Subscribe
Longtime businessman, civic booster Gene Kennedy dies
Gene Kennedy, the longtime president of Silverdale-based Land Title Co. and a well-known civic booster who founded the Bellringer charity golf tournament, died April 5 at his McCormick Woods home after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 70.
Kitsap Transit sends foot ferry plan to voters
Proposal to increase sales tax and operate three cross-Sound passenger ferries will be on Nov. 8 ballot. (24)
Brokers — Need inventory? Look to HUD homes
Feeding frenzies. Multiple offers. Disappointed buyers, rising prices. Offer acceptances soaring over the ask price. It is no secret that housing inventories in Kitsap County are at record lows. My studies indicate that supply of all homes valued under $500,000 have less than three months' supply. Most housing analysts agree that in order for a marketplace to be balanced between buyers and sellers that you need four to six months' supply. That's why HUD homes are more important to selling brokers than ever.
Recovery in real estate market includes workforce
The turnaround of the real estate market is helping boost the number of brokers on the Kitsap Peninsula. Many of the local offices have been adding multiple agents to their lists and continue to hire.
Duo’s homes are built to be affordable but don’t forgo amenities
Walking through Poulsbo's Summerset subdivision, Central Highland Homes co-founder Barry Keenan takes obvious pride in the Craftsman-inspired dwellings springing up throughout the 128-lot development.
Home construction surges in South Kitsap
Plans to build a lot more houses in South Kitsap are the result of a ripple effect of robust growth in Seattle.
Making a fresh connection
A state-sponsored tour helps bring together food producers and buyers to smooth the path between farm and table.
Kingston shop keeps boats chugging
Evergreen Propeller is county's only dedicated prop shop. (1)
Print Editions
KPBJ March 2016 Edition
Propolis Brewery recently opened a new brewing facility and public taproom, some investors prefer to work with financial advisors who can help them make sure their portfolio includes socially responsible funds and a Bainbridge Island man ramps up his coffee roasting to launch a business as a wholesaler. This and more in the March edition of KPBJ.
Minding Your Business
- Kitsap real estate market keeps getting tighter
- Poulsbo has a lot of breweries, but it’s not quite ‘Brew City USA’
- Marijuana grow licensed in North Kitsap
- Taco Bell planned for Highway 303
- Costco expansion, self storage construction underway in Silverdale
Technology
Tech group’s lunch features discussion on cloud privacy, cybersecurity
West Sound Technology Association will present its Quarterly Luncheon Briefing on May 19, with a panel discussion on Cloud Privacy, LEADS and Cybersecurity.
National Business
Average US rate on 30-year mortgage falls to 3.59 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates slid this week to their lowest level since February 2015, luring prospective purchasers during the spring home-buying season.
News
Alaska Air buys Virgin America to expand West Coast flights
NEW YORK (AP) — Alaska Air Group Inc. is buying Virgin America in a deal worth $2.6 billion, making Alaska the biggest carrier on the West Coast and reigniting the debate over airline consolidation.
- California, New York poised to raise minimum wage to $15
- Steady hiring spurs more job hunts, rate rises to 5 percent
- Report: Boeing job cuts in Washington could hit 10 percent of workforce
Healthcare
No clear path to government-lowered drug prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans support it. Virtually all other developed countries already do it. And the two leading presidential candidates: the government should lower drug prices.
- Probe: HealthCare.gov 'passive' on heading off fraud
- Kitsap leads state in health coverage
- Insurer Aetna lays out concerns about ACA exchange business
Columnists
Brokers — Need inventory? Look to HUD homes
Feeding frenzies. Multiple offers. Disappointed buyers, rising prices. Offer acceptances soaring over the ask price. It is no secret that housing inventories in Kitsap County are at record lows. My studies indicate that supply of all homes valued under $500,000 have less than three months' supply. Most housing analysts agree that in order for a marketplace to be balanced between buyers and sellers that you need four to six months' supply. That's why HUD homes are more important to selling brokers than ever.
- Don Brunell | Cost of Boeing airplanes at heart of job cuts
- DON BRUNELL | For whom the roads toll
- Don Brunell | Owen served ‘our Washington’ well
Banking and Finance
Fed now foresees fewer interest rate increases during 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is keeping a key interest rate unchanged in light of global pressures that risk slowing the U.S. economy.
More Top Stories
From coffee honcho to ‘social hub’ creator
Troy Alstead's recent decision not to return to his executive position at Starbucks after a yearlong sabbatical was widely reported in business media. The former chief operating officer of the global coffee chain said he was starting a small business, and it turns out that venture will be at the long-planned Olympic Towne Center in Gig Harbor, where Alstead lives.
- Parametrix moving into Harborside Building
- California, New York poised to raise minimum wage to $15
- US auto sales headed toward best month in 10 years
Business Briefs
Greendrinks events on tap in Bremerton, Silverdale
Greendrinks events on tap in Bremerton, Silverdale
- Tech group’s lunch features discussion on cloud privacy, cybersecurity
- Next Kitsap Business Forum topic is ‘Go Green for Black’
- Washington marijuana sales over $709 million in 2015
Real Estate
- Brokers — Need inventory? Look to HUD homes
- Average US rate on 30-year mortgage remains at 3.65 percent
- Hungry buyers find lean inventory in real estate
Nonprofit
Coffee Oasis buying Kingston Community Center
Proceeds from the sale will help pay for the new Village Green community center.
Connect With Us