We came across the greatest gadget at Costco (our best friend!).  It's called Neat Receipts®.  It's a lightweight, portable scanner that helps you scan, read and organize documents, business cards and (best of all) receipts.  It will even help you easily organize your receipts by tax form and export to Excel®, Quicken®, Quickbooks®, TurboTax® and other similar software programs.Suggested Business Uses:Expense ReportsInvoicesBusiness CardsReceiptsFaxesContractsSuggested Home Uses:TaxesBudgetsReceiptsWarrantiesPersonal DocumentsChildren's ArtworkWhen we first saw this at Costco, we were skeptical.  We have used other image recognition tools / software and not been please with the results.  We bought it, though, and we're glad we did.  It is easy to install, easy to use, and is savin... 04/16/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98665 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver, WA in the 98665 Zipcode. These are the subdivisions starting with A-M.  Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....Avalon |Avalon Condos |Avalon Court |Barberton |Beckridge |Browns Manor |Buckman Garden |Canyon Crest |Castle Grande |Cedar Place |Cindy's Parkview |Colwood |Continental |East Hazel Dell |Fairfield |Fairfield Park |Fieldstone Ridge |Forest Creek |Gaiser Hazel Dell |Gaiser Ridge |Hazel Dell The Timbers |Hazel Dell Heights Estates |Hazel Dell Park |Hazel Dell Minnehaha |Hazel Ridge |Hazeldell |Heritage Meadows |Isaac Bell |Ivy Glen |Jason Lee Lakeshore Area |Kennedy Estates |Kramers Place |Lakeshore |Lakeshore Hills |Lakeshore Holly Lane |Lakeview Estate... 04/16/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98664 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver, WA in the 98663 Zipcode. Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....Al Mi Court |Allwood |Allwood Estates |Andesen Highland |Belmont Place Condos |Bennette Estates |Burton |Burton Ridge |Burton Steppes |Cedar Heights |Cedar Heights Condo |Cedarbrook |Columbia Ridge |Conifer |East Heights |Ellsworth |Ellsworth On The Park |Ellsworth Springs |Ellsworth Terrace |Evergreen |Fellmans |Fieldstone Crossings |Fircrest |Forest Ridge |Foxcroft |Green Acres |Heights |Hidden Village |Kristine Point |Lieser |Lieser Crest |Lieser Louis |Mcloughlin Heights |Meadowbrook |Mill Plain |Old Evergreen |Shannon Estates |Sheldon Estates |Tanglewood |The Crossing |Vancouver Heights |Viewc... 04/15/2008

Vancouver WA Real Estate For Sale | West Area Market Report for March 2008 This month has 30 more Vancouver WA homes for sale in the active category, and the average days on the market has decreased to 103 days. For the listings that are agreeing to offers the average time on the market is now 94 days -- an increase of 15 days from the prior month. For 2008 year-to-date the Vancouver Washington MLS data is showing the Average home Selling Price for these Vancouver areas ranging from: $167,200 to $430,000; and the Median Selling Price ranging from: $165,000 to $250,000. The Clark County - wide Average Home Selling Price is: $294,600; while the Median Selling Price is: $247,400. This report is a simple tabulation of Vancouver Washington homes in the real estate data base for the West are ... 04/14/2008

Vancouver WA Real Estate | Cascade Park; Fishers Landing Market Report for March 2008 This month has 53 more Vancouver WA Homes For Sale in the active category, and the average days on the market crept up to 108 days. For the listings that are agreeing to offers the average time on the market is about 85 days, which is 10 more days than last month. The number of Pending sales has gone from 176 to 151. For March year-to-date the MLS data is showing the Average home Selling Price for these Vancouver areas ranging from: $220,700 to $425,300; and the Median Selling Price ranging from: $205,000 to $301,300. The Clark County - wide Average Home Selling Price is: $294,600; while the Median Selling Price is: $247,400. This report is a simple tabulation of Vancouver Washington homes in the real ... 04/14/2008

