Central Oregon Real Estate | Broker Thesa Chambers, Licensed in Oregon

Silverstar will have to look at other options for Village at Sunriver expansion and remodel. Although the majority of voters approved the sale of the 6 plus acres being sold to Silverstar the final tally was 300 votes shy of the 60% turn out that was needed to approve the sale. Silverstar already owns or has options for the 20 acres of the current mall. Many of the homeowners in Sunriver are disappointed, and many are rejoicing.

I have always said that change is one of the most difficult things for people to embrace, but it appears to me that Silverstar came pretty close to having the community support they needed. I have no idea what the next move for Silverstar will be, but I hope it is something to bring activity, beauty and support to this aging area of Sunriver.

Personally I would have liked to see a respected vote with enough people voting allow for a pass or fail. To loose an election by default of homeowners not voting is a sad statement to me. Do these people not care, did they not know what the issues were or did they simply forget to send in their ballots? No matter what the answer is, the fact is only 56% of the homeowners voted and no matter what the vote 60% were needed for approval of this project.

edited to explain further - the majority of the votes approved this sale - however law required 60% voter turn out to approve - so because only 56% voted - the ballot failed - not because of lack of yes vote but because of the lack of 300 votes - if 300 more people had voted the land sale would have been approved.

It was brought to my attention that the first report of the number of votes was misunderstood or incorrectly reported - there was a large enough turn out for an approval if 300 more had voted in favor of the sale it would have passed. The vote required a 60% in favor and although the owners in favor out numbered those opposed they did not meet the 60% requirement. Oregon does have voting guidelines that require a percentage of votes, my apology is extended to any one I may of offended.

Other articles on this subject

KTVZ - Channel 21 - Your Central Oregon News Source

Oregonian

KBND News Talk 1110

SaveSunriver.org

strike out and itlaics were added on 2/26/08 when it was brought to my attention that this was incorrect - thank you Luis Bayol

Looking for real estate in Central Oregon? La Pine Oregon real estate offers a wide variety of choices in price, land size and home style or size. Currently many consider our real estate market to be a buyers market. With prices lower than the last couple years, interest rates low and seller's motivated we do have a great buyer's climate.

La Pine is a great small town that offers more elbow room than many other areas of Central Oregon yet is an easy half hour commute to Bend on most days. Real estate in Lapine offers a lot of great options. Whether you are looking for Mt. Bachelor view homes, Deschutes River front homes, a nice home on a city lot or a beautifully treed setting you can easily find it in LaPine.

The table below will give you a quick snap shot of homes available in La Pine Oregon - a complete list of homes for each category can be seen by clicking on the link in the title of each heading.

Heard the market is slow, no one is buying and that we are all doomed? I have good news and the proof to show you that 37 home sellers in La Pine Oregon are felling a lot different right now. It is a buyer's market and buyers are certainly in the driver's seat, but they are buying.

January is over, although there may be a few listings still showing pending that have actually closed escrow a quick search of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors MLS shows that there are 37 homes that either have an offer on them or have closed escrow.

Prices vary and so do the style of homes, most of the sold properties did sell for less than listed for and many of these homes had multiple price reductions before finding a buyer... but they did find the buyer and the buyer did buy.

Click here for the list of homes that are Pending (in escrow) or Sold in the La Pine area.

Are you going to sit on the fence and wait until prices are lower? What if they go up this spring? What if the loan you qualify for now is no longer available or rates go back up? Are you ready to have to wait for the next buyer's market or should you investigate if now is the right time for you?

First time home buyers have some great financing options. Oregon Veterans you have some wonderful options out there. Talk to your mortgage professional about these options or if you don't have someone you trust, call me I will provide you a list of mortgage professionals that know the market, the area and have a lot of different loan products to find the one that suits your needs.

Buyer's listen up - have you noticed all the negative print and media ads about how tough the real estate market is? Don't you find it unusual that when the prices of Central Oregon Homes were skyrocketing, homes for sale were getting multiple offers and so on everyone thought real estate was booming?

They have you scared; they have you thinking this is the wrong time to buy. What is so wrong with buying today versus buying a year or two ago? A year ago interest rates were low but prices were high and inventory of homes to buy was lower than it is now. Many of you had to offer higher than list price to even have a chance at an accepted offer.

Today, there are homes on the market ripe for the buying. Many sellers are offering to pay part or all of your closing costs. Mortgage rates are still low and there is still 100% financing available. Many homes are priced lower than you can build a home for.

Real Estate has always had peaks and valleys; Central Oregon Real Estate is no exception. Are we at rock bottom, will the prices continue to fall? I can not tell you - but are they going to go up? That I can tell you, yes PRICES WILL GO UP, the question is when?

Buyer's this truly is the BEST BUYER'S MARKET IN 20 YEARS! Some of you are sitting back arguing this point with me... but think about this as a BUYER - interest rates are low, there are many loan options, inventory is high and sellers are motivated.

One of the reasons I love La Pine is the sense of neighborhood.  Growing up in a small town has a ton of advantages, although as a kid I could not wait to leave as many that are growing up here are probably thinking too.  Funny thing is we all come back. 

As a member of the first class of La Pine High School years ago, most of us left for greener pastures and big city lights.  20+ (ok almost 30) years later most of the 36 of this class are back in our wonderful home town of La Pine.

This has been a tough week, Mother Nature has been keeping our area looking clean and white... lots of white.  This morning schools were cancelled due to snow and road conditions not something we experience often.  Snow yes, school closures because of it no. 

I headed to the office and knew as the snow continued to fall I could be coming home to an evening of shoveling and back breaking work.  To my surprise, my neighbor was in my driveway when I pulled in, he and his trusty tractor.  For hours he plowed and moved snow to be certain I could get in and out.

I am so glad to be home... in more ways than one - and not having to shovel the driveway tonight was a great treat.  Thanks Fred, you ROCK!