Clark County Real Estate Guide

Speeding Into New Worlds

2008-10-24T16:37:00.001-07:00

A Streaker in the Hole
Originally uploaded by ahockley

This Blogger site has been a great way to start out but it has become time to "grow up" and move into the world of self hosted WordPress. After months of "behind the scenes" tinkering the band aid has been pulled and we have moved. Please head over to Clark County Real Estate Guide for the new and improved site. RSS or sign up for email updates and tell your friends.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

Gated Estate Home Coming Soon...

2008-09-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Coming soon is a brand new listing that will be an amazing opportunity for some lucky homeowner. The teaser site is live now and can be found at www.fifteenthousand.com. Go check it out and call or email with any questions.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

New Olive Garden In Fishers Landing

2008-09-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Do you get tired of waiting for a table at the Olive Garden by Vancouver Mall? If so, have no fear, relief is coming. Soon Clark County residents will have a brand new Olive Garden to enjoy. It is located in the Fishers Landing area of east Vancouver, WA. It is located on the SE corner of Mill Plain and SE 164th Avenue. Stay tuned to find out when!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

Isn't The Market Horrible?

2008-09-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

It's Just Different

I get asked this question on a regular basis. Continually, I let people know "no, it is not a horrible market". It is a different market than the one we experienced a couple years ago. Not horrible, just different. Actually, the market is much more normal now than it was then. As a real estate professional I feel like I have a better grip on the market and how to price properties.

Throwing Darts At A Dart Board Is Not The Way To Price Properties

Unfortunately this is how things were being priced back then by a lot of people. Even then, the prices were being escalated into heights unheard of. The demand was there and the inventory wasn't. Mixed with low interest rates and way to relaxed lending policies disaster was inevitable (as we all now know).

What About Now?

People will always need to sell homes and buy homes. This will not change. For those buying with nothing to sell, welcome to an incredible place to be! You are in a market that still has historically low interest rates and prices that are getting back into the place they should be. It is an amazing time to be purchasing a home or investment property.

If you are selling, remember you will not get what you "might have gotten" two years ago. That is the way of the market. If you have owned your home for more than three years you should still have made a great profit on your investment. Owned it for more than five years? Even better. Look at the return on your investment over that period of time, not "how much you lost" since the anomaly in the real estate market. Plus, if you are buying after you sell, you will pick up the same advantage of great prices as a buyer.

Questions?

If you have any questions about buying or selling, please don't hesitate calling or emailing me. That is why I'm here. To counsel and advise in all your real estate needs.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

100,000 People Swarm Vancouver, WA To Devour Sausage

2008-09-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we wait for all year! The day to see all our old friends, catch up on local gossip and eat good food. Yes, today kicks off the one and only Vancouver Sausage Fest.

Beginning at 5 pm today we get our fill of great sausage, corn on the cob, ribs, chicken, spuds with all the fixin's and of course... the elephant ears! The kids can ride the rides on the midway, you can purchase products from local vendors and you get to check out all sorts of local talent on the main stage. All this for only $1 per person. Yes, only $1 per person.

The Sausage Fest is happening at St. Joseph School & Parish Grounds located at 6500 Highland Drive, Vancouver, WA.

If you have never been you owe it to yourself to go! I'll be there sometime Saturday for sure. Shoot me a text message at 360-260-3253 and say hi. I might even buy you a sausage.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

1904 H Street Home For Sale In Vancouver, WA

2008-09-01T23:19:00.001-07:00

1904 H Street Home For Sale In Vancouver, WA
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

This fabulous home has just come on the market. Just blocks from downtown Vancouver's Uptown Village. Experience urban living today!

Featuring almost 2,000 square feet of finished living space plus another almost 900 square feet of potential space in the basement.

To see this fine home give me a call.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Attn: First-Time Home Buyers

2008-08-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

If you are a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years), now is the time for you to buy! The IRS is extending a tax credit of $7,500 for first-time home buyers within certain income limits: less than $75,000 income for single or head-of-household and up to $150,000 for married filing joint. Married couples who earn between $150,000-170,000 are eligible to receive a partial first-time home buyer tax credit. You can receive the $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of any home between April 9, 2008 - June 30, 2009. Buyers can take this tax credit on their 2008 or 2009 tax returns and it is a refundable credit (meaning that if you owe no tax, you would still get a $7,500 refund).

If you are a first-time home buyer, this is not the only reason to buy at this time. In addition to the tax credit, mortgage interest rates are good and the opportunity to get a good buy on a home is great right now. I would be happy to speak with you about your financial situation and how we might structure a loan that will work for you. I'm here to help you find the right loan at the right rate, right now!

For all mortgage-related questions, feel free to give me a call at (360) 907-911 or click the link below to go to my website and to apply online!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Chris Hyde Mortgage

A Walk In The Park: Cottonwood Beach

2008-08-04T03:46:00.001-07:00

Cottonwood Beach In Washougal, WA
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach in Washougal is a great place to enjoy the beautiful sunny days that we have been having. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark established a camp at Cottonwood Beach on March 31, 1806, while they secured provisions for the return trip through the Columbia River Gorge and points east.

Today, acres of riverfront property on this site have been developed into a beautiful park. There are walking, biking, and equestrian trails as well as picnic shelters and historic interpretive elements for your whole family to enjoy. The beach at the park is a great place for summer sunning, swimming, and play. Located at the intersection of S. Index Street and S. 32nd Street in Washougal, Captain William Clark Park is one of Clark County’s gems and a great place to enjoy the beauty of the Columbia River and the entrance to the Gorge!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Dale Chumbley

Has Cancer Touched You? It Has Touched Me!

2008-06-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

As a cancer survivor myself, this touches me as close as it possibly could. Not only am I a survivor, I have lost many family members and friends to this horrible disease.

10 Years ago, I finished my treatment for Hodgkin's Disease. Today I stand clean and clear. I am thankful to be here today. Unfortunately, not all are as fortunate as I have been. There is still so much to be done in research and development.

Some of you can do a little, some of you can do a lot. If each of us did something, the results would be off the charts! Please consider skipping a few drinks at Starbucks, a few lunches out, a round of golf or whatever thing you can think of to help raise funds! I promise you will feel better for it! I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart with whatever amount you can give!

Go here to help!

Pressing on together toward a cure!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Guide
The Chumbley Team

3521 NE 159th Avenue Home For Sale

2008-06-22T23:56:00.001-07:00

3521 NE 159th Avenue Vancouver, WA
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

Here is a great new listing we have in east Vancouver, WA. It is located just off NE 39th Street and NE 162nd Avenue. This is a wonderful neighborhood just waiting for a new homeowner.

This lovely home has just over 2,100 square feet with 3 bedrooms plus a huge bonus room that could be another bedroom if you needed it. The kitchen features granite counters and newer appliances.

You will also find a new roof plus Hardi plank lap siding all the way around this home. In the backyard you will find all the privacy you want, a good sized storage shed and a peaceful pond with waterfall to relax by. All this on a large corner lot ready for you.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Major Growth In Clark County

2008-06-21T23:06:00.001-07:00

New Construction In Clark County
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

This last week I had the opportunity to visit the "other" Clark County. That's right, the one and only Las Vegas. The trip was amazing and I took lots of pictures. You can see them here.

One thing that amazed me was the amount of growth going on there. We hear that things aren't happening in real estate, but let me tell you, things are happening on The Strip. The amount of new construction in the last year (since my last trip there) is astounding. This photo is of the 10 billion dollar CityCenter project. Yes, 10 billion dollars! In addition to this project there are many other high rises popping up all over Vegas. Real estate is alive and well and this is an amazing time to buy.

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Fishers Landing Red Robin Fun

2008-06-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

Red Robin is always a fun place to go. My family loves the food and the environment. Here is a fun little show to check it out. Get out and enjoy our restaurants. You can find Red Robin by Vancouver Mall or out in Fishers Landing.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

In Honor Of Memorial Day

2008-05-26T02:57:00.000-07:00

To honor all those who have served and sacrificed,thank you is not enough! For those who have served and continue to serve, all my thanks to you as well.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Spotlight: Hockinson

2008-05-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Hockinson! Tucked away in a rural corner of Clark County, yet only minutes from east Vancouver, Hockinson is a gorgeous area that suffers from a bit of an identity crisis. As a rural, unicorporated area, Hockinson is split between having Battle Ground addresses and Brush Prairie addresses. Still, this little community shines as a much-desired place to live for those that wish a little rural living that is close to the amenities of a big city like Vancouver.

