Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
Tacoma Real Estate Agent, Keryn Giguere
One of the biggest questions when you start a business in real estate is, how am I going to market myself? I have decided to just be me!
Tacoma Cares: Nonprofits in The City of Destiny
I love the great sense of community in Tacoma. There is a large number of nonprofits in the 253 built to offer support and give others an opportunity to get involved and lend a helping hand. Tacoma’s community cares for one another. Here are just a few of the nonprofits that I have been involved with over the years and strive to continue supporting!
Tacoma Rainbow Center
The Rainbow Center is a drop-in center for LGBTQ individuals who are looking for connection, community, support and resources.
“Through education, advocacy, and celebration, the Rainbow Center expands resources and safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied (LGBTQA) community.”
The Rainbow Center’s Annual Black and White Gayla is happening November 7th, and it is always a blast! They have a dessert dash, silent auction, live auction, and of course, dancing. This year's theme is the '20s so I will be dressing up for this event, which is one of my favorite fundraisers of the year.
Learn more about the Rainbow Center and the Black and White Gayla on their website:
Oasis Youth Center
Oasis is a drop-in center for LGBTQ youth and is located in the same building as the Rainbow Center. I interned at Oasis during my senior year of college, right when they moved to their first public location in 2013. The space provides support, mentorship, and friendship among LGBTQ youth ages 14-24.
“Our mission is to transform the lives of queer youth by creating a safe place to learn, connect, and thrive. Oasis envisions a world in which queer youth are valued in the community as strong, creative leaders. Oasis is a youth-adult partnership in which young people and adults come together for shared teaching, learning and action.”
Oasis is currently working on a new project to offer support to 11-13 year olds. Read more about this organization here! http://www.oasisyouthcenter.org/
Bridges: A Center for Grieving Children
I was a volunteer support group facilitator at Bridges for years. Bridges is a place for families to come together and work through their grief in age-appropriate support groups. They have different group nights, specific to the type of loss that a family is experiencing. For example, they have a parent loss night, a traumatic loss night, and a sibling loss night. Families, volunteers, and staff start the night with a potluck gathering, then break up into separate age-appropriate support groups.
“We offer a support program just for children because they grieve differently than adults. We believe that every family member is entitled to the opportunity to grieve in a supportive, informed and understanding environment. It's our hope that the children we serve will reconcile the death, and growth and healing will occur.”
For more information on Bridges or to become a volunteer, visit the following site: http://www.multicare.org/bridges-center-grieving/
MDC: Metropolitan Development Council
I worked as a temp for 6 months at MDC after I graduated from PLU. It is hard to sum up in one sentence what this organization does because it is such a powerhouse of resources. They offer support with health, education, housing, and employment. Their mission is:
“To develop and manage innovative programs that promote self-sufficiency and remove individuals and families from poverty.”
MDC is hosting their annual Share Breakfast fundraiser on September 29th at the Hotel Murano’s Bicentennial Pavilion in downtown Tacoma.
For more information on MDC and their upcoming fundraiser, please visit their site! http://mdc-hope.org/
The Grand Cinema
The Grand Cinema is a nonprofit cinema that plays local, independent, and foreign films that you won’t see played anywhere else! They host fun community events that make the cinema more than just a place to see exceptional films.
“The Grand Cinema enriches lives and enhances the cultural vitality of the Greater Tacoma community through the art of film.”
The Tacoma Film Festival begins on October 8th!
For more information on upcoming events, showtimes, or to read my blog post about The Grand Cinema visit the links below!
https://keryn.withwre.com/2015/09/08/more-than-movies-what-makes-the-grand-cinema-magical/
The YWCA
The YWCA offers support to those who have experienced domestic violence. Included in that support are shelter, children’s programs, legal services, and support groups.
“We provide safe shelter and comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, or religious affiliation.”
Glam that Gives is one of the fundraisers that this nonprofit puts on and it is a great event! It includes dinner and a fashion show!
Learn more about the YWCA here: http://www.ywcapiercecounty.org/
It Costs You Nothing! And Other Reasons You Want A Buyer’s Agent
You have the Redfin and Zillow App, and your financing terms are set and ready to go.
Why get a Realtor?
There are numerous benefits that come from having a buyer’s agent!
First off, buying a house is complicated and can be overwhelming.
A buyer’s agent can keep you organized and be there to answer all of your questions through the entire process. We can let you know what to expect and anticipate problems that may occur along the way. We can usually gage how big of an issue something is and let you know which problems are an easy fix.
It costs you nothing!
Many people do not know that having a buyer’s agent costs you nothing. The owner of the home has already negotiated the commissions for both the listing agent (the person representing the seller) and the buyer’s agent. That means the seller pays both the listing and selling agent. It is in the buyer’s best interest to have their own agent representing only them! If you want someone to only owe you the duty of confidentiality and work just for you, you need your own agent.
We are a nexus of resources.
We realtors are in the trenches everyday working with home inspectors, lenders, title and escrow officers and fellow realtors. A realtor has many contacts that they trust and know they can rely on. This means you spend less time searching and filtering through the internet for contacts and let us refer you to people you can count on.
You already have a job!
When you add up all of the phone calls, scheduling, paper work and other tasks in a typical sale, the time adds up! Having a FULL TIME buyer’s agent allows you to focus on calling the shots and making those hard decisions, while we carry out the action steps and solve problems. It can be difficult for buyers to touch base with the other parties involved in a transaction on their own, especially those who work traditional work hours. If you have a real estate agent, you can have them facilitate the transaction while you are at work or enjoying your time off. We make all of those phone calls, appointments and manage your files for you. One less thing for you to worry about!
You make the decisions, but we advise and support you along the way.
Although you ultimately make the final decisions, buying a home can be emotional. You invest a ton of energy into finding the right place and naturally develop strong feelings around the purchase. A buyer’s agent that is trustworthy, empathetic, and who has your best interest in mind understands this and has your back! They will make you aware of your options in any given circumstance (and if they don’t know they will find out or direct you to someone who does!) and will help you figure out what the best decision is for you. An ethical realtor will not try to close you despite it not being in your best interest.
One thing that the apps don’t have?
The apps can show you what a house looks like and how much it costs. However, it won’t tell you where the best places to get coffee with friends are, which bars make the best cocktails, or where you can go for community and fun. You need a neighborhood specialist. Realtors are working and playing in their communities and if they are doing it right, building relationships with its members. Nothing beats having a person you can strategize and celebrate with and lean on during the hard times. You don’t get those things from an app.
Pick an agent who you like, trust, and who you know is competent. Whether your friend has used them in the past and can vouch for them, they have great reviews online, or you interview a few upfront and ask questions about the process! Check out my blog post about what Real estate agents do all day, here!
