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Adam Bogle, CRS, Southern Oregon... The Most Recognized Realtor in the Universe

Train Service Through Ashland

It looks like there is some movement on whether or not the train will start running through Ashland again. A petition was filed to let another provider start running the service. As a fan of railways as a mode of transportation, I am at odds with how I feel about the train coming through Ashland again. This line carries little other than lumber from Northern California to Roseburg.

It is not a passenger train...and the freight can still go by rail..it just has to take a very circuitous route up the other side of the Cascades, and over through Springfield.

With the number of old railway crossings in Ashland, and the questionable health of the tunnel at the top of the Siskiyou Pass, I think it would be wise to let this train line be permanently disabled.

This story is not reported in the Ashland paper, but is being followed closely by the paper in Roseburg.

Quoted from http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20080905/NEWS/809059914&parentprofile=search:

CORP open to another operator for Siskiyou line | NRtoday.com - The News-Review


The petition from shippers came in response to a decision by CORP earlier this year to curtail southbound service between Ashland and Weed and to cut northbound service from five days per week to two. The cost to ship on the line was also increased.

Shippers said they were told that unless CORP found a way to increase rail traffic and profitability, all service over the Siskiyou summit might be curtailed.

The changes were made, Lundberg said, because of a lack of rail traffic. According to Wednesday's filing, CORP has not provided service between Ashland and Montague, Calif., since May 6, the last day service was requested by customers.

Ashland Area Campground on a Lake

I have a little trailer that is kind of a glorified tent on wheels. It has a table, icebox, bed, and stove. It is shorter than my truck, both in legnth and hight. I love the thing because it makes camping so easy. Picture of my trailer at the lake

I spent last night on the banks of Howard Prairie Lake. It is 30 minutes from my house in Ashland. You can fish, ski, swim, etc...

A client of mine owns the resort. He is an excellent and friendly guy named Joel. If you get a chance to camp up here, tell Joel hi from the Agent In A Kilt. Who knows, there might be a free soft serve Ice Cream in it for you.

Back to the campfire now.

P.S. There is high speed wireless access here!!!!

Quoted from http://www.howardprairieresort.com/:

Southern Oregon Camping | Campground and RV Park Near Ashland and Medford Oregon


Since 1997 the Howard Prairie Lake recreation area in Southern Oregon near Ashland and Medford has been rated the number one recreation facility of its kind in Oregon. The popularity of the area is attributed to the commitment of Howard Prairie Lake Resort, Inc. in concert with Jackson County Parks and Recreation to you, our customers.

We've created a camping, RV park, and recreation area that is clean, safe, and friendly. Vacationers spend a day, a week, even the whole season at the resort. Our facilities have been designed for any length of stay, with a large picnic area, campsites with limited or full hookups, a store and restaurant, laundry facilities, and a full-service boat marina.

Howard Prairie Lake is generally considered by fishermen and Fish and Wildlife authorities alike to be among the finest rainbow trout fisheries in the Northwest.

Howard Prairie Lake is not just about trout and bass fishing though, boating fun of all forms, from canoeing to skiing to sailing, is very popular.

Howard Prairie Lake Resort, away from it all, ... but not too far away!

Ashland Is Hot!

Ashland is Hot!

Oh, Summer has finally arrived in our glorious Ashland, Oregon. I know some people who live here feel that is should always be 75 degrees. I, on the other hand love when the heat finally decends upon the Rogue Valley and warms my bones.

I guess as a kilt wearer, I may enjoy the warm weather a little more than those poor souls who feel a need to wear pants. But this is my favorite time of year.

But what do you do if you live in Ashland, and don't like the heat as much as I do.

Well, the public swimming pool is always a great option.Daniel Meyer Pool

Daniel Meyer Pool is open for business.

A mere blocks from my home, this is the classic American swimming pool.

Open for Lap Swimming for $2.00

Open For Family Swimming for $1.50

And even an Adult Open Swim for $1.50.

Temparatures this week in Ashland have been in the high 90's.

It is a little hotter generally in Medford with Temps creeping above 100.

