The mission of this blog is simple: Get Real Eugene! Share local opinions, news and issues, Eugene area businesses, and exchange general information relevant to the greater Eugene area.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Do you need a Realtor to help sell your Real Estate?
Not all real estate licensees have proven to be the same ; only individuals that are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) are appropriately called REALTORS®. They proudly exhibit the REALTOR "®" trademark on their business cards and other marketing and sales materials.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a contract honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are required to sustain a greater degree of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reported that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions tend to be one of the largest financial transactions of the majority of people’s lifetime. Transactions these days usually surpass $250,000. If you had a $250,000 income tax problem, would you make an effort to manage with it without the assistance of a accredited professional accountant? If you had a $250,000 legal issue, would you deal with it without the guidance of an attorney? Looking at the small upside charge and the significant downside risk, it would be smart to work with a professional REALTOR® when you are selling a home.
If you are even now not sure of the benefit of a REALTOR®, here are additional reasons to use one:
When promoting your home, your REALTOR® can offer you up-to-date details on what is happening in the current market as well as the value, financing, conditions and state of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your home sold at the very best price, quickly and with minimal hassle.
Often, your REALTOR® can advise repairs or cosmetic work that will noticeably improve the salability of your house .
Your REALTOR® markets your real estate to other real estate agents and the public. In quite a few areas across the country, over half of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate realtor other than yours brings in the buyer.
Your REALTOR® operates as the marketing manager, circulating data regarding your property to other real estate brokers through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for real estate agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics demands REALTORS® to make use of these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to promote your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. NAR studies exhibit that 82% of real estate sales are the end result of realtor contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is promoted with the support of your REALTOR®, you do not have to let strangers into your house. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and go along with qualified prospects through your house.
Your REALTOR® can help you fairly evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This original agreement is only the starting point of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing - and a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you compose a legally binding, win-win contract that will be more likely to make it through the process.
Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your real estate. Issues may occur between the initial sales agreement and closing (also called settlement or escrow), for example, unanticipated repairs might be required to acquire loans or a title issue is identified. The required documents alone is complicated for a good number of sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively aid you deal with these difficulties and proceed the contract to closing.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sorry Public Schools - Our Kids Deserve Better
Friday, November 26, 2010
MLS Lane County Oregon October Stats
Lane County currently has 2,250 active properties on the real estate market. Together with the number of homes sold previously we can determine that there is approximately 10.8 months of inventory, up from 10.4 months just a month before . On average over the last years real estate in Lane County has a decline of the average sales price of 6.6%, even though the median sales price dropped 2.6%. When compared to September Lane County received an average of $15,100. Dropping from an average sales price of $218,000 to $202,900. With that said you can see why as a home buyer the “slow season” is a great time to buy. Often owners who decide to keep marketing their real estate for sale through fall and winter are more likely to take a greater loss in order to unload their properties .
In the Eugene Real Estate Market, Ferry Street Bridge still saw a minor appreciation on real estate. Compared to the Lane County Average of 6.6% depreciation, Ferry Street Bridge received a 1.1% Appreciation with the average sales price being $255,000. Mohawk Valley also continued to see Appreciation in their area . Because of the low quantity in the neighborhood (2 solds for the month) it is hard to say if the community truly experienced an appreciation, but the statistics provided by Oregon RMLS exhibits a 19.2% appreciation, having an average sales price of $309,000. Another region that looked encouraging was the South Lane County area (Cottage Grove and surrounding area). South Lane County had a 2.4% appreciation and an average sales price of $174,900.
Some areas with steep depreciation would include Mapleton Oregon Again. Although , not as significant as last month, they still suffered a 38.4% fall with an average sales price of $140,000. In the Eugene - Springfield Real Estate Market N. Gilham made the list again , although neighboring the improved Ferry Street Bridge area, N. Gilham once again saw remarkable depreciation over the last year dropping 13.3%. The average sales price in N. Gilham is currently $257,000. Southwest Eugene, another sought after area , also noticed depreciation over the last year of 6.5%. Southwest Eugene’s average sales price is $259,900. The Danebo area dropped 6% with an average sales price of $164,300 and Coburg experienced a 7.8% decrease with the average sales price lowering to $180,000.
