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Leslie Stewart – Realtor ®, CRS, eCertified

Market Trends for the Mid Willamette Valley - Oregon

Market Trends For The Willamette Valley - Oregon

Through September 2008

In the month of September 2008, there were 1414 new listings that came on the market and a total of 7835 listings available. In the month of September 2007 there were 1429 new listings that came on the market and a total of 6719 on the market. That is a 14.3% increase in listings available this year over last year at the same time.

In September 2008, there were 528 closed sales. With that number of closed sales we have approximately 14.8 months of inventory on the market.

Days on the market currently are:

Salem/Keizer: 119

Benton County: 133

Linn County: 146

Marion County: 130

Polk County: 129

Closed Sales in Units for the last six years:

Through the end of September 2003: 6823

Through the end of September 2004: 7363

Through the end of September 2005: 8716

Through the end of September 2006: 8279

Through the end of September 2007: 7158

Through the end of September 2008: 4708

The percent of sales price to list price was 94% in Salem/Keizer, 94.5% in Linn and Benton County, 92.5 in Marion County, and 92.8% in Polk County.

Average Sales Price comparing last year to this year:

Area September 07 September 08 %change

Salem/Keizer $240,269 $225,535 -6.5%

Benton County $307,452 $301,196 -2.1%

Linn County $195,069 $194,066 -.6%

Marion County $250,566 $239,836 -4.3%

Polk County $235,769 $226,842 -3.8%

Source: Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service

Bauman's Autumn Harvest and Pumpkin Patch - Gervais, Oregon

Bauman’s Autumn Harvest and Pumpkin Patch

Open until Halloween, October 31st, Bauman’s Farm in Gervais is a great place to take the whole family. There are many activities in which to participate including a Zip Line, Jumping Haystack, Frontier Fort, a Pirate Ship made of hay bails, and Apple Cider press. Take the ride out to the pumpkin patch to pick a pick a pumpkin for the front porch or nibble on fresh, homemade apple cider donuts! Many varieties of apples are available to taste and many displays of flower and other fall goodies can be purchased as well.

pumpkin display

little pumpkins

For hours, directions and a complete list of activities visit www.baumanfarms.com There is small fee for many activities and not all activities are available during the week. Senior Discount Available, 2 and under free of charge.

12989 Howell Prairie Rd, NE, Gervais, Oregon
503-792-3524

The Oregon Garden Resort

The Oregon Garden Resort is now open.

Oregon Garden Resort
This photo was take while still under construction.

Silverton has been the home of the local attraction the Oregon Garden for the past several years. The garden attracts visitors from all over the world. It has a natural ampitheater and this year attracted top name acts like Pat Benetar and George Thorogood. At the end of April the Garden is host to the Blooms and Brews Fest bringing in 75+ breweries and raising funds for charity.

In an attempt to bring in more visitors to the area and the garden, Moonstone Hotels has joined with the Oregon Garden to bring a world-class resort to Silverton. Conference rooms and meeting space is available to rent and people can stay and take advantage of the spa or the restauant currently under the supervision of executive chef Jeff Nizlek. I glanced at the menu and it features fresh Northwest fruits and vegetables, saugages and BBQ.

Guests of the resort may choose from double queen beds or king beds and the room packages include a bottle of wine. Packages include a Dinner Package, a Family Package, a Gardener's Getaway Package and a Romance Package. Each package boasts a different incentive and they all include a bottle of wine. Sounds good to me!

Reservations may be made by calling 800-966-6490 or Clicking Here

Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast

Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast

On a recent trip to Pier 101 for dinner with my daughter’s Kelsey, Kendra and Kendra’s husband Josh, and my husband Scott, we devoured some great seafood, starting with an appetizer of Steamer Clams. Scott is a good one for giving the waitress a hard time. When she arrived at our table with our drinks and soup, Scott was busy talking and didn’t acknowledge the fact that the waitress was piling up the fresh cracked pepper on his chowder. I finally nudged Scott, who was surprised to see a small mountain of pepper on his chowder. We all got a good chuckle and Scott kept a better eye on the waitress for the rest of the evening. Around the table we ordered the Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Seafood Fettuccini, a Shrimp Po’ Boy and the Brie Salmon. We all enjoyed our food and the atmosphere at the Pier is rustic and inviting. Plan on at least a 15 minute wait and make sure you get your name on the list for a table. The wait is worth the time, the food here is moderately priced, good portions and fun, friendly service.

Kendra and kelsey
Kendra and Kelsey

After dinner we drove through a new subdivision Olivia Beach, and enjoyed looking at the community. It featured several beautiful homes, a common area with a volleyball net, BBQ area, community bikes and a gazebo.

sunset
Sundown on the Coast

sand and sun

My family and I love the the beach. For me this love started when I was very young and my grandparents took me to the beach to play in the sand. I still love to play in the sand and although my castles aren’t prize worthy works of art, we have mastered fish, turtles and several a very realistic octopus.

We also stopped at Canyon Creek rest area and walked along beach and took a few photos. Be sure to visit Lincoln City on your next trip to the Oregon Coast.

Salem Oregon Market Overview for August 2008

Market Overview for Salem Oregon and the
surrounding Willamette Valley.

Here are the latest stats for the Willamette Valley. As you can see, days on the market are still pretty good considering the lack of buyers. The number of sales through August has dropped compared to previous years. It is interesting to note that list price to sales price is still ranges in the above 90%.

If you have any questions about out market, please contact me.

Salem Market Overview