Vancouver Wa Real Estate - Elite Realty NW

The Advantage Of Selling Your Home For Cash

Many sellers don't realize that there is a distinct advantage to selling your home for cash versus selling to a buyer who needs to finance the purchase. What is the difference? The seller still gets a check at closing. Right?

WRONG!

When buyers are using a bank or mortgage company to finance their purchase, there are a number of procedures that the lender requires...

Read the rest of this post by following this link  to the Smelly House Blog.

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

Valentine's Day Tip - For Men ONLY!

Us guys have to stick together. Right? Well, here is a tip for those of you who were too busy (or too lazy!) to go out and pick a nice card for your favorite woman. Last minute poorly thought out Valentine's Day surprises have a way of backfiring.(ie: trashy lingerie and whipped cream!)

This is a tip from a blog that I posted on my anniversary last year.

Tips for choosing a card:

1. Avoid any Valentine's Day cards that contain jokes! No matter how funny you think they are you must resist the urge to give your girlfriend or wife a joke card! Valentine's Day is for romance. Romance is no laughing matter.

2. Avoid buying cards at places like strip clubs, liquor stores, bowling alleys, bars, or comic book stores!

3.  Avoid cards with scantily clad women on them.

Tips for writing in the card:

Losers buy cards that have a pre-written sentiment inside. A stud like you needs to write the perfect "something" inside. It should come from your heart, not contain any hints as to how lucky she is to have you, and don't ever compare her to other women who you may have passed up for her! (Bad, bad, BAD!)

But, what do you write. I mean you don't work for Hallmark, do you? Read on my friend and you will soon be covered in kisses!!

First, find a nice card without any writing in it at all. Find something nice that has a cool picture that your beautiful Valentine will really like like. (Like puppies or kittens or little kids dressed in their parents clothes or something sweet and syrupy like that!)

Next, find one of those sappy cards that sit in the section for old people. You know the ones. They are usually all covered with flowers or lace or something. You will know it when you see it. The inside will read something like:

The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it.  You and you alone make me feel that I am alive.  Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen you and you are more than enough.

DON'T BUY THIS ONE! Sneak out your cell phone and snap a shot of the inside. Now buy the card with the puppies or the kittens or whatever the heck it is that your girl will love, go home, look at the picture and write exactly that inside of your blank card!

You totally owe me!

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

Notice: Drinking is not Required!

Laura Sauermilch and Terra Heilman are still hard at work leading the Vancouver Washington Chapter of Green Drinks. I highly recommend attending a meeting and getting to know the members. Whether you are a full blown tree hugger or just "Green Curious", you will surely have a good time. The following is their monthly Green Drinks invitation and list of other notable Green Events throughout Vancouver. Hope to see you there!

Hello everyone, (Wow these months are just whizzing by!!!)   We will meet again on Tuesday Feb 23rd at El Presidente in downtown Vancouver. Intros Will start at 6PM as usual. We will be in a private room on the north (left of the hostess stand) side of the restaurant. Here is there info.
312 East Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver, WA‎ - (360) 750-7475‎

This month our 5 Minute Spiel will be a rep from the CEN-Community Exchange Network, check them out here http://cenpdx.net/

Our 2 min local business showcase will be Donna Baxter from Enyo. 360 448-9911 or www.ameri-eco.com

What's coming up?

We are busily planning our 2 year anniversary party on April 27th. How exciting! We don't have all the details settled yet, but we have confirmed that our new mayor Tim Leavitt will be our speaker!!! We'll hear his thoughts on making our lovely city of Vancouver greener. :-)

We are asking for a few things from you though. First of all please send us your greendrinks connection success stories. Did you meet someone that helped you save money or natural resources at work, a possible love connection, spark an interest in a topic, give you more confidence, and so on. We'd love to hear your story. Please email them to us.

We are also looking for small donations for door prizes again this year. Drop us an email. Thanks in advance.  

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook! We are growing quickly. Post your thoughts, suggestions, and invite others to do the same.

Take care everyone-we'd love to see you this month! El Presidente has PLENTY of room and it should be quiet enough for our group.

Laura Sauermilch and Terra Heilman

We have loads of local UPCOMING EVENTS

School's Out, SCRAP's In on President's Day
Register your school aged kids for crafting workshops on President's Day, Monday, February 15th

Two workshops:  10a - Noon   and 1p-3p    $10 per session includes all materials and equipment needed to make a super SCRAPpy creation!Call for more information and to register:  503.294.0769 x1
School's Out, SCRAP's In during Spring Break!
March 22-26 -- Kids' Workshops Monday-Friday 10-noon and 1-3p.

