NW REporter

Serving More Than 29,000 Real Estate Professionals in the Northwest May 2019

LATEST NEWS RELEASE Northwest MLS housing report for April signals good news for home buyers

KIRKLAND, Washington (May 6, 2019) – Housing activity during April signaled good news for buyers in Western Washington as inventory continued to grow, the rate of price increases was slowing in many areas (and even decreasing in a few counties), and mortgage rates remained low.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service statistics for last month show a 28.5 percent overall increase in active listings compared to the same month a year ago, a 5.8 percent gain in pending sales, and a 2.4 percent rise in median prices for sales of single family homes and condos that closed during April. The volume of closings dipped slightly (down 1.9 percent).

“Listings were popping up like April flowers and the bloom has produced a vibrant and healthy market,” exclaimed MLS director John Deely, principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain. “With an increased supply of listing inventory, low interest rates, and a positive economic climate, buyers are confident that this is a good time to buy,” he reported, while noting a larger number of buyers are opting out of competing with other buyers.

“This year’s buyers and sellers are approaching the market with more caution and a focus on an analytical, versus emotional approach that has ruled the last several years,” Deely said.

Northwest MLS members added 11,697 new listings to inventory during April for a year-over-year gain of nearly 3.8 percent. During the same period, brokers reported 11,188 pending sales (509 fewer than the number of new listings), resulting in net gains in the number of active listings in many counties, but changes in inventory were wide ranging across the 23 counties the MLS serves.

Seven counties had double-digit growth in inventory from a year ago, led by King County (up 78.5 percent) and Snohomish County (up nearly 57 percent). The number of active listings declined in 10 counties, with Jefferson County reporting the biggest drop at 24.8 percent. System-wide inventory at the end of April totaled 12,955 active listings, which represents a 7.8 gain from March.

“The spring market has arrived, bringing new listings and sales,” stated Dean Rebhuhn, owner of Village Homes and Properties in Woodinville. Sellers who have prepared their homes for sale are experiencing brisk activity, and buyers are finding more opportunities to purchase, thanks to low mortgage rates and increased inventory, according to Rebhuhn.

“As we head into the prime buying and selling season, we’re seeing better news for buyers in King County, with statistics showing there’s a bit more time to look and make a decision,” said Mike Grady, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Bain. Pointing to the 78 percent increase in total active listings in King County and the 57 percent jump in inventory in Snohomish County, he described the year-over-year gains as “impressive,” but noted there is still less than two months of inventory in many areas. “Buyers now have three-to-four weeks instead of three-to-four days to make a decision, so it’s still quite a ways from a balanced market,” he emphasized.

Gary O’Leyar, designated broker/owner at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Signature Properties, echoed Grady. “Despite the increase in inventory over last year at this time in King County, we are seeing a very robust spring market laced with multiple offers in many instances,” he stated.

The NW REporter is a joint monthly real estate newsletter from NWMLS and the Seattle King-County REALTORS®. Most content from the NW REporter may be republished or reprinted with attribution. Please inquire by calling (800) 540-3277 ext. 704. NW REporter May 2019

Eight counties had double-digit increases in pending sales versus a year ago. In the four-county Puget Sound region, only King County had a double-digit gain, with a 15.1 percent jump in mutually accepted offers. Pierce County, with a 6.6 percent decrease, was one of seven counties reporting drops in pending sales. Even with mixed sales activity, supply remains tight.

Northwest MLS figures show both King County and its 23-county system have around 1.7 months of supply. “That is still slim compared to the National Association of Realtors’ data showing a national average of 3.9 months of inventory,” remarked O’Leyar.

“We just experienced a strong spring market and are now heading into the pre-summer phase of the housing cycle where more inventory but also more buyer competition is commonplace,” stated J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate. He expects momentum will continue “in line with positive job growth, lower interest rates and a strong U.S. economy,” but believes price appreciation will start to level out heading into summer. “All eyes will be on each new listing this summer, a welcome sight for home buyers encountering multiple-offer situations in the more affordable and mid-price ranges,” Scott added.

James Young, director of the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington, said low mortgage rates (averaging 4.4% for a 30-year fixed) are enabling buyers in outlying areas along the I-5 corridor to purchase in areas with cheaper prices, notably Skagit, Cowlitz and Whatcom counties.

“There are two key demographic trends driving prices along with mortgage interest rates,” Young said. “Older householders trading down are competing with first-time buyers along this corridor seeking value.” He used the example of an empty-nester Seattle homeowner deciding to trade down. “If I sell in Seattle to trade down, then I will have significant amounts of cash available from selling my existing home to be able to move to Mount Vernon or Cle Elum with cash left over.” First time buyers may look at the same relatively low priced areas as a place to raise a family. “With these two groups competing for value, this is a perfect storm for house price growth, particularly in regional markets,” Young believes.

Areas adjacent to King County had mixed results.

“Listing activity in Snohomish County rose modestly in April but the rate of growth has slowed,” said NWMLS director David Maider. MLS figures show brokers added 30 more new listings than a year ago (1,746 versus 1,716), with total inventory up 56.8 percent. Pending sales rose 6.9 percent and prices were flat (up 0.84 percent).

