We have had a couple of very lovely days here in Oregon.  Yesterday was up close to 80 degrees.  Last night my husband and I enjoyed an evening in downtown Salem.  We walked over the footbridge that just reopened connecting Wallace Marine Park to River Front Park.  Then we walked around the park and into downtown Salem.  We were excited to see several new businesses downtown.  A new small grocery has opened on Liberty St. with a deli and eating places upstairs.  It looked fun and inviting.  We also saw a new art gallery opened on Liberty Street.  And I showed my husband a Belgian Waffle eatery in the basement of the Reed Opera House.  Our friends Kurt and Janet Spingath recently open it.  We then started walking to our car over at the park and realized that there was a new coffee house ... 05/15/2010

The tax credit is over, except for our military personnel that have been overseas, so we are on unsupported territory from here on out in the world of real estate. I'm totally fine with that. I say let's start creeping our way out of this mess. We really won't have a gauge on what is happening, specifically in the Salem Oregon market, for a few months yet. The fact is that some first timers really wanted the tax credit so we will have a bump in home sales for April through June. I would expect a drop off and then some sense of what things will look like come August and September.   So where is the market? same ol' same ol'...home prices are down and home sales are up. It's funny how that whole supply and demand thing works. So the average home price was down just 2.3% from the same time... 05/12/2010

"Where are the best schools?" is a common question that real estate agents get, but Oregon has a fairly large group of home schooling parents. We have parents that home school for religious reasons, have children with special needs who do better at home, and those that just love teaching their children. I think Oregon is a fairly home school friendly state where parents won't get weird looks other than "don't you need a break from your kids?" kind of look.   Homeschoolers have some specific rules they have to follow in Oregon and you can read the rules at the Oregon Department of Education site. There is also excellent information at the Oregon Home Educators Network site as well. Some of our supports for homeschoolers are: Oregon Home is a Yahoo! Group.  SHINE This is the Salem Homesch... 05/11/2010

Just listed a great house in West Salem. Wonderful remodeled 60's home completely redone inside and out. New siding, roof, furnace, air conditioning, hardwood flooring, remodeled kitchen, 1813 square foot shop in back that has full hook up inside and out, plus a 1/2 bath and upstairs for storage. This home is on .44 acres with a garden shed too. Here are just a few pictures.  The see more pictures go to   www.getsalemrealestate.com or  http://salem.craigslist.org/reb/1729430340.html   05/08/2010

Think you are already pretty aware of how to reduce energy consumption in your home?  This upcoming seminar being held in Salem Oregon, presented by Oregon Energy Trust should be beneficial so even those of us already trying to conserve energy would be able to learn some new tips and ideas!    This workshop will teach you how energy works in a home and what impact your actions can have. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of home-energy use, the effects of appliances and systems on your energy bills and how changing simple behaviors can reduce your energy and carbon footprint. You’ll also learn about what you can do to increase comfort and indoor air quality, how to distinguish do-it-yourself techniques from projects that may require professional services, and understand what diagnost... 05/06/2010

        I love cats don't get me wrong I have 2 of my own, but I don't want them in my flowerbeds either, neither do my clients! Many of my clients have been working on their yards (curb appeal) so potential buyers will have the very best first impression of their homes. Many of my clients are fighting the exact same fight I am (the neighborhood CATS)  Recently after many years of planning and waiting ($$$$) I finally was able to implement my landscape design for my backyard (pictures included) and YES I got a whole unit (7yards) of bark delivered to cover all the hundreds of dollars worth of landscape fabric, it looks so good and I just love how it turned out, My biggest problem is THE 17 NEIGHBORHOOD CATS, they must have some type of sonar and it has directed them to the biggest and m... 05/04/2010

Well we are in the throws of a crazy spring as the tax credit eligibility ends here in just a couple of weeks. As such buyers have been out much earlier than usual trying to take advantage of the tax credit. So what did this dynamic do for our local Salem Oregon real estate market? The median and average home prices are still dropping, but for now, the rate of descent has slowed. The average home price was down just a mere .20% from March of 2009, and the median home price was down 4.7% as foreclosures are coming on the market at competitive prices. I had talked last month about the crazy high spike in inventory due to sellers putting their homes on the market much earlier than normal. The inventory has dropped as expected, and while still crazy high, is at 15.3 months right now. I full... 04/12/2010

