I have live in Vancouver my whole life, so I may be a little swayed.  The summers here are great.  I have not been anywhere else where the weather is sunny all day and still cool enough to do activities outside.  I have spent many summers mountain bike, river rafting, water skiing or picnics with your family under huge evergreen trees.  Within few short hour drive you can be at the ocean walking along the beach.   Or if you want, within a few hours you can be skiing in mountains.  How can you beat that.  If you would like more information about what Vancouver feel free to contact use.The "J" Team- http://www.liveinclarkcounty.com 04/13/2007

It seem to me that the news always loves to push negative.  They love to put a spin on everything to make it more exciting to increase their rating.  From what our team have seen, is we are back to a normal market.  I have seen many owners and agents thinking the housing market is crashing.  This is simple not true!  What has happened is you can no long just put a sign in a yard, make up a price and buyer will line up.  We take the time to do the research on your home, give you feedback and then make sure your home is seen by everywhere.  That is way we sell 95% of the homes we put on the market.  Of course, we have not gotten every listing presentation we have gone on.  The interesting part is all of the homes the people choose not to take our advice and put there house up for sale wit... 04/13/2007

I have seen a lot of new agents working 12 hour days 7 days a week.  They are working very hard, the main problem is they are hardly working.  They are sending all this time working and have no business.  What they are doing is not productive in anyway.  20% of effort results in 80% of results in real estate.  Most new agents are working with 80% of the things that are giving them 20% return.  They are working very hard but are getting anything done.  Working 12 hour days 7 days a week to do one deal every 2 months is crazy.  My team and I have learned how to have systems in place that let us maximize our clients experience.  That is one of the big advantages of working for Keller Williams.  They teach you how to work smarter not harder.  An agent without systems is like driving a car w... 04/13/2007

It is alway amazing how simple things can be worth so much when selling a house.  For example if a house has really torn up carpet or no carpet makes the house viewed as a major fixer upper.  Even thought the carpet cost a few thousand dollars it cost the seller ten of thousands of dollars.  A cheaper and easier fix is paint.  Terrible exterior or interior paint will make house sell for thousands less.  A little time and a few cans of paint can make a huge differences in how much money you will get for a home.  Another huge thing that makes a difference is clearing it out the home.  The less stuff in a room, the bigger it looks.  I have seen homes that are huge, but there is so much junk in that it looked very small and buyers are not interested.  A few hours of work and a small amount ... 04/13/2007

A great service that we offer to all of our clients is are client care program.  Many people coming from out of town have found it very helpful during there transition.  We have a large list of a variety of services.  Anything from health insurance, contractors, mechanic or many others.  All of then people we have either personally used or they have been highly recommended.  Just about everyone of these we have personally had lunch with and check out there background.  We are people's real estate agents for life.  What ever they need, when ever they need it, we are here for them.  The "J" Team 04/12/2007

Have ever notice that all the new agents get the crazy people.  I guess when you have not sold anything and have no one to help you will take anything.  The average statistic is that the average agent only sells about 5 homes a year.  What that means is they are flat broke, they should find a job instead.  Because these people are so depressate they will help anyone.  When business is going well you learn how to run as fast you can when you see these people.  I have made the same mistake in the past to.  Now I only work with people that are serious.  That way I can give them all of my attention and give them the best service.The "J" Team 04/12/2007

When you get serious about selling your home, the chances of your selling it quickly for top dollar will improve considerably if you list it with a real estate sales professional. If you doubt this, consider the fact that eight out of ten homes sold today--more in some markets--are listed with a professional real estate agent.Listing your home places it on the local Multiple Listing Service that is subscribed to by a majority of real estate sales professionals. Through the MLS listing, your home is assured of getting the widest possible exposure to the market place.Some buyers shop the home market on their own, but most save time and money by using the services of a real estate sales professional. Ask yourself which homes the real estate agent is going to show the prospective buyers--ho... 04/11/2007

As your life circumstance changes, your housing sometimes must accommodate that change. When your children leave for college or move out on their own, it may be time to re-evaluate your housing arrangements. It is useful to consult with a real estate agent who can help you decide whether it is time to move. When it is time to sell your home or to purchase a new one, the first step is to contact a professional real estate agent to discuss your situation. What is your home worth? Would it be better to sell it now or to keep the house and rent it out? What cost effective cosmetic improvements should you make before marketing the property? If you are moving to a new city, how can you contact a real estate agent to introduce you to the community and help you find the perfect new home in a ne... 04/11/2007

