Member Updates

Hill Day 2026 Save The Save graphic with Youre the Key messaging and an image of the Capitol in the background

You’re the Key: Save the Date for Hill Day 2026!

Mark your calendars for Hill Day 2026! Washington REALTORS® will gather January 28–29 at Little Creek Casino for two important days of advocacy and engagement. January 28 is Committee Day, where members participate in WR committee meetings that help shape our association’s policy and priorities. And January 29 is Hill Day, when attendees head to the Capitol to meet directly with legislators and elevate the challenges REALTORS® and consumers are facing in today’s market.

This is your opportunity to play a direct part in advancing pro-housing policy and strengthening homeownership across Washington. Don't wait to secure your spot; this event is designed for you to be the key to REALTOR® advocacy in 2026. Registration opens soon!

Lead Boldly with the $2,500 Margo Wheeler Grant

If you’re looking to elevate your leadership experience, the $2,500 Margo Wheeler Aspiring Leader Grant can help you get there! This grant supports emerging REALTOR® leaders who embody Margo’s spirit of resilience, mentorship, and community impact. Funds can be used to advance your professional development, expand your engagement within the REALTOR® community, and pursue new leadership roles at the local, state, or national level. Applications are open, submit yours today!

Apply Here →

NAR's 30 Under 30 Applications Are Now Open!

NAR’s 30 Under 30 is your chance to be recognized as one of the brightest young REALTORS® shaping the industry right now! If you’re under 30, excelling in real estate, and showcasing creative leadership or standout results, apply now to join the 2026 class. Applications are open through January 14, 2026. Submit yours today! Must be under the age of 30 as of May 31, 2026.

Apply Here →

The Latest State of the State's Housing Report is Here

The University of Washington's 2025 State of the State’s Housing Report is now available! Access it today for an in-depth look at Washington’s housing landscape. This annual report covers the topics you care about & aims to inform policymakers and industry stakeholders, including recent legislation, demographic and economic conditions, homeownership, house prices, apartment rents, housing affordability, and homelessness.

Download the report today to gain a clearer understanding of Washington’s housing outlook and the factors shaping it.

Access Report →

Avoiding Pitfalls in Lease Renewal Negotiations

Lease renewals can get complicated, especially where state statutes and local ordinances intersect. In one of our latest RE Magazine Q&As, Seattle attorney Christopher Benis breaks down a real-world scenario involving renewal notices, counteroffers, and whether negotiations impact the original offer. If you work with rental properties or advise clients on property management issues, this piece offers clear, practical guidance you can rely on.

Read the full Q&A for Chris’s complete breakdown and answers.

Read More →

Property Management Q&A on Lease Renewal Notices from the Latest Edition of RE Magazine

Did You Know?

November is Designation Awareness Month!

November is NAR's Designation Awareness Month, which means now is a great time to go the extra mile and set yourself apart from the competition! Take advantage of the wide array of real estate designations and certifications offered by NAR and its affiliates. See the link below and use code DAM2025 at checkout to receive the special discounts being offered this month!

Learn More →

Learn More...

Because Your Business, Your Voice, and Your Integrity Matter

At Washington REALTORS®, we have always seen ourselves as more than just an industry group. We see ourselves as champions for our members. Because we know what it takes to thrive in this business. We know the dedication, the long hours, and the deep responsibility that comes with helping people find their way home. That's why we say, "We Give a &!#%" Because we do.

Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week

Question

What rights does the buyer have when a seller fails to complete their agreed upon repairs from the inspection period? We didn’t do a final walk through because of a scheduling conflict and the deal is now closed. Does my buyer have the right to go after the cost of repairs plus attorney fees post closing from the seller? We’re talking about an ozone treatment because the seller was a heavy smoker. They agreed to have a licensed professional complete the work and they did not. The smoke smell is so bad my buyers can’t even sleep there.

Answer

The only advice that broker or the Hotline lawyer can give these buyers, who are broker's former clients, is that they should seek legal counsel for assistance in determining their rights against the seller. It is critical for broker to recall that broker is licensed to provide RE Brokerage Services only. If broker has E&O insurance, the insurance protects broker only when broker is providing RE Brokerage Services. What brokerage services are left for broker to provide after closing? What brokerage services is broker providing by attempting to advise these former buyer clients of their post-closing rights against seller?

From the facts presented, seller may be in breach of contract and if the breach was material, buyer may have a claim for damages against seller. If the claim is successful, buyer's claim may include an opportunity to ask the judge to award legal fees to buyer as well. There is absolutely no way that broker or the Hotline lawyer can evaluate the merits or potential of buyer's claim against seller. Hopefully, broker recognizes that this question seeks information that resides entirely within the practice of law. The only person who can give buyer the answers buyer needs is a lawyer who represents buyer. Broker should advise buyer to seek legal counsel and should not attempt to give buyer any substantive information or assurances as to buyer's rights against seller.

Printable PDF →