Over 5000 people live in Hockinson and those residents KNOW what a wonderful place Hockinson is to call home. Most homes sit on acreage that range from horse ranches to hillside homes with a view. The surrounding evergreen trees and wide open spaces make Hockinson a quiet and beautiful place to live. With one of the top school districts in the area and a fairly new high school, parents know that Hockinson is a great place to raise a family.

Besides being a great place to live, Hockinson is a fine choice for a little "breather" for those of us who are city-dwellers. Being just minutes from east Vancouver, Hockinson is a great place to enjoy a leisurely drive through the country. Along the way you'll see Christmas tree farms, rolling hills, berry farms, and the wide open spaces that call to many of us. And though it is small, the quaint "downtown" found near the corner of NE 182nd Ave and NE 159th St has a lot of charm. Country churches, a small market, schools, a restaurant, and small stores all add to the character of Hockinson.

If you are in the mood for a drive in the country and a great homestyle meal to fill your belly, I highly recommend the Hockinson Kountry Cafe. The breakfasts there are hearty and enjoyable.

Whether for a day in the country or a slice of country living, Hockinson is a great choice. It's one of the hidden gems of Clark County, Washington!

Have a great day!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Loan Officer

A Walk in the Park: Battle Ground Lake

2008-05-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

My wife works in Battle Ground and as I was out there today, I remembered Battle Ground Lake State Park. I've lived in Clark County for 6 years but still hadn't been out to the lake. With the weather being as beautiful as it is, I decided I would go for a walk in the park.

Battle Ground Lake State Park is located just a few miles northeast of the city of Battle Ground and the lake is surrounded by a gorgeous forest. For hikers like me, there are trails all through the forested areas around the lake that allow you to walk through some very beautiful scenery. There are even some benches if you want to just sit and soak up the surroundings.

Battle Ground lake is almost perfectly round and you can walk around the whole lake. Other activities at the lake include fishing, boating, and there is even a beach where the family can soak up some sun. Picnic tables, restrooms, and barbecues are all available. If you are a camper, campsites are available by reservation.

For a hike, family picnic, or overnight camping, I think you will enjoy Battle Ground Lake State Park. For more information, check out the Washington State Parks website. You might even want to take advantage of our beautiful weather and head out to one of our area parks this weekend. This is the time of year to enjoy the beauty of our area!

Have a great weekend!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

ZZ Top Selling Houses In Clark County, WA

2008-05-11T00:11:00.001-07:00

Did you happen to see who is helping sell real estate in Clark County, WA? Yes, it is none other than ZZ Top! (Well, not really)

The other day I was driving down the street and I came upon this nice man who is working for a local builder. I wonder if having a member of ZZ Top working for you helps draw in the customers?

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Willie Nelson Seen On Main St In Vancouver, WA

2008-05-07T08:45:00.001-07:00

Yes, that is correct. Yesterday Willie Nelson was spotted on Main Street downtown Vancouver. He can be found on the wall at 704 Main Street, Vancouver, WA.

Not everyone realizes that he moved to Vancouver, WA in 1956 to begin a musical career, recording "Lumberjack," which was written by Leon Payne. The single sold fairly well, but did not establish a career. Willie continued to work as a radio announcer in Vancouver and sing in clubs.

While walking around I photographed a bunch of buildings and other fun features along Main Street. I also ventured over to Washington Street a bit. You may see the entire collection of photos here.

I hope you enjoy and feel free to pass this along.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley
Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

On The Border Opens Cinco de Mayo

2008-05-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, Dale and I got to dine at On the Border while they were training for their grand opening. Having been raised in Southern California, I tend to be skeptical of Mexican food in the Northwest…especially if it comes in the Tex-Mex style. But I was more than pleasantly surprised by our meal.

We started with an appetizer called “Guacamole Live!” This guacamole is made to order at your table and we both agreed it was quite good. Smashed avocados, red onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, cilantro, and fresh lime juice all combined to make a fantastic guacamole. Scoop it up with the monstrously sized tortilla chips and I was more than happy!

Dale had the Border’s Best Lunch Fajitas and they looked fantastic. A taste of the chicken from Dale made me realize how good they were. Grilled chicken, onions, bell peppers, guacamole or cheese, and your choice of tortillas make this a delicious meal. Dale ordered the refried beans and rice with his meal. The refried beans were partially mashed and partially whole and looked darn good from across the table!

I ordered the Lunch Fish Tacos. I love good Ensenada style (deep fried) fish tacos so was excited that they advertised a Dos XX beer-batter. I will say just one thing: TO DIE FOR! I loved the light taste of Dos XX in the batter and they were some of the best fish tacos I have had. I also ordered the black beans which were quite tasty and healthy. The Mexican rice was, well, not exciting. But that’s OK…the rest of the meal more than made up for the rice!

One thing is for sure…Dale and I both left there feeling quite stuffed. The lunch portions were more than generous in size and the Guacamole Live only helped make our bellies quite full. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and will definitely go back again.

On the Border has its grand opening on Monday, Cinco de Mayo. Located at 1505 SE 164^th Ave in the Fishers Landing neighborhood of Vancouver, WA this is one restaurant not to miss!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Dale Chumbley

Technorati Tags: On The Border,restaurant,vancouver WA,clark County WA,fishers landing,cinco de mayo,mexican food

I-5 Bridge In Lifted Position

2008-05-03T22:43:00.001-07:00

I-5 Bridge In Up Position
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

The I-5 bridge is a lift bridge that is nearing the end of its life. As the task force continues to move forward the odds are that our old green bridge will one day be gone.

I happened by the bridge while both spans were in the upright position recently and grabbed a little video of it. Surprisingly enough, not everyone sees this happen here in Vancouver. A close friend of mine has lived here for over 6 years and had never seen it in the up position.

Here is the chance for everyone to see this.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Columbia River Waterfront Walk

2008-05-03T17:45:00.001-07:00

I took a stroll the other night along the Columbia River waterfront after a meeting at McMenamins. I was able to get some great shots along the way. You can see all the photos here.

I hope you enjoy them and make sure to get out and enjoy our beautiful Vancouver, WA.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

New Conforming Loan Limits

2008-04-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard, the federal government has changed the conforming loan limits as part of President Bush's economic stimulus plan. This affects which mortgage loans are considered "conforming loans" and which are considered "jumbo loans". Jumbo loans carry a higher interest rate than conforming loans. Rather than setting a standard conforming loan limit that is the same across the country, Bush's economic stimulus plan sets the limit for conforming loans according to the home prices of each local area. The conforming loan limit for Clark County (and the rest of the Portland metro) has now been raised to $418,750 and that will be valid through December 31, 2008.

What does this mean to you? There are two possible ways this change can affect you:

1) If you are interested in buying a home, you can now carry a mortgage up to $418, 750 without having to pay higher jumbo interest rates. Essentially, you can now afford more home at a lower monthly cost.

2) If you have been carrying a jumbo mortgage and the balance on your loan is now $418,750 or less, you can refinance into a conforming loan and lower your interest rate substantially. This can save you quite a bit of money now and in the years to come.

Remember, the deadline for this new limit is currently set at the end of the year. While it may be extended, there is a chance that it could be lowered next year. So if you fall into either of the above two categories, you'll want to act on this opportunity soon!

I can answer any other questions you have about conforming and jumbo loans and would love to help you get the best loan at the best interest rate available to you. Call me at (360) 907-9111.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Driving to Fort Vancouver...

2008-04-08T23:26:00.001-07:00

Driving to Fort Vancouver
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

Here is a little video of me driving down Blandford Drive heading to Fort Vancouver for the day.

Had a wonderful time at the Fort and you can see all the photos here.

If you haven't been to Fort Vancouver recently or ever, you should check it out.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Chutneys Indian Cuisine In Fishers Landing

2008-04-08T11:59:00.001-07:00

Chutneys Indian Cuisine
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

The other day I had the privilege of eating lunch at Chutneys Indian Cuisine in Fishers Landing with a friend of mine. Let me tell you, the food was really excellent! I highly recommend you give this a try!

I had the lunch Meat Platter special. It had a wonderful sampling of many items on the menu. The Tandoori Chicken was excellent. Presentation was also very nice along with a great atmosphere.

I was able to meet Usha, one of the owners. She stopped by several times to check in and make sure everything was right.

