Sunday home tour features local abodes with an abundance of upscale amenities

Sponsored by the Greater Vancouver Luxury Homes Group

Whether your dreams of winning the lottery finally came true or your efforts to invest and save are finally paying off, a special Vancouver real estate group has several homes to show you.

Sunday’s annual self-guided Doorways to Luxury tour will showcase 20 luxury homes throughout Southwest Washington from Washougal to Woodland. The homes will be open to the public on Sunday, May 20 from noon until 5 p.m. Priced from $700,000 to $3.5 million, the homes illustrate Southwest Washington’s wide range of properties from  condominiums to country estates to homes overlooking the Columbia River.

“We’re really excited by what we have available to show everybody this year,” said Linda Horowitz, a broker with Vancouver-based Windermere Real Estate/Stellar Group.

Among the tour’s star attractions this year are:
• The incredible Lynch Estate with over 12,000 square feet of exquisite architecture designed by Doug Nichols.
• A two and a half acre gated estate in Westminster Walk with lush grounds and incredible outdoor living.

“Our first criteria is the home has to be in a unique setting,” said Horowitz. She, along with Ed Faulk of Coldwell Banker Bain, co-chair the Greater Vancouver Luxury Homes Group, whose membership currently includes about 60 Clark County real estate agents who specialize in the high-end market.

The luxury market is seeing more activity this year, capturing the interest of out-of-state retirees seeking Washington’s income tax-free shelter and executives accepting company relocations to Clark County.

“They usually give the (relocation) packages out between March and May,” said Lori Anderson-Benson, a broker with ReMax Equity Group.

It has made for a busier spring home-selling season, said Benson, who specializes in listing upscale properties. Picturesque views and private settings are among the biggest features that set luxury home apart from the other homes for sale, according to Horowitz, who said the upscale portion of the housing market has seen steady improvement this year.

IF YOU GO
What: Doorways to Luxury is a self-guided tour of 20 high-end homes in SW Washington priced between $700,000 and $3.5 million.
When: Sunday, May 20 from Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Throughout Clark County – See The Columbian 5/19 & 20 editions for full home list & map
Cost: Free
Information: www.doorwaystoluxury.com