Realtor Blog

For top tips on the Clark County real estate market, interior design trends, data reports and much more, scroll through our blog postings below!

Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Spring 2024: Upcoming Events In Clark County, Washington

Spring marks the beginning of an absolutely stunning stretch of months in the Pacific Northwest. It’s no surprise that the warm weather also leads to a blossoming of local community events. We’ve gathered up some of our favorites, from the annual Humane Society Walk/Run to local flower festivals to youth entrepreneurship celebrations and more!

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Strategic Home Pricing In Vancouver, WA

In this article, we’ll discuss the way our team strategically prices homes, what factors influence overall home price, and provide information on how to secure your commitment-free complimentary home market evaluation so that you can know the exact value of your home in today’s market.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Unveiling the Art of Home Staging: A Chat with Bethani Green of HadleyMak Designs

There are hundreds of moving parts to a home sale, and in many cases, the ability of a realtor lies in having the right person to call for each of those moving parts. One crucial area where the Go With Ro team excels is in staging homes, and we entrust this responsibility to the best and brightest in the field. When a home needs an extra touch to make its photos look even more fantastic or a layout refresh to facilitate a quick and efficient sale, we rely on HadleyMak Designs' Bethani Green. Bethani is the founder of HadleyMak Designs and was born and raised here in Clark County. She is an absolute genius when it comes to home design and layout. She sat down with us to answer a couple of questions about her work, how she got into the business, and her best design tips on a budget.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Southwest Washington 2023 Recap: A Year Of Real Estate Freeze Ushers In A Hopeful Thaw

2023 was a challenging year for buyers and sellers in SW Washington and nationwide. This past year highlighted the intricate balance the housing market's overall health relies on, juggling factors such as mortgage rates, inventory levels, home prices, and overall demand. High mortgage rates took center stage in 2023, causing a ripple effect that sidelined potential buyers, restrained potential sellers, and left everyone frustrated. Yet, these mortgage rates were crucial in restoring market stability following the historic price inflation induced by the pandemic. Despite the short-term challenges in 2023, they have set the groundwork for a promising new year.


As we transition into 2024, there are indications of a thaw in the market, attributed to early signs of declining mortgage rates. Let's take a moment to look back on the real estate landscape in 2023 and explore how these dynamics will shape the upcoming year.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Cozy Up Your Home for Thanksgiving

Fall is all about cozying up and getting ready to spend more time indoors as the weather cools. To combat Fall and Winter blues and enjoy the transition of the seasons, it's time to transform our homes into cozy retreats. For this blog post, we are joined by Holley Hoffman, founder of Southwest Washington-based Hoffman Interior Design Group, to share some interior design tips that will infuse your home with a warm and inviting ambiance, perfect for the Thanksgiving season. So, grab your favorite throw blanket, and let's dive into creating a home that will have your guests swooning.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Navigating Current Mortgage Rates in Southwest Washington: Strategies to Ease Interest Rate Shock

Since the spring of this year, we have seen mortgage rates increase steadily as a continued measure to combat inflation. While higher rates are intended, at least in part, to safeguard buyers from unsustainable home price growth in the long run, it's understandable that many buyers are feeling the impact of reduced purchasing power due to these rates. While we expect mortgage rates to decrease in the future, saavy buyers can seize the opportunity presented by the current reduced market competition to secure their dream home today, allowing them to act before a rush of buyers come back on the market when rates decline. To do this, they can employ some key tactics to manage interest rates and mortgage payments effectively.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Upcoming Fall Events In Clark County, Washington

Clark County is an amazing community to live and work in, and we are fortunate to have a wide range of community events, celebrations, and festivals every year. Fall is a particularly busy time, with calendars jam-packed with activities for people of all ages and interests. Whether you are a long-time resident or new to the area, I invite you to check out some of the upcoming events in Clark County, WA that I have put together for you. Get ready to have some fun and create some lasting memories!

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Bark-Worthy Backyards: Creating the Perfect Space for Your Canine Companion

As a proud team of dog moms, we understand that dogs are more than just pets – they’re beloved members of the family. When searching for the perfect home, it's not only important to find the right living space for you but also a yard that suits your four-legged friend's needs. As a Vancouver, WA real estate agent, I'm excited to guide you through the process of creating a truly "bark-worthy" backyard that's tailor-made for your canine companion. In this article, we'll dive into optimal fencing options, innovative enrichment ideas, hazards to avoid, and much more.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Ridgefield Waterfront Prepares For Massive Makeover

The Vancouver Waterfront has been a vibrant community hub since its opening in 2018, and now the Port of Ridgefield is preparing to embark on it’s own long-awaited renovation project that has been in the works for over 25 years. Situated adjacent to Lake River in downtown Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, this area was once home to the Ridgefield Veeneer Co in the 1950s and Pacific Wood Treating in the early 1960s. These companies played a pivotal role in the town's early development and local economy. However, the use of chemicals on the lumber led to significant environmental impacts. Unfortunately, this left the roughly 40-acre waterfront unusable and unsafe, resulting in its closure to the public for over 100 years. That is, until now!

