Taxes
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…
Read More
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).…
Read More
Back to News Center Last week, nearly 20 members of Seattle King County REALTORS® traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Association of REALTORS® Legislative Meetings (RLM). Over five days, REALTORS® from across the country met to discuss association and industry business. The event culminated in thousands of…
Read More
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.…
Read More
Back to News Center The 2025 legislative session is heating up as the end of the 105-day session approaches. Bills still alive within the Washington Legislature have had to make it through six cutoffs-with two more to go. These final 16 days are largely focused on budget and finances, with…
Read More
Back to News Center King County Executive Dow Constantine has proposed a $1.5 billion levy to renew the county’s parks levy. It contains funding to maintain, enhance and expand parks and trails The measure, which is subject to approval by the King County Council, is likely to be considered by…
Read More
Back to News Center REALTORS® from across the state gathered at the Washington State Capitol on January 30 to discuss REALTORS’® priority legislation with their representatives. Of the almost 700 registrants who attended the annual Hill Day organized by Washington REALTORS®, over 100 were members of Seattle King County REALTORS®,…
Read More
Back to News Center Seattle King County REALTORS® has been engaged in the Seattle budget process to ensure the record general fund budget deficits of $251 million in 2025 and $498 million in 2026 were not closed by levying new taxes. We commented formally and advocated to encourage transparency and…
Read More Back to News Center Effective January 1, 2025, the city of Black Diamond lifted its moratorium on new retail cannabis establishments. The moratorium had been in place since 2013. The effort to lift the ban began in January of last year in response to a proposal by city council member…
Read More Back to News Center On election night in November, the Kent School District’s ballot proposition was losing with just 49.11% of the vote. Because it was a levy, and not a bond, 50% approval is required for passage. When all the votes were tallied, it passed with 50.77%. Citizens for…
Read More