Maider, the owner/broker at Windermere Real Estate M2 in Everett, described the jump in pending sales as “significant” and an indicator that there is clearly demand in the market. “We expect that mortgage rates will not move significantly as we move toward summer and that well-positioned and well-priced homes will still see significant interest from potential buyers,” he commented.

Another MLS director, Dick Beeson, principal managing broker at RE/MAX Northwest Realtors in Gig Harbor (in Pierce County), acknowledged the slowing rate of price increases in the Puget Sound region, commenting, “But the direction remains the same: higher prices.” He believes buyer demand and scarce inventory mean buyers need to “be ready to rumble,” since conditions don’t favor “faint-hearted buyers.” For sellers, he advised, “Don’t be stupid, increases can’t go on forever. Get a fair price and move on.”

Home prices for last month’s completed sales of single family homes and condos rose 2.4 percent area-wide compared to a year ago, with eight counties reporting double-digit gains. Mason County had the biggest jump, at 24.9 percent, followed by San Juan (up 23.5 percent), Kittitas (up 20.5 percent) and Skagit (up 18.7 percent). Six counties reported year-over-year decreases: Clallam, Clark, Ferry, Island, Jefferson, and King.

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Condo prices dipped 3.2 percent as inventory improved (up 75 percent). Pending sales rose 3 percent.

“Interestingly, condominium prices in King County continue to fall as the number of properties on the market continues to climb rapidly,” remarked Young. MLS figures show prices in King County dropped about 9.6 percent and inventory surged nearly 122 percent compared to twelve months ago.

“Anecdotally, this corresponds with possible regulatory and tax uncertainty signaled for private landlords in Seattle ahead of local government elections. Given this situation and significant supply in the multifamily sector coming online, many smaller landlords may be selling to lock in capital value growth and exit the rental market ahead of the November election,” Young suggested.

Some developers of new condo projects are reporting strong activity. First Light, a 459-unit development to be built at 3rd and Virginia in downtown Seattle, has announced more than half the units in the 48-floor tower have been reserved prior to groundbreaking.

Looking ahead, Grady believes, “We are very slowly trending away from a complete seller’s market,” citing single-digit increases in sales prices, “instead of double-digit increases we saw in 2018,” and the lack of inventory. “We believe these two considerations will now move sellers who have been waiting to sell in order to take advantage of equity gains to finally take action.”

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership of around 2,200 member offices includes more than 29,000 real estate professionals.The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., currently serves 23 counties in the state.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership of around 2,200 member offices includes more than 29,000 real estate professionals. The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., currently serves 23 counties in the state.

Statistical chart tables begin on next page.

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April 2019 activity

SINGLE FAM. PENDING LISTINGS CLOSED SALES MONTHS OF INVENTORY HOMES + SALES CONDOS New Listings Total Active # Pending # Closings Avg. Price Median Price This month Same mo., Sales year ago King 4,365 4,624 3,988 2,739 $753,845 $625,000 1.69 0.94 Snohomish 1,746 1,554 1,714 1,201 $512,566 $479,000 1.29 0.84 Pierce 1,711 1,502 1,847 1,286 $386,988 $355,000 1.17 1.10 Kitsap 547 502 541 343 $419,895 $349,500 1.46 0.95 Mason 174 209 133 100 $290,043 $273,775 2.09 1.87 Skagit 262 357 257 162 $427,310 $377,500 2.20 2.16 Grays Harbor 176 346 172 106 $206,024 $215,000 3.26 3.06 Lewis 126 186 167 95 $264,962 $239,000 1.96 2.11 Cowlitz 147 165 155 108 $285,621 $260,250 1.53 1.72 Grant 191 287 128 72 $226,680 $212,000 3.99 2.83 Thurston 588 489 639 436 $345,220 $328,750 1.12 1.20 San Juan 76 199 36 27 $686,714 $590,000 7.37 9.09 Island 232 337 211 152 $399,171 $337,500 2.22 2.03 Kittitas 142 188 110 44 $410,642 $349,995 4.27 2.75 Jefferson 65 112 61 47 $437,535 $362,000 2.38 2.98 Okanogan 70 216 47 25 $244,612 $175,000 8.64 10.04 Whatcom 446 586 424 281 $428,398 $387,500 2.09 1.90 Clark 110 148 109 92 $394,971 $366,650 1.61 1.86 Pacific 73 192 83 49 $228,599 $190,000 3.92 4.32 Ferry 14 43 11 5 $101,960 $69,900 8.60 11.25 Clallam 131 234 120 63 $343,521 $280,000 3.71 2.20 Chelan 133 199 100 74 $398,955 $359,750 2.69 2.94 Douglas 76 94 68 31 $400,872 $335,000 3.03 1.86 Others 96 186 67 40 $225,406 $232,265 4.65 3.75 Total 11,697 12,955 11,188 7,578 $531,801 $424,950 1.71 1.30

