Washington’s 2026 Rent Cap: What Every Seattle Landlord Needs to Know
If you own a rental property in Washington state, the rules of the game have fundamentally changed. Governor Ferguson’s House Bill 1217 has officially moved Washington into a rent-stabilized era. For 2026, the Washington Department of Commerce has released the final "magic number," and it requires a calculator. What Is HB 1217? Signed into law in May 2025, HB 1217 brings Washington into the category of states with formal rent stabilization rules. The law caps how much landlords can raise rent on existing tenancies over any 12-month period. The formula is simple: rent increases are limited to 7% plus the
Deciding on a Pet Policy for Your Seattle Rental Property
The question of whether to allow pets in rental properties is a topic that often divides landlords and real estate investors. On one hand, allowing pets can attract a broader pool of tenants and potentially increase rental income. On the other hand, it comes with potential risks such as property damage and disruptions. We will explore the pros and cons of having a pet policy as a landlord or real estate investor and provide guidance on making an informed decision. Understanding the Importance of a Pet Policy Before delving into the debate of whether to allow pets or not, it's
Is Your Property Operating at Peak Performance?
The beginning of the year is a time when many owners in the real estate industry take time to reflect and review the performance of their buildings. As active multifamily real estate brokers in the Puget Sound Region, we are exposed to the building operations of some of the most sophisticated and successful apartment operators. We have resources pertaining to all facets of building operations including lenders, insurance agents, rental data, rental strategies, effective advertising platforms, management companies, attorneys, and additional maintenance/remodel contacts. Our expertise can assist in identifying where your building operations could be improved upon. Please reach
How Your Equity Can Grow over Time
It’s true that record levels of home price appreciation have spurred significant equity gains for homeowners over the past few years. As Diana Olick, Real Estate Correspondent at CNBC, says: “The stunning jump in home values over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has given U.S. homeowners record amounts of housing wealth.” That’s great for your home’s value over the last couple of years, but what if you’ve lived in your home for longer than that? You may be wondering how much equity you truly have. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has done a study to calculate the typical
A Majority of Consumers Say It’s a Good Time To Sell Your House
If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling your house, you’re probably looking for the best time to make your move. That means you’re likely balancing a number of factors, like your changing needs, where you’ll go when you sell, and today’s mortgage rates in order to time it just right. According to recent data, that sweet spot could already be here. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae finds that 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell. The graph below shows the percentage of survey respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a house. The big dip in
How Homeownership Can Bring You Joy
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, you're probably weighing a few different factors. The financial benefits of homeownership might be one of the reasons you want to make a purchase if you’re a renter, but the decision can also be motivated by having a place that’s uniquely your own. If you want to express yourself by upgrading and customizing your living space but are feeling held back by your rental agreement, it might be time to consider the perks of owning your home. A Little Change Can Bring Lots of Joy There’s a significant level of pride
2022 Housing Market Forecast
Some Highlights What does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say about what lies ahead. Home prices are projected to rise and so are mortgage rates. Experts are also forecasting another strong year for home sales as people move to meet their changing needs. Let’s connect so you can make your best move this year.
Myths About Today’s Housing Market
Understand the misconceptions surrounding the housing market today. Some Highlights If you’re planning to buy or sell a home today, it’s important to be aware of common misconceptions. Whether it’s timing your purchase as a buyer based on home prices and mortgage rates or knowing what to upgrade or repair before listing your house as a seller, it takes a professional to guide you through those decisions. Let’s connect so you have an expert to help separate fact from fiction in today’s housing market.
On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This.
If you’re thinking of selling your house, it may be because you’ve heard prices are rising, listings are going fast, and sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you expect when you move? To help answer both of those questions, let’s turn to the data. Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest buyer and seller traffic from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like: Notice how much darker the blues are on the left.
Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today
You can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable. There are three measures used to establish home affordability: home prices, mortgage rates, and wages. Let’s look closely at each of these components. 1. Home Prices The most recent Home Price Insights report by CoreLogic shows home values have increased by 19.1% from last January to this January. That was one reason affordability declined over the past year. 2. Mortgage
