Gimme some green I can walk to! I'm just looking at the current offerings of certified green homes here in Vancouver, Washington. It's improving! But what I really want to see more of is green-certified with walkablility too! In our town, 'in-fill' has become the word. It's often not said with a lot of joy. And I understand the mixed bag it represents. On the one hand, you have an established neighborhood, certain look and feel, then comes these new, high-density homes, multi-level and skinny. Another problem is that each in-fill lot that's developed is that much space removed for kids to play (like kids play in empty lots anymore!), or dogs to wander, or green things to grow. On the otherhand, here's an opportunity to take one or four or ten or whatever cars off the commute lane each d... 11/06/2008

The Real Estate Market on the National and Local Vancouver Washington Scene has seen mortgage rates go up about 0.7, while at least one major lender put a 90 day hold on new foreclosures. Here's our Market Minute Report for the last day in October, 2008. Press the Play button to view the brief real estate video report. Please call or write us if you have any questions or would like more information on buying a home in Vancouver Washington during these uncertain market conditions or, if you would like to know what it really takes to sell your home in this market. Recent Posts: Sunday Tour of Bank Owned Homes in Vancouver WA Why Bank Owned Homes in Vancouver WA are Easier to Buy than Short Sale Homes Flu Season is upon us: Video on How One Local Vancouver WA Family Deals with it! PS - Nob... 11/04/2008

Monday Market Musings  Do you want the truth or do you want me to lie to you? I was seeing a nice little balance of homes coming active and back-on-market, but then, the trend returned to about 2 active for every 1 pending. Now the odd thing is that the snapshots show that the number of active to pending isn't doubling. I'll need to ponder that. Anyways, the ratio of active to pending did increase across most of the price ranges. This was most notable in the 200,000 to 250,000 range. The ratio jumped from 5.2 to 6.1. There's probably a math term for that difference, but I don't know what it is. By comparison, the under 200,000 range changed from 6.0 to 6.2, and the 251,000 to 300,000 range changed from 6.5 to 7.2. My point here is that that 200-250,000 range slowed very much. Might this... 11/03/2008

“What Every Investor Needs to Know About Short Sale Investing During the Summer of 2008”   With the number of foreclosures and short sales on the rise, investors are doing more and more short sales out of need more than desire. The days of numerous sellers with loads of equity seem to be few. As we continue to invest through this declining market cycle, we must pull out our short sale tools, sharpen them and get to work creating equity.   In answering student questions, we find that so many hit the same roadblocks. In this special report, you will learn tips to avoid some of the common pitfalls short sale investors fall into. As you work on short sale transactions, keep your focus on the overall picture – getting to closing.   To help you focus, read the following tips and immediately p... 11/03/2008

Foreclosed and Bank Owned Homes in Vancouver WA Vancouver Washington Sunday Tour of REO properties Did you remember that Daylight Savings Time is over?  Since we had an extra hour today, I searched the multiple listing service for a list to preview and take advantage of this "extra hour".  I found 7 properties to search through and all are REO's (bank owned homes).  We packed up the car, cheat sheets, soda, cards, and keys and headed out for our "Sunday Adventure". The Tree Frog: The first house was off a main street and just under $200K, it was 30 years old with hardwoods, and un-even tile that we kept tripping over.  Apparently whomever installed it didn't know how to level it!  Each bedroom had a different bright color, Cobalt Blue, Lime Green, Sunkist Orange...the bathroom had pink ... 11/02/2008

Umm, Umm, Good Coffee! Beyond Good One of my three most favorite coffee shops in Vancouver, Washington is River Maiden Coffee, at 602 Devine Road, Vancouver  Washington. I was in there today. I'm on cup number two of my journey through their selection of three Ethiopian coffees. I was visiting my friend Stacy. It was her first visit there and I was pleased that she commented on what a comfortable environment it has. The environment is relaxed and that is a great reason to visit, all on it's own. The reason I like going there so much is the coffee. OMG!!! The coffee that comes through their Clover Machine is just extraordinary! So, anyways, I was slightly embarassed that while Stacy was talking to me I took my first sip of the Ethiopian Yerb.....(lots of words and letters in unfamiliar c... 10/31/2008

