With summer here Oregonians will see a lot of activity from locals and visitors alike. Oregon has a lot to offer for the vacationier, here in Central Oregon we have lakes, rivers, resorts, sand dunes and resorts to name a few.

Sometimes finding a great vacation is right in your own back yard - one of the vacations my kids talk about to this day is the vacation that we never left our own area for. We took a week and every day we visited a new location within 2 hours of our home. The kids had a blast and thought it was great to see such wonders as the top of Newberry Crater, Crater Lake, The Dunes, Feed the squirels at the top of Lava Butte and go almost a mile into a lava tube.

This summer many famlies are trying to figure out how to enjoy their vacation time and not break the bank. Central Oregon has a lot to offer a family that many may not even think of. Many of these attractions are free, some do require a parking pass which can be obtained for a day, or a year.

With our ecomony, gas prices and the unknowns ahead of us - a Central Oregon Vacation bringing you back to the simple beauty may be just what you need.

Waterfront homes are one of the most sought after properties in Central Oregon. Central Oregon offers many choices of riverfront property. Pricing, style, age and type of home varies as much as the bends of the rivers.

The Big Deschutes River is navigational by motor boat, it is the widest and deepest of all 4 rivers in most places. The Big Deschutes River has private and public land along it’s banks. Many of the homes located on The Big Deschutes River are located on what is often called the high side of the river. When purchasing a property on The Big Deschutes River there are several things to keep in mind. The water quality, the type of sewer, river setbacks and if there is a dock is it an approved dock?

The Little Deschutes River joins The Big Deschutes River at Crosswater Golf Course. Several beautiful homes are located on The Little Deschutes River, such as Vandevert Ranch, Crosswater on the upper end and for more affordable homes Lazy River South is one of the most well known. The Little Deschutes River is not generally navigated with a power boat or even a drift boat for any distance. The Little Deschutes River does tend to have trees down and areas that are unexpectedly shallow. Most of the recreational activities you will find on The Little Deschutes River is tubing, rafting, fishing and swimming.

Fall River is a shallow river that is extremely beautiful. The Fall River Fish Hatchery is located on this river along with the subdivision Fall River Estates.

Spring River runs into The Big Deschutes River at Sunriver. Homes on Cooper Drive are located on Spring River. There are several homes currently for sale on this road, prices are varied from the high $400,000 to over a million.

When purchasing property on any of these rivers there are things you need to know, there are issues that an experienced Realtor® should know and also will need to disclose to you. I am available to answer questions and show you the beauty that Central Oregon has to offer.

Spring is finally really here in Central Oregon and the buyers are starting to mill about. Have you ever noticed that your property can be perfectly clean when the snow flies but when the snow melts there is trash here and there?

With Buyers starting to make appointments, write offers and make plans to move it is time you make your property be the best it can be.

Get the irrigation up and running, everything needs water to be clean and healthy - plant some great spring flowers and get out there and enjoy the day.

This old timer has a great idea for packing out his supplies to the field - This old Willy was just too cute for me not to stop and say hi.

We are starting to see some of the beauty of spring come out such as the wild flowers and the deer.

Whether you are a buyer planning to purchase a home that is for sale by owner or an owner selling without the assistance of a REALTOR(R) there are a lot of items that you should be aware of. Have a knowledgeable agent on your side can save you a lot of heart break down the road.

Many sellers will offer disclosures of the property, but are they thinking of all there is to disclose? Do they know the current codes virus what the home really is.

• Wells not tested (an Oregon law states all domestic wells be tested for bacteria and nitrates when a home changes hands, some loans will require this too)
• Septic tanks - old and leaking - although it is not YET required these be checked - a good agent will suggest a buyer or seller have the tank pumped and inspected as part of the contract.
• Corners - many areas of Central Oregon do not even have corners - what does this mean - it means you may not really know what you are purchasing.
• Smoke Alarms - another Oregon Law - all homes when they change ownership are to have current smoke alarms which feature a hush button.

Many of the homes for sale by owner are older, one of the biggest reasons - the seller either owns the property out right allowing them to accept payments and carry a contract. These sellers have the best intentions, they are not trying to be dishonest. But, do they or the buyer know what issues can come up in the near future? Do you the buyer know that septic tanks can be too close to wells or that a well can be contaminated?

These are just a couple of the issues I am often asked about too late... after the property is yours and after the problem is yours. Negotiations in a contract are meant for more than the final price, they are meant to be sure that the buyer knows what they are buying.

Next time you make the decision to sell or buy a home make sure you do so with a knowledgeable agent. I of course would love to have the opportunity to serve your Central Oregon Real Estate needs.

Today was the second day of the opening weekend of fishing season in Oregon. As promised to my husband I spent the day with him. I did not realize how much I needed a day to rejuvenate and re-charge my batteries.

