washington state fair

The Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair) is the largest event held each year in the state of Washington. For us living in the Puyallup Valley, we get to enjoy it every year.  The Fair repeatedly ranks as one of the top 10 fairs in the United States. The Washington State Fair actually hosts 2 annual events: the 17 day large Fair event in September and the Spring Fair (smaller version) held 4 days every April.  Not only is the Western Washington Fair one of the biggest and best in the Nation, but during the off year, they offer many events that draw visitors from others areas of the state and region.

In the beginning, over 10 decades ago, the Puyallup community joined in order to start a “Valley Fair”. The Fair offered a place to show animals of all types and enjoy some entertainment. It was also a place to show crops which thrived in the valley’s rich land.  The land in Puyallup has always been very ripe for growing. The Fair attendance continued to increase every year.  As of right now, the Fair attendance reaches over 1 million visitors and sits on 160 acres of fun.  Their combined value (land and buildings) is estimated to be $54 million dollars.  Visitors of the fair come from all over the World.

We’ve put together a guide for the Washington State Fair. It’s very long and detailed.  Use the table of contents below to help you navigate the article.

Table of Contents:
• Fair History
• Camp Harmony
• Puyallup Fair name change
• Washington State Fair Rodeo
• Spring Fair
• Directions and parking
• Hotels by the Fair
• Ticket prices and discounts
• Weddings at the Fair
• Concerts
• Rides at the Fair
• Food at the Fair
• Conclusion

Fair History

The very first Puyallup Valley Fair was in the late 1900’s. The Fair was held from October 5 to October 8 on a vacant lot just west of Pioneer Park. It was started by L.A. (Lewis Alden ) Chamberlain. In 3 days, over 6,000 people visited the fair, netting a profit of $5.17. He was so excited by its success that he decided to make the Fair an annual event. The Admission price was $1 for your entire family, for all three days! At this time, It was focused mostly on agricultural and livestock. Chamberlain was the Fairs biggest promoter. The Valley Fair Association was formed in 1900.

The fair was about a 1/2 block area, surrounded by a 10-foot fence. An opening in the fence served as the main gate. It moved to its current location in 1901 and occupied 10-acres.

The fair was built up around the race track as judges prepared to call the race by ringing a school bell in the tower. Families came in long skirts, dress coats and fancy hats and brought food baskets to enjoy picnics on the lawn. The original grandstand was built in 1903.

Tacoma merchants even closed stores on Tacoma Day and much of the city came to the Puyallup Fair. In later years, the competition for attendance on Seattle and Tacoma Day’s became one of the fairs greatest advertising promotions.
Crowds would often gather to watch a bevy of beautiful bovines (Ox) parade through the grandstand at the 1908 Western Washington Fair. Horse racing in the old stadium was once the Fair’s primary draw of attendance. Log rolling was one of the grandstands biggest shows in 1910.

Scones made their debut in 1915 and even contained raisins. However, customers unfamiliar with this new food felt the raisins looked too much like dead flies. Raisins were later added only if requested. Other extremely popular attractions included trapeze performers, vaudeville acts, a full three-ring circus, and a hot air balloon that was a long time fair favorite. Crowds gasped and held their breath as aerial and high wire acts were performed on portable equipment. The 1912 Attendance was approximately 17,000.

And, back in the “concession” areas, by the early 1920’s, the Myers and Sales families had already begun creating their famous onion burgers. As you know the famous onion burgers continue to be a success even for the fair today. In 1920, a hamburger cost 10-cents.

One of the events at the Fair was Auto Polo. Cars (era 1910) would run into a rubber ball, hoping to push (bounce) their way to victory. Horse racing led the Fair activities from the very beginning. The fastest horses came from the Puyallup and Klickitat Indian tribes. Grabbing the attention of fairgoers was of prime importance in the 1920’s and was the reason for many wild and crazy stunts, like training bulls to jump cars. It is something we certainly wouldn’t do today.

Also extremely popular was the baby contests. Prizes were awarded for every imaginable category of baby, from reddest hair, to heaviest, most teeth, and of course, the prettiest baby.

Attendance in 1925 was 175,000.

In 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke in the grandstands. Tickets were distributed to the unemployed who were feeling the effects of the Great Depression.

The fairway was added in 1932 and the included attractions were a merry-go-round, roller coaster, Ferris wheels, and numerous other rides. The early photo of the “fairway,” was taken in the 1950’s.

The Puyallup fair was among the first carnivals or fairs in the country to have a “Kiddie Land” (rides specifically for children).

Attendance in the late 1930’s reached 400,000

The Puyallup Fair’s showpiece carousel, build in 1911, still offers magic to children of all ages. Originally steam powered and featuring a Wurlitzer band organ, it has been converted to electricity and uses tapes of the original music, though the original 44 prancing horses and two carriages are still in place.

At the entrance, grandstand seats were sold along with admission in the ’30’s, with a dozen or so windows to accommodate crowds. Reserved seats were 79 cents, tax included.

The Fair was halted from 1942-1945 due to World War II. The fairgrounds were hastily turned into a relocation center for Japanese-Americans becoming a temporary shelter for over 8,000 people. It was known as Camp Harmony. In May 1942, barbed wire fences surrounded the buildings and the fairway, search lights pointed towards the grandstand and guard towers were positioned where trapeze artists once cavorted. A extremely sad part of America’s history.

What a comeback! The 1946 fair was extended for nine days and nights, and they brought back the ever popular rodeo events. “People were hungry for entertainment and we provided it,” said one director. Attendance for the 1953 fair was at 346,000.

The Education building was added in 1953. The Grandstand was enlarged in 1954 to fit more customers. The sports and wildlife building was added in 1958.

By 1970, attendance was near ½ million.

“The Fair is burning.” The 1970’s opened with a jolt that changed the face of the fair enormously. The fairgrounds’ one and only major fire occurred early on Sunday morning, June 14, 1970. Flames brightened the sky over Puyallup that fateful night. Concessions and part of the grandstand were destroyed. Some contend it was set by an arsonist while others claim faulty electricity. No one has ever found out for sure. After the fire, it was Tent City! Colorful polka-dotted tents filled the grounds of the 1970 fair; replacing those building that had burned.

In 1979, the fair passed the million visitors mark.

Snake dancers or belly dancers – these performers keep their audience entranced as part of the free acts presented by the Special Events Department. In 1975, Special Events became a new area for the fair. Three stages were set up on the grounds to handle spontaneous shows, and free acts appeared right in the middle of the crowds. The free concerts, jugglers, poetry readings, western acts, and all the other performances are still a huge part of the fair’s entertainment philosophy.

“You can do it at a trot; you can do it at a gallop; you can do it real slow so your heart won’t palpitate” was created in 1976.

Magic lights and fireworks underscore the evening enchantment of Doin’ the Puyallup. Fair Rides in the 80’s became glitzier than before and were computerized.

