Equity NW Properties

Equity NW Properties is a locally owned and operated real estate brokerage that is committed to helping you with all of your real estate needs.  

With offices located in both Camas & Vancouver, you'll always be near to accurate real estate information and skillful service.

Within the Equity NW family of Strategic Partnerships, we're able to offer you not only traditional Real Estate service, but also Property Management, Lease Purchase, Commercial, Relocation, and Investment Real Estate Services.  Add two extraordinary Mortgage Lenders and an Insurance Services office within the Equity complex, and you begin to truly see the One Stop Service Concept we have worked so hard to provide for the benefit of our Clients!

While you're checking us out here online, we encourage you to register with us in order to receive the Equity NW News, along with the Schedule of free informational events and workshops that we conduct throughout the year.

                       We look forward to serving you and appreciate you stopping by!

 

Some Call it "Retirement" - You Call it "Our Second Home"

Here's a delicious thought for you...

You have now, or will soon own a beautiful home in your current community.  Career's are going pretty well considering the economy, and every once in awhile, you escape to that special spot you love so much at the Coast.  You'd love to escape more often, but hotel reservations, meals out, not having the things you always end up needing once you arrive... it's kind of expensive to get away!

There is a better way...

Why not meet with one of the Equity Team Members today and put together a plan to find a great Second Home hideaway while property prices and loan interest rates are so amazingly low?  Remember, Your Equity Team offers real estate planning & services, sure, but also Property Management, Lease Purchase, and Investment real estate service as well!  

Whether you start out with that second "dream home", a recreational hideaway, or full time Retirement living, you'll receive great information, tips, and planning as well as professional service with your Equity service specialist.  Give us a call, or click here to arrange a meeting, soon. 

What to do... What to do?

Clark County Washington is an amazing community!  Surrounded by rivers, both large and small, lakes, hills, valleys, canyons, some of the most impressive rapids and kayak water in the Pacific Northwest, and so much more.

Vancouver is located only two hours from the Pacific Ocean.  In the opposite direction, only an hour and a half to one of the most majestic mountains in the United States, Mt. Hood.  You're only two hours from what used to be a huge and truly stunning mountain that is now "Half the Mountain" it used to be, Mt. St. Helens, the site for one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th Century.

Sports, Arts, Crafts, Farmer's Markets, Antique Shows, Camas Days, Hazel Dell Parade, Ft. Vancouver Historical Center, The Oldest Apple Tree in the State, tons of parks and sports fields, crazy soccer fans, even crazier Oregon side Basketball fans (Go Blazers!!!), and more.

15 minutes away from major stage plays, music events, Jazz Festivals, a 4th of July Fireworks display that is the biggest West of the Mississippi River!  Indoors or out, there is so much to choose from in this incredible spot on the West edge of the US.  If you live in the area already...GREAT CHOICE!  If you don't live here yet, call the Equity Team for a Relocation Packet.  We'll be very glad to have you as our new neighbors!

Is it Affordable to live in Southwest WA?  Short answer...YES!

Cost Comparison Data courtesy of Sperling’s Best Places

Below, you will find Cost of Living comparison between Vancouver, Washington, and six cities across the USA.

The comparison highlights a number of cost categories and summarizes the results in table format for easy review.

Of course, there are a number of variables that will ultimately come into play for you and your specific lifestyle within any community, however, we have provided this overview for you to be able to have a feel for the comparative cost picture for the Southwest Washington area.  As you scroll down, you'll see the comparisons summarized.

We are, of course, always happy to do specific research to assist in answering your questions on any of the topics important to you and to your move.  Give us a call.

 

Cost of Living Comparison:

Boston, Massachusetts - Vancouver, Washington

 Vancouver is 27% cheaper than Boston.

Housingis the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Housing is 40% cheaper in Vancouver.

A salary of $50,000 in Boston, Massachusetts could decrease to$36,340 in Vancouver, Washington

BostonU.S. Avg.Vancouver

Cost of Living Indexes	Boston	Vancouver
Overall	154	112
Food	121	108
Housing	218	130
Utilities	149	93
Transportation	109	113
Health	125	112
Miscellaneous	137	103

100=national average

 

Cost of Living Comparison:
Miami, Florida - Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver is 2% cheaper than Miami.

