MBAKS hosted our annual Housing Solutions Breakfast on October 14 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. This year’s program focused on unlocking housing supply and featured Justine Underhill, economist, journalist, filmmaker, and Falls Church, Virgina Council Member, as our keynote speaker.

Justine shared valuable insights on how to use storytelling to convey the benefits of increased housing supply. She also showed examples of her videos explaining why housing at every level helps improve affordability. Visit Justine’s YouTube channel to learn more about her work.

“We’re grateful so many members and public officials could be part of this important conversation on ways we can work together to make home happen,” said MBAKS Government Affairs Director Jennifer Anderson.

As part of the program, MBAKS recognized Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County as our Housing Solutions Community Partner of the Year.

Here are some Housing Solutions resources MBAKS shared at the event:

• MBAKS’s 2026 Legislative Priorities
• MBAKS’s Housing Toolkit

We encourage members to keep the momentum going by attending our monthly Builder Council meetings, following legislative updates on MBAKS Connect, and voting for pro-housing candidates on Election Day November 4.

Your voice matters. By staying engaged, you help amplify our collective efforts to advance housing solutions and make home happen for everyone.

View Housing Solutions Breakfast Photos 

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

In May, the median home price rose to $775,000 in King County and $655,000 in Snohomish County, up 23.6% and 32.86% respectively from a year ago. The low inventory of homes for sale plus high demand continues to put upward pressure on home prices.

The Builders 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:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7048

MBAKS Announces 2023 REX/T-REX (Remodeling Excellence and Trades Remodeling Excellence) Awards Winners

BELLEVUE, Wash.—May 6, 2023—For the 37th year in a row, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) hosted their annual Remodeling/Trades Remodeling Excellence (REX/T-REX) Awards.

The REX/T-REX Awards, presented by the Remodelers Council of MBAKS, encourages local remodelers and builders to submit their best projects of the year. Each submission is reviewed by a panel of remodeling professionals from across the country and winners are selected in each category. The categories are: Design, Interior/Exterior Details, Bath, Kitchen, Addition, Outdoor Living, Major Remodel, Historical, ADU/DADU, Green Remodel, Aging in Place, and Get Away Room/Basement.

REX/T-REX entries were judged on the following categories:

1. Aesthetics—How is the remodel visually appealing?
2. Special or unique design solutions—How was the space planned and was livability considered?
3. Quality workmanship—What are the special features of the project and is there attention to detail?
4. Use of appropriate building material—Does the remodel complement existing structure and design?
5. Budgetary consideration—How did the project keep within the budget and still deliver client expectations?
6. Challenges and obstacles—Were there any unexpected obstacles that called for adjustments?

2023 REX/T-REX Winners

About the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders associations. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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