 Join us for SCRAPpy Craft & Wine (or other beverage) Thursdays

Everyone's invited!  Bring your project, or start a new one.
Thursdays 6:00-8:00p
All levels of skill welcomed -- from the craft-curious to the Super SCRAPpy

                                                                        
One Skein  Thursday, February 11
Bring your own or start a project using one skein yarn, partial skein or yarn scraps. SCRAP yarn is provided.
Facilitator:  Jennifer Alvin

Crafting for Peace Thursday, February 18
Make handcrafted items to sell at SCRAP - all sales go to Yele Haiti for Haitian Relief
Facilitator:  Liza Mahar.

Big Ass Craft Night Thursday, February 25
Using the Big Ass Book of Crafts as inspiration, pick a project and get your materials from our vast selection or bring your own.  Asses of all sizes welcomed.
Facilitator:  Kate Stone

Suggested donation for all groups except Crafting for SCRAP and Crafting for Peace.
Each group meets monthly.
SCRAP on!

Urban Farm School Classes

*Composting Basics
Wed. February 10, 6 to 8pm
Location: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver 98663  Fee: $15
Class number: 74066
 
Bokashi Compost Workshop
Sat. February 20, 10am to Noon
Location: NW Nursery Outlet, 12503 NE 72nd Ave., Vancouver 98686  Fee: $40/person, includes all materials

* Seed Starting & Transplants
Wed. February 24, 6 to 8pm
Location: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver 98663  Fee: $15
Class number: 74063
 
Small Space Gardening
Thur. March 4, 6 t0 8pm
Location: River Maiden Coffee,     602 N. Devine, Vancouver 98661   Fee: $15

Keeping Urban Chickens
Sat. March 6, 10am to Noon
Location: Pioneer Feed, 21605 NE 10th Ave.,  Ridgefield 98642
Fee: $15

* Planning the Veggie Garden
Tues. March 9, 6 to 8pm
Location: Firstenburg  Center, 700 NE 136th Ave. Vancouver 98684  Fee: $15  Class number: 75526

*Organic Pest & Disease Control
Wed. March 10, 6 to 8pm
Location: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver 98663  Fee: $15
Class number: 74062

* Keeping Urban Chickens
Wed. March 24, 6 to 8pm
Location: Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin, Vancouver 98663  Fee: $15
Class number: 74064

Worm Composting Workshop
Thur. March 25, 6 to 8pm
Location: TBA  Fee: TBA

*Seed Starting & Transplants
Tues. March 30, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Location: Firstenburg  Center, 700 NE 136th Ave. Vancouver 98684  Fee: $15   Class number:  75517

REGISTRATION INFO
Pre-registration and payment are  required.  Please, call  360-852-3728 or E-mail:
urbanfarmschool@gmail.com          to register.  Classes are payable by check  to: Urban Farm School/PO Box 393/ Ridgefield, WA 98642 or call 360-852-3728 to pay by credit card.  

PLEASE NOTE!
Classes indicated with an "*" are supported through Vancouver Parks and Recreation and must be registered through their offices.  
Marshall Center: 360-487-7100
Firstenburg Center: 360-487-7001


CONTACT INFO
Urban Farm School, Inc.
Kendra Pearce, Owner
PO Box 393
Ridgefield, WA 98642
360-852-3728
urbanfarmschool@gmail.com
www.urbanfarmschool.com

The StreamTeam will have our first native tree planting of 2010 on Saturday, February 13th.  Please join us in kicking off the new year! Saturday, February 13th 8:45am-1pm
Trained StreamTeam leaders let me know if you would like to lead a group!  

Please register by informing me of you interest, via phone

Mark your calendar for our upcoming StreamTeam events on:
Saturday, February 27
           Native Tree Planting!
Saturday, March 13
           Stream Restoration!
Saturday, March 27
           Stream Restoration!
           Breeding Bird Monitoring Orientation!
Saturday, April 17
           Earth Day Celebration-Tree planting, entertainment and more!

Lisa Beranek
StreamTeam Coordinator
Clark Public Utilities
P.O. Box 8900
Vancouver, WA 98668
Phone: (360) 992-8585
StreamTeam online!

Saturday, February 13, Second Saturday at the Water Resource Education Center - Love Your Home?  Make it Green!   Family activities 1-3pm, free admission.  Details call 360-487-7115, www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter . The Water Center is located at 4600 SE Columbia Way.

