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You Asked For It!
This time around, Aaron and I decided to answer a few questions that we have received from you all! We broke each question down into a separate video, so make sure to keep an eye out for the next two videos as well.
This first question is all about the type of questions that YOU should be asking US! What important information should you gather when deciding who you want to work with on one of the most important sales and/or purchases of your life? Learn how to vet a Realtor and mortgage lender to see if it’s going to be the right fit for you. And if you’re interested, one of us shows off a bit of our rapping skills at the very end… Can you guess who?
DIY Fire Pit For Your Backyard
DIY FIRE PIT FOR YOUR BACKYARD
Summer is finally here which means plenty of nights spent enjoying the outdoors. While the days may be warmer than usual, some nights are still a little chilly. If you have been thinking of ways to still be outside while also being warm and cozy, a fire pit could be the right choice for you. Here is the way to make your own backyard fire pit for this summer!
PREPARE
First, make sure building your own fire pit doesn’t break your local fire code. Check for suggestions or guidelines on how far the pit needs to be away from your home or other structures for safety purposes.
Now that you know you can build, it is time to pick up supplies! You may already have some of these items at home, but you can find whatever you don’t have at your local hardware store. This is what you’ll need:
Bricks for the wall
Gravel
Twine
Tape Measure
Stake
Shovel
Trowel
Level
BUILD
The first step you’ll make is creating a circle where you want your fire pit. Take your stake and place it in the center of where you want your circle. Next, you’ll want to cut your twine to half of the length of your goal size. If you want a pit 5 feet in diameter, make your twine 2.5 feet long. Tie one end of your twine to your stake and the other end to your trowel. Drag the trowel with the twine fully extended around the stake, using the sharp part of the trowel to create a clear circle in the grass.
The second step requires your shovel. You will shovel out all of the grass inside of the circle you have created, and tamp down the dirt remaining in the circle with the bottom of your shovel. Make sure your circle is level, and make adjustments by adding or removing dirt to do so.
Next, you will add several inches of gravel. Make sure you spread the gravel evenly, covering your entire circle.
Now is time to add your bricks. Create a circle with your bricks, leaving a few inches of gravel around the outer rim as a safety buffer. You will want to stack your bricks until the wall of your fire pit is at least a foot tall.
ENJOY
Now you can use your brand new fire pit. If you’re still looking for a home where you can build a fire pit, give me a call!
Lipoma Firs Puyallup
This lovely, well-kept home in the Puyallup community of Lipoma Firs, features easy entertainment with an open floor plan that flows nicely into your fully fenced back yard. Gorgeous flooring, stainless steel appliances, and the charming fireplace will catch your eye. Upstairs, you will find the oversized master bedroom complete with en suite bath and walk-in closet. Don’t forget the immaculate view of Mt. Rainier while turning down the road to your new home. Take a peek at the video tour!
- 3 bedrooms
- 2.5 bathrooms
- 1,524 square feet
- 2-car attached garage
- Offered for $324,500
The seller mentioned that they enjoyed the nearby parks like Clark Park, where their kids and dog could play, plus there’s a beautiful two mile hiking trail with gorgeous scenery. They also loved being close to shopping, entertainment and restaurants; their personal favorite is the Flying Tomato Bar and Grill – here you’ll find a wide variety of items on the menu, like crab stuffed mushrooms, pizzas with ample toppings, a three pasta bowl for those who can’t decide, buffalo chicken salad, wings plus a variety of drinks, and giant projector screen to enjoy your favorite sports games being played!
9 miles away is Clark Creek Park – a city park edged by a creek, with playgrounds, tennis courts, a softball field, a dog park, picnic shelters (can be rented), benches and a restroom. There’s also a 5.5 mile long loop that links six Puyallup parks together with a soft-surface hiking trail.
8 minutes to Sunrise Village a newer, open-air center that offers shopping, dining, beauty and a fitness center in Puyallup’s South Hill. Here you’ll find MOD Pizza, Trapper’s Sushi, Black Bear Diner, RAM Restaurant and Brewery, Menchie’s, Target, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Famous Footwear, Party City, LA Fitness and so much more!
You can find popular retail chain Kohl’s less than 2 miles away. Get clothing, shoes, bedding, kitchen items, toys and more!
If you require more than what’s offered close by, there are plenty of other dining and shops offered on Meridian Rd and the South Hill Mall is just another 16 minute drive where they have – a Regal Cinemas, Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, DSW, and hundreds of other stores.
There are 2 grocery stores within a 6 minute radius to choose from. Get great prices on groceries and bulk foods at Winco, less than 2 miles away. Save in bulk on herbs, all your baking needs (perfect for the holidays!), beans, dried pasta, nuts, trail mix, granola and dried fruits that you can’t normally find in other grocery stores like dried kiwi. They also have incredibly large selection of bulk candy too, which is perfect for parties. Fred Meyer is across the road for home decor, pharmacy and more.
Get ready for the Summer Fair at the Washington State Fairgrounds, or as we like to say, “Do the Puyallup!” The Washington State Fair runs from August 30th – September 22nd – The 2019 concert and comedy line up is already in full swing with Billy Idol, Keith Urban, Weezer, The Beach Boys, Eli Young Band, Boyz II Men & 98 Degrees, Ciara, Hall & Oates, Foreigner, comedians, bull riding and more. The Rodeo is also a huge hit for fair goers. Don’t miss out on all things fair like the rides, free music and shows, all the show animals, arts and culture, the 700 shopping vendors and all the fair food you can eat. It’s customary for patrons to take a bag of Fair Scones home – just 8 miles away.
