Common Sense Still Matters
RM Home Specialists • June 9, 2026

Why Community Involvement Matters More Than Ever

Recently, I had the opportunity to stand before the Lakewood City Council and speak against a proposal that included a bridge crossing over 75th Street near the Chambers Creek corridor.


Thankfully, a neighbor alerted many of us to the proposal. Without that notification, many residents may never have known it was being considered. Because people paid attention, asked questions, and showed up, our community's voice was heard.


I've since learned that after hearing from numerous residents, the City Council removed that portion of the transportation package from consideration.


Whether you agreed with the proposal or not isn't really the point.


The point is that citizen involvement matters.


As a Realtor specializing in Lakewood homes and as a resident who lives near the Chambers Creek corridor, I understand why so many neighbors felt compelled to speak. The Creekside communities are some of Lakewood's hidden gems. People choose to live there because of the quiet streets, mature trees, wildlife, walking paths, and peaceful surroundings. It is a place where grandparents stroll with grandchildren, neighbors walk after dinner, and residents enjoy a connection to nature that is becoming increasingly rare.


The families who live along this corridor made intentional choices when they purchased their homes. They invested in a lifestyle built around beauty, serenity, and preservation.


For many residents, the proposed bridge felt less like an improvement and more like an intrusion. Concerns ranged from increased traffic, noise, and light pollution to impacts on wildlife, vegetation, and the character of the community itself.


At the council meeting, speaker after speaker shared their thoughts, concerns, and perspectives. Some were seasoned advocates. Others were simply neighbors who had never spoken publicly before but felt strongly enough to participate.


And that's exactly how local government is supposed to work.


Too often, people assume that decisions are already made, that their voice won't matter, or that someone else will handle it. But communities are strongest when residents stay informed and engaged. The reality is that elected officials need feedback. They need to hear from the people who live, work, raise families, and invest in the neighborhoods affected by their decisions.


This experience reminded me that common sense still exists when people are willing to participate.


You don't have to be an expert. You don't have to have a title. You don't have to agree with everyone else in the room.


You simply have to care enough to show up.


One of the things I love most about Lakewood is that people care deeply about this community. They care about preserving what makes it special while still planning thoughtfully for the future. Those conversations aren't always easy, but they are necessary.


As residents, homeowners, business owners, and neighbors, we all have a stake in the future of our city.


My encouragement to everyone is simple: Pay attention. Ask questions. Stay informed. Attend meetings when something matters to you. Reach out to your elected officials. Your voice is more powerful than you think.


This time, a group of engaged citizens helped shape the conversation and, ultimately, the outcome.


That's not politics.


That's community.


And that's something worth protecting.




Regina Madiera-Gorden | REALTOR®

RM HOME SPECIALISTS, Managing Broker

Windermere West Campus

Cell: 253-381-6685 | call/text


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"From the moment we began working with Madison and Regina, we knew we were in exceptional hands. Their gracious professionalism, deep knowledge, and genuine warmth shaped every step of our journey.


Although we’ve purchased homes before, their continual updates, thoughtful explanations, and steady, patient support made us feel genuinely cared for.
When we unexpectedly lost a property due to an unethical selling agent, they stood by us with calm, unwavering professionalism.


We wholeheartedly recommend trusting this exceptional team with life’s most important real estate milestones. Their stylish eye, family‑centered spirit, and heartfelt dedication set them apart in every way. When the day comes for a new chapter and the search for our final, forever dream home, we will undoubtedly call on Madison and Regina again." E. SANDSTROM | TACOMA, WA

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Twin Hills: An Established University Place Neighborhood With Character

