Member Updates

Advocacy. Community. RE Magazine Spring 2026.

Every policy fight. Every legislative priority. Every push for housing affordability in Washington state, we’re there. The Spring 2026 issue of RE Magazine dives into the work being done to protect this industry, your clients, and the communities you serve.

Market trends, member tools, and REALTORS® making a difference – it's all here. Read this issue to see what happens when Washington REALTORS® refuse to sit on the sidelines.

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Room Block Closes Tomorrow!

Real estate law isn't slowing down — and neither can you.

On May 21 in SeaTac, the Legal Symposium delivers the practical, in-the-trenches guidance you actually need: E&O claims, unsolicited offers, distressed property regulations, and the transaction issues showing up in deals right now.

No theory. No filler. Just real answers you can put to work immediately.

But here's what can't wait: the room block at the DoubleTree SeaTac closes tomorrow, May 6. Spots are limited and they will run out.

Register and book your stay today:

https://book.passkey.com/go/WARLeaglSymposium

Register Here →

Your dues are working – explore your member perks!

Being a Washington REALTORS® member means more than a designation behind your name. You're part of a community of professionals actively shaping the future of real estate in this state. Every dollar of your dues is fueling advocacy at the state and local level, fighting for the industry and the clients who depend on it.

And that's just the beginning. Your membership unlocks education, tools, and resources built to sharpen your edge and grow your business.

Every level of REALTOR® membership comes with benefits built for professionals who refuse to coast. Find out exactly what's in your corner and start using it.

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Next on the Docket: Draft Like a Lawyer 2.0

Don’t miss your chance to build on Draft Like a Lawyer—Draft Like a Lawyer 2.0 is just 15 days away! This 7.5-hour advanced course focuses on drafting with precision, reducing risk, and navigating complex transactions.

Join Annie Fitzsimmons for practical case studies and guidance on counteroffers, challenging scenarios, and avoiding common drafting mistakes.

Register Here →

Washington State Real Estate and Economic Review: Spring 2026 Now Available

The Washington State Real Estate and Economic Review: Spring 2026 presented by Shannon Affholter at our Spring Conference is now available on the Washington REALTORS® website.

This report provides timely market intelligence tailored specifically for real estate professionals, including analysis of Washington's 6.8% GDP growth, regional inventory trends, labor market shifts, and demographic drivers shaping housing demand across the state.

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Don't Forget: New State Law Takes Effect Soon

Marketing All Residential Listings Publicly

On June 11, 2026, the following provision will be added to Washington’s Agency Law:

“A broker may not market the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers or brokers, or any combination thereof, unless the real estate is concurrently marketed to the general public and all other brokers, except as reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of the owner or occupant. Marketing to the general public does not require an owner to allow access onto the residential real estate or into the residence.”

The Agency Law pamphlet will also be modified to include the following new section:

“Property Must Be Marketed Publicly. Brokers who represent a seller must market residential property to all members of the public and all other brokers and may not market the property to an exclusive group of buyers or brokers only, unless the health or safety of the owner or occupant requires.”

Brokers must deliver the revised pamphlet beginning June 11. Hard copies of the pamphlet should be destroyed on June 10.

The new statutory requirement will be enforced by the Department of Licensing and can form the basis of civil liability should a consumer sue a broker for violation of the law.

With all of that said, REALTORS® should find compliance with the law quite manageable.

If a broker is a member of an MLS, broker complies with the law by listing residential property, for sale or lease, in the MLS simultaneously with any other marketing of the property. Listing the property in broker’s MLS should happen before or at the same time that broker discusses availability of the property with potential buyers or tenants, other brokers or promotes availability of the property in any other way. A broker is not restricted from seeking advice from broker’s managing broker regarding the listing or marketing of the property.

MLS policies that allow a delay between marketing and listing should be updated to comply with the law. However, the law controls, even if an unrevised MLS policy is more lenient.

If a property owner believes that the occupant’s health or safety prevents public marketing, property owner should give broker signed, written instructions to that effect. The instructions should not include medical or sensitive information. Broker and firm should retain the instructions in the firm’s transaction folder. Owner instructions claiming an exemption should be rare. If a broker’s listing files indicate a practice of owners instructing broker to claim an exemption, that would likely result in discipline.

Download Bulletin PDF →

Did You Know?

May Honors Military & Veteran Families

May is Veterans & Military Family Appreciation Month. Honor the moment by strengthening your ability to support these clients: join our Serving Military Clients course next week.

Learn how VA home loans work, key requirements, and how to navigate common misconceptions so you can confidently guide Military and Veteran buyers.

Register Here →

We Give a &!#%

We Give a &!#% About Your Success

Success in real estate isn't just about working hard—it's about having the right support system in place. Washington REALTORS® is here to provide the tools and resources you need to thrive, no matter where you are in your career. That includes Education & Training, the Legal Hotline, and other Business Tools, all meant to help you work smarter, close stronger, and build a thriving business.

Legal Hotline Q&A of the Week

Question

We have a cash purchase and sale. The buyer includes "and or assigns". The buyer wants to assign the contract, but the assignee is getting a loan. Does the assignee have to keep all terms of the contract? What changes can the assignee make?

Answer

The fact that the original purchase agreement is a "cash" agreement means only that there is not a financing contingency. There is not a breach of contract associated with the buyer assigning buyer's interest in the PSA to a buyer who will obtain a loan. However, based on the terms of Form 21, if the assignee is unable to obtain the loan or unable, for any reason, to close the transaction, the original buyer remains liable to seller for breach. If, however, the assignee closes the transaction, consistent with the terms of the agreement, it is irrelevant whether the cash used to close the transaction comes from buyer's bank account or the proceeds of a loan.

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