Nationwide Open House Weekend, April 28th - 29th

It's Nationwide Open House Weekend this Weekend...

April 28 - 29th..

Find a House, Call, Text or EMail  and I can assist you with your move...

School Days in Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver Public Schools just posted their Report for the Community...take a look at what we have to offer your little and big ones...





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Fort Vancouver Tours

The Tours at Ft. Vancouver are in full swing with the Lantern Tour beginning October 2nd...this is a great outing for the Holidays if you have not been before, put it on your must to do list...

Fort Vancouver Tours

Home Buyers Tax Credit still available to Military

The Homebuyers Tax Credit is still available to the Military Families until April, 2011...if you are in the Military and are looking to purchase a home this tax credit is still available to you and your family...the Interest Rates are fantastic, the lowest in decades, and the price of homes are down...what a great time to buy you and/or your family a new home!!  Just go to this link and then call your Lender and Realtor!!

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/service_mem.php

Freddie Mac: Sales bottomed in Q1, By: Inman News

Freddie Mac analysis think home sales bottomed in the first three months of 2009 at an annual rate of 4.46 million per year, and will post steady gains each quarter to reach a pace of 5.85 million sales per year by the fourth quarter in 2010.

Sales of both new and existing detached single -family homes are expected to bottom this year at 4.72 million -- down 37 percent from the 7.46 million transactions closed in 2005 -- before rebounding to 5.5 million next year, Freddie mac said in its July 2009 Economic and Housing Market Outlook.

Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are expected to continue rising from their low of 5 percent in the second quarter of this year, reaching 5.5 percent in in the final quarter of 1009 and 6 percent by the end of 2020. At 5.8 percent, however, the projected average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages will still be low by historic norms.

March Madness - Portland Style

7:25PM..PST

March 19th

Gonzaga vs Akron

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball/men/

2008 Resolution for your Home

Make your home more comfortable in 2008...Your home should be a refuge, so make it comfortable...

Try one or all of these ideas:

• Add a comfy couch and seating
• Add a splash of color with a splash of paint, fabric or flooring
• Get rid of clutter and organize closets and storage
• Create a place in the garden for a retreat. Add a water feature, it can be very therapeutic.

The Zoo Isn't Just For Animals Anymore!!!

Enjoy a great summers evening at the Zoo

Must-Have Features forToday's Home Buyer...

Boomers or Bust!

1. No Stairs - Single story homes, first-floor master suites and /or personal elevators. As baby boomers age, they'd rather not do stairs .
2. Fireplaces - they've always wanted to have one. "It's a reward for their station in life:
3. Low maintenance surfaces - such as granite, quartz and Corian.
4. Pedestrian friendly communities - with walking trails and amenities conductive to fitness and social interaction in the neighborhood.
5. Emphasis on quality and detailing - more than square footage. It's the McMansion theory in reverse. Baby boomers are willing to trade some space for (better) features.
6. Flexible floor plans - Rooms and spaces that can adapt to changing needs and circumstances, that are multi-functional, perhaps with sliding doors and movable partitions.
7. A keeping room - Living rooms are giving way to great rooms, a keeping room provides and intimate space for families to gather near the kitchen are. "You can put a sofa and a couple of chairs in there and a fireplace.
8. Private outdoor space - this could be a deck or patio, "Someone coined the phrase, "Does it pass the smooch test?"
9. Accessible storage - Cabinets and shelves placed at heights that can be reached without a stepladder and that have pullouts, lazy susan's and shallow shelving to keep them within easy reach.
10. Ample wall space for photo gallery - of all the kids, grandkids, siblings, and parents who may have passed away is helpful.
11. Radiant floor heating - Baby boomers may have more health issues like asthma or emphysema. "Forced air becomes problematic - you don't want dust blowing around."

Professional Builder surveyed six experts - architects, home industry trend experts, and real-estate brokers and designers - to get their take on the must-have features for today's home buyers.

Vancouver, Washington Attracts with Natural Beauty. (source: Real Estate News and Advice)


The natural beauty of Vancouver, invites a variety of outdoor recreations, making it one of the most desirable cities to live in or visit in Washington...Vancouver is situated along the Columbia River just North of Portland, Oregon. Vancouver is the oldest city in the State of Washington.

We invite you to come and experience what so many are loving about living in this fabulous, rich in adventure part of the United States.

The Bridge Team

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BASEMENT DRY

• Make sure that all the basement drains work properly.
  


• Clear gutters and downspouts. Install splash blocks under the downspouts to direct water away from foundation.


• Check the basement window wells for any leakage that will allow water inside.
  


• Cover exposed pipes with insulation to prevent sweating. (Check first to determine that there are no leaks in the pipes.)
  


• Check the joint between the wall and the basement floor for seepage.
  


• Repair missing or damaged mortar in the foundation.
  


• Cover any areas of exposed ground with heavy duty plastic sheets.
  


• Insulate between the joists in the ceiling. (Make sure they are clear of mold, mildew and insects first).


• Install a dehumidifier and/or fans.


• Replace missing chimney caps to prevent rain from reaching the basement.
  


• BE SURE THAT THE GROUND AROUND YOUR HOUSE SLOPES AWAY FROM THE FOUNDATION
  


• source:
  

Market Statistics for October, 2006

We can compare the Real Estate Sales from 2005 to 2006...we can see that our time on the Market is a little higher than 2005 and our number of closed sales have decreased while listings are slightly larger. Overall we continue to have a strong market. (Source: RMLS, October 2006)

Water Rate Increase-Vancouver

A slowdown in new home construction is likely to reduce revenue from development fees the utility would collect next year, but the demand for water will continue to grow...(November 22, 2006 Business Section, the Columbian.)

Your Vancouver/SW Washington Neighborhood Search

Welcome...let us know what is special about your Vancouver Neighborhood and why you love living in the Pacific NW...

Arnada Neighborhood Association Erected the information Station. It's a community bulletin board and the inaugural project for a Portland-style "intersection repair" scene...you can post neighborhood news and exchange goods...

Bluebird Ridge (source: Columbian Neighbors, wed, ll/22/2006)

A hillside that burned spectacularly two months ago is about to undergo a more lasting, manmade makeover. Developer Mike Heston, working on behalf of property owner Phil Elrod, would like to build 20to 24 homes perched on stilts lining l.65 acres atop the bluff northeast of Pearson Field.

Houses in the proposed development, Bluebird Ridge, would be accessible from East Sixth Street