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| Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 | | 2:55 pm |
The Luxury Tree House
Interested in tree house living? Well, I found an interesting article about the modern day tree house. Apparently, adults are finding out what the kids have know all along: The humble tree house has come a long way from the rickety bits of two-by-four rotting in the back garden. Currently poised at the cutting edge of bespoke construction, 21st-century tree houses are sleek havens of tranquility. What’s more, you won’t have to slum it to appreciate the view. New-generation tree houses can incorporate hot and cold running water, fitted kitchens, fireplaces and even whirlpool baths...[read the High Life article] 
Looking for luxury tree housing, or any other luxury home for that matter, consider Colleen Lane for all real estate services. | | Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 | | 1:10 pm |
The Pendleton Round-Up - 'Let 'er buck!'
 Joe Nichols will headline the 2008 kickoff concert for the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Nichols, a four-time Grammy nominee, will perform Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton, Ore. The annual concert is the opening of the week-long activities of the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Nichols is one of the hottest country music performers today, and has won every new artist award available in the field of country music - the prestigious Horizon Award from the Country Music Association, Top New Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music, and Country Music Television's Breakthrough Video of the Year. | | Friday, August 29th, 2008 | | 5:50 am |
Tri Cities Washington Cost Of Living Compares Favorably
 ACCRA, the Council for Community and Economic Research, has released its cost-of-living composite index for the second quarter of 2008, and the Tri-Cities has come out much better than the nation as a whole, the western states and other metropolitan areas of Washington state. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100, and each participant's index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. The Tri-Cities index was 89.9 - down from 91.1 in the first quarter - compared with areas such as San Francisco and Los Angeles that scored 170.9 and 148.1 respectively. The next best area of our state is Spokane with an index of 91.2. Yakima's composite index was 99. The Index does not measure inflation (price change over time). It is only a comparison of the cost of living in different areas of the country as measured against the average. Based on past measures, it's not surprising that San Francisco and Los Angeles are the most expensive places to live in the west. Our low cost of housing figured prominently in the mix, with an index of 80, and utilities scored an 84.4. At an index of 103, transportation was our highest cost because of high fuel prices in the second quarter. | | Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 | | 9:08 pm |
Charitable Giving
Charitable causes we have been supporting lately: Have you considered contributing a portion of your income to a charity you value? Consider doing so today. As a part of our real estate business, we do! | | Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 | | 4:49 pm |
Michael Huppe, Named Executive Director of Kadlec Clinic
Kadlec Clinic, Kadlec Health System's new multi-specialty physician practice has hired an experienced healthcare executive as its executive director. Michael Huppe has an extensive background in physician practice management. Most recently he served as Chief Executive Officer of Mary Bridge Children's Health Alliance in Tacoma. Kadlec Clinic offers primary care physician services throughout the Tri-Cities. Clinics are currently operating at several locations in Richland, West Richland, and Kennewick. Brought by The Lane Real Estate Team servcing Richland Real Estate and surrounding areas. | | Monday, August 27th, 2007 | | 12:25 am |
The Best Realtor
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions that most people make in their life. When looking to buy a home there are things that should be considered in choosing your real estate agent. The real estate agent you choose should be experienced with a proven track record. Your real estate agent should be willing to listen to your needs. Look at your real estate agent’s track record of success to get a good idea of what kind of business they have been doing. If you are looking for the unusual home see if that is something they will be able assist you with or if they have know someone that can assist you both that specializes in those types of homes...[more Realtor] | Kennewick Real Estate | | Sunday, August 26th, 2007 | | 8:45 pm |
The In Road For First Time Home Buyers
 hile an auction may not be the best venue for a buyer of real estate unfamiliar with the process, getting a foreclosure property one step farther in the process is indeed a viable option. Because a home purchased from a real estate agent or directly from a bank can be assured to have cleared all of the potential financial claims against it, a first time home buyer can instead have confidence in their purchase that they won’t be pursued as the new real estate home owner of the property to settle any debts incurred by the previous owner.
