Only in Seattle - Real Estate Unplugged

Here we go again – Seattle just claimed the crown for highest office vacancy rate in America at 27.2%, and surprise, surprise, it's paired with the nation's most expensive Uber rides and DoorDash fees. What did they expect after slapping $9.2 billion in new taxes on businesses? We dive into Washington State's perfect storm of anti-business policies, from Microsoft's 9,000 layoffs to Starbucks shuttering 28 locations due to safety concerns and razor-thin margins. Meanwhile, tax receipts are sliding over $500 million below projections – because nothing says "come invest here" like the highest gas prices in the country and extreme regulations that even DoorDash can't stomach. Is anyone shocked that Jeff Bezos packed up for Florida? When your state becomes California 2.0 but with worse weather, businesses tend to read the writing on the wall. How long before the inevitable exodus becomes a stampede? Hit that subscribe button if you're tired of watching taxpayer money fund the decline of once-great cities, and let me know in the comments – what's your breaking point for government-induced decline?

Remember Tiffany 'Super Mayor' Henyard? The queen of government waste who burned through taxpayer dollars like confetti while running Illinois townships like her personal piggy bank? Well, here's your update: she's basically vanished into thin air after getting absolutely demolished in the elections. We're talking about a politician who went from stealing headlines with her outrageous antics to... selling a $99 tell-all book (now marked down to $60, because even her book pricing screams desperation). From her mysterious clothing line that sells nothing to her $1,000 scholarship that screams PR stunt, Tiff Tiff has gone from corrupt super mayor to irrelevant has-been faster than you can say "FBI investigation." The woman who once made township meetings must-watch entertainment is now hawking hoodies on a website that doesn't actually sell anything. Is anyone surprised that when the cameras stopped rolling and the taxpayer money dried up, the great Tiffany Henyard just... disappeared? What did we expect would happen when accountability finally caught up with someone who treated public office like a personal ATM? Hit that subscribe button if you want more updates on fallen political stars and government accountability!

Here we go again – Pacific Northwest leaders are having a collective meltdown because federal troops might actually make them enforce the law. While Portland burns with 102+ nights of Antifa chaos at federal buildings (complete with guillotines, because that's totally "peaceful protest"), Seattle's Mayor Bruce Harrell is grandstanding about non-existent threats to his city. Remember CHOP/CHAZ? Two black kids murdered while Seattle "took care of itself." Now these same leaders who coddle domestic terrorists are crying about "unconstitutional overreach" when Trump sends 200 National Guard troops to protect federal property that's under siege nightly. The cognitive dissonance is staggering – they claim Portland "has it under control" while ICE agents dodge firebombs and federal buildings get vandalized into oblivion. Meanwhile, taxpayers fund this circus as businesses flee and crime skyrockets. Is anyone surprised that cities refusing to enforce basic laws are now shocked when federal authorities step in? What did they expect when they let anarchists run wild for years? Like, subscribe, and let me know in the comments – do you think these mayors are genuinely this delusional, or is this just election-year theater?

Here we go again - Starbucks shutting down 400 stores nationwide, mostly in those wonderful progressive cities where safety apparently means dodging swords in the parking lot and stepping over needles in the bathroom. Corporate says it's about "economic realities" and "safety issues," but conveniently left out the part about unionized locations getting the axe. What a shocker!We're diving into the real reasons behind these closures: from Seattle's $26+ minimum wage crushing small businesses to Aurora Avenue's prostitute-and-pimp breakfast combo special. When your "physical environment" includes open-air drug markets and guillotines outside (yes, really), maybe it's time to pack up that overpriced latte machine. Meanwhile, when residents graffiti "COWARDLY" on closed stores, they're literally proving why these locations needed to shut down in the first place.Isn't it amazing how the same cities demanding businesses stay open are the ones making it impossible for them to operate? What did they expect when they prioritized virtue signaling over basic law and order?

