Archive
Category: Industry News
Industry News
Washington earns high marks for state economy, doing business
Washington earned first place for having the best state economy and was runner up in an annual ranking of “America’s Top States for Business in 2022.” Washington climbed seven spots in the CNBC list compared to 2021, with its healthy workforce, strong economy and booming technology and innovation sectors among [..]
Industry News
Beat the heat without AC
Whether called heat advisories, excessive heat warnings, heat domes, or dangerous heat waves, scorching temperatures have millions of Americans clamoring for relief from record-breaking high temperatures. The U.S. Global Change Research Program says the warming climate means today’s heat waves last longer and are more intense. According to their latest [..]
Industry News
One-third of declined mortgage applications qualified for homebuyer assistance
One of every three (33%) of declined loan applications were likely eligible for multiple homebuyer assistance programs, according to an analysis by Down Payment Resources (DPR). DPR’s analysis indicated a substantial share of mortgage loan applications were declined for reasons that could be addressed with homebuyer assistance. One-third of all [..]
Industry News
Fannie, Freddie roll out inaugural Equitable Housing Finance plans
Two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) unveiled their first Equitable Housing Finance (EHF) plans in early June. In announcing the plans, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) said they are designed to address barriers experienced by renters, aspiring homeowners, and current homeowners – particularly in Black and Latino communities. Included in the [..]
Industry News
Housing affordability challenges face home buyers and renters
Describing the housing market as being at an inflection point, authors of The State of the Nation’s Housing 2022 expect both record-breaking home prices and rents to cool as interest rates climb. They also found troubling racial and ethnic disparities, along with persistent affordability challenges. This year’s report from the [..]
Industry News
Housing Connector marks milestones in assisting the unhoused
Heralding their tool as a win-win example of what can happen when businesses join forces with communities around a shared vision, the founders and initial supporters of Housing Connector are celebrating recent milestones. Housing Connector is a business-to-business nonprofit that functions as the bridge that connects private multifamily property owners [..]
Industry News
Issues & Impacts: July 2022
Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by the SEATTLE KingCounty REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within your Governmental Affairs Department. SEATTLE KingCounty REALTORS® (SKCR) is ensuring that public policies support homeownership and your business’s bottom line. View the full publication
Industry News
Brokers, home buyers welcome growing inventory and market returning to “some sense of normalcy”
KIRKLAND, Washington (July 6, 2022) – Housing statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service for June show signs of a shifting market, creating opportunities for some buyers. Compared to a year ago, Northwest MLS (NWMLS) brokers reported a healthy jump in inventory, double-digit drops in both pending and closed sales, and the [..]
Industry News
NWMLS again updates rules and forms to enhance transparency and flexibility for brokers and consumers
Revisions relate to broker compensation to promote innovation and competition Northwest Multiple Listing Service (“NWMLS”), building on updates implemented in 2019, announced additional revisions to its rules and forms. These member-driven revisions further enhance transparency regarding broker compensation and create additional opportunities for consumers and brokers to discuss and negotiate [..]
Industry News
News In Brief: July 2022
The Emerald City boasts the third-fastest-rising rent year over year in the country, according to a new report from Redfin. The Seattle-based real estate company found the median monthly asking rent in the United States in May surpassed $2,000 a month for the first time, up 15.2 percent year over [..]