We talk a lot about how hard it is to save for a down payment. The age of first-time homebuyers has been rising, and the ripple effects are real: delayed homeownership means delayed wealth-building, which means the gap between those who own and those who rent widens.
But, like almost everything in real estate, it’s not the same everywhere. In some markets, the “down payment clock” moves quickly. In others, it moves slowly. And understanding which clock you are on might be one of the most practical insights for buyers.
With sales of existing single-family houses and condos sputtering in the first three months of the year, experts now expect a modest improvement in the housing market for the remainder of 2026 rather than a robust one. The National Association of Realtors cut its 2026 forecast for existing‑home purchases from a 14% jump to a 4% rise after sales fell in March.
The 2026 Legislative Session has ended, and the Washington REALTOR® advocacy team’s hard work paid off.
Washington REALTORS® successfully advanced key priorities to support housing supply, expand development opportunities, and promote fairness in the marketplace while protecting against harmful tax proposals.
On June 11, 2026, Washington’s Agency Law will be updated to: “A broker may not market the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers or brokers, or any combination thereof, unless the real estate is concurrently marketed to the general public and all other brokers, except as reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of the owner or occupant. Marketing to the general public does not require an owner to allow access onto the residential real estate or into the residence.”
In other words, this means that a property needs to be listed in the broker’s MLS before or at the same time that a broker discusses availability of the property with potential buyers or tenants, other brokers or promotes availability of the property in any other way. Beginning June 11, pre-marketing and/or marketing to a limited or exclusive list will be violation of the law, unless the listing is simultaneously marketed to the public and other real estate brokers.
Jennifer Gilbert-Smith has supported the passage of this new legislation and looks forward to the fair housing market this will establish in Washington state. It’s most fair for all buyers to have access to all properties for sale at the same time and be able to contact a licensed real estate broker of their choice.
A new federal residential real estate rule aimed at cracking down on money laundering went into effect March 1st. It impacts transactions involving buyer entities or trusts where the purchase is not financed, such as all-cash sales and sales involving non-regulated lenders. Here’s what you need to know…
I’m in Olympia today, meeting with Legislators in my district, as well as others, to advocate for these Legislative Priorities.
I’m especially excited to advocate for Ensuring Public Marketing of Residential Housing Opportunities. 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.
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).
Washington REALTORS® has been approved for a disaster relief grant from NAR’s REALTORS® Relief Foundation to help those impacted by the recent flooding across western Washington.
These funds are available to ANY Washington resident whose primary residence was damaged — not just REALTORS®. Eligible applicants can receive housing assistance for temporary shelter, repairs, or mortgage relief.
This isn’t a scam! I’m a REALTOR® and voluntarily serving on the Washington REALTORS® Flood Relief Task Force to spread the news of these grant funds. Feel free to reach out with any questions!
I’m so glad that Washington Realtors® is standing up for what is best for buyers and sellers!
“As an organization, Washington REALTORS® is committed to advocating for you – our members – and your clients. We are the leading advocates for homeownership, with a long-standing record of representing the interests of homebuyers, sellers, and property owners throughout the state through our legislative advocacy efforts. Our top public policy priority has consistently been to build communities that have a strong economy and attractive, affordable home choices.
Each legislative session, our government affairs team and legislative steering committee watch for proposed legislation that could impact REALTORS®, our clients, or the industry in our state. While there’s a lot to cover in this short session, there’s one key bill that we anticipate dropping next week that you will see a lot about in the coming weeks – a bill intended to promote equal access to housing by ensuring public availability of residential listings.”
In this video update, WR President Ryan Beckett and Annie Fitzsimmons walk through this bill and why Washington REALTORS® decided to support it: https://vimeo.com/1152370938/f0bd7de906
Stay tuned for updates, as WR Legislative Day is January 29, and we’ll be meeting with our Legislators from across the state in Olympia to advocate for this bill, as well as others.
Thousands of Western Washington residents evacuated their homes after the atmospheric river and ensuing flood event that started on December 8. As the recovery process begins, state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer has guidance for both flood survivors and the insurance companies and adjusters handling their claims.
Managing The Real Estate Details 