Jill Watts

The Washougal River is lower than I've seen it in the ten years that we have lived here. I feel sorry for the poor Salmon who are trying to make it up river to spawn. The salmon are coming back from a year or two in the ocean and are headed to a great fish hatchery about 15-20 miles up the Washougal River. Very often you can watch the Salmon splash through the rocks or perhaps gather in great schools and swarm round and round in the pools, trying to decide which of them will lead the way up through all the shallow rapids. This year, that will be very difficult for them because the river is so low.

If you take a drive up the Washougal river to see the fish, you can stop at some of the pull-outs along the road, but standing on the bridges is the best way to watch the fish. There's also a beautiful waterfall that looks like a teeny tiny version of the Niagra falls in early summer. The name of the falls is "Dougan Falls." But, right now...the water flow has to be greatly diminished. Bring a picnic though, there are beautiful fir trees and picnic tables in an area right past Dougan Falls on the left. Enjoy!

Jill Watts, Keller Williams
MY MOST IMPORTANT HOME SALE IS YOURS!
360-852-1689 office
jillwatts@kw.com

Click Here to Search the MLS for Properties!


I'd love to assist you in finding that dream home whether it is for investment in a custom home, short sale, relocation, rental, bank owned sale...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you, contract to close.
Maximize your profits in real estate in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington today! (Don't forget the $8,000 tax credit amd that interest rates are at an all time low!)

I am also connected to our new Keller Williams Commercial group, so give me a call today to get hooked up with a dynamic possibility for your investment future.

Naked! Naked! Naked! That got your attention I'm sure! Check out the Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach in Washougal, WA in Clark County. Been there??

It has an old name given by locals many years ago..."Bare A-- Beach." That drums up curosity! Now think what you will about that name, I do not know if people actually ever swam or appeared naked on that beach. Maybe it was Lewis and Clark that gave it that name! (Just kidding!)

But, nonetheless...it is a beautiful park and beach area. It is preceded by a flood dike that many, many people like to walk. (The Washougal Humane Society is nearby...you can sign up to volunteer and walk dogs from there along this scenic area.) O.k., got off track there. There are woods, beach, trails and the mighty Columbia river to play in. You can swim, wade, hike, enjoy the picnic sites, sand volleyball courts, and you can also camp there if you make a reservation. (Phone: 360-619-1111) The park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and there are no park fees.

Cottonwood Beach is a 75-acre park and includes 3.1 miles of easy trails. You can see spectacular views of natural wildlife, (referring to the animal kind, not human) the Columbia river and Mount Hood.

On March 31, 1806, Lewis and Clark camped at our very own Cottonwood Beach area for six nights and days. I imagine they fished and gathered supplies there for the rest of their journey.

There are some surprises for people who visit this area. Come take a look at a historic place and reflect on a walk back in time. Here's a link to check out the history of this beach for yourself:

http://www.portcw.com/cwcp.htm

Jill Watts, Keller Williams
MY MOST IMPORTANT HOME SALE IS YOURS!
Call: 360-852-1689 office
jillwatts@kw.com


I'd love to assist you in finding that dream home whether it is for investment in a custom home, short sale, relocation, rental, bank owned sale...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you, contract to close.
Maximize your profits in real estate in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington today! (Don't forget the $8,000 tax credit amd that interest rates are at an all time low!)

I am also connected to our new Keller Williams Commercial group, so give me a call today to get hooked up with a dynamic possibility for your investment future.

Short Sale Specialist BootCamp taught by Michael S. Kaminiski was grueling and full of legal implications. The largest lessons to be pounded into our heads was "disclosure, disclosure, disclosure." We, as the real estate agents must be careful to protect our clients and ourselves. We have to make sure they know how the process works, what they are headed for and what will happen to them.

Many short sale clients are going through something akin to the "Five Stages of Grief." Denial: This can't be happening to me. Anger: Why me? This is NOT fair. Bargaining: I might can find a way to make this short sale/foreclosure nightmare go away. Depression: I can't make this go away and I will not make any money from the short sale of my home! Then finally, Acceptance: This is a bad thing that is happening, but I need to help my family move on. This is important for we real estate agents to understand this process. Until a client actually makes their way to the acceptance feelings, we might be working upstream against a flood of emotions and actions that would cause us to waste advertising dollars or our marketing time. The client has such a hurdle to get over. We are their support team.

We learned about the banking/lending culture. Banks and lenders are designed with a paramilitary culture with a top down mentality. Their emphasis is on "process...not deal making." The banks have people working there who are over-worked, beleagured and tired. These workers sometimes don't have exemplary organization skills and YES, they do lose our paperwork...sometimes one, two and three times! Some 1.5 million foreclosed homes are expected to wind up as REO's in 2009, so the prospect of quick, smooth sales are not on the horizon. The best way to get your deals a little more notice is to make a connection with the bank people that you get to work with...which is almost impossible to accomplish. Email seems to be a good way to cement a friendship with them because they are overworked.

