My Social Profiles
Today the city unveiled the new “Goddess Of Commerce” statue to much fanfare in the St Helens Neighborhood of Tacoma. This particular block of St Helens is my favorite place in all of Tacoma and I like the new statue. There’s an interesting story behind it all and I strongly recommend checking out the TNT Article.
That send, I drove by yesterday when she was all wrapped up and she TOTALLY LOOKED LIKE….
… do you see? DO YOU SEE? A DEMENTOR. Just saying.
Aw, man! I am SO EXCITED! Today I got a Tweet from fellow agent Jim Tutton congratulating me on being voted Tacoma’s Best Real Estate Agent. WHAT? This is SOOOO exciting! On the heels of that whole Weekly Volcano thing, I am seriously flattered, humbled, and feeling oh so loved. Thanks so much voters!
I am in fantastic company on this list with some great local businesses like Pacific Grill (you know I love them), Caffei Dei (try the Piccante Mocha!), and Best Dentist Dr. Jamie Brooks!
As honored as I am, we all know that there are a lot of really amazing real estate agents in Tacoma, including my own personal list of the Best Tacoma Real Estate Agents. I am in excellent company in this town. Thanks so so so much, it makes me feel really good!
I actually had to pull over and take a picture of the lovely new paint job over at Le Mer, Tacoma condos on North I Street in the Stadium District. They just finished doing a nice little job of freshening up the exterior of the building.
Le Mer is located at 909 North I Street. They were built in 1980 and have some very spacious floor plans and secure underground garage parking. Some of them have excellent views of the water and they all have nice big balconies. There are currently 3 units for sale in Le Mer ranging from $229,000-$325,000. The last unit to sell there was a totally remodeled 2 bedroom 1.75 bath unit on the I Street side. It sold for $250,000.
Anyways, I know I can rant and rave on here sometimes and I just wanted to take a moment to say “Good Job, Le Mer! Looking good!”
Right now there are 39 condos for sale in the City of Tacoma with listed prices of $100,000 or less. From Downtown Tacoma Lofts for $60,000 to 3 bedroom townhouses in North Tacoma for $50,000, there’s something here for everyone, for much less than many people think.
I hesitate to make a big deal about this, I understand that when Real Estate Agents make a big deal about the market no one really listens anymore- but I’m telling you- THESE PRICES ARE AMAZING. Don’t take my word for it, take a look for yourself.
Whether you’re looking for an inexpensive and low maintenance first home or an investment property, some of the units are once and a lifetime good deals. Non-owner occupying investors typically need to make a downpayment of 25% to finance an investment property. In a healthy market, few people can afford that, but for a $50,000 condo that is only $12,500. At today’s insanely low interest rates, you can expect to make money each month from a rental like that even after property taxes, condo dues, and management fees.
Anyways, like I said, I know I sound like a total Realtor, but oh my gosh. CHEAP CONDOS, people! Let me know if you want one.
I was so thankful for Marguerite and the service we recieved from her. We were so stressed out working with the previous realtor and even having second thoughts if we were going to buy but once we switched to Marguerite she made everything so easy! Everything went so smooth she took us out looking for houses right away and would show us many at a time while we had a babysitter. It was so easy with her!
My Husband travels for work and when left to Texas shortly after we made the offer on this house. There were many forms he needed to sign she used docu sign and it made it SO EASY! He didnt need to use fax or pay for fax just click on the computer.
I compare her to the first agent I worked with and Marguerite exceeded all my expectations in all areas. If we wanted to see a house she would show us next day. She was always available for us in person, phone, text! I was never left wondering. She would answer no matter what time I emailed or text. She would drive to meet me where ever it was convenient for me. She was so easy to work with and was so nice! I never felt like I couldnt ask a question she always had an answer and I felt like I could ask anything. Her responses were def way quicker then I ever would of expected exp with her schedule. – Lisa & Rudy Sombra, first time buyers.
