Clark County Market Recap
The real estate market in Clark County WA is still lively, but starting to reach a more “reasonable” level. Even during this hot lazy summer, activity is high, inventory low, and prices are still up compared to a year ago.
During this time of year, buyers are pretty serious, especially families with school children. They want to relocate before school starts. Likewise, sellers are eager to move on and are now willing to negotiate over price or terms as the Springtime frenzy has died down. It is a good time to consider buying if you are in the market.
Here’s a recap of the July market activity in Camas, East County, and Washougal. Plus, the latest market report for MultiGen homes in Clark County.
Clark County Market Recap
Meanwhile, even with a slight downturn, Average home prices in Clark County are up 15% over last year.
If you are thinking about selling, now is a great time! Most COVID restrictions have been lifted, but we still observe all health protocols. restrictions. All showings continue under controlled environments, and houses continue to be shown and sold.
Want To Know What Your Home is Worth? Just Ask US!
Be super-prepared when you start looking. Have your financing and down payment in order, and be prepared to make an offer as soon as you see what you like. Waiting will likely mean the house will be gone. You can start your home search here.
Want to hear more about Clark County Home Sales, or receive our Week-End Market Report? Send us an email and we’ll send you the latest reports.
When the weather warms up, buyers often start talking about being outdoors on the water. Some folks want easy access to boating and active water sports, while others just want a peaceful place to enjoy the relaxed, meditative environment. Whether it’s a river, bay, creek or pond, waterfront homes have a built-in natural asset many buyers want.
While Clark County offers opportunities for waterfront living, the challenges of regulations, market demand, and a limited inventory have made this a limited, and specialized market. Regulations designed to protection our watersheds restrict the development of shoreline properties with tight footprints, setbacks, and mitigation requirements. Even creeks are regulated in certain protected watersheds, so this can cause frustration for anyone trying to build or expand a house along a natural waterway.
Whether you are looking for, or want to sell, waterfront property, you should work with a broker who has experience in this specialized market and knows how to achieve that perfect outcome for you.
63 Active from $425,000 to $2,790,000
Average SQFT 3,594
Average $/SQFT $239
37 Pending from $400,000 to $1,200,000
Average SQFT 3,127
Average $/SQFT $208
50 Sold in past 3 months from $400,000 to $1,675,000
Average SQFT 3,211
Average $/SQFT $199
Median Days on Market: 34 days. Waterfront homes don’t last for long!
Looking for a waterfront property? Start your search here.
Have a home on the water you want to sell? We specialize in selling homes with “Nature As Neighbors.”
One-level ranch homes are always in high demand. Add in a great location and larger lot, and you’ve really got a special find. Lucky you, this custom 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in Fisher’s Landing is back on the market. The buyers had a change of heart, and their loss is your gain.
The exterior of the home has timeless appeal, and with fiber cement siding and a newer roof, long-lasting appeal too. Inside, light and bright rooms with fresh professional painting and new carpet await your touches. Wide hallways are a big plus and add to the spacious feeling.
We really like the sunny, quarter acre lot. The fenced backyard is great for outdoor entertaining and gardening. Wide streets and a reduced speed zone keep this section of McGillivray Blvd safe and quiet. Wide bike paths line the roadway making it easy to walk, jog, or bike to nearby parks or New Seasons Market.
Fisher’s Landing is a thriving area in East Clark County. There are a variety of shops, services, and restaurants plus, you can be on I-5 or I-205 in mere minutes. Portland International Airport is just 15 minutes away too! Call us today for a tour, before it’s too late.
You’ll enjoy the location of this custom built one-level home in popular Cascade Highlands. It has approximately 1900 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths. The home has new carpet, fresh professional painting, a new roof, and an HVAC system was installed in 2011.
A large sunny lot (.25 acres) is perfect for gardening and outdoor enjoyment. Wide streets, a bike lane, reduced speed area, and sidewalks make this McGillivary home an easy commute to nearby parks, shops, eateries, and services. Stay tuned, or call us today for more details.
With Spring’s arrival, more people are getting outside to enjoy the nice weather. In this environment, buyers start thinking about living on or near water. Some want easy access to boating and active water sports. Others just want a peaceful place for quiet reflection -water has a natural, meditative effect on us, especially being around moving water.
The Pacific Northwest has many amazing bodies of water – rivers, bays, lakes and creeks all enhance our connection to nature. But regulations designed to protect our watersheds restrict the development of shoreline properties with tight footprints, setbacks, and mitigation requirements. Even creeks are regulated in certain protected watersheds. This can cause frustration for anyone trying to build or expand a house along a natural waterway (previous structures are grandfathered in, but there are still limitations on what you can do to the property.)
Regulation, market demand, and a limited inventory all add up to create a specialized market. Whether you are looking for, or want to sell, waterfront property, you should work with a broker who has experience in this specialized market and knows how to achieve that perfect outcome for you.