There's still time to register for the Planning for Climate Change class on March 18 in Lacey and March 25 in Mt. Vernon!  The class is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost is $75. The class is practical, relevant, and directed toward the needs of planners. It has an all-star line-up of presenters who will cover projected impacts of climate change to our region, strategies for adapting, case studies, implications of our current state regulations, and much more. You will meet some of the key authors (and receive a coveted hard copy) of the internationally acclaimed guidebook called "Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments." This class is currently being customized and used by other reserves and agencies all over the country. It is truly a class not to be missed! Comments from past participants include: "The information was incredible, and the speakers were exceptional"; "I liked the opportunity to share ideas within the small groups about our communities' vulnerabilities"; and "The brief world tour of actual projects was especially enlightening!"
For more information and to register online, please go to: http://www.coastaltraining-wa.org.
Planning for Climate Change
In this practical and relevant training designed for planners, you will hear from experts about climate impacts to Pacific Northwest shorelines and leave with specific action steps to prepare for climate change in your work. The training will cover the fundamentals of  how to plan for climate change, how to conduct a vulnerability assessment, how current state regulations address climate change, and  how other governments are taking on the challenge of preparing for climate change. You will also become familiar with key data sources and learn specific strategies for engaging stakeholders in climate change preparedness.  Finally, the training will include several exercises designed to help you consider possible climate vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in your community. To assist your planning efforts after the workshop, you will receive a copy of the authoritative guidebook Preparing for Climate Change:  A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. (6 CM credits)
For more information and to register online, please go to: http://www.coastaltraining-wa.org.

Laura Sauermilch and Terra Heilman
Vancouver Green Drinks
www.greendrinks.org

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

This Month In Real Estate - February 2010 National Report 

Here is February's national real estate report. Would you like the local report for the Vancouver Washington Real Estate Market? Please call us any time.

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

Blogging, Blondes, and BBQ - The Life Of A Realtor®

So, here I am. An agent who is living the life. I got into the business because I love helping people, I love seeing cool houses, and I love getting in and negotiating killer deals. Imagine my surprise when I found out about the fringe benefits!

Blogging, Blondes, and BBQ

Blogging - What more is there to say? I love it. I like to share my opinion and it is even better when people actually log on the read about it. Writing is a secret passion of mine and, since I am not a famous author (yet!), I can get it out of my system by blogging a few times a week. Cool gig! Right?

Blondes - OK, I put this in for the shock factor, but have you seen my wife? (and partner, and fellow Realtor® who is the brains of the operation?) I doubt that I would be in this business if it weren't for her. She keeps me on track and drives our business to succeed. If her picture wasn't on our business card, I doubt if anyone would call!

BBQ - Since I shared my other two passions with you, I might as well tell you about a third. BBQ, Barbe-q, BBQue, or Barbeque, No matter how you spell it, it still means good eatin'! The key to good "Q", is constant attention, high quality pork ribs, grandpa's secret recipe (most any grandpa will do), patience, and a good grill. Generous amounts of bourbon always helps too. I am not sure if it makes me a better agent, but I think it makes me a better person.

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

I found this great post by a realtor friend, Karen, in Mission Viejo, Ca. I am sharing it with you because our Vancouver Washington Real estate market follows the California market like clockwork. If Karen is seeing this in her market, then we will be dealing with the exact same thing before summer. If you are hoping to time the market and buy at it absolute lowest point, we are probably at that point. (Of course we won't know for sure until this time next year!)

Quality Control - The Story of Handmade Potato Chips

I just read Set Godin's blog a few weeks back about lemonade stands and it reminded me of something that happened about 15 years ago.

I worked at Kodak for a long time and was part of a great team in the Consumer Imaging division. My position with the company demanded that I travel for a large part of the year. The members of our team developed a bit of a reputation for always finding the best food and entertainment in any given city.  Often times these places were little "hole in the wall" restaurants with awesome food and a fun atmosphere.

One trip found us at a little English style pub in (I think it was but it may have been somewhere else) Durham NC. I believe it was named The Double Dragon Inn and they were known throughout the city for their Double Dragon Ale and their hand made potato chips. My team mate had been bragging about this place for months!

As we sat down at the table, my buddy eagerly ordered several orders of the chips and pints all around. The ales were served right away but about 20 minutes went by and still no chips. My friend was getting nervous.

As the waitress served us our second round of ales, he asked about the chips. She ignored him, acting like she never heard a word

Five more agonizing minutes passed. Finally, he flagged her down and asked if she had forgotten about the chips.

