2019 Legislative "Hill" Day Update
Over 500 REALTORS® adorned with “Unlock the Door for Affordable Homeownership” scarves converged on Olympia for the Washington REALTORS® Legislative Day event. Over the course of two days, REALTORS® participated in governance meetings, installed our 2019 Leadership, networked and met with legislators to discuss solutions for the acute housing affordability crisis in Washington State.
Our event keynote speaker, Dr. James Young with the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, presented valuable information on real estate trends affecting REALTORS® and consumers alike. The statistics and data he presented highlighted the extreme difficulty for first-time buyers to find affordable housing and for “empty nesters” to trade down, creating a ripple effect in the housing market. Dr. Young also points out that the most efficient means of providing opportunities for first-time home buyers (affordable condominium development) has not taken place in this market due to supply constraints. These supply constraints are having a significant impact on the overall housing market which is why Washington REALTORS® have identified several legislative priorities to address them.
Over the course of over 140 different scheduled meetings with legislators on Thursday, January 24, 2019, REALTORS® received encouraging and positive response to the following Legislative Priorities:
Thank you to all of the REALTORS®, affiliates, and industry professionals who showed up to make Washington REALTORS® Legislative Day a success. Stay tuned throughout the Legislative Session for updates and news!
Our event keynote speaker, Dr. James Young with the Washington Center for Real Estate Research, presented valuable information on real estate trends affecting REALTORS® and consumers alike. The statistics and data he presented highlighted the extreme difficulty for first-time buyers to find affordable housing and for “empty nesters” to trade down, creating a ripple effect in the housing market. Dr. Young also points out that the most efficient means of providing opportunities for first-time home buyers (affordable condominium development) has not taken place in this market due to supply constraints. These supply constraints are having a significant impact on the overall housing market which is why Washington REALTORS® have identified several legislative priorities to address them.
Over the course of over 140 different scheduled meetings with legislators on Thursday, January 24, 2019, REALTORS® received encouraging and positive response to the following Legislative Priorities:
- Reforming Condominium Liability Laws
- Increasing Urban & Suburban Housing Supply in Urban Growth Areas
- Aligning the Short Subdivision Process with Ecology’s SEPA Regulations
- Supporting the Housing Trust Fund for Homeownership
- State Funding Support for Housing, Homelessness & Infrastructure
- Expanding the Multi-family Tax Exemption Program
- REET & Lodging tax—Local Funding Tools for Housing & Homelessness
- Read more details about Washington REALTORS®’ Legislative Priorities.
Thank you to all of the REALTORS®, affiliates, and industry professionals who showed up to make Washington REALTORS® Legislative Day a success. Stay tuned throughout the Legislative Session for updates and news!