Selling Your Gig Harbor Home. Let's Do This Right.
Slinging houses since 2009. Hundreds of transactions. One broker who shows up in person, tells you the truth, and gets you to the closing table without the drama. Below is exactly what to expect at every stage, no filler, no guesswork.
Putting Your Home in Front of the Right Buyers.
Listing your home in the MLS is the starting point, not the strategy. What happens after that is what separates a good result from a great one.
- Professional photography and HD video walkthrough on every listing
- Google-optimized listing pages and paid digital advertising
- Targeted, paid Facebook campaigns
- Print advertising and mailers, created with your input
- Email outreach to Gig Harbor agents and active buyer databases
- Brokers Open before the first public weekend to build early agent buzz
- Hawkins-Poe brokerage network exposure across the South Sound
- Showings coordinated seven days a week, calls returned same day
- Regular MLS comparison reviews to keep your listing competitive
Digital Marketing Certifications
Stacia holds multiple certifications in digital marketing, a field she started exploring as a personal interest long before most brokers took it seriously. She's just as skilled with the traditional strategies that still deliver results. The result is a marketing system most listings never get. Digital and traditional strategy work together from day one: your home gets seen by the right buyers, shown at its best, and priced to compete.
Talk to Stacia About MarketingHow Selling Your Gig Harbor Home Actually Works.
Selling a home is not a single moment. It's a process with distinct phases, and each one matters. Here's an honest look at what we do together, from the first conversation through the day you hand over the keys.
The full listing checklist runs close to 200 items. You don't need to track them. That's my job. But you should know they exist, so open the checklist under any step to see the major ones.
Before We Go to Market: The Prep Phase
This is the phase most sellers underestimate, and it's where a lot of deals are won or lost before the sign ever goes in the yard. Before recommending a listing price or launch date, Stacia walks through your home with fresh eyes, the way a buyer will. What stands out, what needs attention, what's going to stop someone cold in a good way.
From there, a strategic preparation plan gets built. Not a renovation project. Sometimes it's decluttering and a deep clean. Sometimes it's paint, landscaping, or targeted repairs that return more than they cost. The guidance is honest: what's worth doing and what isn't.
See the checklist
- Research every comparable home currently for sale
- Pull 18 months of sales activity from NWMLS and public records
- Walk the home the way a buyer will and note what helps and what hurts
- Build a prep plan that separates what's worth doing from what isn't
The Listing Appointment: Where We Make the Plan Official
At the listing appointment, Stacia comes prepared. You'll get a full overview of current Gig Harbor market conditions, a clear pricing recommendation with the data to back it up, and a detailed walkthrough of the marketing approach, so you know exactly how your home will be positioned.
The listing agreement gets reviewed together, section by section, in plain English: what you're signing, what it means, and what to expect. Washington has specific agency laws around representation and compensation, so you understand exactly how that works before you put pen to paper. No surprises. No fine print you find out about later.
See the checklist
- Current market conditions and where they appear to be heading
- A pricing strategy based on comparable sales and current competition
- A marketing plan built around your goals and timeline
- How the NWMLS works and why that exposure matters to your price
- The listing agreement, reviewed section by section
- Washington's required brokerage pamphlet, explained before you sign (summarized below)
After You Sign: Getting Ready to Launch
Once the listing agreement is signed, the real work begins. Title information gets reviewed, square footage confirmed, rooms measured, lot size verified, and any easements, unrecorded agreements, or property details that need to be disclosed. Every detail gets confirmed before anything goes into the MLS, because inaccurate listing data creates problems down the road that are best handled before launch.
From there your home goes into the MLS with complete, verified data. Every field gets proofread for accuracy, map placement confirmed, and the listing pushed to all the right places. Within 48 hours of signing you'll have copies of your listing agreement and MLS profile data form for your records.
See the checklist
- Verifying the property
- Review current title information
- Measure overall and heated square footage
- Measure interior room sizes
- Confirm lot size from a certified survey, if one exists
- Note any unrecorded property lines, agreements, and easements
- Gather and review house plans, if available
- Order a plat map for the listing file
- Entering the listing
- Prepare the NWMLS profile sheet and enter the listing data
- Proofread every field, including map placement
- Add the home to Hawkins-Poe's active listings
- Send you signed copies of the listing agreement and MLS profile data form within 48 hours
Marketing Your Home: More Than Just the MLS
This is where the marketing system above goes to work: your home hits every channel, a Brokers Open builds early agent buzz, and showings run seven days a week with same-day call returns. If the market is telling us something, you hear about it immediately, not a week later. If your home has already been on the market and didn't sell, start with Your Home Didn't Sell. Now What?
