Welcome to SoundBiteBlog.com. This website focuses mainly on providing Real Estate, Mortgage, and Local Area information for consumers and residents in Western Puget Sound, we also share our passions, expertise, and practical insights on Internet marketing and technology, including social media/networking, SEO, website design, and custom web applications. SoundBiteBlog is an award-winning joint venture between Mark Flanders of Pastik Design and Rich Jacobson of Keller William West Sound.

Within the pages of SoundBite is an eclectic collection of articles covering a wide variety of topics we hope you'll find interesting, engaging, and helpful. Rich is committed to relentlessly representing his client's best interests and empowering them to make informed decisions. Mark finally decided what he wanted to do when he grew up and gets excited when the code he's written solves a customer's problem with blinding efficiency!

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Kitsap County WA Real Estate Market Report February 2012

February 1st, 2012 by Rich Jacobson

The following is a brief overview and analysis of the combined single-family home and condo market within Kitsap County, Washington for February 2012, provided by Rich Jacobson of Keller Williams West Sound Realty, in Silverdale, WA.kitsap-county-wa-real-estate

  • Properties currently active on the market:  1457
  • Properties closed in the last 180 days:  1167
  • Average Sales Price:  $ 269,892
  • Average List Price:  $ 277,568
  • Ratio of List Price to Sales Price: 97%
  • Average Days on Market: 127
  • Sales Pending this Week: 58

Poulsbo WA statistics separately: (Area 166)

  • Properties currently Active on the market:  98
  • Properties closed in last 180 days:  78
  • Average Sales Price:  $301,102
  • Average List Price:  $308,274
  • Ratio of List Price to Sales Price: 98%
  • Average Days on Market: 141
  • Sales Pending this week: 5Forza Fire in Silverdale WA

Though we are at our traditionally slow time of the year, there is a surprising amount of brisk Buyer activity throughout the area. Regardless of the current economic doldrums, there are always great opportunities for someone. Mortgage rates remain incredibly low and short sales/bank-owned properties offer some super affordable deals!

For all the latest mortgage rate quotes, go to The Mortgage Porter

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN KITSAP COUNTY WA NOW?

In his classic novella, ‘Of Mice and Men,’ Nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck immortalized the quote:

“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

My brokerage, Keller Williams West Sound Realty, had just signed a 5-year lease for office space here in Silverdale WA. The tenant improvements were slated to begin on Monday January 9th. On the afternoon of January 8th, a fire broke out in a tanning bed at The Desert Sun Tanning Salon. Within just a few short hours, the entire building at Town Centre Plaza at the corner of Silverdale Way and Ridgetop Blvd.  lie in waste, including popular coffee hang-out Forza, and the space we had negotiated to lease next door!

Unlike many of the other tenants whose businesses were destroyed, we were simply inconvenienced/delayed for a short  period of time. Keller Williams West Sound is committed to establishing a presence here in Kitsap County WA. And as such, we currently plan to wait until a new building is constructed at the same location and re-negotiate a lease for space next to the new Forza’s. In the interim time frame, we will identify some temporary office space to use until the new building is complete. Stay tuned!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional with Windermere Real Estate, 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

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9009 Martin Avenue – Nearly 4000 sq.ft. home in peaceful Silverdale Highlands

January 12th, 2012 by Rich Jacobson

Welcome to 9009 Martin Avenue in Silverdale Washington

NWMLS #310096  ~  $439,950

This nearly 4000 square foot 4BR 4BTH home is situated on a near 1/2 acre lot in peaceful Silverdale Highlands and backs up to seasonal creek. The Main Level Open Great Room boasts a gourmet island kitchen with over 700 sq. ft. of granite counters, deep sink, breakfast bar, all stainless appliances including double convection oven, extensive custom cabinetry with pull-outs and built-ins; Formal Dining area with French Doors to BBQ deck; and a sunken Living Room with River Rock Wood Burning Fireplace.

A Large Upper Level BR could easily become a 2nd Master. The Lower Level Master Suite has French Doors leading out to your private deck. 3 of the 4 bathrooms have been recently remodeled with quality materials and workmanship. And if you need extra storage space, this is the home for you!

For the mechanically inclined, there is an 860 sq.ft. heated insulated shop space with full length workbench and saw that conveys.  Separate entries to both the shop and lower level. The home is heated by efficient Radiant heat. Cedar siding (painted in 2010), concrete tile roof, and Anderson windows and doors throughout are just some of the many features of this incredibly well-built custom home.

Silverdale Highlands is one of the older, more established neighborhoods in Silverdale WA. The home’s location offers quick and convenient access to award-winning Central Kitsap schools, area shopping, and local Navy bases.

For more information, go to my Keller Williams West Sound Contact Page Kitsap County WA Homes

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Keller-Williams-West-Sound-Realty

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams West Sound, 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

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Fire in Silverdale WA destroys several popular local businesses

January 9th, 2012 by Rich Jacobson

In my last post I shared my excitement at the prospects of Keller Williams West Sound opening a new office location here in Silverdale, next door to Forza Coffee Company, in the Towne Centre Plaza at the corner of Ridgetop and Silverdale Way.

Well, unfortunately, those plans ended rather abruptly yesterday afternoon when a fire broke out at The Desert Sun Tanning Salon located in the west end of the commercial complex that is shared with Forza and several other area businesses.

fire-destroys-local-business-in-Silverdale-WA

You can read all the details in the recent Kitsap Sun article:

Malfunction in tanning salon bed apparent cause of Silverdale fire

Other businesses lost to the flames besides Forza and The Desert Sun included Hearing Solutions, Cigar Land, Ed Wyse Beauty Supply, and Cruise Holidays.

Keller Williams West Sound, based in Gig Harbor, had recently signed a 5-year lease agreement with the building’s owner, and improvements were scheduled to begin this week.

Fortunately, no one was hurt or injured in the blaze, but the entire complex was completely razed by the fire.

I’ve also posted a gallery of photos of the fire’s aftermath on my Facebook profile

So, what’s the step? Rest assured that Keller Williams West Sound is committed to establishing a local office/presence here in Kitsap County. No doubt a new location will be identified or we will negotiate a similar space next to Forza if a new commercial building is constructed on the current site.

Stay tuned!

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Keller-Williams-West-Sound-Property-Hub

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams West Sound, 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

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CK Schools Levy – A Sound Investment

February 6th, 2010 by Rich Jacobson

Central-Kitsap-School-District-Support-LevyThere’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

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“Blogs and Tweets” with Natalie Danielson

December 11th, 2009 by Rich Jacobson

This Friday, December 11th at Pacific Northwest Title in Silverdale, Kitsap area real estate professionals will have the ‘joy’ of being entertained taught by Natalie Danielson of ClockHours.comNatalie-Danielson-clockhours-dot-com

Natalie will be facilitating two brand new Social Media classes – one on Blogging Basics, and the other on Twitter. Here is the all the skinny:

  • Two brand new 3 clock hour classes
  • Tuition :$30.00 for each or both for $55.00 (deal)
  • Date : December 11th, 2009
  • Time: 1st session Blogging Basics 9:30 – 12:30 pm
  • Time : 2nd Session Twenty Questions on Twitter 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Pacific Northwest Title

2021 NW Myhre Road, Suite 300

Silverdale, WA 98383

(360) 692-4141

To register, email:  vickieL@pnwtkitsap.com

Directions to Pacific Northwest Title

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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, Crabbing in the Hood, Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

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