In 1992, the Paulhamus Arena was added (25,000 square feet), the Blue Gate was redesigned, and the Showplace stage was added. Pathways were widened, and attendance reached 1.2 million visitors.

Something areas at the fair never change. You can always find these area’s at the fair each and every year. Here is where they can be found:

Camp Harmony

One of the worst events that ever happened to the fair and Puyallup was Camp Harmony. It was also known as the Puyallup Assembly Center. It was located at the Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair) and halted all fair activities while it was established (1942). The facility was setup to hold Japanese Americans during WWII. The population of Puyallup during this time was 7,500. The Camp nearly doubled Puyallup’s population as locals of Japanese descent from Washington to Alaska were sent to Camp Harmony. The Army was given the task by the President to evict the housing of 92,000 men, women, and children.

The “apartments” inside the camp were setup to give every individual 50 sq. ft. of space. Each had one window as well as a single electrical socket. They also had a wood stove. The facility was barb wired and the expected stay was 100 days. They would then be moved again to prison camps. Overall, it was a horrible time of injustice in American history.

In September 1946, the fair was back with its first opening since the war. Over the years, there have been Remembrance days to honor the residents who were confined at Camp Harmony.

Puyallup Fair Name Change

In 2006, the fair was officially referred to as the “Western Washington Fair”. But during that year, this name was dropped and changed to match the more common usage. The name of the fairground was changed to “The Puyallup Fair and Events Center”. Finally in 2012 the fair was named the Washington State Fair. The decision to change the name to the Washington State Fair took many years. The Board of Directors of the Fair hired firms, focus groups, and conducted market research before making the name change official. The name change also allowed the fair to attract bigger names for the concerts they put on each year.

Many residents in Puyallup still call it the Puyallup Fair, however. The locals have always known it by that name. It has a certain character and charisma not to mention history that simply isn’t going to go away.

Washington State Fair Rodeo

The Washington State Fair Rodeo in September welcomes all the top cowboys and cowgirls in the country to participate in the Rodeo and the Justin Boots Playoffs in September. The top athletes and stock come to compete for the largest purse in the Northwest. The top 24 competitors in each event come from around the country to put their all into winning their individual event so they move on to the National Finals Rodeo.

The Western Rodeo Parade and Cattle Drive is a fun family event that signals the beginning to the rodeo weekend at the Washington State Fairgrounds. The annual Cattle Drive starts at 10am and is a free hour long event that travels down Meridian Street in downtown. The Cattle drive is a non-motorized parade that includes equestrian drill teams, draft horse hitches, military marching bands, cowboys on horseback, and some amazing musical entertainment.

For evening Rodeo ticket holders, the Dancin’ in the Dirt parties take place following the Friday and Saturday evening rodeos. This super popular event is free to the evening ticket holders and guests. It is a fun way to let loose and dance in the dirt while listening to live performances by popular country musicians. This fun event also provides a meet and greet with the PRCA rodeo contestants.

There are seven main events at the Puyallup rodeo. Bull riding is considered the most dangerous and exciting rodeo events out of the lineup. A brave rider sits up on a 2,000lb bull and attempts to ride the massive beast for 8 seconds. Riders get disqualified if they get thrown off before 8 seconds or if they touch the bull or his equipment with his free hand.

The second event is the Bareback Riding event. In the pro rodeo circuit, this event is the most physically demanding. Much like the Bull Riding event, the rider must stay on a bucking horse for a full eight seconds. They only have a piece of leather rigging to hold onto when the horse is trying to buck them off their backs. This event provides edge of your seat action as the crowd waits in anticipation to see if the rider will stay on the full eight seconds.

Saddle Bronc Riding is an event that tests the balance, style and timing of the rider. The objective is for the rider to synchronize their spurring action with the bronc’s movements and to stay on the bucking bronco for eight seconds without touching the horse with his free hand. This event is based on the horse breaking skills of the original cowboy but has evolved into a highly stylized competition.

The Tie-down Roping event tests the rider’s quickness and accuracy with a lasso and their expertise as a horse rider. The purpose is to successfully lasso a calf running wildly around the arena. This is a timed event and the rider must catch a calf by throwing a rope around its neck, dismount from the horse and the restrain the calf. If the calf kicks free of the ties in under six seconds the rider receives “no time”.

Team roping is the only team event in the Pro Rodeo. This event is also known as heading and heeling. The team is made up of a header and a heeler and the goal is to work together to rope a steer. The header ropes the horns and the heeler ropes the heels. This event requires that the two team members to work in tandem with one another to rope the steer and when both have completed their separate tasks, the clock stops. This is another event that is based on the original technique used at ranches to capture and restrain a full-grown animal.

Barrel racing is another exciting timed event and is the only women’s event at the Puyallup Pro Rodeo. The rider and horse ride around three barrels in the shape of a cloverleaf pattern as quickly as possible. In barrel racing the fastest time wins so the rider must have very precise control over their horse when maneuvering around the barrels at such high speeds. The rider may tip the barrels or touch them but if the barrels actually get knocked over, then a five-second penalty is added to their total time. The clock stops when the rider completes the pattern.

The final event is the Steer Wrestling event. This event is considered one of the more dangerous events due to the fact that the rider has to wrestle the steer to the ground. A horse mounted rider chases a steer then jumps off the horse to attempt to wrestle the steer to the ground by twisting its horns. There are actually two people involved in this event. The steer wrestler is called the “Bulldogger” and there is another rider called a “hazer” that rides parallel to the steer to help keep the steer running in a straight line. The “bulldogger” must stop the steer and then wrestle it down to the ground until it is flat on its back and all four feet are pointed in the same direction.
The Washington State Fair Rodeo is a wild ride for people of all ages. The fair also offers deals and discounts when you buy a season pass or a family 4-pack.

Spring Fair

The Spring Fair is relatively new compared to the overall history of the Washington State Fair. The first Spring Fair was held in April in 1990 and has grown to become one of the most successful spring events in the Pacific Northwest. Considered one of the best ways to banish the winter blues in our lovely state, this fair offers so many fun and exciting ways to celebrate the arrival of warmer weather. This fair usually happens during mid-April and runs for 4 days at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup. Much like the hyped Fall Fair, the Spring Fair offers some delicious food, fun rides, free music and entertainment.

The Spring Fair also features fun family attractions. A fan favorite, the ever- exciting Dock Dogs, is where contestants enter their dogs in this longest distance jump contest. The dogs jump into a large portable swimming pool and the dog with the longest jump wins. The Northwest Living & Garden Exhibit located in the Sleep Train Showplex, not only features artistic garden displays for inspiration but also vendors that offer the best in nurseries, garden shops, landscapers, and clubs. There are also many events that are specifically geared towards children. Fun on the Farm is one of the most popular attractions for children at the fair. It features farm activities, agricultural displays, and adorable baby animals. The Kid Zone in the Pavilion is an entire building dedicated to fun learning activities for kids of all ages. The Kid Zone features the Kids can Cook Cooking Show, Creative Kids Exhibit, Master Gardener’s Activity Station, and FFA Agricultural Science Contest. Looking for more of an action packed event at the fair? The Motorsport Mayhem features tricked out monster trucks galore and a highly entertaining demolition derby.