Here is a snapshot of the current market for waterfront ViewHomes™ of Clark County:
57 Active from $409,900 to $2,795,000
Average SQFT 3,632
Average $/SQFT $230
1 Bumpable 4157 SQFT for $659,000 at $159/SQFT
20 Pending from $415,000 to $3,290,000
Average SQFT 3,338
Average $/SQFT $226
24 Sold in past 3 months from $420,000 to $2,500,000
Average SQFT 3,683
Average $/SQFT $195
Median Days on Market – 69
View properties on water tend to move quickly, so now is a great time to buy or sell waterfront property. Give us a call – we specialize in ViewHomes™ of Clark County.
The demand for multigenerational homes continues to grow each year. Ten years ago, we bought a townhouse right next to my elderly parents so we could help them out, but still have our own personal space. When they started having trouble navigating the stairs, we found a daylight basement home with single level living on the first floor and separate living quarters below. We never thought we would be part of a major trend, but this lifestyle has become mainstream and is growing.
In addition to the economic benefits of shared expenses, there are social and familial benefits of deepened relationships and enriched lives. Adult children have the peace of mind of taking care of their aging parents by not putting them into a facility. Grandchildren have the bonus of quality time with their grandparents on a regular basis.
We think it’s no coincidence that our specialty – view homes with “elbow room for the soul” works well for multigen homes, too. We know how to evaluate homes on larger lots with the potential for additional living quarters. Whether separate living quarters, or shared space, we understand and live the lifestyle, so we know how to find the right multigen home.
It also helps to know what the market looks like when you start shopping for a multigen home. Here is a snapshot of ViewHomes™ of Clark County with dual-living features, starting at $400,000:
48 Active Listings – $419,900 to $4,500,000
Average SQFT – 4,810
Average $/SQFT – $195
2 Bumpable Buyers – $798,000 to $2,250,000
Average SQFT- 5,168
Average $/SQFT – $295
20 Pending – $435,000 to $3,290,000
Average SQFT– 4,324
Average $/SQFT – $212
22 Sold in last 3 Mos – $403,000 to $1,250,000
Average SQFT – 3,925
Average $/SQFT – $178
Median Days on Market was 2 Months – multigen homes do not last long in this market!
If you are looking for a home for Multi-Gen living, you can start your search here. Or if you have a home that has Multigen features and you want to sell, call us – we are specialists in this field, and we have buyers ready to move!
We continue to receive inquiries about multigenerational homes now that the lifestyle has become more popular. Besides the economics of sharing expenses, there are the real social and familial benefits of deepened relationships and enriched lives. Adult children have the peace of mind of taking care of their aging parents, grandchildren have the bonus of quality time with their grandparents on a regular basis.
We think it’s no coincidence that our specialty – view homes with “elbow room for the soul” works well for multi-gen homes, too. We are familiar with how to convert homes on larger lots into the potential for additional living quarters. Because we understand and live the lifestyle, we know how to find the right multi-gen home.
It also helps to know what the market looks like when you start shopping for a multi-gen home. Here is a snapshot of ViewHomes™ of Clark County with dual-living features priced starting at $400,000:
49 Active Listings – $419,900 to $4,500,000
Average SQFT – 5,072
Average $/SQFT – $212
3 Bumpable Buyers – $690,000 to $2,250,000
Average SQFT- 6,020
Average $/SQFT – $257
11 Pending – $425,000 to $1,250,000
Average SQFT– 3,588
Average $/SQFT – $180
32 Sold in last 3 Mos – $400,980 to $1,250,000
Average SQFT – 3,738
Average $/SQFT – $176
Average Days on Market: 87 – Multi-gen homes do not last long in this market!
If you are looking for a home for Multi-Gen living, you can start your search here. Or if you have a home that has Multi-Gen features and you want to sell, call us – we are specialists in this field, and we have buyers ready to move!
We know where to find Multi-gen homes, family estates, and homes with plenty of space for frequent visitors. In fact, we too live the lifestyle in our own ViewHome located in the hills above Camas/Washougal. Privacy and nature abound, yet recently, it was only a 20 minute trip to take our daughter and granddaughter to Portland International Airport for their return flight to Denver.
If you’re like me, digging in the dirt can calm, ground, and refresh your mood, all at once. It’s truly an enjoyable endeavor that also pays off in beautiful blooms and tasty vegetables and fruits. Studies have shown that gardening can have a meditative, healing effect on people – one study coined the phrase Horticultural Therapy. It is definitely an area in our lives where we experience “elbow room for the soul”.
In Clark County, WA, you’ll have to adjust your gardening style to the different conditions within our region. For example, those of us who live in East County – Fishers Landing, Camas, and Washougal have gorge winds to reckon with as they can cause problems with our plantings.
Strong winds tug at delicate root systems and prevent optimal growth. In addition, the wind dries out soil, therefore gardeners must be mindful and water deeply and with more frequency to avoid stress. Pathogens are also carried from one plant to the next, especially when accompanied by rain ( that never happens around here, right?).
