Lennox Scott recently received the Leader of the PAC Award at the annual Seattle King County REALTORS® Awards Banquet. The award recognizes commitment to the REALTOR® PAC and to issues advocacy on behalf of the real estate marketplace. Lennox, CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, has been an advocate… Read more
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In his budget proposal released today, Governor Jay Inslee proposed a number of new and increased taxes totaling $4 billion over two years. The proposal includes a 66% increase in the B&O tax imposed on real estate services. The B&O tax is paid by real estate professionals on the gross… Read more
KIRKLAND, Washington (Dec. 5, 2016) – Pending sales of homes hit an all-time high for the month of November according to the latest statistics from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. The report covering 23 counties around Washington state also shows the number of new listings added during the month plunged to… Read more
Employment is growing in the Seattle area, yet the ratio of listings to closed sales (months of housing supply) has declined steadily since 2012 (see chart). The King County average for 2016 is 1.25 months of supply; a 4 – 6 month supply is considered a healthy, balanced housing market.… Read more
The federal government is increasing the limit for conforming mortgages in most regions of the United States starting Jan. 1, 2017. In the three county area of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, the new conforming rate will be $592,250, up from the previous limit of $540,500. The Federal Housing Finance… Read more
The Board of Health – Seattle & King County recently voted to increase the Onsite Septic System (OSS) transfer and inspection fee from $111.00 to $184.80. Despite testimony by the Seattle King County REALTORS® and others in the real estate industry opposing the 66.5% increase in the fee, the proposal… Read more
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Seattle King County REALTORS gathered in Bellevue last night to talk business, socialize and discuss opportunities for 2017. The YPN Council engages young real estate professionals in educational and leadership activities to help grow their real estate business. Jenn Mueller, 2016 Chair of the… Read more
The Washington Mortgage Bankers Association (WMBA) hosted a panel discussion last night at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland. Four representatives from Seattle King County REALTORS® answered questions submitted by WMBA, moderated by Jillayne Schlicke of CE Forward. The panel included REALTORS® Rachel Adler, Windermere East, Michael Ford, Realogics Sotheby’s International… Read more
KIRKLAND, Washington (Nov. 4, 2016) – Home sales around Western Washington outgained new listings again in October, fueling competition for scarce inventory and pushing prices higher. Some seasonal slowdown is still expected – and the Nov. 8 elections may be in play as well, according to brokers at Northwest Multiple… Read more