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
The following is commentary from our policy staff. Seattle and the surrounding areas do not have enough housing for all the people that live here. The homes and condos that we do have are too expensive for many that want to fulfill the dream of homeownership. The Seattle Housing Affordability… Read more
Annual report on legislative successes now available Seattle King County REALTORS® earned some very important local legislative successes this year to increase housing supply. In working with small suburban cities, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and the City of Seattle, REALTORS® promoted steps to give consumers more affordable housing… Read more
King County’s growing job market continues to fuel a population boom that has not been factored into city and county housing plans. Today, nearly three people move to the area for every housing unit that is built. This imbalance in the housing market is largely responsible for escalating prices and… Read more
The Seattle City Council took an important step to provide more housing options in the City’s university district. The Council passed a planned up-zone that is consistent with goals set out in the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda – HALA. The rezone will direct growth to the blocks near… 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
Even in the midst of a growing and diverse employment market, regional leaders need to act on crucial housing issues to maintain current economic momentum. That is the message from a panel of housing experts gathered at the 22nd annual Housing Issues Briefing presented by Seattle King County REALTORS®. “Affordable… Read more
Pictured above left to right: Sam Pace, Housing Specialist for Seattle King County REALTORS®, Michelle Connor, Executive VP of Strategic Enterprises at Forterra, Peter Orser, Acting Director at the Runstad School for Real Estate Studies and Randy Bannecker of Bannecker & Associates. This week, we hosted a crowd of over… Read more
Recently, the Seattle Times published an article, “Region at a crossroads as home-buying power shrinks,” highlighting the many factors contributing to rapidly rising home prices and lack of inventory. Seattle King County REALTORS® have been submitting comments and suggestions for over a year to policymakers on ways to keep housing… Read more
REALTORS® respond to Seattle’s Housing Affordability recommendations Seattle’s housing market is hot. Inventory is at or near record low levels within the central Puget Sound area, resulting in keen competition among home buyers and escalating prices. According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service report for June, Seattle has less than… Read more