One of the most unique aspects of the Spring Fair is the official Washington State Spring Fair mascot Quigley the Duck. Since his introduction in April 2014, fair goers have enjoyed the opportunity to takes pictures with the giant yellow duck and to share them on Twitter using #ItsDucky. Make sure to take your photo when you enter the fair through the Gold Gate.

The Spring Fair also offers free parking in official fair parking lots and runs from a Thursday until Sunday. You can buy tickets either at the gates or online on their website. The fair also has a lot of participation opportunities for both businesses and individuals. There are a lot of openings for vendors, sponsors, performers, and for employment.

Directions and Parking

The Washington State Fair is located at 110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371. If you’re traveling from Highway 512 or 167 you’ll take the Puyallup exit and there are fair signs that guide you to the event and areas to park. The fair is surrounded by parking lots owned by the fair. It doesn’t matter which side you come in from, there will be parking available. Free parking is available on the streets (if you come early) and all the homes in the area will sell you a parking spot on their lawn for a discounted rate all day. (Google Map)

Shuttles / Buses

During the fair, Pierce Transit offers direct rides to the fairgrounds. It cost $2 this year which is a pretty good deal. It’s located just out of the way so there is less traffic and free parking if you ride the Fair Express Bus. The South Hill Mall is a great location to jump on or you can take it from Lakewood or the Tacoma Mall as well. The Express Bus runs every 30 minutes.

Hotels by the Fair

Over the years, the places to stay in Puyallup have grown dramatically. If you want to stay very close to the fair (in walking distance) then you’ll want to stay at one of these hotels by the fair. These include:

Hampton Inn & Suites
1515 South Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371

Holiday Inn Express & Suites
812 South Hill Park Drive
Puyallup, WA 98373

Fairfield Inn & Suites
202 15th Ave. SW
Puyallup, WA 98371

Motel Puyallup
1412 S. Meridian Street
Puyallup, WA 98371

Ticket Prices and Discounts

The ticket prices for this year’s fair, 2016, is $12.50. You can often find a few dollars off in mailings or at the local Safeway by the fair. For students and seniors the price is $9.00. The Washington State Fair is FREE for kids under 5 years of age.

Weddings at the Fair

One thing that many people do not know about the fairgrounds is that it is a gorgeous, affordable and convenient place to get married. Due to its prime location in Puyallup and its proximity to both Seattle and Tacoma, the fairgrounds are not only close to hotels, attractions and a lot of wedding vendors but the Fair also offers a lot of amenities to make the process of getting married easier on couples. The Washington State Fair Events Center can accommodate both larger and smaller weddings.

There are four different venues to choose from depending on the size of your wedding. The Pavilion is an indoor venue that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. It is the largest venue on the grounds and it is located next to a picturesque water fountain and a unique antique merry-go-round. The Expo Hall is located right inside the Gold Gate on the Fairgrounds and is another large, open indoor space that accommodates up to 800 people. The Fair Farm is one of the favorites for couples who are getting married at the Washington State Fair. This gorgeous rustic barn is the perfect venue for couples looking for that elegant country affair and can accommodate up to 300 guests. As an add-on to the Fair Farm, couples can rent the Planting Patch as a lovely outdoor space for the ceremony. The smallest venue available for those more intimate weddings is the Fair View Club. This stylish indoor venue accommodates up 150 guests and has recently been remodeled. No matter what kind of wedding you are having, the fair has venues that fit all different types of couples and themes.

When couples book a venue with the Event Center, the rental includes a lot of perks for the couple. The venue will provide dining tables, standard chairs, standard pipe and drape and stage risers. There is also complimentary parking for guests along with lots of convenient parking nearby in case the complimentary lot gets full. In order to help keep your wedding running smoothly and to answer any questions that you might have, they provide an event attendant during your event. There is also a house microphone and sound system included along with up to ten hours of building use.

When looking for an elegant yet affordable wedding venue, look no further than Puyallup. The Event Center at the fairgrounds offers different venue sizes for different types of weddings. They offer everything from a rustic country themed wedding to an elegant, sophisticated affair along with excellent customer service in order to make your day run smoothly and efficiently. The fairgrounds offer gorgeous, scenic opportunities for photos and a beautiful setting to make your wedding the one to remember.

Concerts

Each year the Washington State Fair brings some of the biggest acts to our small town. They perform on the big grandstand inside the fair each year. Rain or shine you can expect to the see the show. The grandstand area has a capacity of 10,000. Your concert ticket price also includes free entry into the fair.

Reserved seating for concerts can be made online. Concert tickets include Washington State Fair gate admission which is a $12.50 value at this time. Tickets are required for children who are 2 years age and older. Rates can change from year to year so make sure you verify these numbers and information on their website.

If you want to watch concerts before the fair opens, you’ll want to watch them during the Concerts in the Park held at Pioneer Park – it’s free.

Fair E–Club

By joining the exclusive Fair E-Club you will get access to exclusive presale of concert tickets, letting you buy tickets before they are on sale to the public! Many of the concerts sell out fast so by signing up early you’ll get a jump start.

**Details about the 2016 Fair concerts.

2015 concerts at the Fair below:

Heart Concert 2015 fair

We already have news on the 2015 fair. Everyone just loves a really good “local finds success’’ story. Nancy and Ann Wilson, otherwise known as “Heart”, continue to extensively tour and play to houses that are packed everywhere they go. They will return home to the Puget Sound area this September. Last Monday afternoon, it was announced that Heart was the third 2015 Concert series show to be broadcasted by the Washington State Fair. There show will be at the fair’s stage on Tuesday Sept 15. Show’s kick- off will begin at 7:30. Party Pre-Show tickets are $32.50 but do not contain Fair gate or Concert admissions. At the party before the show, includes dinner, and drinks, plus activities and special prizes with Ann and Nancy Wilson.

“Weird Al” Yankovic Sept. 14 at 7:30 pm

Not many know that “Weird Al” Yankovic as a teen was an extremely shy, accordion – player. He got his start by sending homemade tapes to the “Dr. Demento Radio Show”. That was how he got his start to become one of the largest-selling comedy performers in history selling over 12 million. He is now in his 4th career decade, having earned 3 Grammys out of 14 nominations and countless other awards and tributes. He will be in concert at the Washington Fair on Sept. 14, 2015 starting at 7:30 pm. Weird All has been visiting our local fair for several years and it’s always a great time.

