Rural Gardening - Now you see it, now you don't. A Disappearing Act This spring, I (Debb) transplanted a wild geranium to a sunnier spot in one of our backyard gardens. It has been growing nicely and we were looking forward to the blooms. We know deer will sometimes eat the blooms, and on occasion, they might also nibble at the foliage. Apparently, this young deer failed to get the memo.   As you see in the video, he wasn't deterred when I banged on the window to let him know he wasn't alone. Bernie says it's obvious the local wildlife have my number. At least he left a few leaves!   Oh dear, oh deer.  Gardening in rural locations requires a lot patience, and at times, a willingness to forgive and forget - or come up with a plan. It's important to know the best locations for planting. T... 06/27/2020

 This beautiful large condo went pending in hours. As usual, timing is everything. The parents are purchasing it, in part, due to its close proximity to their daugther's nearby workplace. She is the one who will be living there. Plus, since it's located in a gated community, they appreciate the extra security. They had driven through the neighborhood a few months back, and liked what they saw.  Therefore, since mom and dad live in Seattle, they searched the web everyday hoping to see a new listing.  This went active last Sunday, and within a few hours, I had several calls. However, we could not show the property until Wednesday. Nonetheless, I set up two appointments.  A few hours later, the Seattle couple called me back and asked me to write up a full-price offer - sight unseen.  I tri... 06/15/2020

Per-Unit Home Sales Dump While Closed Sales Prices Rise Again for Camas WA in April 2020 This month the effects of the State's shut-down of non-essential travel shows Closed Sales dropping to 22 homes sold. However, we still have the residual momentum when it comes to sales Prices where Home Sales in Camas WA moved up to a new high. Here are the highlights for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is strongly positive at 12.12% higher than last year ($61,186), a very strong bump-up from last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 4.12%   The Inventory level stayed unchanged at 1.8 months of supply for pre-owned homes.      Approximately 22 Resale Homes closed in April 2020, compared to 34 Sold in 2020; which is 12 fewer (-35.3%) compared to last year... 05/15/2020

Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens every day can end beautifully. -Kristen Butler  Yesterday's sunny and warm day ended with this fiery sky. It hinted at a change on the horizon. And sure enough, during the night, we woke to window blinds tapping to the tune of the wind. Rain too.  This morning, we have clean fresh air, and the promise of another day. Regardless of what each day brings, we know it's going to be what we choose to make of it. Let's choose extraordinary.  05/06/2020

  To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.  -Euripides One of my favorite gardens at our rural home in Camas, Washington, is one we have named, "Dad's Garden." I ( Debb ) designed and planted it while he was confined to a hospital bed during the last year of his life. The thought was to provide a soothing and entertaining view from his only window to the outside world. Another goal was to attract more birds to the area. Dad enjoyed watching birds, and prior to his dementia, he would carefully document and identify the many species that visited the various yards in homes he once shared with mom. Perhaps, it's time to grab his bird identification book and begin my own journaling.  During the weeks of work, dad would often tap on the window and give me a thumbs-up. On ce... 04/29/2020

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it."                                       -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe   Spring is such a lovely time of the year in our area. We feel fortunate to have this season's beauty around us as we shelter-in-place at our rural home in Camas, Washington. Right now, our fruit trees are in bloom. Bernie is our family's resident fruit tree tender, and his TLC is apparent this year.  His holistic approach includes thoughtful pruning, and spraying the trees with neem oil and dormant oil.  It's all about timing when it comes to spraying fruit trees. For example, dormant oil is sprayed late winter or early spring, before the buds start to swell. This yea... 04/25/2020

It's April 22nd - let's all celebrate Earth(worm) Day! Oh wait...  I (Bernie, here) know we're supposed to celebrate Earth Day today, but I also wanted to give a shout-out to its namesake, an often-overlooked contributor to our ecology: the Earthworm. Earthworms are actually a vital link in the cycle of all living matter.Under-appreciated because they're rarely seen, gangs of earthworms (actually clews) work tirelessly underground to aerate, fertilize, and build up the soil. Their burrowing activity and consumption of organic matter are key contributors to healthy earth.  As any gardener knows, earthworms are a treasured component in the ecology of a flourishing garden. We got very lucky - the first year we started our compost pile, they moved into their new "digs" and have been happy t... 04/22/2020

