15 Years Green

Jason Lear is principal and co-owner (along with his wife, Holly Batt) of Batt + Lear, a 15-year-old Seattle construction firm, employing a diverse group of 25 employees. Batt + Lear builds and remodels structures to be highly energy efficient, simple, and functional and has won numerous green building awards over the years.

Joined MBA for the Health Insurance Trust

Batt + Lear joined the MBA in 2005, specifically for the MBA Health Trust. "Right from the beginning, it had been our dream to be the kind of company that people wanted to work for," says Jason. "Early on, we offered 20 days of paid time off plus health insurance. The MBA Health Trust was the only plan that would let us insure a minimum of just five employees. We also appreciated the ability to pick our own practitioners."

Staying Insured Through Downturns

Jason's company has made it a priority to maintain health insurance benefits, even through difficult financial periods. "Making it through 2008 was tough. We had to cut our 20-employee team by half. But we did have the good fortune to be vested in remodeling. After the financial crash, people couldn't sell or invest in new buildings, but there were a lot of remodel projects. So we got through. Now we're up to 25 employees and doing well."

Temporarily Lured Away

Jason tried another health insurance program for three years before coming back to the MBA Health Trust. "We were lured away by another insurance trust, which seemed less expensive. And it was cheaper initially because we had a group of young employees who never made claims. But when our employees actually started using the insurance, we were penalized, and our costs were hiked drastically by 45 percent. So we found our way back to the MBA Health Trust."

Modest Increases Are Easier to Plan For

All businesses have seen escalation of health insurance premiums the past couple of years, but Jason says the Trust is keeping them reasonable. "You assume rates are going to go up," he says. "We can handle single-digit increases. They are easier to plan for versus what you see outside of the Trust."

Regence BlueShield Is Very Versatile

Regence BlueShield, the Trust's insurer, provides Batt + Lear many care and provider options. "There is a lot of flexibility. Our staff can select the HSA plan or the preferred provider plan," says Jason. "Personally, for my family, I appreciate that Regence supports alternative care, things like massage, chiropractor, naturopathic doctors, etc." Jason says the plan is also well managed. "The administrators are great; they show us owners different plan options for getting the best coverage for the lowest price. And they present well-explained options to our employees and are always available for consultation."

Built Green

Batt + Lear are highly engaged with Built Green, the MBA's program for setting certification standards of excellence for construction that makes a significant impact on housing, health, and the environment. The program provides consumers with an easy-to-understand rating system that quantifies environmentally friendly building practices and gives builders the resources and support to build high-quality, desirable homes. "We were green builders right from the start," says Jason. "We wanted to be more public about it. So we started to certify projects as green. And now I'm on the executive committee of Built Green."

MBA GRIP Program Delivers L&I Refunds

Jason's firm also takes advantage of GRIP, the local safety incentive program for members of the MBA. GRIP provides Batt + Lear with a team of professionals dedicated to helping them reduce on-the-job injuries, manage workers' comp claims, lower L&I premiums, and maximize refunds. "It's a great, overlooked program that I wish we had known about earlier. We left a lot of money on the table. This is the third year we are getting refunds," Jason says.

The MBA Means Advocacy

The MBA has long been known for lobbying and government relations on behalf of its members and Jason is seeing the benefits directly in Seattle. "There's definitely a new focus from the MBA toward Seattle businesses like mine," he says. "The MBA advocacy groups are partnering with other influential groups to provide the Seattle City Council with a voice representing builders and green builders—which we very urgently need."

Listen: The Dunn Lumber Podcast: How to Protect Yourself From Liability When Hiring Trade Contractors, recorded live March 17 at the Master Builders Association Remodelers Council Dinner. Scott Hildebrand, residential law specialist, presents his list of the top 10 things NOT to do when hiring the tradespeople who are essential to your professional success.

Learn more about RC

By Marc Stiles / Puget Sound Business Journal

As the Puget Sound region's economy continues its stratospheric rise, many are asking how we can avoid replicating the worst elements of San Francisco Bay area—specifically its soaring home prices.

With economic trends in Seattle following the Bay Area's like clockwork, it seems inevitable that our region will indeed become more like theirs.

Shannon and Nick Harper, Senior Director of Strategy & Policy, discuss the MBA's legislative priorities for the 2017 legislative session.

Help advocate for housing

By Kellee Bradley, John L. Scott Real Estate

Q: Any advice going into next year's housing market?

A: It's no secret that the Puget Sound housing market is challenging. Price appreciation and low inventory have created what we in the real estate industry call a frenzy market. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, you need to make sure you have all the information you need to achieve your real estate goals in the coming year.

As we move into 2017, here are five tips for success in navigating the first-quarter housing market, including interest rates, price point, location, home condition, and market conditions.

Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates slightly through the end of 2017. The National Association of Realtors predicts that by the end of next year, we will see interest rates around 4.6 percent—still in the amazing and historically low range. Lower rates translate into more buying power, which benefits both buyers and sellers.