By RM Home Specialists • October 2, 2026
There’s something about an established neighborhood that just feels different. Mature trees. Homes that don’t all look cookie-cutter. Yards with room to garden, play and entertain. Streets that curve into quiet cul-de-sacs. That’s part of the appeal of Twin Hills in University Place . Built primarily during the 1980s and early 1990s, Twin Hills offers a wonderful variety of architectural styles and floor plans. You’ll find traditional two-story homes, multi-level designs, Tudor styles and even a geodesic dome house, all with personalities of their own. Compared with many newer developments, Twin Hills homes often enjoy more outdoor space, mature landscaping and established trees that give the neighborhood a sense of privacy and permanence. Those larger lots can mean room for a garden, a great deck or patio, pets, play space—or simply a little more breathing room between you and your neighbors. A Neighborhood That Holds Some Memories for Me Twin Hills is personal for me, too. When Madison was school-aged, we lived just across 67th in Chambers Creek Crossing, which was outside the University Place School District. We would actually walk across the street into Twin Hills so she could access the school bus. Through those school years, we got to know so many wonderful families in the neighborhood. Their homes became the places where kids could play, visit and spend time together—and where, as a parent, you felt good knowing they were surrounded by people you knew and trusted. Those are the things you don’t necessarily see when you look at a real estate listing: the relationships, the familiar faces and the feeling of having safe places for your kids to land. Years later, after helping so many people buy and sell homes throughout Twin Hills, I still think about those days when I drive through the neighborhood. Location, Location… and Lifestyle Twin Hills is tucked into University Place with easy access to many of the things that make this community so desirable.  Nearby Kobayashi Park feels like a little hidden escape, with its wooded setting and access to Leach and Chambers Creek. Just minutes away, Chambers Bay offers miles of trails, spectacular Puget Sound views and its world-renowned golf course. Everyday life is convenient, too. Fred Meyer, shopping, restaurants, services and other University Place amenities are all close by, while Tacoma, Lakewood and major commuter routes are easily accessible. It’s that combination— established neighborhood + larger lots + convenient location —that has kept Twin Hills appealing through changing real estate markets. A Neighborhood We Know Well Over the years, RM Home Specialists has represented numerous buyers and sellers throughout Twin Hills and the surrounding University Place community. We’ve watched these homes evolve, helped owners prepare them for market, and seen what buyers respond to when a Twin Hills home becomes available. Here is a link to our latest Twin Hill showplace . If you’re thinking about buying in Twin Hills, or wondering what your Twin Hills home might be worth in today’s market, we’d love to help. RM Home Specialists brings years of University Place experience, neighborhood knowledge and a proven strategy for preparing, positioning and marketing homes to stand out. Because sometimes the best neighborhood isn’t the newest one. It’s the one that has had time to grow into itself.

Meet Jen Sandstrom of Eat in Washington

By RM Home Specialists • September 14, 2026
Your beautifully curated list of what’s worth eating, seeing + doing around Washington. Jen is one of those people who creates the vibe. She married into a family my husband and I have known for a long time, and over the years I’ve seen just how thoughtful and intentional she is. She lives in the cutest Craftsman in Central Tacoma, hosts the warmest gingerbread competition Christmas party, and her wedding week in the San Juan Islands was one of the most beautiful celebrations. She has an eye for the details that make something feel special. So it makes perfect sense that she’s completely immersed herself in the local scene with @eatinwashington . I love knowing what’s new, fun, and delicious around here. But with two kids, it’s nearly impossible to actually keep up with all of it. Jen does the heavy lifting for us. Through her lens, Eat in Washington has become a beautifully curated highlight reel of Washington’s must-eat, must-see and must-do. The new restaurant worth making a reservation for. The coffee shop you haven’t tried. A special dinner happening for one weekend. A day trip, market or stay that deserves a spot on your list. And because Jen herself is so intentional, her recommendations feel intentional too. She notices more than whether the food is good. It’s the space, service, story, lighting, people, and all the little details that create an experience. We asked Jen to give us the list.

One Home, More Ways to Live

By RM Home Specialists • September 10, 2026
Multigenerational Living Meets a Dream Backyard in Lakewood. There are homes with extra square footage—and then there are homes where that square footage actually gives you options. At 11409 Cloverdale Court SW in Lakewood , more than 4,100 square feet creates the kind of flexibility that is getting harder to find: room to live together without necessarily living on top of each other. And that matters because the way people use their homes is changing.
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