Contact: data@mbaks.com

Puget Sound Population Surge Led by Seattle, King County

As of April 1, 2025, the Puget Sound region reached a population of 4,534,300, growing by 50,400 people over the past year. This growth was led overwhelmingly by King County, which added 33,600 residents—accounting for two-thirds of the region's total increase. Seattle alone contributed nearly 19,000 new residents, surpassing 816,000 and outpacing the combined growth of Snohomish and Pierce counties. While Snohomish (+6,700) and Pierce (+7,300) counties saw steady, modest increases, growth in transit-connected suburbs like Shoreline and Redmond stood out. Kitsap County grew by 2,800, maintaining its trend of stable, moderate expansion. Overall, the region’s growth reflects continued urban and transit-oriented population shifts, even as statewide growth slows compared to previous years.

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A home is more than bricks and sticks. Under the law and project documents summarized below, a complex bundle of rights and obligations are imposed upon the buyer and builder.

Why is disclosure a buyer’s best friend? The best consumer protection the law can provide is ensuring an opportunity to acquire an understanding of the products being purchased. This is difficult to achieve, however, because of the complex bundle of rights and obligations being obtained.¹

A builder wants a buyer to buy—but only what the builder is selling; not what a buyer mistakenly hopes or believes is being sold. To avoid post-closing disputes, a builder needs clear guidance to describe what is being sold (the complex bundle of rights and obligations).

The Washington Condominium Act (WCA, RCW 54.34, for condominiums) and Land Development Act (LDA, RCW 58.19, for subdivisions) require a Public Offering Statement (POS) containing mandatory specific information. The objectives fostered by this approach include: providing guidance for POS contents; promoting clear and concise POS’s; encouraging buyers to read and understand; avoiding irrelevant, ambiguous, and confusing disclosures; avoiding a false sense of security that lengthy POS’s contain all relevant information; promoting uniform POS’s; facilitating project comparison; enabling POS preparation at reasonable cost; facilitating obtaining legal opinions; and decreasing the need for state agency review. The WCA-POS is mandatory. The LDA-POS is often not required because of various exemptions (e.g., lot is improved with, or builder is under contract to build, a house). But, an LDA-POS may be given voluntarily. ^{1, 2}

The WCA/LDA disclosures involve three components: cautions to buyers, topics covered, and documents delivered. To avoid post-closing disputes, WCA/LDA POS’s provide the following cautions: buyer has a cancellation period; buyer may only rely on seller representations and express warranties contained in the POS or a writing signed by seller; buyer may not rely upon agent’s promises; POS is only a summary of some significant aspects of the home; documents are complex, contain other important information and create binding obligations; and buyer should seek legal counsel assistance. ²

The topics covered by the POS include: community name and address; developer and management company name, address and relationship; nature of interest being purchased; permitted and restricted uses; number of homes; principal amenities; limited common areas; land the owners and others may access; construction status; association and owner maintenance; owner's assessments; other dwelling fees; governmental assessments; blanket encumbrances; developer’s rights; model homes; association liens; physical hazards; construction warranties; building code violations; association litigation; association insurance; documents delivered; insulation data; and Form 17 environmental disclosures. ²

The documents delivered with the POS include: public offering statement; declaration; plat/survey map; HOA articles; HOA bylaws; HOA rules; HOA balance sheet; HOA annual budget; and construction warranty. ²

The Form 17 Seller Disclosure Statement (provided for under RCW 64.06) creates problems for sellers— the questions are subjective, subject to multiple interpretations, provide grounds for litigation, and are not well designed for builder project sales. Buyers may waive, and builders need not provide, a Form 17. Builders should give either a WCA or LDA POS in lieu of a Form 17—builders are not avoiding disclosures, but are providing disclosures more appropriate for project sales. However, the builder must provide in the POS the Form 17, Section 7 Environmental Disclosures if any question would be answered YES. ³

A single Disclosure Book, with Acknowledgement Addendum, should be used, and contains: POS and documents; delivered when PSA signed; makes disclosures a part of buyer’s contract; avoids document delivery hassles; assures that buyer gets disclosures; and makes proof of delivery easier.

