Blog

For a King County homeowner, deciding whether to rent or sell can affect both short-term cash flow and long-term wealth. Renting keeps the property in your portfolio and may provide monthly income while leaving room for future appreciation. Selling turns home equity into cash and removes ongoing ownership responsibilities. A property with strong rental income may support a long-term hold, while limited cash flow and substantial equity may support a sale. Taxes, transaction costs, market conditions, responsibilities, and your timeline all belon…

Northwest Multiple Listing Service launched a rebuilt consumer home search on NWMLS.com on August 27, 2026. HousingWire dated the announcement Thursday. The platform was developed in partnership with Broker Public Portal and powered by BPP’s Cribio technology. NWMLS describes the new search as AI-powered and ad-free. The release says it delivers real-time MLS data, natural-language search, and a direct connection to listing brokers. The new home search is built as an alternative to advertising-driven portals. Listings prominently feature the li…

Two reports landed this week. Redfin’s weekly tracker came out August 27, covering the four weeks ending August 23. Two days earlier, S&P Dow Jones Indices released the June 2026 S&P Cotality Case-Shiller numbers. They are different thermometers, and they still point the same way. More people are listing, fewer people are signing, and Seattle sale prices on Redfin’s weekly board are off from last year. The Case-Shiller index, the one national headlines still use, has Seattle as the largest annual decline of the 20 cities. That is a mark…

Washington now has statewide rent stabilization rules that generally limit how much landlords can increase rent within a 12 month period. King and Snohomish County owners still have flexibility, but rules around entry, deposits, and disclosures carry significant weight. VerraTerra Property Management works with owners across Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, and the surrounding areas to keep leases compliant through hands-on property management services built around Washington's specific requirements. Ready to Get Started? 206-408-8077 Contact…

If your rental is outside Seattle city limits (Bellevue, Kirkland, Renton, Everett, unincorporated Snohomish, etc.), you can stop here. If the house is in Seattle, you do not have to rip pet rent out of the lease this week. On August 11, the City Council passed a fee ordinance 8–0. One councilmember (Maritza Rivera) recused herself because she owns a rental. The new rules attach to rental agreements that start on or after July 1, 2027. Until then, pet rent is still legal. What actually changed Seattle is tired of listings that say $2,200 and a …