See the checklist
- Install an electronic lockbox programmed to the showing windows you approve
- Coordinate showings with you, any tenants, and other brokers
- Return calls, weekends included
- Build a mailing and contact list for outreach
- Review competing listings regularly to keep your price, terms, and condition competitive
Offers: The Part Where Strategy Really Matters
When offers start coming in, having an experienced negotiator in your corner earns its keep. Every offer gets a careful review and a net sheet showing what you'll actually walk away with, not just the headline price.
Price matters, but it's one piece of a bigger picture. Financing strength, appraisal contingencies, inspection terms, closing timeline, and earnest money all factor into which offer actually serves you best. If we land in a multiple-offer situation, and a well-priced, well-marketed Gig Harbor home in good condition should attract one, that gets managed to create real competition.
See the checklist
- Review every offer submitted by buyers or their brokers
- Prepare a net sheet for each offer so you can compare them side by side
- Walk you through the strengths and weaknesses of every term
- Talk with each buyer's broker about the buyer's qualifications
- Review the septic report, if your home has one, and what it means for the sale
Under Contract: Keeping the Deal Together
Getting an offer accepted is exciting. Getting to closing is the job. Once under contract, every moving piece gets tracked: loan process, home inspection, inspector's report, repair requests, appraisal. When a buyer asks for repairs or credits, you get clear guidance on what's reasonable, what's negotiable, and what's not worth agreeing to.
The appraisal is another critical moment, especially in a market with strong price growth. Comparable sales go to the appraiser upfront, the timeline gets followed up, and if the appraisal comes in below the agreed price, you get a clear explanation of your options with an advocate ready to push back when appropriate.
See the checklist
- The loan
- Confirm the lender has verified the buyer's deposit and employment
- Follow the loan through to underwriting
- Add the lender and other vendors to the transaction tracking system so everyone can see progress
- The inspection
- Coordinate the buyer's home inspection with you
- Review the inspector's report
- Explain your obligations under the inspection terms of the contract
- Help you find trustworthy contractors for any agreed repairs
- Negotiate payment and oversee completion of repairs, if needed
- The appraisal
- Schedule the appraisal
- Give the appraiser the comparable sales used to price your home
- Follow up on the appraisal
- Help you challenge the report if it comes in too low
Closing Day: The Finish Line
As closing approaches, every form gets signed, every condition confirmed, and every party has what they need to close on time. We coordinate the closing location, review the final documents, and confirm the numbers match what you were expecting.
Stacia shows up on closing day. After closing, if questions come up about warranty claims, repair follow-through, or anything else, that support is still there. The relationship doesn't end at the closing table.
See the checklist
- Before closing
- Confirm the contract is signed by all parties
- Coordinate closing with the buyer's broker and lender
- Update closing forms and files
- Make sure every party has the forms and information needed to close
- Set the closing location
- After closing
- Answer questions about filing home warranty claims
- Help resolve repair disputes if the buyer is unhappy
- Respond to follow-up calls and provide anything needed from the transaction file
What to Expect on the Closing Statement.
No surprises at the table. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the typical costs a seller sees at closing in Washington State. Every transaction is different, but this gives you a solid baseline to plan from.
Typical Seller Costs
Washington Excise Tax Tiers*
*The tax applies to each tier separately. It's tiered, not a flat rate on the full price. Additional county-level taxes may apply. Rates subject to change.
Want to see your actual numbers? Every transaction is different: your payoff amount, repairs, buyer concessions, and timing all affect the final net. When we meet, I'll build you a full seller's net sheet so you know exactly what to expect. No guesswork, no vague ranges.
Talk to StaciaReal Estate Brokerage in Washington State.
Washington law requires every broker to hand you a pamphlet called "Real Estate Brokerage in Washington" and explain agency relationships and compensation before you sign anything. Most people skim it. Here's what it actually says, in plain English.
What Is an Agency Relationship?
When you sign a written services agreement (for a seller, that's the listing agreement), the firm appoints a broker to be your agent. That broker becomes your legal advocate in the transaction and owes you loyalty, confidentiality, and a duty to protect your interests.
Your broker's designated broker, and any managing broker who supervises your broker, are also your agents.
