Home Sales in Ridgefield. Market Report for September 2020.
Ridgefield is the second-fastest growing city in Washington state. Once known for sprawling farms and open space, new home construction is on the rise. This provides many with affordable housing, yet, environmental guidelines and land use regulation still make it a desirable place to live.
While close to many city amenities like shopping and restaurants, Ridgefield also offers many outdoor activities. For one, the National Wildlife Refuge, serves as a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. Literally, in Ridgefield’s back yard, you can hike in the refuge, or tour via kayak along a 21-mile water trail between downtown and the Columbia River. Or, if you prefer, you can experience the Reserve by an audio-guided drive-through.
Point of Interest: The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a replica of the cedar homes used by indigenous Chinook population. Built by more than 100 volunteers over a period of two years, the Plankhouse based on findings from the archaeological site and other historical references. And one of our favorite events associated with the refuge is BirdFest and Bluegrass – a celebration of nature and music welcoming migratory birds back to their winter home.
Looking for a home in Ridgefield? It helps if you know the market:
Home Sales in Ridgefield – Market Report for Single Family Homes over $350,000:
With Days on Market at only 21, homes in Ridgefield sell quickly! Construction of affordable homes offers many opportunities for anyone interested in a new home. Local amenities like shopping, services, and easy access to nature make it a very desirable place to live. So, it’s no wonder it has been discovered by many out-of staters who want to relocate to the Pacific Northwest.
If you are thinking of selling your home in Ridgefield, call us for a free pricing consultation.
If you are looking for a home in Ridgefield, start your search for ViewHomes™ of Clark County.
MultiGen Homes – The New Norm
A recent report by Pew Research Center shows that 52% of young adults now live with their parents – the highest percentage since the Great Depression. Clearly, these numbers reflect the devastating impact of COVID-19 and its effect on the economy.
While this is not the type of intentional multigen households we typically cover, it is still a significant development. One that could have repercussions for the U.S. demographics in general and housing markets in particular. Much will depend upon how much longer COVID-19 will be on the rise, and how long before the U.S. economy starts a rebound.
If you are thinking about forming a MultiGen household, we have personal experience and can help you plan. Plus, you should know what the market is doing. Here is a Market Report for Multigen Home Sales, September 2020.
MultiGen Homes – The New Norm
While putting this Market Report together, we noted that, compared to a year ago, sales of multigen homes are up 53%, and Average Sale Price is up 16.7%.
We have lived in a multi-gen home for the past 15 years with my senior parents. It is not only gratifying, it provides great peace of mind knowing they are being cared for.
We are the only realtors in Clark County who specialize in multigen homes. If you would like to learn more about multigen homes and the market, contact us.
The Summit at Autumn Hills – View Homes in Camas, Washington
The Summit at Autumn Hills – View Homes in Camas, Washington. Livingston Mountain in Camas, WA is a lovely neighborhood. Residents live in custom homes sited on large lots, five acre parcels to be exact. Many of the properties have sweeping views of the valley, mountains, and Portland city lights.
Towering pines and alder create an ideal environment for frequent wildlife visits. Residents claim to have more sunny days than lowlanders, and, if you’re a fan of a white Christmas, there’s a better chance of that happening here too.
Trails wrap through the neighborhood and are managed by the neighborhood HOA, home owners association You’ll often see neighbors out and about on the community trails marked for horseback riding and/or hiking.
Speaking of the HOA, there are CCRs ( Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ), as well as, easements for The Summit at Autumn Hills. We advise all of our buyer clients to read through them carefully prior to making any purchase.
Children who live in The Summit attend highly-rated Camas Schools. Many shops and services are only about 20-25 minutes away. However, Fern Prairie Market is only about 15 minutes aways and is a good spot for grocery items, plus gas and propane.
Currently, there are no homes listed for sale in The Summit at Autumn Hills. But, we’d be happy to set up a customized search for you. Plus, we’ll put out our feelers to see if we can flush out any coming-soon properties.
Two properties have sold in recent months. One built in 1996 for $705,000. And another, for $1.38-million. The latter pricing reflects beautiful updates, a 400 sq ft apartment unit, and a 5200 sq foot shop with an office, gym, and a theatre room with kitchen, bath, and deck.
