Notables Sales

Goodman Drive — GigHarbor’s Highest Sale

The record Sale of 2019 in Gig Harbor on Goodman Drive was brokered by Michael Morrison. With the average price of a home in Gig Harbor of 638K this Goodman Drive home demolishes the average price and shatters the record sale by nearly 20%. Whoever thinks the blanket statement applies to the real estate market in general across the entire U.S. is mistaken.

The Gig Harbor market is strong. The home at 8424 Goodman drive was designed by Lynne Martin architect and built by Erik Schelbert of Lanway General boasted 5200 square feet of living space and situated on 90′ feet of waterfront with deep water dock. The home was complete with indoor and outdoor living rooms, 5 outdoor patio heaters, a technology package and two kitchens. Morrison stated the “high-end buyers we are seeing today are often times coming from outside the area where they are looking to escape extreme weather swings and taxation.” The home also had multiple interested parties which add to the strength of our current luxury home market.

HGTV Dream Home–GigHarbor

We are proud to have been selected to market the recent Dream Home Sale in Gig Harbor, Washington. Artful preparation and representation for our clients works in concert to achieve the highest and best possible sales price. Contact your Morrison House Sotheby’s International Realty broker to learn how we can market your home at any price point, like a dream.

The home is an inspiring masterpiece of artisan vendors coming together. Henderson Bay at your back door with incredible sunsets. Turnkey living in an over the top sense of style with TWO master suites, one on the main. Lower level wet bar and wine fridge provide entertaining on multiple levels inside and out. A custom Trex deck was done with dining area, built in benches and even stairs to the bulkhead.

Thomas Road–GigHarbor
Michael brokered the record sale for Gig Harbor, Washington in 2016. Not only did Michael represent the seller, but he also brought the buyer from his database of both local and out of area clients. The sale closed in a record matter of weeks after only being launched to market in mere days. Michael carefully ensured the cash transactions was safely handled for both buyer and seller. All movements of cash, wires and client information was discretely handled with the utmost of care. The home was situated on nearly 2 acres of high bank water front and designed with a lighthouse theme.

Ryan Moore–American Lake
The local celebrity golfer called on Michael to represent him in the sale of his freshly built ultra Northwest Modern waterfront home. Ryan stated “You ‘get’ the house and I need someone who does just that.” Michael represented the unique home on American Lake with 4 car gargage, concrete floors along with in and out radiant floors. The master bath was complete with trough sinks and steam shower with LED lighting.The home maneuvered through escrow carefully and quietly with multiple inspections and appraisals.

Bunn Munro Estate–Olympia
Michael brokered the salt water estate of Nancy Bunn-Munro of Olympia. After being marketed for over a year, Michael took the home and packaged the property to play up its strong points. The home was custom built by Nancy and her husband while over the years it had been tastefully remodeled. Michael generated two offers in the 2 weeks after relaunching the property. Michael successfully maneuvered the sale through escrow with multiple easements being recorded, two appraisals and inspections.

Russell Family–Tacoma
George Russell’s (of the Frank Russell company) condominium brokered to Pam and Kurt Mayer. The 2500 Square foot view condominium was brokered and at the time, was the most expensive resale condominium ever sold in Tacoma.

Hogan Estate–Tacoma
The Hogan Estate, part of the Piggly Wiggly retail chain was brokered to Phil and Snookey Simon of Simon and Sons Steel. The condominium was the most expensive resale condominium ever sold in Tacoma and was extensively remodeled. After the remodel, the total purchase price will be in excess of $1.1 million.

Stadium Way–Tacoma
Lyle and Delores Swedberg were one of the original owners to Stadium Way. In fact, Lyle was the designer and architect which crested the true legacy address in Tacoma. Michael quickly brokered the sale and it is the first ever condominium resale ever to close over the $1 million mark.

Alameda Park–University Place
Laura and Grant Gardner purchased a home from the Magnusson family. The 4000 square foot home was the most expensive non-view home sold in the University Place Market. The Alameda Park Home was extensively remodeled after the purchase.