Tables continue on next page

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4-county Puget Sound Region Pending Sales (SFH + Condo combined) (totals include King, Snohomish, Pierce & Kitsap counties)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2001 4334 5056 5722 5399 5631 5568 5434 5544 4040 4387 4155 3430 2002 4293 4735 5569 5436 6131 5212 5525 6215 5394 5777 4966 4153 2003 4746 5290 6889 6837 7148 7202 7673 7135 6698 6552 4904 4454 2004 4521 6284 8073 7910 7888 8186 7583 7464 6984 6761 6228 5195 2005 5426 6833 8801 8420 8610 8896 8207 8784 7561 7157 6188 4837 2006 5275 6032 8174 7651 8411 8094 7121 7692 6216 6403 5292 4346 2007 4869 6239 7192 6974 7311 6876 6371 5580 4153 4447 3896 2975 2008 3291 4167 4520 4624 4526 4765 4580 4584 4445 3346 2841 2432 2009 3250 3407 4262 5372 5498 5963 5551 5764 5825 5702 3829 3440 2010 4381 5211 6821 7368 4058 4239 4306 4520 4350 4376 3938 3474 2011 4272 4767 6049 5732 5963 5868 5657 5944 5299 5384 4814 4197 2012 4921 6069 7386 7015 7295 6733 6489 6341 5871 6453 5188 4181 2013 5548 6095 7400 7462 7743 7374 7264 6916 5951 6222 5083 3957 2014 5406 5587 7099 7325 8055 7546 7169 6959 6661 6469 5220 4410 2015 5791 6541 8648 8671 8620 8608 8248 7792 7179 6977 5703 4475 2016 5420 6703 8130 8332 9153 8869 8545 8628 7729 7487 6115 4727 2017 5710 6024 7592 7621 9188 9042 8514 8637 7441 7740 6094 4460 2018 5484 5725 7373 7565 8742 8052 7612 6893 6235 6367 5328 4037 2019 5472 4910 7588 8090

Northwest MLS meeting agenda covers surveys, strategic planning, systems updates, and stats

Strategic planning, a satisfaction survey, system updates, upcoming services, and updates pertaining to rules, forms and legislation were all part of the spring 2019 meetings for Northwest Multiple Listing Service members.

As part of its strategic planning process, Northwest MLS NWMLS members attend meeting conducted various group and individual “listening sessions” as well as a Directors’ retreat. Those sessions focused on a number of key themes, including technology, opportunities to grow the MLS, how to best provide and improve programs and services in the next five years, and the composition of the board of directors.

“We’ve been opportunistic, but not particularly aggressive,” said Tom Hurdelbrink, president and CEO of Northwest MLS at one of the meetings. He expects an updated strategic plan will be drafted in early summer.

Also under way is a member satisfaction survey, which will provide feedback on new products and services, future service enhancements, and project priorities. Results of the latest survey (which drew more than 5,000 responses from members and subscribers) are being tabulated.

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Tara Marino, director of communications and training at NWMLS, provided an overview of systems updates, including Matrix 360, which integrates Matrix listing data with public records and data from Realist to yield a 360-degree view of properties. (Realist is still available but is being phased out.)

The rollout followed months of testing and tweaking. Now, the integration offers several new display and search features, various time-saving products, and even the ability to generate mailing labels.

Also highlighted was the robust education portal offering in-person and online classes.The portal has a new interface and registration system, plus the option of completing introductory classes online.

In the first five months since its launch, Marino said more than 6,200 members/subscribers have availed themselves of classes, with online classes proving to be particularly helpful during February’s heavy snowstorms.

Member brokers also got a preview of new classes, including online versions of TransactionDesk and updated Matrix Essentials, as well as in-person classes on statistics tools and mobile options.

Marino reminded members of online and in-office training classes, webinars, video tutorials, workshops and user guides, noting that trainers are available for office visits. Such visits may be scheduled by emailing a request to [email protected].

Next on the agenda was a report on SafeMLS®, the new website security system that Northwest MLS launched on January 22 with enhanced protections for MLS and member data. Since that launch, Marino said there have been 32,253 successful enrollments and more than 2.l million logins. SafeMLS also tracks metrics to help with support and communications, and to identify possible misuse, such as unauthorized access to MLS accounts or other indications of password sharing.

Another update centered on Homesnap, an industry friendly national consumer home search experience with a “pro” version that is now accessible to more than 120 MLSs and 900,000 real estate brokers.

Since 2015, when the national initiative started, the portal has grown to encompass more than 75 percent of America’s homes, tax records, census data and other information. NWMLS now has more than 19,000 registered users who can take advantage of ever-expanding training opportunities.

Marino report that Homesnap and CoreLogic (Matrix) will be integrated later this year to enable greater efficiencies.

She also reminded brokers of the many resources and tools on NWMLS.com, including several detailed PDF reports and statistics that are published with the monthly press release. Examples she showed included a “Market Snapshot Infographic,” plus InfoSparks, used to create custom graphs and charts, and FastStats. She also noted statistical reports by county are archived to 1990.

To conclude the program, attorney Justin Haag provided a preview of forthcoming rules revisions and clarifications, pointing members to a just-released legal bulletin (#214).Among rules being revised are Rule 75 (“MLS of Choice”) Rule 1(b) (Cancel and relist), Rule 50 (requirement to secure property), changes to CDOM, and several clarifications. (Rule 1 and changes to CDOM are pending board approval.)

