10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership1. Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.2. Develop a wish list of what you'd like your home to have. Then prioritize the features on your list.3. Select three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.4. Determine if you have enough saved to cover your downpayment and closing costs. Closing costs, including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees average between 2 percent and 7 percent of the home price.5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.6. Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for. Also explore different loans options and d... 03/14/2007

SOLDNew Construction in Vancouver9112 NE 81st Loop, Vancouver WA Asking Price: $263,500Property DetailsBeds 3Baths 2.50Stories 2SQFT 1750Covered Parking 2Year Built 2006MLS Number 6105403DescriptionNEW Home offered by Rockford Homes. 3 bed 2.5 bath plus Den Home yours; Upgrades throughout include: Hickory Cabinets, upgraded hardware, AC ready, vaulted master suite, laundry upstairs and a fully fenced landscaped yard w/ sprinkelers. Builders warrenty and GREAT Builder incentives Start your VANCOUVER NEW CONSTRUCTION Home Search HEREThis one has SOLD,  but we have more! 03/11/2007

Have you ever wished that you could get straight up advise about purchasing a home?  Washington state offers just such a class and taking the class meets one requirement for getting a home loan from the Washington State House Key program.  That program offers borrowers who have not owned a home in the last three years a thirty year fixed interest rate that is often about a point lower than the regular market.Find out more about the house key program and check their current rates here!The best news for you!  Lynn Posselt from Eagle Home Mortgage and I are not allowed to sell our services in the class.  You can request more information about us, and we want to assist you in getting the perfect home but we are not allowed to solicit your business while teaching.That means that the quality ... 02/13/2007

I think many sellers find the advice they get regarding preparing their home for sale confusing.  Some agents will tell you to just leave your home as it is, and some seem to tell you that you must put in a completely new kitchen if you have any hope at all of selling your home.  Well I hope that I am not here to add to the confusion.  My hope here is to give you as a seller a framework from which you can make your own decisions about how to improve the positive feedback on your showings.  If you have read the first two articles in this series you might have some idea of what I am about to say. (Article 1, Article 2)  In the first article, I argued that the only reliable way to price your home is to compare it to other similar homes which have already closed, not to homes currently on t... 02/09/2007

I am a local Real Estate agent and I provide full personalized customer service to both buyers and sellers located in Vancouver and Clark County Washington.  I am a REALTOR that specializes in technology based, internet mass marketing for my clients.  As a Real Estate technology marketing expert, 100% of my listing have the highest quality, maximum number of descriptive pictures and virtual tours.  Combining traditional advertising with high technology based web marketing, provides my clients with the competitive advantage to get their home seen on over 80% of the Real Estate websites in the entire United States!  As a life long local resident of Clark County I know every area and also stay on top of all the best values the market will bear for my buyers.  I go the extra mile because th... 01/29/2007

Here's a great article by a local marketing coach who will be the guest speaker at the Young Professionals of Vancouver's 1st "Breakfast of Champions" networking seminar in March.  Details will be posted on the website soon. Marketing Brand YOU:How to Set Yourself Apart from the CrowdBy Veronika (Ronnie) Noize, the Marketing Coach Looking for a gig as an employee or a contractor these days requires more than just an error-free resume or a killer project list; you need to establish a personal brand to set yourself apart from the crowded marketplace of others who have the same or similar qualifications.What is personal branding? Personal branding is the way you clarify and communicate what is special about you, so that you don't have to talk so hard (or hope for the right question) to exp... 01/21/2007

In my first post on selling your home in a buyer's market I examined three different pricing strategies I have been taught over my career as a REALTOR®.  I argued that the one reliable strategy for pricing a home is to find comparable homes which have already sold and base your pricing upon these comps.  If you didn't get a chance to see that article you can find it here.In this post I have two points which I want to make in relationship to location and selling your home in a Buyer's market.  First, your improvements must be in line with your neighborhood if you expect to get full value for them.  Second, your neighborhood may not earn you extra money in a buyer's market but it still adds value to your property.  Let me begin writing about improvements with an obvious example.  A granit... 01/16/2007

