The City of Tacoma’s Media and Communications Office – in partnership with the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality – has released a new episode of artTown, a cultural documentary-style TV initiative exploring Tacoma’s emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest. In this episode: Explore the public art inside and outside at […]
via Now showing artTown Episode 10 — Tacoma Arts
Partnering with Harvest Pierce County since 2010, the City of Tacoma has 35 community gardens, including 11 on city owned property. Several of these gardens are in the North End, including the Proctor Community Garden and Orchard & Vine.
I have included the link to the map of all the Pierce County Gardens, including those in Tacoma: Pierce County Community Garden_Final
For more information check out, Harvest Pierce County
As a member of the National Association of REALTORS, I receive news about Real Estate. This article clarifies mortgage interest deduction on a home equity loan.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a news release(link is external) clarifying that in many cases, interest paid on home equity loans remains deductible under the new tax reform law. Many questions have arisen on this issue, as many media reports on the new tax law indicated that as of 2018, interest is no longer deductible on home equity loans. The IRS stated that “despite newly-enacted restrictions on home mortgages, taxpayers can often still deduct interest on a home equity loan, home equity line of credit (HELOC) or second mortgage, regardless of how the loan is labelled.” The key factor is that the proceeds of such loans must be used to buy, build, or substantially improve the taxpayer’s home that secures the loan. Interest on a home equity or other loan used for personal living expenses (e.g. paying off credit card debt, education, or vacation expenses) would not be deductible.
Your Credit Report plays a key factor in buying a home. It is important that you order you credit report and review it carefully. There are often mistakes on credit reports, and you are the one who is most likely to find these errors.
I have attached a link to a worksheet that will help you review your credit report. Keep your completed checklist with your credit report and always keep your hard copies in a secure place. If you are not going to save your report, shred it!
Here is the link: Credit Report
When it is time to finally sign the papers to close on the home you purchased, Lenders are required to provide you with a Closing Disclosure three business days before your scheduled closing. Use these days wisely. This tool will help you double-check that all the details are correct. If something looks different from what you expected, ask why. Now is the time to resolve problems—if the explanation you get isn’t satisfactory, keep asking questions. Check it out: Closing Disclosure
Spaceworks Tacoma is partnering with the Downtown Tacoma Business Improvement Area (BIA) to find an artist or artist team to beautify a downtown icon in need of a facelift!
The location is in the skybridge over Commerce Street connecting the Park Plaza North Parking Garage (923 S. Commerce) and Transit Plaza/Theater on the Square (917 Broadway). This consists of the two interior walls, each roughly 85-feet long and 3-feet tall.
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Starting in April of 2017, you can walk Tacoma, every Wednesday, until the end of summer.
This video gives you an overview of this great program brought to you by the City of Tacoma!
![Do You Know the Cost of Renting vs. Buying? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161014-Rent-vs.-Buy-KCM.jpg)
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| Keeping Current Matters nails it with this graphic about pricing your house | ||
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According to a Merrill Lynch study, “an estimated 4.2 million retirees moved into a new home last year alone.” Two-thirds of retirees say that they are likely to move at least once during retirement. As one participant in the study stated:
“In retirement, you have the chance to live anywhere you want. Or you can just stay where you are. There hasn’t been another time in life when we’ve had that kind of freedom.”
The top reason to relocate cited was “wanting to be closer to family” at 29%, a close second was “wanting to reduce home expenses” at 26%. A recent Freddie Mac studyfound similar results, as “nearly 20 percent of Boomers said they would move closer to their grandchildren/children compared to 13 percent who said they would move to a warmer climate.”
There is a common misconception that as retirees find themselves with fewer children at home, they will instantly desire a smaller home to maintain. While that may be the case for half of those surveyed, the study found that three in ten decide to actually upsize to a larger home. Some choose to buy a home in a desirable destination with extra space for large family vacations, reunions, extended visits, or to allow other family members to move in with them. According to Merrill Lynch:
“Retirees often find their homes become places for family to come together and reconnect, particularly during holidays or summer vacations.”
If your housing needs have changed or are about to change, meet with a local real estate professional in your area who can help with deciding your next step.
Another great article from Keeping Current Matters!
Living in Tacoma 