Additionally, navigating the process of purchasing a foreclosure home is simply not familiar to most first time home buyers and as a result, buying under a more standard process with a real estate agent involved offers an easier way to purchase a home for a bit of a financial benefit without having to learn a great deal to do so. A first time home buyer already with a bead on a foreclosure property as a potential target can partner that good intuition up with a simpler process to create a value-laden transaction that will land a first home. | | 6:23 pm |
Better Than Yellow Pages: The Right Real Estate Attorney
 For many buyers and sellers, a real estate agent is all that is needed to get through the buying or selling real estate process. A real estate agent can provide valuable advice on the current state of the market, the best way to stage your home for sale or good areas to look at when investigating a home purchase. What a real estate agent cannot do, however, is provide legal advice and in some situations, such advice is critical to the real estate transaction process.
A real estate attorney can be a great way to not only get that valuable legal advice but to protect yourself every step along the way as well. A real estate purchase or sale is a complicated transaction impacted by countless laws and regulations. With a piece of merchandise so expensive changing hands, issues are bound to crop up and sometimes a real estate lawyer is the best way to deal with those issues...[more Real Estate Attorney] Another resource: Real Estate Lawyer | Blogs | | Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 | | 9:41 pm |
Your Real Estate Double Agent and Dual Agency
 Choosing a real estate agent is perhaps one of the most critical parts of the real estate process as that agent will become your closest ally in the long term effort to buy or sell a home. Real estate transactions are major milestones in a person’s life and that real estate agent is the key person to be involved in making sure your wants and needs are met throughout that process.
After that extensive process, you are then faced with a person that you have invested a great amount of time and effort in. Trusting that real estate agent to represent you fully at all times may seem to be at the foundation of a realtor’s responsibilities, but there are other types of responsibilities those agents are motivated to serve that you need to be aware of...[more Double Agent] Real estate agent resources: Real Estate Agent Search | Internet Your Agent | Local Real Estate Agents | Negotiation Art | Realtor Benefits | Selling Strong Arm | | 5:24 am |
The Pitfalls of Predatory Lending
Predatory lending is a term used to capture a whole slew of techniques used by lenders to ensure the most beneficial terms for the financing institution at the expense of borrowers.  While there may be a preconceived notion of these practices affecting particular subsections of the population, predatory lending is something for everyone to watch out for when buying or selling at home. Many of these types of predatory situations can be resolved by being vigilant and consulting a trusted realtor or related party that has a demonstrated consistent and reliable approach to the home buying process. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your real estate transaction goes smoothly and the realtor/lending agency combination you choose is out for your best interests...[more Predatory Lending] | | Monday, August 20th, 2007 | | 5:48 pm |
What To Expect From Your Inspection
As a prospective home buyer, getting to the inspection stage is one of the big milestones over the course of a real estate transaction. You may have walked through the home a few times and given it your own critical eye, but now the big guns are coming in to tell you just what you might be getting in to. That can be a bit of a blessing and a bit of a curse at the same time for prospective buyers that have fallen in love with a property. They want to know everything  about it, but they don’t want to hear that it’s got significant problems that might be a barrier to purchase. Because of this dynamic, inspections can be a bit of a daunting prospect, but they certainly don’t have to be. Forget The Notion Of A Perfect Home
Many prospective home buyers have walked through a property only to fall in love with it. Maybe it has the perfect amount of space for a particular family or maybe it has the right kind of amenities for a new couple. Whatever the case, rose-colored glasses may immediately be put on and seeing flaws in the property can then prove difficult...[more Home Inspection] Additional home inspection topics: Home Inspection Zen | Inspect Your Inspector | Inspector Termination | | Sunday, August 19th, 2007 | | 8:26 pm |