Chutneys is located in the heart of Fishers Landing at 3000 SE 164th Ave, Suite 100. You can call with questions at 360-254-7254.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

I-5 Bridge Through The Cannon

2008-04-06T23:57:00.001-07:00

Fort Vancouver
Originally uploaded by dalechumbley

I spent an afternoon at Fort Vancouver last week with my daughter. It was a beautiful sunny day with tons of wonderful photo opportunities. Here is a fun little picture of the I-5 Bridge through one of the cannons.

Now that the sun is coming out, I would recommend making a trip to check it out. Tons of history and a very relaxing day indeed.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Easter Blessings to Clark County, WA

2008-03-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

Hoping this finds you all well and wishing Happy Easter blessings to all of you.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

The Silver Lining

2008-03-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

Did you look outside? Yuck! Clouds. Rain. Grey. Typical March weather here in Clark County, Washington. And thanks to Portland’s local Fox affiliate, KPTV, here is our extended forecast:

Doesn’t that just warm your heart? This week we are adding to the rain gauge so we can get to our average rainfall of 41 inches. No wonder people in California think we are crazy to live in this part of the country! But are we really crazy? Is there actually a silver lining to all of the clouds we regularly see?

I believe there is. I believe that the Northwest, and particularly Clark County, is one of the greatest places to live. In fact, many of those so-called sun-worshipers in California are figuring it out too as they migrate here en masse. Even my parents, lifetime residents of Southern California, have recently moved to Camas. So what is so great about Clark County? Why live here when we have to deal with all of that rain?

Well, I’ve been listening to my parents for the past four months since they moved up here and this is what they say about life in Clark County:

It is absolutely beautiful here. When my parents first moved here, my dad said, “I can’t believe you don’t have more car accidents here due to people looking at all of the beautiful scenery!” It’s true. Even when driving down Hwy 14, you stare up into the face of Mt. Hood. Incredible. And how could we have the beauty around here without the rain to make it so beautiful?
The people here are SO friendly! My parents still talk about how kind, caring, and friendly everyone seems to be.
Traffic is light for being in the midst of a large metro area. Cross the bridge out of Portland and into Vancouver and you leave the majority of traffic behind.
We have a slower pace of life. Clark County is NOT a stressful place to live. We move at a slower pace than the rest of the Portland metro and far slower than other metropolitan areas. It’s just more relaxed here!
Our proximity to Portland gives us all of the urban opportunities we could ever want.
We have a very mild climate. Summers in the 80’s and winters in the 40’s make our climate downright nice. And despite all of the talk of rain, we actually get less rainfall than Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Boston, and much of Hawaii. And thankfully, we don’t have to deal with the nasty summer humidity that much of the nation deals with.

I could go on and on with my list. Clark County is a special place to live and everyone who lives here knows it. When you get tired of rainy days like today, just remember how lucky you are to live in a place like Clark County. There is a silver lining in the clouds!

Have a great weekend!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Spring Color In Vancouver, WA

2008-03-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally starting to show itself here in Clark County.

Here is a beautiful color shot I took with my new camera. I'm excited to be able to take better photo's now. Look for more real soon.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

In Honor of Joyo, Japan; Vancouver, WA Sister City

2008-03-03T13:43:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Vancouver, WA has a sister city in Japan. Joyo and Vancouver have officially been sister cities since late 1995. Our local Rotary Club and theirs initiated the relationship.

The City of Joyo is between two ancient capitals of Japan: Kyoto and Nara. Joyo is only 12.64 square miles with a population of 82,220 in 2005. Joyo even has even built a replica of our Fort Vancouver. Pretty cool if you ask me.

So, to honor them I figured we should talk about a Japanese tradition.

Today, the third day of the third month is Hina Matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival or Girls' Day)

On this day, the families with young girls decorate the ceremonial dolls and display them in a tiered platform setting. They do this to ensure their daughter's future happiness by capturing any bad spirits. You may read all about this festival here.

I'd like to thank my friend and fellow Realtor Sarah Cooper in West Virginia for telling me about this day and helping me to realize a little about our sister city that I didn't know much about.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: Vancouver WA,Joyo Japan,sister city,Fort Vancouver,Hina Matsuri,hinamatsuri,Girls Day

Chinese Comfort Food

2008-02-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Winter. It's the time that many people flock to their favorite comfort food. There's just something about a warm meal of your favorite comfort food that feels so good in the cold weather! Everyone has their favorite type of comfort food. I have two favorites: soups and Chinese food. Recently, I was craving comfort food and I just had to get Chinese. When I want good Chinese food in Vancouver, I head to Fa Fa Gourmet in Orchards. Now granted, Chinese food in Clark County just isn't as good as you'd find in Seattle or San Francicso, but Fa Fa is as good as you're gonna get. Lunch runs $5.75 and includes soup, an egg roll, fried rice, and an entree of your choice. I am usually a fan of hot and sour soup, but at Fa Fa, I am drawn to their wonton soup. The soup broth is very tasty and is filled with green onions and giant wontons. It is absolutely delicious!
For lunch, I enjoyed the cashew nut chicken. The portion was large and was filled with plenty of cashews and large chunks of tender chicken. It was served steaming hot and in a very quick fashion.

This, my friends, is pure comfort food! If you are hankering for some Chinese food in Vancouver, I highly recommend this restaurant!

Fa Fa Gourmet Chinese Restaurant
11712 NE Fourth Plain Rd
Vancouver, WA 98682-5522
Phone: (360) 260-1378

Have a great day!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

"Tenancy-In-Common" Ownership 101

2008-02-10T22:51:00.000-08:00

Q: What exactly is “tenancy-in-common” ownership?

A: In simple terms, tenancy in common (sometimes called tenants in common or TIC) is a way for two or more individuals to hold title to an individual property without a “right of survivorship”. This means that each individual co-owner gets to decide who will inherit their portion upon death (rather than co-owners interest passing to the other co-owners involved).

In application, this has become a popular style of ownership for individuals wanting to invest in commercial real estate. Each co-owner of the TIC receive the benefits of ownership (rental income, profit from future sale, etc) while leaving the day-to-day management to professional managers. If you’re considering entering into this form of commercial real estate investment, consult a real estate attorney in advance.

If you have any other questions feel free to call or email.

Take Care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: real estate,investment,commercial real estate,tenancy in common,TIC

[help] Raise Funds For Tornado Relief

2008-02-07T22:58:00.000-08:00

Having just had a tornado hit our unlikely Clark County, WA we should be able to understand a fraction of what the South is currently feeling. Actually, the devastation there makes what happened here seem like a light breeze.

They need our help! agentgenius - a national real estate magazine has put together a fundraising campaign to try and help raise funds for relief and reconstruction. You can click here to get one of the banners to put on your MySpace, Facebook or blog. Tell others about it and if you can give, please give. Every dollar helps!

Thank you for your help!

Take Care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: Tornado,disaster relief,real estate,realtor,fundraiser

Potential New I-5 Bridge Unveiled

2008-02-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Ever try and get to Portland, OR in the morning on a weekday? Or try and come into Vancouver, WA in the afternoon? If you answer yes to either of these questions then you know how badly we need a replacement bridge along I-5 crossing the Columbia River.

The northbound portion of the Interstate Bridge was built in 1917 and the southbound section was built in 1958. While this old lift bridge has been a good bridge, it is an old, tired bridge. For a complete history you may go here.

The Columbia River Crossing task force was created in 2001 to explore alternative solutions for the 135,000 cars that travel our bridge each day. After lots of different options and many different drafts the newest potential Interstate Bridge crossing from Vancouver, WA into Portland, OR may look something like this...

What do you think? I think it will be nice to have a better traffic flow across the Columbia River into our wonderful city of Vancouver.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: I-5 Bridge,Vancouver WA,Clark County WA,Portland OR,downtown Vancouver,new bridge,Columbia River

Truth About Foreclosures In Clark County, WA

2008-02-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

Foreclosures are up! The sky is falling! The apocalypse is upon us! These are the end times! Tired of the media telling us the world (real estate world that is) is ending?

Look at the numbers below and see what is really happening in Clark County, WA with foreclosures. These numbers represent the total number of foreclosures (evidence by Notices of Trustee’s Sales recorded in the Auditor’s Office) started during the calendar year. Obviously the number is up from the previous 2 years, but about the same as 2002 and 2003 when the real estate market was strong. So, based on the numbers, is the world coming to an end? NO!

