May 31, 2007

LION

Seattle-based LION, Inc., a provider of online lead generation and solutions for the mortgage loan fulfillment process, is cutting 25 percent of its work force, consolidating its Denver and Seattle operations and looking for other ways to cut spending, occupancy costs and marketing. CEO David Stedman said the cuts will help “secure the company's longevity in the marketplace and begin moving the company toward quarterly profitability and positive cash flows.” The cuts will be phased in over the year.

AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities of Alexandria, Va., was named the 2007 Property Management Company of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. The judges cited Avalon's training and use of technology to control operating expenses. It also won an award for the Best Rental Apartment Community 5 Stories or Less, Non-Garden for the Avalon Juanita Village in Kirkland.

Workshop on affordable housing June 6

The Housing Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the supply of affordable housing in King County, is putting on a workshop called “The Ins and Outs: Inclusionary Programs for Affordable Housing” on June 6 in Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave. It is designed for local officials, developers, lenders, architects and planners. The workshop will cover the legal, policy and economic questions about incentive programs for including affordable housing. Some cities have started programs but others have been reluctant because of legal concerns. The state legislature has clarified some of the authority of local government and has even allowed cities to make the programs mandatory. The speakers will include Patrick Schneider of Foster Pepper, Arthur Sullivan of A Regional Coalition for Housing (ARCH), Tony To of the Seattle Planning Commission and Elliott Eisenberg of the National Association of Homebuilders. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $40. For information call (425) 453-5123 or e-mail luisassociates@comcast.net.

May 24, 2007

Colliers International

Steven Swanicke joined Colliers International as an associate focusing on Seattle-area office leasing and sales. He will be working on a team with Senior Vice President Rich Mermelstein in the Seattle office. Swanicke is a graduate of the University of Washington's Business School and formerly with Liberty Commercial.

John L. Scott

J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, announced a new branch office in Northcut Landing, a retail and commercial center just west of University Village. The office previously known as John L. Scott Laurelhurst is now John L. Scott University Village. Scott says the new office will accommodate growth and provide more visibility. It has space for up to 60 agents, with space for the increasing number of “mobile agents” who do not require permanent desk space. Judi Hinson is the manager.

NAIOP Young Professionals meet

Celebrate Flag Day with the Young Professionals Group of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties on Thursday, June 14, at Duke's Restaurant on Lake Union. Admission costs $20 for members and $30 for non-members and includes food and two drink tickets. The time is 4:30 to 7:30. For information contact Jillanne Bates at NAIOP at (206) 382-9121 or Jillanne@naiopwa.org.

Condo seminar on pitfalls and opportunities

A seminar by the Seminar Group on “Condominiums: Opportunities and Pitfalls” will be offered June 28 and 29 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle. It will look at how to take advantage of the current market, and how to avoid pitfalls in a hot market for condos and mixed-use properties. The keynote speaker is Diane Sugimura, director of the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. Attendees can get continuing education credits from legal, real estate and insurance groups. For information call (800) 574-4852 or see http://www.theseminargroup.

Colman Center topic of CREW June luncheon

The CREW Seattle June 14 meeting will be on Colman Center, with Tim Dickerson, investment manager for Goodman Real Estate, and Blaine Weber and Dan Foltz of Weber Thompson Architects talking about their newest project: Colman Center in Pioneer Square. The 12-story building is being designed for Seattle's “creative class.” Groundbreaking is set for June. The goal is to meet LEED silver standards. It will have a community bicycle fleet, showers and a green roof. The CREW meeting will be in the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., starting at 11:30 a.m. with networking. Cost is $35 for CREW members and $50 for non-members. Register online at: http://www.crewseattle.org or by mail to CREW Seattle, Box 2016, Edmonds, WA 98020-9516. Reservations may also be made by calling (206) 417-5580 or faxing (425) 771-9588.