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Should You Become a Landlord in Seattle?

Should You Become a Landlord in Seattle? Updated March 7, 2024. As the best property management Seattle offers, it's understandable to us that an uncertain real estate market could change your plans to sell your Seattle home right now. Even when the market is unrestricted, and showings are...

Raise the Rent: Seattle Property Management Tips to Keep More Renters

Raise the Rent: Seattle Property Management Tips to Keep More Renters Published March 12, 2020. Updated September 28, 2023 Before you advertise your Seattle rental property, making sure you set an ideal monthly rent rate to attract quality renters is crucial. However, when your rental price is too low, you lose money...

Should I Rent My Home or Sell It? Expert Insights for Long-Term Wealth

Should I Rent My Home or Sell It? Expert Insights for Long-Term Wealth Published February 6, 2020. Updated June 22, 2023. Moving into your next phase of life in Seattle is exciting—but you have decisions to make. Leaving a house behind means you've probably been asking yourself this question a lot as moving day draws...

Real Estate Entities: Insight From Seattle Property Management

Real Estate Entities: Insight From Seattle Property Management Please note: This article is not legal advice. For up-to-date information and guidance, reach out to your attorney or Real Property Associates. When you don't own multiple rental homes in Seattle, you may think the easiest option for handling...

'Smart' Upgrades for Home Rentals Seattle Investors NEED to Make!

'Smart' Upgrades for Home Rentals Seattle Investors NEED to Make! Updated October 28, 2022. Something is exciting about being part of the technological age, especially when those modern conveniences incorporate into your home. The best part is that renters don't have to be left out of the fold! There are many...

Write Effective Property Listings: Tips From Seattle Property Managers

Write Effective Property Listings: Tips From Seattle Property Managers Updated February 3, 2022 What's the buzz on your investment properties in Seattle? If people aren't talking about your properties when they're ready for a new renter, it's time to take a look at your property listings and how you advertise your...

Seattle's "first-come, first-served" Rental Law Rejected by Judge

Seattle's "first-come, first-served" Rental Law Rejected by Judge Judge rejects Seattle’s ‘first-come, first-served’ rental law as unconstitutional Choosing a tenant “is a fundamental attribute of property ownership,” King County Superior Court Judge Suzanne Parisien said in a written ruling. Share story Seattle’s...

Get Ready for Higher Property Taxes in King County

Get Ready for Higher Property Taxes in King County The largest property-tax increase in King County in modern history is about to go into effect:

The Seattle Rental Market – A Look Back and Forward to 2018

As we enter our 28th year in business and look forward to a new year, we certainly want to recognize and thank our owners for the opportunity to manage your properties. At last count, we have over 900 owners and ownership groups who entrust us to...

Americans Moving Less

Americans Moving Less Though you wouldn't know it based on the influx of new residents and construction of high-rise apartment buildings in Seattle, as a country, we are moving less frequently, according to this article in The Seattle Times:

The BLOCK Project Building Tiny Houses for Seattle's Homeless

The BLOCK Project Building Tiny Houses for Seattle's Homeless Check out this article in Yes! Magazine to see how some local Seattle folks are taking a grassroots approach to the housing crisis. The BLOCK Project, an offshoot of Facing Homelessness, builds tiny houses in backyards for homeless individuals, and...

How the GOP Tax Cut Affects Homeowners

How the GOP Tax Cut Affects Homeowners According to this article in Business Insider, both the House and Senate versions of the GOP tax cut will eliminate one of the biggest tax benefits for homeowners.

New Regulations for Short-Term Seattle Rentals

New Regulations for Short-Term Seattle Rentals In addition to the new Airbnb and other short-term rental taxes voted on by the City Council last month, there will now be new regulations that will limit the number of units that can be offered and will require a license to operate.

New Tax for Airbnb Rentals

New Tax for Airbnb Rentals On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of a per-night tax on short-term rental properties, such as Airbnb units, according to this Seattle Times article. This new tax is a part of the Council's effort to alleviate Seattle's housing...

Is the Seattle Real Estate Bubble Going To Burst?

Not anytime soon, according to this Seattle Times article by Mike Rosenburg. Seattle has been the hottest real estate market in the country for a full year, with housing costs growing more than double the national rate. As we all already know,...