Cheers,

Adam AgentInAKilt Bogle

Jackson County Statistics

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EXISTING HOME SALES - February 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008 - 2007 vs. 2008
  ACTIVITY DAYS ON MKT PRICING
  Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 February 1 to April 30 Apr 2007 vs Apr 2008
Area # Sold    2007 # Sold   2008 Average   2007 Average 2008 Median $ 2003 Median $ 2007 Median $ 2008 5-year % Change 1-year % Change Median $ Median $
Ashland 71 41 113 123 $276,000 $439,500 $355,000 28.6% -19.2% $425,000 $385,000
Talent 18 10 67 103 $147,500 $268,750 $256,000 73.6% -4.7% $235,000 $256,000
Phoenix 10 10 75 125 $167,500 $225,000 $250,000 49.3% 11.1% $189,250 $233,750
Jacksonville 6 9 110 207 $287,900 $467,500 $357,500 24.2% -23.5% $465,000 $600,000
West Medford 81 43 83 90 $127,250 $213,400 $199,000 56.4% -6.8% $209,900 $190,000
East Medford 113 79 89 112 $182,000 $280,000 $235,900 29.6% -15.8% $274,000 $207,500
Central Point 52 51 86 137 $149,900 $256,750 $222,000 48.1% -13.5% $258,900 $222,900
White City 21 16 80 80 $118,000 $195,000 $147,500 25.0% -24.4% $200,000 $141,750
Eagle Point 35 19 93 104 $139,900 $280,000 $273,000 95.1% -2.5% $240,950 $261,000
Shady Cove/Trail 9 3 135 47 $165,000 $233,000 $207,500 25.8% -10.9% $240,000 N/A
Gold Hill &              Rogue River 13 5 94 60 $150,750 $225,000 $172,500 14.4% -23.3% $209,950 $172,500
COUNTY TOTALS 431 288   91 117   $167,000 $262,500 $235,000 40.7% -10.5% $257,200 $225,000
NEW HOME SALES - February 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008  - 2007 vs. 2008
  ACTIVITY DAYS ON MKT   PRICING
  Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 February 1 to April 30 Apr 2007 vs Apr 2008
Area # Sold   2007 # Sold   2008 Average 2007 Average 2008 Median $ 2003 Median $ 2007 Median $ 2008 5-year % Change 1-year % Change Median $ Median $
Ashland 8 3 44 15   $291,950 $389,000 $389,000 33.2% 0.0% $132,290 $475,000
Talent 4 2 139 265   $182,389 $363,892 $303,250 66.3% -16.7% N/A $318,000
Phoenix 0 0 N/A N/A   $180,900 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Jacksonville 2 2 260 24   $275,000 $383,000 $257,250 -6.5% -32.8% $279,000 $234,500
West Medford 18 13 118 191   $155,450 $275,000 $234,900 51.1% -14.6% $225,000 $210,000
East Medford 18 14 158 159   $266,562 $431,450 $276,450 3.7% -35.9% $468,408 $314,950
Central Point 11 5 113 126   $167,400 $254,000 $245,000 46.4% -3.5% $219,900 $245,000
White City 13 9 66 79   $123,900 $224,900 $201,000 62.2% -10.6% $219,950 $201,000
Eagle Point 13 3 115 83   $166,000 $445,900 $274,900 65.6% -38.4% $465,000 N/A
Shady Cove/Trail 0 0 N/A N/A   $188,250 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Gold Hill &              Rogue River 0 1 N/A 66   $289,500 N/A $269,000 -7.1% N/A N/A N/A
  87 52   115 135   $177,700 $310,000 $249,950 40.7% -19.4% $229,900 $254,900
ALL HOMES ON MARKET (includes rural) Ø The statistics in the top two charts represent urban area homes and exclude rural properties.  N/A means "No Activity" in the reporting period.
Area Active  5/1/07 Active 5/1/08 % Change
Ashland 351 334 -5% Ø Median price means the midpoint, with half of the sales being above and half of the sales being below the listed number and is not the same as average.
Talent 77 64 -17%
Phoenix 52 58 -12%
Jacksonville 109 95 -13%
West Medford 406 295 -27% Ø Median prices reflect overall market  trends and are not a measure of pricing for individual properties.
East Medford 556 532 -4%
Central Point 333 285 -14%
White City 114 102 -11% Ø Small sampling sizes can lead to wide variances in year to year comparisons.
Eagle Point 224 199 -11%
Shady Cove/Trail 86 82 -5%
Gold Hill &              Rogue River 199 201 1% Ø All statistics are based on what is reported by REALTORS® to the Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service.  For more information visit www.jacstats.com.
Other Areas Jackson County 141 145 3%
COUNTY TOTALS 2648 2392 -10% © 2008 Southern Oregon MLS

Jackson County Statistics

I just found a new source for statistics for Jackson County Home sales.

It includes FSBO's as well as Realtor represented properties.

I can't vouch for it's accuracy, but it is from a reputable source.

Single Family Residence
Time PeriodNumber of SalesMedian Sale Price
Mar 2008160$237,950
Mar 2007281$270,000
Feb 2008140$250,000
Feb 2007199$268,000
2008 YTD482$241,000
20072,697$265,000

These numbers are consistent with then percentage that I have found reported in our MLS.

I know that I tend to geek over these statistics.

Which reminds me, I need to write a blog about the theory of geeking, and the change it the way the word geek has been used.

Adam----The Agent In A Kilt----Most Recognized Realtor in the Universe