The Local Real Estate Market is showing signs of warming up, with a small bump in sales, but with lagging new listings.The RMLS (for SW Washington) Snapshot Graphic for this month highlights for us many of the key measures we look at for our local real estate market:(If you would like to pull up last month's graphic as well, please open: Vancouver & Clark County WA Real Estate Snapshot for January 2023 in another tab)Quickly we see that the Average Sales price slipped only $2k; while the Median Sales Price went up $6k. Through the last half of 2022 the price decline was rather steep. So far we don't see the same declining trend in 2023.Pending Sales were down 10, which is not significant as we have a month that is short a few days. However, New Listings fell by 78 and Active Listings fe... 03/20/2023

With this being such a tumultuous time in the Vancouver Washington (and national) real estate / home sales market, I know we have readers that would like to have a good idea how February 2023 turned out. For most months the data "firms up" about 10 to 14 days into the month (for various reasons) thus, we'll call this report a "sneak peek. "The first chart we have is for the 3-month rolling average for Pending Sales, going back to 2018:With February being short by 2 to 3 days, in most years we see this month as a low spot in the year. However, currently with such a strong shock to the market still being digested, we actually see a move upwards by two units. That said, we are still down 35% year to date (ytd) (-198 units) compared to 2022 ytd.Here are the 3 data points that make up Februa... 03/07/2023

From the January 2023 data for Existing Home Sales in Clark County Washington we see mixed results, in that the overall trend is still down; however, Camas and Battle Ground show a slight upward rebound.With the largest city in the County, Vancouver WA, still trending downward, Camas and Battle Ground did not have enough energy to move the overall County trend upward.Here's our custom chart showing the 3-month rolling average:In the past couple of years both Camas and Battle Ground prices shot up faster than than the County average and in turn, they fell faster than the County average. Thus, to see the prices rebound slightly for those small communities may not be that unusual.Vancouver WA, the largest city in the County, did see improved prices that nearly halted the declining trend in... 02/28/2023

Across the USA the number of Home Sales tallied has declined to a much lower level than we had come to expect in recent years. For Vancouver WA and Clark County, our local RMLS has prepared the graph below that shows the Pending Sales by month for 2021, 2022 and January 2023:The above data points are by-month, and include Existing Home Sales plus New Construction Home Sales. One of the challenges or, short-comings of this chart is that not all New Construction sales are listing in RMLS and thus, those non-RMLS New Home Sales aren't reflected in the above chart.Another short-coming is that the years 2021 and 2022 were unusually high sales years, probably owing to the extremely low financing interest rates for those years.In any event, in the above chart you can see Pending Sales starting... 02/27/2023

January's Snapshot numbers suggest the local market is firming up, if not turning around.This month's snapshot-graphic by RMLS for Southwest Washington highlights key-item measurements for our local real estate market:Last month's graphic (see: December 2022's Clark County Real Estate Snapshot) suggested we still have a Seller's Market, and this month's numbers suggest greater movement in that direction.Prices for the Average and Median have moved up. We know one month does not necessarily indicate a trend, it certainly suggests however that a "free-fall" drop in prices is not currently happening.Although the "Inventory in Months" went up to 2.5 months, when we remove the New Construction element (which often contains a large number of "Proposed" homes, that are clearly not move-in-read... 02/22/2023

In this brief post we want to share a chart we've made showing the real estate price trends for pre-existing / resale homes sold in Clark County Washington. The underlying data employed comes from the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS); and goes back to 2009; charting the 3-month rolling average for prices in the County, and for the larger cities of Camas, Battle Ground and Vancouver.To "highlight" the "bubble" we've manually created two straight black-lines (each with an arrow). The starting point for the base-line (longer, lesser-slope) is January 2012, which is approximately the bottom for the 2008 - 2009 crash; and beginning of the latest up-trend in home sales prices. We next add in a shorter black line that reasonably captures the price-increase-slope of the 2020 to 2022 str... 01/31/2023

Nationwide we are seeing reports that the number of Existing Home Sales have Declined for 11th Straight Months; and want to show our readers what we are seeing in the local Vancouver Washington market, and to provide a couple of additional reasons, beyond the massive rise in home loan rates, why we are seeing fewer home sales of late.We have prepared the attached graph that shows the rolling-averages (3-month and 12-month) tracking the existing home sales in Vancouver WA:We can see from the chart the existing sales losing their annual upward momentum around Spring 2022. This is also clearly a strong move to the downside such that the 3-month average never rose above the 12-month line; and ended the year at a point we haven't seen this low in 8 or 9 years!Nationwide the annual decline wa... 01/23/2023