What They Haven't Told You About Short-Sale Homes vs. Bank Owned Homes The number of homes coming onto the market has increased of late in the Vancouver WA and Camas areas that are in the Bank Owned and Short-Sale categories. We've fielded many inquiries from clients as to what are the differences between purchasing the two types of homes and what is the better deal. (...and YES, there are BIG Differences). Let's start with some of the similarities: in each case the home itself has likely had some exposure to the financial hardship, often causing deferred maintenance issues and perhaps some utility company liens to be present. In the worst cases there may be missing fixtures or other damage(s); for whatever reason, that you'll want to attend to. In both cases these homes are usually sol... 10/31/2008

The Real Estate Market on the National and Local Vancouver Washington Scene has seen improvements in buying activity, availability of loans with a good variety of excellent programs for home shoppers to be applying for. Here's our Market Minute Report for the third week in October, 2008. Press the Play button to view the brief real estate video report. Please call or write us if you have any questions or would like more information on buying a home in Vancouver Washington during these uncertain market conditions or, if you would like to know what it really takes to sell your home in this market. These are the more popular recent searches on our website: Vancouver WA Homes For Sale search has been set up for you to immediately view current listings of homes for sale in Vancouver Washingt... 10/27/2008

$189,900 9112 ne 92nd ave is a 1548sqft home built in 1999 has gas forced air Beautiful house! 3 Bdrm, 2.1 Baths, Living room w/ wood burning FP & Master Suite w/ Gas Fireplace & Walk-in closet. Frm Dining, lmnt flooring, upgraded carpet . GFA & A/C, Security system. Fenced back yard with entertaining sized patio, garden shed .. huge yard beautiful neighborhood priced way way low previos owners paid $260 back in 2006 not a short sale not on the rmls yet .. call me at 360-910-0497 Debbie Salmon At Keller Williams 10/27/2008

Built in 2006, 5 bedroom, 2,258 sq. ft. just about to get new carpet and new -paint ... ..enjoy some sweet equity .... vaulted nice house .. this house is very huge .. there is alot of equity in this house ...3211 e 27th circle call me today for more information Debbie - realtor Keller Williams Realty Premier Partners 360-910-0497 i have many other houses not on the market for below market value if this one doesnt fit you call me and let me 10/27/2008

Monday Market Musings, Vancouver, Washington The ratio of active listings to pending listings is a bit over 7 to 1. This is a slight increase over last week's, and is about what it's been most of the last two months. This ratio is for the whole area (Vancouver north to Salmon Creek and Vancouver east to Washougal). Some neighborhoods and price points have different ratios. For example, half the homes in pending status were priced between $200,000 and $300,000. About 2/5 of the homes in pending status are up the I-5 corridor and east of 205. Is Green Selling? Of the homes that are listed in pending status, about 3.978% have a 'green' attribute. This reflects a proportion about equal to the number of active listings that have that green attribute - 4.5%. I think this statistic is encourag... 10/27/2008

Flu Shot Season - Video Kid braver than Mom! Prior to getting flu shots I use to get bronchitis every year, it was horrible.  It was recommended to me by a pharmacist to have a flu shot to help out with the bronchitis...and in the past 10 years, I have only had bronchitis once...and it was the year I forgot to get a flu shot! Today our son Corbin got his flu shot and wanted me to video it.  The actual video was so short, as the nurse was so fast, I had to slow it down so he could narrate it.  He's one of those "brave" kids that never even flinches when getting shots...doesn't get that from me.  So I let him narrate the video as if I were the patient and how I would react (his idea)...although he went a bit overboard...there's a bit of truth to it.  Just a bit of humor for the day!  He s... 10/25/2008

Come on down to the Felida Farm Store on October 25thfrom 3:00 to 4:30 there'll be some great fun carving Jack 'O Lanterns from the Pumpkins grown on the Felida Farm!  Some other great games and treats are also available!For Mom and Dad make sure you check out the fresh fruits and vegetables still in season and available from the store.  One of our favorites: Fresh Corn on the Cob -- is about at the end of its season.  Get the corn while you can as once its gone, it'll be another 8 or 9 months before it returns!Thanks for supporting our local neighborhood farms and produce stands! _______________________________________________________________________________PS - 2018 -- Sadly, with the rough economic times after this post was originally written the owners of the Farm Store decided to s... 10/25/2008

