Our son-n-law just got orders from the Air Force to be deployed to South Korea for a year.

He has been in the Air Force for about 11-12 years I think. He will leave in a few months and be gone for a full year. He has seven days to make up his mind whether he will go or not. (It is still a volunteer military and we should be ever more grateful for the protection all these men and women provide America. They have to make these heart-wrenching decisions all the time!) If he decides to not go, he will have to leave the military service. That is something he does not want to do. But if he chooses to commit to his South Korean deployment, he will miss his wife and two little boys for the whole year. That's a pretty hard thing to do to a family...be apart for a whole year. There are many things to consider in such a deployment, especially since the world is in such unrest. Who knows what will be going on with South and North Korea in the coming months and into next year?

Our whole family is sad for them, but oh so proud.

Check out these listings in local cities of Clark County:

Here is a graph of the amount of residential homes for sale each month of 2009 taken from our RMLS.  If Clark County didn't list one more home, the first graph represents how many months we would have to sell all this inventory off. From this graph you can see that we are still experiencing a "buyer's market" where the buyers are able to influence and negotiate better prices for themselves.

For example, in January we had 21 months of homes sitting and waiting to be sold. As you can see, our inventory is going down. If we get to the point where Clark County only had less than 7 months of inventory, that would equal a "seller's market" and the sellers could pretty much name their price. (Very similiar to 2005 where many people bought "high.")

 

 

 This second graph is comparing April 2009 market activity with May 2009 market activity.

This is about the fifth time this year my buyers and I have "lost" a short sale! In other words.."Not Won," "Gone by the Wayside," "No Compete" losing of short sales happening to my buyers here in Clark County, Washington. It's outrageous. I'm sick of it I tell you. It's fair. But I hate it. Can't get anywhere with all these other buyers thinking these houses are worth MORE than their list price. Offers, offers, offers! These short sale houses are being "fought over!" Investors, 1st time home buyers...they're fighting over the best deals in town. They are offering their "highest and best offers" and actually "winning" the sale of the homes! Stop that. My buyers need to "win" one of these sales. Whew. So frustrating.

My 3 or 4 cash buyers have made decent offers, that's cash with large downpayments. Then an offer will come in that is an FHA loan but with 20% down. Then someone will come and offer OVER list price. Then another person will come along and offer OVER the list price! And then some joker will come in and offer OVER list price with CASH! Please!

There aren't going to be any great houses left to sell in Clark County Washington if this isn't stopped immediately.

 

Jill Watts

360-8521689

Portland, Oregon's Starlight Run is a really FUN Run...Saturday night, May 30th, 2009 at 9:00 pm.

It's as much fun for the audience lining the parade route as it is for the runners! We have made it a family tradition to go to this event because the runners all dress up and you never know what you will get to see and experience! Arrive early, take some chairs and some snacks and some chalk and games for your little ones to play in the street while waiting for the parade to start. And hey...you can also buy your little one some cotton candy or a toy from one of the traveling vendors!

For more information find the link here:  http://www.rosefestival.org/events/starlightrun/    

Here's a blurb from their homepage: 

What a FUN Run!

"How far will people go to be in a parade? If they're runners in the Starlight Run, the answer is 3.1 miles! And, with more than 4,000 runners projected for this year's event, the Starlight Run is definitely the largest fun-run in Oregon. It's also the most FUN fun-run, with participants vying not only to break the tape, but also to win prizes for best individual or group costumes." 

Our Keller Williams Broker Brian Combs told us this week that there was one home in Vancouver that got 21 bids!!! How can you compete with that?? It's a Buyers Market....but don't get attached to that short sale you're bidding on. You're most likely NOT getting it. Clark County is seeing MULTIPLE OFFERS on many short sales and even some of the non-short sale pendings. We are definitely selling off our home inventory.

It's very frustrating to show homes to a set of clients, they finally choose a home in one of the the major cities of Clark County. Then... only to learn that there are multiple offers and many of them at full listing price!

And IF you do not put in a full price offer and there is no other full price offer currently on the home...the bank just sits like a fat frog on the bank of a pond and waits until they can get a full price offer or near to it.

 

There is no respect for the clients.

Need a night out for a low cost? Restaurants in the Clark County, Washington area have plenty of discounts for having a meal with your family!  I've pulled together some ideas for you. Blessings!
Date: March 2, 2009
Contact: David Archer, V.P. Marketing
Phone: (503) 605-4151 "FREE Slice Wednesdays" Debut at Shari's (Beaverton, Oregon - 3/2/09) - Wednesday night is now 'Pie Night' throughout the Northwest, as Shari's Restaurants offer a FREE Slice of award-winning pie from their bakery with every dinner entree purchased. "We can all use a little treat in the middle of the week, and now Shari's is providing that with a FREE slice of pie!," said David Archer, Shari's Vice President of Marketing. "Guests can choose their favorite flavor from our selection of delicious fruit and cream pies." Shari's has become the local destination for pies, whether you're enjoying a slice in the comfort of the restaurant with a hot cup of Arosta coffee, or taking a whole pie to go for entertaining at home. 'FREE Slice Wednesdays' are available for a limited time at all 101 locations of Shari's Restaurants. About Shari's Restaurants: Shari's (www.sharis.com) is the largest full-service restaurant chain based in the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1978 and operated by Shari's Management Corporation of Beaverton, Oregon, Shari's Restaurants provide customers high quality, reasonably-priced meals 24-hours a day in a comfortable surrounding. Shari's menu features a full selection of breakfasts, salads, gourmet sandwiches, hamburgers, dinner entrees, desserts and pies. With nearly 4,500 employees, the chain currently has 101 locations throughout Oregon, Washington, California, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nebraska.     Here are some great kid's meal discount ideas!!
RESTAURANTS & CAFES

Kids Eat FREE or For Less!

