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Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor

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Creswell Oregon, A Eugene bedroom community.

10-03-08
Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor

Four years ago my wife and I bought a turn of the century foursquare farmhouse and realized our dream of moving to the country. The idyllic fantasy has now been tempered by the reality of improving and maintaining a big old house and extra property, but that is the subject for another post!

Creswell lacks the charm of other small towns along highway 99, thanks to a relocation of main street and subsequent destruction of the original downtown. But you can get a glimpse of the past in the quaint gothic church that is now home to Creswell's history museum.

Creswell, Oregon History Museum

In a town of 5,000 souls, with probably fewer than 300 jobs, most people drive to Eugene for entertainment and dining. But when you don't feel like jumping on the freeway, there are a few good options in town.

Los Cabos, Creswell Oregon

For the classic "mexican-entree-swimming-in-a-plate-of-beans-rice-and-cheese" You can't beat Los Cabos. Located on Oregon Avenue, Creswell's main street, the friendly staff serves up hot plates and a mean Cadillac Margarita.

Old Time Scoops, Creswell Oregon

There was much rejoicing, especially from the younger set, when we got "Old Time Scoops" our own ice cream and candy emporium two summers ago. Since then the going has been tough and ownership has changed a couple of times. We must not have enough regular ice cream eaters to comfortably support this business, but I hope they manage to stick it out, because there's nothing nicer than stopping by for a cold treat after an afternoon at the park...

Holt Park, Creswell Oregon

Harry and Bertha Holt are pioneers of the international adoption movement, making it possible for thousands of orphaned children to find loving homes. Harry Holt park, in the heart of Creswell, is a great summer gathering spot, and a wonderful place to play with your kids year 'round.

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Get your home ready for winter before it's too late!

09-26-08
Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor

When it comes to home maintenance it's always "better late than never", but who wants to work outside when it's too cold to move your fingers!

Here are my top 5 things to take care of before cold and damp becomes the default condition:

  1. Clean your roof, muck out the gutters, clear the downspouts, and seal corner joints if necessary. I see a lot of roof and fascia (wooden trim) damage caused by rain gutters that are unable to do thier job because they are packed with leaves, and in some cases hosting a crop of grass! If you don't like heights, hire a handyperson.
  2. Clean the deck, and seal the surface. This is another area where a little neglect can cause a lot of damage, and a dirty deck is slippery when wet, so don't risk damaging yourself!
  3. Touch up missing paint or finishes on your home - even if you plan to paint next summer. Exposed wood eventually loses the ability to hold paint, and when moisture gets under the edges of remaining paint the trouble spreads. Always make sure the first coat on bare wood is primer. Putting topcoat on unprimed surfaces is asking for early paint failure.
  4. Check your heating system and change the filter. Ok, so this doesn't really qualify as an outdoor task, but again, better to do it now than when the mercury dips into the 20's.
  5. Take a freakin' break already! Life is short, and you'll never hear anyone on their deathbed lament that they didn't spend more time on a ladder. Have hot toddy or two. Go outside and play catch with the kids. Give your S.O. a backrub. Just chillax - the work will always be there for you. And give me a call if you need a referral to a local pro for help with any of your home maintenance and improvement projects.

Best of the season,
Bobby

541 225-8081
bobby@alternativerealtor.com

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By the numbers: Lane County Real Estate Market update

09-22-08
Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor

Inventory, listings, sales, and sale prices decline for the August 2008 reporting period.

Each month the RMLS (Regional Multiple Listing Service) publishes market statistics for it's service area. Being a Eugene area Realtor I focus on the data for Lane County. Being intimately familiar with these numbers helps me to serve my clients, both buyers and sellers, in a continually changing market.

For the month of August, total inventory stands at 8.1 months, down from 8.8 in July and up from 5.1 one year ago. This means at the current rate of sale, with no new listings entering the market, it would take 8 months to sell all of the approximately 2,500 currently listed properties.

New property listings have decreased 18.6% and closed sales are down 28.7% since August 2007.

Average sale price is down 3.8%, median sale price down 3.7% when comparing the 12 month period ending August 2008 with the same period ending August 2007.

What do these numbers tell us?

  1. Sellers must ensure that the condition of their property is superior, that their price is competitive, and that their Realtor is a master at marketing and negotiation if they wish to sell in a reasonable time frame.
  2. Buyers have access to a vast number of housing options, and the opportunity to purchase at value prices.
  3. Agents must work with increased dedication and focus to serve the interests of their clients, and to ensure the future of their careers through the current downturn and into economic recovery.

Challenging times, to be sure. If you need to buy or sell in the Eugene/Springfield area and want top-notch representation, I'm here to help.

Bobby Stevens
541 225-8081
bobby@alternativerealtor.com

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Fresh eggs from your own backyard – keeping chickens in the city.

09-19-08
Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor

Like farm-fresh eggs? How about the good feeling of feeding your family a healthy protein source from happy organic free range hens? If you own your own single family home, chances are you can be an egg farmer!

