Nice Views for Regular People do Exist.

Happy Holidays everyone. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and I bet you can't wait for 2020 to hit the rear view mirror. Anyhow this month I am looking back to a post from the past with the view for the regular folks. This was originally posted several years ago.

From the street near NE 152nd and NE 108th ,Vancouver

I have blathered on ad nauseum about views, views, views. What can I say? I love views :) But owning a home with a view can be an expensive proposition. Sure, sitting out on that deck perched up high over the river, the city or the valley is great. Who doesn't want to relax after a long day a watch the sun set over the gorgeous Pacific Northwest scenery? But homes that offer these terrific views are often substantially more expenses than a similar home without such views.

For those among us that like to walk or bike around the neighborhood an affordable view opportunity may exist. Owning a home in a neighborhood that has other homes with spectacular views means there is a very good chance that just walking around the neighborhood will offer gorgeous views. Sure, this scenario doesn't offer the opportunity to sip your favorite beverage while soaking in the view, but it could save you tens of thousands of dollars on the purchase price.

Overlooking WSUV, Mount Vista Neighborhood

Clark County is chock full of neighborhoods with a variety of views and many homes are situated on lots that do not have a view. A quick walk around the block however often yields wonderful view opportunities. Many neighborhoods have small community parks that have views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, or the river and a short walk or bike ride gets you there.

The Mount Vista area in Vancouver offers a lot of views along NE 29th above the WSUV Campus and there are nice paved trails on the campus as well featuring rather spectacular views of three Cascade volcanoes, Mount hood, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Adams.

Renaissance Trail, Vancouver

Some of the condos along the waterfront near the Kaiser Shipyards offer excellent waterfront views, yet many more are interior units that do not have a view. It is a very short walk to the Renaissance trail to take in the wonderful riverside vistas.

There are many great public viewpoints throughout our city and Clark County, and the next best thing to a great view property is a great view neighborhood.

What ever you do, please enjoy the view.

Shorewood Offers Value Views

Shorewood Condominiums are on the bluff above Tidewater Cove. This near 50 year old complex of buildings features condos in several buildings of 4-7 stories each built from the early 70s through the mid 80s. The buildings are tall enough to see over trees and high on a bluff above SR-14 offering nice views of the River and both Downtown Portland and Downtown Vancouver or the high cascades including Mount Hood.

What makes Shorewood a value is the price! These condos tend to be available from the low $200s to the mid $400s. On the Urban Living in the 'Couv' website you can find several condos listed at Shorewood along with other urban condos in Vancouver. 

Not every unit in this development offers a great view, but those that do are still available at reasonable prices. The reason they are such a value isn't because the condo gods are gracious. No the reason is the buildings are a bit dated so this in effect is a tradeoff of great views in exchange for a less modern facility. That said, there is a an indoor pool, clubhouse and other amenities although they are a bit dated.

If you are interested in a condo with a view but can't afford the King Midas pricing at Tidewater or Columbia Shores, take a peek up on the bluff at Shorewood. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

The Overlooked Vancouver Lake

There are a handful of neighborhoods that have lots overlooking Vancouver Lake. This shallow lake is rather large with a mean diameter over 2 miles. Parts of Lakeshore and Felida  as well as NW Vancouver feature views of this often overlooked natural feature. 

Views over water are purported to have deeply beneficial effects to ones mental well being. This may be why such views in real estate come at such a high premium. But there are views like the one top left that are sometimes available in inexpensive properties like a condo listed at $180k right now.

There is even a new subdivision next to the Lakeshore Golf Course with lots right on the lake. The lots on the lake have new homes going in in the mid $500s. To have a lakefront home brand new for under $600k is pretty amazing. Vancouver Lake is also quite close to both Downtown Vancouver and the Port of Vancouver. 

Most of the homes and condos featuring views of Vancouver Lake are up on the bluff in Lakeshore and Felida. These homes up high tend to offer a larger territorial view along with the water view. 

