If your life has taken you in the direction of Vancouver, whether for a new job, a new relationship, or just a new start, you have likely given some thought to real estate in the Vancouver area. In all honesty, Vancouver, which is part of Clark County, is one of the most picturesque areas of the state of Washington, and as a result, the real estate market is booming. Vancouver is the oldest, non-Native American settlement in the Northwest, and it is also Washington's fourth largest city.

Vancouver offers waterfront living along the Columbia River and the city itself sits on the north bank directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Ocean is only 90 miles to the west, and the Cascade Mountain Range rises up to the east. For those who are interested in Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount Hood, a two-hour car drive will get you there. In addition, the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a mere 30 minutes to the east of the city.

As you can see, there are loads of natural attractions in the area that make Vancouver so spectacular. A city is always exceptional when it combines the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area with the friendly welcome of a small town. If you are looking for unparalleled natural beauty, city excitement, and small town charm, Vancouver wraps all three up in a nice package for residents and tourists alike.

A Closer Look at Vancouver Real Estate

Whatever your reasons are for coming to Vancouver, if you want to buy a new house or condo, an experienced Vancouver real estate agent can help you find what it is you need. Of course, there are some steps you can take first before calling a realtor for some help in the house buying department. It is often recommended that you do a few things first before contacting a realtor or broker.

First, if you are looking to buy a new home, it is wise to sit down and really take a look at your financial situation. This means going over how much money you have coming in each month as income, how much money you have going out each month for bills, and your total debt. Although this is a scary step for some people, it is a necessary step. You may also wish to order your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies, which are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There may be a small fee to order each report, usually between $8 and $10 each.

Checking your credit reports is wise because oftentimes there are errors on your reports that can be cleared up prior to your application for a mortgage loan. You absolutely want to have any mistakes that could impact your report negatively removed before you seek out a lender for a home loan. Many people check their credit reports online, as this gives them instant access to their reports and allows them to begin a dispute process more quickly if applicable.

Steps to Owning Vancouver Real Estate

Once you have your financial situation in order, it is wise to learn as much as you can about the world of mortgage lending. You can familiarize yourself by reading information online, as there are numerous sites on the Web that explicitly discuss the various mortgage loans. Once you have a good idea about the mortgage lending process, you will likely feel more confident when the time comes to apply for a home loan.

It is also very wise to get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan before you even begin looking at homes. If you were to put an offer in on a house, the owner would take your offer more seriously knowing you had the financial backing of a lending institution. Likewise, if you were to put in an offer without a pre-qualification notice, the owner would likely pass your offer up for the person who was pre-qualified for a loan.

Finally, you can contact a real estate agent and begin discussing your wants and needs in terms of Vancouver homes. There are of course a variety of Vancouver properties to choose from, ranging from small single-family homes to condos to large estates. Putting your needs and wants down on paper can make the whole process run more smoothly from start to finish. When you do this, you can rest assured knowing that you and your agent are on the same page.