Decline in Property Sales Due to Ultra-Low Inventory in Vancouver WA for January 2020. January Vancouver WA Real Estate Sales slid compared to last year, as the Active Inventory has dropped to an ultra-low 0.6 month's of supply; which in turn has kept upward pressure on sales prices that we typically don't see this time of year. Here are the key points for this month: 238 Resale Residential Properties closed this month, which is 19 fewer (-7.3%) compared to this month last year; with 43 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line declined slightly, and now at $373,951, with a year-over-year gain of 5.36% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average positive at 3.15%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.42% of total); down from 2 in January 2020 (0... 02/13/2020

 Prices Spike While Unit Sales Fall for Vancouver WA Condos in December 2019. Extremely low Available Inventory is one of the reasons prices have been rising strongly, and causing lower Unit sales this month. This market needs more condos for sale, and more newly constructed condos. Here are the main points for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) moved up strongly this month by about $14,000; reducing the gap from last year to about- $3,222 which is -1.1% compared to the prior December; with the 12-Month Moving Average also in negative territory at -2.25% compared to the prior year;     35 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is down 9 units compared to December 2018, and 13 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales are still at 0 units... 01/30/2020

Lower Unit - Home Sales with Ultra-Tight Inventory in Vancouver WA for December 2019. December's Vancouver WA Home Sales  see prices on the rise again at a time when we expect them to be soft - since the available Inventory has been shrinking too far. Here are the important elements for this month: 273 Resale Homes closed this month, which is 42 fewer (-13.33%) compared to this month last year; with 82 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line moved upward, and now at $375,466, with a year-over-year gain of 3.48% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average positive at 2.94%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.34% of total); up from 0 in December 2018 (0% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 0 units (0% of total); compared to 2 units in De... 01/17/2020

 Sales Results Firm Up for Vancouver WA Condos in November 2019. Unit sales this month matched last year's results. In addition, upward revisions by RMLS to previous results show Unit-Sales to be almost "caught up" to last year's year-to-date level. Average Sales Price also firmed up, no doubt owing to a low-Inventory level. Here are the main points for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) moved up strongly this month from last month; but now down about $19k from last year to $276,504 which is -6.45% compared to the prior November; with the 12-Month Moving Average also in negative territory at -2.03% compared to the prior year;     46 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is the same number of units sold  in November 2018, and only 2 fewer than last mont... 12/16/2019

Good Results for Real Estate Sales in Vancouver WA for November 2019; Prices Rose Slightly. November's Vancouver WA Real Estate Sales  came in with good unit-sales; wwhile the average sales price firmed up, reflecting the shrinking Inventory. Here are the key points for this month: 342 Resale Homes closed this month, which is 21 fewer (-5.8%) compared to this month last year; with 41 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line held somewhat steady, and now at $370,178, with a year-over-year gain of 2.17% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average positive at 3.91%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 in November 2018 (0% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.6% of total); compared to 0 units in Novembe... 12/13/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos Match Last Year's Unit-Sales Although Prices are Lower for October 2019. Unit sales came in at the same number for this month last year, although year-to-date this statistic is down over 6%. The bigger news is the average sales price is quite a bit lower than last year. Here are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) moved up slightly this month, now down almost $26k from last year to $256,776 which is -9.12% compared to the prior October; with the 12-Month Moving Average now in negative territory and is -2.47% compared to the prior year;     39 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is the same number of units sold  in October 2018, and 20 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales are still at 0 units... 11/25/2019

Reasonably Strong Home Sales for Vancouver WA in October 2019; Prices in Softening-mode. Early 4th Quarter Vancouver WA Home Sales  post reasonably good unit-sales; with the average sales price showing typical seasonal softness. Here are the highlights for this month: 377 Resale Homes closed this month, which is 11 fewer (-2.8%) compared to this month last year; with 27 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line is slowing sliding, and now at $370,372, with a year-over-year gain of 2.54% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average positive at 4.15%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 unit (0.27% of total); no change from 1 in October 2018 (0.26% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 0 units (0% of total); compared to 2 units in October 2018 (0.52% o... 11/13/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos With Relatively Strong Unit-Sales for September 2019. This month Unit sales posted a relatively strong number; with the Average Sales Price continued to go lower. Below we have the key points for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) is still retreating, now almost $37k from last year to $252,446 which is -12.7% compared to the prior September; with the 12-Month Moving Average is up a mere 1.02% from the prior year;     59 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is 2 fewer units sold (-3.3%) than in September 2018, and 5 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in September 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change f... 10/23/2019

Continued Strong Home Sales for Vancouver WA in September 2019, with Prices Starting Their Seasonal Slide. Early Fall Home Sales in Vancouver WA came in with another very strong unit-sales posting; while the average sales price has started its expected seasonal slide. Below are the key points for this month: 397 Resale Homes closed this month, which is 36 more (9.97%) than this month last year; although 74 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line eased back from its recent high to $372,614, with a year-over-year gain of 3.02% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 4.66%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 2 units (0.5% of total); no change from 2 in September 2018 (0.54% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 1 units (0.25% of total); compare... 10/21/2019

