Contact: data@mbaks.com

In July 2024, Washington’s unemployment rate stood at 4.9%, with the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area slightly lower at 4.4%. The construction sector faced a significant downturn, losing 14,100 jobs over the past year, bringing total statewide construction employment to 227,400. This decline highlights ongoing challenges in the industry despite overall employment stability.

Read the full August Builders Bulletin:

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The number of single family permits issued in 2018 in the Seattle metro area (King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties) fell 9 percent last year compared to 2017, while multifamily permits increased by 9 percent. These year-end numbers for the three-county region were driven by a decline in single family permits in Snohomish and Pierce counties, which saw 18 percent and 17 percent drops respectively. Likewise, Snohomish and Pierce counties’ multifamily permit numbers rose significantly in 2018 – by 71 percent in Snohomish County and 51 percent in Pierce County. Meanwhile, King County experienced a modest 2 percent increase in single family and a 2 percent drop in multifamily permits in 2018.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

Media Contact:
Nona Raybern, PR & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
m 425.208.6308

Master Builders Association Names Brian Holtzclaw President of Board of Directors

Born and raised in Washington state, Holtzclaw has been a practicing lawyer since 1993. His main interests have revolved around development and land use issues in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on meeting the ever-rising demand for housing across all segments of the market. He holds a law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University) and a degree in economics from Whitman College.

The newly inducted Board of Directors will be rounded out with 1st Vice President Todd Levitt (Murray Franklyn Family of Companies), 2nd Vice President Cameron McKinnon (Gamut360 Holdings), Secretary Luellen Smith (Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems), and Immediate Past President Bonnie Geers (Quadrant Homes).

Holtzclaw currently serves as in-house counsel for Village Life, a community and housing development firm, as well as mayor pro tem for the city of Mill Creek in Snohomish County. MBAKS is thrilled to have his expertise to guide the Board of Directors into the new decade.

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Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) has grown to become the largest local residential homebuilders association in the United States. With more than 2,700 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service, and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region.