There are all sorts of methods for pricing a home and they all work during a boom market.  But not now.....Now it is time to find out which methods for pricing actually attract buyers, which actually attract listings and which are just plain funny.  I have heard at least three different ways to price homes and I like one of them because it works.  It has never failed me in selling a home or piece of land when the seller has been willing to take my advice about price.Method Number 1:  Pricing for a Dark AgeOne popular method listing agents use to generate a price for your home is to price your home based upon where your current active competition has priced their homes.  I first heard of this method in a class taught by a very old school agent who was retired but still teaching the state... 01/10/2007

Well after sitting on the sidelines all summer the first time buyers are back in the Vancouver Washington real estate market.  Suddenly they have been coming out of the woodwork this fall.  I have seen several multiple offer situations in the starter home market and the best priced starter homes seem to be disappearing quite quickly.  Sometimes they are disappearing within a month of being on the market.  Considering that the average time on market right now in our are is over 70 days, this is quite fast.  Beyond this, both the lenders I know and the other agents I know who work with first time buyers are saying that they are quite busy.What does this mean for prospective buyers?  Well some of the leverage they had with sellers early in the fall seems to be disappearing this winter.  I ... 01/07/2007

Washington State offers qualified first time home buyers a great deal on their mortgage. Their current rates are between 5.375 and 5.875 on a 30 year fixed mortgage. They offer zero down home assistance programs allowing you to get into a home for right around 1000 dollars. In order to qualify for these rates you need to take a first time buyers class. It will be held on January 20th from 8 AM to 1 PM. If you are interested in learning more about the house key program you can go to http://www.wshfc.org/buyers/key.htm and to sign up for the class call me. (Erik Wecks - Windermere Real Estate/Stellar Group) at 360-624-3674. Erik Wecks Providing the information you need to make great decisions http://erikwecks.com/ 01/06/2007

It was reported, mid year, that the housing market in SW Washington cooled about 28% as compared to 2005.  One would expect to see something similar in the amount of inspections performed.  However, it seems that this is largely dependent on what home inspection firm you are referring to.We know Realtors that are busier this year than they were last year, but these are well established Realtors.  The same is true with our own Company, Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC based out of Vancouver, Washington and Puyallup.  Compared to a year ago, we are not down 28% but up almost 12%--not counting the addition of any new inspectors that have joined the Company.While it seems logical that some inspectors are bearing the brunt of the cooling market, it appears that the cooling market had actually... 12/21/2006

Integrity first!  Service before self!  Excellence in all I do!  I'm a 24 year USAF Veteran w/experience in sales, contract negotiation, and marketing strategies.  Global Sales & AIDA Certified, Occupational Instructor Certified, MBA, BS, TS-BI/NAC.   On arrival to Vancouver Washington my family and I did not find government leased housing acceptable, so we built our own home and then decided to do something to help the other service members detached from their bases.  We started buying nice new homes under 5 years old and leasing them to the local military troops.  Since my retirement and needless to say with four children and a huge cut in my income I needed to do somthing, I knew I liked real estate and helping other families.  I decided as an agent I could do both and that would kee... 12/17/2006

HOME BUYERS. If you thinking of buyer your first home, upgrading to a larger home or downsizing to a smaller home, now is the time to start looking. With todays market value at a all time low, and interest rates still affordable, this is YOUR time to make a wise investment.HOME SELLERS. I understand your still trying to make as much as you can on your existing home. Todays market is changing on a daily basis. When selling your home, make sure your agent is keeping you aware of the trends the market is dictating. I see a lot of homes expiring from their listing, meaning the listing period has come to the end of their contract. This happened due to a number of things. Make sure your home is advertised with the most current market value, and not the inflated price you think your home is wo... 12/14/2006