In Locations on the outskirts of Eugene, McKenzie Valley had the most significant decrease of 12.5%. Mckenzie Valley’s average sales price is currently at $229,000. Pleasant Hill also observed dramatic decline of its average sales price now $175,000, down 10.8%. Finally Junction City is down 8.1% with an average sales price of $208,000. I expect to see the number of new listings, and pending decrease as the season gets colder and the Holidays fall upon us. Early in February I can expect to see more house owners entering their homes into the Oregon Real Estate Market and of course more pendings occur in Spring and Summer. With that said, Property owners please recognize that there are a lot fewer homes to compete with in the cooler months and the buyers tend to be more “serious.” Buyers, if you are not attracted in “paying up” in order to have a greater selection I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this market. You may possibly be asking yourself what type of buyer buys a house in the middle of winter? I personally see my home as more than a residence , it is also my investment . Do I buy real estate in the summer when the flowers are out and everything seems so cherry and clean or in winter when home owners are sick of marketing their house and are just ready to move on? I choose winter - Every Time!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Oregon Coast MLS data ~ September 2010
In accordance to statistics provided by RMLS in Oregon closed sales in Lane County were down 20.5% this September when compared with September of 2009. New listings dropped 13.1% and even worse, pending sales slipped 31.7%. At the pace of September’s sales rate Lane County might have 10.4 months of inventory. That may seem like dismal news, until you look at the 14.1 months of inventory we saw in the marketplace in January 2010. While sales are down, pendings are down, and yes new listings are down too there is some parallels. The total days on market for properties listed (The list date until the day the house went pending) remained exactly the same; at 119 days on market. The time of the 3 month listings are now gone. All of those sellers out there please take note… The normal property on the market in Lane County will need 4 months to obtain an offer! That's average. The higher priced home when compared with your competitors the less “average” you will be.
To learn more about MLS stats, Florence Oregon Real Estate, or the Eugene market visit: http://www.ranstadgroup.com/
Eugene Oregon Real Estate
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Eugene Oregon Market Statistics ~ September 2010
According to stats given by RMLS in Oregon closed sales in Lane County ended up being reduced 20.5% this September when compared to September of 2009. New listings diminished 13.1% and worse yet, pending sales fell 31.7%. At the pace of September’s sales rate Lane County will have 10.4 months of inventory. That might seem like dreary news, unless you look at the 14.1 months of supply we had available on the market in January 2010. While sales are low, pendings are down, and yes new listings are down too there's certain similarities. The total days on market for homes listed (The list day until the time the house proceeded to go pending) continued to be the same; at 119 days on market. The time of the 3 month listings are gone. All of the sellers on the market please take note… The typical home on the market in Lane County will need 4 months to obtain an offer! This really is average. The higher listed you are in comparison with your competition the less “average” you are.
While many neighborhoods in the Eugene-Metro area still suffered decline throughout the last year, there are a few bright spots. Congratulations are in order Ferry Street Bridge! You are the only area in Eugene Oregon that actually appreciated in Eugene in the last 12 months. In accordance with Information taken from RMLS Oregon, Ferry Street Bridge observed a 4% increase of the average sales price. Data tells me this can be appreciation – Experience tells me that the upper end homes listed for sale in Ferry Street Bridge are ultimately starting to sell. Statistics are statistics folks. Either way, Ferry Street Bridge is experiencing something that the remainder of Eugene is not… for now anyway.
Who else is feeling light at the end of the real estate tunnel? It's Mohawk Valley! Mohawk Valley also noticed a boost in the average sales price, a notable 7.1%. Even though Pending sales are down a whopping 66.7% .Those 19 owners who sold their properties this year should be gleaming with delight.