"Well," she retorted in her thick English accent, "I can see that YOU must be new around here! Let me tell you a thing or two about how we do things. First, we have to wash and peel the potatoes 'cause you surely don't want dirt in your chips does ye? Then we cut them as thin as possible to be sure that they are extra crispy when they're done. That's the way you like them, Right? When they are sliced just right, we drop them into a vat of boiling oil. We fry them up until they are golden brown and crispy. Then we set them out to cool and we season them with sea salt and a kiss of vinegar. I have been here for over 20 years making these chips and I can assure you that I know what I am doing! Of course if you want yours prepared some other way then maybe you should come back into the kitchen and fix them yourself! Or did you want me to run down to the corner store and get you and your guests a tube of Pringles?!" She almost spit the word Pringles right into his face. We all sat quietly around the table, afraid to laugh lest we should become her new target.

When they arrived at the table, we all dug in to taste the crispy treats. (Of course I checked mine for spit first!) They were, as promised, the best chips that I have ever had.

How many times have you been asked to compromise the quality of your services? How many shortcuts have you been tempted to take? In this market, high quality service is more important than ever. Every client experience can be critical. Are they thrilled with the transaction and excited about recommending you to their friends and family? or are they smiling their way through the transaction just waiting for it to end so that you will stop calling? Did you take the time and care to do everything in your clients best interest or did you run down to the corner store and buy a tube of Pringles? Clients know what is going on and they can tell when someone is taking shortcuts.

*If you haven't read Seth's stuff, then you are really missing out. I have subscribed and now I get his latest post each day via email. Treat yourself - sign 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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.

2010 Clark County Parade of Homes - The New Vision

On February 3, the 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes committee announced their vision for this year's Clark County Parade of Homes. With the struggling economy there aren't many builders who are able to step up and build a home just for the sake of the Parade. Lenders aren't in a position to finance either the lot or the construction and the Clark County Building Industry Association has been forced to be creative.

By creative, I mean that the 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes will not be like the traditional Parade of Homes that you may have attended in the past. This year's parade will have a hub of homes in one subdivision and there will be other homes on exhibit throughout Clark County. The Clark County BIA experimented with this type of format at the 2009 Parade of Homes with great success.

Some interesting points to note about the 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes are:

The 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes is scheduled to run from July 9 to July 25, 2010

The theme for this year's parade are homes that are "Hip, Cool, Green, Smart, and Affordable."

There will be 3 shows running concurrently; The 2010 Clark County Parade of Homes, The Remodeled Home Tour, and the Open House Tour.

The hub for the parade will be Pioneer Canyon in Ridgefield, Wa. There will be 4 to 5 homes there with numerous other homes at offsite locations throughout Clark County. The offsite homes will range from large luxury homes to an extreme green home that boasts passive solar design, solar panels and a wind generator for power needs, and high tech SIP construction.

All of the homes are slated to have energy efficient designs and features.

The offsite map will list the homes by category to help visitors find exactly what they are looking for. Categories will include topics such as green built, high tech kitchen, interior design, etc.

Although the format is changing a bit, the quality of homes that our builders are producing is second to none. Like all of the Clark County Parades in the past, this one will surely be impressive and well worth the price of admission!

As always, as I find out more information, I will share it here. Hoping to be able to sneak some of my infamous "Bootleg Photos" again this year. Stay tuned!

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service.  2010 Clark County Parade of Homes

What Kind Of Market Is It Anyway? Buyer's? Seller's?

In the past few weeks, I have noticed an interesting trend starting to develop. Multiple offers! I have some buyers who are trying to buy homes in the $200k and lower range and we have been encountering some serious competition. Aren't we in a buyer's market?

The simple answer is "Yes and No." Not so simple, is it?

Certain price ranges are definitely in a buyer's market while others are transitioning to a more even market. The buyers who are able to see this trend will do very well for themselves. The ones who don't? Well, they will be frustrated while their first homes of choice are stolen out from under them.

In Vancouver Washington, the $200,000 and less market is transitioning to a seller's market. The $8000 first time home buyer's tax credit is fueling this market and prices are rising. The higher dollar markets are not being affected by the tax credit and are still foundering.

What does that mean? First time home buyers need to get aggressive to get into the homes that they want. Don't be afraid of over paying (within reason) because these properties have probably bottomed for the time being and will stabilize for the next year or so. The bottom of the market will stay consistent but the quality of homes in that range will go down.

Are you shopping in a higher price range? There is still a huge inventory of the higher priced homes and the sellers still need to move them. Offers that wouldn't have been considered two years ago are now being gladly accepted.

Either way, it is a great time to be a buyer! The right agent can get you on the right deal and negotiate it to the end. Here are two testimonials from clients who we helped to buy homes are HUGE discounts:

We helped Aoife buy her home at $40,000 below market value!

Emily saved about $20,000!

We can do the same for you. Give is a call.

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 Countyand 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 dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. What Kind Of Market Is It Anyway? Buyer's? Seller's? Vancouver Wa Real Estate