Homeownership remains a cheaper option than renting in the majority of areas, according to a new study by ATTOM Data Solutions.

Taylor Morrison topped Lifestory Research’s annual list of America’s Most Trusted® Homebuilders — for the seventh consecutive year.

Washington has been hit harder by the housing crisis than any other state, according to a new study by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Washington ranks last among 50 states in the ratio of housing units to the number of existing households, the EcoNorthwest study revealed.

The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $2.4 million in Transit-Oriented Development Implementation (TODI) grants to 11 communities to review zoning areas served by current or forthcoming high-frequency bus service and light-rail transit.

The city of Bellevue is offering mediation to help tenants and landlords negotiate repayment of overdue rent resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR).

More than half of King County residents plan to move out of the area in the next five years, according to a recent survey conducted by DHM Research and Quinn Thomas. 

At the same time, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.33%, its highest level since April 2021, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Enumclaw’s city council recently expanded the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, a move that many hope will reverse decades-old development patterns and stimulate construction of new multifamily housing, according to a report by Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR). 

Inflation concerns are influencing plans for homebuyers and sellers, according to a recent Redfin survey.

Nationally, housing prices were also on the rise, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index. 

Seattle and Tacoma were among the top 50 most competitive rental markets in 2021, according to a year-end report from RentCafé.

“There was less pending home sales action this time around, which I would ascribe to low housing supply, but also to buyers being hesitant about home prices,” National Association of REALTORS® chief economist Lawrence Yun said.

Legislation proposed this month by Washington Governor Jay Inslee could significantly impact the state’s housing supply and affordable homeownership crisis. 

Fears of an economic fallout are causing long-term U.S. mortgage rates to fall as the newest COVID-19 strain reignites worry among Americans. 

Guaranteed Rate recently announced the appointment of two new divisional managers to oversee operations in its Western markets. Ryan Ogata will lead the company’s Northwest market, including Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Northern Carolina.

Check out the local stories which most interested our Seattle readers in 2021.