What Goes in Your Listing Agreement
- How long the agreement lasts
- The name of the broker appointed to represent you
- Whether it's exclusive (one firm) or nonexclusive (more than one firm at a time)
- Whether you consent to limited dual agency
- The terms of compensation
- Any other agreements between you and the firm
What Your Broker Owes You
- Loyalty: no action that works against your interests
- Prompt disclosure of any conflict of interest
- Advice to get expert help on anything outside the broker's expertise
- Confidentiality about your personal situation and motivations
- A good faith, continuous effort to find a buyer until you're under contract, unless you agree otherwise in writing
What Every Broker Owes Everyone
- Reasonable skill and care
- Honest and good faith dealing
- Timely delivery of all written offers, notices, and communications
- Disclosure of known material facts that aren't apparent. A broker doesn't have to investigate anything they didn't agree to investigate.
- A timely accounting of any money or property received
- Written disclosure of who the broker represents
- Written disclosure of any compensation offered by a party or another firm
How Compensation Works in WA
Under Washington law, compensation can be paid by the seller, the buyer, a third party, or shared between firms. Compensation terms must be spelled out in writing in your listing agreement before any transaction takes place.
That agreement has to state how much you agree to pay the firm, whether you consent to that compensation being shared with another firm, and whether you consent to the firm being paid by more than one party. You'll know exactly what you're agreeing to, and why, before you sign.
Limited Dual Agency: What It Means
A limited dual agent represents both buyer and seller in the same transaction. This can only happen with the written consent of both parties, and it comes up in two ways: the same broker represents both sides, or two brokers at the same firm each represent one side. In the second case, each broker still represents only their own client, but the supervising brokers become limited dual agents.
A limited dual agent can't advocate for one side over the other. If this comes up, you'll be informed and asked to consent before anything proceeds.
How Long the Relationship Lasts
An agency relationship ends at the earliest of four points: the broker finishes the job, the agreed term expires, both sides agree to end it, or either side gives notice to end it. Ending the relationship doesn't erase either party's contract rights.
If You Owe More Than the Home Sells For
That's a short sale: the sale proceeds won't cover what you owe at closing. Your firm is required to tell you that a lender agreeing to release its lien for less than the balance doesn't automatically erase the rest of the debt or the costs at closing, including the brokerage's compensation. If this is your situation, talk to a real estate attorney and a tax advisor early.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The full text is in Washington's real estate brokerage law, chapter 18.86 RCW, and you'll get the complete pamphlet before you sign anything.
Questions about your specific situation?Contact Stacia
Slinging Houses Since 2009. One Client at a Time.
In 2022, Stacia took on a new challenge as Office Leader at another firm, overseeing more than 55 brokers across the South Sound. She stepped down from that role in late 2024 and returned to Hawkins-Poe in early 2025, back to what pulled her into this business in the first place: working directly with clients, one transaction at a time.
Working with Stacia means working with Stacia. Not a coordinator, not an assistant, not a handoff. Every showing, every negotiation, every conversation. Deep Gig Harbor market knowledge, sharp negotiation skills, digital marketing certifications, and the kind of honest, straight talk that makes a complicated process feel like a plan.
Hawkins-Poe Real Estate. Local Since 1946.
Hawkins-Poe opened in Fircrest in 1946. Its founder, Jack Hawkins, insisted on integrity and ran the business on one simple rule:
"Folks will make good decisions if I give them good information."
Jack Hawkins, FounderThree generations later, that rule still drives the company. It's also the reason this page reads more like a class than a sales pitch.
Hawkins-Poe is a locally owned boutique firm, run today by Frank and Teresa Hawkins along with their daughters, Jennifer Hansen and Charlie Floberg. Frank and Teresa personally review what clients say about their brokers, Stacia included. If you ever want to reach them directly, email frankhawkins@hawkinspoe.com.
Hawkins-Poe Offices
Where Stacia Works
Pierce CountyGig Harbor, North Tacoma, University Place, Fircrest
Kitsap CountyPort Orchard, Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island
Three Options.
You Pick Where to Start.No pressure. No pitch. Just an honest conversation about where you are and what makes sense for your Gig Harbor home.
Talk to Stacia
No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation about your home, your timeline, and what the process looks like for your specific situation in Gig Harbor.
Contact StaciaWhat's My Home Worth?
Get a free home valuation and find out exactly what equity you're sitting on before you make any decisions. Know your number first.
Get My Home ValueRight-Sizing in Gig Harbor
Empty nester? Life change? Equity holder ready to make a move? Read more about Stacia's Right-Sizing approach and who she works with best.
Learn About Right-SizingOr reach Stacia directly: (253) 426-8785