Call or text Kaitlyn Marty at 253-678-2449 for more info on this listing or a private showing.
REMinute- Getting to Know Us
We typically discuss real estate related questions that help our audience feel more comfortable when it comes to buying or selling a home. However, today Aaron and I thought that it might be helpful for everyone to get to know us a bit better. Find out how I become a Realtor, and why Aaron decided to switch over to lending, after being a Realtor! We also discuss our hobbies and what we enjoy doing in our spare time!
CHARMING STADIUM CONDO
This beauty is located in the highly sought-after area of Stadium District! Within minutes of excellent shopping and entertainment, such as Stadium Thriftway, Indo, Wright Park, Rhein Haus, bus routes, and much more- A commuter’s dream! This secure, ground-floor unit features gorgeous cherry hardwood floors, slab granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, a seating bar, sleek scarlet-red washer and dryer, an upfront assigned parking spot, and spacious, private storage! FHA Approved!
- 1 bedroom
- 1 bathroom
- 700 square feet
- Off street parking
- Ground floor
- Offered for $222,500
There’s no shortage of greatness about living in this location! Public transportation, endless dining options, easy commute, stunning views of the skyline, social opportunities, entertainment in many forms and the energy that comes from living in downtown Tacoma.
The Theater District Station, a part of the Tacoma Link Light Rail is less than a mile away and is a 1.6-mile light rail line ending at Tacoma Dome Station and is free to ride. The city is currently working on an expansion plan with construction finalizing in 2022. This project will more than double the current length and will reach new destinations like the Old City Hall, the Stadium District, Wright Park and the Hilltop communities. Check here for link updates! If you commute north and want to skip driving you can catch the Sounder Train at the Tacoma Dome Station northbound to Seattle – it’s convenient, cheap (about $5 to ride) and less of a hassle than sitting in I-5 traffic for events or commuting!
There’s no shortage of places to wine and dine at in this area.The Arthouse Cafe is across the street – serving up breakfast and lunch and a weekend brunch that ends at 3PM. They offer all the classics like eggs benedict, scrambles, frittas, hash, and pancakes. Try the dutch baby with maple curd and candied bacon, or the breakfast pizza with prosciutto, sausage, two cheeses, grilled onions and cage free eggs on top.
Have all your prescriptions sent to Rankos’ Stadium Pharmacy, operating since 1929, and you’ll never have to go far! They’re an independent pharmacy dedicated to providing high quality care and keep prices low.
If you’ve got a craving for classic old-time American burgers, fries & shakes served in a charming, retro-inspired space, then take a trip to Shake Shake Shake. Home of the famous Tiger Shake swirling with almond roca and salted caramel – named after the Stadium High School’s mascot. And if you’re looking for a little extra pep, you can get a boozy version called The Drunken Tiger.
Some other great places to grab a bite to eat or a good cocktail or craft beer is The Copper Door, a low-key hub with rotating taps, board games and their farm-to-table kitchen nibbles. The Harvester Restaurant, a diner serving old-fashioned breakfast & dinner. Indo Asian Street Eatery a hip, rustic-chic spot for Southeast Asian fare ranging from dumplings & curry to pad Thai & banh mi. Rhein Haus a light-filled, lodge-style restaurant with a stone fireplace & boccie courts for German fare & beer – they have a wicked good weekend brunch too!
Looking to get outdoors in the fresh and open air for a while? Lucky for you Wright Park is less than a mile walk. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this 27 acre park, surrounded by 600 robustious trees. It’s a wonderful place to slow down to and gather one’s thoughts, read a book or have a picnic and enjoy the beams of sunlight peeking through, warming your skin.
Also just a couple blocks away is Anthem Coffee, Starbucks and the North Slope Coffee House, Stadium Thriftway for groceries, Morrell’s Dry Cleaners, La Bella Nail Spa, Mud Bay, and Orangetheory Fitness.
Call or text Kaitlyn Marty for more information on this listing at 253-678-2449
PNW RE Minute- Shopping For Your Home
Even though shopping for your home is one of the best parts of the process, it can sometimes get a little out of hand and feel a bit overwhelming. At times, home buyers will have too many “Wants” on their list, and then have a difficult time compromising when they don’t find their dream house meeting ALL of the criteria.
It’s important to go over your pros and cons list with your Realtor before even beginning to look for a house. This way, your Realtor will be able to help you narrow down what’s most important and available in your price range. They will also know to steer clear of any homes with your absolute “Nopes!”- Perhaps near a noisy train track, ugh…
Aaron and I discuss tips and tricks when searching for that perfect dream home. What’s your Must-Have or Deal Breaker in a home? Comment below!
Myths about Credit Scores & Down Payment
There are so many real estate myths out there that Aaron and I are trying to debunk! I’m sure you’ve heard ’em all when it comes to what you will need to purchase a home- i.e a perfect credit score and no less than 20% down. Well that’s just not true…. Let us explain.
