About Modoc County, CA

Modoc County, being a very remote area with limited job opportunities, has now reached an 8.3% jobless rate. The same time last year our jobless rate was 6.5%. In September 2007 we had a labor pool of 4,110 with 270 unemployed. This year we had a labor pool of 4020 with 330 unemployed.

So, if you're moving to Modoc County, where are the job opportunities? Major employers are city and county government, Bureau of Land Management, Forestry Service, and schools.

You could also do what many other have done here -- find a need and fill it. Become an entrepreneur. I've found that drive and determination can outdo any jobless rate data.

Well, the price of gas has dropped to $3.54 a gallon for regular. So, I'm going to go out of town on Thursday and Friday (no, not because the price of gas dropped -- but it's nice that it isn't $4.64 any more.)

Being in a small, remote market has positives and negatives --

Positives:

1. Only one stop light in town
2. No traffic jams
3. Low crime rate
4. Clean Air
5. Quiet
6. Beautiful Country
7. Bountiful Wildlife
8. Elbow Room - Uncrowded

Negatives:

1. High cost of gasoline, groceries, etc.
2. No local educational opportunities for real estate

I'm glad the negatives is a short list.

On Thursday and Friday I'll be attending events sponsored by the Shasta Association of Realtor in Redding, California. I haven't been to an event for some time, so I'm really looking forward to it. Because Modoc County doesn't have a Board of Realtors, I felt the need to become a member in an association in another market. I consider it an important investment in my professional development.

On Thursday it will be all about education -- focusing on distressed properties. Amazingly, Modoc County has not had a lot of foreclosed or short sale properties (only 3 foreclosures that I know of) so I haven't focused any attention in this area. But, I'm anxious to learn more anyway.

On Friday it will be all about a motivational speaker -- I don't know about anyone else, but I sure could use some positive messages.

It's that time of year again. The ranchers bring their cattle down from the high country for the winter.

This annual tradition happens down Pencil Road in Modoc Recreational Estates. Now, if I still lived in San Jose, California, I would have been extraordinarily annoyed by this process. But I noticed that I simply didn't mind. I wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere.

I enjoyed the pretty, sunny day and while moving at about 3 miles per hour down that stretch of road -- about 3 miles distant ahead of us yet -- I marveled at the herding dogs that kept the cattle moving -- any how they aggressively worked the ones that didn't want to go in the right direction. I wondered what the riders were talking about. I thought how pleasant it would be to be out riding at a leisurely pace this morning.

Of course, ranching isn't always this idyllic. I suspect that the work is pretty hard at times. But this morning, it looked like a very good life.

One of the challenges in moving to Alturas is making sure that you have all of your necessary services set up -- and who in the world do you call. Here are some numbers that should help you:

Utilities:

Electric Power -

There are 2 service providers in Modoc County for electricity.

1. Pacific Power and Light (an Oregon company) serves Alturas and other in town locations. 800-715-9238, 877-548-3768 or 888-221-7070
2. Surprise Valley Electric (an energy coop) serves the areas that PP&L does not serve. 866-843-2667

Propane: Contact Bethel's 530-233-2134

Kerosene: Ed Staub & Sons 530-233-2610

Telephone Service: Frontier 800-921-8101

Internet: you have several choices

1. Frontier (dial-up and DSL) - both services available in most areas 800-921-8101
2. Hughes Net (satellite) - anywhere you've got reception 866-293-8945
3. HDO - High Desert Online (dial-up and wireless): wireless in city of Alturas 530-233-4000
4. Charter Communications (cable) in town only 866-731-5420

Television:

1. DirecTV -- Phillips Appliance in Alturas can set up your service. Call 530-233-5705
2. Dish Network -- www.dishnetwork.com
3. Charter Communications 866-731-5420

Water/Sewer Service in Alturas 530-233-2052

Trash Collection in Alturas and surrounding areas Alturas Disposal 530-233-2373

Modoc Joint Unified School District: 530-233-7201

Real Estate Services: Of course you'll call Property Connections Realty Inc. at 530-640-2411

Well, every year around this time homeowners (and owners of other real estate) get their property tax bills.

If you can't afford to pay it in one lump sum, you'll be able to pay in two equal installments. Your first installment is due on November 1, 2008 and to avoid any payment penalties must be paid by December 10, 2008.

Your second installment is due on February 1, 2009 and to avoid penalties cannot be paid any later than April 10, 2009.

Many counties now allow property tax bills to be paid online using a credit card. You may see instructions on your property tax bill that tells you where to look to pay online. If not, and you need the financial flexibility of using your credit card, call the tax collector office and ask if the option is available to you.

Allowing your property taxes to go unpaid can mean huge penalties and even the eventual loss of your home in a tax sale. Don't lose your most important asset.