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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Is Realtor-mortgage broker combination
a conflict of interest?
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The past couple of years have seen what appears to be a growing trend for a real estate agent to also play the role of a mortgage lender and vice versa. It may seem like an added convenience for a home buyer, to be able to deal with only one person for both finding a home and financing it — but the arrangement could create potential problems and a conflict of interest for the agent... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
5 reasons to use a professional
when you move |
| Did you know that the average person will move approximately 11 times in his or her lifetime? According to Moving.com, a moving resource, relocation ranks as one of the most stressful events in life. Strange how we're apt to do it so often, then... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
What to look for when buying a home |
| Much like buying a used car, buying a home can be a risky proposition. But unlike a vehicle, home buyers can't take a house out for a test drive. While there are professional home inspectors to detect some of the more hidden problems, there are also several things a home buyer should be able to detect on his own... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Top kitchen cabinets coming to NW
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Rick Lanning, owner of two Kitsap companies, and his partner, Greg Moga, are opening up a Seattle showroom for Snaidero, a top line of kitchen cabinetry... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Waterfront luxury home market
creating a million dollar market “niche” |
| The Kitsap Peninsula boasts more than 300 miles of beautiful saltwater shoreline — and that shoreline includes some luxury-class waterfront homes. In today’s market, “luxury” is classified as being $500,000 and up... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
John L. Scott launches
High-Definition Home Search |
| Seattle-based John L. Scott Real Estate, which has seven offices on the Kitsap Peninsula, recently announced the launch of High-Definition Home Search, which is powered by Microsoft’s Virtual Earth platform. Debuting on www.JohnLScott.com, May 9th, John L. Scott is the first residential real estate company to utilize this new dimension in home search functionality which is expected to redefine how consumers search for homes online... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Pacific Northwest Title announces
new branch manager for Bainbridge |
| Jim Rynearson, a real estate veteran and sales and marketing professional, has joined Pacific Northwest Title as branch manager of the Bainbridge Island office. He brings more than twenty years experience in advertising, public relations, and sales and marketing, as well as a decade of experience in real estate sales, commission-only sales consulting, client services and real estate finance... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
A third-generation joins John L. Scott |
| John L. Scott Real Estate recently welcomed Kirsten Petersen, who represents the third generation of her family to become a real estate professional with John L. Scott and the fifth generation to work in the real estate industry... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Clearwater Casino’s new resort
hotel opens its doors |
| Clearwater Casino is now officially the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. Its resort-style hotel opened its doors for guests on May 26, after an open house event for the public on May 25 that featured live music, complimentary food and prize giveaways... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
State Realtors Association wants
more houses, lower prices |
| The Washington Association of Realtors (WAR), a professional organization for real estate professionals, has proposed that Gov. Chris Gregoire and state legislature create a Housing Opportunities Legislative Agenda to increase the supply of homes in Washington. The group states that the availability of homes that typical families can afford has dropped to a 15-year low in this state... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Instilling environmental stewardship
in the next generation
If we don’t think about future generations,
they will never forget us. ~Henrik Tikkanen
By Kathleen, Byrne-Barrantes |
| To impart something gradually, to inspire, to impress ideas, principles, or teachings gradually on someone’s mind – that is the definition of the transitive verb instill. So it is that the legions of young people will learn to care for the environment – from us... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Six Washington projects net $1.16 million in
latest round of EPA “Brownfields” funding |
| Six Washington projects have been selected to receive a total of $1.16 million in the latest round of federal aid made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national “Brownfields” redevelopment initiative. Three of these — 50 percent — were awarded to local projects... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Heating and cooling from nature
Mayda and Sons Mechanical brings renewable energy systems to Kitsap County
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| There is a new commercial building in the final stages of development on Provost Road in Silverdale. It sits on a half an acre of land and features 4,000 square feet of office space, 4,000 square feet of warehouse space, concrete and stick frame construction and a super efficient, environmentally friendly geothermal ground source heating and cooling system... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Veterans’ home receives ‘green’ certification
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The Washington Veterans Home in Retsil, near Port Orchard, recently received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Twiss Analytical now providing the only water
and environmental testing services west of Seattle |
| In January 2006 Kitsap County’s health department’s environmental testing lab closed its doors. This has proven to be a huge boon for Twiss Analytical Laboratories of Poulsbo... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Realtor collecting old cell phones for local charity |
| Julian Larson, of Karin Kay Properties, is partnering with StandUp for Kids, an organization that benefits homeless and street teens. They are asking cell phone owners to donate used cell phones to help raise funds for StandUp for Kids of Kitsap County.
