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Category: Industry News
Industry News
Real Change committee files initiative to form social housing in Seattle
“Social housing,” a concept popular in Europe, is being proposed for Seattle by House Our Neighbors (HON), a political committee of Real Change. The group filed an initiative late last month to create a Seattle Social Housing Developer. In announcing the initiative, HON said signature gathering would “begin soon.” It [..]
Industry News
Action plans being implemented to combat appraisal bias
Various studies and anecdotes show appraisers tend to undervalue homes in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. That devaluation amounts to about $156 billion in lost equity, according to one well-known educator, journalist, and scholar. In his book, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities, Andre Perry, [..]
Industry News
Builders reveal what buyers really want
Double sinks and walk-in pantries topped the list of most popular features first-time homebuyers want, according to research by the National Association of Home Builders. Using a four-tiered scale (see box) NAHB asked hopeful homeowners to rate 200 home features, including 30 in the kitchen. The 2021 version of What [..]
Industry News
California lawmakers considering bill to convert golf courses into housing
Legislators in California are considering a bill that would provide incentives to golf courses who want to convert their property into affordable housing. Upon clearing the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, Assembly Bill 1910 was sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. According to an analysis of the [..]
Industry News
Earth Day marks 42nd anniversary with return of in-person events
Stewardship Partners will be observing the 42nd annual Earth Day with month-long, “in the field” events. The volunteer opportunities include multiple riparian restoration events focusing on salmon habit restoration on the Snoqualmie River in Carnation and Duvall. Also returning this year is The Great Global Cleanup being organized by Earthday.org. [..]
Industry News
Groups align to close gaps in homeownership among Blacks
Upon hearing the speaker tell the audience Black brokers were banned from membership in the National Association of REALTORS® prior to 1961, one prominent broker and industry leader remarked, “This is the first time I heard NAR did not allow Black people. I am sorry and appalled.” Speaking at a [..]
Industry News
Built Green unveils updated resources
Updated handbooks and checklists for Built Green single-family and multifamily homes are available from the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. The new publications include significant updates in response to code changes, and a new section on Equity and Social Justice. Built Green, established in partnership with King [..]
Industry News
Free COVID-19 safety materials available to Washington businesses
As more workers return to their offices and coronavirus restrictions change, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) created new materials to help businesses promote COVID-19 safety at their workplaces. The free materials include WA Notify posters, testing posters, and vaccinated buttons. These items are available in English and Spanish, [..]
Industry News
Insights on ways brokers boost their income
4th Annual Real Estate Income Guide Real estate agents with special designations and/or who focus on specific niches tend to have above-average income, according to the latest Real Estate Income Report from McKissock Learning. Their research also showed experience and hours worked correlate with earnings. Findings in the 4th annual [..]
Industry News
News In Brief: March 2022
The cost of living for an average U.S. family has gone up an extra $276 a month, according to The Wall Street Journal. As inflation rises, the price of groceries, gasoline and cars is making up all those costs. Overall household debt jumped by $1 trillion, the most since 2007, according [..]