Archive
Category: Industry News
Industry News
Give someone the freedom of movement
Photo courtesy of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish counties (MBAKS) and community volunteers will dedicate their time on September 25 to build wheelchair ramps at homes throughout King and Snohomish counties. Applications for deserving recipients will [..]
Industry News
Students draft ordinance to enable tiny home villages in Lewiston
Photo courtesy of Washington State University Tiny home villages may someday provide an affordable housing option in Lewiston, Idaho, thanks in part to students at Washington State University. Nine senior landscape architecture students and an interior design student worked together to draft a model ordinance that would allow and regulate [..]
Industry News
Savvy developers attract buyers with health and wellness amenities
“Family friendliness” remains the top focus for developers of master-planned communities, but a new survey indicates “health and wellness” amenities are becoming increasingly important. The New Homes Trends Institute at John Burns Real Estate Consulting reported the once-prolific “resort lifestyle” is being unseated as the second-most important focal point. Researchers [..]
Industry News
Seattle is #9 (but also #1 and #5)
Seattle ranked ninth among 58 large cities that were evaluated for their walkability and outdoor recreation assets. The rankings were compiled by COMMERCIALCafé, a real estate listings and data provider. Six metrics were used to determine the rankings, with New Orleans coming out on top by scoring 68.29 points on [..]
Industry News
94 communities in Washington earn “Tree City USA” designations
Nearly half of Washington’s residents (48.25%) live in one of the state’s 94 “Tree City USA” communities, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. Collectively, these communities planted 46,517 trees, and spent, on average, $10.31 per capita for urban forestry management during 2019 (the most recent reporting period). Mountlake Terrace became [..]
Industry News
Resources abound for statewide info, help on COVID-19
More than 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered throughout Washington, with nearly 29% of residents now being fully vaccinated. Even so, public health officials urge continued mask wearing (especially in crowded places), social distancing, and frequent handwashing. With vaccine supplies more plentiful statewide and eligibility open to everyone [..]
Industry News
REALTORS-led legislation addresses racial discrimination in housing
A bill championed by Washington REALTORS® and approved nearly unanimously by legislators will help property owners purge unlawful racial covenants and deed restrictions from their property records. In addition to amending RCW 64.06.020 and 49.60.227, the recently approved bill, HB 1335, adds a new section to chapter 49.60. It reads, [..]
Industry News
Green Home Tour offers free, inspirational showcase of projects
Northwest EcoBuilding Guild’s annual green home tour is underway. This year’s event will showcase more than 20 homes and projects “in all shades of light to deep green.” The interactive virtual tours are scheduled for three Saturdays: May 1, 8, and 15. Different homes and projects will be featured from [..]
Industry News
Washington among states with strong employment in home building
Washington is among 15 states with the highest share of residential construction workers, according to NAHB Economics, an arm of the National Association of Home Builders. Using data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), researchers estimate 4.4 million people work in residential construction. That accounts for 2.8% of [..]