The National Association of Realtors reports that 2007 was the 5th best year ever for real estate sales

Very impressive, but certainly not like what you hear in the media. Mortgage rates are down, inventory (choice) is high and prices reasonable… Now’s a great time to be active in the real estate market! Make 2008 a great year…

2007	1,559
2006	851
2005	836
2004	1,159
2003	1,575
2002	1,548
2001	1,179
2000	979

(Thank you to Clark County Title for the above story)

Take Care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: real estate,Clark County WA,Vancouver WA,foreclosure,Market Update,real estate foreclosures

MEME- It Shouldn’t Be About ME, But Today It Is…

2008-02-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

I got tagged to write a meme by Blog By The Bay's Ginger Wilcox. What is a meme? Basically, in the blog world, a meme is a question that is asked on one blog and answered on another. SO in this meme chain, Ginger tagged me and asked me to (1) list 7 things about myself, (2) tag 7 4 people to do the meme on themselves including a link to their site.

It is all in the name of good fun, and probably helps with "transparency" too. So here are 7 random things, all about ME!

I am born and bred in Vancouver, WA. I was born at Memorial Hospital downtown Vancouver and have lived every day of my life here. You can draw a radius of about 5 miles and hit every home I've ever lived in.
I met my wife Bridget working at Chicago Title back in 1993. She started working there the day after me and we became great friends, dated and got married. Hard to believe it's been almost 15 years!
My family roots in Clark County go back to the early 1890's! Yes, you read that right, the 1890's. My great-great grandfather Sylvester Huffman and his brother owned and logged land in Hayes, WA and then moved into the Amboy, WA area. They also owned 40 acres that was the first saw mill in Amboy, WA. My great grandfather followed in the logging and my grandfather worked the lumber mill his whole career. I now sell homes made of that lumber. I believe my families commitment to Clark County is pretty significant.
In 1997 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease (I was staged IV-B). After a full year of prayer, chemotherapy and the support of a loving family and friends I will celebrate 10 years cancer free this July!
I have two siblings. My brother Darin is a dancer and photographer in New York City. He lives in Hell's Kitchen and has for 15 years! His photo website is www.DoItDigitalPhotography.com. My sister Lori still lives here in Vancouver, WA. She is a stay at home mom taking care of her baby girl.
My family has been full time in the real estate business for over 20 years. We are a team made up of my mom, myself and my wife. Tracy my mom has over 20 years experience. I was licensed in 1994 and have been full time with the team almost 5 years. Bridget is our unlicensed behind the scenes teammate. She is really the brains of our team.
I love to play Texas Hold Em. We host a fairly regular event at our house. I have been down to the WSOP the last 2 years. Haven't played in any events yet. Just watched. Hopefully one day soon I'll get a chance to play in one. Also love to cruise. My kids have been on 6 cruises each. How sick is that? Favorite type of cruise is a Card Player Cruise. They are the best of both worlds!

As for tagging, the following people are it (I don't regularly perpetuate such things but thought it would be good to find out a few new facts about the following):

I can’t wait to read about all of you!!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: Meme,Clark County WA,Amboy WA,Hayes WA,logging,Hodgkin's Disease,real estate,texas hold em,Card Player Cruises,photography

Testing Windows Live Writer

2008-01-26T02:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

I'm testing out Windows Live Writer with this post. Curious if it works better than the default Blogger "add post" interface?

Above is a photo I took the other day while driving past Camas. It is of the Camas Paper Mill. I think it turned out pretty cool.

Here is another photo from on the Columbia River. It is a barge that is a most common sight along our beautiful river.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Life In Clark County
The Chumbley Team

Technorati Tags: Camas WA,Clark County WA,Georgia Pacific,Columbia River,barge,paper mill

It's Time to Refinance!

2008-01-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

If you are in a mortgage with a higher interest rate, now is the time to refinance! The average interest rate nationally on mortgages is now 5.69%. While there are many factors involved that figure into the interest rate for which you qualify (credit score, size of mortgage, etc), interest rates are now the lowest they have been in about two years. Whether you are currently in an adjustable rate mortgage that has adjusted to a high rate or are in a higher fixed-rate mortgage, you might consider refinancing at these current lower rates. Depending on how much equity you have in your home, the costs associated with refinancing can even be rolled into your mortgage so that you have no out-of-pocket expenses associated with refinancing. And if you have sufficient equity in your home, a second mortgage or balances on high-interest credit cards can be paid off in your refinance. It's definitely time to take advantage of these great rates. Call or email me today to set the ball in motion to lower your monthly payments by refinancing your mortgage!

Have a great week!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

One hundred years young in Vancouver, WA

2008-01-14T01:01:00.000-08:00

I am most excited for one of my seller's. His home was just featured in the Sunday Oregonian on January 13th, 2008. They did a story on 100 year old homes and his was one of two featured.

The process of restoration is not an easy task and it is one that he has done beautifully. You may find more about this home at www.VintageUrbanHomes.com. Here is a video of the home as well.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

"How To Sell Your Home" In Black and White

2007-12-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

Daniel Rothamel of Charlottesville, VA hosts The Real Estate Zebra blog. He has started a new video series called "Real Estate In Black and White" and the first video is really cool. We thought we'd post it here since it's message is universal throughout the real estate world. We hope you enjoy it and feel free to forward it along to others.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Celebrate Passion Project - "I Hunky Dory"

2007-12-20T21:39:00.000-08:00

This month Thom Singer of "The Some Assembly Required Blog" is hosting The Celebrate Passion Project. This project is to honor people who have a special spark for life or help others to discover ways to re-ignite the internal passions for our world. You should check out his blog to read about the people in his world and you might consider the people in yours to look for those that have that passion. Then take a moment to blog about them to give honor and recognition.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a young man who has a passion for people like I haven't seen in a very long time. His name is "I Hunky Dory". You might think to yourself who names someone that? Well, I think he did. My family was blessed to take a Mexican Riviera cruise a couple weeks ago and we met him on the ship. He is from Indonesia and probably chose his working name himself. His name is most appropriate given his zeal for life.

"I Hunky Dory" doesn't have the most glamorous job on the ship. His job is to hand people a tray with one bowl and one small plate in the buffet line on the Lido Deck. That's it, hand the tray and smile. Well, this seemingly mundane job isn't enough for him. His real job is people. From the first moment you enter the line he greets you, asks you your name and finds out who you are with. He then proceeds to learn their names as well. Once you move down the line he does this all over again with the next family or individual. Now the amazing part. Any time you see him over the next 7 days, he knows your name. If you aren't with your family, he will ask how they are... by name! He was an absolute joy to visit with as his passion for life and people was so contagious.

The most amazing thing about "I Hunky Dory" is that his goal is to learn the names of AT LEAST 400 individuals each week! Not 4, not 40 but no less than 400. How incredible is that? Not bad for someone who's "job" is to hand out trays. We can all learn something from this young man's ability. Never say you can't do something and never think that you are unimportant in the big picture of life. We all have those special abilities if we would stop telling ourselves we "can't" and begin figuring out how we "can".

Thank you Hunky Dory for making our vacation, well, Hunky Dory!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Incredible Vietnamese Sandwiches Located In Vancouver, WA

2007-12-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

I first discovered Vietnamese sandwiches in Seattle last year and fell in love. They are a french bread sandwich with pate, pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, onions, jalapeno's (I leave them off) and your choice of meat. They are really great. When I came home I tried to find them locally with no luck...

Until now! I just discovered Tan Tan Café & Delicatessen and they make the best sandwich I have ever had. It had a ton of grilled lemongrass pork and the vegetables and pate were just right. Another great thing about the sandwiches is they range from $2.25 to $2.75, so they are most affordable.

Tan Tan Cafe is located at 316 SE 123rd Ave., Suite A3 in Vancouver, WA. You can reach them at 360-892-3400. In addition to sandwiches they offer full Vietnamese cuisine. Go and give them a shot! You won't be sorry.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

A Walk in the Park: Hazel Dell Park

2007-12-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

Even on these cold December days, a walk in the park is nice. Just getting out, stretching the legs, and breathing some fresh air can be a nice break in your day. Last week I did just that at Hazel Dell Park. As someone who was raised in Southern California, I truly appreciate parks like Hazel Dell Park. The reason: trees! Lots of them!!! Even though I have lived in the Northwest for 11 years, I am still in awe of the evergreen trees in this area. Hazel Dell Park is smack dab in the middle of town but still exudes a forest. Walking the short hiking trail, I enjoyed the switchbacks through the trees and thought about how lucky I am not to be living in the concrete jungle of Los Angeles anymore. And since I'm raising my children here in the Northwest, I want them to appreciate what they have here. There aren't many places in this country where you can have a playground surround by a small forest!

