Localism: Benton County, OR

If I Lose Weight Will You Find Me More Attractive?

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:46:14 -0600

Yes -- I know it's all about first impressions, image and all that!

But . . . I've become over stuffed. . .

I've over indulged . . .

And I'm no longer comfortable -- even with myself!

I am . . . the cluttered home!

We put this house on a REDUCING diet --

It lost a few pounds --

Toned up a little --

and yes -- it found TRUE love --

Sold in a slow market in FIVE days -- Average DOM in this area is 135 . . .

Creative Concepts and Contracting can help your home find its soul mate! Contact Margaret Oscilia for more information on what a staging consultation can do for your home at 503-881-0886

USDA Rural Guaranteed 100% Loan Program for Benton County

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:49:55 -0500

I have had several people interested in obtaining a USDA home loan for property in Marion, Polk, Linn and Benton Counties. I've put together a map of part of the county that should help in identifying areas that qualify for this program.

As you might know - it's one of the last TRUE 100% home loans available - and it doesn't have PMI! The rates are comparable to FHA, so it's a very affordable payment! You do not have to have PRESTINE credit, but we generally want to see scores above 580, and 12 months of "clean credit."

USDA does require that the property be located in a less populated area. It does not need to be a farm - but it can't be located downtown either.

The "darker" areas do NOT qualify. However, as you can see - that is basically the the Salem area for Marion and Polk counties, Albany for Linn County and Corvallis for Benton County - urban growth boundary and anywhere else in these counties are eligible for this type of financing. That includes Stayton, Dallas, Sweet Home, Philomath and Harrisburg as part of the counties that are included in this financing.

If you are interested in property in this area and would like to see if the address falls within the USDA "footprint" click here.

So - THE TIME IS RIGHT! We have many properties on the market, we have MONEY TO LEND, and the Federal Government is giving First Time Homebuyers a $7500 tax credit if they purchase prior to next summer!

For more information on USDA loans, and to see if your household income qualifies for this NO PMI loan, please click here

Real Estate Market Mid-Willamette Valley

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:45:33 -0500

Our market seems to weather change pretty well. We are insulanted by the University, Samaritian Regional Medical Center, CH2M Hill Engineering to name a few in Benton County and several metalurgical companies in Linn County including Teledyne Wah Chang. Just this month Corvallis was named one the top 10 safest places to live in the United States. The Mid-Willamette Valley as a whole is a very comfortable place to live. We enjoy a quality of living here that is simply excellant. We have excellant schools K-12, including Linn-Benton Community College. We enjoy a variety of entertainment and eatries. PAC-10 Sports are also great fun and help to support our stable economy.

The Real Estate Market here has certainly slowed, but remains strong. We have a very nice selection of homes to choose from and prices are very affordable when compared to other area of the country. No matter your needs are I can find something prefect. We have Elegant Homes with views and all of the gingaerbread, we have homes for the First Time Homebuyer and we have everything in-bewteen.

Please contact me today, let's get started and have you settled for the holidays.

Becky Lehr, Broker/Realtor

RE/MAX Integrity

beckylehr@remax.net

www.beckylehr.com

Beavers take a bit out of the wooden horse, Trojans Fall

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:30:24 -0500

We were number 1!

That is the new mantra of the USC Trojans after the Oregon State Beavers dropped them on their heads last evening at Reser Statium in Corvallis OR.

The Trojans may think of the Willamette Valley as the Valley of Death after last evening's loss. They may get used to it though. Three years ago, the Beavers did the same thing to the third ranked Trojans. No matter what the rankings, hometown crowds seem to energize the Beavers.