Sunset Beach–University Place
John and Liz King, Microsoft Executives purchased a Sunset Beach neighborhood home from Nikki and Ed Weber, well known architects and designers. The home built in 1981 was the most expensive home ever brokered in the neighborhood. Michael represented the buyer after marketing into the area for homes to fit the buyer’s specific needs.

American Lake Retreat
Michael brokered Eric Jensen’s American Lake Retreat to local celebrity golfer, Ryan Moore. The property is situated near the Tacoma Golf and Country Club on American Lake with Southern Exposure. An extensive remodel was planned after closing to add square footage.

Foss Family Bungalow–Lakewood
Michael brokered the historic Foss family waterfront ‘bungalow’ that was restored by Mike and Annie Krause. The sale represented the highest sale for the year at the time and set the record for the highest sale per square foot in MLS history for the lakes. The home was in Lakewood, Washington on Lake Steilacoom.

Chambers Bay–University Place
Michael collectively packaged of 1.6 acres of land directly across from the Chambers Creek Golf Course. The development package was the most expensive speculation package ever brokered on Grandview Drive aside from the Golf Course purchase by the County. The purchase closed with a normal 30 day escrow, with no closing extensions.

Windhover Farm is the legacy and vision of Jim and Ann Wiborg. Architect Donald Burr designed the home to be a collective effort of architecture and nature throughout the 9,000 sq foot home. Views of the snow-capped Olympics, the Narrows bridge, and all the splendor of a clear night sky can be absorbed whether inside or out.

Jim's passion for nature, animals, Tacoma history, and astronomy led to a home that is like no other in the world. A whimsical reality, the property boasts a recovered bridge from north 21st Street, two barns for breeding and keeping sheep, a horse barn straight out of a nursery rhyme, a deluxe chicken coop, and a silo that is actually an observatory!  The picturesque windmill that often doubled as a children's playhouse is still in pristine condition, and is at the ready to entertain little ones and adults alike. 

Selling Windhover Farm required the expertise of Michael Morrison- a globally renowned broker who has made selling the unique his forte. Michael was inspired to find the perfect buyer for this extraordinary property; one that would carry on the unique legacy that the Wiborg's had created. Although the farm had gathered plenty of local notoriety over the years, it is extremely private and unable to be seen by passers by.  Michael decided it was time to share Windhover Farm with the rest of the world. Tapping into his professional network, he negotiated a publicity deal with King5, Seattle to debut this impressive listing.  With the increased visibility and prolific buzz came the ideal buyers. Marissa Meyer, an author of young-adult fiction, her husband Jesse Taylor, and their sweet twins continue to share Jim and Ann's creative vision. Family is still what makes life so grand at Windhover Farm. 

The Rust Mansion has been nicknamed "the White House of the West," but it is thought to have actually been modeled after the John A McCall Mansion in New Jersey.  The home was built for William Ross Rust in 1905, President of the Tacoma Smelter and Refining Company. 

 Ashley Burks, Tacoma Real Estate Developer, purchased the Rust Mansion in 2021 in an off-market sale brokered by Michael at Morrison House | Sotheby's International Realty. Soon after purchasing the eleven thousand square foot work of art, Ashley began a one million dollar renovation to restore it's original allure. Ashley and her team put their all into honoring the homes heritage, and the home in turn seemed to reciprocate.  Ashley shared that "finding original doors, hardwood, trim work, and tapestry tucked away in compartments of the home and garage are just some of the wonderful surprises (she) experienced.”  “I could not have had better fortune with all the treasures found throughout this process," she proclaimed.  When it came time for the mansion to once more change hands, there was no question, Michael would be overseeing the sale again.

“When someone purchases a unique property like this, they need to understand that they are taking on the task of stewardship,” Morrison said. “It is more than just buying a house; it is a place in the lineage of the home that will be forever noted. … This is a purchase of love that (the future buyer) must be willing to adhere to not only some historical preservation restrictions, but the fact that (they) have a place in the lineage. (They) must feel the inner desire to maintain our local heritage.”

To facilitate a change in ownership for a dwelling of this magnitude is, reasonably, no small task. Michael successfully brought the buyer and seller to the table not once, but twice consecutively. Both transactions were privately conducted in off-market sales, brought about by Michael's astute discernment and strong connections within our local community and across the globe.