There is a big myth that buying directly through the builder’s agent will get you a better deal.  The fact is the builder’s agent has a duty to fight for the best deal for their client, the builder, not you.  Having an agent in your corner is paramount to ensure you get the best possible price and terms on your end of the deal.
 
“It is foolish for a home buyer to enter into a new construction contract without an experienced real estate agent. The advantages are many; aside from the obvious ones. The fact that having buyer agent representation is often FREE cannot be repeated often enough. So too, should the misconception that not using a buyer’s agent will save money be constantly repeated - that simply doesn't happen. Remember that that site agent represents the builder/developer.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://hankmiller.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/26865-7-key-reasons-to-always-have-a-buyer-s-agent. ...

Drugs leave behind toxins that can have devastating health effects to an unknowing homebuyer. Some steps you can take to protect yourself from the risk of buying a contaminated home include testing, researching the neighborhood, and talking to neighbors. This article does a good job of explaining how to avoid some common misconceptions when it comes to meth houses...
 
“A home that’s contaminated because of methamphetamine production or use may show few visible signs of the risks it poses. And if that weren’t bad enough, there’s a lot of bad guidance floating around about how to spot one.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://realestate.msn.com/how-to-avoid-buying-a-meth-house
 
Pierce County Statistics:
Homes for sale in Spanaway: Average Price Per Square Foot $104. Down 3% compared to last month.
Homes for sale in Tacoma: Average Price Per Square Foot $113.  Up 1.4% compared to the last month.
Homes for sale in Lakew. ...

A recent study showed that marriage rates are at a historic low, while rates of cohabiting couples are rising. As many couples veer away from tying the knot right away, a new group of home buyers have emerged: The Unmarried Couple. There can be many hurdles in buying your home and your relationship status shouldn’t be one of them.
 
 “Throughout the home buying process there can be various hurdles to jump over to make sure everything goes smoothly.  In today’s culture, we are finding more often unmarried couples are purchasing their first homes together.  Although this sounds like a great plan, there are precautions that need to be taken in order to make sure the process is done right.  Doing your research beforehand can alleviate any headaches.  From a financial sense it is more difficult to break the co-ownership of a house, than it is to get a divorce, if things turn sour.”
 
Read the entire article here…http://ww. ...

The name short sale can be misleading. One would think it means the sale will be, well, short. In fact the truth is some short sales can take months, if not longer, to close. Knowing what you are getting into prior to placing a short sale offer can have many advantages. Not only will it help you understand the process, but it also helps you submit your strongest offer possible to help win that home.
 
“Modern homebuyers will inevitably come across one or more properties currently classified as a short sale. A short sale is an attempt by the current owner to sell a home in lieu of the bank taking it back through foreclosure proceedings, thus partially salvaging their credit rating and lifting the burden of heavy mortgage debt. The entire short sale process hinges on the hope that the bank will take a loss now, approve the sale, and eliminate the costly process of foreclosing, clearing, and reselling a home. Obviously, this is a big hope on behalf of prospective homebuyers a. ...

Low inventory levels can be great for sellers, but cause headaches for buyers. Here you will find 8 ways to beat out other buyers to the hottest new listings.
 
“Finding the perfect home for your needs, wants and budget can be a challenge even when mortgage rates are low and there are plenty of properties for sale. But when fewer homes are on the market, buyers and their real estate agents must find creative ways to maneuver around the competition.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://realestate.msn.com/8-outside-the-box-ways-to-find-a-home
 
Pierce County Statistics:
 
Homes for Sale in Spanaway: 207 units.  Down 8.4% compared to the last month.
Homes for Sale in Tacoma: 942 units.  Down 6.4% compared to the last month.
Homes for Sale in Lakewood: 135 units.  Down 15.1% compared to the last month.
Homes for Sale in Fife: 21 units.  Down 19.2% compared to the last month.
Homes for Sale in Milton: 21 units. . ...