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Category: Industry News
Industry News
Washington nets nearly 110,000 new residents in past year
Washington’s population grew 1.5% over the past year to top 7.6 million. A new report from the Office of Financial Management (OFM) shows net migration accounted for 76% of the 109,800 new residents. OFM reported net births made up the remaining 24% of the growth. Since April 2, 2010, the [..]
Industry News
New tool simplifies utility set-up
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has simplified the process for setting up electric and natural gas service for homebuyers in their 6,000 square mile service territory, which covers much of Western Washington. The online tool may be used for setting up, stopping, or moving service. “It’s hard enough going through the [..]
Industry News
News In Brief
Federal regulators will vote in July on whether to make “988” the number to reach a suicide prevention hotline. The Federal Communications Commission says phone service providers will have until July 2022 to implement the new number, if the measure is approved in July, as expected. Once it’s in place, [..]
Industry News
Northwest Multiple Listing Service unveils more options for house hunters to view homes
Western Washington home shoppers can now take various types of guided tours of properties, including a new “Live Stream Open House” option. Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) recently unveiled that new feature plus enhanced ways for member-brokers to promote multiple virtual tours on their listings. The enhancements, developed as part [..]
Industry News
We’re not #1
Seattle ranked in the bottom 10 of cities whose residents have not paid off their home loans, according to a new study from Construction Coverage, which reviews financial products, software, and insurance for the construction industry. Only 18% of owner-occupied homes in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area are paid off, according to [..]
Industry News
It’s past time to strike racially restrictive covenants from deeds
Although no longer enforceable, restrictive covenants were common in the first half of the 20th Century. Such agreements sometimes barred people from specific races, national origins, ethnic backgrounds, and even certain religions from legally purchasing or occupying properties. A report in the September/October edition Common Ground, a publication of Community [..]
Industry News
Issues & Impacts
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
Northwest MLS modifies Lease/Rental Agreement Form
Northwest Multiple Listing Service revised Form 68 (Lease Rental/Agreement) to address two bills passed during the last legislative session: House Bill 1694 (allowing tenants to pay certain sums in installments) and House Bill 2535 (providing for a grace period before late fees may be imposed for past due rent.). The [..]
Industry News
Harvard student, multifamily experts offer strategies for building more for less
There is no simple – or single – solution for making housing more affordable, but a new report offers ideas from multifamily experts for reducing design and construction costs. Titled “More for Less? An Inquiry into Design and Construction Strategies for Addressing Multifamily Housing Costs,” the 47-page report was published [..]