Haag, the general counsel at NWMLS, also highlighted various legislative matters affecting the real estate industry, including proposed (but not enacted) bills pertaining to dual agency, independent contractors, HOA ombuds, and data privacy. He

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followed that update with quick recap of how the Realtors’ affordable housing agenda was faring.

To wrap up the spring meeting, Haag presented a brief progress report on meetings with the Statewide Forms Task Force, with revisions likely in July. He characterized most of the expected changes as “clarifications.” Justin Haag reviews NWMLS rules revisions

TV homes vs. reality of home buying inspires latest Realtor.com campaign

A collection of seven ad spots created around a “Public Reality Announcement” began airing in late April as part of realtor.com’s “Homes for the Real of Us” campaign. The :15- and :30 second spots are tailored to viewers watching real estate, lifestyle realty, or food television.

Each ad satirizes the unreal content of such shows followed by a reminder that when a viewer is ready for a real home search, realtor.com® can help, explained Andrew Strickman, the group’s head of brand and chief creative.

“By poking fun at these misconceptions, our campaign reinforces that people want and need real information and expertise during their home search,” said Andrew Strickman, head of brand and chief creative for realtor.com.® “Real is in our name. It’s in our DNA. That information and expertise is exactly what realtor.com® offers.”

Research conducted by realtor.com revealed consumers who are searching for a home “want real; they don’t want to see luxurious homes they can’t afford, they want a realistic picture of a home search.”

The “Homes for the Real of Us” campaign launched earlier in April to focus “on the discrepancy between the advertising-fueled myths of home buying and the sometimes hard, always exhilarating, and eventually satisfying reality of finding the right home.” The campaign is the first work from realtor.com’s new relationship with Huge, its agency of record.

By acknowledging the silliness of the stereotypes and embracing the “real” of the process, realtor.com® is able to inspire confidence in homebuying to provide what consumers really need, the campaign’s creators stated.

Jason Musante, Global Chief Creative Officer of Huge, said, “Real. It’s in short supply these days but needed now more than ever — especially as it relates to the home buying experience. It took a brave client working collaboratively with the creative team to strike the perfect balance between funny and informative to bring that message to life.”

The Public Reality Announcements will appear on channels such as HGTV, MTV and The Food Network, as well as a variety of digital placements across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The spots can be viewed at the following links:

•• Unreal Real Estate (:30) https://youtu.be/Voh7AK1zq2c •• Unreal Reality (:30) https://youtu.be/Cxp4KGJkKL8 •• Unreal Process (:30) https://youtu.be/EJDCdCrNAgU

The “Homes for the Real of Us” campaign debuted during the NCAA Final Four and across broadcast and cable networks as well as in cinemas preceding “Avengers: Endgame.” Over the next year, the campaign will appear across the primetime television, major cable networks, and digital media.

Since Realtor.com®, The Home of Home SearchSM, pioneered the world of digital real estate 20 years ago it has become a

Serving More Than 29,000 Real Estate Professionals in the Northwest Page 7 of 16 NW REporter May 2019 trusted resource for home buyers and sellers by offering an extensive inventory of for-sale and rental listings, along with access to information, tools and professional expertise. It is operated by News Corp subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®.

Seattle leads trend of high-income Americans opting to rent instead of buy

Seattle outgained 19 other cities in the growth of high-income Americans opting to rent instead of buying a home, according to an analysis by RENT Café, a nationwide internet listing service. This “new breed” of renter is challenging the home owner market, the service suggests.

According to its analysis, which covered the years 2007 through 2017, Seattle experienced the highest increase in wealthy renters in the country, jumping from 2,900 in 2017 to 21,300 in 2017. That amounts to a renter increase of 7.4 times for the “wealthy renters” category, far surpassing the national figure of a 175 percent increase. Wealthy renters were defined as households earning more than $150,000.

Rents also rose dramatically in Seattle during the same period, so some analysts suggest some of the growth in wealthy renters may be because they could better handle the increases.

During the same timeframe homeowners in Seattle doubled, growing from 31,400 to 63,300.

U.S. Census data indicates the annual increase in the number of high-income renter-occupied households has been consistently greater than owner-occupied households. The numbers of those rich enough to own, yet who still prefer to rent grew by 175 percent, substantially larger than the decade-long increase of 67 percent in homeowners within the same income bracket.

RENT Café attributes the affluents’ growing preference for renting to various factors, including greater flexibility and access to city centers or arts districts as well as closer proximity to work.

Shifts in apartment production are also cited as a factor. In Seattle, which ranks 11th in the country for delivering new apartments, production has been slowing, but outside the city it is surging. As an example, Seattle produced 11 percent fewer apartments in 2018 than 2017, while Redmond’s production jumped about 230 percent during that same time.

Asked about her choice to rent instead of buy, one tech worker who earns more $200,000 said renting offers higher flexibility. “Housing as an investment model that was popular in our parents’ day is making less sense these days with more open access to the stock market and other investment options emerging. It takes longer to liquidize money in a property than money in, say, stock or crypto,” she stated. Adding, “I’d rather pay inflated rent on temporary term than inflated mortgage on long term.”

Seattle isn’t the only city where wealthy renters are outpacing homeowners. The list also includes Austin; Baltimore; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Dallas; Indianapolis; Philadelphia; Portland; San Francisco; San Jose; Austin; and Dallas.