HOME BUYERS. If you thinking of buyer your first home, upgrading to a larger home or downsizing to a smaller home, now is the time to start looking. With todays market value at a all time low, and interest rates still affordable, this is YOUR time to make a wise investment.HOME SELLERS. I understand your still trying to make as much as you can on your existing home. Todays market is changing on a daily basis. When selling your home, make sure your agent is keeping you aware of the trends the market is dictating. I see a lot of homes expiring from their listing, meaning the listing period has come to the end of their contract. This happened due to a number of things. Make sure your home is advertised with the most current market value, and not the inflated price you think your home is wo... 12/14/2006

Walkways and Driveway In theory, concrete is poured over undisturbed earth, but when a house is built the driveway and walkway areas are often filled after the foundations are constructed. Driveways and walkways are frequently cracked and vulnerable to settlement. Patching is generally cosmetically unacceptable. Hence most contractors encourage replacement of badly settled sections. The most prudent property owner will strive to eliminate trip hazards, particularly in areas guests will use. 11/27/2006

Real Estate Stagers..here's an idea you may not have thought of.Our fields are so closely entwined. It seems a natural "package" for a stager and virtual tour provider to get together and offer a package for professional offices, medical offices, -- gosh, the list just goes on and on.Both fields are (as far as I know) almost exclusively specific to real estate...but both can just as easily help businesses attract more customers.The facility would be staged, then a virtual tour done, then "unstaged." I attempted to talk to a Stager in my area but she blew me off, never called me back. If you think the idea has merit, I'll continue to look for someone in my area. Dawn Shaffer, http://www.allaboutvirtualtours.com/ 11/14/2006

3 of the last 8 Homes I have inspected had some type of problem with moisture.  So I thought I would pass this along.  Checked your Sump Pump lately? Sump Pump importance  • When was the last time you checked your sump pump for proper operation? • Notice any foundation cracks around your home?  Ever make the connection that your sump pump may be the cause of this cracking?  Moisture control in the home Rule #1 - Water is the enemy of a home. Rule #2 – As a homeowner, your maintenance checklist should include checking the key items that ensure all surface and sub-surface water is directed away from the home. Surface Water Control Gutters & Downspout • Ensure no obstructions in gutters and ensure downspouts push out away from home. Lot Grading • Ensure landscaping does not slope back towa... 10/11/2006

If you are in the process of selling a home, the chances are that sooner or later you will have the home inspected by a professional home inspector. Here is a checklist to make life easier.• If the house is vacant make sure that all the utilities (gas, electrical power and water) are on. In most cases, this is a requirement of the real estate contract.• If you have a pet, they should be removed from the house during the inspection. It may seem funny to you, but some people are afraid of even the friendliest dog.• Make sure that all furniture  or stored personal items are not in front of electrical panel boxes, furnaces and water heaters. The inspector needs to get close to these appliances both to operate them and to read label plates that contain manufacturing dates and sizes.• Remove ... 10/08/2006

 Recalled systems: electrical panels, wall heaters, etc.Wood boring pests: which could lead to costly infestation.Incorrect installations: which may eventually need repair or fail completely: roof, floor structure, ceiling structure, etc.Improper insulation and ventilation leading to heat loss and/or wood rot.Improper or ungrounded electrical issues which could cause fire or electrocution.Drainage problems which could lead to mold and pests or even lead to an unstable structure.Improper venting of fireplaces and fuel burning appliances which could lead to air pollutants, illness, possibly fire.There are many issues that home inspectors are trained to look for. Even newer homes can have serious issues.If you have any questions, Please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer an... 10/05/2006

What is a "Home Inspection"?  A Home Inspection is defined as: "...A visual examination of any or all of the readily accessible physical real property and improvements to real properly consisting of four or fewer dwelling units, including structural, lot drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and such other areas of concern as are specified in writing to determine if performance is as intended." Why do I need an inspection? There are several good reasons to get a home inspection. A home purchase is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Before investing so much money in a home, having an impartial third party take a look at it may help protect you from making an unwise decision and possible major expenses in the future. It is not wise to gamble ... 10/03/2006