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Category: Industry News
Industry News
Seattle mayor signs measure asking voters to renew an expanded $970M housing levy
Seattle voters will decide whether to renew a proposed levy to fund affordable housing over the next seven years. The $970 million measure will appear on the November 7 General Election ballot. If passed by a simple majority of voters, the owner of a median-valued home would pay $383 a [..]
Industry News
Pro-housing YIMBYs strive to counter NIMBY movement
Describing their members as “simply everyday people who have experienced and seen the negative impacts of scarce and expensive housing,” a group of young housing advocates known as “Yes in My Backyard” (YIMBY) Action has grown to 49 chapters across the U.S. (including Washington state). Organized as a social welfare [..]
Industry News
Virginia declared “most patriotic state,” Washington ranks 13th
Washington is the 13th most patriotic state in the United States, according to a report by WalletHub. The personal finance website compared the states across two key dimensions, “Military Engagement” and “Civic Engagement,” using 13 weighted metrics. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale with a score of 100 [..]
Industry News
Friends of Housing Awards
Individuals or organizations who are helping make affordable housing in Washington state more attainable may deserve recognition with a “Friend of Housing” award. Nominations for awards in nine categories are due by August 1 and may be submitted online. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission will celebrate the honorees in [..]
Industry News
News In Brief: July 2023
A new type of housing will be allowed to sprout in Shoreline from now on, though officials aren’t sure whether many developments will actually be built under the city’s new rules according to the Seattle Times. The Shoreline City Council voted Monday (June 5) to legalize “cottage housing” in low-density zones that [..]
Industry News
Northwest MLS to publish revised forms on July 11
Northwest Multiple Listing Service will publish numerous forms on July 11, including several revised forms and six new forms. Legal Bulletin 223, published on June 20, summarizes the changes, which include both substantive updates and minor clarifications. The revised forms (see table) are currently available on NWMLS’s website as sample [..]
Industry News
U.S. revises, expands tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements
Recently enacted tax credits for energy-saving building products are expected to boost the repair and remodeling business sector by $12 billion per year, or 2.5% on the industry’s $490 billion volume, according to an analysis by John Burns Research and Consulting. Researchers at Burns believe the potential boost could exceed [..]
Industry News
Pollsters find pessimistic views of housing market, but Americans still favor real estate as an investment
U.S. adults are more pessimistic about the housing market than during the 2007-2008 financial crisis and housing bubble. Results from a Gallup poll indicate only 21% of respondents – a new low — say it is a good time to buy a house. Last year, 30% believed it was a [..]
Industry News
Homeowners in four cities in Washington among most cost-burdened
More than one in four homeowners in the United States are spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs, making them “house poor,” according to a study by Chamber of Commerce. The 30% rule has been in use since 1981 when the government found that people who spend [..]