The Summit at Autumn Hills offers a true Nature As Neighbors lifestyle. No wonder we are big fans.
Economic and Emotional Benefits of Multigen
During these times of economic upheaval, many families are finding themselves sharing a home with other adults. While this is certainly one way to weather an financial crisis, there are also emotional benefits that can last long beyond the quarantine.
Most of our multigen families chose to live together in order to spend more time with each other. Or, to take care of an ailing, or aging, family member. The latter is why we all chose to live under the same roof. We’ll spare the details, but if you’re interested, you can learn more about us here.
We recognize instability in the job market, and investment portfolio losses won’t last forever. However, if you’re looking for a better way to weather the current times, sharing housing with other family members might be the answer. It’s possible, you’ll also discover the many joys of living life with the people you love.
First of all, let’s establish the definition of a multigenerational home. It’s a house where adults of two or more generations live together. In our experience, it often means middle-age or senior adults with one or more adult children. At times, there’s the addition of young children or grandchildren.
While some might think it’s unusual, consider that nearly 20 percent of Americans live in multigenerational homes. The economics of sharing a household make good sense, but there are many other benefits to this lifestyle.
Peace of mind
Stay-at-home orders and an inability to visit nursing homes and care centers have kept people from seeing their elderly family members. We are so grateful 93-year old mom is here with us. No worries as to how she’s holding up emotionally, or physically. She’s doing great.
Sharing Responsibilities
Adult family members can split the chores and the errands. In our case, with two adult couples caring for mom, we also split the cooking chores. Mom gets to eat out at different households during the week. Variety is always good !
Security and Built-in House and Pet Sitters
Right now, we’re home most of the time. However, under normal circumstances, when we travel, my sister and her husband take care of mom and keep the household running. Conversely, they are free to do the same.
Emotional Benefits
Having people you love and enjoy being around is a bonus. There’s no need to feel lonely when you live in a mulgen home. Shared movies, meals, and talks around the fire pit. And, in our situation, it was an honor to share the last years of my father’s life. We have no regrets.
There are obviously many other benefits to living this lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d be happy to share our experience and expertise. We are the only REALTORS® in Clark County who specialize in Multigenerational Homes and Lifestyles.
The Ins and Outs of Outbuildings in Clark County, WA
Many of our clients looking for more “elbow room for the soul”™ often ask about the possibility of adding structures to a specific property. The request varies from building a shop, a barn, a greenhouse, to an accessory dwelling unit or ADU. Collectively known as outbuildings, they are a popular amenity for those who choose to live in rural areas.
On our acreage in Camas, we have a combination tool/tractor shed. At 200 sq ft, it didn’t require a permit, but the site placement had to adhere to established zoning setbacks. We also hired a licensed and bonded professional to install lights and electrical outlets.
Currently, it’s relatively easy to add an ADU in certain urban areas. But, they are generally not allowed in rural areas. Unless you attach it to an existing single family structure. However, there are some creative ways to get around this rule. For example, in some rural areas you can build a studio, as long as there is no cooking equipment in the structure.
Adding a fence, deck, or woodshed also requires some homework. No permit is required as long as a fence is under 7 feet and set on the owner’s side of the property line. Due to safety concerns, there are very specific guidelines for building a deck in Clark County, WA. And most decks require a permit. As for woodsheds, gazebos, and play structures, as long as they are smaller than 200 sq ft, no permit is required.
However, as with all structures, locating anything within a wetland, habitat, or shoreline area, will require land use review. One of our buyers buyer was in the process of buying a lovely home on the Washougal River. Once we determined she could not build a fence in the backyard for her dog, she had to choose a different property.
There isn’t one simple answer to the question of whether an outbuilding can be added to a property. The good news is, we have the resources to help you determine the ins and outs of outbuildings.
COVID-19 And Real Estate in Clark County, WA
NOTE: Keep up with the latest COVID-19 restrictions affecting Real Estate by checking our COVID-19 Real Estate Guidelines.
During this unprecedented time, our clients often ask what we can and cannot do in terms of selling properties. Originally declared a “non-essential” activity, real estate is now deemed “essential” with very important guidelines and restrictions.
Pending at the time of the Governor’s original order are allowed to close. However, certain restrictions on home inspections, repairs and final walk-throughs are in place. Most signings and closings are done electronically or remotely.
