On January 29 Washington Realtors® will meet with legislators to discuss the challenges REALTORS® and consumers are facing in today’s market. We are excited to be the key to advancing pro-housing policy and supporting transparent homeownership in Washington!

A Hot Topic: Ensuring Public Marketing of Residential Housing Opportunities

Over the past 5 years, Washington REALTORS® has focused on making Washington the most consumer-friendly state in which to buy and sell real property. WR has supported a number of bills under that vision, and in 2026 we’re supporting another bill that will move us closer to this goal. The proposed legislation would require all listings to be marketed publicly and be available to all brokers. If passed, this legislation will promote transparency, fairness, and equal access in the residential real estate market.

This policy will ensure that the marketing of available housing, for sale or for rent, is provided to the public and real estate market, not solely to a limited or private group. A transparent real estate market is in the best interests of consumers, fair competition, and supports principles of fair housing.

The 2026 Washington State Legislative Session brings both opportunities and challenges for real estate and the broader business community. Here are a few more REALTOR® Legislative Priorities for the 2026 session:

Rural ADUs: This policy aims to create affordable housing options by allowing detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in rural areas, outside of the UGA, that can be built quickly and help toward relieving housing demand pressures.

Residential Uses in Commercial Zones: Allow residential uses in areas zoned for commercial or mixed use in cities with populations over 30,000, with exceptions to ensure protection of industrial lands or other areas inappropriate for residential use. Local governments cannot require conditional permits or impose design-related restrictions for residential development in these areas. This bill will help housing supply by allowing housing in underutilized commercial areas.

Incentivize Stacked Flat Condominium Construction: This bill builds on last year’s condominium legislation by allowing stacked flat building types of up to 4 floors and 12 units within the new 2-10 home warranty option, and by not requiring parking on the ground floor. This will allow an additional type of building to use the new 2-10 warranty process.

Do No Harm: Substantive budget and tax discussions are concerning as they relate to housing costs, and we ask that Legislators avoid policies that make housing and real estate more expensive. Examples would be REET increases (HB 1044 and HB 1867), B&O tax increases, or other excise tax proposals (HB 2258).

For more information: https://www.warealtor.org/advocacy-legal/government-affairs/legislation/2026-legislative-session