Sometimes eating dessert has a higher purpose and power.  (I think it’s calorie free then too!)  When you’re savoring desserts and learning about homeless Salem families its one of those perfect opportunities! Better yet – it’s free and you’re invited! Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network is hosting their 11th Annual Dessert on Thursday April 29th.  It will be held at the Mission Mill Museum Spinning Room at 7:00 pm.  Sound like a snooze?  Just the opposite! Learning more about homeless families could be a depressing subject – HOWEVER – not when its is celebrating with a non-profit organization that unites dozens of churches and hundreds of volunteers and creating a network of hope, advocacy and changed lives. Come and be my guest, eat dessert and learn more about Salem IHN and how the... 04/09/2010

By now, most of my Active Rain friends know I'm all about green and all about sustainability and of course, all about the Urban Chicken Movement.  If you don't get "Why chickens?"...come see the movie and find out more. What is very interesting about this whole thing is that one of the darkest villians in the above film, has had a change of heart. Where before he couldn't wrap his brain around the urban chicken movement, he decided to be a big man and watch the film. So now, Mr. Chuck Bennett will actually be at the above event this Friday evening to talk about chickens or anything else you would like to talk about. Here's the latest blurb about this event. We hope to see you there. I'll be there to support C.I.T.Y. - Chickens In The Yard. Come say hello! It's a great Friday-Family-Fun... 04/08/2010

Salem Oregon Neighborhood Information From Your Salem Oregon Real Estate Agent/Consultant   Cambridge is home to several different phases and time periods.  Cambridge Woods, Cambridge Crest, Cambridge Meadows, Cambridge Heights and Cambridge View. Cambridge Woods was the first to be built in the 70's and 80's.  You will love the beautiful tree lined streets and larger lots that these homes have to offer.   The Woods have some great street names such as Arithmetic, Constitution, Independence, and Colony.  Home prices can go as high as $600k, but most homes are in the high 200k and 300k price range.   Cambridge Crest homes were built in the late 90's and early 2000's.  These homes range in size from 2000 sq. ft. up to 3700 sq. ft.   Home prices in this area can go as high as $600K.   Most... 04/08/2010

Salem Oregon neighborhood information from your Salem Oregon Real Estate Agent/Consultant. Chatnika Heights is located in West Salem, which is across the bridge and part of Polk County.  Chatnika Heights is home to a large selection of single-level, two story and split entry homes.  Chatnika Heights is located just outside of the city limits on Glenn Creek Road just past Doaks Ferry Road.  One great benefit of owning a home in Chatnika Heights is that it does sit outside of the city limits. Therefore, your property taxes are lower because you are not paying any city taxes.  This also means that your monthly payments will be lower if your loan includes a reserve account for property taxes.             Most of the homes in this area were built in the 60's and 70's.  However, you will find... 04/03/2010

Ticor Title - Salem Oregon is presenting a "Get It Sold" Seminar for real estate agents on April 21st.  This seminar will be addressing pricing, home staging and photography and marketing strategies. We're excited to be part of the team presenting and know it will be packed with great information!  This seminar was just announced two days ago and is over half full SO . . . be sure to make your reservation today!       03/30/2010

Where's a great place to hunt Easter eggs this Saturday in Salem? Looking for more than a quick egg hunt? A family time that everyone can enjoy and one that can be enjoyed rain or shine? Trinity Covenant Church (5020 Liberty Rd S, Salem OR) hosts a fantastic Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast for the whole family to enjoy. Breakfast is followed by a story and an egg hunt for various age groups. This morning of fun has been our family tradition for years. (If it's too rainy the hunt has been held indoors so no drenched kids or waiting in the rain!   Perfect for the week we've been having!) The Easter Egg Hunt Breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m. Fill up on some good food, fellowship and be prepared for lots of candy filled eggs to find! Bring your Easter baskets!   Looking for other Easter activitie... 03/30/2010

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-SOUTH SALEM NEIGHBORHOODS-WOODSCAPE SALEM OREGON NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION FROM YOUR SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AGENT   Welcome to Woodscape!  Woodscape is 3 different era's, with different types of homes.  Whether you are relocating to Salem Oregon, or already live here, Woodscape has something to offer everyone. Woodscape Glen is the neighborhood you are looking for if you would like to have a larger lot, and live on tree-lined streets.  These homes were built in the 70's and 80's.  There are many different styles of homes in this part of Woodscape.  You will find single-levels and two story homes with wonderful yards and beautiful, mature landscaping.   Woodscape is the next phase.  These homes are newer and most of them were built in the 90's and early 2000's. ... 03/29/2010

