Southern Oregon Weather.  2009' finished the year as the fourth driest calender year on record for Medford Oregon since 1928.  Unfortunately, that means less water in rivers and streams, which may spell disaster for fire season in the summer months.  Perhaps El Nino isn't finished with Southern Oregon yet.    Here are the five driest calendar years in Southern Oregon since 1928, and the five wettest years in Southern Oregon, based on data collected by the National Weather Service.  Average annual rainfall is 18.37 inches for the 30 years from 1971 to 2000. Driest Years in Medford, Oregon 1959 - 10.42 inches 1985 - 10.69 inches 1933 - 11.09 inches 2009 - 11.27 inches 1930 - 11.67 inches Wettest Years in Medford, Oregon 1996 - 31.41 inches 1983 - 30.15 inches 1964 - 29.98 inches 1956 - 28... 01/04/2010

Porters Restaurant in Medford Oregon.  The city of Medford was born in the late 1800s when the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad pushed south through a town called ‘Middleford' in the Rogue Valley. By 1910 Medford, renamed by a railroad engineer, was a rapidly growing, prosperous community and Jackson County had become one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. In February of 1910 ground was broken for a new brick railroad depot to replace the older, wooden structure located south of Main Street. This new passenger depot was completed and dedicated in October of the same year, a mere nine months from start to finish. After just two glorious decades passenger rail service declined due in part to the Great Depression and the increasing popularity of automobile travel. From ... 01/03/2010

Camp White - Medford, Oregon  Camp George A. White was dedicated on September 15, 1942.  It was named after the adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard who had recently died.     Camp White was Oregon's second largest city and maintained an average of around 40,000 personnel at a time.   Medford's chamber of commerce had solicited the war department to build a training facility there and the flat terrain appealed to the army, so in May of 1941, they selected Camp White as one of nine new camps to be built. Camp White even had combat training with concrete structures made to simulate the Nazi fortifications on the coast of France for practicing realistic maneuvers for the Ultimate Invasion.        Training also included building a foot bridge across the Rogue River.         German ... 12/19/2009

Amazing Value - Needs TLC!Type: Single Family HomeLocation: 1490 Honeysuckle Ave., Medford, OR 97504Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 2 full, 0 half, 0 three-quarter bathPrice: $147,900Description: Amazing Value - Needs Some TLC! Great sized 3 bedroom/2 bath home. Spacious open living room with a warm and inviting fireplace. Formal dining room and seperate breakfast nook. Huge backyard. Small RV parking. Fabulous East Medford Location!Visit www.TopSouthernOregonAgent.com for more information.Contact Information:Jared HokansonRE/MAX Realty Group2594 East Barnett, Suite B Medford, OR 97504Phone: 541-772-7653Fax: 541-734-5559Email: Jared@TopSouthernOregonAgent.com 1490 Honeysuckle Ave. (google map) (yahoo map) 12/18/2009

Mail Tribune - Man On A Soapbox! - Medford Oregon Why do you suppose that with newspapers going out of business at an alarming rate that an editor would deliberately alienate a large percentage of his remaining readership? For months now I've been following the fight by Medford Oregon's Bob Hunter (Man On A Soapbox) of the Mail Tribune with the Jackson County Sheriffs office.  Mr. Hunter is demanding the right to publish in his paper the names of all citizens who legally possess a concealed weapons license.  He states that this should be public information and wants to reveal these peoples' identities.  Why? All of these licensees paid handsomely for the license and went through extensive state and federal background checks.  They do not have any criminal records, so why the fervor to t... 12/08/2009

The Blind Side - A Heart-Warming Story.  Based on a true story, "The Blind Side" is a movie about a homeless African-American youngster, Michael Oher, who is taken in by the Tuohys, a well-to-do white family who helps him fulfill his greatest potential.  This is truly a triumpant story about a young man who is blessed with an opportunity to rise above his unfortunate circumstances and go all the way to the top to become an All-American offensive left tackle, and eventually a round one draft pick in the NFL. I am not usually a big fan of sports-type movies, but this heart-warming, inspirational story will literally hit you on your blind side and will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.  A must see movie.  Be prepared though, "The Blind Side" can be a tear-jerker, so don't forget to bring t... 11/29/2009

