Aug 09, 2012

Leisure Care

The Seattle-based senior housing company Leisure Care, a One Eighty company, will manage Brighton Bay in Jacksonville, Fla. This is Leisure Care's first Florida property and its 40th in North America. Leisure Care said it manages a portfolio worth more than $1.5 billion. The Carlyle Group owns the 185-unit Brighton Bay, which is being renamed Camellia at Deerwood.

Escala

The Escala marketing team sold the Seattle high-rise's 200th condo, bringing the total sold to 74 percent. The team says prices are increasing, with two-bedroom, two-bath units start at $619,000. Of the 69 remaining units, seven are one-bedrooms. Rennie Marketing Systems is marketing project, and Erik Mehr and Associates is now handling sales. Erik Mehr previously was with Team Builder John L. Scott, which had the Escala listing. Lexas Cos. and RREEF Global Opportunity Fund own the 30-story tower.

HomeStreet Bank

HomeStreet Bank is promoting a program that lets employers help employees buy or refinance houses. The Hometown Home Loan Program by Affinity Lending helps employees buy or re-fi with discounts on closing costs. It includes down-payment assistance and home ownership classes. A HomeStreet spokesperson said called it “a real, major benefit” that doesn't cost employers money. The program was created in 1994 with the city of Seattle to help police and firefighters. It has been expanded to more than 50 companies and groups.

(Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that employees are offered discounts on closing costs.)

NorthMarq Capital

Ron Peterson of NorthMarq's Bellevue office arranged first mortgage refinancing of $24.7 million for Colony at Bear Creek I, a 248-unit market-rate apartment in Redmond. Financing was based on a 10-year term with two years of interest only, then a 30-year amortization schedule. It was arranged with Freddie Mac. Bob Spiro of the Bellevue office worked with the Nevada office to arrange first mortgage refinancing of $13 million for Elko Junction, a shopping center in Elko, Nev. Financing was based on a 20-year term and a 30-year amortization schedule and was obtained from a life insurance company.

Aug 02, 2012

Suncadia

Suncadia named Roger Beck managing director, responsible for real estate development and hospitality operations. He has been Suncadia's interim manager and helped with recapitalization of the 6,400-acre Kittitas County project with Oaktree Capital Management. He also worked as manging director for the Resort at Squaw Creek in Squaw Valley, Calif., and president of Semiahmoo Co., developer of the Resort at Semiahmoo in Blaine. Destination Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Lowe Enterprises, operates Suncadia.

Seattle Planning Commission

Architect David Cutler of GGLO was elected chairman of the Seattle Planning Commission. Amalia Leighton is vice chair; Jeanne Krikawa and Colie Hough Beck are Land Use and Transportation Committee co-chairs; Catherine Benotto is Housing and Neighborhood Committee chair; and Mark Johnson is Executive Committee at-large member. The commission formed a special task force to lead a multi-year effort to update the city's comprehensive plan. Josh Brower, Kevin McDonald and Leslie Miller will lead the task force.

King County Housing Authority

King County Housing Authority Executive Director Stephen Norman was elected president of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities. He is on the boards of the Corporation for Supportive Housing; and Building Changes, formerly AIDS Housing of Washington. He co-chairs the King County Interagency Council on Homelessness. The King County Housing Authority provides housing for 48,000 people.

Keller Williams

Brenda Nunes joined Keller Williams Kirkland as a broker and sustainable building adviser. She works with Ben Kaufman, who is leading the company's International Green Coaching and Training Program. Nunes was an agent with Kaufman's company, GreenWorks Realty, which merged with Keller Williams last year. Nunes advised the National Association of Realtors on its Green Certification Program, and teaches the program in Washington state. She is past president of the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and was a founding member of Sustainable September for the city of Kirkland, which offers educational events.

EMB Management

Laura Carver joined EMB in Bellevue as a condo community association manager. She worked at Community Management Corp. in Virginia. EMB's Janelle Fenton and Melissa Schneider received the Certified Manager of Community Associations designation.

Bellevue Towers

Bellevue Towers received final approval for Fannie Mae financing, providing more options for buyers. The downtown Bellevue project has sold 96 condos for $58.2 million this year, bringing the 539-unit project to 65 percent sold. The project is selling at least 15 condos a month. Construction on the two towers started six years ago. Developer Gerding Edlen transferred the unsold units to the lender, Morgan Stanley Mortgage. Prices were cut by an average of 40 percent.

Seattle Short Sales

A law firm called Seattle Short Sales will give a two-hour seminar for real estate brokers about the state Foreclosure Fairness Act at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 23 at Bellefield Office Park Conference Center in Bellevue. The $20 fee is paid at the door, but advance registration is required. For more information or to register, go to http://tiny.cc/yvaciw or call (800) 603-3525.