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Nona Raybern, PR & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
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Housing Choices Toolkit Released to Assist With Local Planning

Toolkit offers proven policies to help create more housing choices so current residents, newcomers, and future generations can find a home that best fits their lives

BELLEVUE, Wash—August 19, 2020—Today, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) released a toolkit designed to help local communities create more housing choices.

As the Puget Sound region advances its collective response to the health, economic, and social crises created by the COVID-19 pandemic, those in the local homebuilding industry stand with their fellow community members. In creating and distributing this Housing Toolkit, MBAKS continues its collaborative approach to encourage the creation of more housing and more variety.

“Our region has for years been grappling with a housing crisis, and the pandemic and related economic crisis have significantly amplified the need for solutions that create more diverse and affordable housing choices for all,” said MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims.

“We are often asked by local governments and community leaders for actionable ideas and solutions to plan for and enable more housing choices that fit the unique needs of each community. We are providing this toolkit in a spirit of partnership so cities and counties may more easily find a spectrum of proven housing policies and see which of their neighboring communities are already implementing these ideas.”

The MBAKS Housing Toolkit contains 37 specific code updates and process improvements jurisdictions can take to help provide more diverse, more affordable housing for our growing population. The toolkit is intended to serve the unique local needs of individual communities, help protect what current residents already love about our region and support the broader regional effort to plan for more housing choices.

Regulations and long permit timelines can create significant obstacles for those seeking housing by driving up costs and pushing new homes even further out of reach for many buyers and renters. There are, however, simple steps cities and counties can take today to help ease some of these regulatory burdens and reduce certain cost pressures on new housing without compromising environmental protections or other important policy goals.

All the tools featured in the toolkit can be adopted locally. None of them require state-enabling legislation. Included throughout the toolkit are examples of local jurisdictions already utilizing these tools and model codes that cities can reference. Some examples include policies that support accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in single-family zones, reduced parking requirements near transit, planning tools that facilitate infill development, video inspections, more transparency in permit timeline data, Built Green incentives, and affordable housing levies.

The MBAKS Housing Toolkit also includes a chart indicating the effectiveness of each measure to facilitate housing.

View the Housing Toolkit

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability and from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive, and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Nona Raybern, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
m 425.208.6308

2020 Winners Announced for the REX/T-REX (Remodeling Excellence and Trades Remodeling Excellence) Awards

The virtual celebration highlighted the best remodelers in the Puget Sound region.

BELLEVUE, Wash.—August 17, 2020—The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) hosted their Remodeling/Trades Remodeling Excellence (REX/T-REX) Awards virtually this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The REX/T-REX Awards are presented by the Remodelers Council of MBAKS, the oldest Remodelers Council in the nation. Local remodelers and builders submitted their best projects of the year. They watched the ceremony at small viewing parties in compliance with Washington state’s Phase 2 guidelines and accepted their awards over camera.

REX/T-REX entries were judged on the following categories:

1. Aesthetics—How is the remodel visually appealing?
2. Special or unique design solutions—How was the space planned and was livability considered?
3. Quality workmanship—What are the special features of the project and is there attention to detail?
4. Use of appropriate building material—Does the remodel complement existing structure and design?
5. Budgetary consideration—How did the project keep within the budget and still deliver client expectations?
6. Challenges and obstacles—Were there any unexpected obstacles that called for adjustments?

2020 REX/T-REX Winners

About the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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Q: I want to keep my family safe at home, since we are spending so much more time indoors than usual. Any ideas for what I can do to make my home a haven?

A: Health and safety should always be a top priority within your home, and indoor air quality is a major—and majorly overlooked—aspect of that. There are many efficient ways you can update your home’s HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) system to achieve an exceptional level of comfort and great indoor air quality.

Upgrade Your Air Filter

Do you know what MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating your home’s HVAC filter is? The higher the MERV rating, the more particles your filter will catch, making it more effective. Filter ratings can range from 1 to 20, but the most common ratings for in-home filters start at MERV 8, MERV 11, or MERV 13. Filters with MERV ratings higher than 13 are typically found in hospitals and other areas that require extensively filtered air. A MERV 8 will filter out basic household pollutants such as pollen, dust, and bacteria. A MERV 11 will filter the aforementioned, along with pet dander! Lastly, a MERV 13 is the “catch-all filter,” which catches the aforementioned, along with smoke, smog, and virus-carrying particles.

