About Linn County, OR

More and more I am hearing people talk about global warming and the arguement over what it is and isnt and if it is valid and scientifically proven and how the politicians are getting in over their heads and blah blah blah... anything to avoid the main thing at hand and it is taking responsibility for YOUR choices and understanding them and being aware of exactly how you impact your environment. This concept is missed wholey on so many levels that I am truley believing that we are sleepwalking in a delusion through our lives. That these facts are covered up more and more to encourage disengagement of our life styles and what it costs to maintain them.

It goes further than recycling... it goes to how you impact the people around you. Do you encourage them be productive, or are we all at war with our neighbor constantly competing for resources instead of working together to acheive success on small levels. Something as simple as EATING together with another family once a week can improve the quality of our family and social life as well as save us money and reduce waste and energy. Collective gathering, having a common area, more city parks, neighborhood parks will encourage people to mingle, create friendships and lessen the negativity that runs rampant in so many neighborhoods. Recreation brings people together in a friendly way. Even today, while out with my family, we brought just enough food for us for a quick picnic by the river. Another family was next to us, prepared for the whole day equipped with a grill and cooler full of goodies. They were friendly and inviting and shared their food with us willingly and happily, like it was their duty to make sure we all had some since they had enough to go around. Perfect strangers sharing food at a beautiful park. WHY are we not encouraging this in neighborhoods more often?

I have had the joy of being a key player in the development and organization of a farmers' market in Downtown Lebanon, OR. My town, where I live and work. The amount of effort the people of our community who helped put in to this event was about that of a part time job and the rewards are priceless. Creating a venue for the people who make the food to share with the people who want the food and opportunities to try new things, meet new people, learn new skills and enjoy community is so worth ever second it takes to do it and to be honest, IT WASN'T THAT HARD!! The hardest part was finding the right people to help out and getting them to dedicate some time to it. But once people see how much the entire community benefits from such a gathering, it falls into place. This little town of 14,000 people, where most residents communte to work, shop outside of the town they live and havent been to a downtown store in years is breathing in this market like a drowning child! The merchants on Main St are thrilled, the farmers are excited, the residents are anxious, the resturants are hopeful to be buying food and products grown in their region, supporting our own local businesses, eating healthier and enjoying the COMMUNITY.

Farmers' Markets help by:

Less gas to get your food to you and for you to go get it

Less $$ to buy food since it is straight from the producer

Less chemicals on most locally grown food because it is not mass production and isnt being shipped for a week. Preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers, ect for small farms are very different than a large production farm. Healthier for you and for the earth it is grown on!

Less packaging, less waste, opportunities to recyle what you are using (egg crats, plastic containers, fabric and brown bags)

Less time in front of your TV!! More excerise, More interaction, More sunshine and fresh air!!

Creating positive change impacts many aspects, environment is one, but your community is part of the environment. Volunteer to help your community, help gather people together with food. Enhance relationships with your local businesses, networks, and neighbors! It is a key lifestyle change that needs to happen that will help to facilitate the changes we all want to see.

Have a beautiful but dirty chandelier? Light fixtures can be a focal point and beautiful feature for a dining room, but when dusty and spotted, they are a eyesore not a selling feature! Cleaning a chandelier can be a chore if each crystal is removed, cleaned and replaced. We've used this cleaning product in homes with great success and recommend it!

Cover the area below the chandelier. Using a duster, remove cobwebs and excessive dust. Turn off the lights before spraying and be sure bulbs are cool. Spray well with the cleaner -- allowing it to drip on the towels beneath the fixture.

Leaves chandeliers amazingly clean and sparkling! Its a great product and time saver!

Creative Concepts and Contracting provides quality home staging and contracting services for Salem Oregon and surrounding areas. By knowing the HOW to get things done easier, our clients prepare to sell quickly and effectively! Contact us for information on preparing your home for a quicker sale at 503-881-0886!

Modified statistics, starting 11 April, 2009 SOLD statistics no longer include any pending data.

Albany

• SOLD (past 90 days) - 112
  • Average price - $190,994
  • Median Sale Price - $176,495
  • Average Days on the Market - 138
  • Average Dollar per Square Foot - $120.66
• Current Active Listings - 382
  • Average Price of Active Listings - $224,397
  • Months of Inventory - 10.23
• Pending/Contingent Sales - 62 / Value $11.4 million
  • Total Contingent- 28
  • Total Pending - 34

Corvallis

• SOLD (past 90 days) - 65
  • Average price - $268,071
  • Median Sale Price - $260,000
  • Average Days on the Market - 147
  • Average Dollar per Square Foot - $158.33
• Current Active Listings - 229
  • Average Price of Active Listings - $328,413
  • Months of Inventory - 10.57
• Pending/Contingent Sales - 63 / Value $18.5 million
  • Total Contingent- 42
  • Total Pending - 21

Lebanon

• SOLD (past 90 days) - 21
  • Average price - $144,402
  • Median Sale Price - $128,500
  • Average Days on the Market - 138
  • Average Dollar per Square Foot - $109.09
• Current Active Listings - 170
  • Average Price of Active Listings - $176,830
  • Months of Inventory - 24.29
• Pending/Contingent Sales - 36 / Value $6.2 million
  • Total Contingent- 17
  • Total Pending - 19

Last show: Jason Cadwell, RE/MAX Integrity and Genevra Schumacher, of the Schumacher Group were here to talk about Short Sales and Foreclosures. Understanding what they are - and some of the options that are available to consumers when the situation exists.