Phones can be dropped off at Karin Kay Properties at 9393 Bayshore Drive in Silverdale weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For more information on StandUp for Kids, visit www.standupforkids.org.
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Local discount real estate brokerage opens |
| Washington Discount Realty, co-owned by Frank “Skip” Butcher and Teri Tennyson, now offer a commission’s package which include a flat one percent listing commission, or a $595 Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) advertising fee for the “For Sale by Owner.”
Currently, to sell a $300,000 home with a six percent commission, a home owner would pay $18,000 in commissions but with Washington Discount Realty the home owner will pay $12,000 or less, have full representation and NWMLS advertising.
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Bainbridge Island RE/MAX adds
four new agents |
| RE/MAX Unlimited on Bainbridge Island recently announced four new members of its team. The members include Jeraldine “Jerry” Russell-Zumdieck, Judy Parr, Karen Schutt, and Mary Ann Smith. |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Vergeer earns GRI designation |
| Carolee Vergeer, a sales associate at Silverdale Realty, recently earned the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation from the National Association of Realtors. The designation is awarded to professional real estate practitioners who complete three 30-hour classes covering every facet of real estate practice from the laws that apply to transferring real property, to how to effectively market homes for sale. Reach Vergeer at (360) 692-6141 or (360) 271-9732. |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Rouser earns Luxury Home Marketing
Specialist certification |
| Meisha Rouser with the Watermark Group, Inc., in Poulsbo, was recently recognized as one of the nations top 100 Luxury Homes Marketing Specialists. Rouser was the first estate sales agent to earn and keep the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation in recognition of her experience, knowledge and expertise in the luxury home market.
Contact Rouser at (360) 265-9628 or Meisha@WatermarkNW.com.
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Viking Bank opens Bainbridge loan office |
| Viking Bank recently opened a loan production office at 945 Hildebrand, Suite 240, on Bainbridge Island. The office is located across the parking lot from where Viking Bank’s new full service retail branch is planned to open this fall. |
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
New associate broker, office manager
signs on with Penny’s Team |
Penny McLaughlin recently announced the addition of Jeannette Paulus as office manager and associate broker to Penny’s Team, which is located in Poulsbo.
Paulus’ background includes serving as a new construction superintendent with Mosher Creek in Bremerton and experience as a project manager.
She can be reached at (360) 779-7229, (206) 842-2443 or jeanette@pennym.com.
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SPECIAL REPORT - KITSAP PENINSULA REAL ESTATE
Marcie O’Brien earns GRI designation |
| Marcie O’Brien, a sales associate with the Port Orchard office of Prudential NW Real Estate, recently earned the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) professional designation from the National Association of Realtors.
The designation is awarded to professional real estate practitioners who complete three 30-hour classes. The material covers every facet of real estate practice from the laws that apply to transferring real property to how to effectively market homes for sale. Reach O’Brien at (360) 895-9988.