Alright, my monthly report would not be comprehensive without some not so good news. Sorry North Gilham and Coburg Oregon, the real estate market isn't so compassionate for you as your neighbor Ferry Street Bridge. Coburg Oregon is down 12.1%, while North Gilham has declined 12.6% for average sales volume. That is probably not good news if you currently own a home in these locations, but if you are searching for a great Eugene real estate market to buy in, this might be the location.
Eugene Oregon Real EstateSunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Foreclosures and Short Sales in Oregon
Foreclosed homes almost always is an opportunity to obtain a reasonably priced property in Oregon. Getting Oregon foreclosed housing can mean paying way below market value, since foreclosed properties in Oregon can be bought as repossessed property for at discounted rates. A great foreclosure listings program may help you locate the best property foreclosures in Oregon and give you precise and helpful info.
Are you thinking of buying a VA, HUD, or bank foreclosures in Oregon? Take a look at http://www.HybridRealEstate.org to Find Oregon foreclosures for sale today with our simple to search database. Oregon foreclosures can be a terrific opportunity to get a bargain house, our Oregon repo homes and Oregon property foreclosures for sale are updated each day. Our Oregon foreclosure property listings will point you to great bargains on Oregon foreclosures.
The primary city of Oregon is Portland and bank owned real-estate and foreclosures can be found there, in addition to most of the other most inhabited cities in Oregon, which includes Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Medford, Springfield, Bend as well as Corvallis. Buyers keep your eyes on Portland foreclosures because it has some of the largest foreclosure rates in the state. Besides repossessed real estate for sale, locate outstanding deals, like HUD foreclosures and bank owned houses available for purchase in Portland Oregon most under market value.
Eugene Oregon is among the top growing cities within the state lately. The Eugene – Springfield Metro area has been impacted by distressed real estate and is also becoming very reasonable. Eugene Oregon investors can easily capitalize on readily available single, multifamily or commercial investment property by browsing all MLS foreclosures and short sales on the Hybrid Real Estate Website.
Their database consists of bank owned properties, trustee sales, together with pre-foreclosures. These foreclosed properties for sale include pre-foreclosures and notice of default (NOD) listings, HUD and VA government foreclosures, and bank owned foreclosures (REO or Real Estate Owned), estates and short sales in Eugene, Oregon.
A short sale can be described as house that's listed for sale at a price that's below what the owner owes the lender. All short sales are at the mercy of bank acceptance. Agents generally list ’short sale’ homes on the MLS but they need to clearly state that fact. Patience is necessary when buying a short sale home, because the offer that may be agreed on by the owner doesn't have to be approved by the lender. On Hybrid Real Estate’s Site Foreclosure and Short Sale queries are naturally separated into their own categories.
If you're looking for a local Agent who is able to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. Kelly and Bryan Ranstad are Real estate Professionals that will make the offer process much easier and much more successful. You can rest assured that Hybrid Real Estate accepts only skilled brokers to help assist you in your purchase.
Eugene Oregon Real EstateWednesday, October 27, 2010
Preparing your Home to Present to Buyers
Coming from experience, REALTORS® also realize that a "well-polished" house appeals to alot more buyers and will sell more quickly and for a higher selling price. At the same time, buyers feel much more comfortable buying a well cared for property because if the things they is able to see is well maintained, they expect that what they are unable to see has likely also been well maintained. In readying your property for sale, think of:
just how much should you invest to prepare your house for sale?
exterior and curb appeal
interior appeal
Before putting the house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as small money as you possibly can) to maximize its exterior and interior attractiveness.
How Much Is it best to Invest to ready Your home for Sale?
In preparing your house for the market, spend as little money as you can. Buyers will probably be pleased by a brand new roof, however they may not be likely to provide you with enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between doing modest and low-cost polishes and touch-ups to the house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets as well as a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and executing extensive and costly renovations, like the installation of a brand new kitchen.