Short Sale - Pre-Foreclosure - 450 Midway Rd #22, Medford, Oregon 97501.  Just when you think you couldn't afford to buy a home... This wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1182 s/f Medford townhome was built in 2005 and presents itself with a great floor plan, granite counter tops in the kitchen, appliances, and all the modern conveniences of home.  Nicely landscaped with private patio in backyard, and plenty of storage area.  HOA $100/per month, which includes water, sewer and trash. Why wait any longer to buy a home in Medford, Oregon?  Interest rates are still low and you may qualify for the First Time Home Buyers Tax credit! MLS# 52908346  -  $85,000. 11/17/2009

 Southern Oregon - A Beautiful Place to Visit and Live!  Medford, Oregon is the center of the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon's largest and most diverse City where you can shop tax-free and experience nature at its best!  Start your day off golfing, fishing, rafting the Rogue River, hiking the Table Rocks, exploring the Oregon Caves and Crater Lake, or enjoying a scenic wine or agricultural tour.  In the evening, take in a premier live performance at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, sit under the stars and enjoy the Britt Music Festival, and feast on a culinary delight from one of Medford's fine dining establishments.   Southern Oregon - A Beautiful Place to Visit and Live! 11/07/2009

Near New South Medford High SchoolType: Single Family HomeLocation: 1342 Avalon, Medford, OR 97504Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 2 full, 0 half, 0 three-quarter bathPrice: $144,650Description: Prime location close to new South Medford High School in a quiet neighborhood. Separate living room and family room. Open floor plan. Vaulted ceilings and skylights in family room. Fully fenced backyard with sprinkler system. Small RV parking. Visit www.TopSouthernOregonAgent.com for more information.Contact Information:Jared HokansonRE/MAX Realty Group2594 East Barnett, Suite B Medford, OR 97504Phone: 541-772-7653Fax: 541-734-5559Email: Jared@TopSouthernOregonAgent.com 1342 Avalon (google map) (yahoo map) 11/03/2009

South Medford High School Construction Today I listed a Medford Oregon home, just a couple blocks from the new South Medford High School that is currently under construction.  I was excited to see the ongoing construction as it appears that the entire school is almost fully enclosed.  The new school, with 255,000 sq. ft., will replace the current school that was built in 1931.  The new high school is scheduled for completion in August of 2010.    10/26/2009

H1N1: Information is the Best Defense! Despite predictions from researchers at Purdue University that the H1N1 outbreak will peak this week, the reality is that it won't be going away any time soon.  Let's not forget that the news is filled with shortages of the vaccine, as the number of H1N1 cases continues to surge across the country.  Federal officials have warned that a second, larger outbreak could occur in early January. The reality is that the best way to stop the spread of H1N1 is to know the symptoms and to take steps to protect yourself and others from it.  The following information can help. What are the symptoms of H1N1... and how are they different from the common cold? Symptom Cold H1N1 Flu Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80%... 10/26/2009

This morning I posted about a bear that I saw on my morning walk.  I was just a few feet from the bear as it ran across the road in front of a car.  As it turns out, the bear is a baby black bear.  It ended up in a tree in the playground of Lone Pine Elementary School in Medford Oregon.  After being monitored by the police, and then eventually tranquilized, it was taken out of town about 50 miles to Hyatt Lake to be let into the wild.  Here is the article, I'm glad my 911 call to help alert the authorities was able to help: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091014/NEWS07/910149996     10/14/2009

Baby Brown Bear Sighting Near Lone Pine Elementary! So...I'm on my morning walk with my lovely wife Colette this morning, and all of the sudden, a car comes to a screeching stop, we look up and see a baby brown bear galloping (or whatever bears do) across the road.  So cool I thought, then I realized we are about 200 yards from Lone Pine Elementary School, in Medford Oregon.  Immediately I think, we have to notify authorities.  I call 911 as I don't know the phone number for animal control and I identify the location of the bear for them.  The man in the car, backs up, gets out of his car and says "did you just see what I saw?"  Yes!  Upon looking at the man closer, he is in a uniform, yes, a police uniform, on his way to work.  I ask him if I should go notify the school administration,... 10/14/2009

