can give any space in your home an instant update for minimal cost. If you’re giving your home a facelift as you get ready to sell, you don’t necessarily need to repaint every square inch of your home—instead, focus on areas that get used the most, or where you can get the most bang for your buck!
Sherwin Williams Paint’s 2020 Color Forecast Palette
- Curb Appeal: You only have one opportunity to make a strong first impression, so ensuring that your home features top-notch curb appeal is essential. While you don’t have to go over the top with landscaping, your yard should be well-maintained, and you might spruce it up by painting your front door or planting some flowers. Trimming overgrown shrubs, pressure washing the sidewalk, and making minor repairs to your home’s façade can also offer big results.
- The Basics: Home buyers expect a home’s basic systems to be taken care of, so you’ll want to make sure that things like electrical, plumbing, the roof, etc. are in tiptop shape.Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How is the condition of your furnace, water heater, roof, electrical, plumbing, and other basic systems?Making sure that you take care of the basics and possibly upgrade systems when necessary can help alleviate worries of potential buyers.
- Are your home’s systems energy efficient?Many buyers are becoming more and more mindful of the impact that their home may have on the environment, and buyers may also be interested in energy efficient systems to save money. You might also consider getting a new water heater, installing double-paned windows, enhanced attic insulation, installing energy efficient appliances, and LED lighting as ways to capture the attention of savvy buyers.
- What condition are your floors in?Is your carpet stained? Do your hardwood floors need refinishing? New flooring can be an instant way to give your home that “like new” feel.
- Can you finish any spaces (like a basement) to add more square footage to your home?If you’ve been putting off finishing any part of your home, now might be the time to transform those spaces into usable square footage!
Every situation is a bit different, and having a second opinion from an expert in your local housing market can translate to bigger profits for you down the line. Do you have any questions about how to get the best ROI on your home remodel?REALTOR® Ferrah Seifertwould love to help—you can get in touch with her at (253) 970-7579 and send her a message here.
Stylishly Remodeled 3-Bedroom, 1.75-Bath Home on ⅓ Acre in Gig Harbor’s Artondale Neighborhood
Showing off a gorgeous remodel, this 1,556-square-foot home is nestled in a picturesque cul-de-sac in Gig Harbor’s Artondale neighborhood. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths, a thoroughly upgraded kitchen, and open-concept living spaces, this impeccably renovated beauty absolutely shines like new! Enjoy all of this plus a huge fully fenced yard—this ⅓-acre property is brimming with space to transform! Located at 3308 58th Ave NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335, this Pacific Northwest gem is listed for $420,000.
When you pull in the driveway, classic design and mature greenery welcome you. As soon as you step in through the front door, this home’s elegant style is immediately apparent, and new details include a custom staircase, new trim, new doors, and new high-end floors. Just up the stairs, an inviting open-concept layout beckons.
Featuring an on-trend aesthetic and homebuyers are sure to fall in love with, the upgraded kitchen is a haven of both fashion and function. Crisp soft-close cabinets, shimmering counters, an eye-catching subway tile backsplash, and sleek appliances are all in the mix. An island with a woodblock countertop is also part of the elegant ensemble, offering even more storage, meal prep space, and casual bar-style seating. Additional dining space can be found in the adjacent dining nook, and sliding glass doors lead right out onto the deck that just expands your entertaining potential during warmer months!
In the main living area, a beautiful brick-accented fireplace not only anchors the space, but it also promises cozy evenings spent snuggling up on the sofa while you catch up on your favorite TV shows. Even more flexible square footage can be found on the lower level—here you’ll also find another living space with a gas fireplace and tons of potential in use. Create the ultimate hangout here—there’s room for an entertainment center, games, toys, and more!
When it’s time to unwind for the day, this home’s layout offers 3 versatile bedrooms. Each private retreat shows off plush carpets and a calm, neutral color palette—loved ones can move right in and make each comfortable space truly their own. The upper level also includes a cute bath, while the other bath can be found on the lower level and combined with laundry amenities.
Abundant potential is waiting for you with this property’s outdoor offerings—you have ⅓ acres to cultivate and make your unique vision come to life! The deck overlooks the expansive setting, and since the yard is conveniently fully fenced, you can let pets and little ones play with peace of mind. A fire pit is ready for roasting hot dogs and s’mores while the sun goes down, all while offering an idyllic spot to gather around with loved ones. Dreaming of having your own vegetable garden, a play toy, or a patio surrounded by lush landscaping? There’s room for all of this and more—let your imagination run wild and get ready to create a lifetime of cherished memories here!
Living in Gig Harbor’s Artondale Neighborhood
At 3308 58th Ave NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335, you’re close to schools, shopping, restaurants, outdoor opportunities, and more! Wollochet Bay Estuary Park is only a 2-minute drive away, and Gig Harbor Golf Course is a short 3-minute drive from home. When you need to run errands, you can reach Uptown Gig Harbor and Olympic Towne Center in just 7 minutes, and here you’ll find places like Harbor Greens, Fred Meyer, Safeway, HomeGoods, Galaxy Uptown Luxury+ Theater, Rite Aid, MultiCare, and several other shops, services, and eateries. Highway 16 is also right there (just an 8-minute drive away), making it easy to get around the rest of Gig Harbor and beyond.
Interested in learning more? Click here to view the full listing! You can also contact REALTOR® Ferrah Seifert online here or give her a call/text at (253) 970-7579.