Another thing we learned today is that Loan Modifications are not really a good answer to the short sale process. From the Short Sale BootCamp manual..."So, despite an increasing number of loan mods offered, one in four of those borrowers still default within 2 months and we have a 73% jump in foreclosures compared to last year." The REtrospective Magainze September/October 2009 issue writes that in Washington state, the number "3.79% represents the proportion of Washington mortgages with payments that are at least 90 days past due (including foreclosures in process, not yet completed). Compared to 1.58% one year ago." (To me, this still means that about 96% of us are still paying our mortgages on time!!)

Jill Watts, Keller Williams
MY MOST IMPORTANT HOME SALE IS YOURS!

CLICK HERE FOR GREAT DEALS & SHORT SALES!

360-852-1689 office
jillwatts@kw.com

Your home is your largest investment! We'll work together as a team to achieve your goals. I love assisting clients to find their dream home whether it is for investment in working with builders to build a custom home, short sales, relocation, bank owned sales...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you, contract to close. You can easily maximize your profits in real estate in bustling Clark County, Washington.
Are you Selling or Buying a new home in one of the great livable cities that make up Clark County? (Battle Ground, Camas, LaCenter, Vancouver, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt) Buying? Call me (Jill Watts) at 360-852-1689! I have blazing hot deals from the RMLS right at my fignertips and can provide them to you before the sign even goes into the yard. Selling? The RMLS and Keller Williams up-to-the-minute technology will give you all the research you need to make your contract negotiations razor sharp and your buying or selling decisions precise and save your money! (I am also connected to our new Keller Williams Commercial group, so give me a call today to get hooked up with a dynamic possibility for your investment future. No really! Call me!! 360-852-1689 to get started on your next life transition today)

Here are my favorite websites to get you started enjoying and exploring Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, Ridgefield. Battle Ground, LaCenter, Yacolt, Washington. Also check out our neighbor city: Portland, Oregon:(1)"Johann & Sandra's" FUN resource page: Click Here! (2) Vancouver's City Page has Maps, Events, etc. Click Here! (3) Check out our local School Ratings: Click Here! (4) For FREE stuff to do in nearby Portland: Click Here!

Fall is in the air! Pumpkin patch events are right around the corner!! Check out this Clark County information to find some fun events for your family!

If you have other fun local events or traditions, please share them with us by commenting below! We need your input please!

