10/14/2019

Disaster Preparedness Month 2019 - Preparing with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction Part 3 - Earthquakes and The Big OneAs our final post on this month's series on Disaster Preparedness the topic of damaging Earthquakes and The Big One will be discussed, and to see if the ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) style of home (or commercial building) construction will help in preparation for this type of disaster. Background on the Earthquake Risk for Vancouver WA and Clark County WA - Although we don't have the reputation of California or Alaska for earthquakes, this natural activity is very much a part of our geology and history. In the past 150 years the Portland area is the most active earthquake area of the state of Oregon. We had a 5.2 earthquake in 1962 (did you feel that one - I... 10/10/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos Continue with Slower Sales for August 2019. Unit sales came in significantly lower than last year's tally; with the Average Sales Price also falling. Here are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) declined again, down  almost $18k from last year to $260,409 which is -6.45% compared to the prior August; with the 12-Month Moving Average is up 4.57% from the prior year;     53 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is 10 fewer units sold (-15.9%) than in August 2018, and 3 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 1 (1.6% of total) in August 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. The Inve... 09/25/2019

Real Estate Sales came in Strong for Vancouver WA in August 2019, with Prices Setting another New High. Late Summer Real Estate Sales in Vancouver WA came in quite strong, with the another strong unit-sales posting. Here are the highlights for this month: 461 Residential Resale Properties closed this month, which is 27 more (6.2%) than this month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line edged to another new high at $377,063, with a year-over-year gain of 4.08% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 5.44%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.2% of total); down from 2 in August 2018 (0.46% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.4% of total); compared to 4 unit in August 2018 (0.9% of total).  The Active Inventory for Resale Residential... 09/17/2019

Disaster Preparedness Month 2019 - Preparing with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction Part 1 - Wind Powered DisastersSeptember is the month of the year designated as Disaster Preparedness to prompt us as individuals and communities to focus on this topic, and the elements that may be particularly relevant to where we live. As a real estate related website, we won't start at a high level on the need for preparations, as there are several excellent information sources for that, and links for some of them will be provided below in a Resources section. That said, there are a few natural causes for disasters that our region can and should prepare for: Wind Storms; Earthquakes and Fire; which we'll cover in a brief series. Using ICF in the construction of homes and businesses building... 09/10/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos See Slowing of Sales for July 2019. This month we see Unit sales quite a bit lower than last year's mark; with the Average Sales Price in negative territory as well. Here are the key points for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) has reversed course from its typical seasonal move, and declined almost $13k to $268,813 which is down -4.06% over the prior July; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 5.81% from the prior year;     54 Resale Condominiums were sold in July, which is 10 fewer units sold (-15.6%) than in July 2018, and 2 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 0 (0% of total) in July 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no chang... 08/20/2019

Vancouver WA Home Sales for July 2019 almost matched last year's level, with Prices Hitting a New High. Hitting the middle of Summer Vancouver WA Home Sales look reasonably strong, bolstered by falling home loan interest rates. Here are the key points for this month: 461 Residential Resale Properties closed this month, which is 14 Fewer (-2.95%) than this same month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line hit another new high at $376,618, with a year-over-year gain of 4.12% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 5.37%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.21% of total); down from 2 in July 2018 (0.42% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 0 units (0% of total); compared to 1 unit in July 2018 (0.21% of total).  The Active Inventory for Resale ... 08/14/2019

08/08/2019

A Mid-Year 2019 Home Purchase is 5%+ More Affordable than Last Year in Vancouver WA! As we move into the second half of 2019, it is important to report that at least Two Changes have taken place that affect the Affordability* of a home purchase in Vancouver and Clark County Washington. The perhaps biggest change is the greatly lower home loan (mortgage) interest rates that we have this year. The graphic below shows the current interest rate for the 30 year home loan is now well below 4.0%!!!    Home Financing Rates are Way Down For Mid-Year 2019 Last year at this time the interest rate was over 4.5% which is significantly higher than today's level, and this now-lower level has made a substantial positive impact on Affordability by lowering financing costs.  The second important factor ... 07/17/2019

 Vancouver WA Condo Sales Warming Up for June 2019. Unit sales are the highest we've seen this year but, the volume is 5%+ units behind last year at this time. Below are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) continued its seasonal up-tick and is now at $276,256 which is up 4.69% over the prior June; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 11.5% from the prior year;     52 Resale Condominiums were sold in June, which is 5 fewer units sold (-8.77%) in June 2018, and 5 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 2 (3.5% of total) in June 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. The increase to Inventory moved up 0... 07/10/2019

Home Sales for Vancouver WA Picked up the Pace, with Prices Moving Up in June 2019 With half the year behind us Home Sales in Vancouver WA improved the unit-sales and producing a new high for closed sales. These are the highlights for this month: 426 Residential Resale Properties closed this month, which is 13 Fewer (-2.96%) than the same month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line is moving upwards and hit another new high, with a year-over-year gain of 3.17% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 5.96%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 2 in June 2018 (0.45% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.47% of total); compared to 4 units in June 2018 (0.91% of total).  The Active Inventory for Resale Residential... 07/09/2019