The December 2022 Real Estate Sales Action Still Suggest a Seller's Market in Vancouver Washington!The Snapshot graphic below is provided by RMLS to show us many of the key home sales metrics for Vancouver, Clark County and Southwest Washington:Even though the real estate market is "slower" than it was in early 2022; these statistics for one of the slowest months of the year show rather strong activity.For example, a total market time of 52 days is relatively brisk (it is several days lower than December 2019) for this time of year. We also see Pending Sales exceeding New Listings; which tells us the Available Inventory is declining!Also, the statistic shown at 1.9 months includes New Construction. When looking at only Pre-Owned Inventory, the number shrinks to 0.8 months worth!!! This ... 01/18/2023

Excellent Vacant Lot in Uptown Vancouver WA - Community Commercial Zoning OverviewMapsPhotosFeaturesDescription $580,000 Lots and Land Main Features Lot: 7,400 sqftMLS #: 23164862 Location 1911 BroadwayVanocuver, WA 98663USA John Slocum Premiere Property Group, LLC(360) 241-7232clagent@clarkcountyexpert.comhttp://www.clarkcountyexpert.com        Listed by: John Slocum Our recent listingsAwesome & Rare, Larger One Level Home in Rollins Estates | $619,000 | Vancouver, WA Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 01/16/2023

As a first time home buyer some people are anxious to get a jump in real estate and think they would like to buy their first home but also would like to buy a rental property.  How about buying both?  I know what you are thinking, you only qualify for one loan.  Exactly! Did you know you can buy a single family residence, a duplex, a triplex or a four-plex as a primary residence most times?  Meaning you can live in one unit and rent out the other one, two or three.  This is a great option to people that may make enough money to qualify for a loan but may not want to be married to their mortgage payment. Or, people that live in an area where house prices are a bit ridiculous and they can’t afford what they want because their payment would be too high on their own. Or, people that simply ... 01/08/2023

Awesome & Rare, Larger One Level Home in Rollins Estates OverviewMapsPhotosDescriptionMarket Stats $619,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsInterior: 2,334 sqftLot: 0.23 acre(s)Year Built: 1989MLS #: 22667167 Location 4701 NE 25th CtVancouver, WA 98683USA John Slocum Premiere Property Group, LLC(360) 241-7232clagent@clarkcountyexpert.comhttp://www.clarkcountyexpert.com        Listed by: John Slocum Our recent listingsAwesome & Rare, Larger One Level Home in Rollins Estates | $649,000 | Vancouver, WA Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 12/19/2022

EXTRA!   EXTRA!   EXTRA!  BIG   NEWS  IN  CAMAS  WA! NEW   ON   THE   MARKET   FOR   SALE!!LOVELY 3218 NW IVY LNCamas, WA 98607  Spacious, well-maintained home with lots of excellent extras!!! CHECK OUT THESE EXTRAS -HOME IS AVAILABLE FOR SHOWING TODAY!  New furnaceBrand new garage doorsEnergy Saving Solar! PUD $90 a month with a Solar rebate of $1200 annually! Solar installed and paid for 2019Rough Plumbed for Central Vac, sprinklers, extra ½ bath New Lap sidingRoof is only 10 years oldIncredible Valley views and home sits on .63 of an acreAward winning Camas School system, high graduation rates https://www.camas.wednet.edu/No HOATwo fireplaces, one is pellet and the other is wood burning                  This splendid Camas WA home has almost 4,000 sq feet (4 bedrooms and 3 baths) of ... 10/02/2022

 1203 S Union Place, Ridgefield WA 98642Go Tour This Home Today!(Virtual Showings Are Available too!)Ed Goldhammer: 360-600-5225    Here is what the RMLS says: This 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home with 9ft ceilings on main, laundry room on 2nd floor and walk in closets for all boasts several upgrades including S/S appliances, granite countertops, soft close cabinets and under cabinet lighting. Sizeable Kitchen Pantry. Gas forced heat with A/C. Nearly 10k in upgrades. Extra spacious hallway on 2nd floor perfect for all your additional living space ideas: reading nook, sofa with TV, office or craft desk, builder suggested a kitchenette- the creative possibilities are boundless. Enjoy the gorgeous sunsets out back on the covered patio with a fenced backyard and sprinkler system.                  ... 07/21/2022

 3700 SE Stiles Rd, Washougal WA 98671You will fall in love with this gorgeous and secluded home on 1.94 acres! Home is 2,340 sq ft, 2 story- 4bed/2bath. It's ranch-style living on ground floor 3 bedrooms down w/2 baths, upstairs 4th bedroom and huge bonus room upstairs w/3rd bathroom ready-plumbed. The bonus room upstairs is perfect for big screen game-day tv action, video games and other activities or over-night visitors. Beautifully landscaped & private-- approximately 1 mile from downtown and about 15-20 min to: PDX airport, shopping, groceries, big box stores and medical. Light and bright, full of windows for lots of light. Vaulted ceilings, tall bookshelves, propane stove for warming by the fire.Preparing meals in this spacious kitchen will be easy. You can see right into the huge... 04/07/2022