Vancouver WA Real Estate For Sale | Salmon Creek, Felida and Hazel Dell Market Report for March 2008 This month has 61 more Homes For Sale in Vancouver WA in the active category, and the average days on the market is now about 99 days -- 9 days more than last month. This month we have 76 homes Pending -- 13 fewer than last month. For March year-to-date the RMLS data is showing the Average home Selling Price for the Felida, Salmon Creek & Salmon Creek areas ranging from: $260,000 to $425,600; and the Median Selling Price ranging from: $260,000 to $392,500. The Clark County - wide Average Home Selling Price is: $294,600; while the Median Selling Price is: $247,400. This report is a simple tabulation of Vancouver Washington homes in the real estate data base for the Salmon Creek, Felida an... 04/14/2008

Here are some of the events coming up this week in the Vancouver WA / Clark County area:  April 17 - 25: Magenta Theater's "Once Upon A Palace Purple" (7:00p / Matinee on April 26 at 3:00p) Queen Violet & King Percival rule happily over the Purple Kingdom.  Violet fears that she'll never get her four "unusual" daughters married to suitable princes.  Meanwhile in the Red Kingdom, Queen Scandalous & King Uberoff have to trouble finding eligible bachelors for their gorgeous daughters.  A plotting Prime Minister and an unscrupulous manservant stir up trouble with potions and an eclectic bath of princes.  But no one is prepared for the intervention of an unconventional Fairy Godmother!  Suitable for all ages over 4. Location: First Baptist Church - 108 W 27th St, Vancouver April 19: Earth Da... 04/14/2008

30 years ago ...Jimmy Carter was President of the United StatesAverage cost of a new house was $54,800Average income per year was $17,000Average monthly rent was $260Cost of a gallon of gas was 63 cents1 pound of bacon cost $1.20A dozen eggs cost 48 cents30 years ago ...Popular films includedGreaseSaturday Night FeverClose Encounters of the Third KindNational Lampoon's Animal HouseJaws 2Heaven Can WaitStar Wars Episode IV: A New HopeRevenge of the Pink PantherThe Deer Hunter30 years ago ...Popular Musicians includedBee GeesPaul McCartney and WingsJohn Travolta and Olivia Newton-JohnRolling StonesCommodoresBoomtown Rats30 years ago ...Popular TV Programs in 1978 includedHappy DaysLittle House on the PrairieThe Rockford FilesGood Morning AmericaWheel of FortuneCharlie's AngelsThe Muppet S... 04/14/2008

It's a sunny Saturday morning in beautiful downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver Farmers Market is getting into full swing.  The market is alive with area residents and visitors in search of fresh floral arrangements, herbs, fruits and vegetables, as well as handcrafted items to add a special touch to their own homes or to give as unique and memorable gifts. Some of the specialty items available this week include ornamental metal/iron work, lawn ornaments, outdoor benches and furniture, handmade children's clothing, handcrafted purses, and a variety of pet items & treats. Other items include homemade jams & jellies, nuts, handmade soaps, washable tote bags and a variety of other items. And, of course, there's the ever-popular food area with a variety of foods from around the world prepar... 04/12/2008

You may know that we bought an old church back in November 2006 and have been working since then to renovate it into our home.  We've focused most of our efforts so far on improving the inside of the home.  We're probably about 90% done with the interior.  As we come into Spring, we're starting to turn our attention to the outside. One of the projects we did late last year was removing 2 concrete pads, about 40 feet of retaining wall, and more than 100 feet of sidewalk.  What we were left with was tons (literally) of broken concrete.  In an effort to save our backs (and avoid costly disposal fees!), we thought we'd try giving the concrete away for free by posting it to Craigslist.  Surprisingly, we've been getting some takers.  So far, we've been able to get rid of about 3/4 of our conc... 04/11/2008

