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Karen Cooper-Mtg Banker|Broker Ashland|Medford

Have You Been To Troon Vineyard Winery In The Applegate, Oregon?

Attracted to Southern Oregon by her beauty, choosing to stay because of the people and opportunities presented to us, thrilled to be here because of the lifestyle we have here in the Rogue Valley, we find it is exciting to be able to go out after having lived here over 5 years and still find new and exciting, fun and different things to do.

Taking the final steps to expand our retail business, Superior Windows & Doors, to cover not only Ashland/ Talent/ Phoenix contractors, business and homeowners' needs but also those on the other end of the Rogue Valley (we found a great commercial location near Rogue International Airport in Medford that will make for easy access from Medford, Central Point, White City and Eagle Point, but that's another post!), we read about a sale of business fixtures in Grants Pass, so in to the car and off we go for a lovely Sunday drive with a purpose.

Grants Pass is located almost 30 miles North West of Medford Oregon. Where one of Medford's distinctions is the Interstate 5 Freeway running through it, Grants Pass has the distinction of the Rogue River running through it. Tucked in the hills between these two main cities in a "Bordeaux like" climate in Southern Oregon accessed via Highway 238 is the Applegate Valley, the location of some great agricultural properties (a favored location of many part-time farm/ ranchers), including one of our personal most favored crops - grapes! Sunday's journey to Grants Pass resulted in our electing to travel home via the Applegate Valley. There are many different wineries and vineyards located in the Applegate, one of which is Troon Vineyard, the creator of a favorite local Port wine of ours, Insomnia, and another one of the great Southern Oregon boutique wineries that has received many awards for their wines.

Troon Vineyard Winery in Grants Pass Applegate Valley Oregon, by Karen Cooper wwwQuality4Loanscom

My husband and I are die-hard dedicated red wine aficionados, but every now and then a persuasive soul like Cori at Troon Vineyard Winery convinces us to step outside our comfort zone and give something new a try. We tried the Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid WHITE - yes, we knoooow, Druid's Fluid is a red wine, but they've produced in limited quantities a WHITE Druid's Fluid and it was delicious! All the summer dinner salads we like to make this time of year will pair well with this wine. We only picked up 4 bottles so if you hurry you might be able to still get some before they are sold out.

Troon Vineyard Winery in Grants Pass Applegate Valley Oregon, by Karen Cooper wwwQuality4Loanscom

Heading out to the Applegate Valley to tour some of the wonderful Southern Oregon Wineries? Make sure you stop in to Troon Vineyard Winery, and enjoy some of their great wines in this beautiful setting.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Update on Neighborhood Stabilization Program for Eligible Southern Oregon Home Buyers

Up in arms over an article I read recently in our local newspaper, wondering how one family has managed to reserve funds when others cannot, I've been trying to get answers for the many buyers I am working with who are eligible for this up to $50,000 in matching down payment assistance, closing costs, repairs and mortgage reduction. These buyers all meet the income criteria, and are interested in purchasing bank owned/foreclosure homes. So, here is the update I just received from the State of Oregon:

"Based on the information we received at NSP training last week, there are a few additional changes we need to make before we can fully implement the program. We anticipate the program will be ready for reservations within the next two to three weeks at the most. Thank you for your patience."

Patience...okay, that is a virtue I have acquired. We can wait a while longer to make use of this wonderful opportunity for eligible buyers I have lining up. Hopefully the "additional changes" will not be prohibitive.

See you at the closing table!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Southern Oregon First Time Home Buyers! Need Down Payment Assistance?

Money Stack by Shirley Two Feathers photo courtesy of flickr.comAre you a First Time Home Buyer in Southern Oregon who thinks you have to rent because you haven't been able to save for a down payment? Think again! Down Payment assistance funds are once again available to eligible first time home buyers meeting the income criteria depending on their household income.

As always, funding is limited, so don't wait! Call or e-mail me for further details.

Home buyers are closing on homes they OWN paying less than what they used to pay to rent!

See you at the closing table!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

A Fiery Night In The Rogue Valley

With so many wonderful things to do here in Southern Oregon in the summer time, sometimes our biggest hurdle is deciding which great place we want to go to. Holding season tickets to Camelot Theatre in Talent, Oregon helped us narrow the decision making process down a bit since we had booked seats to see "Cabaret" that night. Having had a late lunch, these very early risers wanting to stay awake for the performance figured a light dining experience was in order. This narrowed us down to two choices, both in Downtown Medford - Cork's or Elements? That's a hard choice for us to make, because we have thoroughly enjoyed every experience we've had at both locations, the food, the drinks and the people. The deciding factor this time was we wanted to try a new drink, so off to Elements we went.

Camelot Theatre Talent Oregon, 0418_project 084 by amikegreen2 photo courtesy of flickr.com

"Fire" at Elements Tapas Bar Lounge Downtown Medford Oregon by Karen Cooper wwwquality4loanscomThe food AND drink menus at Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge is eclectic, unique and delicious. We have yet to work our way all the way through it, but have already developed tastes for some favorites, like the Trio of Albondigas and the Toro Martini Dani recommended to us on one of our first visits to Elements. This time we once again tried some new items recommended by Chris, the Fire and Cucumber Basil Gimlet to quench our thirst, and the Isle of Ibiza Flatbread. Having so enjoyed other recommendations, it's hard to believe that we can continually find something we haven't tried before that just makes us say "Wow!", but we said it again!

Cucumber Basil Gimlet at Elements Tapas Bar Lounge Downtown Medford Oregon by Karen Cooper wwwquality4loanscom

A fabulous meal at Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge and a wonderful performance of "Cabaret" at Camelot Theatre....aaaahhhh Life Is Good here in Southern Oregon!

If you haven't been to Elements or Camelot Theatre, you're missing out!

Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge
101 E Main St
Medford, OR 97501-6003
(541) 779-0135
Open Tues-Sun 4 p.m. - ???? (late)

Camelot Theatre
101 Talent Ave
Talent, OR 97540
(541)535-5250

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Calling All Concerned Citizens of Medford Oregon!

Want to have your say in how you would like Community Development Block Grant funds to be allocated to the community for the next 5 years? Do you believe street lighting is insufficient, homeless population needs need greater focus?...Our at risk youth programs are insufficient to meet their needs, Historical Buildings need to be preserved?...Affordable Housing needs aren't being met, energy efficiency steps aren't great enough?

Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter, Patriotic Uncle Sam & Rosie the Riveter together, add your own custom message. by BL1961 photo courtesy of flickr.com

The City of Medford wants to hear FROM YOU!!!

http://www.ci.medford.or.us/News.asp?NewsID=2465

Go online and complete the survey and make your opinions known. Now how many times are you asked to do THAT?!?!/? Get out their and flex your civic muscles.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com