How to Buy a Pierce County Home

Pierce County Homes

Pierce County is a county located in Washington, and has the second highest county population in Washington, second only to King County. Named for the United States President Franklin Pierce, the county was formed in late 1852 and is most notably the home to the Mount Rainier volcano, the tallest mountain in not only the Cascade Range, but the entire United States, as well.

Perhaps one of the main reasons that families, professionals and retirees choose to live in Pierce County is because of the area’s diverse landscape and wealth of exceptional recreational attractions. Pierce County boasts many natural and geographic features, including the following:

• Anderson Island. Anderson Island is the southernmost island in Puget Sound. Accessible by boat or ferry, Anderson Island is just below McNeil Island.
• Carbon River. Carbon River is sourced from the Carbon Glacier on Mount Rainier, and flows through Mount Rainier National Park.
• Cascade Range. The Cascade Range in one of the major mountain ranges in the western United States, extending from British Columbia, through Washington and Oregon, all the way to California.
• Case Inlet. Case Inlet is located in the Puget Sound, and is a body of water between Key Peninsula and Hartsline Island.
• Commencement Bay. Commencement Bay is a bay located in Puget Sound. Tacoma is located on Commencement Bay.
• Fox Island. Fox Island is another island in Puget Sound, popular among locals for fishing and scuba diving.
• Herron Island. Herron Island is another island in southern Puget Sound, and is a privately owned island. Access to the island is limited to boat.
• Ketron Island. Another island in Puget Sound, Ketron Island is a very small island with just a few residents. There is limited access to the island, but a ferry is available.
• Key Peninsula. Key Peninsula is known to locals as “The KP” or “The Key.” This peninsula was given its name from its key shape, and is home to two state parks.

Once you’ve decided that Pierce County is the place for you, there are several tips to keep in mind for how to buy a home. We’ve put together this list of things to keep in mind when thinking about buying a home, many of which are helpful in deciding how to buy a Pierce County home:

• Don’t buy if you can’t stay put. If you can’t commit to staying in one home for at least a few years, it isn’t right.
• Start by shoring up your credit. A few months before you begin house hunting, obtain a copy of your credit report and make sure all of the information contained is accurate. Now is the time to fix any errors and do what you can to make your credit as good as possible.
• Aim for a home you can really afford. There are a number of calculators available online that can analyze your income, debts, and expenses and determine how much house you can realistically afford.
• If you can’t put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan. There are wide ranges of public and private lenders that also offer low-rate mortgages with a small down payment.
• Buy in a district with good schools. This tip actually applies even if you don’t have children in school – when it comes time to sell your house, you’ll realize that being in a good school district is a top priority for many homebuyers.
• Get professional help. Even though the Internet offers plenty of access to housing information and listings, you will almost always come out ahead by obtaining the services of a qualified Realtor.
• Choose carefully between points and rate. It is almost always a better deal to take the points – the lower interest rate will save you money in the long term.
• Before house hunting, get pre-approved. The benefits of getting pre-approved are two-fold. It saves you the heartache of falling in love with a house you really can’t afford, and it also puts you in a better position to make a strong offer when you find the house that’s right for you.
• Do your homework before bidding. Your starting bid should be based on the selling price of neighborhood comps, or similar homes in the neighborhood.
• Hire a home inspector. The job of a home inspector is to point out any potential problems with the house that could lead to costly repairs down the road.

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Why It’s Good to Hire a Realtor

If you’re thinking about how to buy a Pierce County home, one of the crucial first steps is deciding whether or not you want to hire a Realtor. Although the choice is yours, buyers are almost always better off utilizing the services of a professional Realtor, who will work with your best interest in mind and help you with strategies for negotiating, once you’ve found the home that’s right for you. Realtors can offer fantastic resources to you as a buyer, and they help facilitate the transaction process. A good Realtor can provide a neutral, unbiased voice of reason, which is especially helpful in negotiations, which can be an emotional roller coaster for even the most experienced of buyer.

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Real Estate for Sale in Pierce County

If you’re wondering how to buy a Pierce County home or if you’d like more information on Pierce County Washington real estate, feel free to give me a call. I’m Vickie Jennings, and I strive to raise the standards in real estate, by providing my clients with a positive outlook, an honest perspective, and outstanding service. Personal service is my top priority, and I would love to offer you a home evaluation or tell you more about the Pierce County market. Browse through my blog and website to learn more about the area, and then call or connect with me to get started today!

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