What areas do you specialize in?

I specialize in Kitsap & Pierce County, WA with a focus on luxury and high-end homes. I’m highly knowledgeable in waterfront and unique properties across Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, and North Tacoma.

How long have you been in real estate?

16+ years in real estate, including 12 years as a Managing Broker and 2 years leading my own team.

What makes your approach different?

Relentless negotiation skills, mastery of digital marketing and video, and a blunt, witty, fun voice—always professional and focused on results.

Do you only work with luxury clients?

No. I help clients at all price points. My focus is luxury, but I’m approachable for everyone. The goal is to give every client a high-end experience.

How do you market homes?

Professional photography and cinematic video tours, a strong social media and blog presence, and targeted luxury branding and storytelling tailored to your property.

What can I expect when working with you?

Clear communication with no fluff, data-driven market analysis, and a little humor backed by a lot of expertise—delivering a smooth process and real results.

How do we price my home so it doesn't sit, so I don't leave money on the table?

Price is a strategy, not a feeling. We analyze hyper-local comps (active, pending, sold), absorption rate, and buyer price bands, then model two pricing brackets (aspirational and market-magnet) to balance traffic and leverage. We time the launch for maximum velocity and align price with presentation so you net more with fewer days on market.

What should we fix vs leave “as-is” before we list?

Fix what buyers notice in the first 30 seconds or what could spook underwriting. High-ROI polish: paint, lighting, landscaping, deep clean, hardware refresh. Conditional repairs: roof/HVAC/moisture/safety items to avoid renegotiations. Nice-to-haves (counters/flooring) only if the comp set demands it. Pre-inspection can reduce surprises and support pricing.

Should I offer Buyer Broker Compensation? Is it required?

It isn’t required—it’s negotiable. You may offer it as a marketing incentive to widen the buyer pool and smooth negotiations, or opt not to. I’ll model both scenarios (net sheets, likely buyer behavior) so you can choose the path that maximizes your net with minimal friction.

What does the timeline look like from “let’s list” to closing?

Weeks 0–2: prep & media. Week 3: launch (brokers’ open + weekend opens + heavy digital). Days 5–10: offer window and strategy adjustments. Under contract: inspections, appraisal, title, lending (30–45 days typical). I project-manage each step to protect your leverage and keep closing on schedule.

What’s the real first step—tour homes or get pre-approved?

Meet to review WA Agency Law and the Buyer Brokerage Agreement, then get pre-approved before touring. Sellers value certainty; an underwritten pre-approval clarifies budget, sharpens the search, and makes your offer look like a sure thing. Knowing lender speed lets us tighten timelines and craft appraisal strategies.

How do Buyer Brokerage Agreements & compensation work?

You’ll likely sign a buyer representation agreement that outlines services and compensation. Options include payment by the buyer, by the seller as a marketing incentive, or another negotiated structure—always disclosed up front. My job is to deliver strategy and negotiation value that more than pays for itself in your net outcome.

What money do I need beyond the down payment?

Plan for earnest money (typically 1–3% of price, credited at closing), closing costs (roughly 2–4% depending on loan and rate), inspections (varies by size/scope), and move-in costs (utilities, immediate fixes, furnishings). We estimate these before offers so you’re never surprised.

How do we win in a competitive situation without doing something reckless?

We win with leverage and certainty, not risk. We tailor terms to the seller’s priorities, pair underwritten pre-approval with tight timelines and strong earnest money, use inspection and appraisal strategies that protect you, and keep a clean, complete offer. A smart backup offer can also position you to win without overpaying.

Stacia Whatley 2/16/26 Stacia Whatley 2/16/26

Professional Photography for Every Listing: The Not-So-Secret Weapon That Makes Buyers Stop Scrolling

Let’s be honest: buyers don’t “tour homes” anymore… They scroll. They snack on listings between meetings. They judge a house while standing in line for coffee. They decide whether to fall in love or swipe left in the time it takes an elevator to reach the third floor.

And in that reality, your home has about 1.7 seconds to make someone care. So no, I’m not tossing iPhone photos into the MLS and calling it “marketing.” That’s not a strategy. That’s a cry for help.

I use professional photography for every single listing, not just the big ones, not just the “pretty” ones, not just the homes that already look like they belong in a Restoration Hardware catalog. Every listing gets the same respect, the same attention, and the same goal:

Professional Photography for Every Listing: The Not-So-Secret Weapon That Makes Buyers Stop Scrolling

Locations:

📍 Fircrest:

📍 Gig Harbor:

📍 Chambers Bay: