FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Bellevue, Wash.—November 14, 2016—Seattle was recently named the “crane capital of America” by a Seattle Times article, with 58 cranes currently in operation, an increase of 38 percent in the past year. And these numbers don’t even include cranes located in Bellevue and elsewhere in the Puget Sound area. With more cranes, more possibilities exist for accidents. That is why, beginning in February 2017, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) and Buildsafe Solutions will be offering free two-day Qualified Signal Person Certification for Mobile Cranes classes. The classes are made available in thanks to a $127,688 grant from State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries’ Safe and Health Investment Projects (SHIP) program.

“We are excited about receiving this grant,” said Shannon Affholter, executive director of the MBA. “Construction site accidents have a huge impact on the construction industry, families, and for anyone affected. We want to prevent accidents. These safety classes teach us how to run equipment properly and keep everyone safe.”

The trainings are free to employers and employees in the construction industry and provide 16 clock hours as well as crane certification. Topics will include crane management, high risks, crane foundations, load charts, range diagrams, crane dynamics, rigging oversight, and signaling, and will provide for a mobile crane signaling protocol and certifications required by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

 

---

About the MBA

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) has grown to become the largest residential home builders association in the United States. With 2,800 member companies, the MBA is dedicated to membership value, government advocacy, financial stewardship, and promoting the residential building industry in the Puget Sound Region. The Association and its members address many of the concerns and issues affecting the residential housing industry. If you are looking to buy, build, remodel, or maintain your home, trust the MBA for industry professional referrals and practical information to get the job done. mbaks.com

ABOUT THE SHIP PROGRAM

The goal of the SHIP program is to identify, fund, and assist with the implementation of safety and health projects designed to eliminate workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, because one injury, one illness, one fatality, is one too many.

###

Number of the Day: 12.4

As in, Seattle metro area median home prices are up 12.4 percent from last year, topping Zillow's list of fastest appreciating U.S. markets.

In the everlasting battle between West Coast cities boasting the most eye-popping home prices, Seattle seems to have landed a surprise left uppercut to its sister (cousin?) to the south, the n-o-t-o-r-i-o-u-s San Francisco.

San Fran (they hate being called that) still holds the edge in median home values, with the average Bay Area home running just over $865,000, compared to $455,000 in the Seattle metro area, which includes Everett, Bellevue, and Tacoma.

Despite the still rather large gap in median prices, our region's $455,000 is up 12.4 percent from last year, which is good enough to top Zillow's list of fastest-appreciating markets. U.S. home values rose 6.9 percent during the same period, while San Francisco has thus far seen a 6 percent increase, or half of what Seattle is experiencing.

Still, don't expect the median price gap to close anytime soon. San Francisco had hit our current median home value way back in July 2002 and they haven't looked back since.

Is this a sign of where we're headed? MBAKS and friends recently addressed this issue at our annual Housing Summit, held October 17. At the Summit, the association announced our 2018 legislative agenda, including a 10-Point Plan for Housing Attainability.

Curious about the rental market? Seattle tops that list too, with a 5.5 percent increase year over year, which comes out to a median monthly rent of $2,189. U.S. rents are up 2.1 percent (at $1,430 a month), and San Francisco again limbos under the trend at a scant 0.4 percent increase, though don't start putting flowers in your hair just yet—their median rent is still a bloated $3,376 per month.

I guess that's one thing to be thankful for this Northwest Thanksgiving—at least we're not San Francisco… yet.

When someone asks you to think big, what is your first thought? For some of us, the answer would be, “Yeah, right.” 

But think about this: We don't have to ask kids to think big. It's automatic. They seem to have the carefree lifestyle that allows them all the time they need to think and dream. And, they also have this marvelous sense of self-confidence mixed with a who cares attitude. Blurting out the desire to be an astronaut or a fireman or the most powerful woman on Wall Street seems to come naturally—and frequently! 

Then, somewhere along the way, we age and start adulting. We learn how to fit into the system. How to memorize (versus think) to pass the exam.

On October 4, we won't return to kid-like blurting. However, we will take the time to think big. 

Why? 

Because thinking big can unlock our full potential. 

You will be inspired and walk away with the tools to help you think big. Let’s be honest—some of you are rusty at dreaming about your future. And some of you have developed the bad habit of self-sabotage and standing in your own way. 

Action comes from within. You yourself must do the work, take the next steps, and set yourself free to live your best life. And a little inspiration goes a long way. 

Tap into that inspiration. Spend one day with other powerful individuals at this year’s Professional Women in Building Conference October 4 and intentionally begin that bigger life for yourself on October 5.

I'll see you there!

TheDenise
TheDenise.com