Keith Urban – Sept. 19, 2015 Monday 7:30pm

One of the music fields most exhilarating live performers, 4 times Grammy winner and judge on American Idol, Keith Urban, will bring his tour to the fair. Pre-Show Party tickets cost $32.50 but do not include Concert or Fair gate admission.

Born in Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand and named ‘Keith Lionel’ Urban in 1967 Keith, his parents and brother moved to Brisbane, Queensland. They then moved to Caboolture, one hour north of Brisbane. At a young age Urban started playing instruments, including the guitar, drums, bass guitar, keyboard, ganjo (6 string banjo), piano and sitar. Keith Urban is also a judge on the television show American Idol. It can be found on our local channel 13 Fox.
His musical career switched into high gear after he moved to Nashville in 1992. His first album in America was while he was a member of “The Ranch” in 1997, followed then by ever more hits with solo albums such as:

• Keith Urban 1999;
• Golden Road 2001;
• Be Here 2004;
• Love, Pain and the Wild Crazy Thing 2006;
• Defying Gravity 2009.

Other Events at the Fairgrounds
• Spring Fair 2016
• Sportsmen Show 2015
• Oktoberfest 2015

Hall of Fame

Last at the fair in 2013, Heart will come home as members of the most recent class inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Their recognition in Hall of Fame announces them as the first women to front for a hard rock band. They have been an encouragement to the female musicians everywhere who were once told that rocking was only for the boys. Information on when tickets go on sale will be posted as soon as possible.

Other concerts just announced for 2015 include:
Fifth Harmony and special guest Bea Miller. Wednesday, Sep 16 at 7:30pm, $28.00 – $55.00
Crystal Gayle & Lee Greenwood. Thursday, Sep 17 at 7:30pm, $28.00 – $45.00
Iggy Azalea and special guests Tinashe & Elijah Blake. Tuesday, Sep 22 at 7:30pm, $55.00 – $85.00
Duran Duran with special guest Chic featuring Nile Rodgers. Wednesday, Sep 23 at 7:30pm, $60.00 – $100.00
Kool & the Gang plus En Vogue. Friday, Sep 25 at 7:30pm, $35.00 – $60.00
Jason Derulo. Saturday, Sep 26 at 7:30pm, $40.00 – $65.00
Pitbull. Sunday, Sep 27 at 7:30pm, $70.00 – $110.00
Concert tickets can be found online and at the Fair Box Office.

Rides at the Fair

Each year is more exciting than the last. One of the main attractions of the fair is its rides. Washington State Fair rides are arguably one of the biggest perks of going to the fair. It brings out the “kid” in all of us.

Growing up in Puyallup, I remember all the great rides. As a young child it’s all that really matter to me. I couldn’t wait until 11am when the rides started to actually get turned on so I could have some real fun. We also got to the fair early so my Mother and Father could enjoy everything else the Fair offered – then it was my time. Unfortunately, my Father is no longer with me but it was one of my favorite moments with him. Being older now, I understand his frustration and will be forever grateful for his patience. He would literally wait for hours and hours in lines with me so I could get on the next ride. You just don’t appreciate it until you get older and understand it better.

The fair is an exciting time of year! We have listed some of the most popular rides so you can prepare yourself for all the fun you’re about to have. Let’s get started with all the Washington State Fair rides.

Merry-Go-Round
The Merry-Go-Round ride is the oldest ride at the fair. It’s been operating at the fair since 1923! If you’re a senior (62+), you can actually ride the Merry-Go-Round for FREE. This ride is a timeless antique so if you want a smooth ride give it a shot.

Classic White Wooden Roller Coaster
The wooden roller coaster has been one of the biggest attractions forever at the fair. In fact, people all over the nation come to ride the iconic ride. It’s been with the fair since 1935. The roller coaster has completed a 5 year renovation which will make sure the ride will continue operating the next 100 years. It’s one of 20 wooden roller coasters across the nation. This 55-foot ride is an amazing and popular ride.

Extreme Scream
Not for the faint of heart this ride will make grown men cry. You can see it from the freeway. It’s tall and will take you 20 stories in the air in a matter of seconds. As you stomach nearly leaves your body, you’ll hit nearly 3G’s.

Rainer Rush
This is the Washington State Fair’s newest roller coaster. It was started in 2013. If you’re ready to take on this ride, you’ll experience a 60 foot drop, prompt curves going 50 mph, while you hang on for the ride of your life. Not for the faint of heart but if you want to feel +5.8 gravity force, then take this ride head on and be ready to scream.

There you have it our top picks for rides at the Fair. We talk about more rides at the Puyallup fair here.

Food at the Washington State Fair

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to the food at the fair. Each year it continues to grow. We talk a lot about the fair food on Puyallup.com. My personal favorite is the scones and the corn dogs. The scones continue to be the best deal at the Fair each one is $1.50. If you buy a dozen, you also get a discount. Taffy is hard to find but still a great deal. You can get a bar of taffy for a $1 in a variety of flavors. Last year it was only .50 cents so it did go up this year (2016). As you can imagine most the fair food is expensive (it’s a fair!). I haven’t tried the deep fried exotic items yet but I have heard they are great. These include butter, snickers, and other food items. Pete’s BBQ is a pretty good deal as well. You can get a meal for about $8 dollars and while that may seem expensive if you compare the other options, you’ll agree. This year I saw big turkey legs and corn on the cob which looked delicious and worth trying. The best place to buy a can a soda is in the vending machines. They cost $1.50 as compared to $5 at booth so keep that in mind.

Conclusion

Growing up in downtown Puyallup and visiting the fair growing up has been a great experience. It’s one of the highlights of Puyallup and certainly its biggest attraction. The fairs history and legacy will forever be connected to the City of Puyallup. The shows, food, and activities are worth the trip. The fair has connected families made many kids hearts melt in excitement. Hope you enjoyed reading about the Washington State Fair and see you next year!

Welcome to our Puyallup real estate guide. We’ve worked hard to cover a lot of real estate information in this guide. As you know, Puyallup is a wonderful place to live. Having lived in Puyallup for 35 years, I really wouldn’t live anywhere else. There is a mixture of residents who have moved to Puyallup due to military or just enjoy experiencing all four seasons. I have lived downtown in the Valley by the Washington State Fair as well as the South Hill area on Shaw Road. Every year both areas continue to grow and the real estate market continues to appreciate in value. I sold my home just a few years ago and actually made a profit.

In the Puyallup Valley, homes offer the charm of downtown Puyallup with better access to freeways, parks, and schools. Valley living introduces you to a tight-knit downtown community with an old history and an alluring feel. You are only a walk or short drive away from the Fair, the summer Farmers Market, or the Public Library. Almost all the city activities happen downtown. Living in the Valley offers a throwback of ‘old time’ America that will pleasantly surprise you. The average home price in the downtown Puyallup Valley area is $302,500.

