Brett Tousley | Puyallup Real Estate | (253) 820-2745

After a long and oddly wet Spring here in Washington, we are finally seeing some real Summer weather!  There's no shortage of outdoor activities here in Washington, but with this warm weather, some activities and destinations are more attractive than others.

Here's some fun things to do on a sunny day in Tacoma:

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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Pt Defiance Zoo & Aquarium gives visitors a chance to see animals such as Polar Bears, Walrus, Beluga Whales, Sea Otters, Penguins and my favorite the Sumatran Tiger. The zoo has done a nice job of providing attractive exhibits that allow even the smallest visitor a good view of the animals.

Ruston Way

On a sunny day in Tacoma, you'll find a lot of folks down on Ruston Way. You'll see people soaking in the sun while walking, running, skating and biking along the shores of Commencement Bay. The driftwood lined beaches offer a chance to explore and cool off. Several great restaurants call Ruston Way home ranging from fine dining to more casual affairs. Many offer open air, waterfront dining opportunities where you can enjoy your meal while watching the boats cruise by out on the water.

We've just listed a top floor condo in beutiful Sunset Plaza! Located just off 6th ave, Sunset Plaza is a gated complex with park like grounds. Almost reminds me of Pt Defiance. Sunset Plaza has a pool, tennis court, clubhouse with work out room and several walking trails. It's a real convenient place to live offering access to the 6th ave night life, minutes to TCC and on the busline to Downtown.

I noticed the buildings and grounds were in excellent condtion as I drove into the complex. The mature landscaping and well kept grounds show a real pride in the complex. There aren't many other condo complexes in Tacoma that have a foot bridge and a rose garden for the owners to enjoy.

The unit we have listed is on the top floor overlooking the green belt. The vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and wood burning fireplace are two features we don't see too often in the Tacoma condo market. Priced at only $145,000, this unit should find a new owner soon.

If you are looking for an affordable condo in a great complex, this one may be for you?

Here's the link to all the pictures and info:

http://www.brettsellshouses.com/idx/properties/101315/details.html

If you'd like to take a closer look, please give me a call @ 253-820-2745

The consolidation of Fort Lewis and McChord AFB was officially kicked off on Monday. One of only 12 joint bases, Fort Lewis and McChord AFB will now collectively be known as JBLM or Joint Base Lewis McChord. While the ceremony is now in the past, Joint Base Lewis McChord won't be fully integrated until October of this year.
The signs on I-5 have already been changed but it may be decades before locals begin referring to Lewis and McChord as Joint Base Lewis McChord. Perhaps JBLM will catch on quicker?

We've had mixed reaction to the consolidation of Fort Lewis and McChord AFB from our active duty clients. Everything ranging from complete indifference to genuine concerns that things will change for the worse once JBLM is finalized in October.

As a resident of Pierce County, I can selfishly hope that the new Joint Base Lewis McChord will help to speed along the "cross base highway" project. Geographically, JBLM is now a giant in Pierce County. In addition to providing some much needed traffic relief for Highway 7, the cross base highway will open up convenient commuting avenues for our clients in Spanaway, Fredrickson, Puyallup and Graham.

$8,000 first time home buyer extension is on it's way. Contrary to reports I saw in the news media last week, the extension is not set in stone at this point. However; It now appears that it's headed for President Obama's desk soon.

Here's what we expect to see as a final bill:

The $8,000 first time home buyer credit will be extended through April 30th 2010

A new $6,500 home buyer tax credit will be available to buyers who have owned a home for 5 of the last 8 years.

Qualifying income limits are raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples.

Extend the credit for one year to military personel having served at least 90 days outside the USA in 2009 and 2010. Military members get a much needed break here.

The bill also provides for Military Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) to be tax free.

Great news for my Fort Lewis and McChord military clients that have received orders unexpectedly out of the area. There's help for you, just give me a call 253-820-2745.

Now remember, this bill still needs to pass in the house and must be signed by the President to become law. BUT, all indications point to this bill sailing through the house this week and possibly hitting the President's desk sometime next week.

Brett Tousley is the designated Broker and owner of NW Home Brokers. Specializing in residential real estate sales and marketing in Pierce, King, Thurston and Kitsap counties Washington.

Last weekend my family made our yearly pumpkin hunting trip to Spooner Farms in the Valley. There's a lot more to do than just pick out a pumpkin at Spooner Farms and it's become something of a tradition for us.

My five year old led the way as we took in all the sights, starting with the activity barn. The activity barn held several pens of chickens, quail and turkeys for the kids to see and had a coloring area as well. Then we were off to see the goats, mini donkeys and the pony ride.

Once he burned off some steam we hit the 5 acre corn maze. This year's theme was "honey I shrunk the kids" and they had it dressed up as though we were tiny insects inside a giant world. Spooner hands you a map to the maze with instructions to find 6 stations hidden inside. Each station has a hole punch for the map. If you find all 6, you win a candy prize at the end. We stuck to the game plan and found each station with relative ease this year.

Once we cleared the maze and collected our rewards, it was time to pick out a pumpkin. Always up for an adventure, my son found his perfect pumpkin in a large mud puddle.

As any Dad would do, I waded in there and grabbed his "perfect pumpkin". :)

If you are still in the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, you may want to give Spooner Farms a visit, it's a blast!