Falling in Love With Tacoma

There's a reason people can't stop falling for Proctor. In this episode, I'm walking through what makes this North Tacoma neighborhood feel less like a place you live and more like a place you belong — the sidewalks full of dog walkers and strollers, the Saturday farmers market, the century-old trees one of my clients called "the main character" of the street.We get into who the perfect Proctor buyer actually is, what separates a Proctor home from the rest of Tacoma (hint: it's in the woodwork), the small businesses that make this neighborhood what it is — including a shoe repair shop with the kind of craftsmanship you can't find anymore — and an honest conversation about the new development coming to the area and what it means for the neighborhood's future. We close out talking through the Seattle commute question, current home values, and why "community" is the one word that keeps coming up no matter how many times I try to find another.In this episode:Who the perfect Proctor buyer is — and how to tell if it's the right fit for youA walk-the-neighborhood tip I give every client before they decide on a houseWhat makes a Proctor home different (the cost of preserving real 1908 craftsmanship)Two local businesses I personally swear byCurrent average home values in Proctor — and whether they're worth itThe Seattle commute question, answered honestlyNew development in Proctor: Proctor Station, Madison 25, and what it could mean for the neighborhoodThe one word that sums up ProctorThat's Proctor. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you in the next one. 🤍

Episode 2 — Growing Up in Tacoma: Mellie’s Perspective on the City She Never LeftI’ve lived in Tacoma for almost 40 years. I grew up in a manufactured home in Parkland Spanaway, spent my teenage years driving to Ruston Way just to sit by the water, and told myself I would never go into real estate like my parents. Now I’m eleven years into selling homes in the city I almost left — and I have no plans to go anywhere.In this episode, Kierstyn and I talk about what Tacoma was actually like growing up in the 90s, the places that are gone now that shaped me, and why this city is nearly impossible to leave once it has you.We talk about: • Growing up in Parkland Spanaway and feeling pulled toward North Tacoma’s older homes • Never Never Land at Point Defiance — Tacoma’s forgotten immersive wonderland that I thought I made up as a kid • The Black Pearl, teenage depression, and why Ruston Way was my safe place • Why I swore I’d never do real estate — and what changed • What Tacoma has that I haven’t been able to find anywhere elseThis one is personal. It’s also a love letter to a city most people underestimate.Follow the show for a new episode every week.Wonder Luxe Real Estate | Tacoma, WA | wonderluxerealestate.com

Episode 1: Why Introverts Don't Like Salespeople But Love a GuideIn our very first episode, Kierstyn and I get honest about something a lot of people feel but can't quite name: the discomfort of being sold to, and why a good guide feels completely different.As two introverts, we dig into why pressure, hovering, and "what's your budget?" make you want to walk out the door — and why the rare salesperson who gives you space and choices earns instant trust. I share some real stories, talk about how breathing and anxiety show up when you're being pushed, and walk through the philosophy behind how I run showings and serve my clients at Wonder Luxe.In this episode:Why introverts and intuitives need time and space to feel a home, not a sales pitchThe real difference between a pushy salesperson and a guide — and how each one makes you feel"Choices, not pressure": how I lay out the pros, cons, and my recommendation, then step backWhy buying or selling is already vulnerable enough — your agent shouldn't add to the stressWhy my clients are always allowed to change their minds and move on their own timelineThe "you're in the driver's seat, I'm the GPS" way I like to work alongside peopleRunning a business on do unto others — service over sales quotasWhy intuitives are so good at sensing inauthenticity — and what that means when you're choosing an agentThis one sets the tone for everything we're doing here: real estate done with trust, dignity, and respect for both sides.Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments.