SEPTEMBER 2022 Local Real Estate Market Trends Plus... ThepowerofWindermere.ThepersonalizedserviceofWindermereChambersBay. September Events Football Schedules Buying an Older Home Things to Consider Tacoma's Historic Districts Common Misconceptions WA State Fair Events, Expos, Concerts, Food, & Fisher Fair Scones Market Shift Back to the Drawing Board
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September Events Football Schedules Buying an Older Home Things to Consider Tacoma's Historic Districts Common Misconceptions WA State Fair Events, Expos, Concerts, Food, & Fisher Fair Scones Market Shift Back to the Drawing Board
By Jeff Willliams
Common Misconceptions about Tacoma's Historic Districts
As a residential real estate broker, a former board member of Historic Tacoma, and a current commissioner on Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, I’m often asked about the potential impact that historic designation can have on a property. Some people worry that it’s a negative, but I believe the opposite is true. Inclusion on a historic register (1) has been proven to increase the market value of a property and (2) may also allow for property tax credits related to home renovations For me, Tacoma's historic districts and its historic homes are a big part of what makes the city so special, and I think it’s important to protect that heritage To that end, I’d like to dispel some common misconceptions about (1) homes included on the historic register and (2) contributing structures in designated historic districts. Tacoma is fortunate enough to have eight designated historic districts the Wedge, North Slope, Old City Hall, the Union Depot/Warehouse District, Salmon Beach, Stadium, Buckley’s Addition and College Park
#1 I can’t make any changes to the house FALSE Interior changes to a property on the historic register do not require any additional approval above and beyond regular city permitting requirements. If you want to remodel your kitchen or upgrade plumbing, electrical or heating, the permitting and approval process is exactly the same as it is for any non historic house in Tacoma Exterior changes do require approval from the Landmark Preservation Commission (a process called design review) For information about the type of exterior changes that require design review, visit the City of Tacoma’s Historic Preservation website.
Misconception
Misconception #5 All old houses are considered historic (and protected).
#3 The value of my home will be negatively affected by all the restrictions
FALSE
FALSE There are about 1,300 structures in the city of Tacoma that are listed on the city, state or national historic registers Only structures that are (1) individually listed on the Tacoma Register and/or (2) contributing structures in historic districts on the Tacoma Register are protected The Wedge, North Slope, Old City Hall and the Union Depot/Warehouse District are all on the Tacoma Register so individually listed and contributing structures in these districts are protected. Buckley’s Addition, College Park, Salmon Beach and Stadium are only on the state and/or national registers so structures there are not automatically protected
Misconception
Misconception
from neglect and ruin, and they’ve put a mechanism in place to do this The reason? To avoid the unnecessary demolition of historic structures. Read more about historic homes on our blog southsoundpropertygroup.com/our-blog
#2 I can’t replace any windows or doors in the house.
While it's true that you can't replace existing wood windows with vinyl or metal windows, you are allowed to repair or replace rotting or deteriorated windows with wood replacements The life expectancy of a vinyl window is only about 20 years Properly maintained wood windows can last a lifetime Studies also show that single pane wood windows with well fitted exterior storm windows provide the same energy efficiency as dual glazed windows For more information about wood windows versus vinyl, please check out my blog “Why replacing wood windows is a costly mistake.”
A number of studies over the years have shown that property values in a neighborhood can increase dramatically when it’s designated as historic One study conducted in Tucson, AZ showed that home values in a historic district there were 30% higher on average than similar homes in non historic neighborhoods and that homes in the historic district appreciated at a rate that was 15% higher than their non historic counterparts. It pays to be historic! For additional findings, visit the American Council on Historic Preservation
FALSE
Misconception #4 register
The “historic police” will tell me what I can and can’t do to my house FALSE As long as you maintain your home properly, you won’t have to worry about additional scrutiny The city is mostly concerned about protecting structures on the historic
Builders didn't really begin insulating homes until the late 1910s and early 1920s. Even then, they often just added cellulose (paper pulp) to the exterior walls and attics at very low insulation levels If you ’ ve ever demolished the ceiling in an older home, you'll know what I’m talking about You’re probably still finding bits of pulverized paper in your hair, ears and clothes. If you ’ re doing a major home renovation, I would recommend removing the old interior plaster down to the studs so that the wiring and plumbing can be updated and insulation can be added. If you ’ re not doing a major renovation, just add insulation to the attic and underneath the first floor to increase the insulation value as much as possible You can learn more about insulation at energy.gov.