New listings are allowed. But, private showings are limited to no more than five people in the house at a time. This includes the broker. Open houses are currently not allowed.
Meanwhile, prospective buyers must be pre-approved with a lender, or otherwise prove financial ability to purchase a home. Most sellers are asking buyers to view online tours and floor plans prior to requesting a tour.
One-on-one meetings with clients, including showings, are allowed, provided all social distancing guidelines are utilized. This means no more than five person in the home – accompanied by the agent – at a time. Plus, some sellers are requiring viewers to wear booties, gloves and face masks while in the home.
We are committed to protecting our family and clients. So, we are working from home remotely. But we are still available to review your home for a Competitive Market Analysis if you need us.
If you are interested in learning more about how we can list or show a property at this time, please contact us for more information.
Earth Day 2020 – 50 Years
It’s difficult to fathom that April 21, 2020 is the 50th year of Earth Day celebrations on our planet. We are always proud to note our one-time Camas resident, Denis Hayes, was one of the original founders of the first Earth Day in 1970.
This year’s theme is Climate Change. Sadly, as Earth Day founder, Hayes, noted in a recent interview, climate change has grown worse in the past 50 years, largely due to greenhouse gases. These gases build up in the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming the planet.
The recent stay-at-home orders in most states have helped with temporary easing of pollutants in the air. Residents in many large cities are seeing cleaner air for the first time in years, and for many, for the first time in their lifetime.
It’s too early yet to know if working at home will become a permanent option for many workplaces. Since driving is the single biggest source of carbon dioxide, even just one day a week working from home would be a step toward better air quality.
We appreciate knowing there are other things we can do to help with climate change. In addition to reducing commute times, we can choose to ride a bike, or walk, when we have an option. The eventual goal is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
The old standbys of reducing energy consumption at home and recycling are also helpful. As is, planting vegetable gardens, more trees, and native habitat. In addition, focusing less on buying things, and more on enjoying the free things around us in the natural world.
Yes, it’s Earth Day, 50 years later, and taking care of our planet never goes out of style.
Due to this year’s pandemic restrictions, you can take part in a digital worldwide Earth Day Live celebration. Closer to home, in Clark County, the City of Vancouver has a number of ideas for us to implement for our own Earth Day activities at home. For more activities, contact us.
City Dweller Join Growing Trend.
With more people stuck at home, recent reports of the renewed interest in gardening is no surprise. Nurseries report an uptick in sales of vegetable starts over ornamentals. Oregon State University’s offer of a free gardening class crashed their site. And our favorite seed source, Baker Creek had to shut down for several days to restock and catch up on all their orders.
There are many benefits, both practical and therapeutic to growing your own food. Many see it as a way to control the food they eat, without going to a store. But there are also great psychological benefits – something we can all use during times of stress. The biggest benefit is often just starting a living thing from scratch and nurturing it to full growth. It is very satisfying – even in the Pacific Northwest with a relatively short growing season.
The Container Gardening Option
Now, someone living in an urban or suburban settings might think “Yeah, but I don’t have any land for a garden”. Well, the good news is, you can grow many items in containers and still reap the benefits of growing your own food. Before moving to our country home, we lived in a townhome subdivision with tiny lots. Even there, we used our patio and small patches of ground to grow a variety of container vegetables. Many plants are especially well-suited for containers: lettuce, patio tomatoes, and any numbers of herbs come to mind.
We feel extremely fortunate we have the yard space for our garden. Yet, we still grow a few patio vegetables for convenience – they are both decorative and practical.
Our best success has been with Northwest specific tomatoes like Home Slice and Silvery Fir. It’s great to be fixing a salad and, instead of running out to the garden, just stepping out on the deck and picking a few tomatoes. Or adding fresh-clipped herbs to any dish.
So, start small and try a few things. Do some research on what grows best in your area. There are any number of web sites and YouTube videos to help you. Pick a few plants that are designed to grow in containers. Starting from seed might work, but can sometimes be tricky. So it’s best to start with seedling plants. There are several online services that will ship live plants to your home. Also, you may be able to order starter plants from your local nursery and have them delivered, or do a safe pickup like a grocery order.
However you do it, you will be rewarded with your own food and the mental satisfaction of growing and nurturing something living.