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4th annual Affordable Housing Week starts May 13

More than 30 events are planned to commemorate Affordable Housing Week, according to the Housing Consortium of Seattle-King County. The 4th annual observance takes place at locations around King County from May 13-17.

Planners expect more than 1,000 advocates to convene to educate, engage, energize and empower individuals and groups who share the belief that “everyone should live with dignity in a safe, healthy, and affordable home.”

The weeklong event kicks off at noon on Monday, May 13 with a gathering at the Chamber of Commerce Building (215 Columbia Street) and remarks by public officials, followed by a walk through downtown by sign-bearing volunteers to raise awareness of other activities, reports and resources that are available during Affordable Housing Week.

Research cited by the organizers indicate King County has an immediate need for 156,000 affordable homes.The HDC network has created or preserved homes currently occupied by 122,900 individuals, of which 19,700 are children.

The Housing Consortium describes itself as an advocate, broker and convener for its 175+ member organizations that work collaboratively to meet the housing needs of people with limited incomes throughout the region.

Home buyers rate ENERGY STAR items as highly desirable

ENERGY STAR® rated items claimed the top three spots in a recent survey of home buyer preferences for green features. In the study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), ENERGY STAR windows were the single-most wanted green feature with 89 percent ranking it as an essential/must have or a desirable feature.

Green features were the focus of a chapter in What Home Buyers Really Want¸ NAHB’s survey of recent and prospective home buyers. Respondents used a four-tier scale to rank their preferences: essential/ must have, desirable, indifferent, and do not want.

With the exception of water-conserving toilets, every one of the top ten green features deals directly with energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program launched in 1992 that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. In 2017, ENERGY STAR and its partners reportedly helped Americans avoid $30 billion in energy costs.

The 2019 edition of What Home Buyers Really Want with 300 pages of details on the most desirable green features is available from NAHB.

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Forget Fridays if you’re frugal and want a fill up of gas.

Friday proved to be the worst day to fuel a vehicle in terms of cost and wait times, according to smartphone app GasBuddy. More specifically, 5 pm Friday is the time to avoid, as stations nationwide reported that’s when they are busiest, and, according to GasBuddy, also when prices peaked.

In general, weekends tend to be the worst times to fill up for those who want the lowest prices.

The best day to save money on fill ups and top offs is Monday, although for those wanting to avoid waiting in lines, Sunday proved to be the least busy. Monday was also the best day to buy gas in 2018 and 2017, according to GasBuddy.

Within Washington state, Monday was the best day to buy gas; Friday was the worst, although in Seattle, Sunday was the best day and Thursday was the worst.

GasBuddy’s analysis for first quarter 2019 found the first day of the work week offered the lowest average gas price in 30 states. Commuters looking to avoid the lines should fill-up on Monday orTuesday between 7 - 10 a.m.

“While filling up on a Sunday can save time, it doesn’t save money,” says Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Our data shows that filling up on a Monday morning each week can collectively save drivers $2.1 billion and avoid the possibility of playing bumper cars at the pumps.”

Many metro areas nationwide are seeing the largest seasonal rise in prices since 2012, according to GasBuddy, which reported average prices in the U.S. are up 50 cents per gallon since January. “Prices may continue to soar through Memorial Day,” the report noted.

GasBuddy is reported to be the leading source for crowdsourced, real-time fuel prices at more than 150,000 gas station convenience stores in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Since adding a fuel savings program, Pay with GasBuddy, in 2017, it claims to have saved American drivers more than $6 million at the pumps.

Distracted driving at an all-time high

As a REALTOR®, you’re always on the move. Showing homes to clients, hosting open houses and taking calls are all part of the job. It’s tempting to send a quick text, check your email or make a call while driving to save time—but any phone use behind the wheel puts you and other drivers in danger.

A new study by Zendrive found that phone-addicted drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers, reports BizWomen. The study also found that distracted driving increases your risk of getting in an accident by 83 percent.

Not only is phone use while driving unsafe, it can be expensive. In Washington state, the first distracted driving ticket will cost you at least $136, and a second ticket within five years will cost at least $234. Distracted driving includes using your phone at a stoplight and in stopped traffic.

Next time you reach for your phone while driving, ask yourself if it’s worth the risk. If it’s time-sensitive and you have to text, email or make a call, find a safe place to pull over and turn your car off to conduct your business.You’ll be able to turn your full attention to the issue and get on with your day without risking a disruptive—or life-threatening—accident.

For more on REALTOR® safety, visit your News Center.

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Washington job gains in March tops all states

Washington added 27,900 nonfarm jobs in March, the largest gain of any state, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Evergreen State also claimed top spot for gains in employees in the construction sector by adding 14,800 jobs.

Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment in March rose 1.7 percent year-over-year (YoY) with the addition of 2.5 million jobs, according to BLS. Employment in this sector increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Sixteen states reported drops while Montana remained unchanged.

In the construction sector, which includes both residential and non-residential construction, among 48 states that reported jobs data, 27 of them reported jobs data had an increase in March, 18 states reported a decline, and three state were unchanged when compared with February.