Real Estate Sales Lagging (or, Bucking?) the County's Trend for Camas WA in March 2020 Where Clark County overall is showing a decline in unit-sales,  Real Estate in Camas WA posted reasonably good results, with units-sold near the typical seasonal bottom; and prices moving up strongly hitting a new apex. Here are the key points for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is moderately positive at 1.43% higher than last year ($7,829), which is a strong increase from last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 3.64%   The Inventory level remained the same at 1.8 months of supply for pre-owned property.      Approximately 42 Resale Homes closed in March 2020, compared to 38 Sold in 2020; which is 4 more (10.5%) compared to last year, and 14 more than las... 04/14/2020

It's National Gardening Day! Grab your shovel. With more people stuck at home, recent reports of the renewed interest in gardening is no surprise.  Nurseries report an uptick in sales of vegetable starts over ornamentals. Oregon State University’s offer of a free gardening class crashed their site.  And our favorite seed source, Baker Creek had to shut down for several days to restock and catch up on all their orders. Many Benefits to Gardening There are many benefits, both practical and therapeutic to growing your own food.  Many see it as a way to control the food they eat, without going to a store.  But there are also great psychological benefits - something we can all use during times of stress.  The biggest benefit is often just starting a living thing from scratch and nurturing i... 04/14/2020

Home Sales Match Last Year's Level for Camas WA in February 2020  Home Sales in Camas WA came in at the same units-sold level as last year, with prices moving up slightly and very close to their recent peak. Here are the highlights for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is moderately positive at 2.41% higher than last year ($12,643), which is a slight increase from last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 3.22%   The Inventory level jumped up by 0.7 months to 1.8 months of supply for pre-owned property.      Approximately 28 Resale Homes closed in February 2020, compared to 28 Sold in 2020; which is 0 more (0%) compared to last year, and 4 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned property sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 1 (3.6%) in 2... 03/31/2020

Who turned on the lights? We all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun... - John Lennon Last night, we both woke at about 2:00 AM wondering who turned on the lights. It turns out, mother nature did. A beautiful full moon flooded our bedroom with its warm glow.  It's called the Full Worm Moon and it reached its peak at 1:48AM. Since it's a super-moon, it is 7% larger and 15% brighter than the average full moon. We can attest to its brightness. The moon gets its name for this time of year when temperatures heat up the frozen ground, and earthworm casings start to reappear. The robins return too, pecking at the ground for a meal.  Not wanting to prolong being awake, we passed on taking a photo during the wee early morning hours. However, I did get this shot at around 6:30 AM as... 03/09/2020

Real Estate Sales Start The Year Strongly for Camas WA in January 2020  Camas WA real estate sales post a strong increase from units sold compared to last year, with prices slipping slightly from their very recent peak. Here are the key points for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is moderately positive at 4.34% higher than last year ($22,183), which is a modest decrease from last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 2.36%   The Inventory level fell again by 0.1 months to 1.1 months of supply for pre-owned property.      Approximately 32 Resale Homes closed in January 2020, compared to 28 Sold in 2020; which is 4 more (14.3%) compared to last year, and 11 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owned property sales were 1 units (3.1% of total); up fr... 03/05/2020

Home Sales Show Relative Strength for Camas WA in December 2019  Home Sales in Camas WA post a strong increase from units sold compared to last year, with prices far higher as well. Here are the highlights for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is extremely positive at 18.41% higher than last year ($85,246) (we believe this measure is an anomaly that will work itself out in a few months), although a slight decrease from last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average moderately positive at 4.39%   The Inventory level fell again this time by 0.3 months to 1.2 months of supply for resale homes.      Approximately 42 Resale Homes closed in December 2019, compared to 25 Sold in 2018; which is 17 more (68%) compared to last year, and 11 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Ow... 02/04/2020

