Once again, there is good news and bad news to mull over as we patiently await the coming recovery in Southern Oregon real estate market. The good news is that permits and actual starts for single-family new home construction went up nationally by 3.6% in the month of April when compared with March. The bad news is that the same number is down by 80% compared to the high-water mark in January of 2006. But improvement, like time itself, marches on. And for that there is joy not only in Mudville but in the entire Southern Oregon real estate market.

It has been my recent experience that out-of-work contractors in the Southern Oregon real estate market who specialize in new home construction are making transitions, either to Continue reading New Home Construction and the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market

The Southern Oregon real estate market has seen two consecutive months of increased sales, and while some will say it’s too early to predict recovery, it is safe to say that the real estate market is improving. It also appears that the Homeowner Affordability and Sustainability Plan created and endorsed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury is working. The thrust of this plan is for the Fed to assist banks to modify mortgages in order to stop foreclosures and short sales, and put an end to the devastating effects the inflated inventory of foreclosure properties is having on the housing sector, the U.S. economy, and the global recession.

The goal of the program is to Continue reading Foreclosures, Short Sales, and the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market

While it’s still to early to declare an end to the distressed housing market that has affected Southern Oregon real estate, it’s never to early to remember all the grand reasons that influence people when making their decision to move 2 Oregon. Most of us have heard about the intoxicating reasons to visit the south of France or the south of Spain. Following that great tradition, when visiting the United States don’t forget to visit the south of Oregon, also known as Southern Oregon, and discover the many reasons to move 2 Oregon.

You’ll encounter inviting weather patterns that encourage outdoor activities like camping, fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, and nature walks along creeks and rivers. The Southern Oregon real estate market abounds with abundant wildlife and indigenous bird sanctuaries. And if you prefer the finer things in life, you will also find an abundance of excellent restaurants, great shopping, and friendly folks.

One of the frustrating side effects of the slowdown in home sales for the Southern Oregon real estate market is that it has prevented out-of-state retirees from living out their dream to move 2 Oregon. Historically, Southern Oregon has always experienced a surge in real estate sales at the end of a recession. It happened in the eighties and it’s bound to happen again as the economy returns to normal. As home sales in Southern Oregon’s feeder states begin to increase, the move 2 Oregon will return, bringing with it rising property values along with rising home sale numbers. So if you’re sitting on the fence wondering when to jump, get ready — for the beginning of the end is finally in sight.

Michael Masters

A Socially Conscious Real Estate Consultant

In a previous blog about Going Green in the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market, I pointed out the benefits of purchasing premium high-efficiency appliances and having the State of Oregon help you to pay for them. This blog focuses on the key elements of heating and cooling and the applicable tax credits from the State of Oregon.

Studies show that gaps, leaks, and holes in heating and cooling ductwork can account for as high as 25 percent of either heating or cooling loss, depending on the season. The Department of Energy for the State of Oregon offers a tax credit of up to 25 percent of the eligible cost with a cap of $250 for well-designed and sealed ductwork in new homes or for ductwork improvements made in existing homes in the Southern Oregon real estate market. If you’re going green, Continue reading Heating, Cooling, and Going Green in the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market

There’s nothing like good news even if it is in small increments. For the month of March, pending home sales nationwide showed a gain of 3.2% over February. This gain is the 2nd consecutive increase in pending sales and it may signal the start of an economic recovery in the housing sector for the nation and the Southern Oregon real estate market. This increase may also explained by the first-time homebuyers tax credit of up to $8000 that has motivated some buyers to get off the fence and finally make a contractual commitment to buy.

Additionally, on May 4th, there was a show of support from the Stock Markets driven by the better-than-expected data from the housing market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Continue reading The Southern Oregon Real Estate Market Recovery

My last post promised more information about going green and earning Oregon tax credits, but recent real estate news compels me to write about the latest information from the Standard and Poor’s/Case Shiller index.After 16 months of continuous declines in the national average for home prices of single family homes in the top 20 U.S. real estate markets, the declines have finally ceased. While admittedly the Southern Oregon real estate market is not in the top 20, San Francisco is and the San Francisco area is Southern Oregon’s primary feeder market.

For the last 3 years, homeowners and real estate investors have been asking the same question… Continue reading Home Prices and the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market

With the passing of each month, the Southern Oregon real estate market gets greener and greener, in part thanks to tax credits offered by the State of Oregon. The state currently offers Southern Oregon residents tax credits for premium energy efficient appliances, for heating and air conditioning systems, for high efficiency water heaters, for ground-source heat pumps, for making electricity and contributing to the grid, and yes, even for having hybrid vehicles.

Going green in the Southern Oregon real estate market is getting easier all the time and all you’ve got to Continue reading Going Green, Tax Credits, and the Southern Oregon Real Estate Market