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Sellers • May 16, 2022

Windermere Ready Program: Increase Your Home’s Sale Price

by Windermere Kingston
windermere-ready-home-sale

Preparing your home to make a great first impression is the best way to increase the sale price. The Windermere Ready program was created for home sellers to specifically address this important selling point. With guidance from a local expert, our program prepares your home to really impress potential buyers. And, if you need financial assistance, we can provide it so that you can make necessary home repairs and improvements.

Sell Faster and For More

In general, making necessary repairs and upgrades helps homes sell faster and for more money, sometimes even above the asking price. A great first impression transforms a buyer’s interest into excitement. Of course, every home is unique, but taking action is the key to success.

The Windermere Ready program provides:

  • A personal, customized consultation
  • A home plan designed specifically for your property
  • Recommended high impact updates
  • Professional staging

Overall, buyers want stylish, turnkey homes. Yet, some buyers also look for specific amenities and comforts. As a result, knowing what repairs and upgrades will result in the biggest return on your investment is challenging. That’s why the Windermere Ready program offers a personalized approach. One of our local real estate experts will work with you to identify the next steps while keeping your timeline and needs in mind.

After crucial repairs and key upgrades are determined, one of our Windermere Kingston real estate experts will create a customized action plan. Working with an experienced professional will help you avoid costly mistakes and make your life easier by recommending excellent local service providers and coordinating access to your home.

Make Improvements That Matter

For a buyer, sometimes small improvements make the biggest impact. A colorful garden and a fresh coat of paint give your home eye-catching curb appeal. Simple changes such as refinishing the flooring and making cosmetic updates provide a welcoming atmosphere and help make a house feel like home.

Simple improvements we focus on:

  • Landscaping
  • Lighting
  • Decorative Window Features
  • Painting
  • Floor Repair/Refinishing
  • Fixture Repair or Replacement
  • Cosmetic Updates

Cleaning strategies we focus on:

  • Window Washing
  • Power Washing
  • Carpet Cleaning/Replacement
  • Decluttering
  • Professional Deep Cleaning

Staging Your Home is the Finishing Touch

Make the most of your home repairs and updates by adding a finishing touch — staging your home. With the help of professional stagers, you can increase your home’s sale price. Staging is the final detail that leads to the best first impression and helps buyers picture themselves living there. In fact, staged homes sell 87% faster and for 17% more than non-staged homes.

We’re Invested in Your Success

If helpful, we can assist with expenses by providing a loan of up to $100,000. There are no upfront costs and no monthly payments during the six-month loan term. As soon as your home sells, the loan is paid off in one lump sum. For more details about how the Windermere Ready loan can help your home make the best first impression, please contact us today.

Community • November 30, 2021

Our Community Involvement in 2021

by Windermere Kingston
community-windermere-kingston

Community involvement is one of our core values, so we thought we would share how our Windermere Kingston office has supported and invested in our wonderful community this year. By sharing this information, we hope it spreads awareness about these great events and nonprofits.

Local Events

In the spring, we helped with Community Kitchen, a free dinner provided by the Suquamish United Church of Christ. Since 2009, Suquamish UCC has been providing free meals to anyone in the community. They are now serving dinner almost every Wednesday of the year. On average, they serve more than 100 people at each meal. Different groups help prepare and serve meals and it was a pleasure to participate.

Every year, we love participating in Windermere’s Community Service Day. It’s a day when all Windermere offices across 10 states close in order for agents and staff to help local organizations in different ways. Collectively, we’ve logged over 1,000,000 community service hours so far.

This year, we volunteered to help Kingston’s Boy Scout Hall. For years, fundraising efforts have been underway, and this year we donated $4,800 to this restoration project. This past June, it was finally time to start renovating the Boy Scout Hall. Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club stepped in to restore it.  On Community Service Day, we cleaned up the area around the Hall in Kola Kole Park. We also bought materials and built a woodshed. You can watch our video below to see a bit of what we were able to accomplish, as well as the work of our colleagues at our other local Windermere offices.

 

Another great event was our annual Shred Fest. It’s a free day where you can safely and securely shred old documents and recycle old electronics. It’s always fun to help people declutter and catch up with old clients and friends.

Donations

There are a variety of important organizations to support, and this year we focused our efforts on a handful of local nonprofits. We donated $1,500 to The Coffee Oasis. A nonprofit, faith-based organization, The Coffee Oasis empowers youth escaping violence, homelessness, and poverty. They provide mental health services, job training, and short and long-term housing options, which help hundreds of teenagers in Kitsap County, including right here in Kingston.

