Through making a big change, I learned a valuable lesson.

As I looked through holiday photos from just a few months before, I felt the ache in my chest grow stronger. I had visited friends and family in Washington and ever since I returned, something was off. Finally, I realized what I needed to do.

After three years away at school in Arizona and California, I moved back to Tacoma, Washington. It is where I was born and raised and although I left because I wanted to experience a big city and see what else was out there, I realized there is no place like home.

My family and I have always been close, and although I had been back for holidays, I wanted more than a brief get-together a couple times a year. The past several years, I had transferred schools three times and been living paycheck to paycheck as I supported myself on my own while trying to avoid racking up a huge amount of student loans. The recession hit when I was in high school and with my dad working in the mortgage business, I saw how quickly one could go from doing well to coming to a complete halt.

I was around ten when I started my first business, washing tires for $5 apiece with a friend. Later on, we added painting to our array of services. We would door knock and do whatever we needed to drum up business. As the years went by, it felt good to contribute to the family and not have to ask mom and dad to help with every little thing. Of course, they provided what I needed whenever I did ask. However, knowing that I could save them any financial stress during that time was a relief. When I went away to college, I was determined to support myself on my own because I did not want to be a burden on my family during an already stressful time.

I have always been ambitious, the drive I had to start my own business and blaze a new trail never left. When I came back to Washington it was with a detailed plan to become a licensed real estate broker. I spent a year finishing my degree in communications and immersing myself in real estate at the same time. The market was still recovering from the recession, and I knew that if I could make it when things were tough then I would be able to succeed in any market.

It was not easy and took a couple years for me to develop confidence in what I did but I never doubted what I was doing or thought of giving up. I come from a family of entrepreneurs with a fiercely independent mindset. Stopping was never an option because I am not wired that way. Rather, even when things are not going the way I would like, I push through and figure it out. What I realized along the way was that with enough determination and hard work anything is possible.

I have been a licensed real estate broker since 2014. Whenever I have the time, I enjoy working with the Seattle Seahawks, watching or playing sports, listening to music, reading, and savoring new restaurants in the area. My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is connecting with my clients and developing a relationship where I get to play a part in helping them achieve their goals for years to come.

No matter if you are buying or selling a home, you need someone on your side. I always start with my clients by simply listening. Each one of us is different and I want to find the perfect solution to fit your lifestyle. You already have a lot on your plate, especially if you are in the process of moving, so I strive to make the real estate process as seamless as possible. By minimizing stress, taking care of complications, and staying on top of the transaction, I hope that by the end you will have enjoyed the whole experience. With my background in residential and residential investment, I can help you get where you want to go. Even when the transaction is over, I will still be there to help you whenever you need me as your lifelong REALTOR®.

Sincerely,

TJ Tuttle
Broker – Owner