Ecology is pleased to announce that the Skagit River Basin Mitigation Program is now open for new users in an area along the mainstem of the Skagit River. Eligible landowners may now apply to Ecology on a first-come, first-served basis for water under this mitigation program to build new homes.
Ecology purchased water from Seattle City Light, securing legal water for new users in this program. The water supply flows continuously into the Skagit River from the Gorge Reservoir, guaranteeing a legal water supply and providing more water for fish in the Skagit.
Please see our webpage for more information on the program, including an interactive map of the mitigation zone, frequently asked questions, and how to apply:
Skagit River Basin Mitigation Program
Skagit landowners have new mitigation option for water

                                         Tipping the SCALE: 
 How Alternative Data Promote or Impede Fair Lending Goals.
The National Association of REALTORS® is transitioning the annual NAR Policy Forum to a virtual event series in 2021. Join us next week for the first event in the series,
When: Thursday, April 8, 2021; 10:00am PST  |  Cost: Free!
Read More & Register
Speakers, Research, & More Info: https://www.nar.realtor/events/public-policy-forum/tipping-the-scale-how-alternative-data-promote-or-impede-fair-lending-goals

This Major Medical Health Insurance Exchange provides NAR members with access to qualified (ACA) major medical insurance plans. Through the exchange, you can research health insurance information, obtain quotes, compare plans, and purchase directly online. All of the insurance plans offered in the Major Medical Health Insurance Exchange are Affordable Care Act qualified plans from top-rated insurance carriers.
Find out more about other Insurance options; including Dental, Vision, Life, Home, Auto.. and even pet insurance!

 A long goodbye to natural gas furnaces and water heating -- and possibly other gas appliances -- could begin with action by the Washington Legislature this winter. As initially conceived, Washington state would have forbidden use of fossil fuels for heating and hot water in new buildings by 2030. The plan sought to convert existing buildings to electric heat by 2050 The scope of the measure was revised earlier this month when Inslee's allies in the state legislature introduced identical proposals in the House and Senate to amend the state energy code. The 2030 date to ban heating with fossil fuels in new construction remains. There is no mandate to convert existing buildings from gas to electric heat, but an expectation that utilities will offer incentives for conversions.
"If we don’t start with clean new buildings, we’re going to be bailing water out of a boat while we’re still drilling holes in the bottom of it," said state Rep. Alex Ramel (D-Bellingham), the prime sponsor in the House. "That's why we need to accelerate and strengthen our state’s energy code." [Read more on Goverment Affairs page]

COVID RELIEF PACKAGE DETAILS
DECEMBER 23, 2020
Congress passed the much anticipated COVID relief package on December 22, 2020 and is awaiting the President's signature. The extensive package contains much needed relief for many people, including our members. NAR has pulled the specific highlights that their advocacy team has been working on that directly affect our members and consumers. Here is a breakdown

Even though we were unable to hold our Golf Tournament this year, these  Major Sponsors and Individuals donated their Tournament fees, and more to our deserving charities; Skagit Habitat for Humanity and Friendship House. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to Raise $26,000 for our charities and the Scholarship Fund.   We are so grateful to have such terrific support within our community!
Thanks to our Sponsors and individuals listed below:
       Gold Sponsor:  Homebridge
       Silver Sponsors:  Guardian NW Title, Marathon, Thrivent
       Bronze Sponsors:  Allstate, Regent

Business and Individual Donors:

• Bay Equity
• Tony & Paige Bates
• Blind Hat Productions
• Brown McMillen
• Certified Home Inspection
• Chicago Title
• Susan Cooper
• Country Financial
• Daniel & William Toomey CPA
• Danielle Russell
• Farmers Insurance
• Heritage Bank
• HKP Architects
• Jim & Terri Neilon
• John Jr Piazza Construction
• Judd & Black
• Keller Williams
• Land Title
• Tod Lehecka
• Terry-Jo Norman
• Pederson Group
• Peoples Bank
• Ralley Auto Sales
• RE/MAX Valley Homes
• Mary Scollard
• Simple Box
• The Brickkicker
• Umpqua Bank
• US Bank
• WIN Home Inspection
• Wycoff Insurance