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Real Estate Lending in Kitsap County
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Market track data for Kitsap County in 2005 shows that 6,887 new mortgages were obtained, along with 16,058 re-financing mortgages, and that the real estate lending industry did a brisk business — to the tune of around $4.5 billion... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Commercial Loan Demand
Continues Strong Course
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Fueled by a strong economy and still favorable interest rates, the local banking industry continues to see great demand in commercial loans. In February alone, about $62 million in commercial loans were made in the county, according to figures provided by Brett Jorgenson, Senior VP/Chief Lending Officer for Kitsap Credit Union... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Our annual roundup of local banking institutions
on the peninsula |
| 1st Security Bank of Washington With 12 branches throughout the greater Puget Sound area, this mutual savings bank has branches in Port Angeles and Poulsbo. Full service and federally insured, the bank as previously Washington’s Credit Union... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
CFA Creates Joint Venture
with Liberty Financial Group
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Bainbridge Island-based CFA Northwest Mortgage Professionals has formed a joined venture with Liberty Financial Group, a mortgage company based in Bellevue. The venture, announced at the end of March, will allow the two companies to consolidate some of their operations while expanding their services... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Wal-Mart Bid for Financial Services
Causes Stir in Banking World
By Rodika Tollefson |
| An attempt by Wal-Mart Corp. to expand into banking drew a wave of opposition in April from interests ranging from the banking industry and unions to lawmakers and associations representing retailers and grocers... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
SBA Loan Program Still Serving Small Business
By Scott Harvey |
| As the economy continues to grow, it is small business, representing 97 percent of all businesses, that is at the forefront of job creation. To sustain this growth, small businesses must have capital. When borrowing these funds, most business owners deal with their local commercial bank. The experienced commercial lender will offer a variety of loan products to serve the needs of his customers... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Time for a Portfolio “Spring Cleaning”?
By Ron Rada |
| Now that we’re well into May, you might look around your house and decide it’s time for a little spring cleaning, if you’re the sort of person who does that kind of thing. But even if you aren’t, you can probably benefit from “sprucing up” another part of your life — your investment portfolio... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
How Much Does Your Bank Know
About Your Business?
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Establishing a relationship with your banker is a good business practice. But how much information, really, do they need to know... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Venture Financial Group Announces
Record Q1 Earnings |
| Venture Financial Group, Inc., parent company of Venture Bank, announced that Q1 net income was $2.3 million, an increase of 13.8 percent or $281,000 as compared to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2005. $2.3 million represents the highest first quarter earnings in Company history... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Fight the “No Savings” trend with
these simple steps
By Michael Allen |
| Late last year, something happened in this country that had not occurred since 1933: The nation’s personal savings rate went negative. And we don’t even have much company in our spendthrift ways: Our savings rate was the lowest in the industrialized world, according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Local Bankers With US Bank Take Top Honors |
| Jari Boulch, Joshua Hardy and Casey Campbell with US Bank, Sedgwick Albertson’s branch in Port Orchard, received the following honors... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Washington Mutual Acquires
Commercial Capital Bancorp |
| In a transaction valued at approximately $983 million, Washington Mutual, Inc. and Commercial Capital Bancorp, Inc. recently announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which Washington Mutual will acquire the outstanding shares of Commercial Capital in exchange for $16 per share in cash... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Light ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!