Change Your Air Filter Often

Keep your filter fresh and free of dirt, dust, pollen, and particles with routine maintenance. Depending on your filter size, it is recommended to change your filter every one to three months. If you have a four-inch filter in your home, go ahead and wait a full three months. If your filter is one inch, change it once per month. If you find dust particles settling on surfaces or floating around your indoor air more often than you’d like, consider changing your filter even more frequently. A dirty filter can cause extensive damage to your entire HVAC system, preventing it from efficiently filtering air.

Get Your Ducts Cleaned

When was the last time you had your ductwork cleaned? A thorough cleaning of your ductwork will improve your HVAC system’s air flow efficiency, remove settled allergens, and improve overall air quality and cleanliness. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning your ducts every two years. Be sure to hire a company that is NADCA-certified and follows NADCA cleaning protocols to ensure a quality job done right.

Consider Adding Air Conditioning (AC)

Do you like to sleep with the windows open to catch the cool night breezes? Consider having AC installed in your home instead. Having cool air filtered into your home eliminates the need to open windows, which helps prevent a number of airborne particles, allergens, and viruses from entering your home.

Run Your Furnace Fan 24/7

Continuously running your furnace fan on high will help ventilate and circulate the air in your home. Stagnant air causes dust and dander to settle, making for more irritable air quality. Constant airflow will help push unwanted particles into your filter and out of your home.

Invest in a Whole-Home Air Purifying System

Whole-home air purifiers work to remove more than what the eye can see. If you’re looking to remove harmful bacteria from surfaces, fight airborne viruses with a 99% kill rate, and eliminate odors from your home, a whole-home air purification system is a great option. These HVAC accessories are installed in your ductwork and can filter indoor air around 50 times better than standard air filters.

If You Don’t Have Ductwork, Consider a Portable Air Purifier (or Two)

A portable air purifier is a great option for homes that don’t have a ductwork system. These air purifying accessories work hard to keep pesky germs, allergens, viruses, and other harmful pollutants from spreading throughout your home. Because they aren’t in the ductwork, how big of an area they can purify is limited, so consider investing in more than one portable air purifier to use in rooms far away from each other.

There you have it. These seven HVAC hacks will help keep your family safe at home this summer, and beyond! Are you ready to get started?

Gabby Roppo is the marketing coordinator for Bob's Heating & Air Conditioning, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Fiber cement siding. Photo courtesy Allura

Q: My old siding is on its last legs. I know I want my new siding to be fiber cement, but I don’t know if I’m better off with pre-painted fiber cement siding or siding that’s painted after installation.

A: Opting to side with fiber cement siding when remodeling or building a Seattle-area home is a practical and smart choice. Its durability and authentic wood look make it the perfect building material for the tough environmental conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Follow that up with another smart decision by using pre-painted fiber cement siding.

Rainy days in Seattle less than ideal for painting

On average, it rains more than 150 days a year in Seattle. Since paint should only be applied to clean, dry surfaces, it’s recommended to wait a full day after it rains to paint. If you’re trying to squeeze in painting before a rain shower, remember, a coat of latex paint needs at least four hours in the sun to dry. This makes the timeframe for on-site painting in Seattle rather small.

High humidity levels affect quality outcome

If you get lucky with the rain, your luck may run out when it comes to the humidity. Most paint labels recommend painting when the relative humidity is between 40–60%. With an annual average humidity of 76% and a low that rarely goes below 60%, you’ll likely have to break the humidity rule to get the job done. Unfortunately, that will typically void the paint manufacturer’s warranty.

Dust, pollen, and other particles make painting difficult

Tree pollen, leaves, dust, bugs and other airborne debris always find their way to sticky, freshly painted surfaces. Though this isn’t structurally disastrous, it will affect the overall appearance of your siding. There’s no comparison between siding that’s applied and dried inside a state-of-the-art, climate controlled finishing facility and one exposed to the outdoors.

We must also remember that humans aren’t robots. Oftentimes, the consistency and control achieved by machines in a painting facility simply can’t be matched, as it leaves little margin for error.

More exposed parts

Obviously, when paint goes on siding that’s already installed, only the exposed surfaces get painted. When you get pre-painted siding, it’s coated on five sides—front, top, bottom, and each end, all with the same uniform coat. This means more complete coverage and durability with increased protection against the elements.

Limited access to essential (and proprietary) materials

Unlike your retail paint, which is comprised of a clear base tinted at the store with synthetic pigments, the paint formulated for fiber cement manufacturers uses natural color pigments that are ground to create a monochromatic base. So instead of color being mixed in, the mono-base is the color. Such paints are renowned for their superior color retention and longevity.