Another great program for youth is Kids in Concert. It’s a free, not-for-profit music education program for North Kitsap students ages 6 – 18. This after-school program provides instruments, music instruction, tutoring, snacks, and concert attire. They’re “creating compassionate citizens of the world through the healing and developmental power of music.” We were happy to donate $500 to Kids in Concert. In addition to monetary donations, you can support this important program by donating gently used instruments or offering to teach kids if you’re a musician who loves to do so.

There are many in need in our community, and a food drive is another way to give back. In Kitsap County, approximately one-third of adults are food insecure and over a third of local children are in need of free and reduced lunch. We donated $2,000 to ShareNet Food Bank, which provides North Kitsap with emergency food provision, rental assistance, and weekend food backpacks for students in need.

Speaking of food for local youth, we also donated $2,500 to Kingston Cares‘s Food4Kids program. Another important nonprofit, Kingston Cares works hard to address poverty issues in North Kitsap. In addition to their Food4Kids program, they provide our local severe weather shelter program, medical equipment lending, and community meals.

 

There are many different ways to support and invest in our community. We’re proud of what we’ve done so far through our office’s community involvement and our Windermere Foundation. A portion of every Windermere agent’s commission is donated to the Windermere Foundation, and we’re also part of the broader Windermere Foundation, which impacts communities across 10 states. Collectively we’ve raised over $41 million to provide shelter, food, children’s programs.

If you want to get more involved in our community, we hope this has given you some ideas. We should note that our Windermere Kingston agents also support different nonprofits on their own. So, this only reflects our office-wide community involvement.

Community • June 17, 2021

Community Service Day at Kingston’s Boy Scout Hall

by Windermere Kingston
Kingston agents volunteering

June 11th marked one of our favorite Windermere traditions: Community Service Day (CSD). We always enjoy going out into the community and helping out. This year was especially fun since we weren’t able to participate last year due to COVID-19. Last Friday, we helped clean up the Boy Scout Hall in Kingston. Read on to find out more about what we were able to accomplish.

The History of Community Service Day

Every year since 1984, all Windermere offices close on Community Service Day and we spend the day volunteering in the wonderful communities we serve. From helping prepare Coffee Oasis for their Kingston opening to volunteering at the Village Green, we love giving back. We’re proud of this collective effort and the impact it has had. Windermere’s offices are located in 10 states and we have collectively logged over 1,000,000 community service hours.

CSD at Kingston’s Boy Scout Hall

After years of fundraising efforts, it’s finally possible to start renovating the Boy Scout Hall. Since the 1960s, the Hall has served as a haven for local young men. The Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices”, focusing on values such as loyalty, kindness, trust, and bravery. While many locals love this historic place and the Boy Scouts, the structure itself needs repairs. Thankfully, our Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club stepped in to restore it. The area around the building needed to be cleaned up. 

So, on Community Service Day, we helped restore the area around the Hall in Kola Kole Park. That included the grove of trees next to the Hall, which were planted to remember local, fallen soldiers of WWII. “We also bought materials and built a woodshed to store firewood for Scout Hall, its only source of heat,” explained Jet Woelke, Managing Broker. “The area had been neglected and overrun with weeds.”

Everyone really enjoyed getting to come together in person and help with this important project. Connecting with the community was a personal highlight for Jet. “It was great to talk to people passing by on the sidewalk and hear them comment on how much they appreciated what we’re doing.”

To get a glimpse of our work as well as the work of our colleagues at our other local Windermere offices, check out our video!

Community • April 19, 2021

Community Spotlight: Kingston North Kitsap Rotary

by Windermere Kingston
kingston rotary

Rotary clubs worldwide inspire innovative approaches to community service, and our Kingston North Kitsap Rotary is no exception. They’ve found creative ways to support our community during the pandemic. This local group pioneers new initiatives to support businesses, fundraise for local organizations, and preserve Kitsap’s history. Read on to find out how you can support their efforts. 

Rotary’s Motto in Action

This group’s motto is at the forefront of everything they do, stating that they “take on challenges in our community and beyond.” Kingston North Kitsap Rotary supports vocational experience, service, and leadership. They also engage youth through Interact Club, which involves 12 – 18-year-olds in local and international projects that promote Service Above Self. Our local Rotarians have led a variety of projects from raising $15,000 for Kingston’s Coffee Oasis to installing benches at the Village Green Community Center‘s park. Additionally, they engage in international service projects, including a literacy project in Cambodia and Laos.

“Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club are people of action. We are neighbors and friends who come together to have fun, enjoy fellowship and provide leadership on important community projects, activities, and events,” says Doug Hallock, a Kingston Rotary board member and Foundation Chair. Doug is also a former Rotary President and a Windermere Kingston Managing Broker who has been affiliated with Rotary since 1983.

Swing For Rotary & Kingston Order Bombers

Most known for their Swing For Rotary event, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary raises funds annually through a golf tournament. This fundraiser benefits Food for Kids, Kingston High School scholarships, North Kitsap’s schools, Senior Meals, Coffee Oasis, community projects and events, and international projects.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented 2020’s annual Swing for Rotary event. However, it is scheduled this year for June 18, 2021, and you can register now.

Rotarians have also been helping local businesses affected by the pandemic. KOB, also known as Kingston Order Bombers, is a group created by the Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club. Essentially, they partner with restaurants from Hansville to Suquamish, Port Gamble to Kingston. Through this partnership, a group of caring community members supports a business by ordering take-out or making reservations. If you want to participate, email KingstonOrderBombers@gmail.com for more information.

 

Photos from Rotary Kingston North Kitsap.

 

 

Saving Scout Hall

Kingston North Kitsap Rotary is proudly restoring Scout Hall, a piece of Kingston’s history. Structurally, it was not enduring the test of time. Many Kingston residents have fond memories of Scout Hall. It was a hub for young boy scouts to learn essential leadership and life skills. Rather than have it torn down, our local Rotarians stepped in to restore the building. Additionally, they chartered a chapter of Boy Scouts so the program could continue.

“Without a doubt, Kingston Rotary Club is vital to this community! Their latest project to save the Scout Hall was monumental!” says Jet Woelke, Managing Broker. “Scout Hall desperately needed a new roof and structural repairs because it was on the brink of collapsing. If not for the Rotary Club, it would have been demolished. A part of Kingston’s history would be gone!” 

Donate During Kitsap Great Give or Get Involved

From joining the Kingston Order Bombers’ efforts to participating as a golfer in Swing For Rotary, there are many ways to contribute to Kingston North Kitsap Rotary’s work. Right now, you can donate to Kingston North Kitsap Rotary through Kitsap Great Give. This annual event helps hundreds of nonprofits. This year, early giving goes from April 1 – 19 with the big Great Give day happening on April 20, 2021. Local sponsors boost donations, so your donation means even more. You can also give back by becoming a member. It’s a great way for established professionals to make an impact.

Community • March 22, 2021

Community Spotlight: Village Green Community Center

by Kara Wyman
village green

At the heart of Kingston’s tight-knit community lies the Village Green Community Center. This beautiful place provides a wealth of information and an opportunity for people of all ages to connect. It houses the library and a range of facilities, offering classes, events, and so much more.

Almost 20 Years in the Making

It took an incredible community effort to build the Village Green Community Center (VGCC). The VGCC’s Manager, Linda Fyfe, says so many people helped make a collective dream a reality. “In 1998, the old community center was taken back by the county without funds to restore nor renovate the existing space. We saw a need for a center that would be larger that we could run as a community.  The Kingston Community Center Advisory Council was renamed the Village Green Foundation when this land, which used to be Navy housing, was purchased by us with our first grant.  The Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the project, quickly entered into a partnership with the Kingston Library, the Boys and Girls Club, and the seniors who were using the old building.” After various designs were drafted and many public meetings were had, they agreed on a final design and broke ground on April 15, 2015. Their Grand Opening was April 30, 2016, and programming began on May 2, 2016.

The Village Green Community Center has also been outfitted with solar panels through Puget Sound Energy’s Solar Choice program. You can learn more about it and see a glimpse of VGCC’s wonderful facilities in the video below.

 

A Variety of Programs and Events

In the beginning, the Village Green Community Center was a place for organizations to meet, and they offered a handful of programs and classes. Their offerings quickly expanded. The VCGG provides monthly community meals and a range of activities and events, thanks in part to having the Kingston Library and the Boys and Girls Club on site. Many groups meet in their top-notch facilities while various classes and programs are going on simultaneously – all pre-COVID-19, of course. “I use the Village Green for our weekly Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary meetings and fundraising events. In addition, I use the facility for Cub Pack 555 and Scout Troop 555 meetings throughout the year.” says Doug Hallock, Managing Broker.

