This week, Shannon talks to Eric Drivdahl with Gelotte Hommas Architecture about this year's Gingerbread Village, an annual event held at the Sheraton to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Northwest Chapter.

More about Gingerbread Village

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The near-record-low 2.6% unemployment rate for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett seen in February rose to 5.5% in March, according to the latest monthly employment report, which shows the first wave of job losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Employment Security Department notes the impacts on jobs are more likely to be evident in the April report. Meanwhile, housing indicators from the latest Builders Bulletin do not yet reflect the impact of coronavirus on real estate and new home construction. The report shows year-over-year median home price increases in March and rising permits in February.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management, and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

This weekend, Shannon took a moment to talk to our president, Joseph Irons of Irons Brothers Construction, at the Membership Appreciation Picnic at Remlinger Farms.

See more of our member benefits