Your real estate agent is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood and will advise you specifically on what enhancements need to be made and which improvements are most effective. Please feel free to ask for guidance.
Increasing Exterior and Curb Appeal
When preparing to put your house up for sale, your first concern is the home's exterior. If the outside, or "curb appeal" seems to be good, people will more than likely be interested in what's inside.
Below are great tips to improve your home’s exterior and curb appeal to buyers:
Keep your yard edged, cut and properly watered.
Routinely trim hedges and weed yards and flowerbeds.
Make sure your entry way area has a "Welcome" feeling.
Paint the front door.
In spring and summer, put a few pots of flashy annuals around your front entry.
In snowy areas, keep walkways neatly cleared of ice and snow.
Check out foundation, steps, walkways, walls and decks for fractures and deterioration, and deal with any problem areas.
Remove and repaint any peeling paint on doors and windows.
Clean and align gutters.
Examine and clean the chimney.
Repair and replace loose or destroyed roof shingles.
Repair and paint loose exterior siding and caulking.
Reseal old asphalt.
Keep the garage door closed.
Store Recreational vehicles and older cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
Increasing Interior Attractiveness
You need your house to seem as roomy, vibrant and fresh as you possibly can. Also the property should look neutral – without a lot of your personal and sentimental objects - so buyers will start to envision living there.
Below are great tips to improve your property's interior appeal to buyers:
Give every room inside your home good cleaning and take away all clutter. This one thing is likely to make your house look bigger and lighter. A number of homeowners with crowded rooms actually rent storage garages and move half their furniture out, creating a more sleek, more open appearance.
Use a professional cleaning service every month or so while the home is on the market.
Remove the less frequently utilized, and even daily-used things from kitchen counters, closets, basement and attic to make these areas a lot more inviting.
Ensure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter.
Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms: they must look as modern, bright and clean as you can. It is vital for them to be clean and odor free.
Mend leaking faucets and showerheads.
Buy fresh towels for the bathroom, and put them out just for showings.
Liven up a kitchen in need of more major upgrading by investing in new window treatments and cabinet knobs, or putting on a fresh coat of neutral paint.
Clean walls and doors of smudges and scuff marks.
If necessary, paint dingy, dirty or strongly-colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. A similar neutral palette can be given to carpets and linoleum.
Look for cracks, leaks and indicators of moisture in the attic and basement, and repair any problem areas.
Seal basement walls if you can find any signs of dampness or leakage.
Fix cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint and tiles.
Replace damaged or cracked windowpanes, moldings along with woodwork.
Check and repair the plumbing, heating, cooling and alarm systems.
Eugene Oregon Real Estate
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Springfield Oregon is a good alternative
Springfield Oregon happens to be the second biggest town within Lane County and Just east of Eugene helping to make Eugene/Springfield an important city place of in excess of 200,000 individuals. Springfield is divided from Eugene by Interstate 5, the West Coast’s major arterial running between Canada and Mexico. Springfield, Oregon is found the confluence of the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers and edges Eugene. The McKenzie River passes by Springfield along its northern margin. The actual total distance coming from PDX to Springfield, OR is 109 miles, however only miles away from the Eugene Airport (Mahlon Sweet Field), the University of Oregon, Northwest Christian University, Autzen Stadium, PK Park and is close to many Oregon wine makers in addition to golf courses.
Springfield gives you access to the magnificent pure magnificence associated with the McKenzie River Area together with the Cascade Mountains. Everyone can view the same snow-capped volcanic cones (The Three Sisters) from Springfield and the community is at the same time surrounded by evergreen tree-lined ridge tops. Today the citizens of Springfield enjoy water activities on the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers and at the various lakes in the McKenzie River Valley as well as hiking, skiing, and riding in the tree-covered Cascade Mountains/The river offers excellent boating, rafting, swimming, backpacking, hiking, and fishing to visitors which are all within a short drive of Springfield. There are more than a few dozen golf courses in the area and there are nearly forty recreational areas as well as 2 swimming pools, a Community Recreation Center, a Teen Activity Center and an Adult Activity Center in Springfield. Neighboring Eugene defines itself the “World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors” and offers its 150,000 people, in additional to the 50,000 who name Springfield home, biking, hiking, kayaking, dune buggy riding, sand boarding and rafting, among many other outdoor sports. Many people here would like to be connected everything with everything else: downtown Eugene's "cultural epicenter" to the UO along a vibrant path of galleries, shops, in addition to dining places; the Ridgeline Trail to wetlands and rivers alongside a growing web of greenways; Eugene/ Springfield to the Pacific Crest Trail and the ocean.
