By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Median home prices for single-family homes and condos rose more than 17% year-over-year in King and Snohomish counties in September 2020. The King County median home price was $698,230. In Snohomish County, it was $550,000.

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.

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By Mike Richards, The Lens News

Washington homebuilders and realtors are praising a new law that would clarify what land is considered buildable under Growth Management Act (GMA) comprehensive plan updates—a move stakeholders say will help address housing inventory shortages across Washington.

The Senate approved SB 5254 in a 47-2 vote on June 29. On the same day, the bill passed the House in a 85-9 vote, with four excused. On July 6, Governor Jay Inslee signed the measure into law.

By Shannon Affholter, The Everett Herald

Despite numerous legislative efforts to find a permanent and balanced solution to address the Washington state Supreme Court's Hirst decision, lawmakers in Olympia remain deadlocked on the issue. Unfortunately, the legislature adjourned on Thursday without reaching an agreement.

The 2016 Hirst decision has effectively halted many people from building their homes in areas that depend on well water. The ruling has created a great deal of uncertainty for counties, rural communities, builders, and families across the state. As legislators leave town, the hardship on affected property owners will continue without being resolved.