Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Housing affordability starts with housing availability. What happens when fewer homes are in the pipeline? It means fewer housing choices, rising costs, and more families struggling to find a place they can afford in the communities they call home. In a new piece for Puget Sound Business Journal, MBAKS Government Affairs Director Jennifer Anderson takes a closer look at one practical solution that could address declining permit applications in Seattle by removing a significant cost barrier to building homes. “If we are serious about improving housing affordability, we must make it easier, not harder, to build the middle housing types, such as townhomes, condominiums and cottages, that working families increasingly rely on.” Read the full piece. https://lnkd.in/dewQ6hQP

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the July King County Builders Council (KCBC) breakfast last week. A special thanks to our guests from the City of Burien for sharing updates on current planning and development initiatives. Our members appreciated the opportunity to engage with them on housing and elevate our shared work to make home happen.

Our July Builders Bulletin shows the latest snapshot of the Puget Sound housing market. Inventory is rising across King and Snohomish counties. Median home prices have dropped slightly year over year in both counties. Builder confidence is still subdued, with the Housing Market Index at 35 nationally and 27 in the West. Meanwhile, the Puget Sound region continues to grow, adding nearly 29,000 people over the past year — continuing to drive long-term housing demand. Read the full Builders Bulletin for deeper insights into what’s shaping our housing landscape: https://lnkd.in/d8Fxbcss

Happening this Thursday! We're opening up the MBAKS patio for one of our most anticipated events of the summer: GMN (General Membership Networking). Join us from 4–6 PM for great food, refreshing drinks, and conversations that can take your business further. Not a member yet? Let’s change that. If you’re considering joining or just want to learn more, now’s the perfect time to connect. GMN is just one of 150+ events we host each year, all designed to help you grow your network, increase your visibility, and connect with the right people. Send us a DM or email membership@mbaks.com to get started. 🔗 Spots are filling fast. Don't be the person hearing about it afterward: https://bit.ly/4ff0gXo

Efficient, on-time permitting is one of the most effective tools local governments have to reduce costs, increase supply, and help more people find a place to call home. Our latest blog breaks down the newest Annual Permitting Performance Report released last week, highlighting where progress is being made and where opportunities remain to improve permitting timelines in jurisdictions across Washington. Read more -> https://lnkd.in/dTqVfDsq

What a night at Bellden Cafe! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our PWB Meetup. From thoughtful conversations and new connections to valuable ideas for this year's PWB Conference, the energy in the room was inspiring. Events like these are a reminder that PWB is more than a conference; it's a community built on collaboration, support, and showing up for one another year-round. Stay tuned for what's next to come! #MBAKS #PWB #Networking #WomenInBuilding #HomeBuilding

It's never been just about the projects. It's about the people behind them. The relationships built along the way. The moments of support, collaboration, and shared success that make this community special. And the most exciting part? The story is still being written. If you're ready to grow your business, expand your network, and be part of something that leaves a lasting impact, we'd love to welcome you. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3SBOHCl If you're ready to turn connections into opportunities, send us a DM or email membership@mbaks.com. Let's talk about what's possible. #YearOfConnection #MBAKS #HomeBuilding #KingCounty #SnohomishCounty #MakeHomeHappen

Be there or hear about it later. Our General Membership Networking Event returns July 16, and spots are filling fast. Join us from 4–6 PM at MBAKS for cold drinks, tasty bites, and conversations that have a funny way of turning into opportunities. Show up, shake hands, and see where the conversation takes you. Not a member yet? Let’s change that. If you’re considering joining or just want to learn more—now’s the perfect time to connect. GMN is just one of 150+ events we host each year, all designed to help you grow your network, increase your visibility, and connect with the right people. Send us a DM or email membership@mbaks.com to get started. 🔗 Don't wait, grab your spot while you can: https://bit.ly/4eR5biF

We are entering the final month of Rampathon 2026! We're so grateful to our 16 volunteer builder members who built 18 ramps across 12 cities so far. From first-time participant HomeAid to veteran of over 25 years Potter Construction, Inc., our builder members have shown incredible dedication to making home happen for neighbors who rely on wheelchair access ramps for independence. A big shoutout to our builders for such a successful Rampathon season: Ashworth Homes LLC, Better Builders, Carlisle Classic Homes, Chermak Construction, Inc, Crescent Builds, CRD Design Build, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties, Holmberg Mechanical, Irons Brothers Construction, Jackson Design Build LLC, Nip Tuck Remodeling, PEOPLE COME FIRST (PCF) CONSTRUCTION GROUP, Shirey Home Pro, Vanderbeken Remodel Rampathon couldn't happen without the support of our Signature Sponsor, Dunn Lumber. We look forward to the ramp builds ahead in July! #MasterBuilders #Rampathon2026 #CommunityImpact #Volunteer

Homes are so much more than a place to live. They’re places to imagine, connect, and dream. For National Homeownership Month, we’re celebrating the spaces that hold what matters most. #NationalHomeownershipMonth