The South Hill area is a much busier area. It’s growing at a faster rate than downtown as well. You have access to much more businesses really close to each other. Just about every restaurant you can think of and a variety of big name grocery stores. You’ll also find the South Hill Mall as well for any type of shopping. With that being said, the traffic can be really bad so you’ll need to learn the back roads (like Shaw Road) quickly.

The Puyallup real estate market does move pretty fast – especially the good deals. Not only is it affordable, it’s a great location between Tacoma and Seattle.

Getting Started with Real Estate

When buying or selling a home, it can be quite a nerve racking endeavor. I can personally say that because I’ve purchased several homes in Puyallup. There are a lot of questions about homeownership, benefits, and tax saving options in this article. While researching a real estate property, you’ll need to learn about the local community, schools, and hope your neighbors are not trouble makers. In short, you are making the biggest purchasing decision of your life. Here is some information below to get you started when buying a piece of real estate in the City of Puyallup, Washington.

This guide is over 5,000 words so give yourself some time to read through it. We’ve added a table of contents to help navigate the article as well.

View all of our live real estate listings. Fill out this quick form below and an agent will provide you with a tailored list per your requirements.  Listings are sent directly to your inbox.

Use the links below to help navigate this article.

Table of Contents:
• Advantages of homeownership
• Having a home builds wealth over time
• Puyallup real estate market data
• Building equity every month
• Tax deduction benefits
• Making tax deductions on home equity lines
• Capital gains exclusion
• A mortgage can be considered a savings plan
• Renting is more expensive than long term buying
• Picking a real estate agent
• Best neighborhoods in Puyallup
• Some facts about homes in Puyallup
• Relocating to Puyallup
• First time buyers
• Buying real estate tips
• Selling your home tips
• Commuting
• Schools in the area
• Conclusion

Advantages to Homeownership in Puyallup

If you’re considering buying a home then you probably know there are a lot of advantages. Homeowners understand that a home builds wealth over time. They also understand that by having a home they can afford it will actually be financially beneficial especially around tax season! Below we are going to discuss those homeowner advantages.

Having a Home Builds Wealth over Time

Having a home has always been considered a point of “arrival” in ones’ professional life. Generations have accepted that having a home is as necessary as breathing or sleeping. We were taught early that homeownership is important. It gives you more freedom and provides more financial stability as we reach our retirement years. Since the real estate instability in recent years, some have stayed away from homeownership but perhaps haven’t the knowledge or resources to understand the “new market” of homeownership that has emerged today. Being able to afford your new home and not over purchasing is something that most should deeply consider. There are plenty of options out there, and with patience, your dream Puyallup home can be obtained with all the needs that you desire.

Puyallup Real Estate Market Data

As you continue to read this article, we’ll cover more data about the real estate market. In Puyallup, however, the median home price is $256,719. The city averages a cost per sq. ft. of $144. The appreciating in real estate averages 3% per year and that continues to increase. It’s not uncommon to find homes for sale with plenty of land attached as well. This was once a farmer’s town. Over the years, as more people come here, land is become harder to find with properties. Crime data is low considering areas like Tacoma. I have personally found no problems nor have I ever felt fearful living in Puyallup. My neighbors have all been friendly and helpful. The city does have photo traffic lights in some areas as well of speeding traffic lights. The Puyallup police department is active as it relates to the busy bar scenes downtown in the Valley as well as the South Hill area. 76% of the local residents are couple homeowners and 27% are single homeowners. The median household income is $64,104 annually. 30% are college educated.

Building Equity Every Month

Equity in your home is basically the amount of money you can sell your home minus the money you still owe on payments. As each month passes, you make a mortgage payment which in essence reduces the amount that you owe on the house. As the reduction continues, your equity grows. With the new Qualified Mortgage rules that have been implemented in recent past, you are more than ever protected from sketchy mortgage loans. On top of that, you will see a pattern of low payments in the beginning of your payments and small increases in payments as years go by; lowest on the first year and highest on the last. So, your equity grows as the years go by.

Tax Deduction Benefits of Real Estate Ownership

There are so many tax deductions with owning real estate. Below you’ll find some of the most popular tax benefits.

– Mortgage Deductions: Tax codes allow homeowners to deduct the mortgage interest from their tax requirements. Since the interest rates on mortgage payments can be quite high in the beginning of homeownership this deduction can be very helpful and a huge relief.

– Closing Cost Deductions: Within your first year of buying a home, you are able to claim origination fees on your loan, regardless if they are by you or the seller. These savings can be quite high as origination fees are about one percent or more.

– Property Tax. There are real estate property taxes that cover a primary residence and vacation home which are completely deductible for income tax purposes.

Making Tax Deductions on Home Equity Lines

On top of your mortgage interest, deducting the interest you pay on a home equity loan or any other line of credit is possible. That being, you are able to shift your credit card debts to your home equity loan, pay a lower interest rate rather than be obligated to pay extortionate credit interest rates. Why not lower your separate interest rates collectively? Having equity in your home is a huge advantage.

Capital Gains Exclusion

Should your new home be a primary residence for more than two years you can qualify for the Capital Gains Exclusion. Meaning, when you sell, you can keep profits up to $250,000 if you are single, $500,000 if you are married, and not owe any capital gains taxes. This might sound ridiculous that your house could be worth more, after the recent dips in house pricing. However, should you have a house purchased prior to 2003, more than likely it has increased in value and this tax benefit is most welcome and helpful.

A Mortgage Can be Considered a Savings Plan

Each payment you make on your home each month, you reduce the principle and increase your equity. Literally, you are being forced to save which is a very good thing. Saving money without a home can really be a challenge for most people. It’s easy to spend money and not save anything. Having real estate forces you to save and build equity. You’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to retire and you don’t have a mortgage payment anymore.

Renting is More Expensive than Long Term Buying

Ok, so this is always the question – Renting or Buying? In the beginning you will find that it is in fact cheaper to rent. However, over time as the interest portion of your mortgage payment decreases, the interest will be lower than the rent you would have been paying. Also, another way to look at it is the payments, though in the beginning maybe high, are going to directly buy your home and not just pay for your rent. The payments go to your home not to a landlord or someone or someplace else.

Picking a Real Estate Agent

For anyone looking to buy a home, the market is super hot right now! The real estate market is starting to heat up and get competitive and if you are looking to buy or sell, the right agent can make a difference between you finding your dream home or missing out. Building a good relationship with an agent is a key component to the buying and selling process. But what is the best way to go about building that relationship and that trust? How do you find the right agent for you and your needs? There are certain steps you can take in order to find the perfect agent to help you on this real estate journey.

The first step when hiring an agent is getting feedback and recommendations from previous clients or from friends and family. This can really help boost the trust between you and an agent. The best way to find these clients is to ask the agent to provide a list of homes that they have sold and listed in the past year with contact information for the buyers and sellers. Ask the permission of the agent to contact past clients and ask the agent if there is anyone that he or she thinks would give a positive review or a negative review. Get the agent’s reasons for why they worked well with certain clients and not well with others. When speaking with previous clients, ask them what they liked about the agent and what they didn’t. Make sure to find out what the listing price was of the home they purchased and what the sale price was after the transaction was completed. From the list of homes that have been sold and listed, you can determine the overall success rate of the agent as well.

