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CK Schools Levy – A Sound Investment

February 6th, 2010 by Rich Jacobson

There’s been a lot of somewhat heated yet healthy discussion and debate lately regarding the upcoming local school support levies being voted upon here in Kitsap County WA by February 9th.

You can follow one of the more ‘lively’ conversations HERE.

A rather interesting and timely article appeared in a recent Kitsap Sun article:

“Judge Rules State not Fulfilling Duty to Fund Education”

Kitsap Sun Staff Blogger Marietta Nelson offered an ensuing commentary that poses the probing question: “What’s Missing?”

I can’t speak personally for the other districts within Kitsap County, but I can vouch for the Central Kitsap School District both as a resident and a parent of four CKSD students.

One of the benefits of living here in Central Kitsap is the sense of family and community that we all share. For those of us whose children have attended CK schools we have experienced firsthand the value and quality of education provided by the educators and staff of Central Kitsap School District.

I’ve never seen teachers and administrators who take such an active role in the lives of our kids. Superintendent Greg Lynch and the School Board Members (especially Chris Stokke) can be seen at nearly every school function or activity (even taking time out to personally read books in class to elementary students). Such occasions have afforded me countless opportunities of becoming better acquainted with our school leaders/administrators.

We are most fortunate here in Central Kitsap to have such highly qualified administrators/staff, and dedicated board members, all who possess high ethical standards and personal integrity.

A vote of “YES’ to renew the upcoming CK school support levy is not only a vote for our kids, but it’s also a vote of trust and confidence in our teachers and district leadership, to empower them all to continue their proven track record of educational excellence!

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kitsap-county-wa-real-estate

An avid blogger since 2005, Rich has published over 1000 articles, most related to real estate. He enjoys using the tools of social media to brag/boast about the quality of Life on the picturesque Kitsap Peninsula in scenic WA State. He is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable 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, ActiveRain, Crabbing in the Hood, Everyday CK, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted in Kitsap County Bites | 3 Comments »

Tags: Central Kitsap School District, chris stokke, cksd, education, funding, greg lynch, kitsap county wa schools, school support levy, silverdale wa

King County Court Denies Justice to Grieving Family

January 27th, 2010 by Rich Jacobson

King County Court decision devastates Local Family

On the morning of March 13, 2005, local CK resident Heather Lee Meadows, daughter of Greg and Leah Meadows, was driving to work with a friend on I-5 just south of Seattle, when a speeding drunk driver entered the freeway using the off ramp, going the wrong way against traffic, and hit her head on. She was killed almost instantly, while her passenger suffered internal injuries, a fractured skull and jaw, as well as long lasting emotional trauma.

The drunk driver, Ngere Tambwe Omari, had a long list of prior run-ins with the law. An immigrant from Rwanda, he had entered the U.S. illegally, but was granted amnesty by our government due to the civil war in his country of origin at that time. Just a month earlier, he had been convicted of a DUI, was placed on probation, and had his licensed suspended. At the time of the accident, in addition to a suspended license, he had no insurance, and the car he was driving belonged to someone else.

As a result, Omari was convicted of Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, and 2nd degree driving on Suspended License. He was sentenced to prison for 72 months and a release date of April 27, 2010.

During his incarceration, he received extensive medical treatment to repair his crushed femur that he sustained in the crash. His physical therapy, surgery, medications, multiple mental health visits to Western State, and the expense of his translator, attorneys, etc., has cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. He has yet to fulfill any of his court ordered responsibility of paying restitution to any of his claimants.

In addition to his jail sentence, there had been an immigration hold placed on him during his incarceration. Upon release, he was to be remanded to the immigration authorities to begin the deportation process.

Unbeknownst to the Meadows family, a decision was handed down in the fall of 2009 by the King County courthouse that lifted the immigration hold. When Omari is released from prison this coming April, he will be allowed once again to roam this country freely.

Which of our daughters or sons, Mothers or Fathers will be Omari’s next victim?

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2006/dec/06/man-sentenced-in-death-of-ck-grad/

http://www.komonews.com/news/7894072.html

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-393677

Posted in Kitsap County Bites | 4 Comments »

Tags: drunk driver, heather meadows, illegal immigrants, immigration laws, injustice, king county courts, ngere tambwe omari

The Ridge at McCormick Woods by Quadrant Homes

October 8th, 2009 by Rich Jacobson

New construction here in Kitsap County WA has been hard hit of late due to the economic downturn and lenders tightening their purse strings. quadrant-homes-the-ridge-at-mccormick-woods

However, one area builder appears to be thriving in this challenging market, Quadrant Homes.

A Fortune 500 company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Weyerhauser Corporation, Quadrant Homes “More House. Less Money” is Washington State’s Largest Home Builder, with over 14 active developments from Mount Vernon to Yelm.

I had the good fortune of selling one of the first homes in the Stendahl Ridge development in Poulsbo WA. At first, many area agents were somewhat wary and hesitant at showing Quadrant properties to their Buyers. There was a lot of negative buzz floating around at the time, whether real, imagined, or otherwise, to the effect that Quadrant salespeople weren’t exactly ‘Buyer Agent’ friendly.

port-orchard-wa-real-estate

I think part of this mis-perception stemmed from Quadrant’s required procedure of generating their own purchase & sales contract on-site, and their seemingly ‘overbearing’ control over the entire transaction. Add to that the rather unique practice of paying out the Buyer’s agent commission at the beginning of the transaction versus at the completion of building. Many who take agency representation seriously felt that Quadrant was intentionally forcing the Buyer’s agent out of the equation.

