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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®



FRONT LINES: State Roundup

REPORTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Washington

Apartments nixed. Sumner city officials placed a six-month freeze on apartment development beginning in early March. The move comes as officials, concerned over the long-term impact of poorly designed multifamily housing on the character of their city, rewrite the city’s comprehensive plan. The plan sets goals such as creating walkable communities, adding places for people to congregate, encouraging development with “interesting things to look at,” and promoting “neatly kept yards.” The Tacoma Pierce County Association of REALTORS® feels the city should include owner-occupied multifamily housing near transit and shopping in its plan, says Catherine Rudolph, the association’s government affairs director.—Robert Freedman

California

HOA curbs. In a high-profile case in Calaveras County, a homeowners association, exercising its right to nonjudicial foreclosure, auctioned off the home of one of its members—for nonpayment of association dues—at well below its appraised value, according to American Homeowners Resource Center, an association watchdog group. This type of action is why state lawmakers are trying to rein in aggressive associations. One bill, S.B. 1682, introduced in late February would ensure owners receive the full appraised value of their home in the event of a nonjudicial foreclosure by an association.—Robert Freedman

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