Issues&Impacts
Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® was proud to support legislation in Seattle sponsored by REALTOR®-supported Mayor Bruce Harrell, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Councilmember Mark Solomon to prohibit predatory home-buying. The legislation will encourage prospective home-sellers to consult and retain experts like REALTORS® before entering a real estate…
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Back to News Center There has been growing concern over the use of software services that provide algorithmic analysis of public and non-public data to assist landlords with setting rental prices and other leasing terms (algorithmic rent-setting tools). Lawsuits and legislative materials allege these services reduce competition and artificially inflate…
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Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® continue to support Federal Way’s proactive efforts to address the housing crisis through zoning reform, partnerships, and strategic planning. Earlier this year, REALTORS® backed code changes to promote middle housing and streamline the development of owner-occupied townhomes-making it easier, faster, and more…
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Back to News Center For many years, environmental advocates have lobbied to require residential energy audits and energy upgrades mandated at the point of sale. A proposal in King County would have prevented sellers from closing a transaction until they conducted an energy audit, made the score public, and made…
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Back to News Center This fall, Seattle voters will be asked to decide on an increase to the city’s Business & Occupation (B&O) tax. The proposal comes from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and could have significant implications for REALTORS®, real estate firms, and the broader…
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Back to News Center Enumclaw is the latest city in King County to take steps toward streamlining its permitting process by reforming its design review procedures. In January 2025, Jeff Potter of Integrity Land LLC submitted a privately initiated code amendment request focused on townhouse development standards. Seattle King County…
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Back to News Center 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® Advocacy for Housing Supply Planning Commission Assist in Black Diamond Seattle Addresses Tree Canopy Concerns Burien…
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Back to News Center In 2023, the Legislature passed numerous new laws imposing new housing-related mandates on cities. In the four-county Central Puget Sound Region (King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties) cities were required to modify their comprehensive plans, and to modify their development regulations which implement the comprehensive plans.…
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Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® has been supportive of, and working with, the city of Black Diamond even before the Legislature passed the plethora of new local government housing mandates in 2023. The City’s progress over the last several years has been impeded significantly by multiple unsuccessful…
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Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® 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. We are encouraging policy makers to view increased housing supply through zoned…
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