Doesn't the cost of living seem to be going up higher and higher these days? Ugh! Whether parents or grandparents, if you like to go out to eat with the kids, you'll be glad to know there are some local restaurants where you can feed them for free! Or at least they have children's menus with low prices! Here are some popular choices: Gustav's in Fisher's Landing (children under 3 always free plus an inexpensive kids' menu items), Rib City Grill on Mill Plain in Cascade Park (free chicken dinner for kids under 4 all the time), I-Hop near Van Mall and in Fisher's Landing (1 child per paying adult can eat free from the kids' menu every Tuesday from 4:00 - 9:00 pm), Donner Haus on Mill Plain near Fisher's Landing (1 child per paying adult can choose from the kids' menu for free every Wednesday after 5:00 pm), Shari's in Fisher's Landing and on Mill Plain in The Heights (1 child per paying adult can eat free from the children's menu from 4:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays), and The Original Fatty Patty's on Hwy #99 in Hazel Dell (kids can choose from the junior menu for breakfast or lunch every day until 2:00 pm). For more options elsewhere, see www.PortlandKidsDirectory.com, the source for most of this information.    

There ya go!!! Have Fun!!!! Call us and we'll join ya sometime!

Jill Watts
Keller Williams
email: jillwatts@kw.com
text or cell: 360-852-1689
Search the MLS: www.jillwatts.yourkwagent.com

Creating leverage through real estate

is the best way to financial freedom.

Referrals are appreciated anytime!

 I couldn't make it without your support. Blessings!

“Created in His Image“ ….If you could walk 1.5 miles and save a life...would you?

You can help save lives by joining the Walk for Life 2009!  This 1.5 mile walk in Camas, Washington raises funds for the ongoing ministry of the Community Pregnancy Clinic of Camas/Washougal.  The CPC provides compassionate help and hope to women and teens who are unprepared for pregnancy.  Form a group: youth groups, prayer groups, families; or walk individually for the upcoming event on Saturday, May 2nd, 9:00 a.m. at Louis Bloch Park. (Located just east of Safeway.)  Join in the fun! There are really cool prizes for the most pledges earned and games and food too!  Call or text Jill Watts at 852-1689 for more information.

This little clinic served over 850 women, children and families over this last year. Their budget for 2009 was set in November of 2008 and the Executive Director, Jeanne Leavitt has noticed the clinic's walk-in traffic has increased considerably already this year.  They offer great services such as pregnancy testing, ultra sounds, counseling and support, parental education, baby clothes.

Here's a link to their website:
http://communitypregnancyclinic.org

• Most of our clients are 16 to 20 years old
• Eight in ten are not using contraceptives
• 20% state they have no Christian background
• Three out of four are single
• 30% have a positive pregnancy test
• Nearly 9 out of 10 of those who find they are pregnant choose life for their unborn child

Here are some other links to help and support in Clark County for Moms and Pregnancies:

• Options 360° Pregnancy Clinic
• New Beginnings Maternity Home
• Lewis River Life Hope
• CareNet
• Pregnancy Resource Center of Vancouver

Current Volunteer Opportunities at the Camas Washougal Pregnancy Clinic:

• Take our hands-on volunteer training and give 4 hours of your time each week
• Pray for our volunteers and clients
• Mow our lawn in the summer
• Donate time to help with fundraising
• Help with our clothes ministry

 If you are thinking of coming to our great Northwest...to work or to play...I encourage you to check out the links below and see how you can make the move to the area that features towering fir trees, lighthouses, pristine beaches, snow skiing, salmon and steelhead fishing, etc. Check out some of these great links:

Here's a great windsuring resources page including weather, times, windsuring shops, etc.: http://windsurf.mediaforte.com/gorge4.html

Here's a great link to state parks, beaches, whale watching http://www.chiff.com/recreation/beaches/US/washington.htm

For all you snowboarders and ski dogs: http://www.onthesnow.com/oregon/skireport.html

 

Here's a link to some of our employment information, Come on Up!!

 Southwest Washington's Largest Employers

Vancouver Business Journal

What is your home worth in today's market? Call me! I can research it for you!

 I will happily give you more specific neighborhood values if you are interested. FREE!

I love assisting clients to find their dream home whether it is for investment in a custom home, short sale, relocation, rental,
bank owned sale...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you,
contract to close. Maximize your profits in real estate in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington today!
Creating wealth through real estate is the best way to financial freedom...and that's what we all want, right?!

Jill Watts
Keller Williams
email: jillwatts@kw.com
text or cell: 360-852-1689
Search for Homes: www.jillwatts.yourkwagent.com

 

There are many great fun things to know about our Clark County Washington community! Here are my favorite websites to get you started enjoying and exploring Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, Ridgefield. Battle Ground, LaCenter, Portland, Oregon....and more:

(1)"Johann & Sandra's" FUN resource page: Click Here!

(2) Vancouver's City Page has Maps, Events, etc. Click Here!

(3) Check out our local School Ratings: Click Here!

(4) For FREE stuff to do in nearby Portland: Click Here!

What is your home worth in today's market? Call me! I can research it for you!

 

I love assisting clients to find their dream home whether it is for investment in a custom home, short sale, relocation, rental, bank owned sale...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you, contract to close. Maximize your profits in real estate in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington today!
Creating wealth through real estate is the best way to financial freedom...and that's what we all want, right?!

Jill Watts
Keller Williams
email: jillwatts@kw.com
text or cell: 360-852-1689
Search for Homes: www.jillwatts.yourkwagent.comI will happily give you more specific neighborhood values if you are interested. FREE!