Feb 02, 2017

Washington State CCIM

Armanious

The state Certified Commercial Investment Member chapter has elected new officers and directors. The president is Michael Armanious of KW Commercial in Tacoma. Joining him are board members Derek Doke of Barclays Realty & Management, Christopher Bornhoft of Windermere Real Estate and Chad Gleason of SVN/Raven.

Redfin

Bateman

The Seattle-based online brokerage firm is entering the mortgage business with Redfin Mortgage, and intends to begin issuing loans in the first half of the year. Initial markets will be Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Redfin said its ultimate aim is an all-digital approach that integrates lending with its brokerage and title businesses. CEO Glenn Kelman said, “We'll track every aspect of the closing in a single system used by mortgage advisers, real estate agents, title experts and the customer, so everyone works together on an on-time closing.” Redfin Mortgage's Dallas office will be led by Jason Bateman, formerly with BBVA Compass.

CREW

Commercial Real Estate Women Seattle & Sound's February luncheon topic is retrofitting historic buildings for new uses, and the speakers will look at several recent and planned projects. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 in the Motif hotel ballroom (1415 Fifth Ave.). Speakers are Courtney Ryan of Urban Villages Inc., Geralyn Vannoy of Vulcan Real Estate, and Kelly Robertson and Andy Clinch, both from Perkins + Will. Urban Villages is retrofitting three marquee buildings on a block in Pioneer Square: The Manufacturer's Building at 419 Occidental Ave., Westland Building at 100 S. King St., and the former Schoenfeld Furniture building at 115 S. Jackson St. Vulcan's projects that will be discussed are the Allen Institute and the Troy Block. Registration and info at: crewss.memberclicks.net.

Realogics Sotheby's International Realty

RSIR will sponsor a second issue of the Mandarin-language real estate magazine Seattle Luxury Living. Tiger Oak Media, which publishes Seattle Magazine, will again partner in the venture. In a statement, RSIR president Dean Jones said, “The premier edition in 2016 was so successful, we ran an encore edition in September distributing 30,000 copies in print and more than 70,000 digital editions via Wechat download. The Seattle area is the fastest-growing market among mainland Chinese seeking education, investment and immigration opportunities in North America.” The magazine will be distributed at SeaTac, hotels and other locations, and the digital edition will be on Wechat. Since Vancouver imposed a 15 percent tax on foreign buyers last year, Jones said inquiries about Seattle on the real estate portal Juwai.com are up 66 percent.

Jan 26, 2017

Beacon Development Group

Lloyd

Proctor

Purcell

Beacon Development Group said founder Paul Purcell, who has led the firm for 18 years, will retire in March. Two executives are stepping into leadership roles. Effective Jan. 1, Cindy Proctor and Brian Lloyd were named vice presidents. Proctor has been with Beacon for 11 years, and recently led the development of Plaza Roberto Maestas, a TOD apartment project on Beacon Hill. Lloyd is a 13-year veteran at Beacon, and is currently developing 40 affordable units at Pike Place Market. Together, the two have led in the creation of over 4,000 units. Beacon specializes in affordable housing, offering consulting services and developing more than 80 of its own projects, with a value exceeding $1 billion.

Jones Lang LaSalle

Patchin

Jones Lang LaSalle named Katie Patchin a vice president in the Seattle office. Previously with MG2, she will join JLL's project and development services team. That group offers project management services for relocation, build-to-suit and other projects. Patchin holds a certificate in commercial real estate from the University of Washington. In a statement, JLL's Jacqueline Dompe said, “As more of our Seattle-area clients move to pursue design and construction projects, Katie will play a key role in assessing their specific priorities and ensuring our team delivers consistent with those motivations.”

Urban Land Institute

The ULI has two significant events on the horizon. Thursday is the Young Leaders Group's annual social at Rachel's Ginger Beer (1610 12th Ave.) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The ULI Spring meeting is set for May 2-4 at Washington State Convention Center. Over 3,000 people are expected to attend the meeting, which will offer tours, workshops, speakers, mixers, networking sessions and more. Registration and info for both events is at: northwest.uli.org.

Real Estate Game Works

A four-year-old Bellevue tech startup called Real Estate Game Works recently launched a new tool for continuing education in the real-esate field. Now the tool is being customized state by state to meet their licensing requirements. Washington state's simulation game debuted last fall, and the Oregon version was just released. Here's how CEO Jed Etters described the tool in a press statement: “Say farewell to countless hours of sitting in a classroom or taking mind-numbing multiple-choice tests. Our simulation will revolutionize the way real estate agents renew their licenses.” The educational games can be played on desktops, laptops and tablets. Etters' partner in the project is game designer Brayden Olson. Users pay a license fee of $9 per month for the product.

The Port of Everett, Bellingham Yacht Sales

The Port of Everett said it signed a new two-year lease with Bellingham Yacht Sales, which is expanding its operations. Beginning next month, BYS will operate a small sales office and have boats moored at the port's North I-Dock. In a statement, BYS president Dean Ouilette said, “There were many attributes that we were looking for, including haul-out facilities, a boat launch, prime moorage and waterfront office space. We are pleased to say we have found the Port of Everett's new Waterfront Place development to offer everything we were looking for.” Waterfront Place is the port's 65-acre, $373 million mixed-use redevelopment project, which will also include housing, hotels, restaurants, retail and upgrades to the marina.

NAIOP South Sound Forecast

NAIOP's 2017 economic forecast for the South Sound will be Thursday Feb. 2 starting at 11 a.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. The keynote speaker is Lynn Michaelis, president of Strategic Economic Analysis. Other speakers include Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier and Thurston County EDC Executive Director Michael Cade. Strickland will give an update on the city's commercial real estate market. Register at https://naiopwa.memberclicks.net