Friday Video Update

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons and Camden Schutte (DB for Coldwell Banker 360 and 360 Property Management, Whidbey & Fidalgo Islands) continue the series called, There's A Form For That! This episode features Form 35C-Notice of Seller Consent Inspection Report, which allows seller to receive all or some of the inspection report at the time of mutual acceptance. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!

n today's Legal Hotline episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons and Camden Schutte (DB for Coldwell Banker 360 and 360 Property Management, Whidbey & Fidalgo Islands) kick off a new series called, There's A Form For That! This episode features the pros and cons of Formorm 22S – Septic System Addendum. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!

The Washington REALTORS® DEI Committee has partnered with the Black Home Initiative, a local effort to increase the number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) households who successfully secure homeownership. BHI is centered around a shared priority of making homeownership possible for 1,500 low to moderate income Black households in South Seattle, South King County and North King County in the next five years. To accomplish this, BHI is focused on building an interconnected network of stakeholders to help address the systems that led to the inequitable outcomes we have today. Discriminatory housing practices such as redlining and restrictive covenants have a long history in Greater Seattle — creating a staggering wealth gap that persists today. Black Home Initiative (BHI) targets the racial inequities at the core of the housing ecosystem in an effort to increase homeownership among Black households. More information on the Black Home Initiative website here. https://www.civic-commons.org/bhi

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons addresses seller financing agreements, and whether a note in deed of trust or a Real Estate Contract is best when dealing with seller financing. Find out what is best for buyers, sellers and which is right for your clients here. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons talks about who can offer a seller financing. The top section of form 22C is the seller financing addendum, and lists the qualifications of who is able under Washington law to offer seller financing. Annie also explains what to do if unable to secure seller financing. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Lt. Governor Denny Heck - HB 1474 Testimony on Covenant Homeownership Account legislation on February 6th, 2023. See more coverage of this bill on TVW here https://tvw.org/video/legislative-media-availability-on-covenant-homeownership-account-2023021250/ For more information on this bill, visit: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1474&Initiative=false&Year=2023

WR Government Affairs Director testifies in support of SB 5609: Establishing housing approval requirements that will eliminate Washingtons housing shortage. Link to the full TVW episode here https://tvw.org/video/senate-housing-2023021076/. For more information on SB 5609, visit: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5609&Year=2023&Initiative=false

Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Nathan Gorton testify on February 6, 2023 in support of HB 5466: For full information on this bill, https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5446&Chamber=Senate&Year=2023

Even as we enter 2023, Black people continue to face significant challenges to homeownership. Despite diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in every sphere of society, housing disparity remains a critical concern for Black people. In this recorded session, participants heard from Deborah Biddle with The People Company Consulting Group and explored current challenges facing Black residents, the progression of equitable housing practices and strategies to eliminate housing discrimination.

TVW recording of legislators speaking on the problems and proposed solutions facing Washington's housing supply.

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons asks the question, who can engage in short sale negotiations?. A person can engage in a short sale if the total lien against their property is greater than what they can generate from the sale of the property. Washington law dictates that only three types of people can engage in short sale negotiations with a lender, find out who they are on this week's video. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!

Join Freddie Mac to hear about their free CreditSmart® financial capability and homeownership education resources that help empower homebuyers as they prepare for homeownership. This suite of educational tools is designed to help meet consumers' diverse homeownership needs. This session will highlight information on credit, money management, homeownership, foreclosure avoidance, housing counseling and becoming a certified CreditSmart trainer.

Washington REALTORS® Commercial Government Affairs Director Mary Hull-Drury and REALTOR® Phil Harlan testify on January 12, 2023 in support of HB 1070: Exempting the sale and leaseback of property by a seller from the residential landlord-tenant act when the seller agrees to a written lease at closing.

Washington REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Nathan Gorton testify in the House Capital Budget Committee on January 12, 2023 in support of HB 1149: Reducing homelessness in Washington state through capital expenditures for programs that address housing insecurity. To view the Full TVW video: https://tvw.org/video/house-capital-budget-2023011124/

Washington REALTORS® Public Policy Director Bill Clarke testifies on January 12, 2023 in support of HB 1026: Concerning local government design review. To view the Full TVW video: https://tvw.org/video/house-housing-2023011132/?eventID=2023011132

WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons explains Broker's role in "Distressed Seller" and "Distressed Home Conveyance" transactions...specifically, why Brokers should never facilitate Distressed Home Conveyances.

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons is discussing lease options. Annie details different scenarios for buyers and sellers involving leasing prior to purchasing, and explains why this is not the best option for sellers at this point in the real estate market. Annie maintains, "No one should become an accidental landlord", find out why in this week's video.

What is “Welcome Home”? Welcome Home is a comprehensive plan to provide additional types of housing and ramp up incentives for local jurisdictions to provide more and diverse housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, and cottage housing. Under Welcome Home, a series of legislative initiatives designed to allow more housing for our communities.

Washington REALTORS® Nathan Gorton (Government Affairs Director) and Bill Clarke (Director of Public Policy) talk about our 2023 Legislative Priorities as we enter the new year. The session starts on January 9th, an there are a lot of bills on the hill to cover like Agency Law, Housing Supply, Leasebacks, Condos, and more! Watch/listen to this short episode and then register for WR Legislative Days at warealtor.org to be a part of the conversation.

In today's Legal Hotline video/podcast episode, WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons addresses a new twist on wire fraud. We’ve warned you about wire fraud involving earnest money several times before but now fraudsters are waiting until right before closing to change wiring instructions for broker compensation. Find out more here and remember to always confirm wiring details via phone before transfer! Please like, share and subscribe!