Washington state anti-flipping law (SHB 1843)

[Howard Edson]

Question for Washington state flippers. I'm a beginning investor in the Seattle area. Just heard about Washington state's anti flipping law. It seems that only licensed contractors are legally allowed in Washington state to sell a house within 12 months of completing more than $500 worth of improvements.  

Is that law still in effect? Under what circumstances is it enforced? Should I look into becoming a licensed contractor so that I can do my own flip deals?

[J Scott]

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

And its not a STUPID rule its a great rule.. it protects the industry gives it conformity and protects the buyers of the properties they know that their homes have been rehabbed our built by licensed companies not some Johnny lunch bucket white collar investor who wants to be a flipper and not follow the rules....    :) 

If the goal of this law is to protect the consumer, how exactly is the consumer more protected by the owner being a licensed GC versus the owner hiring a licensed GC? 

Either way, the buyer is getting a property that was rehabbed by a licensed GC, which sounds like the goal...

What am I missing?