booth escrow: New law kicks in July 1st for Appraisers - 04/03/10 04:36 AM
It surprises me how laws have to be created so that people are required to do such common sense things as this law now requires. 
Sam Pace with the Association of Realtors spoke to the South Sound Womans Council of Realtors last Thursday and explained that Appraisal Management Companies (AMC) will now need to confirm that the appraiser assigned to the project have "geographic & product confidence" of the site.  AMC's will be licensed by the Department of Licensing who will be the enforcer of this law.
I guess the law makers finally noticed that the comps used in recent appraisals … (5 comments)

booth escrow: Washington's jobless rate takes a step back in February - 03/19/10 02:13 AM
Employment Security Department  NEWS RELEASE - March 16, 2010
Audio link:   http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation/releases/audio/index.php
 Washington's jobless rate takes a step back in February
 OLYMPIA - After posting the first job gains in more than a year in January, Washington's economy dropped an estimated 8,300 jobs in February.
Washington's unemployment rate remained above 9 percent for the 7th straight month, rising up from January's 9.3 percent to an estimated 9.5 percent in February. The U.S. unemployment rate for February was 9.7 percent.
"We took a couple steps forward in January and one step back in February," said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. "The path … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Here is a great way to start off the St. Patricks Day feeling - 03/12/10 04:46 AM
Is there anything better than hearing some great music as you are working, blogging or just organizing your day?  I think not.
Since Saint Patricks Day is right around the corner, here is a great fun song from the band, "Great Big Sea".
Enjoy!
Julie
 
… (0 comments)

booth escrow: Love beauty? West Hylebos Wetlands Park in Federal Way, Washington is worth the time. - 03/12/10 04:30 AM
Love beauty?  The West Hylebos Wetlands Park in Federal Way, Washington is worth the time.  We decided to check it out a couple of weeks ago and so we headed out - just a few miles down the road. 
The West Hylebos Wetlands is equal parts wildlife refuge, ecological and hydrological conservatory, nature trail, and just plain natural wonder. 
The walk starts out with 2 very old cabins for you to look at.  One of these cabins was owned by one of Seattles Fathers, David Denny, who in 1998 built a 22 by 22 foot cabin from the trees cut on … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Suspectfraud.com helps Consumers "Check with the State before its too Late" - 03/10/10 01:56 AM
NEWS RELEASE:  Contact:  Mike Gowrylow or Selena Davis  Department of Revenue/                         Department of Labor and Industries; (360) 570-6048 or (360) 902-6593
Suspectfraud.com Helps Consumers "Check with the State before It's Too Late"
 OLYMPIA, March 8, 2010 - Here's a consumer tip: check www.suspectfraud.com to avoid getting ripped off on that deal that sounds too good to be true.
                In an effort to counter consumer fraud, and to give residents a way to report crooked businesses, the Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industries and several other agencies have established a web site, www.suspectfraud.com that allows consumers to easily check … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Washington State posts first job gains since 2008 - 03/02/10 05:00 AM
Washington States Employment Security Department
NEWS RELEASE - March 2, 2010
Audio link:   http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation/releases/audio/index.php

Washington posts first job gains since 2008
OLYMPIA - Washington's economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs - the first monthly gain since November 2008.
"This is a positive sign for Washington state," Gov. Chris Gregoire said. "We have implemented several strategies to create jobs, and it's paying off. There is more we can and should do - that's why I continue to work with leaders at both the state and federal levels to develop additional proposals that will put … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Once in a while, a company does something that surprises me - 02/17/10 06:50 AM
Once in a while, a company does something surprising and this begins the story of Washington Energy Services.
Last year during the Pacific Northwests freezing snap, our furnace went out.  We called Washington Energy Services to come and install a new, improved version of what we had (oooh, now so nice and quiet), we were told by the installer that we needed to install a vehicle stop pole before it could be finaled.
Well, we went to Lowes and to Home Depot and could not figure out how to go about this and so the months rolled by and it did … (2 comments)

booth escrow: Aren't Reconveyances instantly recorded after payoff? - 02/17/10 06:09 AM
It feels like I could shoot to the moon easier than I can get reconveyances out of some companies.
The transaction in question closed last August and it was a Short Sale with a 1st and 2nd with the same company.  I track my own reconveyances at no fee to the customer and when I still didn't have the reconveyance by January, I wrote to the company to ask them when I could expect the Full Reconveyances.
My first thought is that they had no intention of clearing the Deeds of Trust with Full Reconveyances (some loophole in their short sale … (1 comments)

booth escrow: Can you have too much fun in Belltown, Seattle? (Part II) - 02/15/10 11:15 AM
Can you have too much fun in Belltown, Seattle?
Earlier I wrote about my friend & I meeting in Belltown, Seattle to try out the new restaurant, "List".  We really didn't have a plan to visit any specific place when we left List, but agreed that we would play it by ear. 
Right around the corner from List, is Belltown Billiards, how could we walk right by this place?  So we went in for a drink and to play a game of pool.  This place has 8 pool tables, which is adjacent to their new "ultra lounge areas", which is designed with groups … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Can you have too much fun in Belltown, Seattle? (Part I) - 02/15/10 10:08 AM
Can you have too much fun in Belltown, Seattle?  Well Jean Marie & I certainly tried last Thursday. 
We met up at List in Belltown after hearing really good things about their menu.
We dined on Grilled Sea Bass with Wild Mushroom Sauce, that our waitress, Tanya recommended strongly.  She was right on the mark with that one.  Delicous!  She told us that they always ran out of it very early, day after day.  I can see why. 
We also had their Gnocchi with Black Truffle Cream and this was a perfect compliment to the Sea Bass.  Both were really outstanding.
… (0 comments)