Now, they are slowly re-opening with exercise and art classes coming in April. The art classes are in partnership with the Kitsap Art Center and the first set will be a 4-week watercolor class starting April 5 for adults and teens. Other offerings include Senior Foot Care on the first Wednesday of every month by appointment (360) 876-1612 from 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM. With tax season upon us, they offer free AARP tax service. For the last four years, the AARP Tax Aid Foundation has provided this service. Additionally, Community Meals are every 2nd and 3rd Friday each month from 5:00 – 6:00 PM as a “Grab ‘n Go” meal.

To stay “in the know” about all the latest classes and events, follow the center’s Facebook page. Also, if you’re looking for a facility to host a class or event, they have meeting rooms, a kitchen, a tech lab, a multipurpose room (gym), and a banquet hall available to rent.

Dedicated Supporters and Volunteers

Windermere Kingston is a proud supporter of the VGCC. When the center was being built, we donated $25,000. And, like other local companies invested in our community, we love supporting the VGCC’s events. We have sponsored community meals there and their annual Festival of Trees fundraiser.

“The Village Green Community Center is something Lorna and I have supported since its inception,” says Dave Muller, retired Windermere Broker and Village Green Foundation Board Member. Windermere Broker Lorna Muller is also a big VGCC supporter. “We are proud that Windermere committed financial support to the project. The VGCC is the heartbeat of our community!”

A crucial component of this incredible center is its dependable, enthusiastic volunteers. As Linda Fyfe says, “Volunteers are why we are able to be open and function at all. This year we are the only site out of ten county-wide sites up and running again, due to amazing volunteers.” Before the pandemic, they had 40 volunteers. They’re down to 13 and their hours are beginning to increase again. Linda says they’re in need of front desk volunteers to coordinate Tax Guests as well as other groups coming in. Windermere Broker Jessica Garrett will be one of VGCC’s newest volunteers, but they need more volunteers, and computer experience is a definite asset.

Some of VGCC’s volunteers with Linda Fyfe who’s in the front on the left. Photo courtesy of VGCC.

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

The VGCC is a place that connects and strengthens the community. Lifelong friendships have started there. “People meet in class, discovering common interests,” Linda Fyfe explains. “Many of the front desk volunteers are from the senior apartments next door. Our greeters get to know the regulars and I encourage them all to learn their names. My dream was to have the Village Green be like “Cheers” where everyone knows your name, and you’re greeted by name when you come in.”

Connection, inspiration, resources – you can find all of that and more. And, the staff and volunteers genuinely care, including Linda Fyfe. “The position of Manager of the Village Green Community Center is my life’s dream,” says Linda.  “I’ve been involved in the community since we moved here in 1992. I was honored to be hired as the Kingston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director from 2007 – 2012. There, I immersed myself in all aspects of the community and created a strong volunteer base as well as a communication vessel.  We created events and classes that strengthened our community beginning way back then.”

The Village Green Community Center continues to exceeded expectations. This spring will mark the fifth anniversary of their grand opening. Knowing all they’ve accomplished, we can only imagine what’s in store in the years to come!

Windermere Kingston • March 3, 2021

New Agent Spotlight: Savannah Moran

by Kara Wyman
Savannah Moran quote Windermere Kingston

With a passion for real estate and the professionalism and positive energy to match, Savannah Moran is the kind of agent many buyers and sellers would love to work with here in North Kitsap. She’s new to our Windermere Kingston office, and we’re excited to feature her. Read on to find out about her interesting background, her professional experiences, and more.

What unique professional skills or experiences do you possess that enhance your abilities as a realtor?

In my previous career, I was a Landscape Architect. This design background really allows me to creatively see the inherent qualities in each property to help my clients see its full potential.

What personality traits do you think are important in this profession?

I think being friendly, kind, and super organized are the most important traits to have in real estate.

What drew you to real estate?

I absolutely LOVE the process of finding the perfect home for my clients! My skills preparing listings are sharp as well. Whether selling or listing, I really enjoy the collaborative process from start to finish.

Which areas do you serve?

I am primarily serving North Kitsap County. It has such incredible raw natural beauty; it makes each day an adventure.