I recently did some research on single level homes here in beautiful Vancouver, WA.  What I found was really interesting.  There are roughly 4,300 homes for sale right now in Clark County.  Out of those, only 24 homes are single level with a 3 car garage.  With so many people at an age where they really don't want to travel up and down stairs any more, why haven't builders figured out there is a need for this type of home?Let's look at the factors at work here:The county determines lot sizes based on zoning.  With the Urban growth boundaries builders are forced into high density sites. Lots have gotten to be so expensive that in order to make any kind of profit, a builder needs to build a larger square footage home.  This is what leads most builders to have to build up instead of out.  ... 04/09/2008

Private timeshare owner has too many weeks in 2008! Here's what we have available for rent: 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom Resort Suite (sleeps 6) The Fountains in Orlando Week of May 23 - 30, 2008 - $795. Patty & Scott Carroll | scottcarroll@sellingclarkcounty.com | (360) 213-4228/(360) 314-5592 12400 S International Drive, Orlando, FL The Fountains Resort - 2 BD / 2 BA - May 2008 Furnished 2 Bdrm Vacation Condo $795/week Sq Footage 1,190 Parking Unspecified DESCRIPTION Private timeshare owner has too many weeks in 2008! Here's what we have available for rent: 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom Resort Suite (sleeps 6) The Fountains in Orlando Week of May 23 - 30, 2008 available for $795. Get property details and pictures at: http://www.bluegreenonline.com/explore/resortDetail.aspx?ResortID=14 see addition... 04/09/2008

You gotta love Costco.  Free Samples ... Lunch for $1.50 ... now Cash Back on Gas Purchases! With the current cost of gas and the number of miles real estate agents drive, we thought we would share information about a program we just recently discovered at Costco.  It's designed specifically for Business Owners and is called TrueEarnings Business card from Costco and American Express.  There is no annual fee with your paid Costco membership and you earn 1-5% back on your purchases (see below).Card Overview:No annual fee with your paid Costco membership.No limit to the cash back you can earn.Flexibility to pay in full or over timeCash Back Rewards include:5% Cash Back for Buying Automobile Gasoline - anywhere not just Costco3% Cash Back When You Dine Out2% Cash Back When You Travel1% Cas... 04/09/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98663 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver, WA in the 98663 Zipcode. Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....Arnada |Arnada Park |Burntbridge Crest |Downtown |East Vancouver |High Creek Estates |Home Acres |Homecrest |Lays |Lincoln |Minnehaha |Mundays |North Lake |Northcoast Heights |Northwest |Odyssey Acres |Park View Estates |Rose Village |Rosemere |Rowleys |Shumway |Upper Lincoln |Uptown Vancouver |Uptown Village |Vancouver Heights |Vintage Village |West Hazel Dell |West Minnehaha | Also if anybody knows any good places to get a comprehensive list of subdivisions for Vancouver, WA or any / all cities for our Vancouver WA Realty Website, I would appreciate it...Additional Zipcodes for Vancouver, WA: 986... 04/08/2008

Here are some of the events coming up this week:  April 12: Healthy Kids Day (10:00a - 2:00p) Enjoy under water Easter egg hunt, obstacle courses, crafts, family games, vendors and demonstrations. Location: Clark County YMCA - 11324 NE 51st Cir, Vancouver April 12 & 13: Vancouver Farmers Market (Saturday, 9:00a - 3:00p/Sunday, 10:00a - 3:00p) Family, pet-friendly place to spend the day right across the street from Esther Short Park.  Get fresh produce, plants & flowers, baked goods, delicious food, unique accessories and lots more. Location: 8th & Esther St, Vancouver April 13: Senior Connections Expo (11:00a - 4:00p) Senior Expo with exciting services, ideas and resources will be available for active, healthy and independent senior lifestyles.  With over 125 exhibitors, free health scr... 04/07/2008