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist For PNW Residents

When determining a property’s value, one of the key factors I look at is how well-maintained a home is. Regular upkeep helps prevent minor issues from escalating into costly repairs, saving homeowners significant amounts of money and potential headaches. Particularly here in the rainy PNW, it is essential to take diligent care of your home’s exterior. Prospective buyers are often attracted to homes that have been diligently maintained, as it reflects the care and pride of ownership. By prioritizing regular home maintenance, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of increased property value, peace of mind, and a comfortable living space for themselves and potential future buyers.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Spring Market Update 

As we enter the traditionally busy Spring market, many home buyers and sellers are wondering what they can expect in terms of inventory, mortgage rates, and investment projections. After nearly a year of high interest rates, high housing prices, and limited listings inventory, buyers and real estate brokers have been looking forward to Spring, when a flurry of new listings typically comes on the market. However, this Spring has been anything but typical, and inventory has remained low through the start of the season.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Upcoming Spring Events In Clark County, Washington

Clark County is an amazing community to live and work in, and we are fortunate to have a wide range of community events, celebrations, and festivals every year. Spring is a particularly busy time, with calendars jam-packed with activities for people of all ages and interests. Whether you are a long-time resident or new to the area, I invite you to check out some of the upcoming events in Clark County, WA that I have put together for you. Get ready to have some fun and create some lasting memories!

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Sellers Sarah Whelan Sellers Sarah Whelan

The Complete Guide To Pricing Homes In Vancouver, WA

As a Vancouver WA real estate agent, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is how homes are priced. The process of determining the price of a home is complex and involves multiple factors, and each home sale is highly individualized. In this blog post, I'll explore some of the different factors that go into pricing a home in Vancouver WA, and how they can impact the value of a property. If you would like to know the exact value of your home in today’s market, give me a call today for a free home market analysis.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

Tips For Moving With Young Children

You’ve found the dream home, the perfect school district, the new job… everything is all set for the big move. Now it is time to tackle the beast--moving with young children. Relocating to a new home can be deeply overwhelming for children of any age group. If they are particularly young, they may not understand what is happening. They are forced to say goodbye to friends, teachers, and the familiar comfort of their community. For children of families that must move frequently, such as military families, this can come up multiple times throughout their lives and will need to be tackled with care and understanding each time.

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Neighborhood Highlight Sarah Whelan Neighborhood Highlight Sarah Whelan

Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown Vancouver, WA

Welcome to our neighborhood spotlight series! In this post, we'll be exploring the lively downtown area of Vancouver, Washington, and highlighting three of its most popular residential neighborhoods: Arnada, Hough, and Lincoln. These neighborhoods offer a blend of city living and quaint charm, providing residents with a one-of-a-kind lifestyle. From charming cafes to bustling boutiques, there is always something to see and do in this dynamic part of town. Whether you're a current resident or a potential buyer, come with us as we delve into what makes these neighborhoods so unique.

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Sarah Whelan Sarah Whelan

8 Home Renovations That Increase Property Value

Home renovations are a fantastic way to customize your home and improve your quality of living. It’s important to think of them also as an investment into the overall value of your property, especially when preparing your home for sale. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking that increasing home value requires lots of major updating and top dollar renovations, but often the updates that will return the most money tend to be smaller fixes that make a big difference. Here is our list of top 8 renovations for investment-minded homeowners (you’ll be surprised how easy many of them are!)

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Interior Design Sarah Whelan Interior Design Sarah Whelan

2023 Design Trends: What’s In And What’s Headed Out

We’re firm believers in designing your home in a way that fits your style and needs perfectly, rather than rushing out to buy the latest trend. However, we still love keeping an eye on the popular new styles making the rounds! The new year is a perfect time to update your space and ensure your home feels welcoming and comfortable. Whether you’re looking to update your entire home or just want to add a few new accents, these 2023 interior design trends are sure to inspire.

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Market Report Sarah Whelan Market Report Sarah Whelan

2022 Clark County Real Estate Year In Review

2022 might be best characterized as a year of rebuilding. After two years of the pandemic, 2022 brought an international lifting of restrictions and a new sense of normal. In the real estate sector, this year was marked by economic balancing, rising interest rates, and inventory changes. To understand what happened in 2022, it’s important to first understand how our current market was the inevitable conclusion to the record-breaking year that preceded it.

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Vancouver WA Sarah Whelan Vancouver WA Sarah Whelan

Our Complete Guide To New Residents

First, let us offer a warm and heartfelt WELCOME! Congratulations on the move and we hope you love Vancouver, WA just as much as we do. Our local community has grown significantly over the past several years and we can see why. Located just over the river from Portland, Vancouver is ideally located for residents who want the benefits of living near a major city, but with the community feel of a suburb.

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