Lakewood Oaks
RM Home Specialists • February 19, 2026

Why We Moved to Lakewood (and Haven’t Looked Back).

Two years ago, we made a move that surprised a few people; we left University Place and relocated to Lakewood. And honestly? It was one of the best lifestyle decisions we’ve made.


More Space. More Privacy. More Green.

What we quickly realized was that our money simply went further in Lakewood. We gained more breathing room, more greenery, and more privacy, without sacrificing convenience. The lots feel a little wider. The trees feel a little taller. The pace feels just a touch slower in the best way.


As a family in a busy season of life, that shift mattered.


Still So Close to Everything We Love.


One of my biggest hesitations before moving was proximity. We frequent Tacoma constantly: Central Tacoma, Proctor District in North Tacoma, and back to University Place for parks and errands.


We’re still:


We didn’t lose convenience, we gained space.


Lakewood Oaks: Easy Living, Thoughtfully Designed.


And here’s where it gets even better. Our new listing is just five minutes from my home and offers the same amenities, plus more. Welcome to Lakewood Oaks.


This beautifully maintained gated neighborhood offers:

  • Primarily one-level homes
  • 2–3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • Spacious 2-car garages
  • Vaulted ceilings throughout
  • Some with finished or unfinished daylight basements


It’s not a 55+ community (which many gated, one-level developments in our area are), so you’ll find a healthy mix of neighbors and life stages.


Low Maintenance, High Enjoyment.


The monthly HOA covers:

  • Gate maintenance
  • Exterior upkeep
  • Landscaping


That means less weekend yard work and more living.


We’ve represented both buyers and sellers in this development. Two years ago, we helped a sweet couple sell their larger family home and downsize here to be closer to their grandchildren. They instantly made friends—meeting neighbors for evening walks, tea on the patio, and casual happy hours. There’s something special about the scale of this neighborhood. It’s tight-knit without feeling crowded. Secure without feeling isolated.


Who Is This Perfect For?


  • Retirees ready to simplify
  • Downsizers wanting less maintenance
  • Lock-and-go buyers who travel frequently
  • Professionals seeking privacy without the burden of yard work


The gate and community feel provide peace of mind. The layout offers functionality and comfort. And the location keeps you connected to Tacoma, University Place, and all your favorite everyday stops.

For us, Lakewood became the sweet spot: more home for the money, more greenery, and the same access to everything we love. And for the right buyer, Lakewood Oaks might just be that same sweet spot.


-Madison Bingham


RM Home Specialists
Licensed Managing B
roker | Realtor®
Windermere West Campus

Lakewood Real Estate | Building Wealth | Downsize | How to Sell a House | How to Buy a House | Windermere | Regina and Madison | Pierce County Real Estate



STORIES FROM HOME


"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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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.
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.
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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