Built in 2006, 5 bedroom, 2,258 sq. ft. just about to get new carpet and new -paint ... ..enjoy some sweet equity .... vaulted nice house .. this house is very huge .. there is alot of equity in this house ...3211 e 27th circle call me today for more information Debbie - realtor Keller Williams Realty Premier Partners 360-910-0497 i have many other houses not on the market for below market value if this one doesnt fit you call me and let me know what you are looking for 10/24/2008

ranch - fully remodeled. Lifetime roof! Security system. Hardwood throughout. Finished/heated garage. Huge 7500+ sq.ft. lot. Great central location. Washer, dryer, refrig, stove stay .. 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom ... located at 108 se 90th ave .... great area nice lot .. call me if you would like to take a look 360-910-0497 Debbie salmon Keller Williams offered at $169,900 10/24/2008

Great Starter home in great area. Newer Roof, Hardi Plank Sinding, and Vinyl Windows 3 bed 2 bath 14200 SE 16TH CIR,98683 Vaulted Living area w/ pergo floors; 3 BDR 2 FULL BATHS; Potential RV parking; French Doors lead out to a brick patio; Mature Landscape in this fenced back yard 3 bed 2 bath 15807 SE 14TH ST,98683 $189,900 for each full of charm and great oppurtunity for some great equity call me today for more information Debbie - realtor Keller Williams Realty Premier Partners 360-910-0497 i have many other houses not on the market for below market value if this one doesnt fit you call me and let me know what you are looking for 10/24/2008

okay owner is in the middle of this great remodel .. but this house is truely amazing ... it is 4 bedroom ... over 1600 sqft .... has a HUGE HUGE RV parking big enough for a large Semi Truck ... and it is a underground $50k swimming pool with pump house and diving board this pool is `15-20ft deep on one end ... ...... i was shocked when i went out to house and seen all it had to offer .... truely an amazing deal ... .. you can get it before it hits the rmls and is listed for $199,900 ... a great deal ... granite counters, new carpet, paint, and the swimming pool is awesome ... the address is 11017 NE 61ST AV, VANCOUVER, 98686 it is not listed on the rmls ... so call me if you want to take a look .. this is an old picture the house has been painted and there is covered rv parking Debbie ... 10/24/2008

    Enjoy this beautiful ranch style home on an oversized sub divable lot ... 1/3 of an acre all private usuable and flat... this home is newly remodeled with new carpet & paint. Ready for you to move in ... Enjoy this private setting and explore the possibilities with this huge oversized lot. Priced below market for a quick sale so dont pass this one up zoned r1-7.5 can be subdived if you like or just enjoy the nice backyard that is huge .. home is 1200 sq ft 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms fireplace updated nice and ligt& bright .2 car garage with a shop area .. ready for new owners /.\ Priced way below market for a quick sale Call Debbie at 360-910-0497 Keller Williams Realty Premier Partners home is located at 11406 NE 70TH AVE   NICE ranch on a 1/3 of an acre INSTANT EQUITY 10/24/2008

Sale Price $189900 Remodeled with new carpet, flooring and paint New Bathrooms! 3 bedrooms 1 bathroom Granite Counters in both the Kitchen & Bathroom Quarter Acre Lot! Fenced Back yard! New Stainless Steel Appliances Original Hardwood Floors 2182 square feet Call for private showing Debbie Salmon 360-910-0497 Keller Williams Premier Partners MLS#8089066 2417 McLoughlin 10/24/2008

House features 4 bedrms 2 bathrms vinyl windows, raised 6 panel doors, new roof situated on a 1/4 acre lot... The best part is it has a one bedrm studio in the back that has its own bathroom and kitchen! Great for your guests or family members! main house is 1236sqft and the little guest house is about 600 sqft maybe a little larger ... ranch home with rv parking side gate opens to nice private backyard and deck This house features granite counters new paint, carpet, and lighting a great deal ... two houses for one price of $189,900 These prices are offered to buyers without realtors if you have a realtor then realtor fees will be added to price... This house is located in the orchards 5 corners area 7914 ne 103rd ave , 98662... Let me know if you want to take a look Thank you Debbie Sa... 10/24/2008