booth escrow: Here sits the 3rd largest aquarium in Washington State! - 02/10/10 04:34 AM
After hearing that I was awarded 2500 points on Active Rain yesterday (Thank you Active Rain & Jim Frimmer!!),I was inspired to go out and take a few shots of my neighborhood. 
In yesterday afternoon's blog, I gave you a shot of the waterfront of Redondo Washington, the building in this photograph is actually part of the buildings that you see in yestersdays blog, but this one is special.  It is the home of the Marine Science & Tech Center which is owned by Highline Community College.
This center represents the only college owned facility with direct saltwater access and it … (0 comments)

booth escrow: While the East Coast is getting hammered by Snow... - 02/09/10 10:35 AM
Yes, while the East Coast is getting hammered by snow, we in the Pacific Northwest are enjoying a very mild winter.  In fact, can you even call it a winter?
The Olympic Winter Games are being held in Vancouver, BC, which is just 162 miles north of us.  This is the warmest January in Vancouver history - really bad timing, but what can you do?  Bring the snow in by helicopter and they have:  5,000 cubic meters so far!
Last year, we were hammered with the biggest snowfall I remember having here - ever.  I took this photo at lunch today.  … (3 comments)

booth escrow: Its a beautiful afternoon here in Federal Way! - 02/09/10 10:01 AM
One of the delights of this afternoon was dropping off of a Fed X at Mail, Copy & More, located in Dash Point Village in Federal Way.  As I waiting in line, the Gent on the far left was mailing a package of Valentine's Day candy to his Granddaughter.  He insisted that it was his wifes idea and not his, but I couldn't help but smile at the wonderful sentiment.
Federal Way has many different attributes, such as a very active Chamber of Commerce but what really makes it stand apart are the very friendly people in the community.
I am … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Washington States Layoff-avoidance program saves jobs - 01/26/10 03:27 AM
Audio link:   http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation/releases/audio/index.php
 
Layoff-avoidance program saves jobs
 
OLYMPIA – More than 20,000 Washington workers got paychecks instead of pink slips in 2009 by participating in the state Employment Security Department’s Shared-Work Program.
The program allows employers to cut their payroll costs by reducing the hours of their full-time employees, and the workers collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for some of the lost wages.  The estimate of jobs saved last year through Shared Work comes from information on the employers’ original applications combined with their actual use of the program.
“Shared Work can make the difference … (3 comments)

booth escrow: Are you a Washington State Real Estate Agent in need of free legal documents? - 01/23/10 03:29 AM
Link, link, who has the link? 
I have alot of great links both on my website and on my Fan Page.  Go ahead and sign up as a Fan, I have plenty of room for you and I promise you interesting, relevant content! 
Do you know of someone who needs their credit cleaned up?  I have a link for that.
Are you getting your recording numbers quick enough?  I have links to several counties that provide this information as it happens.  King, Pierce and Kitsap are all right here for you.
Are you looking a legal document, perhaps a … (2 comments)

booth escrow: Are you wondering when your Trustees Sale date is REALLY scheduled? - 01/23/10 03:07 AM
Are you wondering when your Trustees Sale date is really scheduled?  Depending on who the acting Trustee is, you may be able to find this information on line.  On one of my current escrows, the Trustee is "ReconTrust" and their website gives you all of this information on line.
Northwest Trustee Services is another familiar company that handles many sales here in the Pacific Northwest.  You can find their auction dates here.
So many of our real estate transactions are now short sales with Trustees Sales looming.  Your title report can only give you information that is "of record" and once … (2 comments)

booth escrow: Fabulous Friday's song while you blog & get ready for your weekend - 01/22/10 04:03 AM
Fabulous Friday's song while you blog and get ready for your weekend is by Blind Melon and is called "Change". 
This song applies as much today as it did when in came out in the early 90's.  I had not seen this version of it before today - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Have a great weekend!
Julie
… (0 comments)

booth escrow: Washington State publishes its Tax Reference Manual on its Website - 01/22/10 02:31 AM
OLYMPIA – Jan. 21, 2010 – The Department of Revenue has published Tax Reference Manual 2010 on its web site.
Last revised in 2007, the 225-page report provides an overview of Washington’s tax system and summarizes state and local taxes.  It cites their purpose, history, rate changes, and revenue produced from each tax over the past decade.
Revenue has published the report periodically since 1975 as a service to state policy makers, academic community, media, and citizens to help them understand and evaluate the merits of existing tax sources.  It provides a broad look at how the tax system evolved from … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Ben Comilang with Golf Savings Bank speaks to the escrow assoc. - 01/21/10 10:40 AM
The South Sound Regional Escrow Association hosted an LPO clock hour last night at the LaQuinta Inn in Tacoma with Ben Comilang from Golf Savings Bank being our speaker. Ben covered different issues that the real estate market has been faced with including foreclosures and short sales and also talked about a number of different programs currently available in the South Sound area:Here are a few of the programs that we learned about: Washington State Housing Finance Commission - House Key Federal Way House Key Plus, 2nd mortgage loan - 5% interest with a 10 year term up to $10k statewide … (0 comments)

booth escrow: Federal Way's new Safety Camera's have "caught" me - 01/21/10 10:05 AM
The new Safety Cameras have "caught" me making a right turn on a red light!Imagine my surprise when I opened up an envelope from the Federal Way Police Department to find a "COURTESY WARNING NOTICE" complete with photographs of my "infraction".   I thought they were going to ask for a donation, but they did not.  This is a warning only but the letter lets me know that this "infraction" carries a penalty up to $250.00.  The photo's in the notice clarify to me that I did stop first, but perhaps it wasn't long enough (have you ever heard of a California … (4 comments)