HennyIn Eugene and Springfield the requirements are few…

  • No Roosters allowed. Sorry boys, no one likes a 4:30 wake up call on a Sunday morning. 
  • Zoning must be Low Density Residential (R1).
  • If the square footage of your lot is between 0 and 10,000 square feet you can keep up to 4 hens.
  •  At 10,000 square feet you can keep 5 hens. And for each additional 1,000 s.f. you can add an another hen.
  • Make sure to check the CCR’s for your subdivision for additional restrictions beyond what the county and city impose.

And the benefits are many:
Chickens are voracious bug eaters and they also peck at weeds, although they don’t seem to bother lawn grass. They will scratch away in garden beds and can make a mess of your patio, so if you are particular keep them penned or limit the free range time to when your are outside and can control their ranging. They provide an alternative to the compost pile for disposing of green table scraps and wilted lettuce leaves, though it is believed that fruit consumption decreases egg production. They will happily consume flax seeds, and are much better at converting them to a source of omega-3 fatty acids we humans can digest in the form of tasty omelets.

I like the way they look roaming the landscape, spread out and walking in a line patrolling for bugs and weed seeds in the grass, and their contented clucking can create a relaxing pastoral atmosphere in the 'burbs.

Chickens do need a modest shelter with straw or pine shavings for bedding and nest boxes for egg laying. There are a number of commercially available solutions or plans to build your own with an attached fenced yard. Make sure to lock ‘em up at night. Domestic fowl are defenseless against urban predators like raccoons and wayward dogs. Equally important, be sure you can make the commitment to keep your feathered charges supplied with ample food and water at all times. They are generally easy keepers, but will need someone to check in on them if you leave home for an extended period.

Give me a call if you’d like more information about keeping your own flock. And happy scrambling!

Bobby
541 225-8081
bobby@alternativerealtor.com

Thanks to freefoto.com for the chicken pic. Image used in accordance with licensing requirements.

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My favorite things to do in Eugene, Oregon.

09-17-08
Bobby Stevens ~ Eugene, Oregon Realtor
I grew up in this town, and have wonderful childhood memories, but after high school I couldn’t wait to get out and explore the world. Moving back 20 years later, I have a new appreciation for all the Eugene area has to offer, and I love sharing – especially with my clients who are new to town. The following list is by no means exhaustive, but it hits some of the high points for me!

Walk among the mighty oaks.
The Willamette valley once featured a vast savannah of open grassland dotted with indigenous oak trees. Less than one percent of this unique habitat remains, but you can get a feel for what once was at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum. There are miles of trails, a lazy fork of the Willamette river, and a summit with an expansive view. There are also seasonal activities for all ages.

Climb the highest hill.
The definitive southern end of the valley is a 2000 foot peak known as Spencer Butte. Climbing beneath a canopy of old growth fir and cedar, the switchback trails lead to a bald peak featuring 360 degree views over the city of Eugene to the North, The towns of Creswell and Cottage Grove to the South, The coast mountain range to the West, and the Cascades to the East.

Stroll the banks of the Willamette.
Over 70% of Oregon’s population resides near this 187 mile long waterway that begins just south of Eugene and empties into the Columbia near Portland. Once one of the most polluted waterways in the nation, major cooperative cleanup effort and environmental legislation have turned things around. There are miles of bike paths on either side through Eugene, and five bike/pedestrian bridges spanning it. I like to start my stroll at Skinner Butte Park.

Savor the hot summer nights.
After ten years in Seattle I began to assume that summer in the Northwest is always punctuated by weekly rainfall. Upon returning to Eugene I realized that we frequently enjoy up to sixty days of predictably warm, dry weather – in a row – each summer. There’s a lot to be said for lying on the warm ground at midnight, comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, watching the stars and planets overhead.

Enjoy the local color.
Two words: Saturday Market.

Eat.
Here’s another one I could throw two words at: Farmers Market. But since I like to eat more than I like to cook, here are some of my favorite places to get a professionally prepared repast: Chao Pra Ya, Mazzi’s, El Vaquero, Café Soriah, Lucky Noodle, Koho Bistro, the list goes on…

Have a drink.
We’re fortunate to have some world class mixologists among us. Some of my favorite places to belly up to the bar include Bel Ami (across the street from my office, God help me), Lucky Noodle, and Sam Bonds Garage.

Get out of town.
Eugene and the surrounding communities are a great place to live, work, and raise your family, but there are times when many of us require one or more of the three S’s: Saltwater, Snow, and Shopping. Fortunately, some of the best of all three can be found within 100 miles or less. It’s just over an hour drive West to Florence, Lane County’s gateway to the incomparable Oregon Coast. The white stuff on top of the Cascade Mountains is just a little further in the opposite direction. And if you need a retail fix, the Rose city of Portland awaits just two hours to the north, at the other end of the Willamette Valley.

Join me in enjoying all our community has to offer!

Bobby Stevens
541 225-8081
bobby@alternativerealtor.com
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