Find out what’s happening in the Portland Metro real estate market for Early-August 2024.
Hi, I’m Julia Robertson, Living Room Realty’s new Designated Managing Broker in Washington. I’m here to tell you what you need to know about the market for Early August 2024.
Cost Of Living
Over the last decade I’ve personally witnessed Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield blossom. The area has a rich history and the overall vibe is clean and safe. The cost of housing and utilities in Vancouver are below the national average, 11% lower than the state average. When we compare Vancouver to Portland, housing is 39% lower and the cost of living is 16.5% lower. Of course you have your outliers: luxury, lakeside living, and riverfront communities- but overall your dollar is stretching further here.
Southwest Washington Advantages
Did you know that Vancouver is an extension of Portland Metro? The two locations live differently, but at the same time, living near the Columbia River gives you the best of both worlds.
Living in Washington has its luxuries, such as lower property taxes, no state income tax, larger parcels of land, affordability, accessibility to outdoor recreation, the ability to shop with no sales tax, and easy access to the Portland international airport. It’s what makes living in SW Washington unique!
Vancouver itself offers a more suburban feel compared to the bustling city atmosphere of Portland. This might be appealing if you prefer a quieter, more community-focused environment. The downtown Vancouver area has a mix of historic architecture and modern developments, a vibrant public art scene, which is experiencing growth and revitalization with new businesses, restaurants, community events and farmers’ markets. Camas is another suburb with a strong sense of community and is known for its highly regarded public school system. Camas and Wahougal are the gateway to the Columbia river gorge.
Let’s Talk Numbers
If there’s one thing home owners love to hear, it’s how much equity their home has earned from the previous year, so let’s talk about the market in Clark County. When we say Clark County and the greater Vancouver area, we’re talking about areas such as Camas, Washougal, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, Vancouver and everything in between.
In a report given on August 5th by the NorthwestMLS, Clark County Washington home prices have gone up 4.58%, since this time last year. Available listings are up 37.7% and closings are up 12.12%. Active listing inventory is at the highest it has been in the last 5 years. With this much inventory, homes are still selling fast, and at Living Room our most recent listings in these areas have an offer within the first 2 weeks of being on the market. 1-2 offers are coming in at listed price or just below. This is a good market for both Sellers and Buyers!
Make A Move
Living Room Realty is committed to connecting you with as much information to help you make an informed decision. We have dual licensed Brokers that can help you explore both sides of the river > If you’re ready to make a move to the Couve, give us a call today, we’d love to help you find your next Living Room.