Don't take the beauty of Clark County for granted! We are blessed to live in this part of the country and many of our Clark County parks display the beauty we all enjoy about this area. For more information on Hazel Dell Park, check out this link: Hazel Dell Park.

Have a great day!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Bush Freezes Sub-Prime Mortgage Rates

2007-12-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

This week, President Bush reached an agreement with the mortgage industry to freeze rates for up to five years for qualifying people who bought houses in the last few years with subprime loans. The plan would allow distressed borrowers who are current on their payments to keep their low introductory rates (on their adjustable rate loans) and escape an increase of 30 percent or more in their monthly payments when the rates expire. This is a good step to help curb foreclosures around the nation and will hopefully give a boost to the real estate market. To read more on this story, check out this article in our local Clark County newspaper, The Columbian: Mortgage Rate Freeze Reached

Have a good weekend!

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Help For the Flood Victims

2007-12-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

People from around the country have been watching the news and seeing the devastation that has happened from the floods in Washington and Oregon. Thankfully, Clark County was left relatively unscathed from the recent deluge that hit the Northwest. But other areas weren't so lucky. The communities of Centralia and Chehalis, an hour to our north, were under a great deal of water. Columbia and Clatsop Counties in Oregon were very hard hit and suffered a lot of damage. Families without flood insurance will take the hardest hit. The great thing is that we can help.

The Red Cross is requesting donations to help the flood victims. You can make donations online. Instructions for making donations are on that Website, including the address for sending a check. You can target your donation to "Oregon Floods" or "Washington Floods". You can also donate by calling the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross at (503) 284-1234.

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Airport Proximity

2007-12-05T08:30:00.001-08:00

If you live in Clark County, I hope you realize how blessed you are to live so close to the airport at PDX. I live in East Vancouver and it takes me all of 15 minutes to reach the airport from my house. I think it takes Dale all of 10 minutes from his house. This is something that I don't take for granted at all. When I lived in Southern California, I got to wade through traffic for 30-50 minutes (or longer) to get to the airport. When I lived in Kansas, it was 75 minutes to the airport in Kansas City. And when I lived in Seattle, I got to fight traffic on my 25-45 minute drive to SeaTac. Here in Clark County, it is extremely rare to have traffic on the way to the airport and you can zip off to anywhere in the world after your short drive to the airport. And now that Portland's airport has been chosen as Conde Nast Traveler's Best U.S. Airport for the second year in a row, we dare not take all of this for granted. PDX is the best and I'm thankful that we live so close to it here in Clark County!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Improving Your Credit Score

2007-12-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

So how can you improve your credit score? Here are some things you can do to get that FICO score to creep back up to a good score:

1. Order a copy of your credit report. Check it for any errors and contact the credit agency that is reporting an error.

2. Always pay your bills on time. Not paying your bills on time is the #1 mistake that people make that affects their credit score. Always, always, always pay your bills on time…even if it is just the minimum payment.

3. If your credit score isn’t the greatest, open a few new accounts, use them responsibly, and pay them off on time. Responsibly credit management will give your FICO score a big boost!

4. Keep your balances low in relation to your available credit. Keeping your balance at or below 25% of your available credit will improve your score.

5. Pay down your credit cards rather than just moving them around to lower interest cards and keeping the balances. Your credit ratios are affected by the balance so it is important to pay that balance down!

6. Don’t get discouraged! Negative items affect your credit score more quickly than positive items. A late payment can affect your score negatively in a matter of months, but paying bills on time can take 6-12 months to affect the score positively.

It may take up to a year of work to clean up your credit score, but it’s worth it! Just keep plugging away at the positive steps and you’ll see your credit score turn around and open the doors to better credit opportunities before you know it!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Mortgage Consultant

Title Tips

2007-11-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

Important Title Insurance

There are 3 types of Title Insurance policies typically insured for residential properties. The most common is the “Standard” Owner’s policy, the newer HomeOwner’s policy and the Owner’s Extended policy. There are some big differences with each, and here’s some basic information to help you decide which is best. Starting with price, the cheapest is the Standard, the HomeOwner’s costs 10 percent more than the Standard, and the Extended is 30 percent more than Standard coverage. The HomeOwner’s policy is generally only available for owner occupied existing residential properties up to 4 units and is not available for commercial properties, investment property or most rural properties. Extended coverage is pretty expensive when you factor in the cost of the survey. Usually Extended coverage is requested only in commercial and industrial transactions.

One of the main benefits of the HomeOwner’s policy is coverage for mechanic’s liens. This is not included with Standard coverage unless the Homeowner’s Endorsement is included with the policy. That could be a big deal to you, especially if you are buying a brand new home.

Remember, not all title policies are alike, and you want the best protection possible. If you have questions about what’s covered, and what isn’t, or have any title questions at all, please call our outstanding title department at 360-694-4722.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Uptown Village Sip & Stroll

2007-11-29T13:56:00.001-08:00

Attention Clark County (and Portlander's, too):

This Saturday, December 1st, Uptown Village will be having their Fourth Annual Sip & Stroll event. It sounds like it will be a great time for all.

For additional details check out Vintage Urban Homes.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

The #1 Way To NOT Sell Your Home

2007-11-27T12:05:00.000-08:00

As a follow up to yesterday's post I came across an article from a Realtor in Charlottesville, VA. It is really well stated and I thought it would prove useful here in Clark County as well.

You can read the whole article at the Real Estate Zebra. Check it out and feel free to let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Vancouver, WA Real Estate Hot Spot

2007-11-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Clark County,

Our October stats just came in and I thought I'd share a few things.

First off, our inventory dropped slightly from 12 months to 11.4 months. What does this mean? It means that if no new listings come on the market it will take 11.4 months to sell all the current single family residential houses currently on the market. So, if you are a seller do you want to be one that sells in the next month or two or do you want to be at the end of that time? I know where I'd want to be. Make sure you are competively priced to draw the most positive attention possible.

While the overall county is currently appreciating at an average rate of 3% from October of last year to October of this year, we had a couple areas that seem to be outperforming the rest. According to RMLS the area North of the Columbia River, South of Mill Plain, East of I-5 and west of I-205 is running between 18% to 20%. Not too shabby. The key is still making sure you are priced correctly.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Credit Score Basics

2007-11-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's good to understand what factors affect your credit (FICO) score. The better you control these factors, the higher your score will be. Your FICO score is based on the following information:

• Payment History – Your payment history determines approximately 35% of your total credit score. This factor looks at whether you pay your bills on time, or late. If they’re late, how late are they? How often do you pay late? How recent are your late payments? How many accounts show no late payments? Have you had accounts turned over to collection or a judgment entered against you? Have you filed for Bankruptcy?
• Amount Owed – How much you currently owe determines approximately 30% of your total credit score. This factor looks at the total amount you owe, and on what types of accounts. How many accounts have balances? How much of the total credit line is owed? How much is owed now in relation to how much you borrowed originally (i.e. for auto loans)?
• Length of Credit History – The length of your credit history determines approximately 15% of your total credit score. In general, a longer credit history will increase your score. This factor also looks at how long you’ve had certain credit accounts, and how long it’s been since you used certain accounts.
• New Credit – Approximately 10% of your score is based on how many new accounts you’ve established. This factor looks at how many new accounts you have, how long it’s been since you opened them, how many recent requests for credit you have made, and the length of time since credit report inquiries were made by potential lenders. Rate shopping should not affect this factor because the inquiries will be made for a particular type of credit during a short period of time.
• Overall Credit Mix – Approximately 10% of your score is based on the overall mix of credit cares, installment loans, mortgage loans, etc. The more balanced the mix, the more likely this factor is to improve your overall score.

You can order a copy of your full credit report once a year for free. Just go to this link: Annual Credit Report. For an additional fee of $7.95, you can see what your credit score is. This is a great step to take so you are aware of what items are on your credit report and how those items affect your score. Be sure to make sure that everything on the report is accurate!

Take care,

Chris Hyde
Chris Hyde, Mortgage Consultant

Nicaragua Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T22:25:00.000-08:00

Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. KPTV Channel 12 will be airing a special presentation. It was filmed in Nicaragua. It highlights life inside the landfill outside the capital city of Managua. A whole city has been formed inside this most horrible location that lives off whatever garbage they can get.