So a view can be had for a reasonable price when you look for it in places you may not have known existed. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

Kirkland to be Latest High Rise View Op

Kirkland Tower is nearing completion as the final exterior cladding is almost complete and the tedious interior work shall begin. These units should be available in the first quarter of 2021. Kirkland Tower is the fist condominium project on the newly minted Waterfront. This 12 story tower will feature 40 luxury condo units some offering unparalleled views of the mighty Columbia River. The building is located right on the water just two blocks from the Grant Street Pier. 

I wrote about high rise views a few months back, here is that article.

Kirkland published some "view" samples taken before the structure was up presumably with a drone or from strategic spots on the tower crane. The photo below was their "north" view actually looking to the NE from the 11th floor.  

The picture is pretty old a couple of years back in fact, the skyline has already been noticeably altered with new buildings that have risen up since. The river views can be taken in by any of the tower's residents when visiting the community penthouse and 12th floor patio. The penthouse is depicted in this drawing from the Kirkland website.

Taking advantage of these views will come at a steep cost as the price of admission at Kirkland may start in seven figures and could dive deep into the multi millions for larger and higher units. Those on a more modest budget can soak up the river views from the Indigo Hotel's Sky Lounge on the 8th floor of the companion hotel rising up next to Kirkland.

I am hoping the Kirkland has no problem selling those 40 units because in the wings are a few more high rise condo projects and I think they are all waiting to see how Dean Kirkland does with his. Here's to success high in the sky in Downtown Vancouver USA. 

If you are interested in Vancouver's Urban Living opportunities check out the exclusive blog and website: UrbanLivingInTheCouv.com What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

The Working Class View!

MLS Photo

 

Every now and again I run across a modest home with a decent view. I love these little gems. Over the weekend I showed a little split entry house in Camas just a block or so from Crown Park. That is a mostly 100 year old neighborhood but some of the houses are 40-50 years old and few new homes have found there way in as well. This one was a 1970s house that offered a very respectable view of the Columbia River and Mount Hood and the list price was just $325,000. Now just to be clear, this 1400 plus foot home was priced to move and it will get tens of thousands over asking but even still a sub 400k home with a river and mountain view? Yeah I know. 

Sure the view isn't a panoramic or anything like that, but it isn't exactly a peek-a-boo either. I grabbed a few pics of the view with my phone including a shot out the kitchen window from right about where the table would be and another from the back deck.What ever you do, be sure an enjoy the view :) 

Vancouver Million Dollar Views, Literally

I figured it's been awhile since I showed off some nice view listings that are active right now. These homes have million dollar views, and by million dollar I mean literally these are priced at a million or more. These are a few assorted Vancouver view properties listed on the local multiple listing service.

• Meriwether Condo. 2 beds, 3/1 baths, 3102 SF $1,795,000
• Tidewater Condo, 4 beds, 4 baths, 4064 SF, $3,290,000
• Heights, 6 beds, 6/3 baths, 9140 SF $3,980,000
• Evergreen Hwy, 5 beds, 5/2 baths, 6558 SF $1,950,000

Why are Water Views So Coveted?

1 bed 1 bath houseboat $85k RMLS photo

Psychologically water makes us happy. That in a nutshell is the answer to the title query. People will pay a massive premium for a property with a good view of a lake, river, ocean, etc. Psychologists have written volumes about the calming effects of water, the soothing sound of the ocean, the tranquility offered by waterfront property or those high above with such views is so powerful to the human condition that people on average will pay more than 100% more money for a property with a waterfront location versus the same property without. This according to widely published real estate data.

Columbia River waterfront estate, $4.2 million RMLS photo

Right here in Clark County we can see the difference in price between homes and condos "on the water" and those a few blocks away. Even a 'peek-a-boo' view of the river or a lake can add substantial value to a property. We have a great many waterfront locations in Clark County. The Lewis River, East Fork of the Lewis River, Columbia River, Lake River, Washougal River, Little Washougal River, Vancouver Lake, Lacamas Lake, Salmon Creek, Burnt Bridge Creek, etc.

