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2011 Pear Blossom Festival in Medford Oregon - Schedule
Posted by susan on 07 Apr 2011 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Even though we woke up to snow in Southern Oregon today, by Saturday, the weather should be perfect for this 35th annual event in Medford, Oregon. Enjoy your day and hope to see you all there!
Join the festivities of Southern Oregon’s #1 Athletic Event - The Pear Blossom Run. After the race watch the parade, go to the barbecue, or mingle among the many exhibitors at the Pear Fair or Street Fair. Celebrate the first rites of spring in the 35th annual Pear Blossom Run - April 9, 2011. Below is the schedule for all the events starting on Friday April 8.
Friday’s Event Schedule
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Pasta Feed in designated room - $10 for adults $5 ages 5-12 - All proceeds will be donated to the RVMC Heart and Vascular Center honoring the 2011 RVMC Heart and Sole Community Award recipients. Red Lion Hotel - Runner’s Rate 1-800-733-5466
Saturday’s Event Schedule
7:00 - Start RVMC Heart & Sole 5K - Medford City Hall
8:00 - Awarding of Scholarships - City Hall Flagpole Over $75,000 awarded to Jackson County High School Seniors who have been active in x-country or distance running
8:15 - Start of Wheelchair - Medford City Hall
8:20 - Start 10 Mile - Runners & Walkers (No early starts) - Medford City Hall
11:00 - Start of Parade 11:30 parade reaches Oakdale.
11:15 - Course monitoring, support services & finish timing stop in order to facilitate other Pear Blossom activities.
12:00 - Barbeque at South Fred Meyer, exit 27, I-5, Only $1.50 Proceeds to American Cancer Society - Free tickets in 1800 packets
All Day - Pear A Fare - Street Fair - Main Street Downtown (Change of location from last year).
Residential Statistics for first quarter in Jackson County
Posted by susan on 06 Apr 2011 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Click on the link below for the 2011 first quarter residential statistics in Jackson County.
Ashland Blues Society Tuesday Jams at Roscoe’s BBQ in Phoenix, OR
Posted by susan on 03 Mar 2011 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Southern Oregon has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor activities - hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, camping and skiing. But it also has a lot available indoors as well. Besides the world renown Shakespearean Festival in Ashland, The Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville, and the Craterian Theatre in Medford, there are many other music venues in the area including Roscoe’s BBQ in Phoenix.
Roscoe’s is now becoming the blues venue in southern Oregon and on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, the Ashland Blues Society sponsors a host blues band with a jam following. There are some amazing musicians in the valley and they have been coming out to jam with their fellow blues musicians to result in a very high energy fun filled evening. Roscoe’s serves a full dinner menu and full bar and children are welcome. The jams start at 6:30 and go until 9:30. If you love the blues and want to join in the jam, dance or just enjoy the great music, come on down. Reservations are suggest if you come for dinner. Just call Roscoe’s at 541-512-1046.
For more information on the Ashland Blues Society go to www.ashlandblues.com
Extension of Capital Gain Taxes
Posted by susan on 03 Feb 2011 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Capital Gain Taxes – The Same for Now
Toward the end of 2010, many people wondered what would happen to capital gain tax rates on January 1, 2011. Some even scrambled to close the sale of property before the end of the year. As it turned out, Congress extended the capital gain rates in mid December; at least for two years. The following is a brief summary of portions of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Jobs Creation Act of 2010 (not surprisingly referred to as “the extension of the Bush Era Tax Cuts”) which are likely to impact real estate investors.
- Capital Gain and Dividend Rates – Current rates were extended for two-years for all taxpayers with a maximum rate of 15% for both.
- Personal Tax Rates – Current rates were extended for two-years for all taxpayers with the top rate remaining at 35%.
- Social Security Tax – The employee tax rate of 6.2% on the first $106,800 of wages drops to 4.2% in 2011.
- Alternative Minimum Tax – Current exemptions were extended for all taxpayers for two-years.
- Estate Tax – An exclusion amount of $5 million and a tax rate of 35% for amounts in excess of the exclusion was established for two-years; the exclusion will become indexed beginning in 2012.
- Gift Tax – Like the Estate Tax, a Gift Tax exclusion amount of $5 million and a tax rate of 35% for amounts in excess of the exclusion was established for two-years, with the exclusion being indexed beginning in 2012.
- Other Extensions – The $1000 child credit; an additional standard deduction for real-estate taxes; extension of 15-year cost recovery for certain leasehold improvements, restaurant buildings and qualified retail improvements (through 2011); and the extension of various energy credits (through 2011).
A Great Article on How To Keep Your House Cool This Summer
Posted by susan on 03 Jul 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Tricks to Keep Your House Cool this Summer
By Paige Tepping
RISMEDIA, July 3, 2010–As the temperatures continue to rise this summer, so does the cost of keeping your home cool. While homeowners across the country come to depend on air conditioners to keep the temperature down during the warm summer months, there are other options that will keep you cool while keeping your energy bill low.
Fans and ceiling fans
-If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs. Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.
-You should remember that even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also, make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward.
Shades, drapes or blinds
-Install white window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.
Internal Heat
-The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices and lighting. Be aware of devices in your home that are generating heat and if you have air conditioning, use it wisely.
Don’t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make the thermostat think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.
-Unless you absolutely need them, turn off incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat.
-You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities such as cooking on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will use less energy to cool it.
Plants
-Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses less electricity. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.
Roof and Walls
-Paint your roof white – If you’ve got a flat roof, paint it with a specially formulated reflective paint or just paint it white. The reflective effect will help to keep the rooms under the flat roof much cooler.
