Vancouver Wa Real Estate - Elite Realty NW

Congratulations For An Entire Year of Green Drinks in Vancouver Washington!

Tonight a group of over 85 people gathered to celebrate the first year anniversary of the Vancouver Washington chapter of Green Drinks. The keynote speaker for the evening was Vancouver's Mayor, Royce Pollard. Mayor Pollard addressed the group, in his usual humorous and easygoing manner, about several new sustainable projects that are slated for the city of Vancouver.

A special thanks goes out to Laura, Terra, and Melinda, the Green Drinks coordinators for their tireless efforts over the past year. THANKS GUYS!

Thank you Terra Heilman for allowing me to use this photo. Go here to see Terra's blog and more photos.

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.

The word "Green" has become a very overused buzzword that the media uses to describe everything from new energy efficient cars to tree hugging hippies. The word "Green" has been used to market ultra high tech products in our life like photovoltaic solar panels and it has been used to market ultra low tech products in our life like re-usable shopping bags.

Because of the media's need to overuse every new buzzword in existence, "Green" has become very confusing to the general public.

Let's talk about how "Green" fits into real estate. Don't think that is  going to make things any less confusing. It might make things worse. In real estate green has several meanings too.

• Green = Eco-friendly - In this sense of the word, the home is built in a sustainable manner. Materials are brought from areas local to the project, products are used that can be easily replenished, remnant materials are recycled, and waste is drastically reduced.
• Green = Energy efficient - This use of the word looks at both sides of the energy story. The first side is energy that is used in things like HVAC units, hot water heaters, and kitchen appliances. The flip side is energy that is saved by using efficient windows, better insulation, and other efficient building techniques. BTW, this is the "Green" that 90% of green buyers are currently looking for!
• Green = More comfortable and healthy - Homes that are either built or remodeled with more "human friendly" products are also considered to be green. This usually revolves around the topic of indoor air quality. Old school carpets and paints release toxins into the air for years after they are installed. These toxins often cause negative reactions in people and have been shown to lead to health problems. There are new options that aren't made with dangerous chemicals and therefore they have nothing harmful to release into the home.

So how do we take our language back? How do we protect the meaning of the words that we use each every day?

photo by Josef F. Stuefer

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.

Are Bank Owned Homes Stalling Our Real Estate Market?

The natural progression of the real estate market is driven by something called the "Trickle Up" theory. Most home sellers transform into home buyers after their home sells. This is what causes the real estate market to move in waves starting with lower priced and rolling towards the higher priced ones.  A couple sells their first home and then upgrades to a larger one. That purchase allows the seller of the larger one to move up to the next level and so on up the line. Thus "Trickle Up.".

But what happens when the sellers don't transform into buyers? A home gets sold and the seller stops the wave right there by not buying a new home at the higher level. That is exactly what is currently happening with bank owned properties. (REO's)

The market is hot right now for first time home buyers. Inventories are at an all time high, prices are heavily discounted, and interest rates are at a historical low. This should be the recipe for the real estate version of "The Perfect Storm." Shouldn't it?

Smart first time home buyers are coming into the market, taking advantage of the current real estate environment, qualifying for their $8000 first time home buyer tax credit, and buying their first homes. A large portion of these first time purchases are bank owned homes. Why not? Many of these homes are in good condition and priced well below market. It is very smart to be a first time home buyer in this market.

The problem as I see it is that the inventory of bank owned starter homes is also at a historically high level. A huge number of these sales are not freeing up a buyer to move up to the next level. The wave is stopped and never allowed to trickle up to the higher markets. Sadly, those owners were "Freed Up" in the past months when the bank foreclosed on their home.

What does this mean for the short time market ahead? What does this mean for the distant future? Are we going to have to rebuild the market from the ground up?

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.

You may be wondering EXACTLY what I will be doing for RED Day. My job is twofold. Firstly, I am working on a project where we will be building 10 raised vegetable gardens for one of the local elementary schools. It should be a fun project and it is nice knowing that the children will have an opportunity to learn and get enjoyment from growing their own vegetables.

Secondly, I have issued a challenge to our Keller Williams Vancouver office: It they can get 100 KW agents to show up and volunteer to help with this great project, then I will dye my hair KW (fire engine) RED! Yes, pictures will follow.

I sorta feel like I should sign off by saying "Wish me luck!" But this is a good cause and I really hope that we get well over 100 volunteers.

Wish them LUCK!

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.

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.

A Tip For Greening Up Your Own Home

Not everyone can afford to live in a newly built LEED certified home, but there are things that you can do to make your current home healthier to live in. Many of these things will even add value to your home when it comes time to sell. Here is a green tip that you can use to create a healthier and happier home.

The carpeting in your home is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to indoor air quality. Unless it is one of the new green low VOC varieties, it is likely off-gassing toxins into your home. That "New Carpet Smell" is actually chemistry in the carpet that is dissipating into the air. Off-gassing can occur for several years after installation and can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it.

Another problem with carpet is the fact that it traps dust and microscopic particulates. These are also allergens and can build up to dangerous levels in a short period of time. I was recently told by a carpet installer that the carpet that is removed often times weighs more than twice what the new carpet weighs. That is a lot of DIRT!

The smart guys at the United States Building Council recognize this fact and actually give extra points for new construction with hard surface floors. When the time comes to replace carpeting in your home, a smart choice might be to replace it with hardwood or tile.

When dealing with buyers, one of the most requested features in a home is hardwood floors. Hardwood floors rank higher than granite countertops. This will give you an advantage over your neighbors carpeted home when the time comes to sell.  

