Publications
Lowered mortgage rates spur hope for buyers, but rising prices still limit activity
Lowered mortgage rates spur hope for buyers, but rising prices still limit activity Back to News Center October 15, 2024 Mortgage rates fell to their lowest level since February 2023 last month, but the cut did not spark much movement in homebuyer demand, according to the latest data from Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS). Its…
Read MoreWorking smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths by more than half
Working smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths by more than half Back to News Center October 1, 2024 Having working smoke alarms can save lives and property. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) founded and promotes Fire Prevention Week in its quest to reduce losses with “information, knowledge, and passion.” This year’s observance…
Read MoreLitter in Washington state: a big, costly problem with a simple solution
Litter in Washington state: a big, costly problem with a simple solution Back to News Center September 24, 2024 Good news: 75% of Washingtonians don’t litter, according to research by the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE). Bad news: The litterbugs cause “expensive cleanups, dangerous road conditions, loss of community tourism, and big environmental impacts.”…
Read MoreHome sales unaffected by presidential elections
Home sales unaffected by presidential elections Back to News Center September 24, 2024 Presidential elections have little impact on home sales in the five months leading up to such elections, according to research by John Burns Research & Consulting. The firm measured both new and existing homes. “The annual seasonal decline in home sales is…
Read MoreArmy Building pilot project of sustainable barracks at JBLM
Army Building pilot project of sustainable barracks at JBLM Back to News Center Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District August 22, 2024 Groundbreaking ceremonies for a sustainably designed barracks project at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) were held earlier this month. The “twin barracks” feature two 44,500-square-foot structures designed to house 168…
Read MoreMike Spence to be honored as “lawyer of the Year”
Mike Spence to be honored as “lawyer of the Year” Back to News Center August 8, 2024 Michael “Mike” Spence, retained legal counsel for Seattle King County Realtors® and advisor to several real estate brokerages, is among 13 honorees selected by the Puget Sound Business Journal for its 2024 CRE (Commercial Real Estate) Leadership Awards…
Read MoreConstruction 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 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 MoreRewiring America offers tool to help Americans go electric, save money
Rewiring America offers tool to help Americans go electric, save money Back to News Center July 23, 2024 Homeowners can get a free, Personal Electrification Planner to help save money, improve home comfort, and make a positive climate impact. Offered by Rewiring America, it promises an “easy-to-use home-electrification planning tool” that will generate a customized…
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