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!

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 :)

This Gives New Meaning to Having a Solid Rock Foundation!

One of my agents recently wrote an offer on an REO home in Grants Pass Oregon.  The agent and her clients noticed that the house was leaning, so she asked the listing agent about it.  Shortly thereafter, she received this photo of the understructure.  I guess this picture Gives New Meaning to Having a Solid Rock Foundation!

Thanks for the Mention on Page 13 - Realtor Magazine - April 2010.  On rare occasions, someone does something nice that just makes your day.  Here is my nice story.

Kathryn Tarbox of Realtor Magazine happened to read one of my posts on Active Rain about Stigmitized Properties.  Kathryn contacted me and asked if she could quote me in an article she was writing about the subject.  Of course, I said yes!

That article appeared in the April 2010 issue of Realtor Magazine, called "Properties With a Past" on page 13.  I hope you all get a chance to read the article.  A special thanks to Kathryn for the mention.  I will accept my two minutes of fame with joyful pride and a humble smile :) 

Thanks for the Mention on Page 13 - Realtor Magazine - April 2010

Here are the latest Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate Housing Statistics for April 2010.

981 - Active Residential Listings

86 - Homes Sold

57 - Listings Pending

143 - Average Days on Market

$195,275. - Average Sold Price

Statistics provided courtesy of Real Estate Cafe.  Source of information is Southern Oregon MLS - Monthly NAR Statistical Report.  Information provided herein has not been verified and is not guaranteed.

Click Here for more information regarding Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo - Southern Oregon.  Today marks the celebration known as Cinco de Mayo, or "May 5th", in Spanish.  Although many people have heard of this holiday - and even join in the celebrations with gusto - plenty of folks are not aware of what this holiday is all about.  And most people don't realize that the event being commemorated may have actually played an important role in shaping the United States of America.

What Does Cinco de Mayo Commemorate?  Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is the day that recognizes Mexico's independence from Spain.  But that event actually happened on September 15th, 1810.  Cinco de Mayo, on the other hand, celebrates an event that took place over 50 years later.  On May 5, 1862, the Mexican cavalry, under the command of Texas-born General Zaragosa, defeated the French at the battle at Puebla, a city 100 miles east of Mexico City.  The French army, having not suffered a defeat in nearly 50 years, landed in the port of Vera Cruz and headed toward the capital city with a specific mission.  Fearless of any opponent, the French sought to overthrow the capitol and gain control of Mexico, even bringing along a Hapsburg prince to oversee the would-be empire.

So... What's the Connection to the United States?  The goal of France's leader, Emperor Napoleon III, was to gain proximity to the US, in hopes of supplying the Confederate Army with support in their fight against the North, as he desired to sustain the division within America.  To America's benefit, the undersized Mexican cavalry used their knowledge of the terrain to defeat the powerful French army.  This victory enabled the Northern States to continue to build the greatest army in the world at that time.  Fourteen months later, the North soundly defeated the Confederate Army in the battle at Gettysburg, thus ending the Civil War.  Union troops were subsequently rushed to the Texas/Mexican border to help expel the French from Mexico.

For those of us who are celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Southern Oregon, it is a day to remember those who served for our freedom and liberty! 

Porters Dining at the Depot Restaurant - Medford Oregon

Porters Restaurant is one of Southern Oregon's fine dining establishments.  With one of the most festive, delightful and romantic, smoke free dining patios... cool misters, and warm blankets, wisteria, charm, history and ambiance, Porters is the place to be.  Housed in a old train station depot (built in 1910), this restaurant has a cigar friendly bar patio, complete with craftsman style gazebo and a fun loving, highly entertaining crew.

Porters Chefs expertly prepare each meal to order from the finest and freshest ingredients available.  You can expect great food, professional and friendly service for an honest value.

Best of all, Porters has a happy hour menu called "Get Giddy" every day from 4-6pm and 9pm to closing in the bar.  Grab a classic Martini or a stylized "Martooni" from Porters' smoke free bar.  The restaurant opens daily at 5pm and the bar opens at 4pm. 

Porters Dining at the Depot Restaurant - Medford Oregon.  Be sure to check out their garden patio dining.  It's the best in Southern Oregon!

Hip Hip Hooray for the California - Southern Oregon Real Estate Market!  The chief economist for the National Association of Realtors says California's real estate market is on the upswing and that should have a positive ripple effect in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley next year.

Dr. Lawrence Yun was the guest speaker at a Housing Summit hosted by the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors on Friday in Medford Oregon.  "The California market is doing well," Yun said.  "In some areas, there is a shortage of inventory and that's causing prices to rise.  There will be a cascading impact from the California market because Oregon is right next door.  They buy the second home initially and in the future it becomes their primary residence."

The California real estate market has been a driving force for the Southern Oregon real estate market for the past 10 years.  When prices began declining in California, it caused a ripple effect here in Southern Oregon as well.  Retiring couples decided to stay put in California and continue working for awhile.  That meant 2nd home purchases in Southern Oregon began to diminish.  

"The housing marketing has gotten a boost from stimulus dollars and tax cuts.  Now that home values are stabilizing, the fear factor has diminished.  There is no need to postpone purchases because the broader economy is in recovery," siad Dr. Yun.

Historically, Southern Oregon has lagged behind the rest of the country both going into recession and recovery.  So, Yun said, he anticipated it would be at least a year before construction gains momentum in the Southern Oregon.  By Dr. Yun's account, the housing market appears to be in an optimistic recovery stage.  Hip Hip Hooray for the California - Southern Oregon Real Estate Market!