Southern Oregon Living

New DEQ Requirements for Woodstoves in Josephine County, Oregon.  The Oregon Legislature signed Senate Bill 102 into law requiring the removal of any uncertified woodstove from a home when it is sold.  Residential wood burning is a significant source of air pollution, including fine particulate and air toxics.  Beginning August 1, 2010, if you are selling a home with an uncertified woodstove, you will be required to remove this device from a home.

Residents of Deschutes County, Jackson County, Klamath County, and the cities of Bend and Medford Oregon currently have regulations that require homeowners to remove a non-certified solid fuel heating device when a home is sold.  If you are a resident of these areas, please check with your local agency to determine what requirements apply to you.

For More Details Visit:  http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/heatSmart.htm

Baby Come Back... any kind of fool could see, there was something in everything about you!  Today, that Baby was me! 

I have been visibly absent from blogging on Active Rain for over a month.  Partly due to a very busy travel and business schedule, and partly due to a nasty flu.  I received a call today from a fellow Active Rainer, Jim Hale (Eugene, Oregon), who I have had the pleasure of exchanging many comments with over the past year.  Apparently, Jim noticed my absence and sent me a few emails inquiring where I've been.  Relentless for an answer, Jim decided to call me today to see how I'm doing.  How incredibly thoughtful!

Jim's call reminded me of the lyrics from an old Hall & Oates song, "Baby Come Back... any kind of fool could see, there is something in everything about you!"  I was very surprised to learn that someone would actually miss my silly blogs.  Jim's call also reminded me of how easy it is to go through our day, in a routine fashion, never giving much thought about thanking others for their random acts of kindness. 

So, here's a BIG thank-you to Jim Hale from Eugene, Oregon.  Baby I'm back!

Speechless Sunday - My Little Beach Bum

I am so excited, I get to see my little beach bum next week.  She is 16 months old and absolutely adorable.  I guess her Realtor Grandma is a little prejudice!  Perhaps the LA weather will cooperate and we will get to go to the beach too!  Whoa!  Speechless Sunday - My Little Beach Bum

May I Walk in Your Shoes Today?  It seems like everyday, I run into someone who has the weight of the world on their shoulders.  A father who lost his job, a mother who wonders how she will feed her children, a businessman who has lost everything, a widow who can't make the mortgage payment.  There is so much hardship and sadness in our world today.  What can we do to help?

Walking in a person's shoes for a day, or even a moment, can teach us something about ourselves.  Are you a good listener?  Do you have empathy for the person who is suffering from a tragedy?  Are you able to come along side someone who needs help and offer it to them?  Are we often too busy to notice a friend in need.  I am guilty as charged. 

There are many times when I thought I should have stopped and offered help to the person who's car was stuck in the middle of the road.  Or perhaps offer a ride to the person walking in the rain with their groceries in hand (I have done this on occasion, and I know many of you are going to chastise me for it!).  You know you are supposed to heed the call when that little voice in your head says; "Just do it," and you say; "Come on, not today, I am running late for an appointment."   

Perhaps this is a little reminder for us to take time out of our busy day and help a person in need.  Someday, we may need a helping hand in return.  Will there be someone willing to help us in our time of need?  May I walk in your shoes today?

Introducing the Active Rain Realtor Nationwide Survey - Southern Oregon.  Looking back in my rear view mirror this week, I realized that the Grants Pass Southern Oregon real estate market has taken a turn for the better.  Entry level homes, priced from $150K - $200K are receiving immediate offers, and sometimes multiple offers.  This is something we haven't seen in years.  Even the $200K - $300K properties on acreage are moving again.  This seems to be the market that most out-of-state Buyers want.  Unfortunately, the higher end properties are not flipping like they used to. 

What does this mean for the Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate market?  Good news!  The National Association of Realtor's Chief Economist, Dr. Yun, says that prices nationwide are stabilizing and we are moving out of the recession.  National statistics seem to agree with his statement.  With interest rates still low, and prices much lower than they were even 3 years ago, it is still a great time to buy real estate. 

I welcome your calls and inquires regarding Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate!

Looking in my Rear View Mirror.  This past week has been a doosey!  Sometimes a look in the rear view mirror can bring perspective to the world of real estate.

This past week, I showed several homes to an out-of-town buyer, I wrote 3 offers for 3 separate buyers, I received an offer on one of my listings, I received 1 referral for a new listing, and I held an Open House on a fabulous new listing.  All of which took place on the heels of returning from a week-long business trip to Washington DC. 

