March :: SoundBiteBlog.com 2009 :: SoundBiteBlog.com

Okay, so this is probably the first and only recipe you’ll encounter here on SoundBite. I typically give other real estate agents a hard time for blogging about jokes and recipes. Most consumers want good quality real estate content, not Aunt Betty’s County Fair winning recipe for meat loaf.

However, I’ve been asked enough times that it warrants posting my salsa recipe. There just aren’t enough characters on Twitter to do the recipe justice, and posting to Facebook would simply get lost in the shuffle.

For the most part, fresh ingredients are the key to making good salsa, so don’t cut corners there. Find a local market that excels at good quality produce. Fortunately for us here on the Kitsap Peninsula, we have Central Market in Poulsbo.

Mix the following in a large mixing bowl:

8 – 10 large finely chopped radishes

One bunch of fresh Cilantro – I usually cut-off the top half with just the greens and chop it semi-fine.

6 – 8 cloves of fresh finely chopped garlic – you can use the a tablespoon of the pre-chopped stuff.

1/2 diced Sweet Onion – I prefer Walla Walla sweets…

6 finely sliced green onions

One large Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped

2 large Jalapeno Peppers, finely chopped

4 small to medium vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped semi-fine

Two cans of Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles

Two small cans of Tomato Sauce

7 or 8 cranks of freshly ground pepper from a mill

1 teaspoon of sugar

If you want more heat, add another Jalapeno or a habanero.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and Crabbing in the Hood.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 3 Comments »

Tags: Kitsap County WA, recipes, Sparky's World Famous Salsa

After what has seemed like an eternity, the wait is finally over.

After persevering through an extremely long and drawn-out 3-year permitting process, the developers of the Olympic View Marina (a new proposed 200-slip marina to replace the dilapidated Seabeck WA marina) are finally on-track to move forward with the project.

County commissioners met towards the end of 2008 and approved a limited amendment to the county’s shoreline master plan that changed the zoning designation from conservancy status to rural status.

The current zoning designation of conservancy, which had been in place for the past 30 years, was an anomaly of sorts. The conservancy zoning statute does not allow for marinas, but at the time the shoreline was zoned, the Seabeck Marina was already in place.

According to Central Kitsap Commissioner, Josh Brown, the zoning just didn’t make any sense.

The partnership of Olympic View LLC, lead by area resident Eric Bentzen, developed an extremely detailed proposal that far exceeded all local, State, and Federal requirements, and took into careful consideration the potential impact the project would have on area tidelands and residential properties.

The need for a modern-day marina and related services is highly pronounced on the east side of Hood Canal. There are currently no public mooring facilities available on the North end of Hood Canal. Construction of the new marina will no doubt have a very positive impact on the local economy and further improve real estate property valuations in the region.

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and Crabbing in the Hood.

Posted in Seabeck WA Real Estate | No Comments »

Tags: Hood Canal WA, olympic view marina, seabeck wa real estate

Posted in Kitsap Market Reports | 1 Comment »

Tags: Kitsap County WA, kitsap county WA real estate market report

For those who know me, I’m not usually one to toot my own horn. I much rather prefer others to toot it for me!

Having said that, here’s another Client Testimonial for Rich Jacobson, licensed real estate professional with Windermere Real Estate in Silverdale WA, providing empowerment and relentless representation for clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout the West Puget Sound WA, including Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson Counties:

“Rich – Thank you for all the great help that have given our family. We could never say ‘Thank-You’ enough! Your patience has been a blessing to all of us. We couldn’t have asked for a better Agent and friend!”

- The Fowler Family

The Fowlers were a great young Navy family with orders to San Diego. As is typical, the Active-duty husband had to leave  early and report to his new duty station, leaving his wife at home with two young ones.

But she was a trooper, working hard to get the house ready for market. Her efforts were quickly rewarded. Their home went under contract after only 5 days, and sold for $8000 over the listing price!

If you need an experienced agent who will relentlessly represent YOUR best interests, and help you successfully achieve your home buying/selling goals, then call me today at (360) 440-4758, or e-mail me at kitsapagent@gmail.com

You can also find me at KitsapLife.com and CrabbingintheHood.com

Posted in Client Testimonials | No Comments »

Tags: Client Testimonials, Silverdale WA Real Estate, Sparks from Sparky, windermere west sound

As a licensed real estate professional here on the Kitsap County Peninsula in scenic Washington State, perhaps the favorite part of my job involves helping 1st-time home buyers realize their dreams of home ownership.

Such was the case with a young Navy couple, TR & Arwen, who closed on their home in Port Orchard WA.

This was one of the most enjoyable transactions I’ve had the privilege of being involved in for quite some time!

TR & Arwen came over from Hawaii, under orders courtesy of Uncle Same and the U.S. Navy. At the time, TR was in the process of making Chief Petty Officer, so it was a very eventful time for both of them!

I had first made contact with Arwen nearly a year prior to them actually coming over from Hawaii. She found me through ActiveRain, one of several Internet social networks that I participate on. We exchanged e-mails, shared MySpace profiles, poked each other on Facebook, and kept in consistent contact throughout the entire process.

When they arrived here in Kitsap County WA, we were fortunate to find a really great home in Port Orchard WA. It had been recently remodeled – new paint, carpets, appliances, kitchen cabinets & counters. Downstairs was the perfect ‘Man’ room for TR. There was even a fenced yard for the dog.  We were able to negotiate an extremely attractive contract with the Sellers, and close ahead of schedule without any difficulties.

This is what being a licensed real estate professional is all about – helping valued clients to achieve their home buying and selling goals & dreams!

This transaction was the direct result of my involvement on various social networks on the Internet. While the vast majority of my business comes from past clients & referrals, with the current market conditions being what they are, it’s helpful having another source of potential clients, especially Buyers!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com and Crabbing in the Hood.

Posted in Buyers | No Comments »

Tags: 1st time buyers, first time buyers, Kitsap County WA, port orchard real estate