 Condo Sales Looking for Stability in Vancouver WA for May 2019. Unit sales are down from the same month last year but, the volume has been high enough to keep the long-term trend level. Here are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) continued its seasonal up-tick and is now at $273,880 which is up 2.86% over the prior May; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 12.32% from the prior year;     47 Resale Condominiums were sold in May, which is 7 fewer units sold (-12.96%) in May 2018, and 1 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in May 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. The incre... 06/27/2019

Real Estate Sales for Vancouver WA Remain at a Slower Pace, with Prices Up Slightly in May 2019 Five months into this year we see Real Estate Sales in Vancouver WA are showing a new price-high, with a continued slower sales pace for pre-owned residential properties. Here key points for this month: 370 Residential Resale Properties were sold this month, which is 37 Fewer (-9.1%) than the same month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line is moving upwards and actual hit a new high for this element, while showing a year-to-year gain of only 1.7% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 6.6%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.27% of total); down from 4 in May 2018 (0.98% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.54% of total); compared to... 06/10/2019

Click here to see ALL photos $399,000 3015 SE 156th Ave Vancouver, WA  98683 3 beds 2 full, 1 partial baths 2,221 sq ftMLS #: 19476008   Single Family Home You'll feel right at home in this fantastic 55+ golf community. Plenty of room for entertaining & your overnight guests. Bright & Open kitchen with easily accessible storage, pantry, island, counter space & all appliances stay. Master suite has slider to back yard, large closet, double sinks, shower & jet tub. Two large bedrooms upstairs, one with amazing view from attached sun room. Ample storage. Close to Shops & 20 minutes to PDX. Property Features Property Type: Single Family Home Sub Type: Single Family Residence Listing Status: Active County/Area: Clark County Zip Code: 98683 Year Built: 1990 Elementary School: Riverview Middle... 05/24/2019

Mixed Results for Condo Sales for April 2019 in Vancouver WA. Unlike the sluggish sales last month we see a much better number of closed sales. These are the key points for this month's report: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) finally rose this month and is now at $264,126 which is up a mere 1.81% over the prior April; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 13.09% from the prior year;     46 Resale Condominiums were sold in April, which is 1 more units sold (2.2%) than in April 2018, and 2 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 1 (2.2% of total) in April 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. Inventory continued moving up adding... 05/21/2019

Home Sales Prices are Clearly Weakening; with Unit-Sales Slowing for Vancouver WA in April 2019 With four months into this year the data for Home Sales in Vancouver WA is showing softer prices, and a slower sales pace for pre-owned homes. Here highlights for this month: 481 Resale Homes were sold this month, which is only 1 less (-0.2%) than the same month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line is now moving upwards but is still below the long-term trend, while showing a year-to-year gain of only 1.99% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 7.02%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 unit (0% of total); no change from 0 in April 2018 (0% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 5 units (1.04% of total); compared to 4 units in April 2018 (0.83% of total).... 05/13/2019

Retiring and Moving to Vancouver and Southwest Washington is on the Radar of Many Looking for Better:        Early May 2019 Weather in Southwest Washington Climate!: The Winter of 2018/2019 saw many challenges in most of the USA, with fierce Snow Storms; Wind Storms, Hail Storms; and then the tremendous flooding in the mid-West. In contrast, Vancouver and Southwest Washington saw just a few weak snow events, leaving from a trace to just a couple of inches that quickly melted away - even though we are located at a latitude slightly more to the North than that of Minneapolis-St. Paul! Of course we are known as a "Gray Capitol" for good reason - the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean ensures we have skies that are often filled with clouds, with milder temperatures at the ground-level. B... 05/03/2019

05/03/2019

Condo Sales Improve this Month for Vancouver WA! Unlike the sluggish sales last month we see a much better number of closed sales. These are the key points for this month's report: Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) fell again (but not as much) and are now down to $249,617 which is up a scant 0.85% over the prior March; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 15.08% from the prior year;     44 Resale Condominiums were sold in March, which is 5 more units sold (12.8%) than in March 2018, and 15 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in March 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. Inventory moved up 0.3 months to a s... 04/26/2019

Prices Ease Slightly, while Unit-Sales Warm Modestly in March for Real Estate in Vancouver WA We are clearly seeing a slower start to this year's real estate market "season" with unit-sales slightly lower, and average prices actually falling slightly this month! Here are some key points for Vancouver WA Real Estate Sales this month: 333 Resale Homes were sold this month, which is 20 fewer (-5.7%) than the same month in 2018.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line is still in a downward move although not too steep, and showing a year-to-year gain of only 3.06% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 7.85%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 unit (0.3% of total); down from 3 in March 2018 (0.8% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.6% of total); compar... 04/18/2019