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Category: Industry News
Industry News
“You Hold the Key” set as theme for 27th Imagine Housing event
“Everyone needs a home to achieve their highest potential,” proclaims Imagine Housing, an affordable housing provider that will present “You Hold the Key” event on Saturday, April 18 in Bellevue. The gala and auction mark the 27th annual celebration of the nonprofit group’s work to create affordable apartment homes in [..]
Industry News
Americans moving at slow rates
Fewer Americans moved in 2018-2019 (for the year ending in March) than any other year since the Census Bureau started tracking that metric in 1947. A report released last month revealed only 9.8% of Americans moved during the latest tracking period; that also marked the first time it fell below [..]
Industry News
Accessory dwellings gaining acceptance as one approach to ease housing shortages
As municipalities wrestle with ways to provide affordable housing, representatives from the public and private sectors are working to clarify – or create – regulations to allow small homes (often known as Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs) in backyards. ADUs may be defined in different ways but are generally considered [..]
Industry News
Global group hosting Affordable Housing Summit in Seattle
Leaders from various real estate organizations and panelists from several public and private sectors who are actively working on affordable housing issues will convene in Seattle on November 14 for summit devoted to affordable housing. The event, which is open to the public, is presented by FIABCI-Seattle (International Real Estate [..]
Industry News
Tri of fed agencies agree to change appraisal rules
Three federal regulatory agencies approved a rule change that eliminates appraisal requirements for homes priced up to $400,000. The new threshold ups the previous figure of $250,000. The move culminates a year-long process and review of more than 560 comments, and marks the first time the threshold for residential real [..]
Industry News
Builders told to expect global recession, but Seattle area is likely to dodge it
The dwindling supply of vacant buildable lots is a key reason why prices are escalating and homeownership rates are declining, according to Todd Britsch, Pacific Northwest regional director of Metrostudy. He also believes a global recession is inevitable. Speaking at the annual Builder & Developer Breakfast presented by John L. [..]
Industry News
How to find, renovate, or build a home suitable for aging-in-place
Three out of four people would prefer to continue to reside in their family home through their golden years. With only one percent of properties suitable for aging-in-place, the majority of homes are not quite ready for that move, however. To bring their home up to safe standards for aging-in-place, [..]
Industry News
Construction underway for Everett’s first waterfront housing projects
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Waterfront Place Apartments at Fisherman’s Harbor marked the start of construction for the first housing projects that are part of the redevelopment of the Port of Everett. The apartments will consist of two mid-rise buildings that bring housing to the waterfront for the first time in [..]
Industry News
Elections, rules changes, service enhancements among agenda items at NWMLS member meetings
Fall meetings for member brokers across the Northwest MLS service area covered a variety of topics from elections to rules changes and service updates. This year’s elections for board of director positions in several districts will be conducted paperlessly via a voting platform called Election Buddy. That software, designed for [..]
Industry News
Sparse supply spurring more competition among motivated home buyers in Western Washington
KIRKLAND, Washington (November 7, 2019) – “People are moving here, home prices will continue to increase, inventory shortages will occur. That’s our future,” remarked Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Northwest in Gig Harbor, upon viewing the October statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Active listings of homes and [..]