Upcoming Guests Scheduled:

May Guests:

Thursday 21 May - Real Estate Roundtable and "It's MY Buyer's Market" Workshops

Saturday 30 May - TBD

Are you a First Time Home Buyer? Do you want to participate in Real Estate Talk? Dave is looking for someone to go through the process "on the air" by working with him, and letting the listeners know how things are going throughout the entire process. The person(s) selected will receive some nice gifts as a way of saying "thank you." Jay Chase Inspections will provide the Pest and Dry Rot Inspection at no charge to the buyer(s) selected for this program. Corvallis Moving and Storage will provide the Local Move (packing not included).

For more information, contact Dave at realestatetalk@kgal.com.

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Many calls I have received lately are from home owners who have homes on the market, or whose listings have expired and they are thinking about re-listing. This week I had two consultations with this type of seller and they both were puzzled and irritated by their agent’s actions!

I spent a lot of time explaining the importance of curb appeal, first impressions and why deferred maintenance and declutter had to be dealt with before listing. The widow whose listing had expired was near tears. I expected her to be overwhelmed and even a little irritated with me by “imposing” expectations upon her. It surprised me when she said “Why didn’t my agent take the time to explain this to me before I listed?” I had no idea these things were so vital to my house selling quickly.” Yes, she was concerned – there was lots of work to do. But she had a plan and hope so was able to “see” that by taking a few steps forward she may be able to sell her home and move on with her life. More than concerned, she was irritated with her agent, and wanted a recommendation for a new agent. The trust was gone because the agent hadn’t let her know that our services were available or that her home was a target for low ball offers when it was so dated, cluttered and needed small repairs performed.

I’ve met this agent before and she has heard me speak about staging. She has even asked me about staging and I know she has considered presenting it to some of her clients. The response I’ve heard from some agents is “My clients don’t think it’s necessary” or “My clients won’t pay for it”. In fact, they didn’t have the statistics, time or information needed to present staging options in a way that encouraged their sellers to embrace the staging process. When clients understand the power staging can have and a plan of action, most are encouraged to do much more to prepare their homes for sale.

The next consultation I had was for a desperate home seller whose house had been on the market for many weeks – no showings, no realtor tour, no open houses and no idea as to why her home was being passed by. When I had looked at the photos on the MLS I knew why. After spending two hours with this seller, not only was she on board with doing everything suggested, but she also wanted the recommendation for a new realtor.

I’m working with a new agent who contacted me and is having me spend 15 minutes with her sellers before their homes are put on the MLS. I talk about staging, give the sellers statistics and explain the process. We visited with an elderly couple whose home was clean but dated and cluttered. When I explained staging, the owner told me that he had sold many homes over his lifetime and that their house was fine. I explained the current market, the impact of media, HGTV and first impressions. He held firm. I agreed with him that in a logical world staging wouldn’t be necessary, but that I was happy to help in the future if the need arose. When we left, the agent and I both knew this process had been incredibly successful.

No, it didn’t result in a job for me or much improvement on her listing. BUT – her sellers now are well informed on what should have been done before listing. If she didn’t present these ideas and options, who would be on the hook when the house doesn’t sell in 60 days? The agent! Bad advertising, not enough open houses, not enough signs – something pointing back to the listing agent. This young agent has it figured out. She knows the dated home will take a long time to sell. She had us inform them on what should be done, maintains a great relationship with the owners and when the time comes to make a price reduction – she can confidently say “Remember before listing we discussed how important it was to do the things the stager recommended? Now that the listing has been on the market for 60 days with no offers . . . “

Instead of being mad at you, they’ll be mad at themselves. Staging works – but only if you work it!

Creative Concepts and Contracting provides top notch staging and contracting services for home sellers in Oregon. Houses that are prepared correctly and well priced are selling! Contact us at 503-881-0886 for information on how staging can set you apart from the competition!

When advising clients about preparing their home for showings and open houses, I always say to remove all evidence of pets - including the pets themselves. If the pet is locked up in the garage or backyard, those areas will be hard to show, so it's always best to have them off to "visit grandma" or for a ride in the car if possible.

Additionally, while owners may not be able to smell any odors from the litter boxes, pet food or bedding, buyers with sensitive noses may be turned off by these smells. Removing these items is a simple step to take, and well worth the effort. Personally I always find it distracting when I'm viewing a home and see the pet food in the oddest places - like a bathroom counter or bedroom. I love pets - but for showing a home love them hidden!

Well, rules are meant to be broken -- sometimes! Just love these darling arrangements and wouldn't they be a fun centerpiece! Even for an open house!

Creative Concepts and Contracting -- Creative ideas, innovative solutions, professional services. Contact us for ideas on how to prepare your home for a successful sale in 2009. Staging magic our specialty! Margaret Oscilia, Home Stager and Redesign Specialist 503-881-0886