Vancouver Wa Real Estate - Elite Realty NW

New Taxes In Oregon Equal Increased Real Estate Business In Vancouver Washington

For those of you who are as geographically challenged as I am, Vancouver Washington is right across the Columbia River from Portland Oregon. I tell you this to demonstrate how a move of less than 12 miles is saving people tens of thousands of dollars.

Oregon just passed new tax laws. Measures 66 and 67. I won't spend any time digging into the nuts and bolts of the matter, but the thumbnail version of these new taxes are that they tax businesses on their total revenue instead of basing the tax burden based on profit. Simply stated, high volume business with minimal profit margins? You are screwed!

This has been very interesting for us to watch from our side of the river. When the measures passed, our phones immediately started to ring with angry Oregonians on the other end of the line. We received dozens of calls inquiring about the nicer areas of Clark County and asking about prices. We have the listings for all of the lots at Camellia, home to the 2009 Clark County Parade of Homes, so there were a large number of callers interested in that community. In the past week or so the call volume has dropped off a bit. The buyers are still there and still angry, but they have homes that they need to sell before they can make their exit across to the north side of the river. Many of them are learning that this is a very difficult market in which to sell a home. They are also learning that there are people who don't want to buy their homes for the exact same reasons that they are in such a hurry to sell it. Taxes!

It is happening but it is happening at a slower pace than expected. Business owners are slowly (but steadily) migrating across the river with their businesses in tow. Plans are being made, homes are being sold, and businesses are being moved.

Have you been adversely affected by the new tax measures in Oregon? We are here to help. We are familiar with the best areas that Clark County has to offer and  we are ready to help you with your move.