booth escrow: Layoff-avoidance program in Washington State sets new records
- 01/07/11 08:25 AM
Layoff-avoidance program sets new record for saving jobs OLYMPIA - More than 32,000 Washington workers kept earning a paycheck in 2010, thanks to the Employment Security Department's Shared-Work Program - that's up from the record 22,000 saved jobs in 2009. "Shared Work has been a difference-maker for thousands of struggling businesses and workers in Washington," said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. "More employers should take advantage of it to reduce costs and hang on to their skilled workers." The Shared-Work Program allows employers to cut their payroll costs by reducing the hours of their full-time employees, while the workers collect partial … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Washington State Economy remains in a holding pattern
- 12/15/10 03:21 AM
Employment Security Department NEWS RELEASE - Dec. 14, 2010/#10-063 Economy remains in a holding pattern OLYMPIA - Washington's employment situation saw little change in November. The jobless rate held steady at 9.2 percent and job numbers remained flat, with a modest gain of an estimated 100 jobs over the month. (October's rate was revised from 9.1 percent to 9.2 percent after more analysis.) "Job growth is in a holding pattern," said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. "It underscores why unemployed workers are having a hard time finding jobs and why we need to extend federal emergency unemployment benefits for awhile … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Some Great Holiday Songs for you
- 12/10/10 05:01 AM
Some Great Holiday Songs for youOne of my lifetime favorites is The River by Joni Mitchell. It may be argued that this is not a Christmas song, but this time of year doesn't feel complete without it! I found another gem that brought tears to my eyes when viewing. Have you heard of a FlashMob? You will like this. Enjoy!! … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Tacoma Side Sewer Requirements Change Again
- 12/10/10 04:56 AM
Tacoma Side Sewer Requirements Change Again Kari Prussen and Rod Rossi from the City of Tacoma came to speak to the South Sound Escrow Association last month and they explained how seriously old the systems are in Tacoma and why these pipes need to be replaced. However, with the economy as it is, they have removed the requirement for the side sewer inspection and instead they will provide informational brochures explaining why these inspections are a good idea.In addition, the City of Tacoma can finance up to $10,000.00 at a very low interest rate to replace side sewers. … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Will the Home Interest Deduction Soon be a Thing of the Past?
- 12/10/10 04:50 AM
Will the Home Interest Deduction Soon be a Thing of the Past? One thing we can all agree on is that the ability to deduct interest on your tax return is in part what motivates individuals to purchase real estate. This castle may be a bit frivolous of an example of home ownership, but your home is your castle.Last Thursday the National Association of Realtors put out a "Call to Action" to prevent the Deficit Commission from passing their plan that includes a significant change or removal of this deduction. On Friday the 3rd, the plan was endorsed by 11 of the 18 … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Technology Investments paying off for those on Unemployment
- 11/17/10 03:51 AM
Technology investments paying off for those on unemployment/Employment Security Department / NEWS RELEASE - Nov. 15, 2010 OLYMPIA - Unemployment claimants have spent about 15 million fewer minutes - or about 28 years - holding phones to their ears so far this year, thanks to Employment Security's new "virtual hold" option. More people also are taking advantage of the department's recently upgraded online claims system. "When the recession hit, our online and phone claims systems were ill-equipped to deal with the hundreds of thousands of people who needed our help," said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. "With the recent investments and … (0 comments)
booth escrow: I-1107 Rolls Back Taxes on Candy, Bottled Water, Carbonated Beverages in Washington State
- 11/04/10 04:54 AM
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE NEWS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / Effective Dec. 2, 2010 I-1107 Rolls Back Taxes on Candy, Bottled Water, Carbonated Beverages OLYMPIA - Nov. 4, 2010 - Voter approval of Initiative 1107 Tuesday means new taxes on candy, gum, bottled water and carbonated beverages will expire effective Dec. 2, 2010 - 30 days after the election. The initiative also allows processors of food products that contain meat to pay a lower B&O tax rate. The Department of Revenue will begin notifying retailers and other affected businesses that they should stop collecting the sales tax on candy, gum and bottled water … (2 comments)
booth escrow: Returning Earnest Money Deposits Held in Escrow
- 11/03/10 01:10 PM
Returning Earnest Money Deposits Held In Escrow When escrow is holding the earnest money deposit from the buyer, we hold it as a neutral third party. Please understand that escrow cannot release the funds without both buyers and sellers signing an agreement that the funds can be released. Every once in a while I receive a call from an agent that feels I should return the earnest money deposit to the buyers based on the terms of the purchase agreement, without further documentation. Please understand that it is a requirement of the Department of Financial Institutions, that all parties provide written instructions before disbursements can be made. Once the buyer has sent in … (11 comments)
booth escrow: Starting in 2012 - More 1099 Requirements
- 11/03/10 12:49 PM
Starting In 2012 - More 1099 Requirements Buried in the new health care bill is a mandate that begins in 2012, and will require all company's to issue 1099 forms not just to contract workers but to any individual or corporation from which they pay out more than $600 in goods or services in a tax year. Check out this article in CNNMoney, explaining how these new requirements may affect how you do business starting in 2012.This health care bill mandate, intends to collect lost revenue from companies that under-report on their tax returns. This change is expected to raise $17 billion over 10 years.For the first time, … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Hours Extended for Washington's Unemployment Claims Call Centers
- 10/28/10 10:22 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 28, 2010/Hours extended for Washington's unemployment-claims call centers OLYMPIA - Starting Nov. 1, Washington's unemployment-claims phone line will be open one hour earlier each day to receive benefit applications or questions from unemployed workers. Intake agents are now available 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist unemployed workers with their claims for benefits. The call centers will keep extended hours through January 31. Call centers are at their busiest during the winter months, when industries such as construction and agriculture are in their off-season. "It's important for us to provide the highest level … (0 comments)
Free Microsoft online courses available OLYMPIA - Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee announced today that more than 1,000 different online Microsoft computer courses are now available for free to Washington residents who want to improve their work skills. Employment Security has signed a unique contract with Microsoft to make online courses available to people who register with the state's WorkSource career-development system. "Microsoft has made our state the computer software capital of the world, and together we want to give workers in our state the opportunity to excel," said Lee. "When you look … (0 comments)
booth escrow: When Obtaining Written Authorizations on Short Sales, Don't Forget Escrow
- 10/02/10 06:29 AM
When Obtaining Written Authorizations on Short Sales, Don't Forget Escrow Yesterday I was working on getting my final HUD approved by GMAC on a sale scheduled to record today. The "final" HUD was faxed over for their review 4 days ago, but they will not talk with escrow without the customers written authorization. The sellers signed the authorization yesterday (they didn't return the authorization that was previously mailed to them) and it was faxed to GMAC. GMAC informed me that they have a 24 - 48 hour period before the authorization is posted to the system. After a few phone calls this morning … (4 comments)
booth escrow: What a Goldmine!!
