About Vancouver's Downtown Vancouver

So you're a child at heart too, right?!

I was thinking back before buying a house was an option and about my childhood houses. Yes, tree houses! I remember planning for days and building for seasons the perfect tree house. We would get some construction paper and crayons out and start the planning with the neighbor kids. It would always include a look-out tower to keep an eye on the girls who weren't allowed and an escape route in case the bad kids in the neighborhood were coming. We could exit via rope and have the doors locked so they couldn't get in. We would then have a way to get in that only we would know about, normally through the roof. The problem was we were so small and the wood was always so heavy. Dangerous? YES! We would tack the boards to the side of the tree with roofing nails and thought it would hold forever.

Looking back the our tree house builds were one of my fondest memories. So my idea is to get some of my readers involved and build your kids the perfect tree house. You'll have a great time with your kids and they'll think your the coolest parents on the block. The other kids will brag to their parents too. Make it safe and make it cool! If your kids are really young don't go too high. Don't build above concrete, asphalt, etc. Make sure the tree is safe. Google this stuff. It takes a few minutes and is totally worth it.

Build your tree house and create some memories with your kids!

Thanks for reading,

Joe Fernald

Keller Williams~Vancouver, WA

Joseph.fernald@yahoo.com

360.852.5530

Here's a video and some pictures!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arYZMmgCLsQ

Hello Blog Readers of the world,

I attended my first Rotary Club of Vancouver meeting this afternoon as a guest and I have to tell you, I'm still smiling. It's not what you think though. The people attending the meeting were amazing but the best part was the presentation on the changes we will see in Vancouver in the next 15-20 years. Rotary Club of Vancouver is a vital source of local information and I'm glad I attended. So here's what your favorite Active Rain Agent learned.

Everyone knows we will be replacing the Interstate Bridge from this:

To this:

This is a rendering of what the Interstate Bridge might look like in the near future, but there's something I'm ever more excited about!

We learned all about the changes happening to the Vancouver waterfront project and I think you'll be impressed! I can't wait for these changes to take place!

So lets start with what the project will do!

The Benefits according to the City of Vancouver will include:

• Facilitate$1.3 billion in private reinvestment
• Leverage public funding at a 30:1 ratio ($30 private to each $1 for public infrastructure)
• Meet Vancouver's master plan call for 1 million square feet of new professional office, retail and hospitality space
• Fuel upward of 12,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs
• Generate new state and local tax revenue.
  

Click the link below for a virtual tour of the new buildings!

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/waterfrontvideo.asp

But how will it look compared to what's there now? Could Vancouver, WA have the next Portland Pearl? It looks like it might happen.

Aerial shot of the new buildings. Think about how this will change the look of Vancouver compared to the current skyline.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think,

Joe Fernald~Your favorite buyer's Agent

Keller Williams~Vancouver, WA

Joseph.fernald@yahoo.com

360.852.5530

Hello people of the world.

Today's topic is celebrity foreclosures in the US. Did you know there are a number of celebrities you probably watch all the time who are losing their homes to foreclosure. I don't care. I live in the wonderful city of Vancouver, Washington and we have foreclosures all over town. The people I meet in the coffee shops, pull up next to me at the traffic light and walk past me on the sidewalk are the people I care about. We can get sucked into who is losing their house without caring about our own community.

My point is to not get caught up in some multi-million dollar actor or (non) reality TV couple losing money on their sale and start focusing on your neighborhood. If you have a high foreclosure rate in your home town, I'm sorry. Know I'll be thinking of you and not someone who everyone can't believe they lost it because they're supposed to be rich.

Last month 3rd party/pre-foreclosures and foreclosures made up 36.2% of the active homes listed. We'll get out of this soon Vancouver!

Thanks for reading,

Joe Fernald~Your Favorite Buyer's Agent

Keller Williams Vancouver, WA

Joseph.fernald@yahoo.com

360.852.5530

Hello world, the sun says hello,

So I've spent what feels like the last eternity holding open houses and I didn't have luck until, drum roll, SATURDAY! Yeah! It was awesome... for around here. I had about 14 people through 4 hours and realized I had more signs. Is this what lead the flood of curious home buyers into the palm of my hand, or was it the guy I paid to dress in a chicken suit holding the sign? Just kidding. I didn't make him hold the sign. Okay, so seriously. I started pricing the little signs and I just about died. All I wanted was 18x24 blanks made of fluted PVC (corex) and H frames to hang. I was going print the open house part myself. I was quoted up to $7.50 per sign. Again, that's a blank chunk of plastic and a coat hanger in the shape of an H.

So I called around some more and there is a place in Portland that sells everything you would ever need for 1/6th the price of the other guys. They're located at 940 SE 7th Ave and they ROCK! I did some research and found out their competition also owns liquor distribution and also sell diamonds and they were used to marking everything up 600%. Again, I kid.

Well watch for my signs out there and please don't steal them!

Joe Fernald~Your favorite buyer's agent

Keller Williams~Vancouver, WA

Joseph.fernald@yahoo.com

360.852.5530

Good morning clean people of the world,

After showing a couple homes this weekend I noticed the difference in clean home vs. I've never, ever cleaned in my life. What the heck is going on people? These are the same folks that say my house is my biggest asset, my biggest investment my biggest pile and it's how I'm making all my money. So I ask you fellow agents. Give me your best pictures of trashed homes that are listed at the time the photo was taken. I would love to see your best of. Oh, bank owned, foreclosures and short sales all count. The reason for this is because the home is still on the market and trying to get sold. Here are some pictures to get you warmed up!

Your favorite buyer's agent,

Joe Fernald-Keller Williams Vancouver, WA

70,000 cans of Coors Light in condo! This is real! 24 cans a day for 8 years! Can I get some clean-up and a spare liver?

Can you spot the filing cabinet? Neither can I!

It's very important we have a 3 car garage....for this!