Compiled by:
Jim Neilon, owner of RE/MAX Acorn Properties, Oak Harbor, WA
Scott Friedl, broker with Keller Williams Western Realty, Mount Vernon, WA
Dean Hayes, senior loan officer with Bay Equity Home Loans, Burlington, WA

August 2020
When the stay at home proclamation was issued in March 2020, many were unsure how that would impact the real estate market moving forward. Would potential home buyers continue to want to buy? Would owners still want to sell?
Within two months, the answer became very clear – the housing market is as robust as ever and it continues to move forward. Most sellers are still getting top dollar for their home, and home buyers continue to benefit from low interest rates.
Going into 2020, the housing market around Skagit County and Whidbey Island was particularly strong. According to the North Puget Sound Association of Realtors®, low interest rates were fueling buyers’ ability to purchase homes, and the scant supply of inventory was continuing to push home prices up. Once Coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the area, a good percentage of sellers pulled their home off the market in fear of contracting the disease as buyers tour their homes.
Read the entire report for Skagit County here.
Read the entire report for Island County here.

           Phase 2 Real Estate: COVID-19 Requirements 
Office of Governor Inslee
May 19, 2020
Safety and Health Requirements:
All real estate brokers, firms, independent contractors and industry partners operating during Phase 2 have a general obligation to keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law, and comply with the following COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices, as outlined in Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Proclamation 20-25, and in accordance with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations.
Read or download the Real Estate Guidelines PDF here.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Press Release
                            Island County, Washington
05/20/2020
On May 19, Governor Inslee announced that Island County is now eligible to submit a variance application for entrance into Phase 2 of the Safe Start recovery plan. The Island County Board of Health immediately initiated the Phase 2 variance application process on May 19 through discussion of eligibility criteria set forth by the Governor. 
On May 19, Island County’s Health Officer Dr. Joel McCullough submitted a letter of recommendation to apply for a variance to move to Phase 2. The Island County Board of Health voted unanimously on May 20 to approve the recommendation to move to Phase 2, excluding camping and with the requirement that all reopening guidance is followed. The Island County Board of County Commissioners approved the Board of Health’s proposed plan.

Island County Public Health staff are working diligently to compile the application materials for submission to the Washington State Secretary of Health.
For additional information:
Island County Public Health – www.islandcountywa.gov/Health/Pages/COVID-19.aspx
Call Center # 360.678.2301, Mondays through Fridays (8:00am – 4:30pm), Saturdays and Sundays (9:00am – 4:00pm)
WA State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) – https://coronavirus.wa.gov/

The latest information regarding the PUA, the Phased reopening and what it means to Realtors, and links to important and useful information below:
Challenge Seattle – Covid-19 Resources: https://www.challengeseattle.com/
Back to Work Toolkit: https://www.backtoworktoolkit.com/
COVID-19 Office Procedures and Protocol: https://tinyurl.com/ycwulapu
Managing Stress, Fear & Anxiety: https://tinyurl.com/NPSAR-Mental-Health

                   GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES 4 PHASE APPROACH -
                       WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR REALTORS®?
On Friday, May 1st Governor Inslee announced an extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to May 31st and laid out a phased approach to re-opening the State economy. Phase 1 begins Tuesday, May 5th. Please note that this does not affect the modifications that were made to the original Stay Home, Stay Healthy order that allow certain real estate activities to take place. 
Phase 2 businesses will include all other real estate activity including commercial real estate, the re-opening of real estate offices, and services such as sign installation. Phase 2 also allows gatherings outside your residence for up to 5 people, which presumably would apply to parts of the real estate transaction such as showings, appraisals notarizations, etc. The Governor’s phased-in plan will apply in counties that have been harder hit by COVID-19. The 10 counties that have not been as impacted by the virus will be allowed to apply for waivers that will let them open up faster (see KING5 story for summary).