Repainting sooner rather than later

An on-site paint application doesn’t deliver the same durability as a factory-applied finish, some of which are guaranteed for as long as 15 years—that’s up to twice the durability. In an expensive labor market like Seattle, the cost of repainting your siding sooner can negate any initial savings you thought you’d enjoy.

Think of it like a new car

What if you had the option to have your new car delivered with just the primer applied? Imagine trying to match that factory finish out in your driveway!

This is the unyielding benefit of pre-painted siding. A product finished in a controlled factory setting delivers unrivaled results. On-site applications risk shortcomings, even when done during perfect painting weather. Which, of course, is a luxury we rarely experience in Seattle.

Dale Kruse is the area sales manager for Allura, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The Office of Financial Management’s (OFM) annual population projections have been released, showing strong continued growth in Washington. The 2020 estimates indicate Washington’s population grew to more than 7.6 million people as of April 1. The Puget Sound region’s population, including King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties, grew by more than 60,800. According to OFM, most of the population change occurred before the COVID-19 crisis.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management, and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

Handmade white oak flooring verified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Photo courtesy CRAFT Artisan Wood Flooring

Q: I want to replace my carpet with something sustainable and I love the look of hardwood. What should I look for to find environmentally friendly flooring?

A: Replacing worn-out carpet with sustainable flooring can be a great, renewable choice. You have a range of options, including wood, bamboo, and cork. If you’ve got your heart set on hardwood floors—or wall paneling or any other type of wood building product, for that matter—keep in mind that not all wood is good for the environment! How green it is depends on the source of the wood.

Since wood comes from trees, it has the potential to be an infinitely renewable resource. Wood takes very little energy to make—because the sun does most of the work—compared to other common building materials such as concrete. Furthermore, wood products can help slow the effects of climate change due to their ability to reduce the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the air. They have the unique property of being a “carbon sink,” meaning that for the lifetime of the wood product, carbon is tied up in the structure of the material, removing it from the atmosphere for a time.

With this in mind, the key to finding the most sustainably produced wood is making yourself aware of the source of the wood. Poor forest management and deforestation are responsible for as much as 18% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Thankfully, over the years, forest management in North America has greatly improved, and our forests are now considered to be the best managed in the world. This means that wood products with a North American origin are generally thought to be safe, although not all sources—even in North America—are totally sustainable. Additionally, many wood products sold in the U.S. market come from overseas, where many forests are poorly managed.

Which leads us to what an environmentally conscious consumer should know to make sure that the wood products they buy come from a sustainable source. There are now third-party organizations whose purpose is to certify forests that are sustainably managed, and to also certify the products that are made from these eco-friendly sources.

These organizations look for some key forest management traits, such as:

• Replacing every tree cut down with two or more saplings
• Protecting stands of old growth, which have special conservation value
• Giving special attention to preserving water quality in streams and rivers

As it turns out, when forests are managed properly, they can continue on in perpetuity, undiminished in their vital role as the planet’s most important force against greenhouse gas emissions.

The main certifications American consumers are likely to encounter are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Eco-conscious individuals should keep their eyes open for wood products certified by one of these organizations, and then vote with their wallets. If you have a hard time finding certified wood products, voice your concerns to suppliers about your environmental values, which will in turn send signals up the supply chain that consumers care about the ecological impacts of the products they buy.

So now when we ask the question, “Just because it’s made from wood, does that mean it’s good?” we know that the answer is “yes, as long as the wood comes from a proven sustainable source.”

Rod Gray is the president and chief sustainability officer for CRAFT Artisan Wood Floors, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: I was preparing to put my house on the market and downsize when the coronavirus pandemic hit and put those plans on hold for safety reasons. Is this a bad time to sell my home, and is the buying/selling process safe with COVID-19?

A: Believe it or not, the real estate market for single-family homes is hot right now. Buyers are screening properties online, looking at fewer properties, and making offers faster.

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service reports that median sales prices for single-family homes are comparable to last year. May pending sales were only down 4% from last year, yet inventory was down 44%.

Now more than ever, buyers are finding and viewing homes virtually and basing decisions on whether to visit a home based on the digital listing. They’re also gravitating towards those that are move-in ready.

If you’re selling your home, your listing agent will need to maximize the value of your property by presenting a complete digital package. First impressions are everything. This means that the photography needs to be spot-on. Social media, videos, virtual walkthroughs, virtual open houses, and renderings are all tools used by brokers to showcase your property and its potential. Additionally, many sellers are choosing to do pre-inspections, which can provide more upfront information to buyers and limit multiple inspectors in your home.

