ROOT
Real Estate BrokersReal Estate
Rooted in community and driven by trust, we prioritize honesty, clarity, & transparency — guiding buyers and sellers through every step of the real estate journey with confidence.
From first conversations to closing day, we're committed to building lasting relationships while helping you achieve your real estate goals throughout Tacoma and the Greater Puget Sound.
with a purpose.
Explore ROOt
Tacoma's real estate experts-
Your Path to Homeownership Starts Here.
Buying a home is an exciting journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. We’ll help you connect with a trusted lender to explore your financing options and secure a pre-approval letter, complete a personalized buyer consultation to understand your goals and search criteria, and then confidently navigate home tours, strategy, and offers. With expert guidance and local market knowledge, we’ll help you find the right property to put down roots.
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A Smarter Way to Sell Your Home.
Selling a home is a major decision, and our team is here to provide the expertise, strategy, and guidance needed for a successful transaction. We begin by learning your goals, timeline, and priorities through a personalized seller consultation, allowing us to create a clear plan tailored to your needs. With experienced brokers, proven processes, and deep knowledge of the Tacoma and Puget Sound real estate market, we navigate every detail with care and precision.
From pricing strategy and market preparation to negotiations and closing, we are committed to protecting your best interests and delivering a seamless home selling experience built on trust, transparency, and results. When you choose ROOT, you’re partnering with a team dedicated to helping you move forward with confidence.
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Understanding your home's value starts with accurate data—not guesswork. At ROOT, we provide a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using many of the same factors considered by licensed appraisers, including comparable sales, property condition, location, size, features, and current market trends. Whether you're thinking about selling, refinancing, or simply curious about your home's value, our local market expertise delivers a reliable, data-driven estimate to help you make informed real estate decisions with confidence.
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Guidance Through Life’s Transitions.
At ROOT, we understand that real estate decisions often come during times of significant change. Through our affiliation with Varadi Estate Sales, we offer trusted support for families navigating estate sales, downsizing, relocation, and the transition of a loved one’s property. Their compassionate team provides professional estate sale services, from organizing and valuing personal belongings to managing the sale process and coordinating next steps.
When a property transition includes selling a home, our experienced real estate professionals are here to provide local market expertise, thoughtful guidance, and a seamless connection from estate preparation to closing. Together, ROOT and Varadi Estate Sales provide a trusted resource for Tacoma and South Sound families—helping you move forward with clarity, care, and confidence.
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Explore our handpicked selection of standout homes currently on the market, featuring the best opportunities across the South Sound.
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Discover the communities that make Tacoma and the surrounding areas unique, and find the neighborhood that feels like home.
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Learn what sets our team apart and how our local expertise, personalized service, and commitment to results help you buy and sell with confidence.
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Hear directly from the buyers and sellers we've had the privilege of helping, and see why our clients continue to recommend us.
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Browse our latest successful transactions and see how our market knowledge and proven strategies deliver results.
Meetthe root team
j. Aarde Real Estate Broker
Aardë is a Pacific Northwest real estate broker with more than 20 years of experience in the antique and auction business, offering a refined eye for architectural salvage, period details, and timeless craftsmanship.
Raised between Olympia, Ocean Shores, and Tacoma’s Antique Row, Aardë brings deep local roots and a thoughtful appreciation for legacy properties and meaningful transitions.
With a background shaped by caregiving for loved ones, and a Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, Aardë provides clients with a compassionate, polished approach to real estate, especially during life’s important changes.
In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, being creative, being with her dog, and ballroom dancing! Aarde also writes a weekly advice column for The Weekly Volcano.
(360) 359-0998
Kendra Varadi Real Estate Broker
I've been part of the Tacoma community for over 20 years, and lived in practically every neighborhood within the city limits. I was in one of the first graduating classes at the University of Washington-Tacoma Social Welfare program, worked for over a decade in the service industry, and have been a member of the small business community here since 2014, with KV Apothecary.
With this experience, I am confident that I can guide you through the real estate experience, whether it's buying a home, uprooting from a current one, or dreaming up your next adventure. I will be at your side as a personal advocate and advisor, helping you achieve your home ownership goals and enhancing your connections within the community.
When I'm not out there hustling for my clients, I can be found in my kitchen mixing up herbal concoctions, hanging out with family and friends, or outside exploring with my two young boys.
(253) 225-8055
Lora Varadi Real Estate Broker
Meet Lora, a dedicated real estate agent with a passion for building strong, supportive communities. With a love for architecture and design, she finds joy in helping clients discover homes that match their vision, ensuring each transaction is fair, thoughtful, and in their best interest.
Outside of work, Lora embraces a healthy work-life balance, spending quality time with her husband, nephews, and pup. A lover of the outdoors and all the seasons the Pacific Northwest offers, Lora enjoys antiquing and staying active with sports, card games, and other fun activities with family and friends.
Lora is committed to empowering families, helping them build wealth and long-term security through real estate. a strong network of industry professionals, Lora offers expert guidance and support every step of the way.
Being the Owner/Operator of Varadi Estate Sales, Lora is ready to consult, plan, prepare, and hold estate sales for those needing it.
(253) 341-1933
ValerieAlbright Real Estate Broker
Valerie Albright has been a successful full-time REALTOR® since 2005, earning a reputation for exceptional service and consistent results through every market cycle. A RE/MAX Hall of Fame recipient, she has built her business around a boutique approach—working with a select number of buyers and sellers to provide personalized attention and a seamless real estate experience.
For sellers, Valerie combines strategic pricing, thoughtful preparation, and expert marketing to maximize a home's value. From staging recommendations and repairs to market analysis and pricing strategy, she guides every step of the process with care and precision. Her listings consistently sell quickly, with an average market time of well under 30 days.
For buyers, Valerie believes finding a home should be an exciting journey. With in-depth market knowledge, careful planning, and skilled negotiation, she helps clients discover the right home and confidently navigate every stage—from the search and offer to inspection, closing, and receiving the keys.
(360) 791-3845
Clients choose ROOT because they know they’re not just hiring a broker — they’re gaining a trusted partner.
To our clients, a home has never been just four walls. It's where music fills the rooms, morning light spills through the windows, favorite blankets become traditions, and the people they love gather to make a life.
Whether buying, selling, or investing, they choose ROOT because they know every property tells a different story. They value our honest guidance, local expertise, and genuine partnership through every step of the journey.
Because, as our clients often remind us, real estate is never just about the house —
it's about the life it makes possible.