The Washington state Legislature is considering a new package of bills that would address our crisis-level housing affordability problem. Sightline author Dan Bertolet wrote that the package would address the three main fixes for a housing crisis – more homes, more funding for affordable homes and more tenant protections. The… Read more
The recent tax reform package, in effect for your 2018 taxes, could give you a new break. The qualified business income (QBI) deduction allows those eligible to deduct an extra 20% of certain business income from their taxable income. Sole proprietors and pass-through business owners below the taxable income thresholds… Read more
For those that want a more active role in shaping housing policy, there’s no better place to start than with over 500 fellow REALTORS® in Olympia. REALTORS® can feel good knowing that their colleagues and the Association are looking out for their interests with our legislators and in our cities.… Read more
“If you’re silent, legislators don’t hear from you. And if they don’t hear from you, you don’t make a difference.” That was the opening message from Secretary of State Kim Wyman at Washington REALTORS® annual Legislative Hill Day this morning. Making a difference is exactly why over 70 Seattle King… Read more
Pictured: Seattle King County REALTORS® meet with Sen. Manka Dhingra. Our state’s housing crisis has reached emergency levels. The lack of affordable housing opportunities is displacing families and hard-working folks and impacting our quality of life. Despite recent market changes that are bringing inventory up and median home prices down,… Read more
Take a look at 2018’s Year in Review to see how Seattle King County REALTORS® worked for you this year.
The Seattle Times reported this week that in dozens of Seattle neighborhoods, property deeds still contain discriminatory language that limit property ownership to white people. Though covenants restricting property ownership by race have been legally unenforceable for over 70 years, University of Washington researchers have found that racist language persists… Read more
After a failed attempt by neighborhood groups to block legislation that increases density, the Seattle City Council is finally considering upzones to some Seattle neighborhoods. The Seattle Times reported Monday that the plan under consideration would upzone 27 urban villages, which would allow developers to build anywhere from one to… Read more
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct coming down, Seattle is getting serious about waterfront improvements that will benefit all who visit and live in the city. The new waterfront won’t come cheap, though – and only a small group of downtown property owners were assessed for the improvements. Property owners spoke… Read more
Changes to the tax code that could save REALTORS® thousands of dollars were enacted last year. The most significant change is a new business income deduction that allows independent contractors to deduct 20 percent of net business income. To help you understand the changes and see how they may apply… Read more