Another crucial preliminary step when looking for an agent is to make sure to find one who understands where you are in life. A couple with a baby on the way has different needs than a single individual. For example, with a couple that has a baby on the way, it makes sense to work with an agent that maybe has children and understands what to look for when it comes to a new home and a neighborhood. Understanding a purchase timeline helps as well. Your agent should know when you’re moving to the area. Certain aspects of home can make it difficult with a newborn and the new parents won’t understand that until they have an agent that can point out potential issues. Certain layouts are designed to be more family friendly. The needs and wants for an individual can vary but working with an agent that was once in the same position will help highlight what would be the best investment choice for your money.

A background check into the agent can provide key details regarding their credentials. Look up licensing with the state board to see the license of the agent and if there are any disciplinary actions against that agent. Also looking into the credentials of the real estate agent is a good idea to see if they specialize in specific areas of real estate. Look for certain acronyms like CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist). The CRS credential means an agent has completed additional education in residential real estate, ABR means that the agent has completed training in representing buyers in a transaction and SRES means that they have completed training that is aimed at helping buyers and sellers in the 50 and over age range. There is also a distinction between a relator who refers to themselves as a “Realtor” versus a “realtor”. If they use the term “Realtor” then that means they are member of the National Association of Realtors. Members are required to uphold certain code of ethics and standards when it comes to selling and listing homes.

There are a few crucial questions that you should be asking a potential real estate agent when trying to find one that will be the best fit for you. Two of those key questions is finding out what geographical areas and the types of properties that the agent handles. Certain neighborhoods have certain idiosyncrasies that are important for an agent to know when helping their client to navigate buying or listing a home in that area. For example, certain older cities have homes with historical value and the city might restrict certain additions or updates to that home. Moving out of a city and into the suburbs or vice versus can present their own challenges. People looking to start families have different needs and wants when it comes to a neighborhood and finding an agent that has that particular type of expertise can help you find the home of your dreams.

Another important question to ask the agent is how long they have been in business. In the real estate business, experience is everything. More experienced agents not only understand the ins and outs of the market but they have also had the time to build a valuable network within the real estate community that you could benefit from when buying or selling a home. Some agents are only part time and some are full time. The part time agents usually sell or list properties for friends and family whereas the full time agent have created a business and a career out of buying and selling homes. Make sure to check and see if they are part time or full time and decide which works better for you. Most people find that a full time agent is more motivated and has better connections that a part time agent.

When looking for a real estate agent, it is important to be as thorough as possible with your research. A home is one of the most important investments that an individual can make and the agent is the main facilitator in that transaction. There are plenty of real estate agents operating in the Puyallup area so get recommendations and ask questions to find the person that will best fit your needs.

Best Neighborhoods in Puyallup

Here are some of the most desirable Puyallup home neighborhoods below. There are a lot of great neighborhoods and I really can’t keep track of them all. New developments and communities are popping up all the time.

Rodesco is a highly coveted and family friendly neighborhood in Puyallup. There are spacious homes on large lots that feed into great schools. The average listing price of a home is $509,814. Homes located on Rodesco’s ridge have views that overlook the Orting Valley and Mt. Rainer. Rodesco is a tight knight community that promotes safety and living well.

Crystal Ridge is not far from the coveted area of Rodesco, making it another very desirable place to live with many of the same draws. Crystal Ridge is a fresh, clean, and well maintained neighborhood. It is family friendly, and offers mid ranged priced homes starting at $200,000 to luxury homes upwards of $900,000. Crystal Ridge is close to great schools, shopping, and restaurants. Additionally, its location allows easy access to both downtown and South Hill Puyallup.

Sunrise is a large development located on South Hill. It is a safe and extremely family friendly community that can offer something for all looking to find a home in Puyallup. There are many homes for sale in this area that are a steal. The development is surrounded by a stretch of paved sidewalk that is enjoyed by bikers, runners, and strollers. This area is probably growing at the highest rate. Parks are situated throughout the development and a community club house is available for use. Sunrise offers a range of homes that will suite a first time buyer budget to a dream home with a beautiful view of the valley and mountain. It is extremely close to the new Sunrise Village, which offers restaurants, yoga, local coffee shops, and other stores. Listing prices in this large community range from $180,000-$800,000. The negative is that it is pretty far from downtown Puyallup.

North Hill real estate offers spacious homes on large lots. North Hill is a great location to gain privacy, yet still have easy access to the freeway. Residing in North Hill will give you the benefit of enjoying both the amenities of downtown Puyallup and Federal way. North Hill is a quiet and beautiful area that allows the best of both worlds. If you work in Seattle and want a faster commute then this is the place to be.

Manorwood is a development located in South Hill that offers a safe, family friendly, and community feel to those who live there. Homes are in walking distance to local elementary and junior high schools as well as community parks. Manorwood is an older development in the community, and has withstood the test of time, as it is still a very desirable location for families to settle down. Home prices range from the upper $200,000’s-$600,000’s.
If I was to purchase a home today I would live in one of these areas below.

Some Facts about Homes in Puyallup

The graph below is put together with the help of the United States Census Bureau (2013). As you can see the population and homeownership in Puyallup only continues to rise in the area. People continue to learn more about this charming city and are relocating here to live.

Relocating to Puyallup, Washington

The City of Puyallup, as noted in the graph above, only continues to rise each year with new residents. People from all over the country come to live in Puyallup due to its central location. It’s located between Tacoma and Seattle Washington which are two of the most popular cities in Washington State. Many people relocate here due to its entertainment and its location is very popular. The military base is located in Tacoma so many residents are relocated due to military requirements as well. The real estate is more affordable as compared in the surround areas. The town is growing at a very fast rate. Just about anything you need or want is located, in most cases, only a few blocks away. When it comes to shopping, entertainment, automotive repair, physicians, and others there are so many choices available plus they all are very close to everyone in the area. Very little driving is required. You’ll never be bored with everything to do in Puyallup. If you do, there is always Tacoma or Seattle.

First Time Buyers

Buying real estate for the first time can be an intimidating process. There are several steps you can take to prepare yourself to make home-buying an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

First, you should know what you want in a home purchase. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? What are you willing to sacrifice in a home and what are you not? It is helpful to set some expectations, but be aware you probably won’t get everything on your wish list. Have a game plan, but be flexible! Write these must have items down so when your agent runs a real estate listing report, it can be more specific to what you want exactly.

Second, get pre-approved for a loan right away. It is never fun to find a dream home only to learn it is outside of your budget. Be realistic about your finances and think about other costly occurrences like house fix ups and unforeseen expenses.

