Advocacy
Concern 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…
Read MoreChanges to Kittitas County Real Estate Excise Taxes
Changes to Kittitas County Real Estate Excise Taxes Back to News Center July 25, 2024 Seattle King County REALTORS® has been assisting REALTOR® members in Kittitas County in efforts to better understand the passage of a second 0.25% real estate excise tax (REET) without a vote of the people, and to evaluate the prospects for…
Read MoreREALTORS® Support City Initiatives for Homeownership
REALTORS® Support City Initiatives for Homeownership Back to News Center July 25, 2024 REALTORS® have long supported, and been active and successful advocates for, local action to increase the number of housing units, both here in King County and statewide. Those efforts to increase housing supply have included new financial incentives, and wide-ranging policies to…
Read MoreNew Statewide program to remedy discriminatory homeownership practices
New Statewide program to remedy discriminatory homeownership practices Back to News Center July 17, 2024 On July 1, Washington state launched a new program and funding source called the Covenant Homeownership Program. Created by the state legislature in 2023 through the Covenant Homeownership Act (HB 1474), the landmark legislation helps low-income homebuyers statewide whose families…
Read MoreElected officials, candidates join REALTORS at 30th Annual Housing Issues Briefing
Elected officials, candidates join REALTORS at 30th Annual Housing Issues Briefing Back to News Center July 8, 2024 “We need to take bold action to alleviate housing supply issues, ultimately helping affordability,” said Gina Madeya, 2024 vice president of governmental and public affairs for Seattle King County Realtors® (SKCR) in opening remarks at the association’s…
Read MoreJune is Homeownership Month
June is Homeownership Month Back to News Center June 20, 2024 June is when REALTORS® commemorate National Homeownership Month. The goal of the observance is to raise awareness about the benefits of owning a home and the importance of making homeownership more attainable for all Americans. REALTOR® members serve as trusted advisors, helping consumers navigate…
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