Vancouver Wa Real Estate - Elite Realty NW

Roots Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver, WA -  6th Anniversary Celebration!

This is a quick message from my friends at Roots Restaurant in Vancouver WA. Janice and I enjoy this place on a regular basis and recommend that you check it out. The bar is one of the best in Vancouver, WA! If you aren't sure what you should order, try a Sterling Manhattan. One of my favorites!


Jenny sent me a message that reads:

Hello - I thought your readers would be very interested that Roots Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver, WA is celebrating their 6th anniversary by giving back to the community with food and drink specials all week long. In particular, on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd they are offering several of their fine dining dinner entrees for $6, so I'm trying to spread the word around the neighborhoods as I figured people wouldn't want to pass up this opportunity. All the event info is below - let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!    

NOVEMBER 3-8th, 2009 - Roots Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver, WA, is celebrating their 6 year anniversary Nov.3-8th, 2009 with week-long food and drink specials and a canned food drive benefitting the Clark County Food Bank. Roots was founded by owner and executive chef Brad Root. Nov. 3 - $6 dinner entrees off a special anniversary menu Nov. 4th - all lunch entrees are $6 Nov. 3-8th - special anniversary menu -  6 items for $36 - choose two starters or salads, two entrees and two desserts off of Roots' prix fixe menu created especially for the occasion. $6 anniversary cocktails all week. Bring in 6 cans of food for the Clark County Food Bank any day during the week and get a free starter. For more details, info and hours, visit http://www.rootsrestaurantandbar.com/events.php 19215 SE 34th Street, Camas, WA 98607. Phone: 360-260-3001

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver WA real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver WA dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. Roots Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver, WA -  6th Anniversary Celebration!

In some places these are used for rain. In others they are used for sun. I want to go someplace
where they use them in cocktails!

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver WA real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver WA dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here.

5 Cheap Ways To Go Solar - Green Living Vancouver Washington

My friend, Bill Black turned me on to this video. Thanks Bill!

Most Americans can't afford $20,000 to $50,000 to add photovoltaic panel to their home. This 2 minute video will give you 5 cheap and easy ways to cut you energy bills with solar power.

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver WA real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver WA dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. 5 Cheap Ways To Go Solar - Green Living Vancouver Washington

 Welcome to Green Linx!

This is designed to be a source of Green and Sustainable living information for all who may be interested. This site will be worth bookmarking as it will be growing as new and interesting sites become available.

groovygreen.com - A fun blog that focuses on some of the funky shades of green. Topics cover everything from the world's largest treehouse to the first bicycle hearse. (Photo above)

greeninc.com - This is the green living section of the New York Times blog. They do an awesome job of reporting worldwide green issues.

TreeHugger.com - The name speaks for itself. This site addresses everything green. Check out this bamboo computer keyboard and mouse.

AutoBlogGreen - This is the absolute best site to keep up to date on the latest in green auto technology, period!

sustainablog.com - Leading edge green technology and updates on hot green political issues.

Cool Green Science - This is the conservation blog for the Nature Conservancy. These guys do a great job of providing an educational as well as entertaining look at green issues. One of my recent favorites was Haunted (BAT) House!

[1 THING] Portland - I love this site. It started out as a site that challenged the people of the Portland Metro area to find just one thing to change in an effort to live a more sustainable lifestyle. It has grown to so much more.

Green-Go.info - A great site to keep aware of Green Happenings in the Vancouver WA / Portland OR metro area.

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver WA real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver WA dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. A Few of My Favorite Green Links - Sustainable Living

Why Do Some Homes Hold Their Value Better Than Others? 3 Simple Reasons

A few days back I wrote a post about the Homes For Sale in Ashley Heights - Vancouver, WA, and I was surprised to get a few emails regarding home values and what causes some homes and some neighborhoods to maintain the value better than others. Although the reasons can be endless, here are 3 simple things that can affect a home's value:

1. Consistent home prices in the area. Many owners mistakenly believe that a small and simple homes in a neighborhood full of mini-mansions will drive their values up. Generally this isn't true. Their smaller home will drag the values of the larger homes down. Homes that are located in neighborhoods of similar homes are in higher demand and hold their value better. When demand outweighs the supply prices go up.

2. Desirability creates demand. While this seems too simple to be true, it is! What kind of neighborhood would your dream home be located in? One where all of the homes are nicely landscaped and well taken care of? One with large lots and beautiful homes? Maybe a neighborhood with lots of green space and neighborhood parks?  In the above mentioned Ashley Heights, there are three parks within walking distance. There is certainly a higher demand for homes like that and when demand outweighs the supply prices go up.

3. Positive national press never hurts. Although rare, press like this is always good for values in an area - Vancouver Washington #3 in the TOP 10 Safest Cities in The United States 2009. These types of reports cause out of state demand for areas that have previously been overlooked and when demand outweighs the supply prices go up.

Of course there are many other factors that contribute to values but there is usually a common denominator with each of the factors, they contribute to the demand of the homes in the area! When demand outweighs the supply prices go up. I could have written a post about the ONE SIMPLE REASON THAT SOME HOMES HOLD THEIR VALUE BETTER THAN OTHERS, but nobody would have read it.