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-SOUTH SALEM NEIGHBORHOODS-ROCK RIDGE ESTATES SALEM OREGON NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION FROM YOUR SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AGENT Rock Ridge Estates, in Salem Oregon,  is a beautiful subdivision that is located in South Salem.  Rock Ridge is close to shopping, parks, and the freeway.   If you are looking for a new, or newer home, then Rock Ridge Estates is a great place to start your Salem Oregon home search.  Construction on these homes started in 2005 and continues today.  Home prices vary depending on location, size and view.  Prices range from $300K to $700K.  Some of the builders in Rock Ridge Estates are J.R. Loney Construction, Rick Massey Construction, Sunco Homes and John Hammer, Jr.  These builders have all won Builder of the Year awards from the local Homeb... 03/27/2010

TIPS FOR BUYING YOUR HOME FROM YOUR SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AGENT In reality, there are only five things you need to know and do to make your home buying experience as simple as possible. 1.  Get pre-approved for your loan. If possible, get "pre-approved" for a loan in the amount you're willing to borrow. With this pre-approval, you're in a stronger position to buy a home when you're ready - rather than finding your dream home, only to lose it to another buyer because you were waiting on the approval. 2.  Find a great real estate consultant. Once you've decided to buy a home, find a great real estate consultant.  What you're looking for is a Buyer's Agent. This means that the consultant represents YOU as the buyer, rather than the person selling the home.  They will have YOUR best inte... 03/27/2010

Important Questions To Ask Your Mortgage Broker Before You Sign Any Of Their Documents Helpful tips from your Salem Oregon Real Estate Agent 1.  Do you have a variety of loan programs to fit my cash flow and expected length of ownership needs? The amount of money that you have to contribute towards your downpayment will play a big role in which loan program will work best for you.  There are many loan programs available.  Some require no downpayment, however, the guidelines may require you to purchase a property in a rural area, or qualify for additional grants.    FHA loans are a great option for a first time homebuyer.  FHA currently requires 3.5  for the downpayment, as of this date,  and they will allow that amount to be "gifted" to you from a family member or friend. How long you p... 03/27/2010

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE-SOUTH SALEM NEIGHBORHOODS-CREEKSIDE GOLF COMMUNITY-GOLF CLUB ESTATES SALEM OREGON NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION FROM YOUR SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AGENT   If you love to golf, and desire to live in a golf community, then Golf Club Estates at Creekside may just be the perfect place for you to call home.   Homes in this community start at around $300K and and can go as high as 1+ Million Dollars.  The pricing of homes depends on where the home is located within the community, and also on views and lot size. Hawaii Northwest Ventures hired local PGA touring professional and golf course architect Peter Jacobsen in the early 90's to develop Creekside Golf Club. Construction began in 1992, with the current back nine opening in 10/93.  The current  front nine opened in 6/94... 03/26/2010

It seems that every time I go somewhere and someone finds out I'm a Salem Oregon real estate agent they always ask me about how the downtown condos are doing. "Have any of them sold?" is often the question I get. Both The Meridian and The Church Street Condos have sold units, but we all know this market is tough. I just read in The Oregonian that First Citizens Bank of North Carolina who holds the note for The Meridian project just filed to foreclose on the project. You can read the filing papers if you are so inclined, but it's a lot of money, $35 million or so that the bank is owed. I can't say that I am surprised since so few units have sold in the complex, but it really is a beautiful building and I am saddened that it has come to this. My understanding is that the developers are tr... 03/23/2010

We visit several homes each week, giving advice on how homeowners can best prepare their homes for a quicker sale.  One thing we are seeing at nearly all these homes is too much green! No, the houses aren't environmentally friendly or painted green . . . but the all have way too much moss and algae!                         Yes - we love living in our green Oregon!  BUT - when putting your home on the market, make sure you remove the green so you can make more green($$$)!! When potential home buyers approach a home and see siding with grunge, gutters with stains and walkways with moss what do they think?? It's been a wet winter? How natural? Poorly maintained? You're right - they will automatically get a poor impression before they've even stepped in the house! I've heard every excuse - ... 03/20/2010