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Category: Industry News
Industry News
News In Brief
Those who work in Washington enjoy the fourth-highest median wage in the nation, but it turns out that money only goes so far… Business.org compared each state’s (plus the District of Columbia) median wage to the cost of renting a 1 bedroom apartment and found that as a whole, Washington [..]
Industry News
Real estate pros raising funds for tiny homes village being built for homeless veterans in Pierce County
“It takes a village to make a village,” say the backers of Orting Veterans Village, a development that will encompass 35 tiny homes for homeless veterans clustered around a large community building. It is being built in Orting on a 5+ acres. The parcel is leased from the Department of [..]
Industry News
Builders compare generational differences in “What Home Buyers Really Want” report
Millennials desire outdoor activity spaces. This demographic also values walkability and accessibility to retail spaces, according to a survey by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). In its latest “What Home Buyers Really Want” report, NAHB asked prospective and recent home buyers to rate 175 home- and community-related features using [..]
Industry News
Representative 2019 Advocacy and Legislative Successes
Advocacy Focused on Increasing Housing Supply While increased housing supply is at the core of most every issue SKCR addresses, some specific successes are highlighted below. Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability Program Advocacy Success! Seattle Completed Voting to Approve Mandatory Housing Affordability Program The Seattle City Council completed the neighborhood [..]
Industry News
Builders urge Congress to support voluntary market-driven solutions for energy savings
Representatives from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) visited Congress last month to remind lawmakers of their desire to partner with officials at all levels of government to encourage energy efficiency. They also stressed that housing affordability should not be jeopardized in the process. In testimony before the House [..]
Industry News
Renters reveal fears, daunting challenges to homeownership, but realty pros can deploy Freddie Mac tools to educate, assist
Home prices are far outpacing growth in household incomes, prompting changing perceptions and habits among both buyers and renters. With more renters thinking home buying is out of reach, Freddie Mac suggests real estate industry professionals can play a crucial role in raising awareness of the upsides of home ownership [..]
Industry News
New urbanism movements, young people fueling surge in transit-oriented developments
Transit oriented developments (TOD) have been called the new model for real estate development. Imagine Housing, a leading non-profit affordable housing developer in East King County, describes TOD as a combination of regional planning, city revitalization, suburban renewal, and walkable neighborhoods, and an “exciting, fast growing trend in creating vibrant, [..]
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 (PDF, 14 pages, 198KB)
Industry News
Microsoft commits millions for affordable housing, urges public-private engagements to address key issue
More than 3,000 low- and middle-income people will be able to stay in their communities thanks in part to a generous investment to protect affordable rental housing through King County. The investment has an immediate impact by ensuring rents at 1,029 units will remain affordable long term. Late last month [..]