Prices Are Too High, I’m Moving!

I often mention in my monthly column the median sales price of homes in Clark County. Affordability is “top of mind” for anyone looking for starter homes or parents wondering if their kids will be able to afford to stay in their local hometown. Often, budget tightening or parental gifts can help get new homeowners into the real estate market and out of paying higher and higher rent.

Sometimes, though, the answer is to broaden their home search area. If homebuyers can tolerate a longer commute, less-expensive homes can be found than in Clark County, where the median sales price can be as high as $900,000-$1,100,000 in some areas like Felida and Camas.

In Cowlitz County, just north of Clark, the median sales price has risen $50,000 in the past year, but is still $425,000 compared to Clark’s county-wide $538,000. In Lewis County, further north, its $420,000. For someone who is willing to drive, or someone that works from home, that smaller price tag can make the difference.

For a title company with Clark County in its name, why would I mention other counties? Because we’ve got you covered in those counties, too. We handle Clark and Skamania counties from our Vancouver office, and are affiliated with title companies in Longview, Chehalis, Olympia, and several other cities in Washington and Oregon. We can almost always do the escrow of your purchase and sale locally, and obtain the title report from our sister company elsewhere.

How does a title company earn repeat business? By helping buyers, sellers, refinance borrowers, and their Realtors and lenders get the information that they need. If you need information about a property or how the process works, give us a call. We’re happy to help, because we’re hoping you remember us when it’s time to pay for title insurance and escrow.

We take pride in the fact that, when roadblocks pop up, we can help get them unstuck so you can get across the finish line. That’s how we’ve earned that trust of many of the best Realtors and lenders in Clark County and their clients. Everyone benefits from the care, knowledge and expertise we bring to your important transaction.

As Spring arrives, local real estate has traditionally kicked into a higher gear. People out for a Sunday drive naturally see the beauty of our area and maybe a property they want to buy. If you want to get into your new school area before school starts next Fall, now is the time to start looking.

Best wishes and happy house hunting!

From your friends at Clark County Title,

Scott