Year-over-year, employment in the construction sector rose 3.4 percent compared to March, as the U.S added 246,000 such jobs during the month.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 16 states in March 2019 compared to February 2019, and was unchanged in Montana.

Year-over-year, ending in March, all but three states increased in employment, led by Texas which added 271,000 workers. The smallest gain, with only 200 jobs added came from Nebraska. Rhode Island was the lone state with a decline, losing 1,000 payroll jobs.

Trio of community idols will lead tributes to “Father Steve” at banquet honoring him as the 81st First Citizen Award recipient Three distinguished business/community leaders will honor Seattle 81st Annual University President Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., at a civic banquet to Seattle-King County celebrate his selection as the 2019 Seattle-King County First Citizen. First Citizen Banquet The dinner event saluting this widely respected “community builder” is honoring scheduled for Thursday, May 23 at Seattle’s Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J. Dorothy Bullitt, Mark Pigott, and Jim Sinegal will speak about their Thursday, May 23 affiliations with “Father Steve” and his many contributions as a university Reception ~ 5:30 p.m. and community leader, and as a noteworthy volunteer with various Program ~ 6:30 p.m. organizations. Fairmont Olympic Hotel Bob Ratliffe, past chair of Seattle University’s Board of Trustees and 411 University Street, Seattle president of Silver Creek Capital Management, is the master of ceremonies. Tickets: $125 Rich Bergdahl, president of Seattle King County REALTORS®, will present Reservations required: Fr. Sundborg with a commemorative medallion on behalf of the presenting www.seattlefirstcitizen.org/ partners for the First Citizen Award.

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Reservations for the May 23 civic celebration, which begins with a reception at 5:30 PM followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 PM, may be made online at SeattleFirstCitizen.org.

Civic leader Dorothy Bullitt, who has had careers in business, government, and the not-for-profit sectors, has worked with this year’s First Citizen on some of the region’s most critical needs, including various causes related to human rights and homelessness. Their paths also cross as members of Seattle Rotary and as supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Bullitt has published two best-selling books and is a senior lecturer at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.

Tributor and philanthropist Mark Pigott, executive chairman of PACCAR Inc., also has a long affiliation with Fr. Sundborg. He is the fourth generation of his family to actively support Seattle University, reflected in part by the establishment of the Pigott Family Endowment for the Arts and the creation and funding of the James Pigott Pavilion for Leadership in honor of his uncle. Additionally, he has taught Executive MBA students for several years in Pigott Hall.

Both Bullitt and Pigott are from families that have been recognized as Seattle-King County First Citizens: the Bullitt Family in 2000, and the Pigott Family in 2018.

Also speaking at this year’s banquet is Jim Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of Costco Wholesale, who shares Sundborg’s belief that education is essential to a successful and fulfilled life.

Sinegal is a past member of the university’s board of trustees whose connections also include serving as the first Senior Executive in Residence at its Albers School of Business and Economics. He and wife Jan have a long history of supporting educational opportunities and access to health care via transformative scholarships, endowments, the Jim and Janet Sinegal Initiative for Nursing Education at Seattle U, as well as the nationally-recognized Seattle University Youth Initiative.

Other program participants include Fr. Thomas Lucas, S.J., who will deliver the invocation, a color guard from Seattle University ROTC, and event chair Trish Englund, a broker at Windermere Real Estate.

Fr. Steve, now in his 22nd year as president of mission-driven Seattle University, plans to retire at the conclusion of his current five-year term. Since he has been at the helm, Seattle U has been widely recognized as a leader in Jesuit education, having earned several top rankings for its programs, including having an 18-year streak on the U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 10” list of the West’s best regional universities. Enrollment has surged, an ambitious building program is ongoing, and he is credited with engineering Seattle U’s return to NCAA Division I athletics.

Like many of the 80 First Citizens before him, Fr. Sundborg has been involved with many professional, charitable, cause- related, and civic organizations. Among past honorees are two former Seattle University presidents: Rev. Albert A. Lemieux, S.J., in 1956, and Rev. William J. Sullivan, S.J., in 1990.

Fr. Steve’s admirers describe him as an inspiring and visionary leader, and as a tireless advocate for marginalized residents. He is widely praised for creating energizing partnerships and for his reflective style of leadership, particularly in supporting neighborhood youth and families through the youth initiative, addressing the homeless crisis and a focus on social justice, diversity and inclusion.

Since 1939, the First Citizen event has recognized individuals and organizations that enhance the area’s quality of life through visionary leadership, civic engagement, and dedication to building healthy communities through volunteerism and philanthropy. Inductees have represented humanitarian organizations, charitable, health and educational institutions, arts groups,

Serving More Than 29,000 Real Estate Professionals in the Northwest Page 12 of 16 NW REporter May 2019 environmental causes and various civic endeavors. (See list the end of this article.)

Several past First Citizens also expected to attend the May 23 banquet, along with many of this year’s recipients of a Seattle First Citizen Scholarship whose applicants are high school and college students who demonstrate a commitment to community service.

Recent First Citizen honorees include Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus (2017), Phyllis Campbell (2016), Ted Baseler (2015), Norman B. Rice (2014), Lenny Wilkens (2013), Rotary International District 5030 (2012), Jamie and Karen Moyer (2011), and Hon. Slade Gorton (2010).