Here we go again with Democrats gaslighting America about "mostly peaceful" protests while Antifa literally brings GUILLOTINES to threaten ICE officers in Portland. Senator Ron Wyden stages a daytime photo-op claiming everything's fine, conveniently ignoring the boarded-up federal buildings, graffiti everywhere, and nightly war zone footage we all saw with our own eyes. Meanwhile, local residents claim they're more concerned about federal agents than the violent thugs who've been terrorizing their neighborhood for 100 days straight. The same people who murdered conservatives before are back at it, but Portland's weak leadership thinks boardedup buildings and death threats are just "spirited debate." When you have to barricade windows like a hurricane's coming, that's not peaceful protest - that's domestic terrorism. Trump's absolutely right to send in federal troops because Portland officials are either too incompetent or too ideologically captured to handle their own mess. Is anyone surprised that blue city mayors are more upset about law enforcement than actual lawbreakers? What kind of backwards world do we live in when protecting criminal illegals is more important than public safety? Like, subscribe, and share if you're tired of Democrats covering for Antifa violence while gas-lighting the rest of us about "peaceful protests."

California just threw in the towel on yet another virtue-signaling mandate - this time their electric truck requirement for private fleets. Surprise, surprise! Turns out you can't just wave a regulatory wand and magically transform an entire industry overnight. Who could have seen that coming?We break down how California's Air Resources Board had to eat crow and repeal their zero-emission purchasing rule after realizing their power grid can't even handle current EV demand, let alone a mandated fleet conversion. Meanwhile, trucking companies were being told they'd need enough electricity to power half a city just to charge their rigs. The same state that tells people not to charge their cars during heat waves wanted to mandate electric semis by 2035.This is the third major California green mandate to bite the dust this year alone. When will politicians learn that good intentions don't override basic infrastructure reality? Are we finally seeing the end of California's regulatory overreach, or will they just double down with even more unrealistic timelines?Hit that subscribe button if you're tired of watching taxpayer money get wasted on feel-good policies that ignore economic reality. Like and share to spread some common sense!

Here we go again – Seattle's brilliant solution to sky-high rents? Ban rental pricing software! Because nothing says "we understand economics" like blaming computer programs for a housing crisis decades in the making. King County Council thinks they've cracked the code while apartment permits have plummeted 66% and they've layered on $9.2 billion in new taxes. We break down the real numbers behind Seattle's housing disaster – from the 63% drop in multifamily permits to why cities like San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis are all mysteriously banning the same software. Spoiler alert: it's not the software driving your $2,500+ rent, it's basic supply and demand economics that these politicians refuse to acknowledge. When you constrict housing supply with endless regulations while demand stays high, rents go to the moon – shocking concept, right? Is anyone surprised that the same progressive policies crushing housing affordability everywhere are now targeting technology instead of addressing their own failed governance? What did they expect when they made it nearly impossible to build anything? Hit that subscribe button if you're tired of politicians treating taxpayers like idiots who don't understand basic economics!

New York City just proved once again that when politicians cry about 'affordable housing,' they're about to make it even MORE expensive. The city council is about to vote on requiring master plumbers for basic appliance installations like stoves and dryers - jobs that building supers and contractors have done safely for decades. With only 1,100 master plumbers for 7.5 million people, get ready for $500+ installation fees on top of already insane $4,000 monthly rents. They claim it's about 'safety,' but where's the epidemic of exploding stoves? This is a union shakedown, plain and simple, wrapped in the usual 'we're protecting you' nonsense. Meanwhile, these same politicians wonder why young professionals are fleeing to Texas and Florida. What did they expect when they keep layering regulation after regulation? Is anyone surprised that the city screaming about housing affordability just created another expensive monopoly? Subscribe if you're tired of watching blue cities shoot themselves in the foot while blaming everyone else for the mess they created.

