Publications
REALTORS® Aim for Continuing Pro-Housing Momentum in the 2024 Legislative Session
REALTORS® Aim for Continuing Pro-Housing Momentum in the 2024 Legislative Session Back to News Center January 10, 2024 In the 2024 Legislative Session of Washington State, REALTORS® Hope to continue the momentum from the historic 2023 “Year of Housing” session marked by the passage of a record number of pro-housing, REALTOR®-backed bills. Washington REALTORS®’ Government…
Read MoreNew Book Examines Factors Influencing Housing Design
New Book Examines Factors Influencing Housing Design Back to News Center January 9, 2024 The State of Housing Design 2023, published on January 2, 2024, examines how architects of residential dwellings are addressing issues of affordability, the warming climate, changing demographics, and increasing regulations and construction costs. The 184-page book, edited by the Joint Center…
Read MoreResearch Shows Divergent ADU Policies Across the Country
Research Shows Divergent ADU Policies Across the Country Back to News Center January 9, 2024 “ADUs alone cannot fully address a host of housing-related challenges,” wrote a researcher from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, but she found they can be “an important part of meaningful comprehensive efforts to address them.” In a report…
Read MoreEV Use Surging in “Four Corners” of U.S.
EV Use Surging in “Four Corners” of U.S. Back to News Center January 9, 2024 The Pacific Northwest has one of the country’s highest concentrations of electric vehicle (EV) use, according to a report from Axios. Their data from mobility analytics shows EV use is concentrated in the “four corners” of the U.S., with California,…
Read MorePantone Unveils 2024 Color of the Year
Pantone Unveils 2024 Color of the Year Back to News Center January 8, 2024 “Peach Fuzz” (Pantone 13-1023) is color of the year for 2024. The hue is described as “nestled between pink and orange,” as a “cozy and comforting hue nurturing compassion and heartfelt kindness” and “a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit…
Read MoreWashington Among Top States with Pampered Dogs
Washington Among Top States with Pampered Dogs Back to News Center January 8, 2024 Washington ranks third among states with the most spoiled dogs, according to a recent Forbes Advisor survey. Only Florida and Alaska outscored residents of the Evergreen State. Forbes analyzed 10 key metrics from a nationwide survey of 10,000 dog owners. Washingtonians…
Read MoreHousing Metrics Show Signs of Rebound
Housing Metrics Show Signs of Rebound Back to News Center January 8, 2024 Would-be homebuyers started moving off the sidelines as 2023 came to a close, spurred by downward-trending mortgage rates and an uptick in new listings. Data compiled by Redfin showed several positive indicators of buyer demand and activity. Highlights included: Lowest weekly average…
Read MoreIssues & Impacts, Q3 2023
Issues & Impacts, Q3 2023 Back to News Center September 28, 2023 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: Seattle Councilmember Sawant’s Rent Control Bill Dies Seattle Councilmember Lewis Slows Commercial Lease Legislation…
Read MoreSeattle Councilmember Sawant’s Rent Control Bill Dies
Seattle Councilmember Sawant’s Rent Control Bill Dies Back to News Center September 28, 2023 In July, SKCR helped squash rent control legislation sponsored by outgoing Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant by a 6-2 margin. Because Washington State prohibits any regulation of the amount of rent a landlord can charge, the ordinance would go into effect…
Read MoreSeattle Councilmember Andrew Lewis Slows Commercial Lease Legislation
Seattle Councilmember Andrew Lewis Slows Commercial Lease Legislation Back to News Center September 28, 2023 In late August, Councilmember Lewis introduced legislation that would impose significant limits on personal guarantees and security deposits associated with commercial lease agreements. While the bill applied only to commercial property, SKCR viewed it as an opener to commercial rent…
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