Whew... I must say, I am tired, but I am not complaining.  It always seems like things pick up when you are about ready to leave town.  I am certain that the feelers go out and the message is: Melinda Peterson is leaving town, so now is a good time to buy or sell Southern Oregon real estate.  

Looking in my rear view mirror this week, I realized that it's all good.  Occasionally, you run into the Village Idiot who rains on your parade.  However, in spite of the occasional hiccups, I still love this job and consider it a privilege to be in the real estate profession.  For every Village Idiot, there are a handful more of grateful clients who appreciate our hard work in helping them realize their real estate dreams. 

It's a good life and I am glad I am still in it.  Perhaps I should leave town more often :)

The Best Place to Stay in Washington DC - Embassy Circle Guest House.  I can't say enough about my stay at the Embassy Circle Guest House, a beautiful Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Dupont Circle in Washington DC.  There is simply no better place to stay.

The owners, Laura & Raymond Saba, pay attention to every detail.  Aside from rebuilding an old Embassy and creating a warm and welcoming home with gorgeous architectural detail, these folks also know how to make you feel right at home.   Every morning I enjoyed a lovely complimentary breakfast of fruit salad, pastries, yogurt, cheeses, etc.  And every afternoon they serve wine, coffee, tea and home baked goodies like chocolate brownies and lemon cake.  It's simply devine.

I chose a Bed & Breakfast over a hotel for my stay in Washington DC.  Over the years, I have grown tired of the sterile enviorments of hotels.  Bed & Breakfasts are typically very engaging with conversation and warmth of hospitality.  I highly recommend the Embassy Circle Guest House in Dupont Circle in Washington DC.  You will be glad you stayed there! 

Here are some pics of the beautiful art that is displayed on the walls of the Embassy Circle Guest House in Washington DC.

Speechless Sunday in Washington DC- A Beautiful Bed & Breakfast.  Here are a few pics of some of the art displayed on the walls of the Embassy Circle Guest House, a gorgeous Bed & Breakfast located in Dupont Circle in Washington DC.  This is a fabulous place to stay while visiting the DC area for business or pleasure.  The hosts, Laura & Raymond Saba, are the nicest people I have met in DC.  Their hospitality is the best, bar none!  And the B&B is absolutely beautiful.  Stay here, and you will be delightfully surprised!

This is a beautiful art piece made from old doors, displayed at the Embassy Circle Guest House in Washington DC.  Speechless Sunday in Washington DC- A Beautiful Bed & Breakfast

It Takes a Village in Washington DC.  If you have landed on this post, I am sure this is not the blog you expected to read based on the title.  But, stay with me.  Today, I visited the American Indian Museum in Washington DC and I purchased these cute little animal finger puppets for my grand-baby.

I have been in DC all week for the National Association of Realtor's Mid-Year Legislative Conference.  After attending many informative sessions and classes, I finally got to hit the streets today and see some amazing sites in DC.  But, what struck me the most this week, was the collective efforts of many great Realtors attending this conference and sharing ideas for the betterment of our association. 

I thought about Hillary Clinton's book, It Takes a Village.  It reminded me of how important it is for Realtors to maintain friendships and associations with other Realtors across the country.  There is so much we have to offer each other in our communications.  NAR is a pretty powerful Association with over 1 million members.  These folks represent our interests on Capitol Hill and the like.  It simply takes a village to build and maintain something that BIG!  I am proud to be associated with a group of great Realtors.  I am looking forward to taking the information I learned this week at the conference, home to my circle of Realtors.  Perhaps we can continue to build our village and make it a family of friends!

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe - Dupont Circle - Washington DC.  Most of you have read a few of my posts regarding my adventures in Washington DC for NAR's Mid-year conference.  I have had many opportunites to frequent DC's great restaurants and hot spots.  I want to share one of my favorite places, Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe in Dupont Circle.

The New York Times has labeled Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe as a cultural landmark of sorts... "Many people do not consider themselves true Washingtonians until they have received a phone call that begins as an invitation for drinks after work and ends with "I'll meet you at Kramer's."  Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is definitely an institution.  There is no place like it here.  It is known throughout the town, almost entirely through word of mouth.  Of course, anything worth knowing in Washington DC, almost always is."

Definitely a hotspot in DC and worth a visit.  Here are a few pics of Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe - Dupont Circle - Washington DC.  Enjoy!