Another Seattle Landlord Tenant Regulation is Proposed

Another Seattle Landlord Tenant Regulation is Proposed

Seattle is #1 Housing Market - Once Again

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-chugs-along-as-americas-hottest-home-market-despite-slowing-a-bit/ As written in the Seattle Times: Even as local home-price gains slowed for the fourth straight month, the region still had...

Best Rental Improvements for Top Dollar Rent in Seattle

Best Rental Improvements for Top Dollar Rent in Seattle To earn top rent in the Seattle market, you need to provide a property that’s desirable and modern. While there’s no need to completely remodel your property, you should make a few key improvements that will make a huge difference in attracting and...

Someone found some humor in the Seattle rental market

Someone found some humor in the Seattle rental market THE SEATTLE TIMES BENJAMIN WOODARD ‘Sweet deal’: Ad for $2,000-a-month gingerbread house in Central District is the satire we all need right now For rent: a “HUGE micro house” with an “efficient floor plan” of about 1 square foot. But be warned, you...

Seattle Property Management News: What is the New “First in Time” Ordinance?

Seattle Property Management News: What is the New “First in Time” Ordinance? An important update that will soon affect landlords, property managers and owners of rental property located inside the Seattle city limits. Recently, the Seattle city council voted for and adopted some new ordinances that will affect landlords,...

Seattle's Rental Law and Unintended Consequences -- as reported by The Seattle Times

Seattle's Rental Law and Unintended Consequences -- as reported by The Seattle Times The first-come, first served renter's law has the best of intentions. But sometimes interventions in the economy can go wrong. By Jon Talton,.

As housing costs soar, Seattle becomes nation’s top roommate city -- as reported by The Seattle Times

As housing costs soar, Seattle becomes nation’s top roommate city -- as reported by The Seattle Times As living solo becomes more expensive, finding a roommate is essential for many city residents. Seattle now ranks No. 1 in the percentage of people living with an unrelated adult. By Gene Balk for The Seattle Times, gbalk@seattletimes.com.

Most Home Buyers Keep Their Options Open, Consider Renting Instead -- as reported by Puget Sound Business Journal

Most Home Buyers Keep Their Options Open, Consider Renting Instead -- as reported by Puget Sound Business Journal SEATTLE, Oct. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's competitive housing market, most of those who moved recently considered both buying and renting while looking for a new place to live, according to the Zillow Group Report on Consumer Housing Trends.

Seattle Energy Benchmarking & Reporting

Seattle Energy Benchmarking & Reporting All mid-size to large apartment and commercial buildings in the city of Seattle are required to report energy consumption. If you do not report this information annually, you will be subject to a fine. One of the positive things that this does is...

City of Seattle Vs Airbnb - the future of short term stay rentals in Seattle is on the line

Over the last few years, all of us who are in the Seattle property management business have seen the proliferation of short term stay rentals increase through websites such as Airbnb. A recent study suggested that the number of active Airbnb rentals...

Fewer and fewer failed construction projects remain

Fewer and fewer failed construction projects remain September of 2007 is widely recognized as the market peak for the Seattle area real estate market in both residential and commercial properties. The peak was followed by a four year slide (it felt more like 10 years!). Most of the stalled...

What is the right amount to save for a down payment on a home?

What is the right amount to save for a down payment on a home? There was a good, national article posted in the Times over the weekend that talks about the amount of down payment necessary to purchase a home. Many millennials are feverishly saving to get to the 20% down payment requirement to purchase a...

Seattle Rents = 50% of San Francisco Median Rents

Seattle Rents = 50% of San Francisco Median Rents THE ZUMPER BLOG Zumper National Rent Report: March 2016 San Francisco, CA rent prices increased 2.6% this February to reach a median one bedroom of $3,590. Though up, rates remain below the peak of $3,670 seen last October. San Francisco maintains...