Seattle's Mayor Bruce Harrell just dropped a budget that's more delusional than a Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl prediction. Despite facing a staggering $150 million deficit, he's proposing to spend hundreds of millions more on the same failed policies that turned downtown into a real-life thriller video. We're talking $350 million for "affordable" housing (that costs three-quarters of a million per unit), $225 million for homelessness programs that have increased street population by 23%, and now they need $10 million just to clean up graffiti and hire park rangers because lawlessness is so out of control that people are literally jumping stolen cars over drawbridges Dukes of Hazard style. Meanwhile, they're putting up chainlink fences around downtown alleys because that's totally solving the fentanyl zombie problem, right? Is anyone surprised that when you build a homeless industrial complex, more homeless people show up? What did they expect when there are zero consequences for crime and endless taxpayer-funded services? Don't forget to subscribe and hit that notification bell – someone needs to keep exposing this taxpayer-funded circus before your city becomes the next Seattle!

Here we go again - New York City is about to elect a Democratic Socialist who wants to defund the police, eliminate misdemeanor charges, and ban Jewish nonprofits from fundraising. Zoron Mdani pushed to cut 1,300 officers from the NYPD in 2022, called police "racist and wicked," and now wants to abolish charges for sexual misconduct, DUI, theft, and drug possession. But don't worry - now that he's running for mayor, he's suddenly changed his mind about everything! This is the same playbook we've seen everywhere: win the primary by pandering to the far-left base, then pretend to be moderate for the general election. "I didn't really mean what I said before I was in office" - sound familiar? With NYC already down 20% in police officers and crime running rampant, what could possibly go wrong with putting this guy in charge of America's largest city? Are New Yorkers really going to fall for this political theater? Will the safety test they're conducting on themselves actually wake people up to reality? Subscribe and let's watch this trainwreck unfold together - because when these policies fail, we'll be here to document every bit of the chaos.

California's latest "innovative" taxation scheme is here – a per-mile road charge to replace declining gas tax revenue. Because nothing says progress like tracking every mile you drive while claiming it's for the environment! The state wants to charge 2.8 cents per mile, complete with transponder tracking or odometer photo submissions, all while gas prices remain the nation's highest at 59 cents per gallon. But here's the kicker: this regressive tax will hit working-class families hardest – the same people forced to live hours away from job centers because California's housing costs are insane. They're rushing toward an all-electric future by 2035 (15 million EVs, they claim) while two major refineries are closing, eliminating 17% of the state's gas supply. Government efficiency at its finest! Are Californians really buying into this "paving the way to the future" nonsense? How long before other states follow suit? The progressive agenda keeps getting more expensive – who's actually paying the price here? Like and subscribe if you're tired of politicians treating taxpayers like ATMs while virtue signaling their way to transportation dystopia.

San Francisco has solved its crime and homelessness crisis in the most brilliant way possible – they're just renaming the neighborhoods! The notorious Midmarket area, plagued by drug dealing, overdoses, and people chasing each other with swords for 178 years, is now magically being rebranded as "Lower Hayes Valley." Because nothing says urban renewal like creative geography, right?We dive deep into this absurd marketing makeover where real estate agents are stretching the truth harder than a yoga instructor. With a staggering 62.6% vacancy rate and businesses fleeing faster than tourists from the Tenderloin, city leaders have cracked the code: if you can't fix the problems, just change the name! Whole Foods couldn't survive here, Twitter escaped, and an entire district lost 80% of its value – but hey, slap a new label on it and watch the magic happen.Is this the future of urban planning – just rebranding failure until it sounds trendy? Will AI startups really fall for "Lower Hayes" when they're literally surrounded by the same chaos that drove everyone else away? Let me know what you think about this masterclass in municipal gaslighting.Hit that subscribe button and notification bell – because someone needs to document this circus as usual!