Numerous individuals consider Eugene/Springfield as a growing Mecca for nature tourists - folks who desire a city base in order to investigate area, coastline, and mountain habitats. Springfield at the same time hosts a rising selection of organizations, as it changes from a resource-based economy to health-related providers and high-tech industries. The community Riverbend Hospital is definitely a important new hospital. Some other additions to Springfield's developing economy consist of two call center facilities: Symantec Corp in addition to well as Royal Caribbean. Shopping experiences within Springfield include the features of today's malls as well as the personalized services of old-time community stores. A long-time company resident of the city is Springfield Creamery, creators of the remarkable Nancy's Yogurt. Quite a few enthusiasts of the Tv show The Simpsons feel Springfield, Oregon as representative connected with the Springfield of the show, simply because Matt Groening is actually from Oregon (specifically Portland). The figurine of Jedediah Springfield in the cartoon town's area park is a dead ringer for a actual sculpture on the University of Oregon campus, "The Pioneer Father”.
The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan region is a major appeal both for travel as well as for new residents, having a booming real estate market as well as proximity to Oregon’s credited natural beauty. Identified with regard to its whitewater rafting, swimming, angling, picnics and many other outdoor activities, Springfield Oregon is the perfect destination for people and individuals who like to live close to nature. A lot of of Springfield’s residences are on substantial lots and several feature golf course, river or mountain views. If you are considering to make the move to Eugene, Springfield, or even virtually any additional region of Lane County, Oregon, Hybrid Real Estate Agents can guide you through the complete process. Whether you are buying or selling real estate around the Eugene & Springfield region, it truly is important to have trust in your community real estate experts.
Eugene Oregon Real EstateMonday, October 25, 2010
Discover Eugene Oregon
Eugene is Oregon’s second largest city, and it is known for its education, recreation, and attractions. Eugene is less than 50 miles from award-winning wineries in Willamette Valley, a scenic paradise with preserved, wood covered bridges dating to the early 1900s. Eugene is the seat of Lane County, and is at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 60 miles east of the Oregon Coast. By car, Eugene is about two hours from Portland and five hours from Seattle. Eugene is loaded with trees and many of the homes are located in the foothills of Eugene. Eugene is well known for its natural beauty, endless recreation opportunities and strong arts presence. Eugene is home to The University of Oregon, the flagship school of the Oregon University system.
Eugene is home to many beautiful parks and outdoor spots. Eugene is a great city for outdoors enthusiasts and cyclists alike. Eugene Oregon is a city of alternative transport with 28 miles of off-street paths, 78 miles of on-street bicycle lanes, and 4 bicycle and pedestrian bridges crossing the Willamette River. Ranked among the best places for running, watching track and field events and for just being an all-out sports fan, Eugene is consistently noted for its athletic amenities and spirit. Eugene is often called Track City, USA by athletes because of its track and field history. Eugene is home to the University of Oregon's Hayward Field track, which hosts numerous collegiate and amateur track and field meets throughout the year, most notably the Prefontaine Classic.