Approval of 12-story Pioneer Square building overturned

Approval of 12-story Pioneer Square building overturned THE SEATTLE TIMES DANIEL BEEKMAN

Investors With Cash Edging Out First-Time Home Buyers

Investors With Cash Edging Out First-Time Home Buyers WSJ JOE LIGHT

As elsewhere - RPA sees a lack of housing inventory a game changer

As elsewhere - RPA sees a lack of housing inventory a game changer For February - Depleted inventory is contributing to "overwhelming" traffic at open houses, shifts in strategies for both buyers and sellers, and escalating prices, according to officials with the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Shortage of homes for sale pushes prices upward, buyers outward

Shortage of homes for sale pushes prices upward, buyers outward

Seattle area home-price gains outpace national rate

The average price of existing single-family homes in the Seattle area jumped 1.2 percent in November from the previous month, outpacing the 0.9 percent increase in a 20-city index, according to Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index data released...

Opponents decry proposed 12-story Pioneer Square tower

Opponents decry proposed 12-story Pioneer Square tower THE SEATTLE TIMES DANIEL BEEKMAN

RPA is leasing many properties for Chinese buyers - As reported in the Times

With volatility and devaluation at home, Chinese investors have become the No. 1 foreign purchasers of U.S. real estate, and interest in the Seattle area is said to be running high.

Great South Lake Union Comparison in the Times Today - How Times Have Changed!

South Lake Union’s transformation — largely fueled by the growth of its highest-profile employer, Amazon — has had a ripple effect that’s reshaped the surrounding city, for better or worse. It’s all happened so quickly. You don’t have to be a...

Rising rents, rising towers push out tenants of modest means

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/rising-rents-rising-towers-push-out-tenants-of-modest-means/

Wall Street buyers snap up thousands of local homes for rentals

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wall-street-buyers-snap-up-thousands-of-local-homes-for-rentals/ By Sanjay Bhatt Seattle Times business reporter Last April, amid the region’s tightest housing supply in a decade, a Wall Street-backed company...

Census surprise: Seattle the most affordable big city for renters

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/census-surprise-seattle-the-most-affordable-big-city-for-renters/ By Gene Balk Seattle Times news librarian How bad is the plight of the Seattle renter? As reported in The Seattle Times, spiking rents have forced...

Visions for the U District: taller, vital and still funky

City planning efforts for the University District envision more density around a future light-rail station and buildings up to 34 stories high.

Apartment Market Tightens as Housing Costs Jump

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303643304579107691208150088.html By DAWN WOTAPKA Landlords passed along hefty rent increases to tenants this summer, an indication that rising home-buying costs are helping heat up demand for apartments.

Local apartment rents continue climbing

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-apartment-rents-continue-climbing Rent hikes in King County show no signs of letting up, despite a huge wave of new apartments. Landlords expect to increase rents by an average 3 percent between September...

Scammers right at home in sizzling rental market

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/news/scammers-right-at-home-in-sizzling-rental-market/ The Craigslist ads and the emails from the alleged landlords are often full of grammatical errors, but the rental price is too good to pass up. "Only $1,200...

5.8 Percent Jump in Rents in Seattle Area

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021308680_rentpricesxml.html Despite the construction of more new apartments this year than in any year in the past two decades, rent prices in King and Snohomish counties have continued to rise while...

Billionaire Buys 10,000 Rental Homes; Now Owns Second Most SFR’s in U.S.

Looks like some smart money is chasing single family rentals. Billionaire B. Wayne Hughes rocketed to the #2 spot for single family rentals owned by purchasing 10,000 homes via his American Homes 4 Rent company.

Five Benefits Of Hiring A Property Manager

Five Benefits Of Hiring A Property Manager Sarah Gabot, writing for Zillow, outlines 5 reasons you may want someone helping you with property management for your Seattle area home.

1.7 Million New Renters, Single Family Rentals Grow By 3 Million

The Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) Multifamily Research Group today released its multifamily real estate market demand forecast for the next several years. The paper forecasts that the demand for rental housing will remain solid through 2015.

Urban Land Institute Says Seattle One Of Best Real Estate Markets In United States

In what should come as great news for Seattle rental property owners, Seattle is one of the best real estate markets in the United States, according to the Urban Land Institute’s influential Emerging Trends report, which digs deep into the prospects...

Real Property Associates Owner Jay Young Interviewed About Problem Tenants By Bloomberg News

Real Property Associates Owner Jay Young Interviewed About Problem Tenants By Bloomberg News Jay Young, owner of Seattle area Real Property Associates for 21 years, was recently interviewed about rental real estate and property management by Bloomberg News.
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