A Rare Find...Type: Single Family HomeLocation: 3277 Springbrook Road, Medford, OR 97504Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 2 full, 0 half, 0 three-quarter bathPrice: $169,900Description: Don't let the street name fool you - this is on a quiet dead-end street, north of Delta Waters. Excellent curb appeal outside and attention to detail inside. You'll love the open kitchen, dining and living room with vaulted ceilings. Kitchen has newer granite countertops and laminate flooring. Huge deck and backyard. Large RV parking and lots of extra parking.Visit www.TopSouthernOregonAgent.com for more information.Contact Information:Jared HokansonRE/MAX Realty Group2594 East Barnett, Suite B Medford, OR 97504Phone: 541-772-7653Fax: 541-734-5559Email: Jared@TopSouthernOregonAgent.com 3277 Springbrook Road (goog... 10/05/2009

Medford Oregon Short Sale Approved and Closed! Amount owed: $646,000; 2 mortgages. Sold For: $351,014 Hardship: Adjustable loan.  Loss of income.  We were referred from another real estate agent to help this client just a few weeks prior to the Medford Oregon foreclosure sale, after the home owner had tried and tried and tried to work with his lender on a loan modification.  We quickly got an offer on the property and then got the foreclosure sale postponed, and then approved!  Call or email Jared Hokanson at 541-772-SOLD (7653) or jared@jaredhokanson.com if you want your home SOLD in Southern Oregon - Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, Medford, Central Point, White City, Eagle Point, Gold Hill, & Grants Pass.  The opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  As in all real estate transactions a... 10/05/2009

Medford Oregon Short Sale Approved and Closed! Lenders: Countrywide (Bank of American); Key Bank Sold For: $224,900 Amount Owed On Original Loans: $267,000 Hardship: Decline in income Fabulous clients who had taken out a 2nd mortgage to help pay for their daughters education.  The home had been on the market for nearly 3 years prior to our listing the property.  NO OTHER AGENT had talked to them about doing a short sale on their Medford Oregon home!  The sellers found me through my online blog about Short Sales in Southern Oregon and in Medford Oregon.  They had tried a loan modification and were able to get one of the loans modified, but as happens with so many loan modifications, the payments still were too much as their income continued to decline.  We were able to promptly get an of... 10/01/2009

New Medford Oregon Vacant Property Ordinance Does this Effect Short Sales &/or REO's? According to today's http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090924/NEWS/909240318 it sounds like all homes that are vacant in Medford Oregon, for whatever reason should be registered with the city.  I just spoke with the Medford Code Enforcement Department on the phone and they indicated this is NOT the case, it is designed for abandoned homes to make the lien holder responsible.  The actual code can be found at http://www.ci.medford.or.us/CodePrint.asp?Branch=True&CodeID=4409.  So how does that affect your Medford Oregon short sale?  From my conversation with the City of Medford and from my interpretation of the code itself, it is strictly designed for the lender, not the actual homeo... 09/24/2009

09/21/2009

Amazingly Gorgeous 4 bedroom!Type: Single Family HomeLocation: 3312 Cloie Anne Court, Medford, OR 97504Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 2 full, 1 half, 0 three-quarter bathPrice: $325,000Description: Absolutely amazingly gorgeous 4 bedroom home on a cul-de-sac. Beautiful grand entry with high ceilings and hardwood floors. Formal dining room and seperate breakfast nook. Gourmet kitchen with lots of cabinets, granite countertops, undercounter lights, large pantry and stainless steel appliances. Upstairs luxury master suite with vaulted ceilings, large walk in closet, and huge private deck overlooking the valley. Spa like master bath with jetted tub, double sink, tile counter tops, and tile surround. Enjoy the views from your choice of two patios.Visit www.TopSouthernOregonAgent.com for more infor... 09/15/2009

A Classic & Elegant East Medford Home!Type: Single Family HomeLocation: 1538 Pebble Beach Court, Medford, OR 97504Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 3 full, 0 half, 0 three-quarter bathPrice: $424,900Description: A classic and elegant East Medford home! This home features a 3 car garage and detached 2 car garage/shop. A rare 4 bedrooms + office and 3 full baths. Open gourmet kitchen with island adjacent to family room with fireplace. Large new deck. Fully sprinkled landscaping on quiet cul-de-sac.Visit www.TopSouthernOregonAgent.com for more information.Contact Information:Jared HokansonRE/MAX Realty Group2594 East Barnett, Suite B Medford, OR 97504Phone: 541-772-7653Fax: 541-734-5559Email: Jared@TopSouthernOregonAgent.com 1538 Pebble Beach Court (google map) (yahoo map) 09/11/2009