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Prep Your Home to Save on Summer Utility Bills

Summer is a time known for vacations, beaches and higher than usual utility bills. The average U.S. residential customer’s electricity bills will total $412 between June and August this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Consuming less energy can help you save money on utility bills. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to reduce your energy costs during the dog days of summer.

Taking the Steps to Find and Purchase a Home

As the home building industry celebrates National Homeownership Month in June, new data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveal that starting in 2019, a majority of senior (56 percent) and millennial (50 percent) buyers have moved beyond planning to purchase a home to actually starting the search process.

Top Design Trends for 2019

At the beginning of each year, the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) recognizes dozens of new projects from this past year that showcased the best in home and community design, interior design and remodeling. Whether your looking for inspiration for your next home renovation or you’re ready to start browsing for a new home, here are a few of the top design trends you’ll see in 2019.

Master Builders Association of Pierce County Announces 2019 Remodeling Excellence Award Winners

Master Builders Association Pierce County (Master Builders Association of Pierce County) is proud to announce its 2019 Remodeling Excellence (REX) Awards. The REX awards program recognizes outstanding remodeling projects throughout Pierce County. Categories included residential exterior remodels, kitchen and bath updates, additions, and entire home transformations, among others. This year, a total of 17 winners received awards.

Tacoma’s ADU Legislation Was Effective May 1st. Have you applied for a permit yet?

With Tacoma’s new code package, ADUs builder are able to build ADUs citywide that are consistent with neighborhood scale and patterns.

Development Officials Forum: Q2 Recap

This quarter’s Development Officials’ Forum was hosted by Edgewood. They kicked the meeting off by discussing staffing levels and online permitting. Both topics spurred lengthy discussions between all of the jurisdictions. Below are the individual updates of each jurisdiction shared at the roundtable portion...

It’s a Good Time to Remodel During National Home Remodeling Month

The median age of the American home is 38 years old. Add to that the increasing price of new construction over the last decade and the growing popularity of television programs featuring dramatic home renovations, and it’s no wonder Americans spent an estimated $340 billion on home remodeling in 2018. During National Home Remodeling Month this May, home owners are encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of resources from Master Builders Association Pierce County to help them make the best home improvement decisions.

ICYMI: Condo Liability Reform Passes and is Signed into Law

Condo liability reform, SB 5334, was signed into law by Governor Inslee on April 30. This legislation will help correct overreaching condo warranty liability that has been a problem since the 1990s and will allow for new condo construction.

Master Builders Pierce County Announces REX People’s Choice Award – Voting now open!

For the first time in the history of the association, the Master Builders Association Pierce County (Master Builders Association of Pierce County) is opening the Remodeling Excellence (REX) Awards for public viewing and voting. The REX Awards program recognizes outstanding home remodeling projects throughout Pierce County.

Tom Reier to Earn New Certified Builder Designation

Tom Reier recently completed all the requirements and earned the BIAW Certified Builder designation, considered the preeminent professional certification available to builders within the home building industry in Washington state.

MBA’s 2019 Housing Summit Delivers a Well-Received Legislative and Economic Forecast

A packed room full of elected officials, jurisdictional staff, MBA members, industry experts, Realtors, and the public helped to make our 2019 Housing Summit a huge success.

Master Builders Pierce County rebuilds Puyallup Home on National Rebuilding Day

On Saturday, April 27, Rebuilding Together South Sound hosted more than 650 volunteers to complete 27 major home repair and safety modification projects throughout the South Sound on National Rebuilding Day. One of those homes was sponsored by Master Builders Association of Pierce County (Master Builders Association of Pierce County) and York Enterprises.

Update to Puget Sound Energy Disconnect/Reconnect Pricing for Residential Requests

Effective May 6th, 2019, Puget Sound Energy will be changing the pricing for customer requested Residential Disconnect/Reconnect work. This includes requests for a meter pull to de-energize service to the electrical panel, clipping the service conductor at the weather head or source, and dropping the service wire for work other than tree trimming.

April is National New Homes Month

It’s no coincidence that people are generally happier in springtime. Compared to the colder, darker days of winter, spring is the opportunity for a fresh start – from planting a new flowerbed to starting a new baseball season. And for many Americans, it’s when they plan on buying a new home.

Master Builders Association of Pierce County Hosts a Tour for Real Estate Professionals

Master Builders Association of Pierce County hosted a Real Estate Licensee Tour presented by Community One Financial on April 18, 2019 with several real estate professionals in attendance. Those who joined the tour were able to visit communities of featured builders throughout Pierce County and acquaint themselves with current inventory and start-up projects.

Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal in Three Simple Ways

Spring is the best time to revitalize the exterior of your home so set aside a little time now to give your home some extra attention. Updating the appearance of your home is a common home improvement project that adds value to your property by generating a strong return on investment. Discover three common exterior improvement ideas to help get you started.

Puyallup City Council Begins To Work on Land Use and Housing Code Updates

At their Council Meeting on March 26th, Puyallup City Council had the first reading of their land use and housing code updates. The ordinance dealt primarily with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and received extensive public comment.

Home Buyers Reveal What They Want in Their Next Home

Spring home buying season is underway, and the home building industry is celebrating New Homes Month in April. If you’re in the market for a new home, you may be considering what features are essential on your must-have list. Do other home buyers have similar preferences?

Choosing the Right Professional to Help You Stay in Your Home

While some homeowners might dream of retiring to a private tropical island, more and more are choosing to “age in place” and live independently, comfortably, and safely in their own home, regardless of age or ability.

Around the County: February 2019

Despite the second-coming of winter weather we have had, local jurisdictions are starting the heat up and pursue more meaningful legislation, especially as it pertains to building and development issues.

Recap of the first Development Officials’ Forum of 2019

The City of Puyallup hosted this quarter’s Development Officials Forum on Friday, March 1st. The room was packed with several city staff representative jurisdictions from around Pierce County as well as MBA members.

Gain a Competitive Edge with a Professional Designation

In today’s evolving market, it’s more important than ever for building-industry professionals to maintain their competitive edge. Earning a professional designation can be a great way to distinguish yourself – and your company – from your competition. During National Designation Month in March, seize the opportunity to advance your industry knowledge and skills.

School Concurrency Comp. Plan Application Sees Radical Transformation

Read the new version of the School Concurrency Comprehensive Plan Amendment application here.

Join the Legislative Strategy Committee: MBA’s Attainable Housing Advocacy Team

Our Government Affairs program is an active participant in the policy and regulatory processes in Pierce ...