NEWS & INSIGHTS
What’s Happening
Industry News
Builders say COVID-19 continues to influence home purchasing plans
COVID-19 continues to have an impact on home purchasing plans, according to the latest Housing Trends Report (HTR) from the National Association of Home Builders. Researchers reported the share of Americans who are considering the purchase of a home in the next 12 months was 15% in the fourth quarter [..]
Industry News
Expanding missing middle housing options a priority on Coalition’s legislative agenda
Expanding missing middle housing options, such as detached and attached accessory dwelling units and multi-unit housing options that include duplex, triplex, and fourplex homes is one of the legislative priorities this year for the Coalition for More Housing Choices. Seattle King County REALTORS® is a member of the group, which [..]
Industry News
Housing sector called an economic bright spot
Recent expansions in housing activity have increased its share of gross domestic product (GDP) to near historic norms, according to research by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). Low mortgage interest rates, a renewed focus on the importance of home, an evolving geography of housing demand, and a lack of [..]
Industry News
New Seattle “payroll expense” tax includes real estate brokerage firms
In July of 2020, the Seattle City Council approved a “payroll expense” tax on businesses in Seattle with annual payrolls in excess of $7 million. The objective of the tax was to have large employers, with employees who earn more than $150,000 per year, pay more to the city to [..]
Industry News
News In Brief: February 2022
Washington is one of the nation’s worst states to drive in, according to a new study released late January. The study, by personal finance website WalletHub, found that Washington ranks as the third-worst state for drivers, thanks mainly to steep gas prices, high rates of car theft, poor overall road quality, [..]
Industry News
The Missing Middle: A Solution for Adding More Housing
Duplexes, fourplexes, plus 2-to-4-unit townhomes, courtyard buildings, and cottages could provide much needed entry-level housing and/or more affordable housing for certain homebuyers. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) believes such structures offer viable solutions to the housing shortage and would help meet the needs of many first-time buyers as [..]
Monthly Market Update
Pandemic presents new option for home buyers as market “kept foot firmly on the accelerator”
KIRKLAND, Washington (February 4, 2021) – Home buyers who have been precluded from entering Puget Sound’s competitive market may want to consider condominiums as an option, according to industry experts who commented on the latest housing statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. “With the trend toward telecommuting and moving to [..]
Industry News
Pandemic presents new option for home buyers as market “kept foot firmly on the accelerator”
KIRKLAND, Washington (February 4, 2021) – Home buyers who have been precluded from entering Puget Sound’s competitive market may want to consider condominiums as an option, according to industry experts who commented on the latest housing statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. “With the trend toward telecommuting and moving to [..]
Press Release
Northwest MLS brokers tally more than $56 billion in home sales during 2020
Northwest Multiple Listing Service member-brokers reported 95,760 closed sales during 2020 valued at more than $56 billion. Both the number of transactions and dollar value eclipsed the totals for 2019. Last year’s sales of residential (single family) homes and condominiums outgained 2019 by 3,257 transactions for a 3.5% increase. Of [..]