Washougal Home Sales – February
Washougal is in a mostly rural part of Clark County, WA, and extends into remote Skamania County. For this reason, many homes are on acreage surrounded by trees, or have panoramic views on river waterfronts. Some have all of the above! Yet, it is close to city services, shops and amenities.
Its namesake, the Washougal River, cuts through the area starting north at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Chinook for “Rushing Water”, the Washougal is one of the most pristine rivers in the West. Because of its rural location, the small town of Washougal has all the benefits of “nature as neighbors.” It has the peaceful environs of the country, yet easy access to city amenities and PDX International Airport.
If you are considering a home in Washougal WA, you should know the current market for homes sales*.
Multigen & Dual Living Home Sales – February
The multigenerational (multigen) home market continues to grow – even during winter months. And no wonder -multigen & dual living – members. The 2018 Pew Research Center study shows that 1 in 5 or 20% of all U.S. households are multigen families. This does not take into consideration the number of households that are unrelated, but living in separate living quarters.
Although many young adults are part of this population, seniors are becoming a larger percentage of these households. And the benefits are clear – it far outweighs institutional or assisted living. As a result, fewer seniors are now living alone than in 1990s.
If you are looking for a multigen or dual living home, you should give us a call to help with your search. With over a decade of personal experience in a multigen household, we specialize in this field.
Our homes are located on acreage or large lots. They have “elbow room for the soul”, which provides lots of room & privacy. We even have a special search set up to help you find the perfect home – separate living quarters, great amenities, and lots of room for privacy.
Homes Along the Columbia
Waterfront Home Sales Report. Whether it’s a river, bay, creek or pond, waterfront homes have a built-in natural asset many buyers want. Some people only think of waterfront homes during warm months. But, there are many buyers who recognize their value during winter months. Waterfront properties can be a great source of reflection and solace during fall and winter seasons. Plus, there are fewer competing buyers! As the report below shows, sales were brisk during the first part of the year. Plus, the overall inventory of homes on the market is currently at an all time low. This bodes well for sellers, who can expect a very busy spring selling season.
Clark County offers many opportunities for waterfront living. But the challenges of regulations, market demand, and a small inventory (especially during the winter) 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.
It’s clear that, with only 10 days on the market as the median, waterfront properties sell quickly.
Have a home on the water you want to sell? Call us – We specialize in selling homes with “Nature As Neighbors.”
Looking for waterfront property? Start your search here.
If you don’t see a residence you like, ask us about land for sale along waterfront. There can be challenges and regulations, but we have a lot of experience in this area and can help guide you.
Multigen & Dual Living Homes
Multigen & Dual Living households can be a great option for all ages. Family and non-family members share a home with separate living space. This cuts down on the cost of buying and owning a home. The dual living home market continues to grow – even during winter months. The 2018 Pew Research Center study shows that 1 in 5 or 20% of all U.S. households are now multigen families.
Although many young adults are part of this population, seniors are becoming a larger percentage of these households. And the benefits are clear – it far outweighs institutional or assisted living. As a result, fewer seniors are now living alone than in 1990s. Plus, separate living quarters can always be a great asset in a home for future rental income.
If you are looking for a multigen home, you should give us a call to help with your search. With over a decade of personal experience in a multigen household, we specialize in this field.
Our multigen homes are located on acreage or large lots. They have “elbow room for the soul”, which provides lots of room & privacy. We even have a special search set up to help you find the perfect home – separate living quarters, great amenities, and lots of room for privacy.
Multigen & Dual Living Homes
We will often see homes that, at first glance, might not appear to be suitable because there are no separate quarters – our was like that. But, you can remodel and upgrade to accommodate family members. We have that experience as well, so we know how to identify those “hidden gem” opportunities.
If you are looking for a multigen home, it’s important to know the market:
We are pleased to be the only resource in Clark County with a specific search for multi-generational properties. It will help our sellers get their homes sold more quickly – and help buyers save time in identifying possible homes. Feel free to explore – and take your time – we don’t force anyone to register. We’re confident you’ll want to call us when it’s time to buy or se
Camas Home Sales Report
In spite of the COVID-19 shutdown, home sales in Camas are brisk. Pending sales in August were up 6.2% over last year at this time. There were 80 closed sales last month and overall inventory in Clark County is still low at 1.6 months.
