Publications
Homes in most major markets—including Seattle—are unaffordable to median earners
Homes in most major markets—including Seattle—are unaffordable to median earners Back to News Center July 3, 2025 Of the top 50 housing markets in the U.S. only three (all in the Midwest) are considered affordable for median earners, according to Realtor.com. In its analysis, the listings website used the industry threshold that no more 30%…
Read MoreGen Z and Millennials say they’re willing to make sacrifices to fulfill the dream of homeownership
Gen Z and Millennials say they’re willing to make sacrifices to fulfill the dream of homeownership Back to News Center June 30, 2025 The dream of homeownership is a powerful motivator for both Gen Z and Millennials, new research shows. Even though they face financial hurdles, these would-be buyers prioritize the long-term financial security a…
Read MoreSeattle’s PACT launched to help boost housing supply
Seattle’s PACT launched to help boost housing supply Back to News Center June 30, 2025 Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed an executive order in late June to create an interdepartmental team that is tasked with streamlining the process to build homes and start a business. Titled PACT, or “Permitting and Customer Trust,” the measure represents…
Read MoreProperty taxes in Seattle area ranked 10th highest in 2024
Property taxes in Seattle area ranked 10th highest in 2024 Back to News Center May 1, 2025 Property taxes in the Seattle metro area ranked 10th highest among 216 other U.S. metros with a population of at least 200,000, according to data from Attom, a leading provider of property and real estate data. Its report…
Read MoreNAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report
NAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report Back to News Center May 1, 2025 Housing affordability continues to hamper would-be home buyers, according to a report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). It found the demographic profile of homeownership is shifting, with first-time owners comprising only 24% of the buyers, down from…
Read MoreIssues & Impacts Q1 2025
Issues & Impacts Q1 2025 Back to News Center April 28, 2025 Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: REALTOR® Support for Increasing Housing Supply and Affordability REALTORS® Advocate for a Positive Regulatory…
Read MoreREALTOR® Support for Increasing Housing Supply and Affordability
REALTOR® Support for Increasing Housing Supply and Affordability Back to News Center April 28, 2025 Background During the last 5 years, the Legislature has tried several different approaches to address our state’s housing crisis: Incentives Beginning in 2019, with support from REALTORS®, the Legislature provided financial incentives to cities if they made specific modifications to…
Read MoreREALTORS® Advocate for a Positive Regulatory Environment for Middle Housing
REALTORS® Advocate for a Positive Regulatory Environment for Middle Housing Back to News Center April 28, 2025 Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) continues to work throughout the region to encourage cities to adopt flexible and bold comprehensive plan policies and related development regulations to encourage ADUs and middle housing in their cities. REALTORS® are encouraging…
Read MoreRenton: Reform of Development Regulations for Land-Use Appeals
Renton: Reform of Development Regulations for Land-Use Appeals Back to News Center April 28, 2025 Currently, Renton’s city code provides that decisions on land-use–related development applications are made by a professional Hearing Examiner. Once the Examiner’s decision is made, the City Council acts as a “quasi-judicial” appellate body for appeals of most land-use decisions. Seattle…
Read MoreTukwila: Process Reform for Binding Site Improvement Plans
Tukwila: Process Reform for Binding Site Improvement Plans Back to News Center April 28, 2025 Currently, when a property owner wants to utilize the city of Tukwila’s Binding Site Improvement Plan (BSIP) process to develop their property, the property owner must also enter into a Development Agreement with the city. The two processes are redundant…
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