I had the priveledge of attending a fundraiser for a local Vancouver, WA based organization, Forward Edge International this past Saturday. The event was specifically designed for this location. The work they are doing there is unbelievable.

As you are enjoying the freedom's and luxuries we all enjoy this Thanksgiving, please take 30 minutes to watch this program. If it is too late for you, set up a tape, DVR or Tivo it. You need to see what is happening and search your heart to consider helping out.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

A Good Credit Score is Vital

2007-11-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

Many of you are probably aware that there have been BIG changes in the mortgage industry in the past few months. There has been a lot of talk about the sub-prime mortgage market going belly-up. This is referring to mortgages that were given to people who were a higher credit risk. So now that sub-prime mortgages have gone with the wind, those who are still getting loans are those who (among other things) have a good credit score. Credit scores usually range from 340 to 850. Borrowers with a credit score over 700 are typically offered more financing options than those with lower scores. So it is important to maintain good credit so that your score is higher and you are given more financing options.

If you have made credit mistakes in the past, don’t worry! It is possible to increase your credit score by following a simple plan to improve your credit. Please check back often to learn more about your credit score and steps you can take to improve your score so you can get the mortgage you need!

Take care,

Chris Hyde

Chris Hyde, Mortgage Consultant

English Estate Wine Sale and Art Fair

2007-11-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

This weekend and the weekend after Thanksgiving you will find a great opportunity to sample some great local wines and check out some local artisans wares.

That's right, it is the second annual Fall Wine Sale and Art Fair at the English Estate Winery. If you haven't had the chance to go and check out their wines this is an excellent time. Wine prices will be 20-30% off and the tasting is free. They are asking for non-perishable food donations which will go to the Oregon Food Bank.

Come in and try a warm spiced wine, one of their pinot noir's or whatever suits your fancy. Then purchase some wine, pick up a few Christmas gifts from the many local artists that will have their products for sale.

The event is from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 23-25. English Estate Winery is located at 17806 SE 1st Street. You can find them on the web at http://www.englishestatewinery.com./

Go have fun, be safe and enjoy. You really will enjoy yourself!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Vintage Urban Homes

2007-11-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

Today we have four new listings coming on the market. All are classic vintage homes downtown Vancouver. They range in age from the turn of the century to the mid 1930's. I have created a site where you can look at the flyers and will be able to view video slideshows once I have them finished.

Pricing will range between $329,900 to $529,900. Two of the houses have apartments that could be used as rentals as well. All are beautifully restored and ready to move into.

Check out Vancouver, WA Vintage Urban Homes to check out these wonderful homes.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Fall Back Clark County

2007-11-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

It is that time again. Time to roll back the trusty clock that we set our lives to. Tonight at 2 AM we roll it back to 1 AM. This is the one that we always look forward to since we gain an hour of sleep.

This photo was taken of the Belltower at Esther Short Park downtown Vancouver. In the background you see part of Vancouvercenter condos and the Smith Tower on the right.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Happy Halloween Clark County!

2007-10-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a wonderful day in Clark County. It started a bit chilly and foggy but that is burning off. A dry Halloween makes a safer Halloween.

This image was created in Paint as an entry into a Virtual Pumpkin Carving Contest I entered. The rules were you had to use Paint to do the editing and you needed to be creative. The contest was sponsered by Teresa Boardman who is a Realtor in St. Paul, Minnesota. Teresa is not only one of the top real estate bloggers in the country but is the foremost authority on the Twin Cities. Check out her blog for some great photo's and information about St. Paul area. The cool thing is I WON! I'd like to thank my Active Rain friends, MySpace friends and any others who voted.

If you are looking for a safe place to take the kids tonight, check out Trick-or-Treat at Firstenburg. It is free to get in and open from 4-9 PM today. It is at the Firstenburg Community Center located at 700 NE 136th Ave. More info online at www.cityofvancouver.us/fcc. Be safe and have fun!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

A New Photo Journey Through Clark County

2007-10-29T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I am starting a new phlogging adventure (no that is not something perverted). As I travel around Clark County I'll be shooting photo's of things that strike a fancy with me. I'll upload these photo's via my phone to my new site. You can get to the new site here. Sign up through the RSS to get regular updates and check back often.

This site is not going away! This new adventure is more of a snapshot of Clark County and all our cities. I hope you enjoy this journey and feel free to forward it on to your friends as well.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Clark County Pumpkin Patches

2007-10-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it is less than a week until Halloween. This year is really flying by. Since this is the last weekend for gathering those pumpkins I thought a quick guide to a few local patches would be helpful.

Joe's Place Farms - pumpkins, strawberries, tomatoes, other vegetables, Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and boughs, trees tied, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, tractor-pulled hay rides and face painting. 701 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684. Phone: 360 892-3974. Email them at: joesplacefarms@comcast.net

Pomeroy Living History Farm. Pumpkin Lane will be open weekends in October.
Saturdays 10am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-5pm
Free admission; fees for hayrides, pumpkins, and some activities
Hayrides down Pumpkin Lane with stops at the Pumpkin Patch are $3.50 Adults and $2.50 Ages 2-11. Pumpkins are $1.00 to $6.00 depending on size.
Scarecrow-making, hay bale maze, Farm Cafe and lot's of fun.

Bi-Zi Farms offers cider pressing, pumpkin launch, a bale maze, farm animals, antique farm equipment, hay rides, pumpkin patch, live Blue Grass music and a 6-acre corn maze. Open every weekend in October; 2pm to 6pm Friday, 10am to 6pm Saturday & Sunday. Nighttime corn maze open Fri & Sat til 9:30 pm...bring a flashlight!

Be safe out there and have fun!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

It's A Great Time To Buy!

2007-10-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

Attention buyers! Now is a great time to consider making that offer. Interest rates are still great and there is plenty to choose from. Get off the fence, step out there and "Just Do It"!

Now that doesn't mean run around making ridiculously low offers on everything on the market. Make sure your Realtor knows the market values of the houses in the neighborhood and listen to their counsel. We are there for a reason and want to see you get the best price possible. The reason for not making insane offers is that hopefully a mutual place can be reached by the buyer and seller. If you offend the seller out of the gate, a mutual place becomes much harder to find.

Sellers, make sure you are being competitive in your pricing so that you are the most attractive to the buyer's that are looking. Listen to the market and your Realtor. If you are getting lots of showings with no offers, you need to look at your pricing. If you are not getting any showings, you need to look at your pricing. If you are trying to do it on your own, find a Realtor and listen to them!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

WANTED: A New I-5 Bridge

2007-10-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

Alright, I don't normally have to head into Portland, OR first thing in the morning but last Thursday I found myself doing just that. Let me say... we need a new bridge! What under normal circumstances would be a 15 minute drive from my house was almost a hour and twenty minutes. I'd say this exceeds an acceptable level of service.

For those of you who make this drive daily, my hats are off to you. You deserve a medal. I called a friend of mine to let him know I'd called the Vatican and nominated him for sainthood as he makes this drive everyday of every week. I don't know how he does it.

I know that the problem is being addressed, and I'll be curious to see what is decided. You can follow along with some of the potential options here. It will not be inexpensive and it will not be easy, but it is necessary! Clark County needs a smoother, less painful way to visit our great neighbor of Portland, OR.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Streets of Gold in Fisher's Landing

2007-10-20T01:48:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air and the streets are covered with gold in Fisher's Landing right now. Today I was driving through Fisher's Landing showing houses and found the area to be most beautiful.The fall colors are in full swing and the leaves are falling fast. The windstorm and rain these past few days certainly helped this process out. It is amazing how quickly things change around here.

While we are in Fisher's Landing let's talk about the Year-To-Date numbers for this great neighborhood. As of the end of September the Average Sale Price is $314,300 and the Median Sale Price is $300,000. The average days on the market is running around 50 days. We are still seeing Fisher's Landing appreciate at a rate of 5.2%.
This chart shows the Year-To-Date single family residential activity. A total of 1,082 homes have come on the market this year and just over half of those are still available. The pending sales and closed sales split the balance pretty even. If you have any questions about these numbers or about a different neighborhood just ask.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Clark County's New Land Bridge

2007-10-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

That's what this thing is. You probably have wondered as I have what they are building across Hwy 14 as you pass by Fort Vancouver. This is a natural path 40' wide crossing which will reconnect the Fort to our waterfront.

