https://activerain.com/blogs/izzytraveler en-us https://activerain.com/blogsview/1523748/short-sale-help-coming-soon--vancouver-wa Short Sales can make any one's head spin, a number of buyer's and Realtors avoid them. How can you blame them? Things are about to change for the better...who would ever think that a lender has 10 days to respond to a Short Sale? Change is coming and it's coming soon as early as April 2010. Under the HAFA program (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) to entice servicers to accept a sale on defaulted properties for less than the outstanding mortgage balance, Treasury is offering incentive payments of 1,000.00 per completed Short Sale. Servicers will receive 1,000.00 for each deed in lieu of foreclosure. Under the terms of the program, once a servicer determines a homeowner does not qualify for a modification, the servicer has a 10 day window in which the borrower must be considered for the HAFA program. The guidelines also include $1,500 for relocation expenses for the borrower. The goal of this program is to help all parties involved and avoid Foreclosure. If you are a distressed seller work with a "Short Sale Specialist" that  has your best interests at heart and that will not charge you anything for their services in helping you Short Sale your Home. Isabel Da Costa (John L. Scott Real Estate) Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:24:59 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/1523748/short-sale-help-coming-soon--vancouver-wa https://activerain.com/blogsview/597316/first-time-buyers-opportunity-vancouver--wa You may be renting endlessly not realizing that you can afford a home. Just a tip, on the average home prices in Clark County are down 25% which means you are buying a home on sale, finally!  You may not realize that there are programs currently that offer downpayment assistance and this is a great opportunity to get into a home now! There is talk of these programs going away soon making it very diffucult for first time buyers to afford getting into a home. Whatever rent you are paying now multiply it by 12 months and then 5.  This will give you an idea of how much of your hard earned money you are giving away (in 5 years) to someone else and you will never see again.  This was my turning point when I made a commitment to purchase my first home! In 5 years when I sold my first home I was given a check for 77,000 and it was all mine! Renting is fine as long as it is a short-term goal otherwise you will get stuck renting for years because it's comfortable...You better catch yourself and do the math! Just a few tips to get you started, read as much as you can about buying your "First Home", get pre-approved by a trusted lender (it's free) and work with a buyer's agent, he or she will be your mentor (it's free), don't be afraid to take the plunge, you will redeem the benefits in the very near future! Quick update...the downpayment assistance program that made it easier for a buyer to afford getting into a home (up to 6%) is being banned as of Oct.01, 2008. If you are considering buying a home, you better not take too long to take action because after Oct. 01 you could be digging in your own pocket for a substantial down payment! As a buyers agent I am comitted to educating you in the process of home buying and guiding you through out the entire process. Your goals and needs will be heard very carefully and you will never be sold!   My team of trusted professionals of lenders, appraisers, insurance agents, escrow officers, attorneys truly care about the satisfaction and needs of their clients so that you can have a truly positive experience.  I promise you that you will be in good hands! Contact me (360) 606-9715  today for your "FREE" Get The Facts First Home Brochure". Isabel Da Costa (John L. Scott Real Estate) Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:31:31 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/597316/first-time-buyers-opportunity-vancouver--wa https://activerain.com/blogsview/456107/farmer-s-market-is-coming-to-downtown-camas- If you enjoy fresh produce and strolling through the streets of a historic town on the weekends, you need to get your calendars out!  The Camas Farmer's Market will run from May until October every Saturday from 9am-1pm.Products to include a variety of produce, plants, fresh flowers, eggs, cheese, meats, baked goods, etc.This wonderful town has grown and flourished so much over the last 5 years with unique and tasteful shops, fabulous eateries and community events and it yet it has managed to maintain its small town charm throughout.  When I first introduced my husband to Camas, he asked "where will we shop?" and without hesitation I answered, it will come! It sure did, and now Camas has been recognized by "Money Magazine" as one of the top 100 cities to live.  I am so proud to live here, and I share my town regularly with friends, family and clients. It is an incredible community I invite you to stop by and take a look! Isabel Da Costa (John L. Scott Real Estate) Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:04:22 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/456107/farmer-s-market-is-coming-to-downtown-camas- https://activerain.com/blogsview/183239/my-favorite-eateries-in-clark-county-and-camas-washington Everyone that knows me well, knows that I love my food!  These are the places that I would like to share with you.  In Vancouver I love the Jerusalem Cafe (Mediterranean Cuisine), The Hawaiian Cafe (on Mill Plain), Arawan (Thai Food, Mill Plain), Cactus Ya-Ya (South-Western).  Camas, Around- the- Table (Downtown), Salut (Downtown), Roots (192-nd).  If you enjoy eating as much as I, go out and enjoy!!! Isabel Da Costa (John L. Scott Real Estate) Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:45:39 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/183239/my-favorite-eateries-in-clark-county-and-camas-washington https://activerain.com/blogsview/182489/are-you-selling-your-home-in-camas--washington--- If your home is up for Sale in Camas, Washington are you wondering why your home is getting just a few showings or none???  One of the reasons is the large amount of inventory available (approx. 7.5 months) but the other reason could also be that your home is overpriced!  When you decided to hire your Realtor to market your home was your decision based on the highest comps that your agent provided you with or was it integrity??? One should never get sold on the highest numbers because overpriced homes especially in today's market don't sell, well priced homes are still selling even in this slower market!  If you need to sell, it is imperative that the numbers are right. Isabel Da Costa (John L. Scott Real Estate) Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:41:37 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/182489/are-you-selling-your-home-in-camas--washington---