The Columbia River and Vancouver Lake are both large enough to have a big impact on the view from a nearby home. The Columbia River is more than mile wide in several locations around Vancouver and Vancouver Lake is more than two miles wide.

If all the PhDs are right, then we have a great many ways to be happy. From inexpensive house boats to crazy money on the Columbia waterfront along with everything in between. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view!

Up on the Roof, is a Thing in Vancouver

It seems Downtown Vancouver has a closet rooftop society. Huh you ask? Well take a ride in the Google Earth app and float above Vancouver and you will find a clearly disproportionate number of rooftop patios and penthouse decks. There are a dozen or more in fact Downtown alone. It seems that grabbing an urban vista dates back to the pre-war era.

More recently, in 1978 a penthouse suite was added to the top of the Arts building creating a defacto seventh floor. This penthouse suite has a sweeping patio on the roof of the building offering up some amazing views of downtown to the south, north, and east. There is a patio up top on the Riverview Tower offering sunbathed 11th floor vista. The old First Independent Bank building has a nice south facing patio off the fifth floor. The Main Place building was erected in 1991 and offers a patio off the 7th floor large enough to entertain a couple dozen executives.

Now I mentioned rooftop didn't I? Yes I did. 805 Broadway is one of the tallest structures in town, but rather than perch their patio way up high they made a third floor walkout on the roof of the lower section of the building. There's plenty of space to kick back and soak up some rays after a hard day and room to keep that 6 foot social distancing too. Almost as amazing is the rooftop patios on much shorter building like the one atop 275 west third street which is a one story building! I would have never noticed it until I spied it one day while checking out a a fourth floor suite in the new Hurley Building. But that's not the half of it, there's even a sweet municipal pad on the third floor of City Hall! Yes our 6 floor city hall has a shorter 2 story entrance area with a roof top patio accessed on the third floor of the main building. Yes the 'Couv' knows how get down at lunch on a nice summer day.

The new waterfront is no stranger to this secret obsession with the rooftop rendezvous. The Rediviva apartment building has a 7th floor rooftop patio with a BBQ and mini kitchen setup, The Murdock office building next door features a nice patio off the seventh floor as well. Not to be outdone, nearby Riverwest has an enormous patio in between the taller East, North, and South wings accessed from the third floor, this has benches, BBQ, even a putting green! The new Columbia building on block 20 wants to one up em' with a second floor rooftop access and an infinity pool giving the illusion of spilling over the building's edge into the mighty Columbia River. Kirkland's now topped out condo tower has a similar setup with a kitchen and community room on the twelfth floor that leads out to a large roof top patio. Indigo hotel will have a sky lounge on the eight floor with a large open patio overlooking the river later this year.

Many of the apartment buildings that have gone up recently feature decks and patios for the use of the building's residents that capitalize on urban views of the city. Yes it seems Vancouver USA has a bit of the roof top fetish and that is fine by me.

What ever you do be sure to enjoy the view!

Want a great view? Sometimes you Gotta get High.

No, not that kind of high, silly. I'm talking about elevation. In Clark County, WA we have a few neighborhoods where you can get just shy of 2000 feet above sea level. From these heights the view becomes rather panoramic. I once marketed a property that the owner claimed was the highest house in the county and his elevation was 1968 feet. I do not know if he was actually the highest or not, but I do know that most of our areas above 2000 feet are controlled by the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) or the NFS (National Forest Service). So it was at least one of the highest.

From the lofty heights above 1000 feet the views are less about the river or the city skyline and more about the grand panorama all around. This is the remote rural type view where you look out over all creation like you are the Lord of the View.

The images shown here were taken for a home that was listed back in 2012 up on Ammeter Road in Washougal. This house sits at 1400 feet above sea level and is situated 23 miles from Portland International Airport. The ride in this Corona Virus light traffic is 30 minutes, typical traffic closer to 40 minutes.