Back in the day you used to be able to walk from one to the other and as growth has happened this link was broken. Now this link is being rebuilt. This will hopefully provide a renewed appreciation of our long history with our very own Fort Vancouver and the Hudson's Bay Trading Company. Our waterfront has become a great place to enjoy wonderful food, incredible views and even a little excercise. Now that trail becomes just a little bit longer.

Through the efforts of Confluence Project members, the National Park Service, the City of Vancouver and the Washington State Department of Transportation this has been able to happen. The estimated cost of this project is $12.25 million and was funded through federal, state and private funding.

Completion of this project is slated for the end of 2007. Once it is complete make sure and get out there and take a walk to enjoy this great new feature in beautiful Clark County.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Beautiful East Clark County Home

2007-10-09T23:48:00.001-07:00

This home is in the new Union High School boundary and has just been reduced in price over $25,000. Take a gander at the video and let us know if you would like any further information.

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Clark County Lifts Salmon Creek Moratorium

2007-09-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today the Board of County Commissioners lifted the two year moratorium in the Salmon Creek and Hazel Dell areas of Clark County. This will pave the way for new development to once again take place in this fast growing area.

One of the big issues that caused the halt to development was the traffic problems within this area. The irony is that the realization of how to fund traffic improvement is through the Traffic Impact Fees of new developments. So, with some strict guidelines in place the doors are now open for new applications to be submitted to Clark County for continued controlled growth.

Let's hope for a few more restaurants in the process!

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

The Clark County Lowdown... "Flip Fantasy"

2007-09-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday our local newspaper The Columbian did a great story about flipping homes. It gives a great perspective of this phenomenon with a true picture. Check out the story here.

I am especially proud of the story since it is about a dear friend of mine who also happens to be a great business partner. You might even recognize one of the mugs in each of the photo's.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Incredible Uptown Village house in downtown Vancouver

2007-09-18T02:06:00.001-07:00

It's The End Of The World As We Know It...

2007-09-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

...And I Feel Fine! Not only is this a great classic R.E.M. song, but a truth to our current Real Estate world. And I do feel fine. Why you ask? Our market here in Clark County (and around the Pacific NW) is actually returning to a more stable and "normal" market.

Not a day goes by that I don't have this conversation at least two or three times. Normal? How can I say that? Isn't everything collapsing around us? No, it isn't. It is true that we are still adjusting from the crazy anomaly of the last few years. But that is what we all need to remember, we experienced an anomaly. When have we had the volume of loan programs like in recent years? We haven't. We knew that we couldn't keep appreciating at the record percentages of 30+% across the board.

Are you now losing value? No, I don't think so. Did you overestimate what your appreciation was and feel like you have lost? Probably. When we were all riding the real estate roller coaster in an upward direction we failed to notice that it started to level out and we kept thinking we were going up. Then what happens? We feel like we are falling when if we had stayed in the car we would have realized that we were no longer on such an insane incline.

Learning that your home is worth thousands more than you think is really easy to hear. Learning that your home isn't worth as much as you think takes much more time. However, it doesn't change the reality of our market. Seller's need to listen to their agents and remember that the buyers are being very picky and non-motivated. They are waiting around for the prices to adjust to where they should be.

Real Estate is still great! Don't listen to the national media and all the new agents who have never experienced anything other than the anomaly.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Shake It Up...

2007-09-07T01:51:00.000-07:00

“Shake It Up”
by Dale Chumbley, Clark County REALTOR
Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

It's time to "shake" up this Friday. While the weather is still good and the weekend is upon us, a drive is in order. You need to head on over to Top Burger in Camas. You will find it across from Crown Park at 1436 NE Everett Street.

The specialty of the house is definitely their milkshakes. They are wonderful old fashion shakes that take you back in time. Along with your shake you need to get an order of their seasoned fries or tater tots. You decide. I know, it is a tough call!

After you pick up your shake continue north on Everett and take a leisurely drive around Lacamas Lake to enjoy some of the beauty Clark County has to offer.

Take care and enjoy the shake,

Dale Chumbley

http://www.clarkcountyrealestateblog.com/
http://www.tracychumbley.com/

Latest Clark County Market Update

2007-07-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

Latest Clark County Market Update
by Dale Chumbley, Clark County REALTOR
Clark County Real Estate Blog
The Chumbley Team

Hello Clark County,

The numbers are in. We just received the latest RMLS statistics for the end of June.As we compare the market activity from January through June 2007 to the same 2006 time period, we see new listings have dropped a slight 2.1%. The closed sales have decreased 20.5% and the pending sales have decreased only 3.3%.

Our current Clark County inventory sits at 6.8 months which is down from the previous 7.1 from May.

While our appreciation rate has slowed from what it was, we are still seeing the average sale price increase by 5.3% ($306,600 vs. $291,100) county wide. Our median sale price is also still increasing at a rate of 5.1% ($264,900 vs. $252,000).

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Take care,

Dale Chumbley

http://www.clarkcountyrealestateblog.com/
http://www.tracychumbley.com/

Title Tips

2007-06-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

Dealing With An Estate?

When an estate is selling property there are several important considerations to remember.

In our effort to serve you and your clients in the most professional and timely manner, it is helpful to inform your title or escrow officer of the status of the estate. When did the decedent pass away? Has the estate been probated, and if so, where was it probated? Washington courts have jurisdiction over Washington property, but out of state courts do not.

Transfer of real estate from a decedent's estate, if not probated by the courts, can still be handled efficiently. This will involve an affidavit attesting to certain facts about the estate and will usually require a copy of the death certificate, and the decedent's will.

Each situation is unique, so it's best to talk to your title officer early in the process to ensure a smooth closing. When you have any title questions, or estate issues, please call our awesome title officers at 360-694-4722. They'll be glad to help any way they can!

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Latest Clark County Market Update

2007-06-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Clark County,

The numbers are in. We just received the latest RMLS statistics for the end of April.

As we compare the market activity from January through April 2007 to the same 2006 time period, we see new listings have increased by 8.7%. The closed sales have decreased 14.2% and the pending sales have decreased 13.1%.

This listing increase has put our current Clark County inventory at 7.2 months.

While our appreciation rate has slowed from what it was, we are still seeing the average sale price increase by 7.2% ($304,200 vs. $283,900) county wide. Our median sale price is also still increasing at a rate of 6.5% ($263,000 vs. $247,000).

What does this mean to you? Know that your real estate value is still appreciating and if you are currently on the market, make sure you are competitively priced so that you are not part of the 7+ months of current inventory.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Keep the lights on...

2007-05-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the absence on here. Real estate has been going really well and I've been quite busy.

Busy showing houses to quite a few buyers. As we have been looking at all sorts of homes a trend has been noticed. Not enough sellers leave their lights on inside the home for showings. This is something that definitely helps makes your house feel lighter and brighter, even on a sunny day. I understand it is tough to leave all the lights on when you go to work but do the best you can.

A properly staged home is so important (a topic to be covered at another time) and lighting is critical to that. Unfortunately we have many grey and gloomy days in Clark County and you need to help "brighten" things up with the simple flip of a switch.

It is also a good idea to roll open those mini blinds before leaving the house. Another way to make a home feel more spacious and bright.

As inventory in Clark County is more plentiful the seller's need to be more diligent in creating a bright inviting environment for the buyer's to fall in love with!

Take care and make sure you leave the lights on,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Home & Garden Idea Fair This Weekend

2007-04-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

Clark Public Utilities’ Home & Garden Idea Fair will be held on April 27, 28, and 29, 2007 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, located at 17402 NE Delfel Road in Ridgefield, Washington, just nine miles north of the I-5 bridge at Exit 9.

The hours for the 2007 show are:
Friday, April 27: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 28: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 29: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This event benefits from the newly constructed Exhibition Hall at the Event Center. With nearly 110,000 square feet of exhibition space, fair visitors enjoy a wide variety of displays all under one roof.

The fair features hundreds of ideas on how to make your home, yard and garden a more beautiful, energy-efficient and environmentally conscious place.

It’s a fun event, filled with activities for the whole family. Admission is FREE and venue parking is $5! We encourage canned food donations for local food banks or cash donations to Operation Warm Heart, but you don’t have to spend another dime at the fair unless you want to.

With nearly 40,000 people attending this three-day event, the Home & Garden Idea Fair has become one of the most popular events in Clark County.

