Tacoma, WA

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I divided my time between family togetherness and recovering from family togetherness at friends houses. While most of the city was off spending quality time with their families over turkey, 22 Tacomans bought houses!

Those houses ranged in price from $124,000 to $507,000. They sold for about 4% less than the price they were listed at and spent an average of 127 days on the market before selling. Also, they were all houses, no condos closed this week.

The last week of the month is usually the busiest as far as home closings go, and I heard through the grapevine that there were a lot of agents and lenders scrambling to get their clients homes closed before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Whew!

For more Downtown Tacoma Real Estate Information visit www.GetRealTacoma.com

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.Oh Tannenbaum!

For More Downtown Tacoma Real Estate Information visit www.GetRealTacoma.com

By Erik Hanberg

When I moved back to Tacoma in 2002 after four years away, I was blown away by the changes downtown. I loved that it was starting to feel like a real city. When I landed a job downtown, I decided I would take the plunge and move downtown as well. I chose the Bostwick building-the yellow wedge building at 9th and Broadway.

It was a small apartment on the 2nd floor, but I felt like I was living a luxurious life. I could see the lights of the Pantages out my window. I had antique hardwood floors, huge bay windows, and 12 foot high ceilings. My desire to own eventually kicked in. But where was I going to find a house or a condo that had the same things I liked about my apartment but was still within walking distance of my downtown job. I looked at many places downtown and in the Stadium District. (Actually, in 2003 there wasn't a lot to choose from, so it didn't take long to see what was there.) And that's when I discovered an unassuming four-plex of condos on St. Helens. I'd barely noticed it before I stepped inside the front door.

At first, I was skeptical. I didn't like the long hallway. I didn't like that I wasn't looking over an active street from my living room. I didn't like that it wasn't historic like the Bostwick. In fact, that might be what I disliked the most: it wasn't like my apartment. So I kept looking. But some of the best features stuck with me. I loved the view of the mountain, the deck off the back, the gas fireplace, the two parking spaces, the huge kitchen, and more storage than I possibly knew what to do with. So I went back. And then I went back again. The more I went, the more I could see myself living there. I got my keys on October 24 (I can't believe I still remember the day) and I was moved in by the end of the month.

Five years later, what a decision it turned out to be. I'm thankful I went back multiple times because I needed to spend the time there to get over my initial impression. The place was so functional and friendly! Last month a friend house-sat while we were on vacation. When we came back, she remarked that while she had always liked our place, she didn't understand how well laid out it was until she actually lived there for a week.

And because I owned it I could make changes that made it even better for me. With my parents and fiancé, we tore out a partial wall in the kitchen and put in an island. We painted. We transformed an empty corner into a wine rack. We installed bookcases in the TV room and added shelves to the closets.
With two of us living there now, we made it a real home.

This one has a fold down desk. Fancy.

What I mostly feel is happiness. Happiness that I didn't just try to find a larger version of my apartment and instead saw the condo for what it was and what I could do with it. Happiness that I worked hard enough to find a place that I could imagine being for a long time.

I can't tell you how much I say to my fiance Mary, "You know, I really love our place." Or how often she says it to me. It's been a real joy.

My First And Only Place

Contributed by Erik Hanberg

You can see more of Erik's writing on his blog.

For More information visit Marguerite's Outside Blog at www.GetRealTacoma.com

That's right 30 year fixed rate loans at 5.25% 5.329 apr with the Government's plan to purchase mortgage backed securities announced this morning November 25th, 2008. With the exception of the Government's purchase of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, when rates dropped for 1 day, today's move has the potential to drive rates down and keep them there. In my opinion, lower interest rates will have the biggest impact on helping stabilize real estate values. In addition, homeowners can free up hundreds of dollars by refinancing into a lower fixed rate mortgage. For today's rates visit our web site at http://www.alltechmortgage.com

North Tacoma has some of the most beautiful tree lined streets in our region. Shot these pics of North Union very quickly while setting out my open house signs a while back. Was holding an open on 21st and Union and enjoyed the scenery and my visitors very much.

People actually walk around their neighborhoods in the North End of Tacoma, something of a rarity in other parts of the region. No need to drive somewhere to walk if you live North of 6Th Ave, just stroll out your door and enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Wish I had taken more time to shoot higher quality pics, because these trees are now bare for the winter. Natures beauty is often fleeting, which is why I love it.