Melinda Peterson Grants Pass Southern Oregon Real Estate Cafe

Trulia, Inc. has announced that 1 in 4 homes experience a price reduction during the past 12 months. More than 40% of the top 50 major metros across the U.S. are experiencing price reduction levels above 30%, significantly higher than the national average. The average discount for price-reduced homes continues to hold steady at 10% off of the original listing price.

Northeast Continues with Most Homes Reduced. The Northeast continues to see the highest level of price reductions, with 29% of current listings experiencing at least one price cut - Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire are all seeing over 30% of listings with price reductions. (Regions according to the U.S. Census Bureau).

-Northeast - 29% of listings with price reductions
-Midwest - 28% of listings with price reductions
-West - 25% of listings with price reductions
-South - 24% of listings with price reductions

"With mortgage rates still low and the expansion of the tax credit to trade-up buyers, we could see significant inventory - both new and 'shadow inventory' - hit the market during the next four-to-six months," said Pete Flint, Trulia co-founder and CEO. "Inventory levels this quarter are poised to be atypical of a normal real estate market, which could create tremendous pressure on sellers to price their homes competitively and move their property before the tax credit expires on April 30th."

Cities experiencing significant increases in percentage of listings with price reductions from June 2009 to November 2009 include:

-Kansas City, MO - 59% increase in price reductions
-Colorado Springs, CO - 43% increase in price reductions
-Omaha, NE - 39% increase in price reductions
-Louisville, KY - 37% increase in price reductions
-Milwaukee, WI - 30% increase in price reductions

Cities showing signs of the highest percentage of declines for listings with price reductions from June 2009 to November 2009 include:

-Las Vegas, NV - 34% decrease in price reductions
-San Jose, CA - 25% decrease in price reductions
-San Antonio, TX - 18% decrease in price reductions
-Los Angeles, CA - 16% decrease in price reductions
-Oakland, CA - 16% decrease in price reductions

Luxury Market Still Hardest Hit
Luxury homes (those listed at two million dollars and above) continue to bear the brunt of discounts being offered with an average of 14% being slashed from the original asking price compared to the national average of 10%. Additionally, luxury homes represent less than 2% of all current listings on Trulia, but are responsible for 25% of the $28.1 billion in home price reductions.

Article compliments of RIS Media

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I can think of many things I am thankful for. For one, I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and a warm, cozy bed to sleep in every night. I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to express myself on blogs like Active Rain. And, I am most thankful for the men and women who fight (so I don't have to) to defend these very freedoms, so I can continue to enjoy the luxury of all three.

Take a look at these pictures of the men and women who are affording you the same luxury:

Many Things I am Thankful For!

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

Here is a picture of a public toilet in Houston, Texas.

Now that you've seen the outside view,

take a look at the inside view...

It's made entirely of one-way glass!
No one can see you from the outside,

but inside, it's like sitting in a clear glass box!
Now would you go? COULD YOU...?

Imagine you are at a party on the 10th floor of a hi-rise building...
You have to visit the bathroom... You open the door...

This is just a painted floor. But wouldn't this mess with your mind?

Would you be able to walk into this bathroom?

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

How To Avoid the 10 Biggest Mistakes Home Sellers Make

You'll sell your home faster - and for more money - if you avoid these common pitfalls.

You Will Need

• A thorough housecleaning
• An open mind
• Home improvements

Step 1: Declutter your home

Get rid of as much clutter as possible. Stuffed closets, extraneous furniture, exercise equipment in living quarters, crowded countertops, overflowing cabinets, and endless knickknacks make homes seem smaller than they are. Consider putting some things in storage.

Step 2: Hide your pets

Hide all evidence that you own animals. Just because your potential buyer loves his own pets doesn't mean he wants a house that reeks of yours. Get rid of pet stains and odors (pay a professional if you have to) and send the four-legged family members to a neighbor's house when you show your home.

Step 3: Be scarce yourself

And, while you're at it, make yourself scarce during home showings. You know how you feel about those annoying salespeople who follow you around the store, making you uncomfortable? That's how potential home buyers will feel about you.

Step 4: Don't discount the first offer

Think carefully before you reject the first offer on your home; studies show it is usually the highest bid you get. And the longer you hold out for a better offer, the lower your chances are of getting it, because people start to think that something must be wrong with a house that's been on the market for so long.

Step 5: Always negotiate

Don't take lowball offers personally, or you'll lose a lot of potential buyers. Instead of viewing them as insults, look at them as starting points for negotiation.

To attract the most buyers, list your home a few thousand dollars below a major round number. If you're hoping to get about $200,000, for example, list it as $199,000, not $205,000. You don't want to miss out on buyers who have set $200,000 as their cutoff point.

Step 6: Out with the old

Toss or change anything that makes your home look tired - worn carpeting, old throw rugs, dirty light switch covers. Give every room a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. Don't let cost deter you; this is truly a case where you've got to spend money to make money.

Step 7: Remember curb appeal

Don't discount the importance of a good first impression from the street. Trim hedges, reseed the lawn, plant some flowers, wash the windows, scrape and repaint the front door and windowsills, and put some oversized potted plants at the entrance.

Step 8: Depersonalize your home

Rid your home of all your treasured personal touches - family photos, the kids' artwork on the fridge, religious artifacts, bowling trophies, your ceramic pig collection, the shrine to Elvis. They will only make it more difficult for potential buyers to imagine themselves in your home.

Step 9: Aim for light and bright

Because home buyers are nearly unanimously looking for a light, bright house as opposed to a dark, dreary one, do what you can to make that happen. Ditch the heavy drapes, take down dark wallpaper, put in high-wattage light bulbs, and get rid of wood paneling.

Step 10: Fix anything that's broken

Fix whatever is broken before you list your home. It's almost always cheaper to do it yourself than to let the buyer use it to bring down the price.

Coffee Girl - Astoria Oregon.  Many people who know me, know that I am a huge coffee lover.  From the first time  I visited Portland Oregon in 1987, I fell in love with the atmosphere and ambiance of Oregon's coffee houses.  Little did I know then, that I would eventually move from  southern California to southern Oregon. 

It's been 10 years since I walked into the Dutch Bros Coffee House in Grants Pass Oregon for the first time.  The atmosphere was a bit funky and eclectic, but nonetheless warm and inviting.  After tasting a Dutch Bros mocha, triple shot topped with whip cream, I knew I was hooked.  It didn't take long for this coffee girl to acclimate to her new surroundings. 

Upon searching the Web for various Oregon attractions, I stumbled upon a video of the Coffee Girl in Astoria, Oregon.  Another quaint coffee house with catchy music, scenic ocean views that are simply spectacular, and some of the most artful barista coffee swirls I have ever seen.  I have yet to visit the Coffee Girl in person, but it is on my bucket list of things to do in the near future.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the video.  If you are not already a coffee lover, be prepared to be converted :)

The secret to success and healthy living... Enjoy a mocha today and every day ~ Melinda Peterson