Marcy Eastham

Corvallis Oregon First Time Home Buyers Programs

Corvallis can be a daunting place to find homes that first time buyers would consider "affordable." With median prices in the $300,000 range, many homes seem out of reach financially. However, first time home buyers in Corvallis will find several programs in place to help them attain their goal of home ownership.

The first program I'll mention is through Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services , a private, nonprofit community development corporation. They have several programs in place to help income-qualified home buyers in Corvallis down the road toward home ownership:

1. Financial Literacy Education to foster savings and smart use of credit
2. Affordable Housing Development targeting low-income residents
3. Homebuyer Education Class providing coaching on the homebuying process
4. The The Valley Individual Development Account (VIDA) program gives low-income families an opportunity to establish special savings accounts that can be used to purchase a home.

To be eligible for the VIDA program, families must earn 80% or less of the area median income ($70,800 for a family of 4) and have a net worth of less than $20,000. Every dollar saved during a three-year period is matched 3-to-1, up to a total of $3,000 in matched funds.

WNHS also helps families secure down payment and closing cost assistance through the City of Corvallis' First Time Home Buyer Program and other programs offered by their partner lenders. The City's First Time Home Buyer program provides loans of up to $10,000 for low-income first time home buyers to cover a portion of the down payment/closing costs associated with their purchase of a home within the City of Corvallis.

Qualified low-income buyers must have an income that is no higher than 80% of the current median level for Corvallis. Buyers must also complete the education program provided by WNHS. The City's New Home Buyer Assistance Program provides loans of up to $7,500 to low income people purchasing a newly-constructed house within the City of Corvallis.

The program is open to first-time or move-up home buyers. The purpose of the loan is to offset the permit fees and systems development charges associated with the construction of new homes.

These programs, plus the $8000 first time home buyers tax incentive make this a great time to learn about how you can begin the process of buying a home, and make your dream come true!

You can reach Willamette Neighborhood Housing at (541) 752-7220.

Corvallis Oregon - Madison Avenue Alley Art

Corvallis has an active community of artists and has established a public art display along Madison Avenue in downtown Corvallis. The 22 pieces run from Central Park to Riverfront Commemorative Park and are scattered along the walkways, in alleys, and freestanding in both parks.

The collection includes bronze and concrete sculpture, photography, ceramic works, poetry, and silkscreen prints. A favorite is the life-size sculpture of "Cassidy," shown here, at the corner of 2nd and Madison. The work, by Sue McNiel Jacobsen, includes a bronze water bowl which local pooches appreciate.

Another piece, "Fly Squatter," by Rich Branstrom is a recycle fused metal piece that periodically moves to different buildings.

An example of ceramic art is "The Shopper," by Heitho Bokides-Reuther that resides in an alley between 4th and 5th street.

Brochures detailing the works can be picked up at CorvallisTourism located at 553 NW Harrison Blvd. downtown, or at ArtCentric located in Central Park at 700 SW Madison Ave.

The Alley Art Project is supported by ArtCentric, Corvallis' art center and gallery, the Madison Avenue Task Force, and National Endowment for the Arts, among others. For more information, contact ArtCentric at (541) 754-1551.

Corvallis, Oregon Neighborhoods - Walking the Atomic Ranch!

No, the Atomic Ranch neighborhood isn't located next to a cooling tower. Atomic Ranch is a ranch-style architechtural design popular in the United States from the post-war period through the 1970's. Other names for this style of home is California Ranch, Rambler, or Rancher. The style is often associated with tract housing built during this period, and incorporates the long, low to the ground profile typical of the design.

In Corvallis, a walking tour has been developed to highlight some of the homes developed during this era. The properties are located near Dixon Creek and Corvallis High School, and are in a very popular residential area.

The home shown here is known as "Hampton House" as it was purchased by Dr. Richard Hampton and his wife Willie Mae in 1967. Hampton was an associate professor at Oregon State University. Per the walking tour description, this is the most horizontal of our Atomic Ranches, with its entire facade and attached garage facing the street. It also has a roofline with no changes or architectural elevations. It retains most of the classic ranch-style features, such as brickwork, a brick planter in front of the living room window, and iron work railing on the steps leading to the front door. The siding also features a combination of brick and wood for architechtural interest. The home is not currently for sale.

Another home on the walking tour is the "Myers House," below. This home was built in 1946 in what was called the Tinkham Tracts Subdivision and until recently was occupied by the original owner, John Myers. The home is well maintained and has several interesting features, such as the near pyramid hip roof and picture window that are typical of the period. This was a transitional period when garages were starting to be attached to homes, although the garage to the Myers House is detached. This home is currently listed in the MLS as contingent.

Homes in the Atomic Ranch neighborhood also include duplexes. As noted, this is a popular neighborhood and homes don't say on the market long. Recent home sales show an average price of $215,000.

For more information on walking tours in Corvallis Oregon check out Corvallis Tourism at www.visitcorvallis.com. For more information on homes available in Corvallis, contact Marcy Eastham at Town & Country Realty at marcy@tncrealty.com or 541-757-1781.

Come walk the many Corvallis neighborhoods and discover why so many call Corvallis "home!"

Corvallis, Oregon - Creative Community of Artists & the Midway Theatre

As in most of America, Corvallis used to have a drive-in movie theatre. The Midway was located (wow, surprise) midway between Corvallis and Albany on Highway 20. The theatre went out of operation and was demolished in the late 1980's but the sign remained as a nod to the properties' past function.

Corvallis has a tradition of honoring the past, and efforts were made to preserve and restore the sign. What to do with it, though? The creative arts community in town developed a solution: turn it into a venue for writers, rotating content throughout the year. The sign was moved to a building facing Madison Avenue, the street that has seen a wealth of Corvallis' creative community works displayed.

Here's the most recent view of the Midway Theatre, snapped today.

Corvallis is a beautiful college town with a vibrant arts scene. Come visit and see why so many call Corvallis home!

Corvallis' Riverfront Commemorative Park - The Heart of the City

Early in Corvallis' history, the Willamette River was seen as a vital hub for commercial activities and transportation. The area along what is now First Street was the center of activity, but over time, particularly in the early 20th Century, the development of rail road infrastructure in the region reduced the impact of the river for commercial uses.

As Corvallis grew, downtown expanded and First Street fell into a modicum of disrepair. In the 1970's discussion began on how to bring life back to the area. One idea, the develpment of vehicle by-pass to reroute traffic from the downtown core, was met with cries of dissent from community members. Thus began a 20 year process to develop a plan that would revitalize this once vibrant stretch of Corvallis' downtown. The City Parks & Recreation Department was charged with developing a plan that would appeal to a broad cross-section of the community, and, ulitimately, garner enough support to pass a bond measure to pay for improvements.

After years of review and public process, the Corvallis City Council adopted a park master plan in December 1996. The plan outlined the vision for the park, featuring commercial and park use while highlighting the Willamette River's natural features. In 1998, voters approved a $9.5 million bond measure to fund the riverfront park and riverbank restoration project.

Today the Riverfront Commemorative Park is alive with fountains, art, restaurants, and sculptural gates that allow the road to be closed off for the Saturday Farmer's Market and events such as the Red, White, and Blues Festival in July.

Any day you will find people strolling the wide sidewalks, workers enjoying lunch on the benches lining the way, kids playing in the fountain, dog walkers, and bicyclists enjoying the peaceful views.

Corvallis' Riverfront Commemorative Park has become the heart of downtown. Come visit Corvallis and see why so many have come to call it home!