- 10/02/10 06:25 AM
Washington State Digital Archives What a goldmine!! Are you in need of a death certificate? Court cases? Marriage or Military records? How about naturalization or professional license records?
Maybe you are just a fan of old photographs? If so you want to check out this website for the Washington State Digital Archives. Enjoy your search. Julie … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Are You About to Sell an Investment Property with one or more tenants?
- 10/02/10 06:18 AM
Are you about to sell an investment property with one or more tenants? If so you may want to waive the payment of utilities by the closing agent at closing. Read through the rental agreements, many tenants have agreed to pay the utilities (yes even lienable utilities) to the landlord. Automatically asking your Closing Agent to collect and pay final estimated utilities at closing may not work as smoothly for your customers when you have tenants paying the utilities to the owner. When in doubt, always check with a real estate attorney. Enjoy your weekend! Julie
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booth escrow: Boeing Employs 76 Percent of 77,441 Employees, Pays Them the Most!
- 09/23/10 06:54 AM
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE NEWS RELEASE/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/For more information, contact:/Mike Gowrylow/(360) 570-6048 2009 Aerospace Tax Incentives Report Now Online Boeing Employs 76 Percent of 77,441 Employees, Pays Them the Most OLYMPIA - Sept. 21, 2010 - Boeing employed 76 percent of more than 77,000 employees working for 221 aerospace firms participating in aerospace tax incentives in 2009, according to an annual report published by the Washington State Department of Revenue. The Aerospace Tax Incentives Report Summary for Tax Year 2009 also found that 76 percent of Boeing employees earned more than $30 per hour compared to 25 percent for all … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Port Townsend, Jefferson County is Washington States Solar Energy Leaders
- 09/16/10 04:17 AM
Jefferson County, Port Townsend are Washington's Solar Energy Leaders OLYMPIA, Sept. 9, 2010 - Jefferson County and its sole incorporated city, Port Townsend, are Washington's solar energy leaders, judging by the number of certified renewable energy projects per capita. Jefferson County had 87 certified projects as of Sept. 1, 2010, one project for every 337 residents. This includes 67 projects in Port Townsend, one for every 134 residents. San Juan County ranked second among counties at one project for every 434 residents, followed by Klickitat County at one per 466 residents, Clallam County at one per 922 and Island County at … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Washington States Property Tax Revenues Increase 2.1% in 2010
- 09/16/10 04:03 AM
Property Tax Revenues Increase 2.1 Percent in 2010 OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 15, 2010 - Property tax revenues increased 2.1 percent to $8.8 billion in 2010, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today. Approximately $52 million of the $181.6 million in additional revenue over 2009 stems from new construction added to the tax rolls. Another $99.2 million is due to higher voter-approved levies. Voters approved 38.6 percent of property taxes due in 2010 through school levies and bonds, levy lid lifts, funding for emergency medical services and other measures. The average property tax on a single-family home dropped $26 to $2,618, … (0 comments)
I use this website pretty often to confirm who services an existing loan. Rarely does my title report reflect current lender information. If this is something that can benefit you and your business, check this site out: MERS Servicer Identification. I hope you find this of as much use as I do! Enjoy the day, Julie … (2 comments)
booth escrow: Washington States Unemployment Rate Stays Steady
- 09/15/10 08:16 AM
Employment Security Department NEWS RELEASE - Sept. 15, 2010/Media contacts: Dave Wallace, acting chief economist, 360-438-4818/Jamie Swift, communications manager, 360-902-0904
Unemployment rate stays steady OLYMPIA - Washington's unemployment rate held steady at 8.9 percent, while the private sector picked up 900 jobs. Overall, payrolls were down 2,000 in August due to the elimination of an estimated 2,900 government jobs. Industries that added jobs in August were education and health services, up 500; manufacturing, up 400; information, up 400; financial activities, up 300; leisure and hospitality, up 300; and wholesale trade, up 200. Jobs were lost in government, down 2,900; transportation, … (0 comments)
booth escrow: Information is King When Creating an Est. HUD 1 for Short Sale Consideration
- 09/15/10 07:49 AM
Information is King When Creating an Estimated HUD - 1 for a Short Sale. When setting up an escrow that has a contingency for a short sale, I start to think of all the items that will make the HUD preparation go smooth: Collecting commission amounts and utility figures - is this property subject to sewer capacity charges? Even if the buyer is going to assume the debt, the seller would normally bring the account current and that can add up to thousands of dollars. Is the property subject to Homeowners Association dues? What would a reasonable closing date be? … (0 comments)
Layoff-avoidance program sets new record for saving jobs
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