When it comes to showings, protocols are being revised as counties enter different reopening phases. King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties are currently operating under the following Phase 2 guidelines:

• In-person real estate activities, including open houses and property viewings, must be by appointment only.
• Real estate brokers and industry partners (appraisers, inspectors, photographers, stagers, etc.) must wear cloth face coverings and should encourage clients to do the same.
• No more than three people, including the broker, may be at the property at any one time.
• Those three persons must strictly follow social distancing, remaining at least six feet apart at all times.
• A broker may not leave a third party unattended in a property.
• Brokers must wipe down with disinfectant any surfaces touched by buyers.

For the latest look at the requirements, check out: warealtor.org/covid-19/covid-19-faqs-for-real-estate-activities

For buyers, the best thing you can do is be prepared to move at a moment’s notice. That means:

• Make sure you know what you qualify for and have a lender on hand who can verify your finances in a multiple-offer situation.
• Be ready to write an offer the day you look at a property. The good ones may not last.
• Make sure you are working with a broker who is responsive and can provide you with background information on the property.
• Have inspectors lined up who will be able to support a quick turnaround inspection if a pre-inspection is not done by the seller.
• Understand that there are strategies buyers can take to win in multiple offers, but many of them come with some level of risk. Be sure to have your broker explain the risk.

Brenda Nunes is the managing broker for Nunes Group Real Estate at Keller Williams Eastside, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: I’m in the market for a new refrigerator. With all the new features offered in refrigerators these days, I don’t know where to begin. What should I take into consideration during my research?

A: The biggest consideration is what your must-have needs versus nice-to-have wants are for a new appliance. Do you want a fridge that’s reliable? Energy-efficient? Trendy? Luxurious? All good questions to ask yourself, but what do you value the most?

It’s important to consider what you hope to gain from your appliances in the scope of your kitchen space. Do you want a high-tech appliance that acts as the central hub for all your refrigeration needs, or do you want classically configured product that will get the job done? And what do you have room for?

Size & Shape

If you are not fully remodeling, the first step to buying a new fridge is to ensure it will fit in your current cabinet configuration. Carefully measure to determine the width, height, and depth available. If you’re working in a compact kitchen, a large refrigerator can overwhelm the space and make cooking awkward.

On the other hand, if you have a large family, a smaller model may not be sufficient. To right-size your next fridge, look up the capacity of your current refrigerator model. Think about how your food fits in that space. Is your freezer overflowing? Does your fridge have so much extra space it echoes? That will help you determine if you need to go bigger or downsize.

Fridge shape can also make a difference. Counter-depth refrigerators are shallower than standard and can make it easier to navigate in tight spaces. Also think about what sorts of food you’re storing—if you regularly refrigerate wide trays or casserole dishes, a standard-sized side-by-side fridge/freezer configuration may not be for you. If you’re hoping to go as energy efficient as possible, consider French doors, which generally use far less energy.

Energy Efficiency

The general rule of thumb is, the larger the refrigerator, the greater the energy consumption. The most energy-efficient models are typically 20 cubic feet. Beyond size, look for Energy Star certification, which maximizes energy and dollar savings without sacrificing features. Many Energy Star-certified fridges use less energy than a 60-watt light bulb!

See-through doors also allow you to save energy by opening them less, helping keep food fresher for longer. Door-in-door refrigerators include a tinted glass panel that illuminates when you gently knock twice so that you can easily see inside the fridge compartment without opening the door.

Style

Like most kitchen appliance finishes, stainless steel, black stainless steel, and slate rule supreme. If you’re hoping for more of a high-end, seamless appearance, panel-ready models allow you to completely customize your fridge’s exterior, including door pulls, to match the rest of your cabinetry.

Water Dispensers & Ice Makers

When it comes to your refrigerator’s water dispenser, you have options—an external dispenser for convenient access or one inside the refrigeration compartment to maintain a clean, smooth exterior. Just make sure you have access to a cold-water line in good working condition.

Having fresh, clean ice on demand is a staple of modern refrigeration. With a little routine maintenance, your fridge’s ice maker can provide clean, healthy-tasting ice on demand for years.

Purchasing the right refrigerator for your specific needs will help you achieve the perfect balance of form and function, with features that come together to make your kitchen as beautiful as it is useful. And be sure to properly recycle the old one!

Mickey Thompson is the marketing advertising coordinator at Albert Lee Appliance, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.