Savannah Moran beach ocean

How long have you lived here?

We’ve only lived in Kingston for one year. My mother lives nearby in Indianola and we’ve absolutely fallen in love with visiting over the past seven years. We had to make the move from Seattle permanently and we are so happy we did last winter, just before COVID-19.

How are you involved in the community?

With COVID-19 taking over all human interactions, my community involvement has been so limited. But I can’t wait until things normalize in the near future. I hope to be involved with PTA and school volunteering as soon as possible.

savannah moran family

What made you decide to work with Windermere?

I have always known Windermere is the best possible agency to work with. When I got the opportunity to work with and be mentored by Catherine Arlen at Windermere Kingston, I did not hesitate to move my license immediately.

We’re so glad Savannah Moran has joined our Windermere community of professionals! If you’d like to connect with her, you can do so through her website and on Facebook.

Community • February 23, 2021

Community Spotlight: The Coffee Oasis in Kingston

by Windermere Kingston
The Coffee Oasis slogan

With multiple locations in our region, The Coffee Oasis rallies communities together in support of their youth. Their mission? To provide youth with housing and the resources they need to survive and thrive. And, to brew a great cup of coffee while they’re at it! The Coffee Oasis is a nonprofit, faith-based organization that supports and empowers youth who are escaping violence, abuse, homelessness, and poverty. Their programs provide mental health services, job training, and short and long-term housing options, impacting hundreds of teenagers in Kitsap County and beyond.

Community Support

Seeing the need for this great work to be done in Kingston, a group of business leaders set up a steering committee. They asked The Coffee Oasis what it would take to get one set up. First, they needed to find a location and then they had to raise two years’ worth of revenue before being able to open one. The steering committee went to work, raising funds, purchasing the building, and raising awareness. “The community really stepped up to support The Coffee Oasis and the work that is done for youth in Kitsap,” says Cody Clark, the nonprofit’s Kitsap Community Development Lead. 

cody clark coffee oasis staff

Cody Clark is passionate about their work. He even proposed to his wife (also a staff member) at the Port Orchard cafe.

 

Our Windermere agents have also been involved in the development of The Coffee Oasis in Kingston, spending the last couple of Community Service Days working to help prepare for opening day. After eight years of preparation, The Coffee Oasis in Kingston finally opened its doors to the community in 2019. 

Windermere agents helping during past annual Community Service Days in Kingston. 

Perseverance through the Pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kingston center has been working with between four and twelve teenagers a day and has been hard at work planning COVID-safe events and programs.  “Our staff have had to be innovative during the pandemic!” explains Cody Clark. “Our outreach staff had to make a big effort to find youth, go to them and get the word out that our services are still available.”

 

The end of 2020 saw two holiday events to support youth. “A Night Of Thankfulness” and the annual Christmas Celebration. In November, The Coffee Oasis invited youth for a Thanksgiving dinner with staff and volunteers who wanted to express their love and dedication to supporting young adults in need. They also provided take-away containers to respect social distancing preferences. 

In December, various Coffee Oasis locations held Christmas celebrations while maintaining social distancing guidelines. 172 meals were served and 220 gifts were given to youth through the Family Christmas Project. “At the Kingston Coffee Oasis Christmas party, I witnessed some of our community’s youth receive presents, eat a Christmas dinner, and join in a gingerbread house decorating contest. What a gift to the community!” says Jet Woelke, Managing Broker at Windermere Kingston.

 

 

Recent Successes Here in Kingston

Since the pandemic started, The Coffee Oasis has seen a 150% growth in youth texting their crisis line. Staff members are always available to help youth in crisis, providing the resources and support they seek. “We had a youth in Kingston who was going through a lot, really trying to find themself,” says Cody. “They had support from staff and volunteers as they were trying to figure out who they really were, what they valued, and how they identified. This person came back to thank the staff for their support. This type of impact fuels Coffee Oasis and it strengths our community.”

Connect with The Coffee Oasis

The Kingston center is continually growing with the community’s support. You can stay updated on future events through their events calendar. “Coffee Oasis is making a huge difference for the youth in our community. Stop by and grab some coffee and take-out to support their work,” says Christine Todd, Broker. 100% of the proceeds from their coffee support The Coffee Oasis youth programs. And, one bag of their wonderful organic, fair-trade coffee beans (which you can purchase online) provides one day of a youth’s job internship! It’s an easy, delicious way to show you care.

 

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