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The latest data from the Census Bureau show single-family permits up 25% in the three-county Seattle metro area through March, compared to the same period last year. Pierce County saw the biggest rise in single-family permit activity among the three counties, up 61% year-over-year in the first quarter. Multifamily permits more than doubled in the region, led by big upticks in Pierce and King counties. However, Snohomish County experienced a drop in multifamily permit activity in the first quarter.

Along a few blocks on Bagley Ave. N there are three new Built Green 5-Star certified homes designed with energy efficiency in mind, as well as homeowner comfort. All of Dwell’s projects include triple-pane windows, double 2x4 walls, and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs).

New data from the Employment Security Department show continued modest improvement in the jobs picture for our state and region. The unemployment rate for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett fell from 5.5 in February to 5.4 in March. Meanwhile, construction employment in Washington increased by 1,400 between February and March.

Like many condo remodels, the builder of this 4-Star project faced many HOA hurdles. Building envelope upgrades, like adding insulation or installing new windows, were off the table, but the builder was still able to reduce the unit’s overall energy consumption by over 30%.

The median price of single-family homes and condos rose to $679,075 in King County and $576,050 in Snohomish County in February, data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service show. Home prices are rising amid continued strong demand and low supply of homes for sale. King County had less than a months’ supply of homes for sale in February, while Snohomish County had less than two weeks’ supply.

The January jobs report was just released on March 16 and showed improvement from the prior month. Washington’s unemployment rate fell from 7.1% in December 2020 to 6.0% in January 2021. The January unemployment rate in the Seattle metropolitan area was 5.8%. The March Builders Bulletin also includes year-end permit totals for 2020, which were relatively flat for single-family. In contrast, multifamily permits fell 17% in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties in 2020 compared to 2019.

On the hills of Queen Anne is a new, modern, 5-star single family house. The siding, a combination of shou sugi ban and metal siding, is arranged in geometric patterns that draw your eyes towards the cantilevered floors. On one side, the floor above covers the carport. On the other, floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to see straight through to the waters of Elliot Bay.

The Brett Marlo team was able to provide a full, vibrantly painted house remodel with a second story addition, while maintaining a similar aesthetic to the original house and making the house nearly 30% more energy efficient than a new code-built house.