Washington state just enacted one of the largest tax increases in state history, and even Microsoft's president is calling it insane. $9.2 billion in new taxes, including a brutal 35% estate tax that makes Hawaii's 20% look reasonable – at least Hawaii has beaches! We break down how Washington's tax-happy legislature is driving businesses and billionaires away, from Jeff Bezos saving $1 billion by fleeing to Florida to 61% of businesses citing taxes as their reason to leave. Microsoft's Brad Smith didn't mince words: if you're going to charge premium prices, you better deliver premium results. But Washington keeps throwing more money at failing programs while taxing everything from business operations to literally dying in the state. Meanwhile, progressive think tanks are publishing studies claiming the wealth exodus is a "myth" – tell that to Bezos and his billion-dollar tax savings.Is this what voters actually wanted when they elected these tax-obsessed politicians? How long before even big tech says enough is enough? The cavalry isn't coming to save Washington businesses – they're on their own in this progressive tax wonderland.

Washington State's progressive tax policies are sparking fierce debate. Critics — including Microsoft President Brad Smith — argue that rising taxes on capital gains, businesses, and high earners are driving people and jobs away to more business-friendly states. Supporters, however, say these taxes fund essential services like education and infrastructure.

California is weighing a new wildfire safety rule that could reshape home landscaping across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has proposed a “Zone Zero” regulation that would ban plants, mulch, and combustible materials within 5 feet of homes in designated fire hazard zones.

California is losing oil and gas firms — refineries are closing, and companies are relocating due to strict regulations and high costs. To counter this, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law to fast-track 2,000 new wells per year in Kern County for the next decade.Supporters say this will stabilize the state's petroleum supply and help prevent more price spikes at the pump. Critics warn it could clash with California's climate goals and face major legal challenges.

Portland City Council staff spent nearly $20,000 on a three-person trip to Vienna, Austria, to study social housing programs — sparking questions about spending priorities. At the same time, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered state agencies to halt travel and brace for major budget cuts.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made headlines after declaring that “jails, incarceration, and law enforcement is a sickness that must be eradicated.” The remarks came during a September 2025 press conference on public safety.

President Trump and key Republican leaders are pushing to officially designate Antifa as a terrorist organization. Supporters argue the move will curb violence and lawlessness, while critics raise concerns about free speech, civil liberties, and enforcement

Seattle has passed a tough new Graffiti Restitution Ordinance, hitting prolific taggers with $1,500 fines per tag and lawsuits that could reach tens of thousands of dollars.City Attorney Ann Davison has already filed cases against alleged taggers “ALURE,” “LABRAT,” and “NOMAS,” with the city seeking over $40,000 in penalties and restitution.

Two separate shootings rocked homeless encampments in Minneapolis on September 16, 2025, leaving 13 people wounded — including 5 in critical condition.First shooting: Just after 11 a.m. near East Lake St. & Stevens Ave. (5 injured, 1 life-threatening).Second shooting: Around 10 p.m. at a well-known encampment near South 28th Ave. & East Lake St. (8 injured, 2 with head wounds).Police recovered multiple shell casings, and investigators believe there may have been an exchange of gunfire. A tent fire also broke out during the incident.The city has been trying to clear the encampment for months, raising concerns about safety and housing insecurity. Officials are investigating whether the two shootings are connected.

California is seeing a wave of factory closures — from food processing plants to manufacturing facilities. Headlines say jobs are fleeing the state at an alarming speed. But is it really that simple?

San Francisco Centre, once the city's flagship shopping mall, is now nearly abandoned. With 93% of its stores vacant and anchor tenants like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's gone, its value has plunged by 25% in just a year — and over $1 billion since 2016.

Washington has officially enforced its new rent cap law for the first time. Eight landlords were fined $2,000 each after trying to impose illegal rent hikes that would have impacted more than 250 renters statewide.Under House Bill 1217, most rent increases are capped at 10% for 2025 (5% for manufactured homes), with stricter rules for new tenancies and exemptions for certain housing. The Attorney General's office required landlords to rescind the hikes and refund tenants.