Serious buyers should contact a professional mortgage broker and get fully underwritten. That means all your paperwork is completed and once you make an offer on a home and it's accepted, you can speed up the closing process. This gives you an advantage over other buyers—especially if sellers are interested in a fast closing.

Price Point

If you're a seller, make sure your real estate broker completes a comparative market analysis (CMA) for you. The CMA includes all homes in the area: active, pending, or sold, and gives you the information you need to price your home to sell with the greatest profit possible.

Are you a buyer in a multiple-offer market? You may want to view homes below your price point to compete in a multiple-offer situation without getting priced out.

Location

Do your research! Ask yourself how far you'd be willing to travel to find the perfect home. Let's say you're only willing to do a 30-minute commute to work. That may translate into 10 miles, given side-street and freeway traffic. Get started by drawing a circle in a 10-mile radius from your work on a map.

Make a list of other things that may be important, like being close to schools, church, aging parents, etc. JohnLScott.com has a tool that lets you draw a polygon map around an area to view only the homes in your price range. You can also sign up to receive email notifications of new listings in that area.

Home Condition

Once you know where you want to live, you need to find a home in your price range in that area. Your real estate agent should discuss what your must haves and compromise points are regarding a new home. Would you be willing to settle for a home with less of a yard if it was across from a park? What about a dated home in the perfect neighborhood? There are some advantages to buying a house that needs TLC, such as building sweat equity.

If you're a seller, make sure your home is in top condition to get top dollar. Ask your broker about simple, inexpensive updates that won't break the bank.

Market Conditions

At John L. Scott Real Estate, our brokers have real-time market updates available so they can maintain a competitive edge, especially in the Puget Sound region where the housing market continues to be so hot. Knowing what the current market is doing, what projections are, and how seasonality and inventory play a part in the buying and selling process is important.

For example, according to the National Association of Realtors, the four heaviest home-selling months are between May and August. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, this type of information should be a crucial part of your strategy. Make sure you get the facts about the current market in your area.

Kellee Bradley is the public relations manager at John L. Scott Real Estate in Seattle and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Margo Greenman, 425 Business Magazine

Headquartered in Bellevue, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties is one of the oldest and largest local homebuilders association in the United States. With a more than 100-year history, the association has deep roots in the region.

By Noah Haglund, The Everett Herald

Olympia, Wash.—A state Supreme Court decision issued Thursday upheld stricter stormwater rules for building projects, handing a victory to clean-water advocates looking to protect Puget Sound from toxic runoff.

On the losing side were government officials in Snohomish County and King County and a homebuilders group.

Read article

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

Region Sees Continued Decline in Supply of Homes for Sale

Housing data highlighted in the latest Builder's Bulletin show our region continues to face a severe inventory shortage, with only 1.14 months' supply of homes for sale in Snohomish County and less than one months' supply in King County. The November median price of single family homes and condos rose more than 15 percent year-over-year in both King and Snohomish counties.

The Builders' Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

By Sadie Normoyle, Built Green™ Coordinator

At the MBA General Membership Gala this December, Built Green announced the winner of our Moving the Market Award. This award recognizes a builder who has stepped up in a big way in terms of their green building portfolio. This year, we decided to award a true “market mover” who not only sets a high bar, but also encourages others to follow suit. We wanted to recognize Dwell Development for their efforts and commitment to moving the market toward a sustainable future.

Dwell Development is founded in the belief that sustainable, efficient design can create a better tomorrow. They are active players in Built Green and have built modern, sustainable homes throughout Seattle and the surrounding area. As leading experts in their field, they work towards the advancement and growth of sustainable design practices. They strive to design some of the most energy efficient homes in the world—homes that have achieved national recognition.

Dwell has certified 108 homes with Built Green since 2008. They certify their homes at the 5-Star level and even certified a Built Green Emerald Star home in 2015. This home was the first Emerald Star home in Seattle and the first Emerald Star home built for the speculative market—a tremendous achievement and a big step forward for Dwell.

Dwell Development won the Built Green Project of the Year Award in 2015 for their Emerald Star home. They also won the 2013 Built Green Hammer Award (Small Speculative category), the 2012 Judge’s Choice Award, and the 2011 Built Green Small Builder Award. Anthony Maschmedt, founder of Dwell, who was present at the General Membership Gala to accept the Moving the Market Award, also won the 2014 Built Green Pioneer Award for his work in the green building industry. Congrats Dwell Development—thank you for building green and for promoting the Built Green program!

The Built Green Hammer Awards recognize Built Green members for their outstanding projects and participation over the previous year. The Built Green Pioneer Award recognizes people who have played an integral role in developing and maintaining the Built Green program. Without the time, energy, and support of these Pioneers, Built Green would not be what it is today.

Photo credit: Alabastro Photography

Santa steps in for Shannon this week to wish all of our members happy holidays and remind everyone the MBA Housing Center will be closed from noon on December 23 until 8 a.m. January 3.

Please be advised that staff will also be off during this time.