10/16/2019

10/14/2019

Disaster Preparedness Month 2019 - Preparing with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction Part 3 - Earthquakes and The Big OneAs our final post on this month's series on Disaster Preparedness the topic of damaging Earthquakes and The Big One will be discussed, and to see if the ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) style of home (or commercial building) construction will help in preparation for this type of disaster. Background on the Earthquake Risk for Vancouver WA and Clark County WA - Although we don't have the reputation of California or Alaska for earthquakes, this natural activity is very much a part of our geology and history. In the past 150 years the Portland area is the most active earthquake area of the state of Oregon. We had a 5.2 earthquake in 1962 (did you feel that one - I... 10/10/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos Continue with Slower Sales for August 2019. Unit sales came in significantly lower than last year's tally; with the Average Sales Price also falling. Here are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) declined again, down  almost $18k from last year to $260,409 which is -6.45% compared to the prior August; with the 12-Month Moving Average is up 4.57% from the prior year;     53 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is 10 fewer units sold (-15.9%) than in August 2018, and 3 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 1 (1.6% of total) in August 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. The Inve... 09/25/2019

Real Estate Sales came in Strong for Vancouver WA in August 2019, with Prices Setting another New High. Late Summer Real Estate Sales in Vancouver WA came in quite strong, with the another strong unit-sales posting. Here are the highlights for this month: 461 Residential Resale Properties closed this month, which is 27 more (6.2%) than this month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line edged to another new high at $377,063, with a year-over-year gain of 4.08% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 5.44%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.2% of total); down from 2 in August 2018 (0.46% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 2 units (0.4% of total); compared to 4 unit in August 2018 (0.9% of total).  The Active Inventory for Resale Residential... 09/17/2019

Disaster Preparedness Month 2019 - Preparing with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction Part 1 - Wind Powered DisastersSeptember is the month of the year designated as Disaster Preparedness to prompt us as individuals and communities to focus on this topic, and the elements that may be particularly relevant to where we live. As a real estate related website, we won't start at a high level on the need for preparations, as there are several excellent information sources for that, and links for some of them will be provided below in a Resources section. That said, there are a few natural causes for disasters that our region can and should prepare for: Wind Storms; Earthquakes and Fire; which we'll cover in a brief series. Using ICF in the construction of homes and businesses building... 09/10/2019

 Vancouver WA Condos See Slowing of Sales for July 2019. This month we see Unit sales quite a bit lower than last year's mark; with the Average Sales Price in negative territory as well. Here are the key points for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) has reversed course from its typical seasonal move, and declined almost $13k to $268,813 which is down -4.06% over the prior July; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 5.81% from the prior year;     54 Resale Condominiums were sold in July, which is 10 fewer units sold (-15.6%) than in July 2018, and 2 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 0 (0% of total) in July 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no chang... 08/20/2019

Vancouver WA Home Sales for July 2019 almost matched last year's level, with Prices Hitting a New High. Hitting the middle of Summer Vancouver WA Home Sales look reasonably strong, bolstered by falling home loan interest rates. Here are the key points for this month: 461 Residential Resale Properties closed this month, which is 14 Fewer (-2.95%) than this same month last year.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend Line hit another new high at $376,618, with a year-over-year gain of 4.12% ; with the 12-Month Moving Average up 5.37%.  Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 1 units (0.21% of total); down from 2 in July 2018 (0.42% of total). REO/Bank Owned home sales were 0 units (0% of total); compared to 1 unit in July 2018 (0.21% of total).  The Active Inventory for Resale ... 08/14/2019

08/08/2019

A Mid-Year 2019 Home Purchase is 5%+ More Affordable than Last Year in Vancouver WA! As we move into the second half of 2019, it is important to report that at least Two Changes have taken place that affect the Affordability* of a home purchase in Vancouver and Clark County Washington. The perhaps biggest change is the greatly lower home loan (mortgage) interest rates that we have this year. The graphic below shows the current interest rate for the 30 year home loan is now well below 4.0%!!!    Home Financing Rates are Way Down For Mid-Year 2019 Last year at this time the interest rate was over 4.5% which is significantly higher than today's level, and this now-lower level has made a substantial positive impact on Affordability by lowering financing costs.  The second important factor ... 07/17/2019

 Vancouver WA Condo Sales Warming Up for June 2019. Unit sales are the highest we've seen this year but, the volume is 5%+ units behind last year at this time. Below are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) continued its seasonal up-tick and is now at $276,256 which is up 4.69% over the prior June; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 11.5% from the prior year;     52 Resale Condominiums were sold in June, which is 5 fewer units sold (-8.77%) in June 2018, and 5 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned Condominium sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 2 (3.5% of total) in June 2018.   Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sales were 0 units (0% of total); no change from 0 (0% of total) in 2018. The increase to Inventory moved up 0... 07/10/2019