Seattle Seahawk Day in Tri-City Washington
The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, is proud to host the 4th Annual “Tri-Cities Day with the Seattle Seahawks” on Sunday, September 9, 2007. Ticket sales begin Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 8:00 am for the season opener versus the Tampa Buccaneers. Due to the incredible 2005-2006 season and winning the NFC Championship title, Seahawk season ticket sales have skyrocketed. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has only 296 tickets to be sold for this opening home game. They will be sold on a first come basis. Ticket prices are $50.00, which includes a commemorative t-shirt. The ticket order form is attached and also available on the Chamber website at the Chamber offices. Completed forms may be faxed to 509.783.1733 or delivered to 3180 W. Clearwater, Suite F, Kennewick or 710-A George Washington Way, Richland. Other Tri City Washington sports and recreation: Tri City Wa Sports | Tri City Wa Recreation | Tri City Wa Parks | Tri City Wa Wines | Hydroplane Races | Tri City Fever Football | Steelhead Fishing | Tri City Americans Hockey | | 8:21 pm |
Bridge Loans Are Coming Back
Bridge loans have been a bit of a dirty word in real estate circles amid what has been an excellent decade. However, if the slow down that has taken hold in other parts of the country should make its way cities like Kennewick, Richland  or Pasco, Washington, discussion about the viability of bridge loans will no doubt increase. As a finance solution, bridge loans are aided chiefly by their speed. Taking on the form of a loan that is anywhere from the span of a few months to a small number of years, the short payback time of the loan affords a quick cash infusion in the real estate situations it becomes necessary...[more Real Estate Bridge Loan] | | Saturday, August 11th, 2007 | | 5:50 am |
Real Estate Investment Primer
You might think the first rule in real estate investment and/or REITs is location but really it is to be cautious of who you are working with. As with any other industry the real estate world is filled with its share of bad apples including a large majority of those late night infomercial gurus claiming to teach you the way to become a millionaire through real estate. For those who are thinking about investing in real estate there are a few things you will need to make it a successful venture. First off you need investment capital or some form of getting it without putting yourself upside down financially. Location of the investment property is highly important. You don’t want to invest in an area that has a failing economy or has too many for sale signs...[more] It is wise to enlist the help of a professional real estate agent who can provide you with information that can help you profit despite the fluctuations in the market. Related Resources: Real Estate Investment Exit | Commercial Investment Primer | Investment Hunting | Solution Generating Investing | Successful Investment Habits | | 5:46 am |
| | Saturday, July 28th, 2007 | | 8:44 pm |
The Key to Influencing Others
Do Nice Things For Others One of the best ways to influence someone is to do something nice for him. I know many successful salespeople who make a habit of taking their prospects out to breakfast or lunch. During the breakfast or lunch, they do not talk about their products or services unless the client brings it up. They merely make small talk, ask questions and listen. They work on building trust, and they work on establishing a friendly relationship. At the end of the breakfast or lunch, they tell the prospect that they will be getting in touch with him sometime in the future with the possibility of talking to him about helping him in some way. Read on. | | Monday, July 16th, 2007 | | 4:47 pm |
KGH Foundation Golf Tournament Raises $23,418
The Kennewick General Hospital Foundation raised $23,418 at its 8th annual golf scrambler, held on June 22 at the Tri City Country Club. Major sponsors for the event were Western States Insurance, Peterson Kolberg, and Wildhorse Resort and Casino. The funds raised reflected a 30% increase over the previous year’s outcome. Money generated from the event is designated to provide equipment for a new geriatric center of excellence currently under development at Kennewick General Hospital.
Thirty-six teams participated in the tournament, for a full field of 144 golfers. The golfers were treated to an honor guard opening and competed for a variety of hole prizes throughout the day. First place (net) went to a team from Fluor and Apollo fielded a team that went on to win first place (gross).
