Cat Zwicker-Grant, P.C., your Central Oregon Real Estate Professional

I need a little help here one of my cats has decided to not play well with others and is no longer tolerant of our other kitties. She is a great "people" cat and loves to be the center of attention. Obviously I need a local soul or someone who can make an in-state drive to rescue her, otherwise it's the pound...and I can't bear that! Or if you have any advice on how to make her change her ways... I am open to suggestions.

Free To a Good Home!

· 8 1/2 yr old Tabby Cat - "Katie"

· Inside Cat Only

· Declawed Front

· Spayed

· Litter Box Trained

· All shots current in past 3 years.

Generally well behaved, I can sit up and beg for treats and have a good purr when scratched in the right places. I do not like to be ignored and socialize well with people. Unfortunately I'm an alpha and do not play well with other kitties, though I've been known to tolerate a dog or two.

I would be best for a retired person who is home a lot and loves to snuggle. Past times include laying in the sun and watching birds (I even chirp at them).

Bad habits... I tend to shred toilet paper if I can find it.

To adopt me please contact the "other cat"

...It's as easy as a day at the park - Smith Rock State Park that is!

Most people, when they think of Oregon immediately think of our lush valleys with verdant hillsides, vineyards, orchards and the like, or of our beautiful rugged coastline with crashing surf and rocky drops to narrow beaches.

Another favorite vista, is the Cascade Mountain Range with its rocky peaks and almost year round dusting of snow. In Central Oregon this is our predominant view, you can drive just about anywhere and see Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, The Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson... on a really clear day you can even add Mt. Hood to the list. But my favorite views are not necessarily of this beautiful mountain range, but of the world renown climber's paradise Smith Rock.

Just a short drive from north Redmond and east into Terrebonne; down a meandering country road of small cattle ranches and hobby farms Smith Rock rises on the horizon.

The Nez Pierce and other regional tribes thought the rocks here held power and considered this to be a magical place. At times there is an almost spiritual feeling, especially at dawn when Smith Rock is bathed in a rose to tangerine glow.

Smith Rock is a great place to hike and has trails for the novice and expert alike; click here for a trail guide. It can be a goat scramble so where sturdy hiking shoes and layered attire, the weather can be chilly in the morning and evening and down right toasty at mid day when the high desert sun bakes the rocks. Be sure to have plenty of water on hand as well. And if you're a climber this is absolutely paradise but since I'm afraid of heights, here is a better guide to the challenges available to you at Smith Rock State Park.

I can hardly say that I'm an expert photographer. But you can't miss when snapping pictures of the rural beauty of Tumalo. Hidden between Bend and Redmond, Oregon, Tumalo offers small to large acerage parcels for the rancher or horse lover in all of us. I just took these photos Wednesday, and today there is snow in air and clouds. Who knew winter was so close on our heels! So just enjoy the pictures and know that if you move to Central Oregon tyou could have a yard like this!

A bit more grass than I'd like to mow...but what a view!

Looking for property in Central Oregon, don't forget to contact Cat!

All photos and content are the property of Cat Zwicker-Grant a Licensed Oregon Realtor and may not be used or reproduced without her permission.

For buyers today, purchasing a home has become a series of turns and twists. Whether due to the soft market and the fear of continuing decline of home prices and loss of future equity or the daunting task of acquiring financing with the ongoing tightening of lending guidelines and loan parameters.

Through all of this a few key points remain the same and will make this process much easier for the enlightened buyer.

1. Choosing the right Realtor can make a big difference. Interview 2-3 brokers prior to making your final choice. Use the interview to determine who has the best knowledge of not only the area you are interested in but of real estate contracts and the nuances of the buying a home from start to finish. Check the agent's credentials. What type of education do they have and continue to participate in to maximize their skills as your potential Realtor of choice? (CRS, ABR, etc...; remember this person is going to help guide you through a process not just open doors!) For a list of interview questions go to "How do I choose a Realtor?"

2. Determine how much house you can afford. A standard rule of thumb is approximately 1/3 of your gross monthly income should comfortably pay your mortgage or rent. But a good agent will help you take into consideration the added costs of utilities, property taxes, home owners insurance, association fees, and maintenance costs that will impact your monthly budgeted costs. for a mortgage calculator to begin determining how much you can afford go to "How much can I afford?" Once you think you know how much you want to spend, your Broker can refer you to a reputable local lender/mortgage broker to assist you in detrmining how best to finance you future home purchase. For more on selecting a local lender see "Real Estate is Local; Why You Should Choose a Local Lender", by Fred Chamberlain.

