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Category: Industry News
Industry News
White House outlines incentives to repurpose vacant buildings for housing
Developers and building owners may be able to leverage billions of federal dollars to convert vacant office properties into residential uses under guidelines the White House unveiled late last month. The wide-ranging guidelines include actions by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the General [..]
Industry News
Issues & Impacts: November 2023
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
Seattle among 5 “least affordable metros”
With an overall score of 114.568, the Seattle region landed fifth on a ranking of “least affordable metros,” topped only by #1 San Francisco, #2 San Diego, #3 Honolulu and #4 New York. Los Angeles ranked #6. The analysis of the nation’s 100 largest metros was published last month by [..]
Industry News
Tacoma Habitat building first innovative carbon home in U.S.
A first-of-its-kind home using zero-carbon concrete will be part of a small Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity project in Gig Harbor. The nonprofit housing organization is partnering with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) Build with Strength coalition and others on the innovative three-home development. For qualified renters who [..]
Industry News
Opening doors to homeownership for young people without family money
With starter homes becoming increasingly unaffordable, some first-time buyers are relying on family so they can join the ranks of homeowners. Would-be buyers who are born to homeowner parents also have an edge in getting on the first rung of the housing ladder. Research by Redfin and others underscores the [..]
Industry News
Regional partners sponsoring campaign to bring volunteers back to food banks
Tis the season for gatherings! Are you looking for an opportunity to get together with colleagues, friends, relatives, or neighbors for a meaningful cause? Hunger relief programs throughout Washington are in dire need of volunteers with various skills and abilities to help with food distribution tasks. Several organizations have teamed [..]
Industry News
New In Brief: November 2023
Nearly two-thirds - or 59% - of U.S. homebuyers think purchasing a home is more stressful than dating, according to a new report from Redfin. Based on the results of a Redfin commissioned survey conducted in May and June of 2023, of the life events participants had to choose from, most [..]
Industry News
Congratulations to NWMLS Board Member Keith Bruce
Appointed as Washington State Real Estate Commissioner NWMLS is proud to announce that Keith Bruce, NWMLS Board Member and Designated Broker/Co-Founder of Sound Point Real Estate LLC, has been appointed as one of seven Real Estate Commissioners for the State of Washington. The Commission is dedicated to upholding, protecting, and promoting the interests of [..]
Industry News
Department of Commerce unveils Toolkit for developing “Middle Housing”
On the heels of Washington State Legislature’s “year of housing” when several significant housing and land use bills were passed and signed into law, a new Toolkit was developed to help cities and towns meet their need for more housing. Opticos Design, which partnered with Seattle King County REALTORS® on [..]