Archive for July 2024
Construction Worker Shortage Hampering Homebuilding
Construction Worker Shortage Hampering Homebuilding Back to News Center July 26, 2024 Worker shortages in the construction trades are contributing to project delays, rising costs, and other challenges for both homebuilders and nonresidential contractors. As a result of the labor shortage it’s taking longer to build homes. In 2022, it took an average of 8.3…
Read MoreForeign Buyers Purchase Fewer U.S. Homes Last Year but Pay Highest-Ever Prices
Foreign Buyers Purchase Fewer U.S. Homes Last Year but Pay Highest-Ever Prices Back to News Center July 26, 2024 International buyers purchased $42 billion worth of U.S. existing homes from April 2023 through March 2024, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors®. That volume was a drop of 21.2% from the…
Read MoreIssues & Impacts Q2 2024
Issues & Impacts Q2 2024 Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: REALTORS® Support City Initiatives for Homeownership Changes to Kittitas County Real Estate Excise Taxes…
Read MoreCity of Tukwila Comprehensive Plan Updates
City of Tukwila Comprehensive Plan Updates Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Tiny Villages The city of Tukwila has been embroiled for more than a year in disputes and litigation with King County regarding housing for asylum-seekers, including the tent encampment at Riverton Park United Methodist Church (RPUMC). Recently, that dispute spilled over into…
Read MoreCity of Burien Comprehensive Plan Updates
City of Burien Comprehensive Plan Updates Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Homeownership Demonstration Ordinance Seattle King County REALTORS® have requested the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council, and the City Council adopt, an ordinance making the Affordable Housing “demonstration” code provisions (regarding affordable housing homeownership) a permanent ordinance in the city code.…
Read MoreConcern over Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Concern over Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Cities in South King County are confronting the prospect of as many as six new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities, and they are very concerned. Local city officials requested, and Seattle King County REALTORS® has assisted in identifying, individuals with…
Read MoreWoodinville Sign Code Passes
Woodinville Sign Code Passes Back to News Center July 25, 2024 After a year of work with the Planning Commission and City Council, REALTORS® successfully preserved the allowance of the real estate industry to use “For Sale” signs on premises and open house A-Boards off premises in the City of Woodinville. Our goal was to…
Read MoreDuvall and Lake Forest Park Revising their Sign Codes
Duvall and Lake Forest Park Revising their Sign Codes Back to News Center July 25, 2024 The cities of Duvall and Lake Forest Park are in the process of revising their sign codes. As with our work in Woodinville, our goal is to guard against any changes that would constrain the use of use “For…
Read MoreREALTORS® Encourage Cities to Capitalize On Opportunities under HB 1220
REALTORS® Encourage Cities to Capitalize On Opportunities under HB 1220 Back to News Center July 25, 2024 House Bill 1220 requires cities to plan to accommodate housing that is affordable to households that typically need government subsidies to obtain housing. It allows cities to collect a small sales tax to help fund those efforts. Recently,…
Read MoreREALTOR®–Proposed Lot-Splitting Policy Advances in King County
REALTOR®–Proposed Lot-Splitting Policy Advances in King County Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Advocating strongly for policies that increase housing supply and housing affordability—especially for middle-income buyers in the King County Comprehensive Plan update—REALTORS® proposed a lot-splitting comprehensive plan amendment in targeted jurisdictions. The amendment would allow for the development of detached single-family residences…
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