Clark County

• Bi-Zi Farm - Pumpkin patch, corn maze, pumpkins, hayrides, petting zoo, straw maze
  9504 N.E. 119th Street, Vancouver, WA 98662. Phone: 360-574-9119. Email us at: Bi-ZiFarms@juno.com. Open: in October; See this page for hours.
  A visitor writes on October 13, 2008: "LOVED IT!! Dress warm and bring boots if the weather's been wet. Beat the crowds by going during the week. Family farm - wonderful setup and operation. They have a pumpkin launch, straw-bale maze and mountain, corn maze, huge petting zoo, hay ride, 1 free hot drink (cider, hot chocolate, or coffee) and free bluegrass music. One free pumpkin with paid admission, with additional pumpkins available at 20 cents per pound (children under 2 get in free, but don't qualify for a free pumpkin). There are port-a-potties, and an area to wash your hands outside the petting zoo. They also have an area where you can wash your pumpkin off, so it doesn't get your car dirty. There are farm tools, machines and antique tractors (some of which kids can play on), and a huge farmer's market with fresh produce. Kids can help shuck corn and feed the chickens. This year, they've also got a "corn crib," filled a foot deep with shelled corn, for the kids to play in. " (Suggested by a visitor, ADDED: October 13, 2008)
• Joe's Place Farms - pumpkins, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, tractor-pulled hay rides, face painting
  701 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684. Phone: 360 892-3974. Fax: 360 892-5467. Email us at: joesplacefarms@comcast.net. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Open: June 1 thru September 9-6 Monday-Saturday October 9-6 Monday to Saturday Sunday 10-5 Nov until Thanksgiving Monday to Saturday 10-5 Fri after Thanksgiving til Dec 23 7 days 10-8 Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard, Discover.
  Christmas trees, too!
• La Center Farms - pumpkin patch-pick in the field, haunted house, haunted trail, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, school tours
  31215 Ne 40th Avenue, La Center, WA 98629. Phone: 360-573-8965. Email: boyntogs@aol.com. Open: Pumpkin patch and kid zone: Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4 pm. Directions: From I5 take the La Center Exit and drive to town. Turn right on 4th Street and drive through the city (4th Street turns into Lockwood Creek Road). Turn right on 40th Avenue and drive 1/2 mile. We are on the left hand side. Just follow the signs. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Haunted House opens in 2010 on Friday and Saturday 6pm to 9pm. (UPDATED: July 31, 2009)
• La Center Farms - pumpkin patch-pick in the field, haunted house, haunted trail, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms
  31215 Ne 40th Avenue, La Center, WA 98629. Phone: (360) 573-8965. Directions: From Interstate 5 take the La Center exit and drive to La Center. Turn right onto 4th Street and drive through the city for about one mile (4th Street turns into Lockwood Creek Road ). Turn right onto 40th Avenue and drive 1/2 mile. We are on the left hand side. Just follow the signs. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in October, December. Open: Halloween: Each weekend in October; Friday 6pm to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 12 to 5pm; Christmas: From the day after Thanksgiving to December 23; Monday through Friday 12 to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 to 5pm. Payment: Cash, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. Christmas: Enjoy our cozy barn where you can set down and enjoy free refreshments. Kids can enjoy Christmas cartoons and a play area. Easy parking in a very quiet and scenic location. (ADDED: November 16, 2008)
• Pomeroy Living History Farm - pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
  20902 NE Lucia Falls Rd., Yacolt, WA 98675. Phone: 360-686-3537. Email: staff@pomeroyfarm.org. Directions: northeast of Battle Ground Wa. on the Lewis River. See website for map and directions And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in October. Open: Saturdays 10am to 5pm, Sundays 1pm to 5pm, every weekend in October . Tractor pulled hayrides through "Pumpkin Lane" to visit scores of "pumpkin People" with a stop at the Patch. Payment: Cash, Check.
• Vista View Farms - pumpkin patch-pick in the field, raspberries, tomatoes
  39015 NE 41st Avenue, LaCenter, WA 98629. Phone: (360) 263-6886. Directions: Interstate-5 LaCenter exit 16, turn East. Follow 2 miles. Turn right onto 4th Street Follow one half mile, turn left onto Highland Rd. Follow 4 miles. Just North of the White Centennial Church. And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in June, August, October. Open: Please call for hours. (360) 263-6886 Our Raspberries are typically mid June thru Mid July. Tomatoes are mid August thru September, and pumpkins are ready in October. Payment: Cash, Check.

Jill Watts, Keller Williams
MY MOST IMPORTANT HOME SALE IS YOURS!

CLICK HERE FOR GREAT DEALS & SHORT SALES!

360-852-1689 office
jillwatts@kw.com

Your home is your largest investment! We'll work together as a team to achieve your goals. I love assisting clients to find their dream home whether it is for investment in working with builders to build a custom home, short sales, relocation, bank owned sales...quick, smooth sales and purchases are managed for you, contract to close. You can easily maximize your profits in real estate in bustling Clark County, Washington.
Are you Selling or Buying a new home in one of the great livable cities that make up Clark County? (Battle Ground, Camas, LaCenter, Vancouver, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt) Buying? Call me (Jill Watts) at 360-852-1689! I have blazing hot deals from the RMLS right at my fignertips and can provide them to you before the sign even goes into the yard. Selling? The RMLS and Keller Williams up-to-the-minute technology will give you all the research you need to make your contract negotiations razor sharp and your buying or selling decisions precise and save your money! (I am also connected to our new Keller Williams Commercial group, so give me a call today to get hooked up with a dynamic possibility for your investment future. No really! Call me!! 360-852-1689 to get started on your next life transition today)

Here are my favorite websites to get you started enjoying and exploring Camas, Washougal, Vancouver, Ridgefield. Battle Ground, LaCenter, Yacolt, Washington. Also check out our neighbor city: Portland, Oregon:(1)"Johann & Sandra's" FUN resource page: Click Here! (2) Vancouver's City Page has Maps, Events, etc. Click Here! (3) Check out our local School Ratings: Click Here! (4) For FREE stuff to do in nearby Portland: Click Here!

Did you see the Friday night CBS report on homeowners who are now homeless? It showed homeowners who have put everything they own in storage and are living in tents and campers. The report interviewed some of the new homeless. One lady said when they had to move out four months ago, she had to position her mind to think of it as just a vacation. They had to put all their household goods in a storage building.

Then the camera then moved to their previous home in a modern subburbs. Their home was about 2500 sq ft with huge yard. There was someone else's car in their driveway. The garage door was open and contained someone else's home items.

I know that even in our market center here in Vancouver that there are fewer agents than there were last January. What are they doing?? Where did they go?? Are they camping?

Sometimes we live such a protected life and in such a small circle we don't see the real pain of this market crash.