Quality Real Estate Service in Port Townsend, Washington

As of the end of business on Friday afternoon, Coldwell Banker in Port Townsend closed it's doors.   Most of the Port Townsend real estate community was shocked, and dismayed, as this is a long standing company with a very excellent reputation.  As far as I could tell, it was about 3rd in the rankings of volume, number of transactions, and number of listings.  They had about 5 or 6 top producing agents, and the owner of the company was a working broker who also owned 3 other locations.  The Port Ludlow office was sold to the top producer there, and he will continue to work out of his Sequim office. 

This left many agents literally out in the cold along with a lot of sellers whose listings they held.  I can't think of much worse in our business than moving to a new office, but to do it without having the luxury of checking things out first would be really difficult.  Of course this is a very small town with only 4 (now 3) offices with a total of 100 agents in our county.  So we all actually do know one another pretty well.  Still there will be contracts to be resigned, signs to move and new flyers to make.  Glad it's not me, for now anyway. 

For more information look for an article in the Peninsula Daily News http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20100711/news/307119980/port-townsend-real-estate-office-closes-putting-up-to-18-out-of-work

I will always remember getting my Broker's License in CA back in 1985.  I studied a long time, put in 4 long years in RE just to be able to take the exam, and waited many weeks for the results.  It was a hard exam (with questions like what is the Treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe, and what is a riparian right or an aluevian fan?).  I did this not for any real reason, other than just wanting to be the best I could be in my chosen field.  In the 25 years since then, I may have been asked 3 or 4 times by clients if I was a Broker or not, and I certainly cannot say it has earned me any more money.  But knowing I was in a smaller category of Realtors, and also that I could practice RE without any one else overseeing me, has given me a bit of satisfaction over the years.

When I moved to  WA state, I got my  Broker license right away.  Now as of July 7th, every licensed realtor in WA state is a Broker.  If you already had a Broker's license, you are now a Managing Broker.   Makes no difference to me, as I have no one to manage,  because it's enough taking care of my self, and my own business.  As far as I can tell, the purpose was to keep teams from running amok!  So if there is a team, one person has to take control of paperwork and overseeing the transaction.  Also to oversee the actions of assistants.   So now we have Brokers, Managing Brokers, and Designated Brokers, but no sales agents!  Weird if you ask me.  But no one did. 

Port Townsend's one time Customs House is on the waterfront on Water Street, and is now home to The Lighouse Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch.  I have never eaten there, so no comment on the food, but it is a very interesting building which is in great shape for it's age. 

This area is full of wonderful music all summer long, with every type of music you can think of. 

Beginning in July there is Fiddle Tunes, Chamber Music Festival, Jazz Festival and Blues Festival.  Most are performed at the Centrum Campus at Fort Worden, with some of the local clubs hosting performances in the clubs.  Great music and great fun.

Also, the Olympic Music Festival beginning in July and continuing every weekend, Classical Concerts in the Barn. 

There is also some fun music at the Saturday Farmers Market, and last Sat. it was one of my favorites, the Limpopo Band. 

Every Wed. you can catch the "Music at the Dock" show, with local bands and dancing in the street.

Well worth waiting for, it seems to be here at last!  Port Townsend is a beautiful little city all year long and it does have all four seansons which is something I am not accustomed to as a native of So. CA.  But I think we all love summer the most.  Temperatures rarely reach the high 70's, and the sun is out every day.

Number one favorite thing to do in summer!

Whale watching:  This is the best!  You can board the Glacial Spirit at the Point Hudson Marina around 8:30 in the morning, and cross the Strait of Juan De Fuca to Friday Harbor for a wonderful day of amazing sights.  The whales are the Southern Resident Orca pods (3 pods live here in the summer).  Known as "killer whales" they look like playful pets, cavorting through the water. 

You will also see seals (maybe they are sea lions) porpoises and exotic birds. 

Stop in charming Friday Harbor for lunch, and return to Port Townsend around 5:00 or stay the night in Friday Harbor and return the next day with a voucher from the PS Express cruise company. 

The tall ships were in Port Ludlow (neighboring community of Port Townsend)  this weekend and available for sailings, open for tours and inspection.  They are the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftan and come from Grays Harbor, WA.  They are visiting ports in Washington State to preserve the maritime  history of Grays Harbor and the Pacific Northwest. 

These replicas of the turn of the 18th century European merchant ships are available for charter for school outings, company meetings, and weddings.

Port Ludlow is a resort community near Port Townsend,  built around the beautiful Port Ludlow Golf course.  It consists of 2- 9 hole rounds; The Tides, featuring water holes, and the Timbers, which has natural forest scenery.

Golf Week Magazine recently ranked this course among the top ten in the state of WA.

The club has a golf professional to organize play and give lessons,  Niblick's Cafe, and pro shop.

The Course has daily rates , or membership for $5000 ($8000 for couples) which provides unlimited golf with no greens fees, preferred tee times, discount rates on carts. 

When visiting Port Townsend, WA do not miss this fun and happy eatery.  A blast from the past, you will think you are back in high school (if you are from my generation) or you will experience what your parents did after school. 

There is a a long counter with stools topped with red vinyl, individual juke box players, wonderful black and white checkered flooring, and of course hamburgers, malts, shakes and French fries.   Just one of so many fun places to check out when you are strolling down Water Street in Port Townsend, WA