Neighborhood and CommunityPolicy and AdvocacyPress Release
Today marks a significant stride forward in our collective fight against displacement and the preservation of Black homeownership in Seattle! Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced powerful new legislation designed to curb predatory homebuying practices – a direct answer to the calls from our community to protect our homes and our generational wealth.
For too long, Black homeowners, particularly our seniors and those in financially vulnerable situations, have been targeted by unsolicited, aggressive offers for their homes. These tactics often pressure families into selling below market value, stripping away hard-earned equity and accelerating displacement from the very neighborhoods we’ve built and sustained for generations.
This new legislation is a critical step in putting power back into the hands of homeowners. It’s about ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in real estate transactions, and it aligns perfectly with Black Legacy Homeowners’ unwavering commitment to keeping our families rooted and strong.
What Does This New Legislation Mean for YOU?
These new protections are designed to safeguard homeowners by:
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Empowering You with Information: Buyers will now be required to inform homeowners of their rights, including how to access a fair market appraisal (with the buyer covering the cost) and the right to hire a real estate agent and seek legal counsel.
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Providing Time to Decide: Homeowners will have a crucial 10 business days after signing a purchase contract (or 10 days after receiving an appraisal) to cancel the agreement. This provides vital breathing room against high-pressure tactics.
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Holding Predatory Buyers Accountable: The City will now have the power to fine individuals or businesses that fail to comply with these new regulations. Furthermore, it establishes a private right of action, allowing homeowners to seek legal recourse if a buyer violates the ordinance.
This legislation goes even further than State House Bill 1081, imposing more stringent fines and providing greater notice and time for homeowners to protect themselves.
As our Executive Director, Chukundi Salisbury, stated: “For too long, Black homeowners in Seattle have been targeted, pressured, and pushed out by predatory buyers who see our homes as profit, not legacy. This legislation is about putting power back in the hands of our elders, our families, and our community. At Black Legacy Homeowners, we’ve seen how some high-pressure, shady deals can tear apart neighborhoods and erase decades of hard-earned equity. These protections will help Black homeowners stay rooted and strong in the face of gentrification and displacement.”
This is a testament to what we can achieve when we advocate together. It strengthens our “We are Still Here and We Shall Not Be Moved!” movement. We will continue to monitor this legislation as it moves through the City Council’s Housing and Human Service Committee and keep you informed.
Stay vigilant, stay connected, and continue to empower yourselves with knowledge.
Sincerely,
The Black Legacy Homeowners Team
#WeAreStillHere #BlackHomeownership #AntiDisplacement #HousingJustice #Seattle #ProtectOurHomes