Tag Archives: boating

Adventure Begins at Home

After years of helping people buy and sell homes, I’ve noticed an interesting change in the conversations I’m having with buyers.

For many, the goal is no longer finding the biggest house or the most impressive address. Instead, they’re looking for a home that fits the way they actually live today. They want a property that’s comfortable, easy to care for, and leaves more time for family, travel, hobbies, and the activities they enjoy most.

That shift in priorities has been especially noticeable among empty nesters, retirees, and active couples. Many own an RV, spend weekends on the water, or enjoy exploring everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. They aren’t asking for more square footage—they’re asking for a home that supports their lifestyle instead of competing with it.

The features they ask about reflect those priorities:

  • One-level living
  • Updated kitchens and bathrooms
  • Less space to maintain
  • Parking for an RV or boat
  • Privacy without feeling isolated
  • Room for family and friends to visit
  • A peaceful setting that’s still close to shopping, dining, and everyday services

In today’s market, luxury often looks different than it did a generation ago. It’s less about owning more and more about enjoying your home without feeling tied to constant maintenance or unfinished projects. Buyers increasingly want a home that’s ready to enjoy the day they move in.

That’s one of the reasons I’m excited about my Fox Island, Washington listing:

Located on nearly an acre just minutes from the Fox Island Bridge, this thoughtfully updated 3-bdrm, 1.75-bath home offers the features many buyers are searching for today. The remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, bright open living spaces, and beautifully maintained grounds mean you can settle in and start enjoying the property right away instead of spending months on renovations.

If travel is part of your lifestyle, the generous RV parking with a 50-amp hookup is a standout feature. Whether you’re heading across Washington for the weekend, taking a longer trip across the country, or planning annual trips to warmer climates, you’ll have dedicated space for your RV, boat, or other recreational equipment when you return home.

The wraparound porch with spacious deck is a wonderful place to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, while the additional climate-controlled finished space provides flexibility for a home office, hobby room, workout area, or extra storage as your needs change over time.

One of my favorite aspects of this property is its location. Being a Fox Island resident myself, I may be biased, but most Fox Islanders will tell you that coming home is like going on vacation every day! Here, you can enjoy the quiet beauty and relaxed pace of the island while remaining just minutes from the everyday conveniences of Gig Harbor. That’s a combination many buyers hope to find but don’t always expect. (And from this particular home, you can walk to the Fox Island Store, Cutters Point Coffee, and Zogs Tap Room, an extra bonus!)

 

Interested? MLS Listing #2539287 is offered at $685,000 by Doug Lawrence and Better Properties Gig Harbor

The right home isn’t necessarily the largest one. More often, it’s the home that supports the life you want to live. When your house requires less of your time and attention, you have more freedom to spend that time with the people and pursuits you value most.

If you’ve been thinking about simplifying, downsizing, or finding a home that better reflects this season of your life, I’d be happy to help you explore your options. Whether it’s this Fox Island property or another home that’s a better fit for your goals, my job is to help you find a place that truly works for the way you live.

Adventure really does begin at home.

Doug Lawrence
Broker | Better Properties Gig Harbor
253.341.5287
douglaslawrence15@gmail.com
douglawrencerealestate.com

 

The Best Place in Washington to Retire

Welcome to the Best Place in Washington to Retire!

Gig Harbor is proud to enjoy the distinction of having been named first on a list of “Best Places to Retire in Washington,” according to a study released by financial technology company SmartAsset. Gig Harbor scored a whopping, state-high score of 87.60 on SmartAsset’s Best Place to Retire index, edging out Sequim (84.93) for the top spot. Not only that, SmartAsset’s recreation index also placed Gig Harbor at the top among Washington cities!I

What makes Gig Harbor such a great place to retire? The study cited, among other things, the benefits of Gig Harbor’s 12 percent tax rate, 11.5 doctor’s offices per 1,000 people, and 23.6 percent of the population at senior age.

But besides the facts and figures, the retirement lifestyle in The Maritime City offers all kinds of delightful opportunities.  Make new friends or meet up with old ones over coffee or a happy hour; both the Uptown area and the downtown waterfront offer multiple enjoyable options. Many Gig Harbor retirees also enjoy the all-ages, fitness-oriented environment at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA in Gig Harbor North, where they can take a walk indoors, make waves in a Silver Splash water aerobics class, or volunteer and become part of the fun and dynamic community. They can also join the Active Retirement & Senior Club of Gig Harbor, a membership-based organization offering a full slate of recreational and cultural activities.

Outdoor opportunities are plentiful, rain or shine, including “walking the harbor” (what locals call a stroll or jog on the waterfront) or the Cushman Trail, kayaking or paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and more. The arts are alive and well in Gig Harbor’s monthly Art Walk and the many local galleries and annual Art Festival.

Have a bit of the wanderlust? If you’re wanting to venture beyond Gig Harbor’s relative peace and quiet, opportunities for outings abound. The big city amenities of Seattle and Tacoma are not far away, nor is the unsurpassed beauty of coastal communities and mountainous national parks to the east and to the west. Whether your bent is concerts or camping, a delightful variety of entertainment and recreation options lie at your doorstep, and the time to enjoy them is . . . now!

Doug Lawrence is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams West  Sound in Gig Harbor. Give him a shout for all your buying, selling, and investment in real estate needs; he’s here to serve and make your transition to or within Gig Harbor (and the surrounding area) as smooth as possible! www.douglawrencerealestate.com

Visit the Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard

Recently we had friends from out of town stay at the The Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard, giving us an opportunity to see up-close-and-personal what a cool place it is!

A long-time fixture in the Gig Harbor community, the Marina dates back to the early 1900s. These days, however, it provides much more than simply boat moorage and repair. Today’s GH Marina is just as well-known as an event venue, training facility, and hospitality suite, and is a hub of daily activity on the waterfront.

Customers will find well-maintained docks and moorage slips, haul out and repair services, technology and vehicles to maintain every caliber of boat, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a up-to-date and responsive website for convenient payment and service requests (we always find a good website to be a big plus!). The Marina is also a sought-after event location, offering a gorgeous, covered, open-air venue (hello weddings, concerts, receptions; you name it!) as well as a beautifully-renovated apartment with two private decks overlooking the waterfront, available for booking through VRBO.

There are also boats available for booking as hospitality suites, including The Eagle, originally built for musician Steve Miller. Our friends stayed a few nights on The Eagle and it was fun to play Steve’s keyboard (original to the boat) and listen to his record albums (yes, real old vinyl) on the stereo. It was blast from the past and had us humming, “Fly like an eagle … to the sea . . . let my spirit carry me . . .” for days afterward!

Perhaps one of the most fun aspects of the Marina is the little red trolley car nestled on the lawn out front. It’s technically not affiliated but it’s certainly a fixture on the premises, and serves up delicious food for guests and passersby alike. You should check it out: stop by for some fish and chips or fish tacos or any of its other tasty offerings, and enjoy a “taste” of this iconic Gig Harbor gem!

(c) 2018 Doug Lawrence Real Estate. All Rights Reserved.

Doug Lawrence is a foodie, travel junkie, and 80s music fan who supports his adventures by working as a real estate broker based in Gig Harbor, Washington. Give him a shout if he can help you with your real estate buying, selling, or investment needs, not only in Gig Harbor, but anywhere around the world. http://www.douglawrencerealestate.com

 

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