About the First Citizen Award and Banquet

The Seattle-King County First Citizen Award and civic banquet, believed to be this region’s oldest such recognition, has no fund- raising expectation, but instead is designed solely as a not-for-profit celebration of community involvement. Joining SKCR as presenting partners for the event are John L. Scott Real Estate and Windermere Real Estate.

King County Realtors created the award in 1939 as a way to lift spirits during the Great Depression by drawing attention to the positive community work taking place.

Realtors commissioned Seattle sculptor Dudley Pratt to create an expression of this “greater good,” a sentiment that endures on the medallion.

About Seattle King County REALTORS®

Seattle King County REALTORS® is a trade association of approximately 7,400 real estate brokers who serve clients throughout the Puget Sound area. Its goals include promoting ethical business practices and supporting policies that preserve and expand real property rights and housing affordability. Based in Bellevue, SKCR is a founding member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the largest professional trade association in the country, comprised of 1.2 million members.

The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

List of past recipients follows on next page

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PAST RECIPIENTS, SEATTLE-KING COUNTY FIRST CITIZEN AWARD 1939 Richard Eugene Fuller 1966 Milton Katims 1993 Constance W. Rice, Ph.D. 1940 Dr. Wendell Fifield 1967 Mrs. Henry B. Owen 1994 Phil M. Smart, Sr. 1941 William O. McKay 1968 James R. Ellis 1995 Mary Gates & Family 1942 Kenneth Colman 1969 William B. Woods 1996 Stanley O. McNaughton 1943 Phil Johnson 1970 Norton Clapp 1997 Walter B. Williams 1944 Children’s Orthopedic Hospital 1971 Glynn Ross 1998 Jack A. Benaroya 1945 W. Walter Williams 1972 John D. Ehrlichman 1999 Paul Brainerd 1946 Royal Brougham 1973 Dr. Dixy Lee Ray 2000 The Bullitt Family 1947 John H. Reid 1974 Ned and Kayla Skinner 2001 Herb M. Bridge 1948 Ernest Skeel 1975 Dr. Wm. B. Hutchinson 2002 Scott and Laurie Oki 1949 Dr. Raymond Allen 1976 Rabbi Raphael Levine 2003 Dan and Nancy Evans 1950 Thomas M. Pelly 1977 W.J. “Jerry” Pennington 2004 The McCaw Family 1951 George Gunn, Jr. 1978 John M. Fluke 2005 Jeffrey and Susan Brotman 1952 Henry Broderick 1979 Gordon H. Sweaney 2006 Dale Chihuly 1953 Frank E. Holman 1980 James M. Ryan 2007 James and Sherry Raisbeck 1954 William M. Allen 1981 C.M. “Mike” Berry 2008 Paul G. Allen 1955 Deitrich Schmitz 1982 Dr. Dale E. Turner 2009 Gerard Schwarz 1956 Rev. A.A. Lemieux 1983 T.A. Wilson 2010 Hon. Slade Gorton 1957 Gordon N. Scott 1984 Victor Rosellini 2011 Jamie and Karen Moyer 1958 Nat S. Rogers 1985 Fredric A. Danz 2012 Rotary International Dist. 5030 1959 Mrs. A. Scott Bullitt 1986 Robert W. Graham 2013 Lenny Wilkens 1960 Michael Dederer 1987 John W. Ellis 2014 Hon. Norman B. Rice 1961 Ben E. Ehrlichman 1988 Samuel Stroum 2015 Theodor “Ted” Baseler 1962 Joseph E. Gandy 1989 R.C. “Torchy” Torrance 2016 Phyllis Campbell 1963 George F. Kachlein, Jr. 1990 The Rev. Wm. J. Sullivan, S.J. 2017 Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus 1964 H.W. McCurdy 1991 Buster and Nancy Alvord 2018 The Pigott Family 1965 Edward E. Carlson 1992 Lester R. Sauvage, M.D.

News In Brief

 Nearly 400 bridges in Washington state are “structurally deficient,” including dozens of bridges on interstate highways, according to a newly released report and reported by KOMO news. The report, by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, says that of the 8,278 bridges in Washington state, 382 are classified as structurally deficient - or 4.6 percent of the total. Each of the deficient bridges was found to have one or more key elements “in poor or worse condition,” the report says. The number of structurally deficient bridges has increased since the previous survey in 2014, when 353 bridges were found to be in need of crucial repairs. Five of the top 25 most heavily traveled deficient bridges are on Interstate 5 and six more are on Interstate 90, including the two floating bridges over Lake ashington,W according to the report. Those bridges together handle more than 484,000 crossings each day. Some 42 of the state’s structurally deficient bridges are on an interstate highway. Other heavily traveled deficient bridges include the S.R. 520 bridge over 116th Avenue, the South Boeing Access Road over the Burlington Northern tracks and South 212th Street

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over Green River. The report did not specify which elements were in poor condition on each bridge. Many other bridges were found to be in need of other repairs. The state has identified 6,080 bridges with 68 million daily crossings that need work, at an estimated cost of $9.2 billion. That compares to 5,851 bridges that needed repairs in 2014. The report used data from the Federal High Administration’s National Bridge Inventory.