Third, research and find an experienced and qualified real estate agent. Each realtor has their own style, so make sure you find one that matches your personality and needs. Talk to others who have worked with them before and look at their reviews online. A great realtor makes for a better home buying experience. Plus, if you find one you like, you can use them again and recommend them to friends. Everybody wins. Different agents have different jobs. Listing agents assist in valuing and properly pricing your home, suggesting repairs and improvements, marketing your home, negotiations, and finalizing contracts. A buyers’ agent helps you find a property, help you make an offer and negotiate, and follow up with contract details. Real estate agents often specialize in different agent roles, but can server in either roles, or sometimes both under dual agency.

Lastly, take care of your new home! This might seem like a simple idea, but it is important one to remember. Regularly maintain your home and keep it in good shape. Be a proud homeowner. Someday you might want to make a return on your investment.

Buying Real Estate Tips

1. Don’t buy based on emotion. Although it is natural to picture what your life will be like in your new home, it is important to stay level-headed through the searching and buying process. Make sure to follow economical decisions and not fall in love with a kitchen ignoring other problems in a home.

2. Research the neighborhood. Maybe even go on a walk through it to see what it’s like. Is the area primarily old or young residents? Are people friendly or is there no one in sight? These are good questions to inquire about! I have found the people here to be extremely friendly and helpful.

3. Think long term and re-sale value. A house is an investment, thinking about re-sale value is important in a home purchase. You don’t want to get short changed in the end. The re-sale value in Puyallup is very strong.

4. See beyond the staging. Staging helps you view the property as a home and not just a house. Good staging can be deceiving too. Try to picture your own belongings in the home.

5. Know the Pros and Cons of buying a new versus old home. Old homes have a lot of charm, but often come with upkeep and repairs. There are a lot of older homes in Puyallup for sure and they generally have a fair amount of land with it. New homes tend to be pricier, but have fewer fixes. It is important to know how to navigate both situations. Which would you prefer?

Selling Your Home Tips

1. Price your Puyallup home to sell. You may think your home is invaluable, but people come in with budgets. Don’t make your property stale by overpricing. You can be aggressive, but don’t be unreasonable.

2. Small upgrades are most likely necessary to sell fast. You may love your bright purple bathroom, but you need a home people can envision living in. Neutrals are the safe way to go when updating your home. The kitchen is also a selling point that needs to be inviting and attractive. People are extremely visual and you only have one chance to make a good first impression.

3. Clear the clutter. Your house needs to be in showing conditions at all times. This might take a little more effort on your part to vacuum and sweep more often, but it will be worth it when the right buyer comes through the door. If you have children, make sure their toys and rooms are clean. Buyers want to see themselves in your space forever and they certainly don’t want clutter.

Commuting in the area

One of the most important decisions when purchasing a piece of real estate is your commute. How long is it going to take you to get to work in the morning?

Puyallup is connected very well and a great location for commuting. It is located 10 miles southeast of Tacoma, just a short drive or bus ride away. For individuals that work between Puyallup and Seattle the Sounder Train is an excellent way to commute. It’s clean and really reliable. Seattle traffic can be dreadful. You don’t want to be driving back home to Puyallup from Seattle. It’s a mess and it will take you hours. The traffic isn’t that bad driving to Seattle in the morning but you certainly will face some. Taking the Sounder train from Puyallup is a great alternative to sitting in the daily grind of traffic. The Sounder travels between Lakewood and Seattle, making stops in South Tacoma, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila. You can buy a ticket for a day trip, or buy an Orca pass for ease if you use the train frequently to commute. Taking the Sounder will take a lot of time off your commute (compared to driving). Think of all the ways you can use that extra time to decorate your new home! 95% of the Puyallup residents here commute by car while 3% commute by public transportation.

The Pierce Transit system is another option to plan your commute. The Transit offers the bus, vanpool, and Para-transit. The bus has many daily routes that can take you around the South Puget Sound area at an affordable rate. The vanpool is a great way to save money and be environmentally friendly. The vanpool provides vans for groups ranging from 5-15 people for their commute within Pierce County. You can join a vanpool that already exists or start your own! The Para-transit is a shuttle service for people who are unable to ride Pierce Transit because of a disability.

So whether you are community up to Seattle, staying in Pierce County, or somewhere in between, there is a service available to get you where you need to be!

Schools in the Area

If you have children who will be enrolled in public education then you should know about the local School District. The Puyallup School District is the eighth largest district in the state of Washington. Serving a population of approximately 122,806 residents, the district is a very active part of the community. Located six miles east of Tacoma and 30 miles south of Seattle, schools are located in a suburb of nearby larger cities. In short, if you by a home anywhere in Puyallup a public school will be very close to you. The school buses pickup every couple blocks but you should investigate this while looking for a home.

The district has 21 elementary schools, seven junior high schools, three comprehensive senior high schools, and an alternative school, all of which serve more than 22,250 students. The district is one of the oldest created in the state in 1854.

The Puyallup school district takes pride in its strong arts programs, athletics, and academics. Advanced Placement courses are offered at a number of high schools, and allow high school students the opportunity to earn college credit in high school. Schools offer programs and services to students’ at all different academic and social levels. There are ample opportunities to excel and resources available for extra support.

Puyallup schools have a great reputation, and many families chose to settle down in the area because of them. Puyallup schools are a great place to foster a comprehensive and well rounded education.

A few anticipated yearly district events include:

• Annual District Elementary Track Meet
• 9th Grade Dance
• Daffodil Parade
• High School Musicals
• District wide honor band and choir
• High School Sporting Events
• Commencement
• Junior High District Wide Track Meet
• King of the Hill Football Game

In addition, I went through the Puyallup School District and have no complaints. It was a great experience for me personally growing up. It was always easy to jump on the bus in the morning from my house.

Conclusion

Puyallup is a great place to live. If you are single, a young couple, a family, looking to retire, or somewhere in-between, the Puyallup community has something to offer you. With that being said, the city is very popular when it comes to finding real estate to own. In short, the home search process can be very competitive. The Pacific Northwest is a special place to reside and more and more are figuring this out. It’s surrounded by lush greenery, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Rainer, the beauty in this part of the country is amazing and it is no surprise that people are looking to settle down in the region. Puyallup is a safe, convenient, and affordable location to do just that. It is near events and amenities that big city life offers, at a fraction of the price. Puyallup is a great place to buy real estate. Considering all the things we discussed in this article, you can feel confident in your homes resell value. Even if you need a few months before buying, houses, condos, and apartments are on the market for rent at reasonable prices. With great schools, accessibility to larger cities, easy commuting, affordability, and a safe environment, real estate in Puyallup is most certainly worth investigating.

Local Links:
www.cityofpuyallup.org
www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/pages/Puyallup_School_District
www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Guide/Puyallup-Station
www.zillow.com/puyallup-wa/
www.trulia.com/WA/Puyallup/

Looking for a Puyallup home?  Fill out the form below and a local real estate agent will provide you with a full list of homes to look at locally.