See? It not only makes your home more comfortable and healthy but it adds value too!

I took this photograph at the Clark County Parade of Homes which is sponsored by the BIA. These floors were in "The Green Haus" and were made out of wood that was salvaged from an old barn.

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.

First Time Home Buyers - You Might Lose Your $8000 Tax Credit!

As Americans, we are notorious for procrastination. We have been procrastinators since our forefathers came across the pond and settled our country. Heck, If we weren't procrastinators, we may have arrived 100 years earlier! Mark Twain knew it when he penned his famous quote in 1927:

"Do not put off until tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well."

Keeping that in mind, Don't put off buying your first home until later because you may miss out on your $8000 tax credit from the federal government. The tax credit is only good if you purchase before December 1, 2009. It seems like the deadline is quite a ways away, but it isn't. Here are a few things that you need to consider:

1 - Interest rates are the best they have been in decades and economists are predicting that rates will be increasing as we approach the end of the year. An $8000 tax credit isn't worth as much if you had to pay higher rates to get the loan.

2 - Home prices are the best that they have been in years and economists predict that they will tick up a bit before the end of the year. I think that the "Starter Homes" are more likely to increase than other higher end homes. Why? Because prices in this category are being pulled down by the high inventory levels. As we get closer to the tax credit deadline, first time buyers will start to deplete the inventory and drive prices up. Wouldn't you rather be watching this happen from the comfort of your new home?

3 - There will fewer nice homes to choose from as we near the end of the year.

4 - On average, from the day a buyer starts searching it takes 107 days until the deal closes and they can move into their new home. But that time may be increasing! Read on...

5 - The time needed to secure financing is already increasing. Lenders are already starting to see increased volume in the industry. Loans that used to take 2 weeks to get final approval and funding are sometimes taking 3 to 4 weeks. Banks are tightening up their restrictions and it is taking longer to get loans through underwriting. Who knows how long is will be taking by the end of the year? What if you miss the deadline?

6 - Title companies are starting to feel the crunch as well. Many title companies were forced to close offices in the past year. If we experience the rush that is being predicted, they will be backed up and there could be delays getting your new purchase through title on time.

What will happen if your home doesn't close on time? "Oopsies" aren't allowed on tax returns and the IRS doesn't want to hear about your home purchase being tied up in underwriting and not closing on time. Their response will simply be, "You should have started earlier!"

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.

To Picture or Not To Picture? That is the Question!

Lately, I have noticed more and more real estate agents in Vancouver Washington handing out business cards that don't have their picture on them. I am wondering what has spurred this latest trend.

My business background is with the first company on a large scale to ever use pictures on business cards. Eastman Kodak. At the time it was kind of a novelty because we were the only ones doing it. It was nice because I could walk into most any account and everyone there immediately knew who I was. Of course we always got a bit of teasing too.

One of the things that I was anticipating when I left Kodak was finally having a card that didn't have my mug plastered on it. As you now know, I ended up in Real Estate here in Vancouver WA and of course everyone's card has a bright and smiling portrait on the front! Janice and I followed suit.

Here we are, years later, and it looks like the trend is changing. The problem is that we are recognized everywhere in Clark County because of our photo. Our signs, business cards, newsletters, and even our email signatures are plastered with our smiling faces. People seem to know us before we even meet them.

I am afraid that we can't turn back now. Do we even want to? What do you think?

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.

Share Ideas and Business Will Follow!

I wrote a post the other day about Using Free Samples to Build Your Real Estate Business. Since writing that post, my mind has been in overdrive regarding the topic. I recently had two deals which were the direct result of sharing information with other realtors.

The first started with a phone call from an out of state agent regarding a short sale listing that I had on the MLS. In our conversation I discovered that he had friends who were looking to buy a townhome in my area of Vancouver Washington. He was planning on helping them by writing the contract for them, helping them negotiate the deal, and asking that the buyer's agent commission be given to the buyer's for closing costs. My listing was pending so the conversation took a turn to the details of how he was going to approach this unconventional deal. I offered a few tips to him and sent him contacts for title agents and inspectors. We were on the phone for about 45 minutes.

Three days later he called back. He was so impressed that I would take to time to share so much valuable information with him that he decided to refer his friends to me for a referral fee. They had already found a home that they liked and we closed in about 3 weeks.

The next is very similar. An agent who I don't know called me to offer me a referral for a short sale listing. She started by telling me that she needed someone to refer to and didn't know where to turn. A colleague in her office told her that she reads my Active Rain blog all of the time and that I am the expert in Vancouver Washington for short sales and REO's. End of story! No interview. Just "Hi Mark, You don't know me but I have a referral for you."

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.

The next notably green product that I discovered at the Energy Trust Better Living Show at the Portland Expo Center is the little gem.

360 Vodka. Vodka with a "Green" State of Mind. They are referring to their product as "The World's First ECO Luxury Vodka" and I think that they may be right.

360 Vodka obviously isn't a green product that is going to save the world or revolutionize the green industry but they have gone to extraordinary lengths to assure that their product is as eco friendly as possible. They call it their 3 P's. (Shown below)

While their vodka is undeniably as green as it can be and their packaging is too, I feel that the biggest impact that they are making is in the area of education. 360 Vodka's advertising pieces (printed on 100% post consumer paper with vegetable based inks of course!) are loaded with green statistics. They are definitely bringing the "Green" message to the vodka drinkers of the world.

In the spirit of "Research", I bought a bottle of 360 Vodka this weekend. I am no expert on vodka (Really, I am not an EXPERT!) but it was one of the better vodkas that I have ever tasted. 

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.