Washington Is Going Broke and Your Property Taxes Are Paying for It

Washington Is Going Broke and Your Property Taxes Are Paying for It

Washington is facing a massive budget crisis — and property owners may be the next target. In this episode, Anton Stetner breaks down why Washington is going broke, how state spending exploded, and why property taxes could become the easiest way for the government to fill the gap. From King County’s property tax spike to Sound Transit’s taxing power, House Bill 1334, the millionaire tax, and the pressure on homeowners, investors, and small businesses, this episode exposes the financial squeeze happening across Washington State. Anton and Benji also explain how rising property taxes can directly impact home values, buyer affordability, investment returns, and long-term real estate strategy. If you own a home, plan to buy, invest in real estate, or run a business in Washington, this is an episode you cannot afford to ignore. Topics covered include Washington’s budget shortfall, state employee raises, business tax pressure, King County and Snohomish County property taxes, Sound Transit levies, House Bill 1334, and the ADU/DADU opportunity for investors and families. Stay informed, stay prepared, and understand what these tax changes could mean for your money, your property, and your future in Washington real estate. About the Show Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to make sense of today's economy, you'll find practical insights, market analysis, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you make smarter financial decisions. 🏡 Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Washington State real estate? Visit: RESG.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for market updates, housing trends, and investment opportunities.

Washington's Housing Crisis Is Worse Than You Think And New Construction Is The Problem.

Everyone is blaming landlords, interest rates, and remote workers for Washington's housing crisis — but what if the real villain is new construction itself? Washington State is building thousands of new units, politicians are celebrating permit numbers, and yet affordability keeps getting worse. Rents aren't dropping. First-time buyers are still locked out. Working families are leaving for Idaho, Arizona, and Montana. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why the way Washington is building new housing is actively making the crisis worse — luxury-first development that skips the middle, zoning rules that strangle density, construction costs so high that workforce housing doesn't pencil, and a political class more focused on ribbon-cutting than results. Whether you're a renter, a homeowner, an investor, or someone who can't afford to live where you grew up — this one hits home. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns on Washington State policy, real estate, and the economy. About the Show Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to make sense of today's economy, you'll find practical insights, market analysis, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you make smarter financial decisions. 🏡 Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Washington State real estate? Visit: RESG.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for market updates, housing trends, and investment opportunities.

Blackstone's $332M Seattle Loss — What the Smart Money Is Telling You

Blackstone just took a $332 million loss on a Seattle, Washington, skyscraper — and it's one of the loudest signals the smart money has sent in years. The world's largest real estate investor sold the US Bank Center for 54% less than they paid. Seattle, Washington, now carries the worst office vacancy rate in America — worse than San Francisco, worse than Los Angeles. A doom loop is quietly gutting the city's tax base, and most people don't even see it coming. But here's the twist nobody is talking about: the money isn't leaving Seattle, Washington. It's moving 10 miles east — and we break down exactly where and why. We also cover 7 specific real estate plays investors are making right now to turn this disruption into opportunity. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns that follow the capital, not the headlines. About the Show Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to make sense of today's economy, you'll find practical insights, market analysis, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you make smarter financial decisions. 🏡 Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Washington State real estate? Visit: RESG.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for market updates, housing trends, and investment opportunities.

How to Stop Washington State's 9.9% Income Tax (Millionaire Tax IP26-645)

Washington State has proudly stood as one of the few states with no income tax — until now. Initiative Petition 26-645 threatens to change everything with a proposed 9.9% income tax on millionaires. But here's what they're NOT telling you: once a state income tax is introduced, it almost never stays contained to the wealthy. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on IP26-645 — who's behind it, what it really means for Washington's economy, and why every resident should be paying attention, regardless of their income level. We break down the history of "millionaire taxes" in other states and what happened to the middle class just a few years later. 💬 We also explore what YOU can do right now — from signing petitions to contacting your local representatives — before this measure gains unstoppable momentum. This isn't just about the wealthy. This is about preserving a tax-free legacy that makes Washington one of the most economically competitive states in the nation. Businesses, families, and workers all have skin in this game. 🔔 Subscribe to stay informed on the policies quietly reshaping your financial future. 📌 Share this episode with someone who thinks this doesn't affect them — because it does. 👇 Leave a review and tell us: Should Washington stay income-tax free? About the Show Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to make sense of today's economy, you'll find practical insights, market analysis, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you make smarter financial decisions. 🏡 Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Washington State real estate? Visit: RESG.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for market updates, housing trends, and investment opportunities.

