The First-Timer Experience at REALTOR® Hill Day
February 7, 2025
REALTORS® from across the state gathered at the Washington State Capitol on January 30 to discuss REALTORS’® priority legislation with their representatives. Of the almost 700 registrants who attended the annual Hill Day organized by Washington REALTORS®, over 100 were members of Seattle King County REALTORS®, including a record number of first-time attendees.
“This legislative session is important for the housing industry,” said Taylor Shanaman, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs at SCKR. “Having that sort of turnout is imperative to the success of our legislative agenda: everyone together using one unified voice to advocate on issues facing REALTORS® and their clients.”
Attending for the first time, Antoinette Contreras-Morel of Engel & Volkers loved the energy of the event. “Every person I met over two days wants to help educate, promote, and engage with housing legislation,” she said. “People are genuinely invested in past, present, and future of the real estate industry in Washington.”
Prior to heading to the State Capitol, the Washington REALTORS® Legislative Steering Committee met to hear from staff on bills being considered by the legislature and to take REALTOR® positions of support, opposition, or neutrality on those same bills. Over 200 members participated in those meetings on the first day.
The second day began with a general session to go over this year’s legislative priorities. In this legislative session, Washington REALTORS® are advocating for lot-splitting (HB 1096), ADUs in rural areas (HB 1345 / SB 5413), and condo liability reform (HB 1403 / HB 1516). Attendees were briefed on the talking points of each bill to prepare them to meet with legislators at the State Capitol. “I was surprised how many bills related to real estate are being discussed on the senate and house floors!” Contreras-Morel said.
"People are genuinely invested in the past, present, and future of the real estate industry in Washington."
– Antoinette Contreras-Morel, Engel & Volkers
"There's so much power in being able to clearly state what's important to REALTORS® to the people who can act on it."
– Amy Hyden, Windermere Mt. Baker
"Our clients are being affected by the work of legislators in Olympia. It's important for REALTORS® to take time out of our busy lives to meet with them."
– Molly Masoner, eXp Realty
Another first-time attendee, Amy Hyden of Windermere Mt. Baker, said, “Going in, I knew so little about what REALTORS® do in terms of advocacy,” she said, but was glad to learn more about the issues at hand that affect her business. In particular, she said one of her current clients will be interested to hear about lot-splitting as an option to potentially improve their financial situation. “There is power in knowing the policies and how they affect my clients now and in the future.”
First-time attendee Molly Masoner of eXp Realty has a client looking for property that could accommodate a multigenerational situation. “ADUs in rural areas will be huge,” she said. “I was able to share with my client what that bill could mean for their search. It could open up new possibilities.”
Washington REALTORS® opposes legislation to raise the property tax cap from 1% to 3%. Currently, taxing districts in Washington are not allowed to raise property taxes more than 1% of the assessed value per year. Some legislators want to raise the maximum to 3% per year to begin to chip away at the state’s massive budget deficit. REALTORS® maintain that such increases would be detrimental to housing affordability in Washington. Currently, an increased tax limit can only be enacted through a 60% vote of the district electorate.
After Hill Day, Antoinette Contreras-Morel was able to discuss with her clients what a potential spike in property taxes would mean for their properties. “It’s important for clients to know about tax changes and how they would affect their futures,” she said.
Contreras-Morel, Hyden, and Masoner all agreed that every REALTOR® should attend Hill Day at least once. “It was such a positive experience to get in front of lawmakers, even when they offered challenges or opposing views,” said Hyden. “There’s so much power in being able to clearly state what’s important to REALTORS® to the people who can act on it.”
“Our clients are being affected by the work of legislators in Olympia,” said Masoner. “It’s important for REALTORS® to take time out of our busy lives to meet with them. Let’s see how we can make an impact on the housing shortage!”
“You have to go and see the impact you as an individual can make on our real estate industry here in Washington,” said Contreras-Morel.