Having been through the process as a Buyer’s agent myself, I can certainly understand how such attitudes could occur. However, such was not my experience.

In order for Quadrant to deliver on their promise of “More House. Less Money” they have to tightly control the entire process from start to finish. If you’ve ever been involved in a new construction project, you know how quickly things can go south! And as far as being paid up front, who in their right mind would complain about something like that? Homes-for-sale-in-kitsap-county-wa

I am currently working with some awesome 1st-Time Home Buyers right now who are under contract on one of the homes in Phase 3 of Quadrant’s “The Ridge at McCormick Woods” in Port Orchard WA. We are working closely with Dan Spurlock, the Development Community Manager. Dan commands an impressive knowledge of Quadrant’s products and is intimately versed in all stages of the construction process. He skillfully guided my Buyers through each section of the contract, careful to explain key portions in detail, and answer all of their questions. I have every confidence that my Buyers will continue to be treated with the utmost courtesy, respect, and care.

If you’re a 1st-Time Buyer or just looking for a great value in a home purchase, give me a call @ 360-440-4758, and I’d be glad to give you a personal guided tour of ‘The Ridge at McCormick Woods!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable 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, ActiveRain, and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted in Port Orchard Real Estate | No Comments »

Tags: dan spurlock, Kitsap County WA real estate, port orchard real estate, quadrant homes, the ridge at mccormick woods

Positive Changes at Windermere West Sound in Kitsap County WA

July 22nd, 2009 by Rich Jacobson

Windermere-Real-Estate-Silverdale-WA I just wanted to update our readers about some very positive changes that have recently occurred at the Windermere Real Estate offices in Poulsbo, and Silverdale (known as Windermere West Sound, Inc.) here on the scenic Kitsap Peninsula.

Earlier this year, both offices were sold by retiring Windermere veterans, John Demco and Steve and April Kieburtz, to a couple of young Windermere entrepreneurs, Carter Dotson and Mike Pitts.

Dotson, owner of Windermere’s Kingston office, began his ten year real estate career at Windermere Services Company. A native of Bainbridge Island, Dotson has recently returned to Bainbridge with his family and is managing operations at the Poulsbo office which currently has 47 agents.

Co-owner partner, Pitts, also formerly of Windermere Services Company, brings his information technology skills to the management of the Silverdale office, which houses 42 agents. Mike and his family reside on Bainbridge Island as well.

At the Poulsbo office, longtime Managing Broker and popular trainer, Cindy White, has retired. Her void has been skillfully filled by respected veteran Casey McGrath.

In Silverdale, Managing Broker Frank Wilson has taken a position with Graphical Data, Inc., a real estate technology company that provides website design and IDX MLS feed solutions to real estate offices, brokerages and agents. Replacing Frank is Marie Flanders, a longtime successful agent in Kitsap County.

There is definitely a renewed sense of vision and excitement in our offices. Since assuming ownership, both Carter and Mike have garnered the trust, respect, and support of our agents, not an easy task, I assure you.

Under the leadership of the new owners, and the experienced guidance of the new managing brokers, Windermere West Sound, Inc. is poised to continue their dominant position as the leading real estate company in Kitsap County WA.

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Posted in Kitsap County Bites | No Comments »

Tags: Carter Dotson, Casey McGrath, Marie Flanders, Mike Pitts, poulsbo real estate, Silverdale WA Real Estate, west sound inc, windermere real estate

Silverdale and Bremerton tapped as #1 Growth US Housing Market

June 11th, 2009 by Rich Jacobson

silverdale-wa-real-estate In the most recent issue of US News and World Report, Silverdale WA and Bremerton WA were both ranked in 1st place among the Top Ten US Housing Markets for the Next Ten Years.

Citing a recent study conducted by Moody’s Economy.com, Associate Editor Luke Mullins shared findings that the home prices of neighboring cities Silverdale WA and Bremerton WA should expect to increase by an average of 5.2 percent annually from the fourth quarter of 2008 through the same period of 2018.

Situated near the heart of the Kitsap Peninsula, Silverdale and Bremerton WA share more than 300 miles of scenic Puget Sound coastline with other area cities like Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Seabeck.

While the attractive Pacific Northwest location is certainly a huge draw that brings new residents to the area, the study points to the area’s stable economies as the primary determining factor for the projected future growth. A large military presence/community— of the U.S. Navy in particular — helps to insulate the local economies somewhat from the widespread volatility being experienced in other markets around the county.

With the current low mortgage rates and the $8000 tax credit, this can be an excellent time for 1st Time Home Buyers to enter the market. And, with the number of bank-owned properties and short sales, there is also opportunities for investors to acquire some bargain-priced properties.

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Posted in Kitsap County Bites | 2 Comments »

Tags: Bremerton WA Real Estate, Kitsap County WA real estate, port orchard real estate, poulsbo real estate, seabeck wa real estate, Silverdale WA Real Estate