On a clear day, you can see Mount Hood from most spots in the city. And regardless of where you\u2019re traveling through the city, you can skip the car commute: Vancouver is a walkable city with plenty of bike lanes.<\/p>\n
Vancouverites also know how to brew craft beer and the perfect cup of joe \u2014 and they host Vancouver Brewfest<\/a> and Cold Brew Fest<\/a> each year to prove it.<\/p>\n Though Vancouver is a thriving city, it has stayed \u201cgreen\u201d in every sense of the word: The evergreen city has resisted becoming a concrete jungle, is home to many weed dispensaries, and Vancouverites take being eco-friendly<\/a> very seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Couve\u201d is balanced on the precipice between big-city opportunity and small-town hospitality, and is consistently considered one of the best places to live in the U.S. Washington was named the best state in the country<\/a> by U.S. News & World Report in 2019 for its environment, fiscal stability, and ample opportunities. Vancouver, in particular, is No. 37 out of 100<\/a> best places to live on Livability\u2019s 2019 list.<\/p>\n Homebuyers looking to live in Vancouver are drawn in by the small-town feel within close proximity to Portland, Oregon, the phenomenal outdoor recreation opportunities enjoyed by its residents, and the comparatively affordable rates of housing. Since there\u2019s a high demand for living in Vancouver, inventory is low, making the competition particularly intense.<\/p>\n If you want to buy a house in Vancouver, know that you\u2019ll need to act fast and make your bids competitive if you want to stand out in a crowded market. Since this market is so competitive, you\u2019ll need to know where to look and to work with an experienced real estate agent.<\/p>\n Given the competition, it can be challenging to secure your perfect home. So we spoke with experts in the Vancouver real estate market to get the inside scoop on where to look and how to edge out the competition.<\/p>\n Top-tier real estate agent Kenneth Rosengren<\/a>, who has sold more than 250 houses during his 15 years of working with homebuyers in Vancouver, calls Vancouver \u201cthe last affordable big city on the West Coast.\u201d Vancouver homes, just a 30-minute drive over the Columbia River, carry a price tag about $50,000 cheaper than Portland<\/a>, and Seattle<\/a>, and many cities in California.<\/p>\n If you want to buy a house in Vancouver doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. In fact, the median household income<\/a> of Vancouverites is $61,714.<\/p>\n The median housing value<\/a> in Vancouver is $286,500, according to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Houses with a mortgage cost homeowners an average $1,593 per month<\/a>.<\/p>\n The price of your dream home isn\u2019t the only one you should consider. While Vancouver is considered a safe city<\/a> overall, its crime rate<\/a> is 25% higher than the rest of the state, so it\u2019s important to understand the area.<\/p>\n But on the plus side, you can save on your Netflix binges and remote work costs: electricity rates<\/a> are nearly 23% less in Vancouver than the national average. Utility bills<\/a> in Vancouver are also lower than nearby Washington cities.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re crunching the numbers, remember this: The state of Washington doesn\u2019t charge personal income tax, and nearby Oregon doesn\u2019t have sales tax. In fact, many Vancouver residents will cross the state line to enjoy savings on high-ticket items.<\/p>\n And with more people working from home due to COVID-19 in early 2021, even Oregonians are looking for housing across the state line. That\u2019s because the Oregon Department of Revenue only taxes citizens for money made in Oregon<\/a>, so Washington residents working for Oregon companies can save money on income taxes.<\/p>\n Though Washington doesn\u2019t have an income tax, the state charges a sales tax of 6.5%. But combined state and local sales taxes puts The Evergreen State at 9.3%<\/a> \u2014 above the national average. The average property tax rate<\/a> in this city is 1.02%, lower than the national average of 1.07%. That means you\u2019ll pay $2,550 in yearly property taxes in Vancouver for a home valued at $250,000.<\/p>\n When determining your budget to buy a house in Vancouver, be realistic about what you want and what fits within your budget. No matter where you are looking to buy, start by calculating<\/a> what you can afford.<\/p>\n Get approved for your maximum budget immediately so you don\u2019t have to wait to be re-approved. Your real estate agent will be able to recommend a good loan officer to help with that process.<\/p>\n All homebuyers should get a home inspection<\/a>, and you should always check the inspector\u2019s level of experience and credentials.