The Kitsap County Commissioners are seeking applications from residents who are interested in serving the community on the Kitsap County Board of Equalization. The board considers appeals received on the assessed value of properties in Kitsap County. Members review cases and determine if there should be a change in personal and real property assessments. read more »

Jeff Foster, designated broker at Advantage GMAC Real Estate in Moses Lake, has been elected 2010 chairman of the board of directors for Northwest Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Other new officers of the MLS governing body include Doug Davis, vice chairman; Diedre Haines, treasurer; Bobbie Petrone Chipman, secretary; and Matt Deasy, immediate past chairman. read more »

A group of state attorneys general and banking regulators predict a devastating acceleration of foreclosures unless policy makers step up efforts to assist homeowners.

The State Foreclosure Prevention Working Group issued a report that cited disturbing trends including a rising tide of delinquent mortgages outpacing servicer outreach and loss-mitigation efforts. The report also offered recommendations for action. read more »

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently announced the findings from a new survey that looked at how the recently expanded federal homebuyer tax credit, which opened up the credit to existing homeowners, might impact the economy. Of the more than 1,000 homeowners surveyed, 83 percent responded that if they were to purchase a home and qualify for the tax credit, they would engage in “smart spending,” or put the money toward paying off existing debts, home improvements, savings/investments, or everyday household expenses. read more »

Bainbridge Island broker Doug Nelson hopes to turn his lawsuit against the city of Bainbridge Island into a class-action suit. Nelson, who owns RE/MAX Unlimited on the island, filed a lawsuit last June in Kitsap County Superior Court to force the city to vacate an environmentally sensitive area declaration on his title (or compensate him instead for taking the land) and to rule the declaration illegal. read more »

The official ground breaking took place Friday at Kitsap Mall, outside of Kohl’s.

Mike Hale, president, expects to be open for business July 4th. “We think that great beer and nice food go together like a horse and carriage and look forward to convincing others to leave the wine behind,” said Hale.

The 7,869-square-foot restaurant will be located at the north end of the center next to Kohl’s. In preparation for the construction of the restaurant, two current retailers moved to new locations. read more »

Even as foreclosures continue to flood some of the worst-hit housing markets in the country, economists are beginning to sound the warning that today’s extremely low levels of new residential production could lead to significant housing shortages, especially among market-rate rental apartments, as household formation rates return to normal.

The housing downturn and economic recession have kept household formation rates at below-normal levels for roughly three years, said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. read more »

The Suquamish are giving local residents and area visitors one more reason to make North Kitsap a vacation destination.

Port Madison Enterprises (PME), the business arm of the Suquamish Tribe, has purchased the White Horse Golf complex located near Kingston. Acquiring the award-winning course is a natural fit for the Suquamish company, which operates a casino resort and spa, in addition to the historic Kiana Lodge Wedding and Meeting Facility. read more »