Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) and Senator Wayne Allard (CO) introduced "The Community Choice in Real Estate Act," S.413, which clarifies Congressional intent that real estate brokerage and management are not banking activities. Clinton and Allard explained that allowing banks into real estate would "upend one of our nation's most fundamental policies – the separation of banking and commerce- and put our economy at risk."

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As part of the City of Seattle and ULI speaker series "Housing Our Future,"Âť former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros recently addressed the growing disparity between workforce wages and housing costs. "As he described severity of Seattle's housing affordability gap, the imbalance of housing supply and demand and the resulting social and quality of life problems, Secretary Cisneros drew heavily from data supplied by Sam Pace, Washington REALTORS® Legislative Steering Committee Vice Chair,"Âť said Randy Banneker, of Banneker and Associates and Housing Specialist for Seattle-King County Association of REALTORS® (SKCAR). Cheri Brennan, SKCAR's PR Specialist observed, "Using the information we provided, he…

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At a panel discussion that included Kari Burrell from the Governor's office, Sen. Rodney Tom and Rep. Larry Springer during the Association of Washington Cities Hill Day, Washington REALTOR® past president Mike Flynn explained our legislative solutions to improve home choices for Washington families. The Q & A period went overtime with lines at both microphones. "One after another, local elected officials wanted to know how they could put our ideas to work in their communities, how they could "˜do something' to make homes more affordable," Flynn explained. "In three words, they want help."

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Consumer and Business Affairs REALTORS® are working with Sen. Karen Fraser to establish a vacant land disclosure statement in order to protect buyers and sellers of vacant land without changing the intent of the seller disclosure statement or making it more burdensome. REALTORS® are providing input to ensure legislation regarding new home warranties and condo conversions do not negatively impact real estate. And, we are providing support for affordable housing programs. Land Use REALTORS® are supporting legislation that addresses the protection of critical areas. We are also working to allow the concept of rural villages to promote economic development and housing opportunities and we are supporting legislation for a regional program of the transfer of…

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In response to the growing home affordability crisis, REALTORS® have introduced measures to improve housing opportunities in Washington so that we plan more effectively as more people move here to live and work, increase the number of homes to meet job growth, develop the tools to accurately plan for growth and measure how we're doing and fund the roads, water, sewers and parks needed for new homes in our communities.

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Measure allows chambers of commerce continued use of 'hotel-motel' tax. The House Community, Economic Development and Trade Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Barbara Bailey that would clarify that chambers of commerce may continue the practice of using "hotel-motel" taxes for tourism promotion. House Bill 1254 cleared the committee today on a vote of 8-1. "Various chambers of commerce in the 10th District have previously received monies to help finance their tourism enterprises. Those efforts included production and mailing of tourism brochures, phone inquiries and other expenses of running a tourist information center," said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. "After the attorney general's opinion, some municipalities were unclear whether they…

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OLYMPIA...As a member of the Washington State Gambling Commission, Sen. Jerome Delvin today announced his disappointment at the commission's Friday vote in favor of the Spokane Indian Tribe compact, a gaming proposal that will vastly increase the tribe's gaming machines and expand gambling in Washington – in direct opposition to the will of the voters. "For months, the commission learned how this gaming compact would add thousands more machines, give the state no revenue at all, reward the Spokane Tribe's illegal operations, and pave the way for off-reservation gambling,"Âť said Delvin, R-Richland. "In 2004, Washington voters said "ËśNO' to expanding gambling in Washington by rejecting I-892. I kept faith with those voters by personally voting "ËśNO' to the…

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The cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland have jointly embarked on a study to identify a process to determine the best locations for regional facilities in the Tri-Cities. The approval, planning or funding for any of these facilities have not yet been determined. This meeting is informational in nature with a request for public comment. The Tri-Cities Oversight Committee consists of City Managers and Council members representing Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. A total of 18 potential regional centers project concepts have been identified through this study. This includes consideration for a Regional Aquatics Center and a Performing Arts Center.  The Aquatics Center is intended to augment existing pools, provide greatly expanded indoor and outdoor…

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There are homes that are on the market for a very long time. When other properties around a house are selling and this one hasn't, it can cause potential buyers to be wary. Firstly, all homes are not equal, this is self-evident. Some are new, some are old, some have a modern design, some are small, others extremely large, some are just plain quirky! However, time and again it will be the seller who is responsible for the house not selling. Usually it's as simple as not listing the property at the price it is actually worth. An appropriate price is determined by the condition of the property and neighbourhood competition. Ultimately, at the right price all homes will be sold. And this puts the ball directly in the seller's court. A long-standing no sale…

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Considering Richland Wa Homes for Sale? Well, Richland's Columbia River Exhibition of History Museum is an attraction to live for. Richland Wa is home to the excellent Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and Technology (CREHST) museum. The CREHST has both a museum and a science center to deliver the exciting story of the history of the Columbia Basin and land area. Two and three-dimensional displays provide visitors with an interactive experience with hands-on activities. An early styled irrigation system can be viewed, to that of the use of robotics, to present a variety of features that are available in the Columbia Basin area. Journey through prehistoric times at the Richland Wa Real Estate area and learn about the history and geology of the…

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