NEWS & INSIGHTS
What’s Happening
Industry News
Buyers’ perceptions on affordability may be improving
Buyers’ perceptions about their ability to afford a home may be shifting, albeit slowly, in a positive direction, according to the latest Housing Trends Report. Prospective home buyers are asked to estimate what share of homes available in their markets they believe they can afford. For the first quarter of [..]
Industry News
Fed Reserve economists discuss constraints on housing activity
Although the U.S. economy is “in a good place” following recent periods of turmoil and uncertainty, one of the missing pieces of the expanding economy has been housing, according to economists who spoke at a recent Federal Reserve press briefing. John Williams, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank [..]
Industry News
Microsoft to begin accepting applications for $500 million affordable housing fund
Microsoft will begin accepting proposals this month for $500 million from an affordable housing fund it unveiled earlier this year. The tech giant expects to deploy the funds over the next three years. Applications must meet certain criteria to qualify for the funding which has a three-pronged purpose: Preserve existing [..]
Industry News
News In Brief
Washington is one of the better states in the nation for working moms – but it is far from perfect, according to a new study by personal finance website WalletHub and reported by KOMO News. The study, released Tuesday ahead of Mother’s Day, also found that many of the challenges [..]
Industry News
REALTORS honor Seattle U president as 81st First Citizen
Fr. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., president of Seattle University, hoists the Seattle-King County First Citizen Award upon receiving it from Rich Bergdahl, 2019 president of Seattle King County REALTORS®. During the civic banquet marking the 81st year of the event, “Father Steve” said it was probably the most important recognition [..]
Industry News
Seattle offers new online resource for renters, landlords
The city of Seattle unveiled a new website last month with comprehensive information and centralized resources on rental regulations plus tips and best practices for successful renting. The resource, available in 13 languages (see list at right) and designed to make services more accessible and efficient, is intended for both [..]
Industry News
SKCR Events Calendar
Date Event Time Where Phone 6/12/19 Business Practices Committee 10:00 am – 11:30 am SKCR 425-974-1011 6/25/19 Gov’t Affairs Committee 10:30 am – 1:30 pm SKCR 425-974-1011 6/26/19 Affiliate Council 10:00 am – 12:00 pm SKCR 425-974-1011 7/4/19 Holiday – Office Closed 7/10/19 Board of Directors 9:30 [..]
Industry News
Home buyers are “better off,” but market is heating up
KIRKLAND, Washington (June 6, 2019) – The housing market in western Washington may not be as hot as it was last spring, but it is heating up, suggested one industry leader in commenting on the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Matt Deasy, president of Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc. [..]
Industry News
Washington job gains in March tops all states
Washington added 27,900 nonfarm jobs in March, the largest gain of any state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Evergreen State also claimed top spot for gains in employees in the construction sector by adding 14,800 jobs. Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment in March rose 1.7 percent year-over-year [..]
Industry News
Home buyers rate ENERGY STAR items as highly desirable
ENERGY STAR® rated items claimed the top three spots in a recent survey of home buyer preferences for green features. In the study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), ENERGY STAR windows were the single-most wanted green feature with 89 percent ranking it as an essential/must have or [..]