Moderator: Rick King, Loan Originator of Movement Mortgage

For decades, downtown Seattle and downtown Bellevue have been two pistons in the economic engine of Puget Sound’s economy. That is until the COVID-19 pandemic, along with political dysfunction and social disruption, put a kink in the fuel line, with notable market segments still sputtering today. But just as cities did not dry up after the Spanish Flu pandemic a hundred years ago, our cities are rebooting, and they are competing. Restorative civic leadership, reset asset pricing, and a renewed interest in urbanity is jumpstarting the economy and opportunity abounds within a new market cycle. Millions of square feet of unleased or sublet office space provides a runway for new businesses and job growth. Hospitality is already back, and a resurgence of in-city residents are finding condominium values at 20-40% below replacement costs creating a “buy the dip” moment for savvy investors. Our curated panel will explore the relationship between private and public interests amongst policy changes and highlight a growing rivalry to attract and retain talent—supply and demand is never evenly distributed!

Featuring:

Moderator | Rick King Loan Originator - Movement Mortgage

Dehlan Gwo Vice President of New Developments - Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty

Joe Fain President & CEO - Bellevue Chamber

Claire Sumadiwirya - Bellevue City Council Member