You can create barriers for your more delicate plantings ( eg. tomatoes) to help block the winds. Small retaining walls, mesh screens, and trellis panels can be quite effective. Some gardeners create small recesses within windy slopes or other areas. These pockets are surrounded with a build up of stone or rocks and covered with a heavy layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
Thoughtful placement of trees and shrubs can also provide wind protection for your garden in East County. Consider hardy varieties such as redbud, mountain ash, dogwood, and Japanese maples, to name a few. We like shrubs such as rose hips, lavender, and high-bush cranberry. It’s essential that windbreaks are 50% permeable to filter the winds.
We’ve designed our raised-bed garden on a terraced southern slope that gets more sun and less cold north winds. Terracing makes it possible to garden on a slope with little concern over erosion. The heat stored by the terrace wall above each strip provides a bit of thermal protection for the crops below.
Gardening provides such a feeling of satisfaction. Digging in the dirt is good for the soul and our health. You can’t get much more fresh and local than the harvest from your own garden. Here’s to a great growing season in East Clark County, Washington.
ViewHomes of Clark County™ grew out of our love for nature, beautiful surroundings, and a peaceful environment. We recently moved our multi-generational household to an area located in the rolling hills north of Camas-Washougal. Our property sits on an acre-plus with towering trees, stunning sunrises and sunsets, and we get seasonal views of the Little Washougal River. Our family loves having Nature As Neighbors.
If you’re looking for a family estate with enough room for visiting, or live-in family, and friends, and land to garden or enjoy privacy, you’re similar to the majority of our clients.. Since we also specialize in Multi-generational living, we have helped many families find a home suitable for multiple generations. In short, we recognize the need many of us share to spend time with those we love, connect with nature, and live a lifestyle that helps rejuvenate our souls.
One of the key elements that our family recognizes is the need for each of the three couples to have their own space and privacy. If we choose, we can go for days without seeing one another. However, that’s not the case. We have over an acre of land too and often share in the upkeep and maintenance of the buildings and grounds. We’d be happy to share our tips and experiences if you’re considering this lifestyle.
If you have a multi-generational home to sell, we’d be happy to explain how our unique focus can help market your home to rise above the rest. If you’re interesting in purchasing a Multi-generational ViewHome, we know the inventory and carefully sift through the listings on an on-going basis. We’ve found many homes with the potential for dual living situations not emphasized.
There are 49 Dual Living homes listed on the MLS with a Median List price of $729,900. Currently, there are 19 Pending, and 51 Sales in the last 6 months. The Median DOM ( days on market) ranges from a low of 58-92. The Median Sales Price to LIst Price is 97.24%. It’s a great time to sell. Call us today for your complimentary market analysis.
Visit us at Nature As Neighbors™ and explore the homes we’ve carefully screened to match the type of ViewHome™ we know you’re looking for in Clark County. Our blog, News and Views, is updated frequently with articles and videos highlighting rural lifestyles, nature, news, views, events and people in Clark County.
Bee’ing Part of the Solution.
Honey bee populations are disappearing at alarming rates around the world. While we can’t point the finger at just one reason for their mass die-off, there is strong evidence linking pesticides to the conditions causing Colony Collapse Disorder.
In recent years, chemicals called neonicotinoids have been linked to bee deaths, and Europe recently banned the use of the pesticides for two years. The EPA has yet to take action in the United States, and it’s overdue according to many environmentalists and bee-keepers.
One of our favorite grocery stores in the Camas-Fishers Landing area has installed bee hives on the roof-top of the store. New Seasons did the same thing at its Happy Valley, Oregon, store and may put hives in 9 other stores in the Portland area.
A Portland beekeeper recently moved 50,000 bees to the Fisher’s Landing market with hopes of the rooftop population growing to more than 120,000 by next spring. A New Season’s spokesman says it’s the grocery chain’s “Bee Part of the Solution,” campaign.
The Columbian newspaper has reported that New Seasons might start selling its own brand of honey. Another goal of the project is to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and the risk to their survival from pesticides, parasites, and disease.
If honey bees disappear, so does a third of our food supply. Foods we’d likely miss too, including many fruits, veggies, and certain seeds and nuts. It may take scientists time to determine the exact cause of CCD, however neonics are a prime suspect that could be taken out of our backyards, fields, and orchards.
Be mindful of what you use at home in your gardens, even so-called organic pesticides can cause problems for critters. Roundup, thought to be safe to use for killing weeds, is also coming under more scrutiny. Try to find other methods for weed control. It might not be as effective, but in the long run, if it protects the environment, it’s worth it.
If you too are concerned about the link between pesticides and honey bees, let the EPA know. Tell them not to wait until 2018 to ban bee-killing pesticides. And the next time you visit New Seasons, tell them thank you for BEEing Part of the Solution.
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The content relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX program of the RMLS™ of Portland, Oregon. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than ViewHomes™ of Clark County are marked with the RMLS™ logo, and detailed information about these properties includes the names of the listing brokers. Listing content is copyright © 2023 RMLS™, Portland, Oregon.
This content last updated on Friday, July 1 at 03:15AM. Some properties which appear for sale on this web site may subsequently have sold or may no longer be available.
All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
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