Quality of Life Principles
Protecting Property Owners
REALTORS® believe that private property rights are fundamental to our
free-market economic system and a cornerstone upon which this nation was founded.
The United States and Washington Constitutions recognize and protect the natural
right to own property. A strong economy depends upon preserving the right
to freely own, use and transfer real property.
Ensuring Economic Vitality
REALTORS® believe a strong economy with full employment for our citizens
throughout the state remains the single biggest key to our quality of life.
A healthy economy sustains vibrant communities for living and working. Commercial,
industrial and residential growth, in turn, sustains a healthy economy. Economic
development brings new opportunity and improved quality of life for city residents
by increasing jobs, tax base, purchasing power, diversity, availability of
goods and services, and offering community revitalization and improvement.
An increased tax base is crucial to government’s ability to deliver necessary
public services, new amenities for neighborhoods, and maintain infrastructure
to serve the needs of the community.
Providing Housing Opportunities
REALTORS® believe home ownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream
and deserves a preferred place in our system of values. Home ownership contributes
to community responsibility; civic, economic, business and employment stability;
family security and well being. Every citizen has the right to safe, decent
and affordable housing near where they work, shop and play, and that choice
in style and location is critical to increasing home ownership. Furthermore,
these objectives should be met through market-driven approaches that foster
a wide-range of urban, suburban and rural housing choices at all price levels.
Accommodating growth relieves pressure on housing prices and provides increased
opportunities for homeownership.
Preserving Our Environment
REALTORS® recognize the incredible gift that Washington’s natural environment
offers to our state’s citizens. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of
parks, open space and the environment to our quality of life and therefore
the marketability of surrounding property. To maintain our region's quality
of life and to protect the environment, REALTORS® support policies that
encourage conservation and wise use of natural resources and critical areas
through incentives and sufficient compensation. In order to protect the environment
effectively, REALTORS® believe government must accommodate quality commercial,
industrial and residential growth using innovative planning techniques, while
recognizing the importance of local decision-making, private property rights,
and the value of a healthy economic sector and attainable homeownership opportunities.
Building Better Communities
REALTORS® believe communities flourish best when they offer a high quality
of life at a reasonable cost. Livable communities offer a variety of affordable
housing choices, nearby employment opportunities, an economically viable commercial
sector, good schools, safe neighborhoods, quality public services, ample recreation
and park areas, open space, efficient transportation systems, and the infrastructure
that provides the framework to the quality of life we enjoy in our communities.
To promote livable communities, governments should encourage quality growth
through policies sufficiently funding transportation and infrastructure (roads,
water, sewer, etc.) that provides the framework for a community’s quality
of life, and lays the essential groundwork for accommodating quality commercial,
industrial and residential growth.