Old houses aren’t generally well insulated
Not all old houses are created equal. Generally speaking, houses built in the area before 1900 were more poorly constructed than those built after 1900 The exception to that rule would be what we call "lumber baron" homes turn of the century mansions that were built with sounder engineering practices and higher quality materials than more modest cottages built at the same time. These grander homes have stood the test of time well The worker cottages, less so Smaller Victorian (pre 1900) homes were often built on posts and piers or loose rock/brick and mortar foundations In some cases, these original foundations were later replaced or supplemented with poured or block concrete foundations. Settling issues are common but not necessarily a deal breaker. Newer technologies are available for the levelling older foundations, technologies that won’t necessarily break the bank
Things to Consider When Buying An Older Home
By Jeff Willliams
Older systems aren't necessarily a problem, but a thorough pre purchase home inspection can identify failing systems in need of immediate attention Be sure to factor the cost of plumbing, electrical and heating system upgrades into the purchase price of a home before you make an offer, and make sure you can afford to repair or replace these systems if it becomes necessary during your ownership
Are the mechanical systems up to date?
When buying an old house, people often encounter knob and tube wiring, galvanized and lead pipes, oil burning furnaces the size of a Winnebago and broken sewer lines
Original windows and doors are great Leave them alone! Nothing frustrates me more than buyers who immediately think they have to replace all of the original doors and windows in a house It is significantly more cost effective to repair original windows and doors and install storm windows. They’ll be just as energy efficient and will last exponentially longer than their cheap vinyl counterparts
How many layers are on the roof? Many older homes in Tacoma originally had wood shingle roofs with no underlayment to support a modern roof Over time, home owners have simply shingled over the original roof. If a roof has two layers or more, it's no longer a candidate for re shingling The roof will have to be completely torn off, and an underlayment of plywood or particle board will need to be installed before the new roofing material can be added Tear offs are more expensive than simple re shingling so it's helpful to know how many layers a roof has before writing an offer to purchase an older home
The Washington State Fair (formerly known as the Puyallup Fair) is the state's biggest annual event attracting over 1 million visitors to fun, food, and entertainment. This year, the Washington State Fair kicks off on Labor Day weekend and ends on Sunday, September 25, 2022. Closed on each Tuesday throughout its three weeks. Visit the Washington State Fair website for schedules, admission, and additional details.
The "Valley Fair" first opened from October 4 6, 1900. Admission was $1 per family for all three days.
For roller coaster fans, don't miss the antique wooden roller coaster built in 1935, offering old fashioned clickity clack turns, spins, and thrills. You also have your classic fair rides that swing, spin, and slingshot you into the air.
Washington State WFair ashington State Fair
Rides and Games
The Hobby Hall Featuring wood carvings, egg art, ceramics, stained glass, hand crafted dolls, doll houses, and many more intriguing crafts and collections. Rows and varieties of prize winning flowers, Horticulture, and Agriculture Displays. You also have Home Arts featuring culinary and textile showings. Plus, local and international photography exhibits. Displays and Exhibits
Explore the fascinating world of Dinosaurs and the hunt for their fossils in the early 20th Century. The exhibit features large scale animatronic dinosaurs and interactive cases and displays. Each event has it's own set of rules and requirements that determine the participant's score, and their ability to advance in the playoff series. Bullriding, Bareback Riding, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping. The Puyallup Rodeo Sept. 8-11 Expedition: Dinosaur Animals Everywhere Extreme dogs doing amazing tricks, the Fair Farm where you can get up close some cute creatures, see animals of the world at the safari exhibit, and the piglet palace. Plus, shows for 4-H, FFA, Dairy and Beef Cattle and more.
