In the Pacific Northwest we have a long history of trading throughout the Pacific Rim.  In August of 1896 the Miiki Maru steamed into Elliot Bay with a cargo of teas, silk camphor soy oil and paper, among other things, from Japan.  The Miiki Maru left with lumber, flour, cotton and hardware destined for Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki and Hong Kong.

In February of 2010 a delegation from the Washington Realtors will be steaming towards Kobe, Japan to join in ceremonies commemorating the 50^thanniversary of the Hyogo Prefecture Real Estate Transaction Association.  The visit is in response to a visit in September of 2009 by five representatives from the Hyogo Prefecture Real Estate Transaction Association (Hyogo Taku-Ren).  In a landmark ceremony members of the Washington Realtors and the Japanese delegation signed a Letter of Intent for a Bilateral Cooperative Agreement.  Press release

I just found an interesting site that brings environmental issues together for us. Grist is located in Seattle but has writers and pulls from news on a global basis.  Sign up for their news letter….

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC Thursday announced the launch of the first-ever international home search application for iPhoneTM and AndroidTM-powered devices.  I’m really excited about this.  It adds another level of understanding to the notion that buying or selling a home can be accomplished most anywhere in the world.  There is a short clip on YouTube about it.  It you have any comments on the application, please don’t hesitate to make them here.

Read more>>   iPhone and Android App