Vancouver, WA & Portland, OR Latest Real Estate Blogs & Local Insights

Design Center 101: What to Expect When Choosing Finishes - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published September 4, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: A design center appointment is where you select the finishes for your new build, typically scheduled as one or two multi-hour sessions, and it's the point in the process

What to Ask on Your First Builder Model Home Tour - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks QUICK ANSWER: The model home you're touring almost never reflects the base price of the home you'd actually build; the countertops, flooring, and fixtures on display are typically several categories of upgrade above stan

Production, Semi-Custom, or Custom: Which New Construction Type Is Right for You? - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: Production homes come from a builder's pre-set plans on land the builder controls, offer limited customization, the fastest timelines (6 to 10 mont

Your First Year in a New Build: A Maintenance Checklist - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: A new construction home goes through a "settling phase" in its first year as framing lumber dries out and materials adjust to the local climate for the first time, which is

How to Handle Punch List Items After You've Already Moved In - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: If punch list items weren't finished before closing, document each one in writing with photos and dates, then submit a formal written request to the builder rather than

What Happens at the Pre-Drywall Walkthrough? - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: A pre-drywall walkthrough happens after framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, and HVAC rough-in are complete, but before insulation and drywall go up, making it the only poi

How Long Does It Really Take to Close on New Construction, Start to Finish? - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: Nationally, new single-family construction takes about 9.1 months from authorization to completion according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 Survey of C

What Happens If a Builder Misses the Completion Date? - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks QUICK ANSWER: Most new construction purchase agreements list an estimated completion date, not a guaranteed one, and typically give the builder the right to extend it for reasons like weather, permitting delays, mate

  What's Actually in a Builder's Purchase Agreement? (Key Clauses to Read Twice) - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: A builder's purchase agreement is drafted entirely by the builder's own attorneys and typically runs far longer than a standard resale purchase and

  Earnest Money on New Construction: How Much, and Is It Refundable? - Realtor Cas Cassandra Marks Published August 18, 2026. QUICK ANSWER: Earnest money on new construction in Vancouver, WA typically runs 1% to 5% of the purchase price, higher than the 1% to 3% typical on a resale home, and can run

Can You Back Out of a New Construction Contract? What It Costs You What backing out actually costs in Washington, when you can walk away without losing anything, and what happens to your earnest money and design center selections either way. Home › New Construction › Can I Back Out of a Contract? |

New Construction vs. Resale in Vancouver, WA: Is It Actually Cheaper? Real purchase prices, closing costs, property taxes, and what you actually get for the difference, so you can compare the two honestly instead of guessing. Home › New Construction › New Construction vs. Resale | Last updated Augus