Even with more new homes coming on the market, prices continue on a steady rise. The annual percentage increase in sales price was 7.5% for the month. This bodes well for sellers thinking about putting their home on the market. Even fall and winter months are good times to sell.
Camas offers a small town atmosphere with close proximity to city amenities and services – all without the traffic jams! You can find rural estates, classic bungalows, waterfront homes, and homes with views. So, ask for it – we’ve probably got it.
This historic town – located right on the Columbia River – is always hopping with fun and activities. Plus, the Camas School District is highly rated and families appreciate knowing their children attend award-winning schools.
Although more new homes are coming on the market, older homes tend to have larger lots and more room for a growing family, live-in relatives, or visiting friends. Some are even suited for multigen households with separate living quarters.
Likewise, you are more likely to have space for that garden or just a quiet place with privacy. Homes in Camas offer you opportunities to spend more time doing things you love, connect with nature, and live a lifestyle that helps rejuvenate your soul. Then add a view, and you have a wonderful home with “Nature as Neighbors” and “Elbow room for the Soul.”
(*Report is for single family homes priced $350,000 and above, and does not include an amazing listing for $18,997,000 on Dawson Ridge)
Homeowners, if you want to find out how much your home is worth, give us a call.
Buyers, start your search here.
Washington Real Estate Excise Tax
All homeowners in Washington should be aware of the changes to the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) rates that went into effect January 1 of this year.
The new rates present a “glass is half full/half empty” scenario and (to mix metaphors) the benefits and drawbacks “are in the eye of the beholder.” The previous state tax rate was a flat 1.28% of the sales price for all properties. The new rates are graduated, which will reduce the tax for some properties and raise them for others*.
Other than farm or timber land, any property selling for $500,000 and under will have lower taxes this year. Anything over $500,000 – you’ll have to do some calculations, but there will be some savings. Once you hit $1,5000,001 and above, the rates are higher.
For perspective, the Median Sale Price last year for Clark County was $371,000. So, the average home seller will benefit from the new rates this year. Remember. these are NOT property taxes, but taxes you pay when a property sells.
The Department of Revenue (DOR) has published a handy table, with examples, detailing the new rates:
Because this is a graduated tax, properties priced between $500,000.01 and $1,500,000 take advantage of the lower rate taxed on the first $500,000. The example provide by the DOR:
Example A:
If the total sale price is $600,000, then the first $500,000 is taxed at 1.10%. The remaining $100,000 is taxed at 1.28%.
Note: These rates do not affect the additional local excise rates of .50%
Example B:
If the total sale price is $4.4 million, then the first $500,000 is taxed at 1.10%. The next $1 million is taxed at 1.28%. The next $1.5 million is taxed at 2.75% and the final $1.4 million is taxed at 3%.
For those who are curious, there is a convenient REET Tax Calculator spreadsheet available for download. Since the tax is paid at closing, title should calculate pay it out of the settlement statement.
If you are thinking of selling this year and would like an estimate of your new excise taxes, just give us a call.
Separate Living Quarters in Daylight Basement
Waterfront home sales. Whether it’s a river, bay, creek or pond, waterfront homes have a built-in natural asset many buyers want. Some people only think of waterfront homes during warm months. But, there are many buyers who recognize their value during winter months. Waterfront properties can be a great source of reflection and solace during fall and winter seasons. Plus, there are fewer competing buyers!
Brush Prairie Home Sale – November. Many of our buyers are looking for homes in the country surrounded by nature. But they also want to be close to shopping, services, and good schools. One area is Brush Prairie/Hockinson, where we regularly find homes that meet their criteria.
In a rural area roughly between Vancouver and Battle Ground, Brush Prairie has all the amenities – rolling hillsides, tracts of timber land, and large horse pastures. Many homes have impressive panoramic views. Yet, it is within easy driving distance of metropolitan services, including Portland International Airport right across the Columbia River. Combine privacy with the diversity of views, and you have a very popular area for homes with “Nature as Neighbors”.
If you are looking for a home in Brush Prairie, it helps to know the market.
