Property Owners

Potentially affected property owners are notified prior to the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Being a potentially affected property owner means that your property is close to one or more alternatives we are currently studying. This notification of potential impact does not mean a decision has been made to purchase your property.

Notification that your property is potentially affected does not mean a decision has been made to purchase your property. But it does mean there’s a possibility Sound Transit may need to acquire all or a portion of your property at a later project phase. As we refine project design, we’ll continue updating our list of potentially affected properties. We won’t make final determinations on which properties to purchase until after a Final EIS and the Sound Transit Board selects the projects to be built.

Residential relocation
For residential property owners and tenants, Sound Transit provides three primary types of relocation assistance: advisory assistance, moving expenses and replacement housing payments. A qualified relocation specialist will work with displaced residents to determine needs, explain benefits, and provide referrals to current housing inventories as well as assistance and advice with filing claims.

Business relocation
Sound Transit provides three primary types of relocation assistance: advisory assistance, moving expenses and business reestablishment expenses. The level of benefits and advisory services may be different for each displaced business depending on complexity of the business operation.

After the Sound Transit Board has selected the projects to be built and the Federal Transit Administration has issued a Record of Decision, the Board will authorize property purchases along the final project corridors. Several steps will take place before this authorization can occur, including:

• Preparing property information to inform the Sound Transit Board’s authorization.
• Identifying the type of acquisition (i.e., full or partial acquisition, temporary or permanent easement).
• Officially notifying property owners that their property is being considered for acquisition by the Sound Transit Board and providing the date of the meeting at which the Board will consider authorizing acquisitions. Staff will notify property owners in advance of the Sound Transit Board meeting date where property acquisition will be discussed followed by an opportunity to provide public comments on the matter.

After authorization by the Sound Transit Board, Sound Transit will begin the property acquisition process, which follows these steps:

1. Appraisal is conducted by an independent appraiser to determine fair market value.
2. Appraisal is reviewed by a second appraiser for compliance with proper methodology and appropriate value conclusions.
3. Sound Transit prepares an offer package and delivers it to the property owner to review and negotiate. Property owners are also provided a copy of the appraisal.
4. Sound Transit negotiates to purchase the property.
5. Sound Transit may also reimburse for some or all of the following:
   1. Owner’s own appraisal
   2. Legal review of offer
   3. Accounting review for tax purposes
6. For people and businesses displaced by the projects, a relocation agent will meet with the property owner to explain relocation assistance, eligibility and entitlements.

Q: What is the average timeframe from the offer to closure of sale?
A: While each acquisition is unique, most processes can take anywhere between 12-18 months to complete.

Q: Does Sound Transit pay closing costs?
A: Sound Transit will pay for all normal sale expenses including escrow fees, title insurance, pre-payment penalties, mortgage release fee, recording fees and all typical costs related to conveying title. The sale will be exempt from real estate excise tax.

Q: If my house does have to be acquired and I have to relocate, am I able to stay in the same school district or buy a similar home?
A: Sound Transit will make every effort to find comparable properties within the desired market.

Q: Is there a geographical boundary limit for relocation?
A: No, there is no geographical limit on where you can move. Sound Transit will pay moving expenses within a 50-mile range.

Q: If there is a long delay between acquisition and when construction starts, will there be empty houses in neighborhoods for several years?
A: While acquisitions are tied to the project schedule, it is possible that homes could be vacated prior to construction starting. If that occurs, Sound Transit will take appropriate measures to secure the properties until demolition can take place.