To raise additional funds a golf cart, refurbished by Ala Cart Golf Carts, was raffled. Kelly Kalichman held the winning ticket. A volunteer crew of 55 dedicated individuals worked at the event, which supports KGH, the area’s only public hospital. | | Monday, July 9th, 2007 | | 9:32 am |
| | 8:52 am |
Murray Advances $15 Million to Help PNNL Relocate 300 Area Facilities
Last week, U.S. Senator Patty Murray helped advance $15 million to enable the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to relocate critical facilities that must be moved because they are in the path of the cleanup in Hanford's 300 Area. Under a memorandum of understanding, the relocation costs are supposed to be funded by three federal agencies: two agencies in the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Despite that agreement, DHS failed to provide any funding for the relocation in its FY 2008 budget proposal. Unless this shortfall is fixed, PNNL's Capability Replacement Laboratory will face long and costly delays and PNNL's important national security work will suffer. The lab's work includes research on radiation portal monitoring and counter-proliferation technologies. Last Wednesday, Murray used her seat on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to include $15 million in the FY 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The bill passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee on June 14.
"PNNL is conducting critical, cutting edge research for our national security," Murray said. "The Department of Homeland Security agreed to support and fund this project, but it has failed to live up to its commitment. I'm working to ensure this project moves forward so that PNNL's security work is not disrupted." Mike Kluse, interim laboratory director of PNNL, applauded the news. "This is wonderful news and fills in a blank that has existed since the DHS budget was released. These funds will provide a necessary piece of the funding stream for the 300 Area replacement facilities, PNNL’s top priority. I appreciate Senator Murray’s continuous efforts toward keeping this project on track and maintaining the lab’s research capabilities in support of a critical national and homeland security mission," Mr. Kluse said.
Senator Murray is a longtime advocate for PNNL. Last year, she secured $2 million for the 300 Area. Over the years, she has worked with the Lab, local community, state and the Bush Administration to meet the needs at PNNL. "PNNL plays a critical role in advancing our security, strengthening our economy and leading scientific research," Murray said. "I'm proud to help keep PNNL moving forward." | | Sunday, July 1st, 2007 | | 7:44 am |
Realtor Education ~ Latest News
NEW GRI Chapter Formed
Do you hold the prestigious GRI designation? Would you like to receive referrals from other GRI's? If so, a GRI chapter will be forming. Membership dues are only $25 per year. Membership incentives include: $10 off of ED CON and a roster of members. To join, contact WR Education at 800.748.7053. Accredited Seller Representative (ASR) Comes to Tacoma - July 12-13 This non NAR designation course offers 12.0 clock hours and topics such as: Preparing for the listing appointment; preparing for an in-depth market analysis; effectively pricing and positioning the property for marketing and many others.
Realtor Land Institute (RLI) Classes Coming to Spokane - sponsored by the WA State Chapter of RLI and Your State Realtor Association
The Land 101 class will be offered on September 24- 25 in Spokane. This 15.0 clock hour class is required to attain the ALC designation. This class is an introduction to the specialty of land selling. Students will learn the basics of land brokerage. Land 101 is also an elective course for the Accredited Buyer Representative designation. Map, Compass & GPS is being held in Spokane, WA on October 4-5. This 16.0 clock hour class will provide the tools students need to help them understand land navigation and associated practical skills with map, compass, GPS and mapping software. It will also provide students with relevant navigational knowledge insights and skills to better equip them to locate, traverse, list and market land parcels.
**Land 101 and Map, Compass & GPS for RLI are electives for the Certified Commercial Investment Member - CCIM designation Try the Online Classes Offered by Your Realtor Association - Your Realtors Association now offers you an affordable and convenient way to receive quality education anytime, anywhere! Our on-line courses allow you to take your real estate training at your place, at your pace, for the busy real estate professionals or the beginning agent. Save time and money by taking this required course online. Go to Online Registration to register.
NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Audio classes are now available through your state Association. A recent survey of the membership revealed that a large percentage satisfies their clock hour requirements with audio classes. Being responsive to this type of offering, WR Education determined to develop their own audio program keeping in mind that the emphasis has to be on quality. For more information and a list of the classes available, call your state Association at 800.748.7053. |
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colleenstanley's journal
small jobs that you can handle yourself to larger jobs such as roof or foundation repairs that most likely only a contractor can fix for you. In that eventuality, there is a lot of time and energy required to pick the right contractor for the job. 