Property / Unit Sales Slower, with another Slight Price Rise for a New Record High for Vancouver WA in February 2022. 2021 was an extremely strong market that consumed nearly every piece of available Inventory. Now we see modestly reduced Unit Sales compared to last year, a result that shouldn't be too surprising. Prices are still seeing pressure to move up, and although the gain was small they still achieved another New High. Super Low Active Inventory is clearly hampering unit sales so far this year. Mortgage rates have moved up strongly to 3.76%. Here are the highlights for this month: 294 Resale Residential Properties closed this month, which is 26 fewer (-8.2%) compared to the same month last year; and 37 more than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend rose to a new... 03/30/2022

Property / Unit Sales dropping, with Slight Price Rise to a New Record for Vancouver WA in January 2022. We are starting the new year with greatly reduced Unit Sales compared to last year, although last year's posting was unusually strong. Prices however, are on the move back up, with a small gain they hit another New High. Abnormally Low Active Inventory is no doubt one of the reasons unit sales are down this month. Mortgage rates have moved up strongly to 3.45%. Here are the key points for this month: 257 Resale Residential Properties closed this month, which is 25 fewer (-8.9%) compared to the same month last year; and 191 fewer than last month.   The 3-Month Moving Average Price Trend rose to a new high, and is now at $493,536, with a year-over-year gain of 16.06% ; with the 12-Mon... 03/02/2022

Lovable Forrest is already one-year old. It doesn't seem possible, and yet in other ways, it's as if he's always been around. He's quite a talker. Grouses and grumbles when he doesn't get his way, and purrs and gurgles when he's especially happy. Finnegan, who is nearly a year older, is his constant companion and yet, Forrest is the alpha in their pack of two. For example, Forrest's favorite toy is his stuffed Mr. Bill doll, a gift from friends. Finnegan has already torn up his own Mr. Bill gift doll, and for that matter, all the other stuffed toys we've purchased for them. However, he somehow knows to leave his brother's Mr. Bill alone. "Oh nooooo," we hear at times during the night as Forrest rolls over on the stuffed doll.   It's the same with bones or treats. Finnegan defers to his ... 02/27/2022

The process of aging is a rocky one in the latter years. There are ups and downs and plenty of surprises. We've decided it's the ability to roll with the punches that makes things easier.  Recently, we had a chance to put it to the test at our multigenerational home in Camas, Washington. As you know, 95-year-old mom is the focus of most days and her health and well-being are our top priority. Last week, she woke up with some symptoms indicating a mild stroke. She knew us, but couldn't say our names. Naturally, we made an emergency appointment to see her doctor. The CAT Scan didn't show any signs of a stroke, but we are still waiting for an MRI and an eye appointment to help determine the cause of some ongoing visual disturbances. Fortunately, she's no longer struggling with names and se... 02/26/2022

PSSSSST....YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT YOUR HOME VALUE HAS GONE UP!! WHOOOHOOO!!!  IF YOU ARE THINKING OF MOVING TO THAT VACATION SPOT YOU'VE ALWAYS LOVED....MY REFERRAL PARTNER ED GOLDHAMMER IS THE BEST CONTRACT AND NEGOTIATION AGENT I'VE EVER MET, BAR NONE.   Ed gets great reviews because he always answers his phone, been in the business 29 years and has worked with most of the agents in Clark County. Those agents all love Ed because they know he will CLOSE your sale!  *** These weekly reports keep buyers and sellers informed about local market conditions when they're buying or selling their home. The reports use real-time data so you can make decisions based on what's happening in the market right now and how the market is changing week by week. Here are a few tips for using the reports: ... 02/15/2022

Seasonal Decline for Unit Sales; With Sales Price Moving Up Deliberately for Vancouver WA Condos in December 2021. We are late in the Season and Unit's Sold are declining as we expect. For the year we have seen a record total. Prices for the short-term trend are currently coming in close to the rising long-term trend-line. Active Inventory remains at the extremely low 0.3-month's worth of Supply. Here are the highlights for this month: The Short term Condo Sales Price (3-Month Moving Average) gained eased $1,740 and is now at $335,808; which is up 14.63% compared to the prior December; and the 12-Month Moving Average is up 14.26% compared to the prior year;    60 Resale Condominiums were sold, which is down 1 unit compared to December 2020, and 4 fewer than last month;  REO/Bank Owned ... 01/27/2022