SEP 2 • 7:30 PM Ann Wilson of Heart SEP 3 • 7:30 PM Blake Shelton SEP 4 • 7:30 PM Nelly SEP 5 • 6:00 PM The Beach Boys SEP 8 • 9:15 PM Josh Turner Dancin' In The Dirt Party SEP 9 • 9:00 PM Matt Stell Dancin' In The Dirt Party SEP 10 • 9:15 PM The Cadillac Three Dancin' In The Dirt Party SEP 12 • 7:30 PM Russell Dickerson Dancin' In The Dirt Party SEP 14 • 6:30 PM Kidz Bop SEP 15 • 7:30 PM Dierks Bentley SEP 16 • 7:30 PM Sam Hunt SEP 17 • 7:30 PM An Evening with Lindsey Stirling SEP 19 • 7:30 PM Lecrae SEP 21 • 7:30 PM Maxwell SEP 22 • 7:30 PM Shaggy and TLC SEP 23 • 7:30 PM The Doobie Brothers SEP 24 • 7:30 PM Whose Live Anyway with Drew Carey SEP 25 • 7:30 PM Lynyrd Skynyrd: WA State Fair Concert Series
Served warm with whipped butter and raspberry jam! In 1911 Fisher Mills began its operation as the largest flour mill in the West. They started giving away and selling scones for pennies back in the 1900's as a way to promote their flour.
Famous Fisher Fair Scone
Deep fried or on a stick, how do you like your fair food? Check out "The Best State Fair Food Every State" for a list of the #1 must have in every state. It's no surprise that ours is the Fisher Fair Scone!
FAIR FOOD
"Fisher Scones debuted at the 1915 Puyallup Fair, in the very same corner booth under the grandstand where they are still sold today." Their products are still sourced from Washington State and support the local economy and Northwest Farmers who produce food in an environmentally friendly manner. If you can't make it to the fair, don't worry! Fisher Fair Scone Mix, baking mix, and delicious raspberry jam can be found at one many of our local retailers. They also have the Scone Wagon. Follow them on their social media channels to find out where they will be popping up next.
https://fisherscones.com/
The Power Of Windermere The Personalized Service Of Windermere Chambers Bay M U C H L I K E P E O P L E , E V E R Y M A R K E T I S U N I Q U E . S O M E M A R K E T S H A V E V I E W S , S O M E L A R G E Y A R D S F R O M H O M E S B U I L T A T T H E T U R N O F T H E C E N T U R Y T O N E W C O N S T R U C T I O N , E A C H A R E A H A S I T S O W N F E A T U R E S A N D T Y P E S O F H O M E S . Real Estate is Local
What goes up must come down In this case we are seeing a slow roll We are seeing an increase in inventory and a slow roll back on pricing. We are still up on pricing year over year. Time on market has doubled but is still not at historical levels. The media for the most part is a country wide conversation and if we know anything, real estate is local so be careful what you read and believe! A local, full time Realtor is your best source of information concerning the local market. A part time or no time Realtor is not going to be able to have the entire conversation simply because they are not living it The most important time to be sure who you work with knows what they are doing is in a shifting market Real estate just got a whole lot harder, don't make it harder on yourself by not vetting to get the right Realtor for this market. There has been a lot of discussion country wide about the cost of a Realtor. Be sure and get the most knowledgeable, experienced Realtor with all the support you and they need to get your situation handled with the least amount of stress to you. At Windermere Chambers Bay we really do know what we're doing. The average time in the business in our office is 15 years. That means a majority of us have seen down markets and still made successful careers out of real estate. It also means the ones who haven't, have the support of someone who can coach them through this market Who you work with Matters!
Yes it is, but it's OK!
2022 Schedules
WE ARE THE HUMAN ALGORITHM Pierce County is a collage of hyperlocal real estate markets Windermere Chambers Bay brokers navigate those markets with personal, firsthand knowledge of not just your city, but your neighborhood. Your street. Your home. No app or online algorithm can do that There's no need to rely on faceless data. Rely on us to serve as your human algorithm. 3610 Bridgeport Way W Suite 7 University Place, WA 98466 (253) 565 1121 @windermere253 @windermerechambersbay windermerechambersbay.com
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