On March 6, a class action lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Illinois against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and four large brokerage companies alleging that the defendants conspired to restrain price competition among buyer brokers via promulgation of NAR’s MLS rules. Below is NAR’s official statement:… Read more
The National Association of REALTORS® political action committee (RPAC) consistently ranks among the most well-funded PACs that contribute to federal candidates, thanks to the investments of its REALTOR® members. According to Thoughtco.com, “RPAC enables REALTORS® to support candidates that support the issues that are important to their profession and livelihood.”… Read more
The National Association of REALTORS® launched a new consumer advertising campaign today designed to distinguish REALTORS® from other agents and tell the REALTOR® story. In King County, REALTORS® make up about half of all real estate licensees but close well over 80 percent of all residential transactions, according to data… 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
By now, you’ve heard of one of the most popular applications of blockchain technology: bitcoin. But bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are only one way to use blockchains. Blockchain technology applies to any transaction and has the potential to simplify the process of buying or selling real estate. What is blockchain?… 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
Members of Seattle King County REALTORS® and the SKCR Young Professionals Network joined more than 20,000 real estate professionals and industry leaders from around the country at the 2018 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Boston from November 2–5. This year’s conference theme, “Ready, Set, Boston,” encouraged members of the National… Read more
Your business may be doing great now, but if you aren’t planning ahead, you may not be in the shape you thought when it comes time to retire. That could happen to the 43 percent of REALTORS® who are not saving for retirement, but it doesn’t have to. If you’re… Read more
Sustainable home features and environmentally friendly neighborhoods continue to be important factors for homebuyers when choosing a home. According to the second annual REALTORS® and Sustainability Report, 61 percent of surveyed members of the National Association of REALTORS® reported that consumers have an interest in sustainability when it comes to… Read more
With inventory across the state and especially in Seattle at historic lows, REALTORS® are facing a business problem: there just aren’t enough homes to sell. The recently released National Association of REALTORS® 2018 Member Profile takes a random sampling of REALTORS® from across the country to find out who REALTORS®… Read more