Brush Prairie Home Sales* – November:
34 Active Listings – $400,000 to $2,949,000
Average SQFT – 3,791
Average $/SQFT – $228
11 Pending – $459,900 to $899,900
Average SQFT- 3,411
Average $/SQFT – $194
28 Sold in last 3 Mos – $425,000 to $1,040,000
Average SQFT – 3,035
Average $/SQFT – $210
Median Days on Market – 23. Homes in Brush Prairie sell quickly! 
MultiGen Home Sales – November.
Multigenerational households can be a great option for all ages. The 2018 Pew Research Center study shows that 1 in 5 or 20% of all U.S. households are multigen families. Although many young adults are part of this population, seniors are becoming a larger percentage of these households. And the benefits are clear – it far outweighs institutional or assisted living. As a result, fewer seniors are now living alone than in 1990s.
If you are looking for a multigen home, you should give us a call to help with your search. With over a decade of personal experience in a multigen household, we specialize in this field.
Our multigen homes are located on acreage or large lots. They have “elbow room for the soul”, which provides lots of room & privacy. We even have a special search set up to help you find the perfect home – separate living quarters, great amenities, and lots of room for privacy.
Washougal Home Sales – November Market Report
Its namesake, the Washougal River, Chinook for “Rushing Water”, is one of the most pristine rivers in the West. Because of its rural location, the small town of Washougal has all the benefits of “nature as neighbors.” It has the peaceful environs of the country, yet easy access to city amenities.
If you are considering a home in Washougal WA, you should know the current market for homes sales*.
Camas Home Sales. Charming Camas is capturing the attention of relocation buyers from all over the country. The main attraction we keep hearing is small town atmosphere with close proximity to city amenities and services – all without the traffic jams!
You can find rural estates, classic bungalows, waterfront homes, and homes with views. So, ask for it – we’ve probably got it. And, the Camas Schools district is highly rated and families appreciate knowing their children attend award-winning schools.
This historic town – located right on the Columbia River – is always hopping with fun and activities. Plus, this time of year, its charming main street (4th Avenue), quaint shops and wide assortment of restaurants, provide the perfect backdrop for the holidays:
Holiday Sip & Shop – November 14
Little Box Friday – November 29
Golden Ticket Event – November 30-December 14
Hometown Holidays – December 6
It’s no wonder the housing market is strong in Camas! Although there are many new homes coming on the market, older homes tend to have larger lots and more room for a growing family, live-in relatives, or visiting friends. Some are even suited for multigen households with separate living quarters.
Likewise, you are more likely to have space for that garden or just a quiet place with privacy. Homes in Camas offer you opportunities to spend more time doing things you love, connect with nature, and live a lifestyle that helps rejuvenate your soul. Then add a view, and you have a wonderful home with “Nature as Neighbors” and “Elbow room for the Soul.”
Rural life has great benefits – clean air, beautiful views, and elbow room for the soul. But it also has its share of hazards: Lions (Mountain), and Tigers (Lillies – toxic to pets) and Pears! (Well, pears are not exactly hazardous, but they can lead to frustration and disappointment.) Here’s the full story:
Earlier this year, we posted a video explaining how to prune fruit trees for better production. After that demo, spring brought excellent results – full, bright blossoms that promised a bounty of apples and pears.
I continued to prune unwanted suckers, spray with organic oil, and generally ensure there were no bugs. I also took the additional precaution of placing mesh bags over the fruit as it started to form – this was mostly to ward off the large wasps that showed up last year at the end of the season.
As the season continued with exceptional weather the trees produced large clusters of fruit that grew and started to ripen. (Unfortunately, I did not take a photo, so you’ll just have to trust me on this.) I was extremely excited that we would have an exceptional variety of fresh, organic fruit this year. I even started researching different recipes for preserving them.
Then that fateful morning, I walked out to the trees and poof!!
Every single fruit was gone!!
To add insult to injury, the nasty marauders left chewed-up bags – the very bags designed to protect the fruit!!
AAARRGGHH! So there I was, like Yosemite Sam, stomping around, shaking my fists, mumbling pseudo-curses “racken fracken, ya dirty varmint, why I’m gonna getcha.” And so forth…
After continuing in that vein, mumbling to myself for quite a while, I eventually settled down. It dawned on me the raiders were the family of deer we often see on the property. And who could blame them? I had carefully prepared an all-you-can-eat buffet, then graciously presented it in an easy-to-reach, help-yourself arrangement. I should know better. When living with wildlife, you have to anticipate such things, and I had (naively) assumed that the small fences I had were sufficient. The lesson is: never leave anything to chance. So, what can I do to prevent this from happening next year?
