Gig Harbor and Kitsap County

Contribute to a Safer, Healthier Community... GO GREEN!

Going green has direct benefits to our economic, social, and environmental status. According to a statistical report compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some of these benefits include:

Environmental benefits

• Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
• Improve air and water quality
• Reduce waste streams
• Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic benefits

• Reduce operating costs
• Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
• Improve occupant productivity
• Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social benefits

• Enhance occupant comfort and health
• Heighten aesthetic qualities
• Minimize strain on local infrastructure
• Improve overall quality of life

In Pierce and Kitsap counties, the local Master Builders Association is working hard to create more avenues of information and education for those who want to go green. The goal is to offer an option for healthier more efficient homes which will contribute towards protecting our communities and local natural resources. The MBA is offering "BUILT GREEN" certification for both homeowners and contractors alike. By becoming certified, you will acquire the education needed to execute green projects and will be a step ahead as "BUILT GREEN" becomes the preferred consumer standard! For more information on getting certified, visit the Tacoma-Pierce County MBA or Kitsap MBA "BUILT GREEN" websites.

How Social Media was successful in Election '08 and how it can work for you

This has been an historic election on many fronts. And no matter which campaign you were pulling for the use of social media as a fund raising and organizational tool to gain support was unprecedented. A recent posting on livemint.com by Ayeshea Perera states that,

Obama has successfully used social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. His website featured supportive user generated content from blogs, and sites such as youtube while also giving people space to express their support and leave comments on issues that were most relevant to them.

According to readwriteweb.com, there is some significant data to back this up. The winning campaign was largely successful in this strategy due to the demographics which tend to make up a large portion of todays democratic voters. How does this apply to you? Today's market has made it a great time for first time home buyers to jump in and take advantage of having more buying power, lower rates, and higher inventory. Many of these first time buyers fall into that very demographic that taps into the social media which was so successful in spreading the President-elect's message. A recent article on msn.com highlights why Seattle is especially attractive to first time home buyers while other parts of the country may not be. The following is an excerpt from this article:

Dawn and Michael Kessay purchased their first home in Seattle recently and enjoyed the best of both worlds -- a good selection and relatively risk-free pricing. Their agent, Sheryl McLaren, believes that despite the grim national news, this is still a good market for first-time buyers with strong credit.

Lesson to be learned . . . there is a large database of potential clients available through social media so take advantage!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaselabs/

Advertising is an Advantage in a Down Market

For any business, big or small, what's typically the first budget cut when times get tough and our economy is in a slump? Advertising and marketing tools. Instead of looking to cut-back, consider ramping up! According to AllBusiness.com there are several advantages to keeping up your advertising during a down market. You will find you have leverage to bargain for a better rate including better rates on premium ad placements. It's the perfect time to build your brand and get your name out there. Most of your competitors will be cutting back on advertising giving you an excellent opportunity to stand out. Also consider sponsorships to get exposure. Just like an advertising budget, many of your competitors will be cutting back in this area opening up sponsorships that may benefit you for years to come. Once you advertise or sponsor an event, be sure that you are locked in for first dibs on future opportunities. Then, when the market picks up, you are sitting on top when your competitors are trying to play catch up! Remember, consistent advertising/marketing can portray a sense of stability and consumers will build trust with your brand.