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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.

King and Snohomish counties ended 2020 with higher year-over-year median home prices amid continued tight supply of housing inventory for sale. The December 2020 median home price for single-family homes and condos was $676,000 in King County and $535,000 in Snohomish County, an increase of 9.92% and 8.08% respectively, compared to December 2019.

Administrative design review processes implemented due to COVID-19 are permitting housing faster. We should consider making them permanent.

Levitt brings an extensive background in homebuilding to his role as MBAKS president. He has worked for more than 19 years across four western states on the land side of homebuilding.