Dogs are the greatest.  They are always excited to see us, they love us unconditionally, and they are an endless source of entertainment and amusement.  But what do you do when you go to work and/or have to be away from the house for hours at a time?  We've found the answer: Happy Puppy Park! Owned by Brenda Anderson and Robin Curry, the Happy Puppy Park® offers a place to bring your dog for a fun-filled day of socializing with other dogs, running through a field without a leash, playing in a pool of water, and other general fun lovin' dog stuff. For a small fee, the Happy Puppy Park® will 'dog-sit' your dog and give it the love and attention you can't give it while at work. You don't have to leave your dog outside, alone, and scared for 10 hours a day anymore!!!! The facility is truly ... 04/07/2008

We came across a great restaurant this morning in the Fishers Landing area of Vancouver.  It's called Artino's Bakery & Cafe and is conveniently located near the intersection of SE 192nd Ave & SE 34th St.  They have a great selection of breads, pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches to eat in their restaurant.  They have a very nice catering menu that includes box lunches, gourmet meals for buiness functions / special events, as well as after hours in-house catering options.  They even make wedding cakes! We tried their mocha and cinnamon scone and enjoyed both of them very much.  The things that struck us about Artino's were the variety of foods made fresh in their restaurant, the quality of the products, and the friendly, personalized service. The History of Artino's In 1952, Helen (A... 04/07/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98662 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver, WA in the 98662 Zipcode. These are the zip codes starting with the letters M-Z.  Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....Leilani Lane |Mall Oaks Condominium Unit F 2 |Mall Vista |Meadow Estates |Meadowcharm |Merritts Hideaway |Morgan Fields |Neston Square |Newton |North Pointe |Oak Leaf |Oak Leaf Terrace |Oakbrook |Oakhurst |Ogden |Orchard Crest |Orchard Highlands |Orchards |Orchards Highland |Prairie Estates |Prairie Park Pud |Raymond Place |Royal Highlands |Royal Oaks |Samielle |Sammies Meadows |Serena Estates |Shenandoah Townhomes |Sierra Vista |Silver Star |Silver Star Estates |Starlite Acres |Summit Spring |Sunnyside |Sunset Meadows |Sunset Oaks |Sunset Str... 04/07/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98662 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver, WA in the 98662 Zipcode. These are the zip codes starting with the letters A-L.  Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....Alder Glen |Amhurst Commons |Ash Subdivison |Belle Ridge |Belmont Place |Beverly Park |Biltmore Place |Blakesfield |Bold Estates |Brush Prairie |Cedar |Claremont Crest |Columbia Ridge | Corners Meadows |Cotters Grove |Country Meadows |Courtyard Gardens |Edgewood |Evergreen |Falcons Landing |Five Corners |Forest Meadow Estates |Forest Meadows |Fruitlawn |Garden Terrace |Green Meadows |Harmicida |Harmony Ln. |Highland Village |Hunters Glen |Jones Corner |Julia'S Garden |Laurelwood |Leilani LaneAlso if anybody knows any good places to get a compr... 04/07/2008

Vancouver, WA Subdivisions 98661 Zip CodeI have been working on a list of real estate subdivisions for Vancouver WA in the 98661 Zipcode. These are the zip codes starting with the letters J-Z.  Please let me know if I have missed any good ones....|Karyssas Place |Kendalls Court |Kings Gate |Meadow Homes |Meadow Terrace Rep |Meadowglen |Meriwether Condo |Minnehaha |New Homes In Lincoln Area |Northwynd |Northwynd Condos |Orchards Place |Park Terrace |Parkview Village |Peach Tree Meadows |Peach Tree Vista |River View |Riverview |Riverview Heights |Road's End Farm Estates |Robeck Acres |Rose Village |Shore Wood West |Shorewood East |Shorewood West |Southcliff |St. Joseph's |Stonewall Townhomes |The Cottages |Thorton Springs |Tidewater Cove |Van Mall |Walnu Grove |Waunna Vista |Westfield Par... 04/06/2008