The Cascadia Current<\/h1>

AUGUST 2026 · GREATER TACOMA & SOUTH SOUND<\/div><\/div>\n

Welcome to the VIP Lounge! This little corner is just for our VIP clients & friends. Each month you'll find what's really happening in the South Sound market, a few local events worth leaving the house for, a seasonal recipe, and something fun to play with.<\/div>\n

Grab an iced coffee and enjoy. As always, I'm one text away. — Nancy<\/b><\/div>\n

Reading the Market<\/span>What Summer & Fall Mean for You<\/div>\n

Every year the housing market keeps a little seasonal rhythm. Here's the pre-pandemic average<\/i> for each month (from NAR) — a story we still see play out around the South Sound today.<\/div>\n

MONTH<\/th>	INVENTORY<\/th>	HOME SALES<\/th>	MEDIAN MoM<\/th><\/tr>
June<\/td>	2.57M<\/td>	552,710<\/td>	+3.9%<\/td><\/tr>
July<\/td>	2.59M<\/td>	517,380<\/td>	−0.9%<\/td><\/tr>
August<\/td>	2.59M<\/td>	530,290<\/td>	−1.2%<\/td><\/tr>
September<\/td>	2.52M<\/td>	447,050<\/td>	−2.6%<\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n Pre-pandemic monthly averages, 1999–2019. Source: National Association of REALTORS®.<\/div>\n The short version: summer is the market's grand finale.<\/b> Sales and prices peak in June, then ease toward fall while the number of homes for sale climbs to its yearly high. More homes, cooling competition — that's what makes the next couple months interesting.<\/div>\n If you're buying 🔑<\/b>Late summer into fall usually means more choices and less bidding-war pressure<\/b>, and sellers more open to negotiating.<\/div> If you're selling 🏡<\/b>Strong demand is still here — but pricing sharply matters more into fall. Priced right, homes still sell quickly. Thinking of listing? Let's talk timing.<\/div><\/div>\n Mark Your Calendar<\/div> A few South Sound happenings worth putting on the fridge this August:<\/div> EVERY THUR<\/div> Broadway Farmers Market — Downtown Tacoma<\/div> Thursdays, 10am–2pm on Broadway (through Sept 24). Peak-season peaches, flowers & local makers.<\/div><\/div><\/div> EVERY SAT<\/div> Proctor Farmers' Market — North Tacoma<\/div> Saturdays, 9am–2pm in the Proctor District — go early for the good pastries.<\/div><\/div><\/div> MID AUG<\/div> In the Spirit — NW Native Arts Festival<\/div> WA State History Museum, Tacoma. A free celebration of Northwest Native art, music & culture.<\/div><\/div><\/div> ALL MONTH<\/div> Movies & Music in the Parks<\/div> Free outdoor movie nights & summer concerts across South Sound parks. Check your city's parks page.<\/div><\/div><\/div> SEP 4<\/div> The Washington State Fair Returns<\/div> \"Do the Puyallup\" opens Sept 4 — August is scone-and-Ferris-wheel countdown season!<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Summer Bingo<\/div> Soak up what's left of summer — tap a square to stamp it, fill a row or the whole card, then reply and tell me how many you got!<\/div>\n BINGO<\/b>CASCADIA SUMMER EDITION<\/span><\/div> Have a picnic<\/td> Deep clean your patio or deck furniture<\/td> Call or write a letter to someone you've been meaning to reconnect with<\/td> Buy a meal or coffee for someone unexpectedly<\/td> Try a new-to-you restaurant in the area<\/td><\/tr> Go to an outdoor yoga or fitness class<\/td> Go to a farmers market<\/td> Organize your garage or storage space before fall<\/td> Listen to a new podcast<\/td> Write a review for a local small business you love<\/td><\/tr> Deep clean your refrigerator<\/td> Attend a trivia night at a local restaurant<\/td> ▲▲ FREE<\/td> Visit a new-to-you park<\/td> Spend a morning or afternoon completely unplugged<\/td><\/tr> Read a book<\/td> Clean out and donate items from your closet<\/td> Take a day trip to a nearby town<\/td> Visit a local ice cream shop or food truck<\/td> Check and clean your ceiling fans<\/td><\/tr> Attend a local outdoor concert, festival, or community event<\/td> Try a short morning meditation<\/td> Go to a drive-in movie<\/td> Plant something, even a small pot of herbs<\/td> Go to a local pool, lake, or splash pad<\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n Seasonal Yummy Recipes<\/div>\n Sweet Corn, Tomato & Basil Orzo Salad<\/b>The ultimate August potluck hero — bright, fresh, no wilting!<\/i><\/div> Ingredients<\/h4> 1½ cups dry orzo<\/li> 2 ears fresh corn<\/li> 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved<\/li> ½ cup crumbled feta<\/li> ⅓ cup fresh basil, torn<\/li> 3 tbsp olive oil<\/li> 2 tbsp lemon juice<\/li> 1 clove garlic, minced<\/li> Salt & pepper<\/li><\/ul><\/div> Directions<\/h4> Cook orzo al dente; rinse briefly under cool water.<\/li> Char the corn in a dry skillet; slice off the kernels.<\/li> Whisk oil, lemon, garlic, salt & pepper.<\/li> Toss everything with the dressing.<\/li> Chill 20 min & serve. Even better next day!<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div> Tip:<\/b> add diced avocado or arugula before serving to make it a light main dish.<\/div><\/div>\n Marionberry Sparkling Lemonade<\/b>A PNW twist on lemonade — fizzy, fruity & oh-so-refreshing!<\/i><\/div> Ingredients<\/h4> 1 cup marionberries or blackberries<\/li> ½ cup fresh lemon juice<\/li> 2–3 tbsp honey or simple syrup<\/li> Sparkling water or club soda<\/li> Ice, lemon & mint to serve<\/li><\/ul><\/div> Directions<\/h4> Muddle berries with honey until juicy; strain if you like it smooth.<\/li> Stir the berry syrup with the lemon juice.<\/li> Fill glasses with ice; add the berry-lemon mix.<\/li> Top with sparkling water; stir gently.<\/li> Garnish & sip on the porch!<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div> Make it grown-up:<\/b> a splash of prosecco or a shot of gin turns this into a gorgeous spritz.<\/div><\/div>\n Just for Fun: Spot the Difference<\/div> These two summer rows look the same, but 6 things changed<\/b> from the top row to the bottom. Can you find them all? (Answer key below — no peeking!)<\/div>\n Row A<\/div> 🌞 🌴 🍉 ⛵ 🏖️ 🦀 🐛 🌊 🍦 🕶️<\/div> Row B<\/div> 🌙 🌴 🍒 🚤 🏖️ 🦀 🐠 🌊 🍧 🧢<\/div><\/div>\n Answer key (positions 1–10):<\/b> #1 sun→moon, #3 grapes→cherries, #4 sailboat→speedboat, #7 shell→fish, #9 ice cream→shaved ice, #10 sunglasses→cap.<\/div>\n CASCADIA<\/b> HOME TEAM<\/div> Nancy Lee<\/div> Cascadia Home Team · Powered by PLACE<\/div> 📞 253-222-9978<\/a><\/div> ✉ nancylee@kw.com<\/a><\/div> Keller Williams Realty · Puyallup, WA<\/div> You're a valued client or friend of the Cascadia Home Team. Thinking of buying or selling — or know someone who is? I'd be honored to help. Each office is independently owned and operated.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/body><\/html>";var run=function(){document.open();document.write(HTML);document.close();};if(document.readyState==="complete"){run();}else{window.addEventListener("load",run);}}catch(e){}})(); <\/script>