By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The Employment Security Department’s latest Monthly Employment Report shows a strong labor market in Washington and Seattle. As reported in the November Builder’s Bulletin, Washington’s unemployment rate for September fell to 4.4 percent, representing a 42-year low based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data series. The Seattle/Bellevue/Everett unemployment rate was 3.4 percent.

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.

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By Mike Richards, The Lens

Washington state lawmakers are indicating that a priority in the 2017 session will be mitigating or reversing a recent State Supreme Court ruling seen as effectively barring development on properties where well water is required.

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By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Supply of Homes for Sale Struggling to Keep Up with Demand

With our region's continued strong demand for housing, King and Snohomish counties' supply of housing inventory for sale fell to just three weeks. That is notably low in light of the fact that many analysts consider a four-to-six month level as an indicator of a healthy market. Meanwhile, both counties continued to see double-digit, year-over-year single family home price increases, reaching $425,000 in Snohomish County and nearly $600,000 in King County during March. In Seattle, the median single family home price rose to $700,000.

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, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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