Description

On Friday, October 16, the Shelton-Mason County Chamber and Mason County Association of REALTORS® will present the 2026 Housing Issues Briefing at the Mason PUD 3 Auditorium on Johns Prairie Road. Doors open for lunch at 11:30a, with the program running from noon–1:00p. The briefing will bring together statewide policy developments and local market data for a closer look at the forces shaping housing in Mason County.

Housing availability and affordability affect more than buyers and sellers. They influence our workforce, local employers, economic development, and the ability of businesses to locate, stay, and grow in Mason County. This briefing will draw on the expertise of real estate professionals working with these issues locally and statewide to help connect housing trends with their broader impacts on our community and economy.


Bill Clarke, Director of Public Policy for Washington REALTORS®, will open the program with a look at what is happening in Olympia. He will highlight legislative and regulatory issues affecting housing and real estate across Washington, with particular attention to the policies and proposals that could have an impact here in Mason County.


Andy Conklin, a veteran REALTOR® with Windermere Real Estate/Himlie, will then focus on the Mason County housing market and its unique position within the region. Drawing from current data, he will examine sales, inventory, pricing, affordability, and other trends while providing context for how our market compares and connects with neighboring communities.

Together, the presentations will connect the statewide policy landscape with regional and local market conditions. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of the forces influencing housing supply and affordability, what the data tells us about Mason County, and what these trends mean for residents, employers, and our local economy.