This year, Washington REALTORS® prioritized legislation that would increase housing supply and address the growing affordability problems in our region. HB 1337 was championed by the REALTORS® and passed in the Washington Legislature in the 2023 session. This bill makes it easier to build ADUs (accessory dwelling units) by requiring… Read more
This post is the second of a series of reports on the important legislative wins for REALTORS® from the 2023 Washington State congressional session. Washington REALTORS® scored a huge legislative win on May 8 when Governor Inslee signed HB 1474, a bill that establishes a Covenant Homeownership Account and… Read more
This post is the first of a series of reports on the important legislative wins for REALTORS® from the 2023 Washington State congressional session. When a house is sold, sometimes the seller is not yet ready to move out, or the buyer is not able to move in right away.… Read more
“The 2020 Legislative Session built on the successes we achieved in the 2019 session,” said Washington REALTORS® President Kitty Wallace. “We put money back in our members’ pockets, increased housing supply options for the entire state, and defeated several bills that would have brought harm to our industry. It was… Read more
Five hundred REALTORS® from across the state showed up in Olympia this year for the Washington REALTOR® Hill Day event on January 23. “We had over 90 REALTORS® and Affiliates from King County in Olympia this year,” said Seattle King County REALTOR® President Georgia Stevens. “This is our biggest turnout… Read more
More affordable housing options would help prevent displacements of hard-working individuals and families, as well as improve the overall quality of life for all. Extension of the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) The MFTE program is central to urban redevelopment and housing supply efforts which focus on affordability. Many cities, including… Read more
Recent studies project an increase of about 360,000 people living in King County by 2040. East and South King County are the areas expected to experience the greatest percentage increases in population by 2040 – which includes Redmond, Bellevue, and Renton. In order to address our pressing housing need, Representative Joe Fitzgibbon… Read more
For those that want a more active role in shaping housing policy, there’s no better place to start than with over 500 fellow REALTORS® in Olympia. REALTORS® can feel good knowing that their colleagues and the Association are looking out for their interests with our legislators and in our cities.… Read more
“If you’re silent, legislators don’t hear from you. And if they don’t hear from you, you don’t make a difference.” That was the opening message from Secretary of State Kim Wyman at Washington REALTORS® annual Legislative Hill Day this morning. Making a difference is exactly why over 70 Seattle King… Read more
Your clients have stories about their arduous home buying process. Now they have a useful place to share them. Non-profit groups, builders, REALTORS® and others have recently teamed up to promote legislative solutions to our statewide housing affordability crisis. The coalition, called Unlock the Door for Affordable Homeownership, is calling… Read more