Housingis the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Housing is 5% cheaper in Vancouver.

A salary of $50,000 in Miami, Florida could decrease to $48,866 in Vancouver, Washington

MiamiU.S. Avg.Vancouver

Cost of Living Indexes	Miami	Vancouver
Overall	115	112
Food	111	108
Housing	138	130
Utilities	91	93
Transportation	113	113
Health	103	112
Miscellaneous	105	103

100=national average

 

Cost of Living Comparison:

Sacramento, California - Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver is 1% cheaper than Sacramento.

Utilitiesare the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Utilities are21%cheaper in Vancouver.

A salary of $50,000 in Sacramento, California could decrease to$49,296 in Vancouver, Washington

SacramentoU.S. Avg.Vancouver

Cost of Living Indexes	Sacramento	Vancouver
Overall	114	112
Food	108	108
Housing	127	130
Utilities	117	93
Transportation	112	113
Health	117	112
Miscellaneous	102	103

100=national average

  

Cost of Living Comparison:
Atlanta, Georgia - Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver is 6% more expensive than Atlanta.

Transportationis the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Transportation is 15% more expensive in Vancouver.

A salary of $50,000 in Atlanta, Georgia should increase to $53,181in Vancouver, Washington

AtlantaU.S. Avg.Vancouver

Cost of Living Indexes	Atlanta	Vancouver
Overall	105	112
Food	95	108
Housing	128	130
Utilities	91	93
Transportation	98	113
Health	97	112
Miscellaneous	99	103

100=national average

  

Cost of Living Comparison:
Hartford, Connecticut - Vancouver, Washington

 

Vancouver is 3% more expensive than Hartford.

Housingis the biggest factor in the cost of living difference.

Housing is 50% more expensive in Vancouver.

A salary of $50,000 in Hartford, Connecticut should increase to$51,471 in Vancouver, Washington

HartfordU.S. Avg.Vancouver

Cost of Living Indexes	Hartford	Vancouver
Overall	109	112
Food	122	108
Housing	87	130
Utilities	119	93
Transportation	111	113
Health	108	112
Miscellaneous	119	103

100=national average

 

 

From Small to Large - Southwest WA Hottest Markets 2012

1.)    Camas/Washougal -- Very Hot Market

2.)    Brush Prairie          -- Very Hot Market

3.)    Salmon Creek        -- Hot Market

4.)    Ridgefield              -- Hot Market

5.)    Vancouver West      -- Hot Market

6.)    Vancouver Central   -- Good Market

7.)    Vancouver East       -- Hot Market

8.)    Battle Ground         -- Hot Market

9.)    LaCenter                -- Good Market

10.)  Amboy                   -- Fair Market

11.)  Yacolt                    -- Fair Market

FAQ's and a place for you to ask YOUR Specific Questions

Q:  Is the Real Estate market still losing ground, or will my house start gaining in value anytime soon?

A:  Each home has a very specific value, impacted by surrounding area, quality of nearby schools, easy access to conveniences/services, quick and safe commutes, public transaportation availability, and so much more.  The general market does appear to be strengthening a bit early in 2012, and the low purchase prices and historically low interest rates make this an INCREDIBLE time to consider purchasing real property.  As a result, the market is showing more buying activity than in the recent past, to be sure. 

Q:  Everyone is telling me that I should be investing in real estate right now, but I'm not sure the housing prices aren't still going down.  Is it "safe" to considering investing now?

A:  There's absolutely no "chrystal ball" for the economy, but there are two things we can say for sure right now...

     1.) Interest rates for mortgage loans haven't been this low for years and years.  We won't see rates this low again for a long time!

     2.) Housing prices have fallen and fair market rents have risen to the point that it makes very good sense to consider investing in income properties!  Every investment calls for wisdom and first obtaining accurate market information, but generally speaking, this is an incredible property buying opportunity!