I often tease that my husband and I have very few things in common - but one thing we do have in common is we love to enjoy the area we live. We could spend days cruising the back roads, seeing what others never see and just hanging out together.

Today was no exception, we packed a picnic lunch - took the dog and headed out to see nature. We knew from news-reports that only 3 of the local lakes were open due to snow. South Twin, North Twin and Wickiup, we knew there would be snow but this kind of surprised us.

Because Max (our wonderful million dollar lab) likes to get in the water there was not way we could stop and play with all the serious fishermen. So we headed down the road and found a great place for Max to play in the water.

Max is a great dog but he is lab through and through and will retreive until your arm feels like it will fall off. He and I had a blast, Mike could not really trow the training dummy but he enjoyed it as much as we did.

While we were playing in the water and having a great time we were blessed by the sight of an eagle. Something that we occasionally get to see but never so close as today. This eagle kept swooping down and plucking fish from the lake. I ran to grab my camera again and he became shy.

I was so bummed I really wanted to capture that guy to share with you. Mike needed to get home his leg was starting to hurt so we packed up and on our way out - our eagle could be seen in a tree... he sat pretty for the camera - this is untouched but I had to share it with you.... isn't he beautiful?

I loved my day off with the man of my dreams - it was wonderful to get out there and enjoy the area I love so much... I am ready for tomorrow -

Elk are common in La Pine and they are moving back into the area with Spring here.

Many of the homes for sale in La Pine will offer the chance to see these beautiful creatures or at least deer.

For all of your Central Oregon Real Estate needs I am here to provide exceptional service and the insiders information.

La Pine is the doorway to many wonderful outdoor activities including, fishing, hunting, boating and skiing.

Living in Central Oregon is a lifestyle that many only dream about. You can make the dream a reality for much less than you might expect.

Home prices are certainly in the buyers favor and there are a lot of great homes to choose from.

For a full search of all the properties available feel free to visit www.CentralOregonBuzz.com then click on search for homes.

We all hear the doom and gloom of the market - and most of the time I can help bring this into prespective for the seller in La Pine.  This last week I have had 2 conversations with sellers or soon to be sellers regarding homes that have sold over $350,000 in La Pine.

There have been 0 - zero - nada - none in the last year... does that mean they should not list their homes?  I say no.... you see a year ago I was not marketing La Pine, not that I am a miracle worker.... but I do seem to bring in buyers that others do not.  And although I have not closed escrow on one of these homes I do have 3 potential sellers looking for exactly what they have to offer in the way of a home.

I am receiving emails and infor inquiries about homes up to $500,000 - I find it interesting that other brokers out there are telling these people not to list or to list at $100,000 lower than they should simply because none of the brokers last year had the buyers for these homes.

It only takes one buyer and one showing to sell a home.... you never know when that buyer will be in town or surfing the net.... so should you list?  Heck yes.... but know the facts - there are not a lot of buyers in this range, and make sure you list with an agent that is pulling in buyers.

Look at this beauty - it has 3 people coming from 200 miles or so away to see it in the next week.

thanks karen for pointing out lack of info on this particular home.... 2 bedroom plus sleeping loft, 2 beautiful bathrooms, over 2000 square feet a huge (30X60) shop on 5 acres offered at $474,800

With the warmer weather upon us buyers that enjoy the great outdoors of Central Oregon are asking the age old question... Do you have any homes for sale on a lake? In the La Pine, Sunriver and Bend area the answer is generally no. Most of our lakes in Central Oregon are on public land for all to enjoy. There are a few areas in Prineville and up towards Madras that do have lake front properties. On Hwy 58 you can find cabins occasionally for sale that are across the road from Odell Lake - however most of these are on leased Forest Service land.

In the La Pine area most of our waterfront properties are found on either The Big Deschutes River or The Little Deschutes River. Although not a lake, it is beautiful and with so many great lakes to recreate on within a half hour drive most buyers are satisfied with the idea of having a home on the river.

For more info on this and other Central Oregon Real Estate Information you will find this link helpful.

Spring is here, we can tell because the snow is melting, Mt. Bachelor is offering discounts and even some free skiing.  All the signs are here including more buyers, homes are going into escrow.  Do you know what you need to before buying your Sunriver Vacation Home?

Buyers in Sunriver should be aware of not only Oregon laws but the rules and regulations of Sunriver.  When you purchase a Sunriver home is it in compliance with the design review?  Knowing the rules and regulations can help, or simply asking for a design review inspection can save you a lot of frustration when you sell your Sunriver property. 

Sunriver Design Reviewis part of what makes Sunriver the resort community it is.  I am here to serve you for all your Sunrriver and Central Oregon Real Estate need.