<\/p>\n In Vancouver, some older homes<\/a> still have galvanized pipes or cast iron pipes, both of which are prone to corrosion. The normal rainy Vancouver weather can cause wear and tear on the exterior of any home. You\u2019ll want to make sure that gutters are working correctly<\/a> and that wood siding isn\u2019t warped or swollen.<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t a standard price for home inspections, but the average national cost of a home inspection<\/a> ranges from $279 to $399, according to HomeAdvisor. Though home inspections are an additional cost<\/a>, they are a crucial step that should never be overlooked as they will likely save you money in the future.<\/p>\n For instance, one homeowner discovered siding issues and mold after buying their Vancouver home that led to an unavoidable expensive repair of $70,000 to remove and replace the siding and eradicate the mold. But if the homeowner had simply brought in a professional home inspector, they would have seen the mold spots popping up on the wall next to the fireplace.<\/p>\n In Vancouver, the sense of community is strong.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re in a growing city community that is really about helping each other,\u201d says Rosengren, who has sold 74% more single family homes than the average Vancouver agent.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re passionate about a lot of things. We’re passionate about growth, and helping people, and making sure that our community is strong, and making sure that we have business owners that are prosperous.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Vancouver\u2019s proximity to Portland is a boon for flourishing job opportunities and event offerings throughout the region.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s thriving right now. Even in a COVID environment, we’re still seeing business owners starting businesses and still being successful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The housing market is very tight, with an estimated vacancy rate of nearly 1%<\/a>, according to a 2018 comprehensive housing market analysis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.<\/p>\n Vancouver is experiencing a housing shortage across all price points in early 2021, with less than a one-month supply available. With historically low inventory<\/a>, low interest rates, and high demand<\/a>, demand is outpacing supply. As a result, home prices are increasing and houses don\u2019t stay on the market long.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re growing right now. We\u2019re growing exponentially,\u201d Rosengren says.<\/p>\n In fact, in an effort to close the gap, new construction is skyrocketing. The Building Industry Association of Clark County reports that Vancouver\u2019s 2020 housing construction permit activity<\/a> will surpass 2019\u2019s by more than 50%.<\/p>\n Other homeowners are opting to create open spaces in their existing homes, especially as COVID-19 has made houses double as schools and offices. Marco Tapia, owner of Mr. Tapia Maintenance and Remodeling<\/a>, a company with an average 4.5-star rating on Yelp<\/a>, says that at least \u201c50% of buyers want open concept.\u201d<\/p>\n Tapia added that in the past year his company has had \u201cmore jobs than every other year,\u201d in part because of lifestyle changes related to the pandemic, like homeowners wanting to rent houses for extra money, and people moving to the area to take advantage of the low interest rates.<\/p>\n In Vancouver, you can find a mix of historical homes and new construction.<\/p>\n These homes started popping up in Vancouver during the 19th-century \u201cArts and Crafts\u201d movement to create a more handcrafted look. Craftsman homes are characterized by covered front porches and exposed columns. Since Craftsman homes were popular during the early 1900s, there\u2019s quite a few of them in Vancouver. But since many of these homes were built 100 years ago, homeowners need to make sure that their exteriors are protected from the elements.<\/p>\n Tudor homes were built in Vancouver during the 1920s. Known for their recognizable romantic country manor style, Tudor homes are encapsulated with steeply pitched roofs, triangular accents, and arched doorways. One of the most famous Tudor style homes in Vancouver is the historic Propstra House<\/a>, a former home to a family who created a local burger chain.<\/p>\n Traditional ranch-style homes are single-story homes with a low roof and open concept layout. Ranch style homes became popular in the 1940s throughout the U.S., including Vancouver.<\/p>\n When you look to buy a house in Vancouver, consider that in addition to fine dining, entertainment options, and access to job opportunities in both Portland and Vancouver, Vancouver is an outdoor enthusiast\u2019s dream.