There are several areas in Clark County where one can look at view properties above 1000 feet. Bear Prairie in Washougal, Livingston Mountain in Camas/Washougal, Lower slopes of Larch Mountain in Brush Prairie / Hockinson, and several areas in to the north above Battle Ground.

These high country homes will have a lot more snow in the winter time and potential homeowners should be aware that sometimes the getting in and out is quite challenging at these heights.

Whether you prefer to keep it low or fly high, be sure to enjoy the view.

A View Isn't Always a "View"

Originally posted March, 2014 by Rod Sager. 

I enjoy a great view. Especially from a giant picture window or off a fabulous deck. But not all views have to be from expensive homes in exclusive neighborhoods. One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that we have brilliant scenery everywhere. When looking for a home in modest areas you can still look for a house with nice view. At least nicer than say the side of your neighbors house.

You can be looking at a cookie cutter house in a miscellaneous suburban neighborhood and come up with something better than you neighbor's teenage kid's broken down car. Choosing a home at the end of a culdesac or on a corner can open up space between neighbors that can lead to something nice to look at.

It doesn't have to be Mount Hood or the Gorge. It need not be waterfront. Sometimes just some pleasant trees or a nice sunset is all the recompense one needs after a long day at work. Even the gloomiest days can look good if the view is right.

Homes priced at or even below median here in Clark County, WA can have a decent view. Sometimes when the stars align even a mundane sub-median home can offer up a spectacular view as was the case with a home I marketed
last year. This home was in Camas and sold for less than the median price. It was priced below market. The view out the dining room and family room was a nice Mount Hood vista. There was a panoramic 180 degree view off the deck. This house was a bank owned property that needed work and had some issues but somebody ended up with an amazing view for a paltry price. It can happen.

But even if you have to settle for a view that is a little less spectacular, a view of some nice trees or the foothills always beats the neighbor's T-111 siding. When shopping for a house, look out the window, you might shock yourself with what you see.

More new Homes in Colorado Ridge

Washougal's Colorado Ridge neighborhood has a few more new homes available and a few resale homes as well. Some of these offer spectacular views of the Columbia River, Mount Hood, The Gorge, and city views all the way to Portland.

I have a listing that is perched high above the neighborhood with amazing unobstructed views of the mighty Columbia River. The builder originally was going to sell this home, then decided to live in it and now has decided to build himself a new house on the last lot he owns in Colorado Ridge.

This neighborhood is one of Clark County's best kept secrets. Camas has several similar neighborhoods but Camas is a bit spendier and Washougal offers the same amazing views for a better price and lower taxes too.

Take a look at this view! This 4300 SF home has a sky high perch above the neighborhood, like you are floating above it all. It is a lovely home with all the latest features and surfaces. Maybe it's time to take a look at Washougal! Thsi one is listed on the MLS at $859,900

High Rise Views Available in Vancouver

Vancouver is more of a mid-rise city than a high-rise city but the 'Couv' does have a few high-rise residential properties and one of them is Viewpoint at Vancouver Center. Viewpoint is a condominium project that occupies floors 8-11 in Vancouver Center Tower 3 at 700 Washington Street.

With the build up of the new Waterfront even more high-rise residential projects are under construction now. As it is however these are the highest condos currently available in the city. Vancouver does have one apartment building that offers an even higher perch than Viewpoint. That would be Smith Tower with 15 stories.

One of the nice things about urban condo views is that they offer a changing landscape. Vancouver has more than a dozen mid-rise and high-rise buildings underway in the greater downtown area and another two dozen in the planning stages. This means the views from these high-rise condos are an ever-changing delight. Getting up on the higher floors above the tenth won't guarantee unobstructed views but in Vancouver USA it is a fair bet you will remain above the fray from ten floors or higher.

Check out the video below taken form an 11th floor unit in Viewpoint and remember, what ever your do, enjoy the view.