Camas Home Sales Even during the winter months, sales in Camas are brisk.  There were 65 closed sales last month and overall inventory in Clark County has dropped down to 1.8 months. The scarcity of homes continues to keep prices up.  In Camas, the annual percentage increase in sales price was 2.5% for the month.Camas offers a small town atmosphere with close proximity to city amenities and services - all without the traffic jams! You can find rural estates, classic bungalows, waterfront homes, and homes with views. So, ask for it - we've probably got it.  This historic town - located right on the Columbia River - is always hopping with fun and activities. Plus, the Camas School District is highly rated and families appreciate knowing their children attend award-winning schools. Althoug... 02/04/2020

 Camas Home Sales. Even during the winter months, sales in Camas are brisk - the Median Days on Market was only 38 this month, compared to 58 a year ago.  And overall inventory in Clark County has dropped back to 2.2 months, which continues to keep prices up, but hasn't dampened sales.  In Camas, the annual percentage increase in sales price is 2.1% for this month.One of the main attractions of homes in Camas is the small town atmosphere with close proximity to city amenities and services - all without the traffic jams! You can find rural estates, classic bungalows, waterfront homes, and homes with views. So, ask for it - we've probably got it. And, the Camas School District is highly rated and families appreciate knowing their children attend award-winning schools. This historic town -... 12/20/2019

Real Estate Sales Remain Strong for Camas WA in November 2019 We continue to see strong results this month Real Estate Sales in Camas WA with unit-sales up from last year, along with prices going up - which is not common for this time of year. Here are the highlights for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is strongly positive at 15.78% higher than last year ($75,150), while this item was falling last year; and also higher than last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 4.04%   The Inventory level plunged by 0.6 months to 1.5 months of supply for Pre-owned Real Estate.      Approximately 52 Resale Homes closed in November 2019, compared to 37 Sold in 2018; which is 15 more (40.5%) compared to last year, and 1 fewer than last month;   REO/Bank Owne... 12/19/2019

Very Strong Home Sales for Camas WA in October 2019 We saw very strong numbers this month Home Sales in Camas WA with unit-sales up, along with prices going up. Here are the key points for this month's report: The Short-Term Average Price Trend is now positive at 7.36% higher than last year ($36,905) and also higher than last month; with the 12-Month Moving Average also positive at 2.47%   The Inventory level continued moving lower by 0.3 months to 2.1 months of supply for Pre-owned Real Estate.      Approximately 53 Resale Homes closed in October 2019, compared to 43 Sold in 2018; which is 10 more (23.3%) compared to last year, and 3 more than last month;   REO/Bank Owned property sales were 0 units (0% of total); down from 1 (2.3%) in 2018.    Short Sale /Pre-Foreclosure property sal... 12/01/2019

We really do learn something new everyday. This morning, I ( Debb ), was delighted to learn a new word for one of my favorite sounds. The word is psithurism. Psithurism is the sound of wind in the trees and rustling of leaves. Psithurism comes from the Greek word psithuros, which means whispering. And when you think about it, it's a perfect description of the sound. Late at night, when the wind plays through the branches of our nearby trees, it's easy to hear whispering sounds. At times, even imagine the trees gently talking, or softly calling a name. It's comforting, at least it is to me. Different trees create different sounds too. John Muir described it this way, "Winds are advertisments of what they touch." Further, he suggested, each tree expresses itself, "singing its own song, an... 11/30/2019

11/28/2019

Cheri and Bob with their grandson in North Carolina - October 2019 Our Multi-Gen home in Camas has been missing some family members. Last night, after a three month absence, my sister, Cheri, and her husband, Bob, arrived back home from their travel adventures.  They were exhausted after a nearly 14-hour day's drive. Therefore, after a few quick hugs, they retired to their home downstairs.  Tonight, we'll celebrate and treat them to a family favorite - home-made clam chowder. We can't wait to hear their stories of visiting many state parks, as well as friends and relatives scattered across the country. Cheri is especially fun-loving and entertaining, we know there will be a lot of laughter.  Admittedly, Bernie and I are also excited to have some freedom back.  While mom is an easy lady ... 11/17/2019