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.

Here is a blast from the past that really has as much relevance now as it did then, in fact in more so! There are a few pricing tid-bits that are no longer relevant, but the rest of it is spot on as we head into 2020. If the urban lifestyle is your thing, be sure to check out "Urban Living in the 'Couv'.

Originally posted March 20th, 2014 by Rod Sager

Panoramic from 500 Broadway Condo, Rod Sager, 2012

Most people in this area would associate an "urban" view with Downtown Portland or the West Hills of Portland as that is the big city center for this region. That is an accurate association. However, here on the north shore of the Mighty Columbia River we are not without our own urban views. Vancouver, WA has begun an urban renewal process that has already transformed the formerly derelict Esther Short Park area into a thriving urban live/work center. Mid-rise and high-rise buildings with office and condo space flank the east side of the park, a mid rise hotel and convention center and mid rise City Hall building to the south, and to the west and north are low-mid rise condos and apartments with retail/office on the street level. Huge plans are underway for a gigantic billion-dollar waterfront renovation that will bring mid-rise and high-rise development to the shores of the Columbia in Downtown Vancouver.

As of right now there are several condo projects in Downtown, Vancouver that offer up urban city views. These condos range in price from the low 100's for a spartan and small unit to nearly a million dollars for the deluxe accommodations with sweeping panoramic views. The two projects that quickly come to mind for contemporary urban living in Vancouver is the West Coast Bank Building at 500 Broadway with its Frontier Block Condo Project on the 5th and 6th floors and the Vancouver Center III on Washington and West 8th with its upscale condo project on the top four floors starting on the 8th. These two projects feature units with upscale hardwood floors, granite and travertine finishes, and all the plush design elements to complement the spectacular urban views they offer.

One of the great features however about Downtown Vancouver is its clear price advantage over Portland's Pearl District. The Pearl is also suffering from a variety of builder and HOA related lawsuits that can put the pinch on a purchase. Vancouver Center also has two mid-rise condo buildings on Columbia Street that actually fronts the park and offer more modestly decorated units with smaller space at shockingly affordable prices. Units in these more affordable buildings can be had from the mid 100's to the upper 200's and above the 4th floor offer great views overlooking Esther Short Park. These two buildings have 6 and 7 floors respectively. Heritage Place Condos on the north side of the park only has units on the 2nd-4th floors and so the views are limited by the trees in the park. That building offers a mixed use with storefronts and restaurants on the street level. I think it is great that a young single person could easily afford one of the Columbia Street units even with a modest income.

So if the urban lifestyle fits you better than suburbia, take a look at Downtown Vancouver and be sure to "enjoy the view".

What is a View really Worth?

Several years ago I posted on this blog about the value of a view and even prepared a poll for readers to opine on the value of a view to them. Today I am bringing that post back and the poll as well.

by Rod Sager; originally posted on this blog, June 26, 2014

I have broached this question in passing comments over the course of writing this blog, but never really asked it straight out. So click the link below and take the poll about how much a good view is worth to you!

Take the View Poll

Views of course are highly subjective. In general there are certain views nearly universally accepted as desirable. View across the lake, view of the ocean, or grand mountains or a big city skyline, etc. These can command upwards of 50% premium if the view is unobstructed and of a truly spectacular landmark or scene.

Here in Vancouver a view of the Columbia River will command a handsome price, throw in a little Mount Hood action and it starts to get real rich. I have talked about lesser views of trees or local foothills and those are sometimes available without a premium at all.

 There are so many wonderful views in a wide variety of great properties here in America's Vancouver. We also have fabulous opportunity for gorgeous ocean views. Check out my Coastal Living Blog, here. Whatever you do be sure to enjoy the view!

Washougal Value Views!

Washougal has a price advantage over neighboring Camas and the views from hillside neighborhoods like Colorado Ridge are fantastic.

This month I have a featured view property that with full disclosure, is one of my listings. This home has nearly 4000 square feet and is perched like an eagle high atop the Colorado Ridge development.

The view from the main level, kitchen, living room, master bedroom and deck are spectacular and the house was designed to capitalize on the view.

These views are forever views as the home is perched very high above any potential future rooftop. These are the best views for they will endure. This home is listed for $899,900 and has 4 beds and a den including two full ensuites and 3.5 baths.

Twinkling lights, flowing river, beautiful mountains, this one has it all.

Whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the view!