Thousands of Californians are leaving the Golden State for a surprising new destination: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Why? A program called Tulsa Remote is offering $10,000 cash to remote workers who relocate — and many say they're never looking back.

A massive homeless encampment in Koreatown, Los Angeles has grown into what some residents are calling a “tiny city.” The camp, located on a vacant private lot, now includes unusual features like a tennis court, barbecue pit, and garden.Local residents are voicing frustration, citing safety hazards, fire risks, and neighborhood concerns, while officials try to balance enforcement with outreach efforts.

Washington state now has the highest gas prices in the nation, even beating California. Drivers are paying an average of $4.66 per gallon statewide, and nearly $4.81 in Seattle.

California just passed a major housing law — SB 79 — that overrides local zoning rules to allow taller, denser housing near transit hubs.

California lawmakers struck a sweeping last-minute climate and energy deal with Gov. Gavin Newsom — extending the state's cap-and-trade program to 2045, reauthorizing an $18 billion wildfire liability fund, and paving the way for a regional clean energy market.But the package also includes controversial concessions to oil and gas, including new drilling permits and a revived pipeline, sparking backlash from environmental justice advocates who decried the closed-door negotiations.

A tragic case has shaken Bellevue. Police have charged 28-year-old Samuel Hitchcock, a former Porchlight shelter resident, with murder and robbery after the death of Jason Clark, 54.

The Valero refinery in Benicia, California — responsible for nearly 9% of the state's gasoline supply — is set to close by April 2026. This decision comes after mounting regulatory pressure, costly fines, and rising operational expenses.

A Houston imam launched a campaign demanding Muslim-owned stores stop selling alcohol, pork, and gambling products—or face protests. Governor Greg Abbott wasted no time responding, reminding Texans that Sharia law has no place in the state and encouraging citizens to report such efforts to law enforcement.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has launched Operation SAFE (Swift Action for Families Everywhere), sending state troopers to clear homeless encampments from Tulsa's state-owned property.The plan offers unsheltered individuals two choices: a ride to housing or treatment facilities, or to jail

A new audit reveals shocking mismanagement inside King County's Department of Community and Human Services. Over $1.5 billion in taxpayer funds were funneled with weak oversight, leading to:- Altered invoices and potential fraud- Payments to unapproved contractors- Nearly half of grantees labeled ‘high risk'- Lax monitoring despite explosive growth in fundingCounty officials call the findings “damning” and a “total disaster.” Lawmakers are now pushing for urgent reforms, new compliance measures, and stricter financial safeguards.

A tragic case out of King County, Washington: 17-year-old Miguel Rivera-Dominguez has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder of 21-year-old Marcel Da'jon Wagner, who was fatally shot while sleeping on a Metro bus in White Center.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has asked the community to step up and support the city's new homeless shelters. In a citywide email, he urged residents to donate money, goods, and time—emphasizing the urgent need for supplies and volunteers.

Chevron's Americas Products President Andy Walz isn't satisfied with California's latest climate policy direction. In a recent Politico feature, Walz warned that refinery closures, tighter regulations, and policy uncertainty could push gas prices higher and discourage future investment in the state's energy sector.

California's housing crisis may be about to get worse. A coalition of over 100 social justice, housing, and business leaders is warning that a new Vehicle-Miles-Traveled (VMT) housing tax could add up to $324,000 to the cost of every new home or apartment — and raise monthly rents by as much as $1,350.

Seattle has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Glock, accusing the gunmaker of enabling the use of illegal “Glock switches”—tiny devices that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons.City Attorney Ann Davison claims Glock has known for decades that its handguns can be easily modified and failed to redesign them, fueling rising gun violence. The lawsuit also targets three local dealers.