Advantages to Homeownership in Puyallup

When buying or selling a home in puyallup for the first time it can be quite a nerve racking endeavor. There are a lot of questions about homeownership, benefits, and tax saving options. Here is some information below to get your started when buying. We do recommend reaching out to a Puyallup real estate professional. Right now is a great time to view all our listings in Puyallup.

Here we are going to give you a short run down of what having a home is all about and that having a home that you can afford will actually be financially beneficial especially around tax season!

Want more real estate information about the Puyallup, WA area then make sure to check out our Ultimate Puyallup Real Estate Guide.

Having a home builds wealth over time?

Having a home has always been considered a point of “arrival” in ones’ professional life. Generations have accepted that having a home is as necessary as breathing or sleeping. Since the real estate instability in recent years, some have stayed away from homeownership but perhaps haven’t knowledge or resources to understand the “new market” of homeownership that has emerged. Being able to afford the home and not over purchase is something that most should deeply consider. There are plenty of options out there, and with patience, your dream Puyallup home can be obtained with all the needs that you desire.

Building Equity Every Month

Equity in your home is the basically the amount of money you can sell your home minus the money you still owe on payments. As each month passes, you make a mortgage payment which in essence reduces the amount that you owe on the house. As the reduction continues, your equity grows. With the new Qualified Mortgage rules that have been implemented in recent past, you are more than ever protected from sketchy mortgage loans. On top of that, you will see a pattern of low payments in the beginning of your payments and small increases in payments as years go by; lowest on the first year and highest on the last. So, your equity grows as the years go by.

Tax Deduction Benefits

– Mortgage Deductions: Tax codes allow homeowners to deduct the mortgage interest from their tax requirements. Since the interest rates on mortgage payments can be quite high in the beginning of homeownership this deduction can be very helpful and a huge relief.

– Closing Cost Deductions: Within your first year of buying a home, you are able to claim origination fees on your loan, regardless if they are by you or the seller. These savings can be quite high as origination fees are about one percent or more.

– Property Tax. There are real estate property taxes that cover a primary residence and vacation home which are completely deductible for income tax purposes.

Making Tax Deductions on Home Equity Lines

On top of your mortgage interest, deducting the interest you pay on a home equity loan or any other line of credit is possible. That being, you are able to shift your credit card debts to your home equity loan, pay a lower interest rate rather than be obligated to pay extortionate credit interest rates. Why not lower your separate interest rates collectively?

Capital Gains Exclusion

Should your new home be a primary residence for more than two years you can qualify for the Capital Gains Exclusion. Meaning, when you sell, you can keep profits up to $250,000 if you are single, $500,000 if you are married, and not owe any capital gains taxes. This might sound ridiculous that your house could be worth more, after the recent dips in house pricing. However, should you have a house purchased prior to 2003, more than likely it has increased in value and this tax benefit is most welcome and helpful.

A mortgage can be considered a Savings Plan

Each payment you make on your home each month, you reduce the principle and increase your equity. Literally, you are being forced to save which is a very good thing.

Renting is more expensive than long term buying

Ok, so this is always the question. Renting or Buying? In the beginning you will find that it is in fact cheaper to rent. However, over time as the interest portion of your mortgage payment decreases, the interest will be lower than the rent you would have been paying. Also, another way to look at it, is the payments, though in the beginning maybe high, are going to buy your home and not just paid for rent. The payments go to your home not to a landlord or someone or someplace else.

Looking for the best places in Puyallup to live? Here are some of the most desirable Puyallup home neighborhoods below:

Puyallup Valley homes offer the charm of downtown Puyallup with easy access to freeways, restaurants, parks, and schools. Puyallup Valley living introduces you to a tight knight downtown community with an old history and an alluring feel. You are only a walk or short drive away from the fair, the summer farmers market, or the library. Living in the valley offers a throwback of ‘old time’ America that will pleasantly surprise you. The average home price in the valley is $302,500.

Rodesco is a highly coveted and family friendly neighborhood in Puyallup. There are spacious homes on large lots that feed into great schools. The average listing price of a home is $509,814. Homes located on Rodesco’s ridge have views that overlook the Orting Valley and Mt. Rainer. Rodesco is a tight knight community that promotes safety and living well.

Crystal Ridge is not far from the coveted area of Rodesco, making it another very desirable place to live with many of the same draws. Crystal Ridge is a fresh, clean, and well maintained neighborhood. It is family friendly, and offers mid ranged priced homes starting at $200,000 to luxury homes upwards of $900,000. Crystal Ridge is close to great schools, shopping, and restaurants. Additionally, its location allows easy access to both downtown and South Hill Puyallup.

Sunrise is a large development located on South Hill. It is a safe and extremely family friendly community that can offer something for all looking to find a home in Puyallup. The development is surrounded by a stretch of paved sidewalk that is enjoyed by bikers, runners, and strollers. Parks are situated throughout the development, and a community club house is available for use. Sunrise offers a range of homes that will suite a first time buyer budget to a dream home with a beautiful view of the valley and mountain. It is extremely close to the new Sunrise Village, which offers restaurants, yoga, local coffee shops, and other stores. Listing prices in this large community range from $180,000-$800,000.

North Hill real estate offers spacious homes on large lots. North Hill is a great location to gain privacy, yet still have easy access to the freeway. Residing in North Hill will give you the benefit of enjoying both the amenities of downtown Puyallup and Federal way. North Hill is a quiet and beautiful area that allows the best of both worlds.

Manorwood is a development located in South Hill that offers a safe, family friendly, and community feel to those who live there. Homes are in walking distance to local elementary and junior high schools as well as community parks. Manorwood is an older development in the community, and has withstood the test of time, as it is still a very desirable location for families to settle down. Home prices range from the upper $200,000’s-$600,000’s.

Some facts about homes in Puyallup:
The graph below is put together with the help of the United States Census Bureau (2013). As you can see the population and homeownership in Puyallup only continues to rise in the area.

Relocating to Puyallup, Washington
The City of Puyallup, Washington as noted above only continues to rise each year with new residents. People from all over the country come to live in Puyallup due to it’s central location. It’s located between Tacoma and Seattle Washington which are two of the most popular cities in Washington State. Relocation here due to its entertainment and location is very popular. The military base is located in Tacoma so many residents are relocated due to military requirements. The town is growing at a very quick rate. Just about anything you need or want is located, in most cases, only a few blocks away. When it comes to shopping, entertainment, automotive repair, physicians, ect there are so many choices available and very close to everyone in the area. You’ll never be bored with everything to do in Puyallup.
Schools in the area:

The Puyallup School District is the 8th largest in the state and serves approximately 123,000 residents. Between the 22 schools in the area, we have over 22,250 students and 3,400 staff members employed. The Puyallup School District is one of the oldest created in the state in 1854.

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