The builder’s Addendum to the Purchase and Sale Agreement should provide for buyer’s waiver of the Form 17 and acceptance of the builder’s alternative Disclosure Book.

Endnotes: ¹ WCA Comments; ² RCW 64.34.400, 405 & 410 and 58.19.030, 045 & 055; ³ RCW 64.06.

Author: James C. (Pete) Middlebrooks, owner of the Law Office of James C. Middlebrooks, provides comprehensive services to individual, corporate, and institutional clients on residential and commercial real estate development, land use, acquisition, investment, and financing.

423.252.2693  |  pete@jcmiddlebrooks.com

The Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council at Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) advocates for and supports women in the building industry, creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and professional growth. In 2026, council co-chairs Hayley Mascaro and Julie Janowicz are carrying that mission forward.

“Our vision this year is to strengthen connection, inclusivity, and support within PWB, creating a space where members feel welcomed, empowered, and inspired to grow together,” says Hayley. “This community builds meaningful relationships, shares knowledge, and truly lifts one another up.”

Meet Your Co-Chairs

Hayley is the Marketing Director for Elevate Design | Build, where she connects homeowners with thoughtful, high-quality remodeling services. Julie is the Owner/Operator at Diamond Cut Insurance, where she has been helping contractors navigate their unique insurance needs since 2011.

“I grew up involved in real estate, watching HGTV (and dreaming of being on House Hunters!) and even did a large remodel to my own home, enjoying the process,” Julie says of her start in the industry. “It seemed like a natural fit for me to specialize in building and construction.”

Hayley recalls a similar journey. “I always joke that I’m an ‘HGTV nut.’ I’ve had a fascination with this industry for as long as I can remember; from building codes and policies all the way to the beautiful final product that truly turns a house into a home. I’ve always known I wanted to be part of this space.”

Those initial sparks grew into careers that leave a lasting impact on the people they serve. In her insurance business, Julie has guided clients through difficult claims and processes, while Hayley has seen her marketing work bring awareness to initiatives that support builders, homeowners, and underserved communities. “Thoughtful, intentional marketing can do more than just promote a business; it can amplify a mission, connect the right people, and ultimately make these efforts possible.”

Beyond their work in housing, both women are showing up for the community in other ways. After taking a business law elective class for fun, Hayley discovered a love of law that took her all the way to the Capitol to meet with state legislators. “On my first visit, I advocated for better access to resources for low-income students, sharing my own experience as a first-generation college student coming out of poverty without family support. On my second visit, I presented a proposal for an environmental policy expanding on the plastic bag ban.”   

Julie belongs to a classic car club and spends her free time creating landscape oil paintings. “I take a painting class at various locations on a few Thursdays a month and sometimes I come straight to General Membership Networking after being out in the ‘field’ all day.”

“Opportunities tend to present themselves to those who are ready for them. Believe in yourself enough to take the leap, even if you are afraid, especially if you’re afraid. You won’t see courage until you play the tape back.” — Hayley Mascaro

What’s Next for PWB

Hayley and Julie are eager to expand PWB’s reach in 2026. “We are super excited to grow PWB in King and Snohomish counties!” Julie says. “We would love to have new members, which means new opportunities for connections (and connections of connections!), doing business with new people, and making new friends.”

The Council works to support women on their career journeys by highlighting their outstanding achievements, providing resources and training opportunities, and building coalitions to strengthen the voice of women in the building industry. As leaders, Julie and Hayley understand the importance of their positions. “I have this platform to share ideas, create impact, and help others grow alongside me,” Hayley says, noting how meaningful it is to share the journey with a room full of like-minded people. “It’s something I keep coming back to, and it’s what makes me so excited for the opportunity to continue learning and growing together this year.”

Learn more about PWB and how you can get involved.