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Category: Industry News
Industry News
Remodeled homes tour features virtual and in-person tours
Fifteen custom-remodeled residences in King County are featured in this year’s Remodeled Homes Tour, presented by the Remodelers Council of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Scheduled for Saturday, October 22, the free showcase includes seven in-person tours and 15 fully interactive virtual tours. There is no [..]
Industry News
Free litter bags offered to help put litter in its place
Roadside litter isn’t just an eyesore – it’s expensive and hazardous, causing hundreds of car crashes every year, according to Washington’s transportation and ecology departments. In hopes of reducing an estimated 18 million pounds of litter (yes, more than 9,000 tons!) that accumulate annually onto the state’s roads, parks and [..]
Industry News
Seattle group’s social housing initiative approved for Feb. 14, 2023 ballot
Seattle voters will decide whether the city should create a public development authority to create affordable housing. Backers gathered enough signatures to put Initiative 135 on the February 14, 2023 special election ballot. If approved, I-135 would create a community-controlled public development authority, to be called the Seattle Social Housing [..]
Industry News
News In Brief: October 2022
The New York Times reported that the Bank of America is offering mortgages for first-time homeowners that do not require down payments, minimum credit scores or closing costs in a program aiming to boost homeownership rates among first-time Black and Latino buyers. Under the trial program, which was announced last [..]
Industry News
New NWMLS website designed to enhance online experiences, productivity
When Northwest Multiple Listing Service unveils its redesigned website on September 13, users will find several new features, improved navigation, better functionality, and a mobile-friendly design. The launch culminates months of preparation and testing. It also reflects feedback from Northwest MLS membership, according to Tara Marino, the organization’s director of [..]
Industry News
Report concludes housing stock is in “dire need of investment” to meet demands
Some 4 million renter households have been priced out of homeownership in the past year due to rising home prices and mortgage interest rates. Eroding affordability was among findings in the latest State of the Nation’s Housing report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. Authors of the 48-page report [..]
Industry News
Industry expert testifies for ways to alleviate housing crisis
Recent record-setting surges in home prices and rents have exacerbated longstanding housing affordability challenges, a housing studies leader told members of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means during testimony in mid-July. A comprehensive, substantial approach by public, private and nonprofit sectors is needed to alleviate the housing crisis, [..]
Industry News
Puget Sound region among markets with lowest vacancy rates
Only five major markets in the U.S. have a lower housing vacancy rate than the tri-county Puget Sound region according to Anytime Estimate, a real estate data company. For the area encompassing King, Pierce and Snohomish counties the vacancy rate for rental units and owned homes was 5.4%. Minneapolis has [..]
Industry News
Multifamily construction hits 50-year high
One in three renters would sacrifice space to achieve their dream of homeownership, according to research by RentCafé, which tracks the apartment market. In new research, the company reported multifamily construction during the past two years reached a 50-year high. RentCafé analysts said 420,000 new apartments are expected nationwide this [..]