Do your best to get out there. It is a great way to meet local vendors and contractors.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Beautiful Salmon Creek Custom For Sale

2007-04-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Title Tips

2007-04-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

This guest post courtesy of Clark County Title

Important Title Insurance Coverage For You

There are 3 types of Title Insurance policies typically insured for residential properties.

The most common is the “Standard” Owner’s policy, the newer Home Owner's policy and the Owner’s Extended policy. There are some big differences with each, and here’s some basic information to help you decide which policy is best for you.

Starting with price, the cheapest is the Standard, the Home Owner's costs 10 percent more than the Standard, and the Extended is 30 percent more than Standard coverage. The Home Owner's policy is generally only available for existing residential properties up to 4 units and is not available for commercial properties or most rural properties. Extended coverage is pretty expensive when you factor in the cost of the survey. Usually Extended coverage is requested only in commercial and industrial transactions.

One of the main benefits of the Home Owner's policy is coverage for mechanic’s liens. This is not included with Standard coverage unless the Home Owner’s Endorsement is included with the policy. That could be a big deal to you, especially if you are buying a brand new home.

Remember, not all title policies are alike, and we want the best for you. If you have questions about what’s covered, and what isn’t, or have any title questions at all, please call our outstanding title department at 360-694-4722.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Blessings for Easter

2007-04-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

If Not For Easter

If not for Easter,

the chaos of this world

would be all there is

and all there ever would be.

If not for Easter,

the unfairness of life

would drive us to despair.

But God sent His Son

to give eternal life

filled with peace, happiness

and unimaginable blessings

to those who choose Him.

All we have to do is choose Him.

Happy, Happy Easter!

By Joanna Fuchs

Wishing you all a most blessed day. A day of fellowship, friends and family. A day to reflect, remember and rejoice.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Historical Real Estate View Shown As A Roller Coaster Ride

2007-04-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

I saw this video tonight on KPTV 12 News. It represents the history of home values in the U.S. since 1890, factoring out the effects of inflation. It is based on existing home sales, not new construction. It is a great visual representation that lets you see how incredible real estate has been as an investment over the long term.

We have had quite a ride over the last century. There is also a graph that you can look at to see this in a static view. You can see the graph here.

Feel free to contact me is you ever want to talk about this ride we have been on. I'd love to chat.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Vancouver Farmers Market Opens Today

2007-03-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the day! Yes it is the official opening of Vancouver Farmers Market. The Indoor Market is open year round now but the kickoff for the Outdoor Market is finally here.

Choose from dozens of agricultural vendors for all your freshest produce to tons of arts and crafts vendors where you can pick up anything from Botanicals to Baubles.

Plus my favorite... the food vendors! Grab a quick snack or a full meal. Teriyaki or Texas, Sausage or Shave Ice, Baklava or BBQ, the list goes on and on! While you are there don't forget to pick up something from Clark County's own "The Garlic Lady". This is the best!

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

A Walk In The Park... Esther Short

2007-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the number of wonderful days we had in March! Crystal clear blue skies and upper/mid 60's! I know, the rain certainly reminds us that we are still in Clark County but boy were the sunny days nice. Sunroofs open, convertible tops down, walks in the park.

My first "Walk In The Park" for 2007 took place at Esther Short Park in our own Downtown Vancouver. It is truly amazing how much it has changed. The City (with the help of some wonderful donations) has made this a great place to sit and enjoy a meal, listen to a concert and watch children laughing and playing in the playground.

If you show up at the right time you can enjoy the Salmon Run Bell Tower as it tells the story of the Chinook Tribal legend.

Or maybe you would like to enjoy a theater production. If that is what you desire, The Slocum House Theatre Company has shows running throughout the year. If you've never been in the Slocum House you need to check it out.

Energy and vitality are happening downtown. From all around the park you can see evidence of this. Shops are open, restaurants have people in them. There are new places to live and new buildings are popping up.

Here is a shot of the new home for The Columbian newspaper. It is going to be a very nice addition to the new development downtown.

Now it is time to get out there and enjoy the sun and take "A Walk In The Park"!

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Thank you for the memories Uncle Milt...

2007-03-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

I was saddened this morning when I read that Uncle Milt passed away last week.

Then I stopped and remembered all the wonderful memories I have from Uncle Milt's Pizza Company. That made me smile. If you lived in Clark County between 1979 and 1999 you undoubtedly ate there at one point or another. It was truly the family place to be.

As a child we would laugh at the funny old black and white silent films while the mighty Wurlitzer would play along creating the mood of the film (will the train hit her?). We would wait anxiously for the bubble machine to pour pure enjoyment down from the ceiling and there was nothing better than a visit from the one and only Pink Panther. These were good times.

During any of the sporting seasons you always went to Uncle Milt's after your game. Pizza, video games and hanging with friends was the theme. I still remember running down the ramped hallways to get to the arcade. At the end of the season you always went there for your team party. It was not unusual for a bunch of teams to be there at the same time. Fun was to be had by all. These were good times.

When we got a little older we would go after a school game or dance. It was a wonderful place to visit with friends. The pizza was reasonable and the atmosphere was perfect. We could hide away in the balcony and feel like we were in our own world. These were good times.

Yes, Uncle Milt, you created a fabulous place for this community to be just that... a community! You may be gone and pizza may not be served anymore, but the memories you gave us will live on forever. Thank you for the good times!

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31st, 2007 at 11:00 AM. It will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 W. 39th St., Vancouver, WA.

Please feel free to leave any memories you may have on here as well.

Take Care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Latest Clark County Market Update

2007-03-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Clark County,

Our newest RMLS stats have just come out. Below you will find the current update as well as the snapshot of the same time last year. You'll notice that the market time has definitely risen as there are more homes on the market now and less homes being sold.

Even though less homes have sold, you'll notice that our market is still appreciating. It may not be doing it like it was a couple years ago, but it is still doing it. Being competitive in pricing is more critical than ever as the inventory continues to grow. Make sure you are completely up to date on your market area prior to pricing and expect a longer marketing time than you might expect.

Please remember to pass this along to anyone in your world that might find it of interest.

Take care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

1916 Arnada Park Classic Restoration

2007-03-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

March "Real Estate" Madness

2007-03-07T23:08:00.000-08:00

March Madness is almost upon us. That time when "most of the world" pauses to follow one of the most watched sporting events in the entire world. It is estimated that nearly 4 billion dollars will be wagered worldwide during this little basketball tourney. Not bad for 3 weeks of play.

Guess what? Most of the world is just as intrigued about the real estate market. There are not too many day's that go by where I'm not asked "how is the market in Clark County?”. The short answer is "the market is great"! Sellers are still selling and buyer's are still buying. The key to this happening simply comes down to pricing. We have stabilized back into what I would consider a more "normal" market. As long as the seller's are pricing their property within the range that the market establishes, the buyer's are willing to buy. The day’s of adding an extra cushion on top just in case the buyer might pay it are gone for now. Generally speaking, buyers don’t need to do that. There is plenty of inventory for most buyers to look at.

Make sure that your Realtor is up to date and actively in our marketplace full time to best represent you, whether selling or buying. The great thing is real estate isn’t just a three week per year event; it is every day of every year. Isn’t the Big Dance wonderful!

Take care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team

Don't Forget To Get Your $355 Million

2007-03-05T23:46:00.000-08:00

Wow! This Tuesday's Mega Millions lottery jackpot is estimated to be $355 Million. You won't want to miss your opportunity to pick up a ticket for this massive jackpot.

If you get the chance, you'll want to stop by Downtown Vancouver's own Day & Nite Mart located at 514 Washington Street. Why Day & Nite Mart? Because it has the highest number of winning jackpot tickets sold in the entire State of Washington. A visit to the State Lottery website shows a total of 7 jackpots sold out of this one location. Perhaps it is time for number 8.

I already have mine.

Take care,

Dale

The Chumbley Team

In The Beginning...

2007-03-03T14:45:00.000-08:00

Greetings all,

Welcome to my first entry into the blogging world. My hope is that this will become your resource for all things Clark County. My family and I are lifelong residents of this wonderful place with deep roots that go back to the 1890's. Yes, our family has owned real estate here since the 1890's!

This blog will cover all aspects of real estate, real estate happenings and other events in our area. If there are things that you feel would be of interest or value, please let me know. I want this blog to be for you.

Make sure you "Subscribe" to the blog and also forward it on to anyone else that may find this information valuable. Again, welcome to your Clark County corner of the blogosphere.

Take care,

Dale
The Chumbley Team