3. Review the sales agreement and associated documents 'before' you actually write an offer.If this is your first home purchase, or your first purchase in a specific locality or state, it is a good idea to review the sales agreement prior to finding your home. This provides time to review contract clauses and stipulations that you may be unfamiliar with and get answers upfront from your broker or a legal adviser.

4. Obtain a professional home inspection. "OBTAINING A PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTION IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING A BUYER CAN DO FOR THEIR PROTECTION. A professional home inspection report will provide the buyer with detailed information about the home's physical condition, its systems and fixtures and usually note any potential future problems." (From the Oregon Home Buyer's Advisory.)

5. Review all documents in a timely fashion! Seller's Disclosures, CC&R's and Homeowners' Association Documents can be time sensitive. In Oregon, unless otherwise stated in the sales agreement, the buyer only has a 5 day right to review, accept or rescind the sales agreement based on the acceptability of the content of these documents! If you have concerns over RV parking, fence heights, pet restrictions, horses etc... be sure to communicate these needs with your agent in advance of the purchase offer so that they are looking for properties that meet your criteria. A good broker will request neighborhood covenants and restrictions prior to writing an offer to assist you in verifying that the property will meet your needs.

6. Surveys/plat maps and preliminary title documents,while not time sensitive, are critical documents in the sales process and should be reviewed with your broker to alleviate any questions or concerns about title, property size, and approximate boundary lines. Please note that a plat map is not the same as a survey map. If you are interested in the actual property boundaries you can pay to have corners marked or a full survey completed on the property. In Oregon there is no obligation on the part of the seller to have this done for a sales agreement.

7. Do you need/want a Homeowner's Warranty? Unlike Homeowner's insurance, a Homeowner's warranty covers the basic working systems of the home and some appliances for the first year of occupancy. Available as an "add on" from a third party provider, your broker can try to negotiate for the seller to pay this expense or you can buy it for your own peace of mind. Like any warranty the coverage has its limitations and conditions so be sure to review the policy thoroughly if this is important to you!

7. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! There is no item to little or unimportant to bring up with your broker. If it's a concern to you let them know! Conversely, your broker should be communicating with you throughout the entire process and well after the closing to assist you in the transition from home buyer to home owner!

If you have questions about buying property in Oregon, feel free to contact me.

Home Winterization Tips for the High Desert!

No doubt about it, as much as I love fall it is one of our shortest seasons here in Central Oregon. I can't remember more than one Halloween where my daughter's costume wasn't buried under a parka. (At least the fairy wings fit outside one year!) So, before it get's too cold to care, here are a few things to do to winterize your home in Central Oregon.

• If you have gutters, clean out any debris and clear the downspouts. Where necessary seal corner joints to prevent unnecessary damage to the fascia board and trim. In this climate clogged gutters can lead to ice buildup and eventually ice damns if we get enough snow. Not only is this bad for the roof it's not so hot for the inside of your home when the ice starts to thaw!

Blow out your in-ground sprinkler lines and insulate the valve box. This is a cheap fix with most landscaping companies charging $35-40 to do this for you.

Remove hoses attached from outdoor spigots. The Frost Free Feature does not work if there is a hose attached! Insulate spigots that are not frost free!

Clean and seal deck surfaces. Pressure wash or clean the surface with a good deck cleaner and seal with a reliable product. (Ask your local hardware guy what he recommends.) A little effort here goes a long way in preventing costly refurbishing later!

Caulk exposed joint corners and openings at exterior beams and windows; when re-touching these areas with paint don't forget to touch up any other areas that may have missing paint or exposed wood. Cracks at joints and seams as well as exposed wood eventually can allow moisture to accumulate under the surface leading to an eventual breakdown of the product through dry rot or mold. Also, if moisture does get trapped in these openings and freezes it can cause expansion which is usually not good.

Have a licensed professional service your heating system to be sure it is running optimally, and don't forget to change the filter. With energy costs on the rise this is one place where an ounce of prevention is well worth it!

Close foundation vents when it gets cold. Keep the wind and damp out from under your home and decrease energy costs by closing the ventilation to your foundation.

If you have perennials, now is a good time to add an extra dose of winter fertilizer and mulch. This should protect the roots from freezing and give them an added boost of nutrients for the winter.

This is the "short list" and I'm sure there is more that I've left out! Please feel free to add your comments and to-do lists here and I'll update the list!Need help locating a contractor? Call your local Realtor, they're happy to help and generally have a list of icensed professionals in their community!