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Back to News Center Buyers across Washington state have more options, thanks to growing inventory, moderating prices and mortgage rates that are trending slightly lower, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service report for September activity. Brokers in the 27 counties served by NWMLS reported a 27.3% year-over-year increase in…
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Back to News Center Recently, the city of Seattle adopted Ordinance 127292 (effective October 18, 2025) which establishes consumer protections for homeowners targeted by unsolicited offers to purchase residential property. This legislation is a response to the growing prevalence of predatory home-buying practices that disproportionately affect vulnerable homeowners-particularly seniors, those…
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Back to News Center ABLE Environments, a real estate company that focuses on issues of accessible living and housing decisions for an aging population, was named the 2025 King County Small Business of the Year. The company, co-founded in 2017 by REALTORS® Barry Long and Tom Minty, helps real estate…
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Back to News Center Two cities in Washington made the list of “most educated cities in the U.S.,” according to a new report by WalletHub. Researchers used 11 key metrics to compile the rankings. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is #9 on the list, while Spokane-Spokane Valley came in…
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Back to News Center 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% of a household’s income is spent on buying…
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Back to News Center Calling the housing affordability crisis in our region “daunting,” former Governor Christine Gregoire stressed the only way to solve this complex issue is via a public-private partnership. Gregoire gave keynote remarks recently during the 31st annual Housing Issues Briefing presented by Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR).…
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Back to News Center 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 home can provide. Despite uncertainty among prospective homebuyers and current owners, more than half…
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Back to News Center 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 “the most significant concerted effort in…
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Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) has successfully collaborated with the Bothell City Council to modernize the city’s sign regulations, ensuring alignment with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. This important update removes content-based distinctions in signage laws, strengthening compliance. Previously, the city’s code limited on-premises temporary signs-such…
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Back to News Center 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 shows property taxes have jumped 57% since 2016.…
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