If you prefer whitewater rafting, Eugene is close to the McKenzie River, with Class II and Class III rapids. Eugene is located in west central Oregon, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. You'll find that Eugene is small enough to bike across, but large enough to offer galleries, music venues, and great restaurants to discover. Eugene is well known for the literary and cultural legacy of writer Ken Kesey on the one hand, and as Track Town USA on the other hand with a sparkling history of champion runners such as Steve Prefontaine and Alberto Salazar. Eugene is known for its wealth of cultural and outdoor activities, which have earned it the nickname "Emerald City. Shop Eugene is a coalition of local people who want to create a thriving downtown with a mix of eateries and local and national retailers that offers an inviting and safe place for individuals and families to shop, dine, see a movie, bump into friends and neighbors, and feel part of our community. Eugene Oregon is a friendly town that provides a unique shopping experience.
The Eugene real estate market sees a lot of consumer interest these days; many people want to relocate to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Whether your interest is Eugene real estate or other areas of Oregon, you've come to the right place. Understanding the Eugene real estate market is your first step to buying a home in Eugene, Oregon. Search and find Eugene homes for sale by Eugene real estate agents and Realtors® who are committed to making the buying of Eugene real estate a pleasant experience. Connect with a Eugene real estate agent with thorough knowledge of the real estate market in your community, who can help you buy and sell property. Get access to Eugene real estate listings, including the MLS, Eugene Hybrid REALTORS, new homes and foreclosures.
Eugene Oregon Real Estate
Coburg Oregon
This strong neighborhood spirit helps make Coburg one of our area’s most desired areas for rural real estate. Coburg Oregon plays hosts to many events every year, drawing numerous visitors to this charming community. Coburg's Yearly Antique Fair is in early September and Eugene's Rhododendron Park is in mid spring. Even though Coburg is part of the Eugene 4J School District and offers convenient usage of Interstate-5, quite a few locals find everything they desire through their neighboring stores. In the town of Coburg, you will discover many different unique shops, most of which present art work, memorabilia and antiques.
Fishing along the McKenzie River is simply two miles away. The single most pleasant parts of the River drift is gliding by the Coburg Hills. It's also a quick drive to superb county recreational areas, the Green Willamette National Forest and crystal clear lakes & rivers from the Cascades. There's two main playgrounds for kids to relax and play at in the park. There is an off-leash dog park at Armitage Park about 2 miles south on Coburg Road.
Once you have a better sense for the Coburg real estate market, search Hybrid Real Estate's Website for Coburg property foreclosures, Coburg new construction houses, or all Coburg residences listed for sale. On our site you can easily search Coburg homes for sale, Hybrid Real Estate Agents devoted to working with Coburg real estate property, as well as Coburg house values. If you are making a decision to relocate, you will want to work with the Coburg Real Estate Agent that has comprehensive information about the region and will assist you and your family plan life in Coburg.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
120 new jobs for Springfield!
Forty-five of those positions have already been filled.
The main reason for hiring is that Royal Caribbean is transferring call center jobs from Flordia to its Springfield location.
Royal Caribbean Adds Call Center Jobs | KEZI
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
My Interview with RMLS
Kelly Ranstad has been kind enough to give us some intellectual morsels in response to questions regarding this award. Her answers provide key insights into how technology can be useful for real estate professionals.
Click here for her answers
Friday, September 24, 2010
Safari Receives AZA Accreditation
An early look at the "Inn at the 5th"
The hotel will bring tourist dollars to businesses at the 5th Street Market, while having an economic impact on the entire Eugene community. Construction of the five story boutique hotel will employ 50 to 100 local construction workers and when completed, 30 full time employees will run he hotel. 5th Street Market is said to be the number one visitor destination in Eugene. The hotel hopes its unique services will continue to bring tourists in. Read More: An early look at the "Inn at the 5th"
Local REALTOR Finalist for national award
The award goals are to:
(1) recognize those who have implemented, created or embraced technology in a way that shows understanding of the medium and therefore puts them in a' best in class' category
(2) disseminate innovative and effective strategies to accomplish this, and
(3) increase awareness within the real estate industry of technology trends & promote innovation.
These individuals set the technology benchmark for our industry, and provide one more reason why REALTORS® are better prepared to serve the consumer.