By Jim Kendall |
| New technologies have a life cycle. The life cycle of a technology can vary from as little as a few short years to as long as decades. Whether in a “short” cycle or a longer cycle, new technologies often seem to follow a similar life cycle arc... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
A cure for technophobia in the business sector
By Rodika Tollefson |
| In a tech-crazy world that makes it nearly mandatory for professionals and business owners to be connected 24/7 through e-mail, pagers, cell phones and personal digital assistants, getting away from technology would require moving to an uninhabited island... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Don’t get caught in a phishing net
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Webopedia, the online dictionary and search engine for computer and Internet technology terms, defines phishing as “The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Autonomix: CRM, managed services
deliver efficient, cost-effective
IT administration for small businesses
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| When Erika and Scott Colson founded Autonomix as a home-based business in 1999, the company’s focus was on custom software and database development. The couple, each with an MBA and technology-related backgrounds — hers in database analysis and his in computer science — specifically looked to cultivate relationships with local businesses... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Linux-based VWB extends media capabilities
Linux support now available for Apple iPod and iTunes,
Google Video, AOL Optimized 9.0, and more |
| Video Without Boundaries, Inc. (VWB) recently announced it has further extended the capabilities of its MediaREADY digital media center product line to include support for an array of new applications and services... (Full Article) |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Kitsap Bank New Sponsor of
Bainbridge in Bloom |
Kitsap Bank has been announced as the new presenting sponsor of Bainbridge in Bloom which will be taking place July 15-16 with a private preview event on July 14. As a fundraising event, Bainbridge in Bloom supports the cultural programming of the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
For more information about Bainbridge in Bloom information, visit www.gardentour.info. |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
UBS to Acquire Piper Jaffray Companies
Private Client Branch Network |
| UBS announced recently that it will acquire the private client branch network of Piper Jaffray Companies for $500 million in cash. The transaction is expected to close at the beginning of the third quarter, subject to regulatory approval. This also includes the assignment of a portfolio of client loans for approximately $300 million and an additional cash consideration of $75 million at closing, dependent on certain criteria and business thresholds being met. |
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Sterling Financial Reports Decline in Earnings |
| Sterling Financial Corp., the Spokane-based holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, which operates a branch on Bainbridge Island, announced that first-quarter net income of $15.4 million, or 44 cents a diluted share, down from $15.9 million, or 45 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.
Sterling reported total assets of $7.8 billion at the end of the first quarter, up 12 percent. Total loans increased 20 percent, to $5.25 billion, and total deposits increased 24 percent to $5.1 billion.
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SPECIAL REPORT - BANKING & FINANCE
Kitsap Bank Supports Port Orchard Playground |
| Kitsap Bank recently presented the Port Orchard Soroptimists with $1000 to promote the group’s efforts to build a playground at the Port Orchard Marina Park. The playground will feature unique equipment designed to stimulate the minds and imaginations of young children. “We are pleased that so many have stepped forward, as Kitsap Bank has, to support this addition to our community,” stated Jim Carmichael, Kitsap Bank president and CEO, “This playground meets a real need in this area, and we hope it will bring joy to children and their families for many years to come.” |
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Mac Support Store offers library
of Apple service manuals |
| The Mac Support Store has made over 200 Apple service manuals available for free download. This library contains chapters on troubleshooting, take apart, and schematic views. It also includes every piece of Apple hardware, including obsolete manuals like Newton MessagePads and Personal LaserWriters.
For more information contact The Mac Support Store, Inc. at (888) 259-9258 or at www.macsupportstore.com.
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Local business Web site goes online |
| Rebecca Hubbard, a Kitsap County resident, is launching a new website, www.MyKitsapCounty411.com.
The MyKitsapCounty411.com site features a local business directory, free classifieds, garage sales, real estate listings, auto sales listings, kid’s korner, job search, continuing education, military information, community calendar, things to do in and around Kitsap County, community resources, restaurant menus and more.
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Super WebGroup, Inc. completes three projects |
| Bainbridge Island’s Super WebGroup, Inc. recently designed and developed a Web site for a design foundation in Seattle. It added the SuperCMS software to Port Gamble’s Web site and produced a flash animated demo for Sachs Communication.
For more information contact Jane Lindley at (206) 842-2983 or at jane@superwebgroup.com.
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
Lawmakers propose .xxx domain |
| Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) have proposed the Cyber Safety for Kids Act, a bill that would require the creation of a .xxx top-level domain.
The law would require websites in the business of distributing adult material to register and host all adult material at the .xxx domain, instead of using any of the current top-level domains (such as .com, .net, .biz or others). Those who fail to use the .xxx domain would be subject to civil penalties by the Department of Commerce. The bill has not yet been introduced.
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SPECIAL REPORT - TECHNOLOGY & THE INTERNET
DefCon 14 set for August 4-6 at the Riviera |
| For the first time in seven years, DefCon, the annual confab of assorted hackers, crackers, hammies, phreaks, and more, will be hald in a new location. This year, the event, which is as much about partying as it is about computers, will take place at the Riveria Hotel on the Las Vegas strip. For more information, visit www.defcon.org. |
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