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here.  Why Do Some Homes Hold Their Value Better Than Others? 3 Simple Reasons

Read It Here First! Tax Credit Enhanced AND Extended!

Still needs to go to a vote but here is the latest news as reported by FOX 12 Oregon

WASHINGTON -- Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers.

 The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but is set to expire at the end of November.

 Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

 The tax credits would be available to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes, said a congressional aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the deal.

 Senators were still negotiating the expansion of a separate tax credit that lets money-losing businesses get refunds for taxes paid in previous years, providing them with an immediate source of cash.

 Senators in both political parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as Thursday, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.

 Popular bills like the one to extend unemployment benefits often attract amendments that would have a difficult time passing on their own.

 Republicans were demanding that they be given a chance to offer amendments to restrict federal aid to the beleaguered community activist group ACORN and on requiring that people receiving unemployment insurance be processed through E-Verify, an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.

 Majority Democrats have refused to add the amendments.

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. 

Vancouver Washington #3 in the TOP 10 Safest Cities in The United States 2009

Along with our Portland Oregon neighbors to the south, Vancouver Washington has been voted one of the 10 safest cities in the United States by the folks at Forbes. And don't be thinking that we are bringing up the rear either. We placed as a solid 3rd place! Just another reason to buy a home in our great city.

1  Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 
2  Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI
3  Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA
4  Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH
4  Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
6  Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA
7  San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
8  New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
9  Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN
10  Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH
10  Denver-Aurora, CO

So why move to #3 when you could be living in #1 or #2? Hmmm. Frozen lakes and ice stroms come to mind!

If you would like to search for Vancouver Homes for Sale, feel free to use our free MLS Search Tool:

Homes For Sale in Vancouver WA

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. Vancouver Washington #3 in the TOP 10 Safest Cities in The United States 2009

Vancouver Washington Foreclosures For Sale

One of the side effects of all of the short sales listed in the area are the Vancouver Washington foreclosures for sale. When a home is foreclosed on the bank takes ownership of it and then lists it on the market for sale. The condition of these homes can vary from total tear downs to very nice move in ready homes.

Vancouver Washington foreclosures for sale are generally listed at 10% to 12% below their market value. Why would the banks do this? The simple answer is that there is a large amount of cost to the bank that comes with the foreclosure. They have to secure, maintain, and insure the home during the period that they own it. Those costs add up.

Finding these homes can be tricky but we have a few secrets that allow us to get the best deals possible for out clients. One of the challenges with finding Vancouver Washington foreclosures for sale is that there are usually other buyers who have found them first and have already submitted offers. To avoid this and get our clients in on the best deals first, we have sources who give us tips to the best properties before they are listed. If you are trying to buy a Vancouver Washington foreclosures for sale, then you need to be working with us!

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. Vancouver Washington Foreclosures For Sale

Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs - How to kill elder bugs without using dangerous chemicals.

If you are a Washington resident, then you have certainly seen the Western Boxelder Bug. In the fall, it is a very common sight to see them warming themselves on the sunny side of the homes in most neighborhoods. Boxelder bugs spend the winter in protected places, including homes. On warm days,  they'll come out and rest in the sun, and you'll see them on the south and west sides of homes.

They are not dangerous. They don't sting or bite. They don't cause much damage to plants, trees or fruits. They don't cause any structural damage to your home. What they are is ugly and annoying!

How do you get rid of them?

The answer is amazingly simple. You will need a squirt bottle, liquid dishwashing soap, tap water, and a kid who likes to play with squirt guns. Mix the water and soap in the squirt bottle to make a 10% soap solution. Screw the squirt top on, set it on the stream setting for distance, give it to your small marksman friend and send him out the door for target practice! It is really that simple.

One shot and the elder bug will fall off the side of the house and die. If you have squirrels in the neighborhood, they will come and eat the dead bugs. Oddly enough, they will eat the bodies but leave the wings behind for you to sweep up.

Looking for other Green topics? Go to Sustainable Lifestyles.

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs - How to kill elder bugs without using dangerous chemicals.

Homes For Sale in Clark County WA Under $200,000

Can you believe that there are homes for sale in Clark County WA under $200,000? Just 2 short years ago it was impossible to find anything in Clark County that fit into that price range.

I know what you might be thinking. You are wondering if these are homes for sale in Clark County WA under $200,000 or if they are condos, townhomes, houseboats, or trailers. Good question!

Although they are all homes for sale in Clark County WA under $200,000 here is a breakdown of what I found on the MLS this morning.

Total Homes For Sale in Clark County WA Under $200,000 - 1066 units!

Single Family Residence - 679
Condos - 215

Townhomes - 126

Houseboats - 3
Manufactured homes - 15

In Trailer Park - 28

Now I can hear you saying " If the Homes For Sale in Clark County WA Under $200,000 are little cracker boxes, then who cares? I don't want to live in a little 600 sq. foot house!"

Would you be surprised to hear that 686 (more than half) of these homes are 1200 Sq. feet or larger? There are some really great homes on the market in Clark County WA for some really great prices.

It is a buyers market so what are you waiting for? A seller's market?

Painting by George Holms
When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area.  Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. Homes For Sale in Clark County WA Under $200000