<\/p>\n Vancouver offers an endless amount of outdoor recreation<\/a>, including hiking trails<\/a> and campsites near Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, as well as multiple waterfalls to discover in Gifford Pinchot National Forest<\/a>. If you like skiing, there are several ski slopes<\/a> to explore close by. And if surfing\u2019s more your thing, the Pacific Ocean is only about a two-hour drive away.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many options to us here, from playing in the ocean, to playing in the snow, and all the sports that go along with all those things,\u201d says Rosengren. \u201cIt’s just been a blessing to live here.\u201d<\/p>\n From luxury homes to historic neighborhoods, Vancouver has something that works for everyone\u2019s taste, budget, and lifestyle.<\/p>\n In East Vancouver lies one of the city\u2019s most popular neighborhoods. Situated just 15 minutes outside of downtown Vancouver, Cascade Highlands features apartment complexes, condos, and single-family homes. Residents can enjoy local fitness studios, restaurants, stores, and coffee shops. Plus, the neighborhood features Homestead Neighborhood Park<\/a>, a 6.2-acre park with hiking paths, playground, and eating areas.<\/p>\n Historic homes and mature trees line the streets of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Vancouver: Arnada. Located in the northeast section of the city, Arnada brings the benefit of convenient access to downtown Vancouver and highway I-5 that connects commuters directly to Portland. Arnada is a rather small neighborhood \u2014 stretching across 55 square blocks \u2014 but its historic setting located near the business district makes it very popular.<\/p>\n Residents in this neighborhood have the option of taking multiple bicycle routes. They also enjoy a friendly atmosphere with lots of recreational opportunities, including easy access to Arnada Park.<\/p>\n Lake Shore is one of the most desired neighborhoods in Vancouver. Named for its proximity to Vancouver Lake, residents get a more rural feel in this serene lakeside community while being just 6.5 miles outside of downtown. Homes in this area range from luxurious near the shoreline to family homes located farther away from the shore. Schools in Lake Shore are considered above average.<\/p>\n Residents can enjoy the sprawling 190-acre Vancouver Lake Regional Park<\/a> that stretches along the shoreline. The park is a popular destination for picnicking, windsurfing, sand volleyball, swimming, walking, and hiking. Vancouver Lake also hosts many rowing competitions throughout the year.<\/p>\n Fisher\u2019s Landing East has a mix of young professionals and families living in the quiet community. Commuting is a breeze here as major employers Nautilus, WaferTech, and Hewlett Packard are located a few minutes away. With four parks in the area, residents have multiple opportunities for outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n Vancouver\u2019s North Image neighborhood offers some of the city\u2019s more affordable housing. It’s a suburban neighborhood with lots of apartments and single-family homes.<\/p>\n The neighborhood is also home to the Clark County YMCA and North Image Park. The eight public schools in North Image range from below average to good according to GreatSchools<\/a>. Homes in North Image tend to stay on the market slightly longer<\/a> than homes in Cascade Park and Fisher\u2019s Landing East, so the neighborhood might be more apt for first-time homebuyers.<\/p>\n The best time to buy a house in Vancouver is in April, so contact a real estate agent as soon as you\u2019re ready to start the process.<\/p>\n As of April 2021, Rosengren says the market is moving fast, and notes that when buyers find a home they like, they often need to make a decision within a day or two.<\/p>\n![\"Coldbrew](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/buy-house-in-vancouver-coffee-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Start with your budget in Vancouver<\/h2>\n
Costs to consider<\/h3>\n
Taxes<\/h3>\n
Plan out your budget<\/h3>\n
Always invest in a home inspection<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/buy-house-in-vancouver-house-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Know the housing in Vancouver<\/h2>\n
What to expect from Vancouver housing<\/h3>\n
Craftsman<\/h4>\n
Tudor<\/h4>\n
Ranch<\/h4>\n
Get the lay of the land in Vancouver<\/h2>\n
Cascade Highlands<\/h4>\n
Arnada<\/h4>\n
Lake Shore<\/h4>\n
Fisher\u2019s Landing East<\/h4>\n
North Image<\/h4>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/buy-house-in-vancouver-rose-666x381.png\")
<\/a>When to buy a house in Vancouver<\/h2>\n