 A comprehensive plan would increase King County residents’ confidence in local efforts to address the region’s homelessness crisis, and seeing fewer people living on the streets would prove that it’s working, according to a new poll and reported by the Seattle Times. Conducted in February by Seattle-based Elway Research, the poll is the latest to explore county residents’ complex feelings about the homelessness crisis and the long-running effort to resolve it. “What these results tell me is that the average citizen is unsure of what to do, but is willing to strongly support any number of solutions to the problem,” said H. Stuart Elway, president of Elway Research. “And it is a big problem.” Among the findings: A majority of people said there’s a moral obligation to help homeless people and that solving a complex issue like homelessness will require a communitywide plan supported by local governments, businesses and charities. The Seattle Times’ Project Homeless is funded by BECU, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Campion Foundation, the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Raikes Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Seattle Foundation, Seattle Mariners, Starbucks and the University of Washington. The Seattle Times maintains editorial control over Project Homeless content.

Seventy-two percent of those polled said that more than five of every 10 people living on the streets are suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, although there’s some evidence indicating that it is actually less than half that. In a survey conducted with King County’s 2018 point-in-time count, 35 percent of homeless people reported drug or alcohol abuse. More poll respondents than not said they favor policies aimed at helping people with mental-health and substance- abuse problems, as well as prevention programs designed to keep people on the brink of homelessness stay in their homes. Seventy-one percent favored increasing the amount of affordable housing in every neighborhood.The poll was conducted Feb. 21-27 by cellphone and landline, with a sample size of 803 people and a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. It was paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Campion Advocacy Fund, Raikes Foundation, and Ballmer Group (the Gates, Campion and Raikes foundations also contribute funding to Project Homeless).

 Spring time is a good time to check any brick structures on your property, according to KOMO News. With all the rain and snow this winter, you want to check to see if there’s any ground erosion that may cause the chimney or brick walls to fail. If there are any gaps between the brick and the ground below, that’s a problem. Here’s what else to look for when you check those bricks and mortar. “Look for cracks, crumbling bricks, crumbling mortar, moss on your chimney, effervescence – white stains – all signs that there are water issues there,” said JanetAllman with the Seattle Home Owners Club. The club recommends having your brick chimney cleaned and waterproofed every five to eight years. This needs to be done in the summer, when it’s dry, so you don’t seal in the water. “They’ll come out and clean and waterproof it and at that point if there are any repairs to the flashing or mortar that are needed, they can take care of that as well,” Allman said. It’s important to take care of any brickwork problems when they’re small, because they can easily turn into major repair projects. A failing chimney can let water inside the house and crumbling brick is a hazard for falling on someone.

 Washington state is the third-best state for millennials, according to new findings by personal finance website WalletHub. The survey compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where the generation, currently in their 20s and 30s, thrived and where they have struggled. WalletHub looked at a number of factors

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to determine their ranking including affordability, education and health, quality of life, economic health and civic engagement. Only Massachusetts and the District of Columbia ranked higher than Washington. Projected to become the largest U.S. population group in 2019, WalletHub says millennials are worse off than their parents, making 20 percent less than baby boomers did at the same age. The worst states for millennials include Mississippi, New Mexico and in last place, West Virginia.

 With more pets than children, dog services galore and a slew of bars and restaurants that welcome canine friends, Seattle has once again been named top dog in a ranking of the nation’s most dog-friendly cities according to a report in the Seattle Times. In the study, Rover, a network of dog walkers and pet sitters, partnered with Seattle-based real-estate company Redfin to examine more than 14,000 cities. The rankings were based on the number of dog parks and other amenities in each city; total hours, minutes and distance per walk by each dog walker or sitter on Rover; the city’s walkability score; and the number of times the word “dog” was mentioned in real-estate ads. Chicago, Denver, Manhattan and Washington, D.C., round out the country’s top five pup-loving cities. Portland came in at sixth, San Francisco ninth. The city’s ranking got a boost from the ample space it devotes to dog parks. Seattle has 14 off-leash areas on city property.

 Sammamish was named the safest city in Washington, based on a study by SafeHome.org. and reported by KOMO News. The agency used crime data from the FBI and thousands of police agencies who cover towns of at least 46,000 people. Categories included property crimes, violent crime trend, violent crimes, citizen to officer ratio and property crime trend, researchers wrote. Sammamish was named No. 1 in Washington and even made their national list at No. 78—the only city to make the Top 100 list. Kirkland came in No. 2, while Pasco, Shoreline and Richland rounded out the top 5. Kennewick completed the Tri-Cities’ impressive showing, coming in at No. 7.

Calendar of Events Through June 4, 2019

DATES EVENT TIME LOCATION CONTACT

Seattle—King County REALTORS® For updates visit http://www.nwrealtor.com/events

5 / 13-18 / 2019 NAR Meetings Washington, DC 425-974-1011 Fairmont Hotel, 5 / 23 / 2019 First Citizen Banquet 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm 425-974-1011 Seattle 5 / 27 / 2019 Holiday—Office Closed Meydenbauer 6 / 4 /2019 Housing Issues Briefing 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 425-974-1011 Center

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