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today a partial re-opening of some outdoor recreation activities.
As of Tuesday, May 5, some outdoor recreation will be allowed with appropriate safety precautions, including: fishing; hunting; playing golf; and day use at state parks, state public lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources and at state Fish and Wildlife areas.
“Outdoor recreation is one of the best things we can do to promote physical, mental and emotional well-being for Washingtonians during a time of great stress and isolation," Inslee said. "And springtime in our state is Washington at its best and people want to be out enjoying outdoor activities in a safe and responsible way.
“If we see a sharp uptake in the number of people who are getting sick or are not following appropriate steps, then we won’t hesitate to scale this back again. This is not a return to normal. This is only a beginning phase of relaxing outdoor recreation restrictions.”
Public gatherings, events, team sports and camping, among other things, are not resuming at this time.
Read the full plan on the governor's Medium page. 

Governor Jay Inslee
April 21, 2020
    Inslee Announces Washington’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan
Gov. Jay Inslee spoke directly to Washingtonians Tuesday evening to lay out his vision for the eventual safe return to public life amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Inslee said it is unlikely many restrictions under the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will be modified before May 4. Rather, this plan is intended to be a framework for the loosening of restrictions contingent on a steady decrease of the spread of COVID-19.
It will look more like a turn of the dial than a flip of the switch,” Inslee said in the address. “We’re going to take steps and then monitor to see whether they work or if we must continue to adapt.”
Depending on health projections for the spread of the virus, some distancing restrictions may be in place for weeks or months to come.
“In the coming days, we will receive additional health modeling projecting the course of this virus,” Inslee said. “We hope it will give us cause to begin lifting certain restrictions.”
The return to public life will occur in measured steps. It will be guided by science and informed by our public health needs, our ability to mitigate impacts, and the response of Washington communities.
Read the rest of the plan on the governor's Medium page.

SENATE PASSES $2 TRILLION PACKAGE
The Senate passed a $2 Trillion Aid Package last night. The bill goes to the U.S. House and then to the President. This bill is significant in that it contains provisions for the self-employed and independent contractors. Read the latest update from NAR

LEGAL HOTLINE LAWYER ANNIE FITZSIMMONS
& NWMLS LEGAL COUNSEL JUSTIN HAAG
March 26, 2020
WR Legal Hotline Lawyer Annie Fitzsimmons and NWMLS Legal Counsel Justin Haag have put together this list of frequently asked questions to help us all understand how Governor Inslee's “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order impacts real estate brokers and related professionals.Contrary to rumors, real estate has not been "shut down" but is working in limited capacity for the next two weeks as mandated by Governor Inslee. Real estate professionals are working to facilitate the 17,000 transactions currently in the pipeline and some of these questions may clarify what REALTORS® can and cannot do, as well as address some of the related industries we all rely upon to close a transaction. Washington REALTORS® has been working with the cabinet-level staff within the Governor's office but the Governor's order remains very clear about certain things. Please review the list of FAQs  and if you have further questions, email comment@warealtor.org.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY ORDER MEANS FOR REALTORS®
by Kitty Wallace, WR President | Mar 23, 2020
As you are likely aware, this evening Governor Inslee issued a statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order to further limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The order will be effective for at least two weeks, and requires that people remain in-home, except for certain necessary personal activities like grocery shopping or obtaining health care. The order also designates specific “Essential Critical Infrastructure” operations that are not subject to the order but must observe social distancing, based largely on recent federal guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security.
The Governor’s release states “Business closures must happen 48 hours after Gov. Inslee signs the order. Many businesses can, and should, continue using telework.”
Real estate businesses are not included in the “Essential Critical Infrastructure” designation, but can remain in operation using electronic and remote functions.

The lack of housing opportunities have reached crisis level in Washington State. This issue affects us all, creating a burden on home owners, renters, employers and on. Washington REALTORS® is pleased to announce a coalition comprised of non-profits and for profits called "Unlock the Door for Affordable Homeownership". Together, we're working with our elected officials on legislation surrounding condo liability, buildable lands, zoning requirements and more. 

For more information, visit www.unlockthedoorwa.com.
Review our Legislative Priorities