John & Susan Gray - McKenzie River Valley Real Estate

Saturday December 5th 2009 will be the annual Belknap covered bridge Christmas lighting ceremony and Christmas Party at the Upper McKenzie Community Center in McKenzie Bridge/Rainbow (yes, we in this community believe in Christmas). 3:30 kickoff to make ornaments and decorate the community center tree, 5pm bridge lighting ceremony, and 5:30 potluck dinner with music from the McKenzie High School Choir.

Goodpasture covered bridge will be decorated and lit by the community on Wednesday November 25th from 9-11am.

Other Christmas events in the valley: Holiday Bazaar at Millican Hall/Walterville Grange in Walterville on Saturday December 5th; upper valley Christmas dinner delivery on Christmas Day to those who are housebound, sponsored by the local churches; Live Nativity at the Living Water Family Fellowship church in Blue River on Friday and Sunday nights, December 18th and 20th, sponsored by local churches.

We're a close-knit community with pretty traditional values who care about each other and our community, and we show it!

McKenzie Valley Oregon Real Estate Update 11-13-2009

We saw a substantial increase in buyer activity in September and October. Average prices have dropped more in the McKenzie Valley this year (22.7%) than the Lane County average (9.3%). Have we hit the bottom? We don’t know, but buyers must think we are getting close or they wouldn’t be buying. It is not just foreclosures that are selling, but recent sales are almost exclusively under $250K, against an average list price for the valley of $433K+. The higher end of the market hasn’t yet returned.

Active Listings Current

Active residential listings = 94

Average days on market = 163

Median days on market = 139

Average list price = $433,651

Median list price = $362,450

Pending Sales Current

Pending residential sales = 6

Average days on market = 130

Median days on market = 125

Average list price = $273,883

Median list price = $284,950

Average $/sqft = $148

Sold Listings 3 months

Sold residential listings = 11

Average days on market = 137

Median days on market = 123

Average list price = $264,487

Median list price = $249,900

Average sold price = $245,527

Median sold price = $226,000

Average $/sqft = $169

32 closed sales year-to-date

Average sales price down 22.7% versus 2008

Demographics & Geography

Lane County is the second largest county in western Oregon by area, stretching from the Oregon Coast to the Cascade Mountains. The Eugene/Springfield metro area is the second largest metropolitan area in the state (after the Portland metro area). State population is near 3.7 million, with just under 10% of that population in Lane County, concentrated in the Eugene/Springfield area. Eugene, the county seat and largest city, is centrally located, roughly an hour from the Pacific Coast or the Cascade Mountains.

Green on Green

The overwhelming impression one first gets of Lane County is that it is very, very green. More than 75% of county land is forested. About 50% of the forestland is under USFS management. The rest is metropolitan or, within the Willamette Valley, farmland. It is also one of the most green-conscious (translate eco-conscious) areas in the US.

The Coast

The Oregon coast is nothing short of spectacular. Massive sand dunes, miles of pristine beaches, the majestic Pacific Ocean, numerous lakes, picturesque towns, commercial and sport-fishing fleets, and unforgettable coastal vistas - an hour from Eugene. Whales migrate annually up and down the Oregon coast, and are easily spotted during peak migrations.

The Mountains

The white-capped Cascade Mountains lie just over an hour to the east of Eugene, with downhill and cross-country skiing, hundreds of miles of wilderness trails, many lakes, two major rivers, and miles upon miles of wilderness. Recreation and scenery reign in east Lane County: hiking, backcountry camping, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Incomparable views of mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and lava fields abound. Wildlife also abounds, with deer, elk, coyote, bear and cougar populations (bears and cougars rarely seen).

The Rivers

The Willamette river is the centerpiece of the Willamette Valley, flowing through the city of Eugene. Several large waterfront parks adorn the city. The McKenzie River flows from Clear Lake in the Cascade Mountain into the Willamette river at Eugene. The McKenzie is a world-famous fly-fishing destination, home of the now world-famous McKenzie Drift Boat. The McKenzie's water is as pure as can be found anywhere on the planet. Native redside trout also abound, for catch-and-release fishing only.

The Weather

Now we come to some of the "not so great" about Lane County. Winters are wet and dreary - not suited for veteran desert-dwellers. Rain and snow in the mountains, rain in the valley, and rain and wind on the coast give meaning to the University of Oregon moniker "ducks". The rain extends from November into May or June, literally half of the year. It's not raining every day, of course, but there is a LOT of rain in winter and spring. On the other hand, that's what keeps the place verdant green all year. Mid-summer through fall are paradise in Lane County (July through October). Warm, sunny days from the mountains to the coast are a welcome relief from the wet winter and spring.

Visitor Info

For a more complete pictorial and informational view of Lane, please visit the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County website.

For Real Estate and McKenzie Valley information, please visit us online!