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Government Affairs
Affordable Housing Challenges Take Center Stage in Spokane
Affordable Housing Challenges Take Center Stage in Spokane A recent report from KHQ highlights the growing challenges many Spokane residents face as housing affordability continues to tighten. With rising home prices, increasing mortgage rates, and the broader impact of inflation, more individuals and families are finding it difficult to enter the housing market or maintain…
Read MoreMortgage Rates, Inflation, and Yields All Rise in April
Mortgage Rates, Inflation, and Yields All Rise in April This April, mortgage rates continued to increase as ceasefire negotiations remain inconclusive. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.34% last month, 16 basis points (bps) higher than in March. The average 15-year rate also increased by 13 bps to 5.69%. Despite the recent increase,…
Read MoreFree BIAW Contracts Package helps protect your business
Free BIAW Contracts Package helps protect your business BIAW has just added another benefit for members to build and strengthen their businesses. The BIAW Contracts Package is now FREE for all home building association members in Washington. Valuable before, even more accessible now Originally introduced as a subscription service in 2022 with a $399 price point, the…
Read More5 Signals Many Home Builders Are Misreading Right Now
5 Signals Many Home Builders Are Misreading Right Now Spend enough time in this industry, and you start to recognize a pattern. It’s rarely the loud, obvious shifts that cause the most damage. It’s the quiet misreads — the moments where the signal is there, but the interpretation is off. Right now, the housing market…
Read MorePolicy Issues for the Year Ahead
Policy Issues for the Year Ahead Our Mission as an Association – to Promote Building, Protect Housing, and Elevate Communities – guides what we do in the advocacy space. There are two ways to get things done in government – either you convince people in power to do the right thing, or you find people…
Read MoreIncome Tax Proposal Sparks Major Debate in Olympia as Session Nears Final Stretch
Income Tax Proposal Sparks Major Debate in Olympia as Session Nears Final Stretch A busy week in Olympia was capped off today with a hearing on a proposal to enforce the first state income tax in over 90 years. Not only does this call into question the entire tax structure in Washington State, but it…
Read MoreFed Holds Rates Steady as Leadership Change Looms
Fed Holds Rates Steady as Leadership Change Looms The Federal Reserve held rates steady at its January meeting, as inflation remains elevated at 2.7%. Economic growth remains in the good-not-great range, as the labor market showed clear signs of cooling during the second half of 2025. Such an economic backdrop would suggest continued easing for monetary policy. The…
Read MoreNew Sales Tax Hits Hard, Causing Confusion and Legal Challenges
New Sales Tax Hits Hard, Causing Confusion and Legal Challenges Businesses across the state are feeling the brunt of far-reaching new taxes on business services such as information technology, website development, security, temporary staffing, advertising, and software. Even nonprofit associations like the Spokane Home Builders Association will have to start charging taxes on certain live…
Read MorePrimary Election Update
Primary Election Update With virtually all of the ballots counted in Spokane, the head-to-head contests are set for November’s showdown. Let’s take a look at some key races: Governor It’s Bob Ferguson (D) with 45.2% vs Dave Reichert (R) at 27.4% to decide who redecorates the Governor’s mansion for the first time in quite a…
Read MoreCity Council’s Housing Ban Defies Mayor’s ‘All of the Above’ Housing Proclamation
City Council’s Housing Ban Defies Mayor’s ‘All of the Above’ Housing Proclamation In her 2024 State of the City address, Mayor Lisa Brown stated, “We just simply have to build more housing supply at all levels. This is the number one challenge facing our future quality of life in our community.” As local experts in…
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