I immediately set out searching the internet for the best solution. And I was a little shocked at the vast range of options – from dangling soap and hanging noise makers to wolf urine and commercial repellent to (Gasp!) hunting! Yes, one web site actually suggested shooting them for game. But we’re more gatherers than hunters. So after rejecting the options, including repellents (they small like rotten meat) I settled on Occam’s Razor – “the simplest solution is usually the best” – a taller fence. Doh! I already had fences – just add to them!
I guess we’ll see how that works next year. In the meantime, Debb reminds me that the deer are a gift from our “nature as neighbors” surroundings. And if I’m really craving a pear, there are plenty of them at our local Farmers Markets.
Want to learn more about how NOT to grow organic fruit to feed wildlife? Just Ask!
Multigen Home With Accessory Dwelling Unit
MultiGen Home Sales – September.Multigenerational households can be a great option for all ages. The 2016 Pew Research Center study shows that 1 in 5 or 20% of all U.S. households are multigen families. Although the number includes many young adults, seniors are becoming a larger percentage of that population. The benefits are clear – it far outweighs institutional or assisted living. And, as a result, fewer seniors are now living alone than in the 1990s. With over a decade of personal experience in a multigen household, we specialize in this field. Our multigen homes are located on acreage or large lots. They have “elbow room for the soul”, which provides lots of room & privacy. One of our listings is a prime example of the perfect multigen home – separate living quarters, great amenities, and lots of room for privacy.
Washougal Home Sales – September Market Report
Washougal is in a rural part of Clark County, WA. For this reason, many homes are on acreage, surrounded by trees, have panoramic views, or are on river waterfronts. Some have all of the above! Yet, it is close to city services, shops and amenities – without traffic jams.
Its namesake, the Washougal River, Chinook for “Rushing Water”, is one of the most pristine rivers in the West. Because of its rural location, the small town of Washougal has all the benefits of “nature as neighbors.” It has the peaceful environs of the country, yet easy access to city amenities.
If you are considering a home in Washougal WA, you should know the current market for homes sales*.
August MultiGen Home Sales, Clark County WA. We often get the question “what exactly is a multigen household?” The simple answer is: two or more generations living under one roof. But these are not the traditional family units of parent(s) raising their children. Typically, “multigen” is where adult family members decide to move back in together – often to care for an elder, or share in child-rearing responsibilities. And the college graduate who moves back until they get a job is not it either. Many multigen homes are not for economic reasons. The Pews Research group indicated that as many as 1 in 5 households in the U.S. are now multigen.
With over a decade of personal experience in a multigen household, we specialize in this field. Our multigen homes are often located on acreage or large lots. They have “elbow room for the soul”, which provides lots of room for separate living quarters and lots of privacy for everyone.
Camas home sales remain strong in August of 2019. And, it’s no wonder. Charming Camas is capturing the attention of relocation buyers – singles, couples, and families. Surrounded by nature, but also close to city amenities and services all without the traffic jams!
You can find rural homes, bungalows in downtown Camas, homes on lakes, rivers, and ponds, homes in gated neighborhoods, homes with views. So, ask for it, we’ve probably got it. Plus, the Camas Schools district is highly rated and families appreciate knowing their children attend award-winning schools.
This historic town – located right on the Columbia River – is always hopping with fun and activities. And the Downtown Camas Association knows the importance of visitors in keeping shops and services in business. So, here are a few of the events to look forward to in the coming months.
Washougal Home Sales – July Market Report
Washougal is in a rural part of Clark County, WA. For this reason, many homes are on acreage, surrounded by trees, have panoramic views, or are on river waterfronts. Some have all of the above!
Its namesake, the Washougal River, Chinook for “Rushing Water”, is one of the most pristine rivers in the West. Because of its rural location, the small town of Washougal has all the benefits of “nature as neighbors.” It has the peaceful environs of the country, yet easy access to city amenities.
If you are considering a home in Washougal WA, you should know the current market for homes sales*.
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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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