The funnest thing happening in Tacoma this weekend is FOR SURE the Downtown Tacoma Block Party this Saturday, August 20th from 5pm-10pm in Opera Alley on 7th & St. Helens. I grew up in the suburbs, and I remember people always saying how “cold” and “impersonal” or “lonely” life was in the city. Anyone who attended last years Downtown Tacoma Block Party or has been involved in any aspect of the planning of this even knows that is NOT the case here.
The Downtown Tacoma Block Party is a completely neighbor organized and neighbor driven event. There are a thousand great activities- check out this info from the Downtown Tacoma Neigbors Blog:
From the moment a party-goer steps into the Euro-styled Opera Alley, the atmosphere asks them to participate in the life and activity around them. Musicians set the heartbeat by laying down improvised grooves. Meanwhile participants can paint, craft, dance, eat and drink. After someone imbibes a cold brew, they can put on old shoes, step in paint and dance on linens or play wall ball. Or they may choose to have a bite to eat and play a game of chess first. Whatever the case, it will be hard for them to leave at the end of the night without a sense of inspiration to think outside-the-box about their own neighborhood. -DTownTTownNeighbors.com
Tell me, doesn’t that sound like a fun way to spend the evening? In my fantasy world it would be followed by an after party at The Mix. In fact- if I remember correctly, that’s exactly how it went down last year… Do yourself a favor and get yourself to the Downtown Tacoma Block Party Saturday at 5pm. You won’t be sorry!
I chose Marguerite as my Realtor when I bought my first house because she understood exactly how much I wanted to spend and which neighborhood I wanted to live in. Marguerite did a great job managing my expectations and never tried to pressure me to go above my budget and worked really hard to understand exactly what I needed in a house. Marguerite worked hard to make sure buying my first house was as stress free as it could possibly be. -Justin Leighton, First Time Home Buyer
Zara Mediterranean Cuisine is Tacoma’s newest restaurant. Located in Downtown Tacoma on 15th & Pacific across from my very favorite place, Pacific Grill, Zara is like nothing else we have ever had downtown! They open this Thursday, August 18th.
Since early this winter we have been hearing that something new was going to take over the old Sea Grill. I was never really into Sea Grill- the restaurant was expensive and usually empty- but they had a very cool round bar with a view of the city. After looking over the menu it looks like Zara has solved the boring restaurant portion of the problem. At the opening they had samples of everything and I didn’t keep very good track of what I tried. I’m a fairly unadventurous eater, sadly, but even I found myself tasting all kinds of new things. From appetizery delights like pita bread slathered in baba ghanoush to the greek bruschetta and the heavenly baklava- there are lots of tasty spicey and delicious things you can’t get anywhere else in town. Happy hour hasn’t started yet, so we’ll have to see how realistic those tasty treats become for my pocket book, but I’m optimistic.
The funnest part about Zara Mediterranean Cuisine is definitely the Belly Dancers. They were super pretty and fun and dressed VERY fancy. They even came over and danced with the fellows at my table:
These were seriously some of the prettiest funnest belly dancers I’ve ever seen and they even changed outfits. Very very fun.
Of course they busted out belly dancers on the first night, but supposedly they’re going to be keeping them around to perform 3 times per night on Fridays and Saturdays. That adds a totally fun and unique element that seems like it would be good for birthdays and out of towners.
Overall, from the things I tried and the things I saw Zara Mediterranean Cuisine looks like it will be a really fun addition to Downtown.
Here are the deets:
- Website: http://www.zaracuisine.com
- Email: info@zaracuisine.com
- Phone: (253) 572-1222
- Zara Hours of Operation:
Lunch: Monday – Saturday: 11:00am – 3:00pm, Sunday Brunch: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Dinner: Monday – Thursday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Friday – Saturday: 5:00pm – 11:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm – 8:00pm. (no happy hour on Sunday! boooo)