San Francisco's busiest Muni line — the 14/14R Mission — has earned an unfortunate nickname: the city's most “pooped-on” bus. With nearly a quarter of all feces-related complaints coming from this single route, riders say they're dealing with filthy conditions on a regular basis.Now, with the SFMTA facing a $322 million budget deficit and forced to cut cleaning services, the problem may soon get even worse.

Portland city councilors are under fire for flying to Vienna, Austria, to “study” social housing — with taxpayers footing the bill. About 20 people, including three councilors, chiefs of staff, and housing bureau staff, are making the trip.Supporters say Vienna is the global “gold standard” for social housing and that seeing it in person will help Portland craft long-term solutions for affordable housing. Critics argue the trip is unnecessary, too expensive, and could have been done virtually.

A volunteer dive team, Chaos Divers, uncovered nearly 100 submerged vehicles in the Chicago River system while searching for clues in a 1970 cold case involving Edward and Stephania Andrews.Using sonar scans between Diversey Parkway and Cicero Avenue, the divers located piles of vehicles — some stacked 12–19 cars deep — along the North Branch and Sanitary & Ship Canal.

Seattle Parks and Recreation has fenced off Lake City Mini Park, Seven Hills Park, and Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park for 60 days, citing “negative park activity” linked to crime, drug use, and homeless encampments.City officials say the closures will allow time to plan amenity upgrades—including new lighting, fences, and landscaping—to ensure parks remain safe and welcoming. But many residents are frustrated, questioning the vague term “negative activity” and pointing out that the changes may be designed more to deter homeless residents than to improve community use.

The Mexican men's national soccer team was the victim of a burglary in downtown Oakland over Labor Day weekend. Thieves broke into a team truck and stole training equipment — including a cleat steamer worth $2,500 — just days before Mexico's friendly match against Japan at the Oakland Coliseum.

Seattle has landed near the top of U.S. crime rankings, with total crime rates more than 170% above the national average and property crime ranked 3rd highest among major cities. But there's more to the story.

One of downtown Los Angeles' most iconic towers, One California Plaza, has officially gone into receivership after defaulting on a $300 million debt. Once valued at nearly $459 million, the 42-story Bunker Hill skyscraper is now appraised at just $121 million—a staggering 74% drop.

In Westchester, Los Angeles, a business has installed a speaker system called the Blue Chirper that plays loud insect noises—like crickets and cicadas—to deter homeless encampments.Local tenants say the sounds often exceed 90 decibels, disturbing nearby businesses and residents. Unhoused people in RVs report sleep disruption and stress, while business owners argue it's a legal way to protect their property.This tactic is part of a growing trend in Southern California, where property owners have used everything from children's songs like “Baby Shark” to classical music in attempts to push encampments away.

A shocking stabbing outside Portland's Central Library has reignited concerns about public safety downtown. Just weeks after a fatal shooting near the same location, community leaders are demanding stronger security measures and questioning police response times.

In Portland's Pearl District, ORO Apartments owner Paul Rudinsky staged a dramatic protest outside City Hall by pitching a tent just steps from the doors. He was protesting the city's plan to open a low-barrier overnight shelter next to his building — sparking concerns about safety, loitering, and tenant loss.Rudinsky was arrested for second-degree trespassing after refusing to remove his tent. The shelter, set to open soon, is part of Portland's broader initiative to add 1,500 shelter beds by December, with the Pearl District site offering 40 beds initially, expandable to 200.

President Trump has vowed to "solve Chicago's crime problem fast" by sending in the National Guard after a violent Labor Day weekend. But Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are refusing to cooperate, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.Thousands of protesters flooded downtown Chicago, warning federal intervention could escalate tensions. Meanwhile, crime statistics show violent crime in the city is actually on the decline, raising questions about Trump's narrative.

Spokane is at the center of a heated debate over homelessness and the future of the Housing First model. Advocates point to strong results—stable housing, better health outcomes, and reduced emergency costs—while critics argue for shifting toward treatment-first policies in line with new federal directives.