Buy Now or Wait? A 26-Year Loan Officer Answers the Question Everyone Is Afraid to Ask

Should you buy a home now or wait for mortgage rates to come down? In this episode, Anton sits down with veteran mortgage expert Cody Touchette, who brings more than 26 years of lending experience to answer one of the biggest questions facing homebuyers today. They dive into what's really driving mortgage rates, how inflation and oil prices affect housing affordability, why many buyers may be making a costly mistake by waiting, and what experienced investors are doing in today's market. The conversation also explores Federal Reserve policy, AI-driven job displacement, consumer spending trends, and the economic signals that could shape the housing market over the next few years. Whether you're a first-time buyer, homeowner, investor, or simply trying to understand where the economy is headed, this episode provides practical insights from someone who has guided clients through multiple market cycles. Topics include: • Mortgage rate forecasts  • Housing market trends  • Inflation and Federal Reserve policy  • Oil prices and economic uncertainty  • AI and the future of employment  • Buy now vs. wait strategies  • DSCR loans and investor financing  • ADUs, DADUs, and real estate wealth building  • How successful buyers are navigating today's market If you're considering buying, selling, investing, or refinancing, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Mortgage Expert Cody Touchette: 26 Years in Lending 00:39 Is the Housing Market Finally Recovering? 01:23 Why Mortgage Rates Feel Normal Again 03:39 Will Mortgage Rates Ever Return to 3%? 04:00 The Truth About Mortgage Rate Predictions 04:44 Did the Federal Reserve Pull Off a Soft Landing? 06:20 Why 2022–2023 Devastated Real Estate Professionals 07:18 How Global Conflicts Sent Mortgage Rates Higher 08:10 Oil Prices, Inflation & Mortgage Rates Explained 09:08 Should You Buy a House Now or Wait? 09:47 Why Lower Mortgage Rates Could Push Home Prices Higher 10:21 California's Housing Market Is Heating Up Again 11:47 Inflation, Recession, or Soft Landing? What's Next? 12:25 Consumer Spending Signals Most Experts Are Missing 14:09 Does the Federal Reserve Really Control Mortgage Rates? 16:03 The Real Driver of Mortgage Rates: Inflation 17:08 How to Track Mortgage Rates Like a Professional 18:29 New Federal Reserve Leadership and Mortgage Rates 19:44 Why Oil Prices Matter for Homebuyers and Investors 22:14 Is Stagflation the Next Threat to the Economy? 23:49 Will AI Replace Jobs and Reshape the Workforce? 27:14 New Careers and Opportunities Created by AI 29:30 Mortgage Strategies Smart Homebuyers Are Using Today 30:04 Buy Before You Sell: The Wealthy Homeowner Strategy 33:00 How Fast-Track Mortgage Approval Helps Buyers Win 35:08 Mortgage Programs Most Homebuyers Never Hear About 35:56 DSCR Loans Explained for Real Estate Investors 38:15 Asset Depletion and Bank Statement Loans Explained 40:00 Why Mortgage Brokers Often Beat Traditional Banks 44:02 ADUs and DADUs: The Hidden Real Estate Wealth Strategy 48:08 What Smart Real Estate Investors Are Buying Right Now 51:22 The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Are Making Today 52:20 How Seller Buydowns Can Save Buyers Thousands 55:26 Mortgage Rate Forecast for the Next 12 Months 57:00 What Happens to Home Prices When Rates Fall? 58:22 How to Invest $100,000 in Real Estate Today 01:00:00 Connect with Mortgage Expert Cody Touchette About the Show Welcome to the Anton Stetner Podcast, where we break down real estate, economics, investing, housing policy, and the trends shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, business owner, or simply trying to make sense of today's economy, you'll find practical insights, market analysis, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you make smarter financial decisions. 🏡 Looking to buy, sell, or invest in Washington State real estate? Visit: RESG.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for market updates, housing trends, and investment opportunities.