The quality of a school district is an important determinant of the market value of a house. For homebuyers with children, the quality and reputation of the local school system may be as critical to their decision as the appeal of the home. The desire to give their children a quality education usually causes parents who are in the market for a home to ask questions about the local school district. What is the annual expenditure per pupil and the average class size? How do the district's standardized test scores compare with the national mean? Are special education programs available? What percentage of high school graduates go on to college? What is the physical condition of the schools and the district's record in handling school bond proposals? Parents may also want to know the school... 04/11/2007

Most houses have a few "little" problems, like leaking faucets, a stove burner that won't light, or electrical outlets with too much "spark". These defects may not seem very important--unless your house is about to go on the market.We rarely have difficulty getting sellers to agree to paint, replace worn carpets or plant a few flowers in the front yard. These kinds of repairs obviously increase the overall appeal of the property. However, if any of the major systems in your home need maintenance, it is also prudent to have the necessary repairs made. Have your furnace, central air-conditioning system, plumbing and wiring checked as part of your pre-marketing efforts. The best rule is--if it's broken, fix it!The purchase agreement requires that a house be conveyed with all the systems in... 04/11/2007

Many sellers think that the price of their home is determined solely by what they are willing to accept and what the buyer is willing to pay. However, there is one more variable that can affect the sale of a home assuming that a bank loan is involved -- the lender's appraisal. To protect the interest of their investors, the buyer's mortgage lender hires a licensed appraiser to give an independent, objective opinion of what the property is worth. The appraiser compares the house with similar homes in the neighborhood that have recently sold. Square footage, amenities and the condition of the home are taken into account. Renovations and home improvements made by the seller usually add value to the home, while defects such as needed repairs or code violations decrease the property's value.... 04/04/2007

What is the best price for a piece of real estate? Mortgage lenders, appraisers, and real estate brokers use what is called the "fair market value" (FMV). FMV has been defined as "the price that a buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to accept, when both parties are knowledgeable about the property and neither is under any time pressure to buy or sell". Sounds great, but how is this price determined? The starting point for determining a fair price may be an opinion of the value or "comparative market analysis". Such an analysis uses information on similar properties which are: 1) currently for sale, 2) already sold, or 3) expired properties (those which did not sell). Local, national and international trends and market conditions must also be evaluated.By comparing similar ... 04/04/2007

When a seller lists a home with a real estate agent, a lot of brainstorming follows. Who are the potential buyers, where do they live and work? How can they be reached effectively with information that will attract them to this particular property?In addition to advertising each home on the widely used Multiple Listing Service, professional real estate agents employ marketing techniques tailored to the individual home they are selling. An agent will review various buyer lists to find potential purchasers. They will use telephone and direct mail marketing, produce property flyers and advertise on the Internet, in the newspaper, in community publications and in real estate magazines. Contacts will be made to other agents who sell homes in the area to encourage them to show the home to pro... 04/04/2007

In the real estate world, a large group of people are looking to buy homes at any given time. These are the seller's best prospects. This ready group of buyers is wasted, however, if your house is overpriced.People who have been shopping around and are accustomed to comparing properties will probably refuse to look at your home with an unrealistic price tag. You and your real estate agent may know that you would sell for $10,000 less, but the buyers do not know this. As a result, your overpriced property receives little attention.Don't be fooled into thinking that your house is worth more than someone is willing to pay for it, or that it's just a matter of waiting for the "right" buyer to show up. Surveys show that the longer a house is on the market before being sold, the greater the d... 04/04/2007

WHAT IS EIFS?EIFS stands for Exterior Insulated Finish Systems, also known as synthetic stucco. This system was introduced into the United States in 1969 by Dryvit Corporation, and is principally a marriage of two modern materials, polymers and polystyrene.WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EIFS AND STUCCO? The typical EIFS installation is comprised of:Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)                        MeshBasecoatFinish CoatStucco is a Portland cement based plaster, which is usually applied in two steps, the basecoat and hard coat finish.Both systems have advantages and disadvantages.IS EIFS REALLY A PROBLEM?It certainly can be! The EIFS system has had problems just about any place that it has been used in residential construction and some commercial applications. The problem is improper in... 04/04/2007

SOLDI have your first home here16115 NE 2nd St, Vancouver WA Asking Price: $207,000Property DetailsBeds 3Baths 2Stories 1SQFT 1084Covered Parking 2Year Built 1992MLS Number 7007454DescriptionGreat investment or starter home. Newer siding and flooring. Fresh paint in current colors. Move in ready! New fenced yard corner lot, double car garage. Call Tesha for your showing. Washer/dryer stay and fridge, oven and dishwasher too.Must sell!! Price Reduced again! This one is SOLD, but click on the link belowTO SEARCH ALL VANCOUVER HOMES FOR SALE  03/22/2007

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