Archive
Category: Industry News
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 [..]
Industry News
Northwest MLS brokers say transition to fall creating opportunities for buyers
KIRKLAND, Washington (October 7, 2019) – Northwest Multiple Listing Service brokers reported year-over-year gains in pending sales, closed sales and prices, but its report summarizing September activity also showed an 18% drop in inventory compared to a year ago. “The transition into the fall housing market creates opportunities for homebuyers,” [..]
Industry News
Northwest MLS updates SOC, agency agreements
Effective October 1, Northwest Multiple Listing Service updated several rules pertaining to selling office commissions (SOC). The changes are intended to increase transparency and flexibility for consumers and the 30,000-plus real estate brokers the MLS serves. Northwest MLS also reformatted the Buyer’s Agency Agreement (Form 41A) and the Buyer’s Representation [..]
Industry News
News In Brief
Seattle was ranked No. 1 by researchers at WalletHub, who compared 100 cities across 17 key metrics to determine the best city for public transportation. Data sets included share of commuters who use public transit and average age of the fleet to number of injuries and peak hours spent in [..]
Industry News
Built Green Conference 2019
Two keynote addresses, three breakout sessions, an awards luncheon, plus a networking reception make for a full agenda for the September 12 Built Green Conference. The annual event, being held this year at the Lynnwood Convention Center, is designed to showcase cutting-edge information on green building and sustainability. For last-minute [..]
Industry News
Best and worst cities for women entrepreneurs
Seattle failed to make a top 10 list in a new ranking of entrepreneur-friendly cities. On the compilation by Fits Small Business, Seattle landed 12th behind #1 Austin, Texas and 10 other cities. All major cities in the United States with a population of at least 500,000, including surrounding metropolitan [..]
Industry News
FHA updates condo rules that should boost financing options on condos
Long-awaited updates to Federal Housing Administration condo rules will take effect October 15, 2019 under revised guidelines issued last month. Housing officials praised the change, saying the FHA loan program will now be more “flexible and responsive to market conditions.” FHA said it is bringing back spot approvals and taking [..]
Industry News
Eager buyers snag condos at “transformative” International District location
More than 80% of the homes at the first high-rise condominium to be built in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID) have been reserved, according to project managers. Completion of KODA Condominium Flats – described as a “transformative development” – is projected for late 2020. The 17-story tower is located on a [..]
Industry News
Home buyers seeking affordability are expanding search outside Greater Seattle job centers
KIRKLAND, Washington (September 9, 2019) – Depleted inventory continues to frustrate would-be buyers in Western Washington. Many of these potential homeowners are expanding their search beyond the major job centers in King County, according to market watchers who commented on the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The MLS [..]
Industry News
News In Brief
Seattle ranked as the 9th most pet-friendly city in the nation, according to a study by WalletHub. Researchers know owning a pet can be expensive, between licenses, grooming and medical care and added expenses for renting an apartment. So which cities give you the most bang for your buck? “With [..]