Other things to remember
-Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering and cooking. When you must do these things, turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.
-Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of your home because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.
-If the attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, insulate it now. Upgrading from 3 inches to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10%.
Now is the Time for Open Houses - Prepare Your Home
Posted by susan on 22 May 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Holding an Open House? Offer Your Sellers These Tips
By Stephanie Andre
RISMEDIA, May 20, 2010—Have you prepared your clients for an open house? Do they know how to get their home ready? Here, we take a look at some essential open house tips—whether it’s winter or summer—that are sure to help your sellers make their home look the best it can.
Tour Your Home. Critique your house: examine it inside and out, and smell for offensive odors. Ask a trusted friend to join you. Make note of any quick fixes to be made.
Declutter and De-Personalize. To make rooms feel more spacious, remove excess and oversized furniture. Consider rearranging remaining furniture to visually expand rooms. Clean out and organize your closets, garage, cabinets and pantry. Also, remove or hide items like family photographs, knick-knacks and toiletries. Let potential buyers imagine the space as their own.
Bring in More Light. The brighter your home is, the larger it will seem. Wash your windows and screens to let in more light. Repair or replace dingy, torn or sagging screens. Use higher wattage light bulbs to make rooms brighter, especially in basements. When you hold your open house, be sure all lights are on, and all curtains are open.
Get Rid of Odors. Steam clean your carpeting and drapes to eliminate smoke and pet odors. Change your bed linens and towels regularly. Keep the windows open, and keep pets outside as much as possible. On the day of your open house, light a scented candle. You can also simmer apples, cloves and cinnamon on the stove an hour before prospective buyers arrive.
Clean, Clean, Clean. A house that is extra clean makes a powerful first impression. Don’t forget to look in places you might otherwise ignore: smudges on light-switch plates or dust on baseboards. And give extra attention to your kitchen and bathrooms, since these are the most important rooms to buyers.
Expose Desirable Features. Show off your house’s best qualities: beautiful hardwood floors, custom windows or an amazing view.
Sell with Neutral Colors. Neutral colors like beige or cream help sell your house, even though they may not fit your aesthetic sensibilities. Paint to sell.
Give the Exterior a Facelift. Boost curb appeal with clean gutters, mown lawn and swept walkway. Power wash siding, sidewalks, deck and driveway. Add potted plants – suitable to the season – to your entryway, deck or patio. Let us recommend the right plants for your project.
Summer Open House Tips
When preparing for a summertime open house, you’ll want to go that extra mile with your home’s exterior:
Accent Your Entryway. Buy a new light fixture, install a new lockset and kickplate, and buy new house numbers.
Keep Your Lawn Impeccable. This is no time for dandelions, brown patches or bare spots. Get your lawn looking its best. Also, add a fresh layer of mulch. Try our Mulch Calculator to see how much you’ll need.
Install a New Mailbox. If your mailbox is old and faded, take the time to replace it.
Refresh Your Deck. Rejuvenate your deck furnishings, and add playful items like a bright umbrella or potted plants.
Winter Open House Tips
With its inclement weather and shorter days, winter isn’t the ideal time for house hunting. Create a warm, inviting atmosphere to sell during the more frigid months.
Check the Heating System. Replace furnace filters, fill oil or propane tanks, clean registers and air ducts, check your home’s ventilation, and arrange a chimney inspection.
Improve Energy Efficiency. Caulk windows and pipes. Add weather stripping around doors, and insulate your water heater and attic. Consider using heavier drapes or insulated shades to block drafts.
Winterize Your Home. Put away summer patio furnishings, grills and garden houses. Close your pool (if applicable), and shut off the outside water.
Keep Up with the Weather. Clear snow, mud and puddles from all walkways and driveways.
Warm Up Your Home. Schedule your open house for high-daylight hours. Set the temperature at a comfortable level. If you have a fireplace, light a fire. Add cinnamon sticks or cloves to the fire for a soothing aroma. Note: Never leave a burning fire unattended.
Adding That Finishing Touch
After making the necessary preparations for your open house, seal the deal with a few finishing touches.
Outdoors. Add a wind chime, birdbath or doormat to make your outdoor space more enticing.
Living Areas. Place fresh flowers in the living room and bedrooms, and softly play relaxing music during the open house.
Kitchen/Dining Room. In the kitchen, put out a bowl of citrus fruit. Run a sliced fresh lemon through the garbage disposal before the open house for a clean scent. Set the dining table with your favorite tablecloth and best china and crystal. And leave bottled water for your potential buyers.
Bed/Bath. Replace shower curtains and liners for a fresh look and that “new smell”. Put car wax on sinks and tubs to get a glossy sheen.
There are many things that can make an open house successful. Don’t worry, your hard work will be noticed. Remember, it pays to help buyers envision the house as their home. For other selling tips, check out more articles in our Sell Your House section.
BEST TIME TO BUY IS NOW!
Posted by susan on 03 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Interest rates continue to be low - hovering around 5% and lower and there is still time to make an offer on a house and still get between $6,500 and $8000 tax credit if you can get your offer into escrow by April 30, 2010 and close it by June 30, 2010. All indications are that the interest rates will rise this year to above 6% by the end of the year. Even that is not a bad interest rate but 5% is better. There really has never been a better time to buy in the Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point, White City, Talent, Phoenix, Ashland and Jacksonville, Oregon area
HOME WARRANTIES - ARE THEY WORTH IT?
Posted by susan on 25 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
A home warranty is usually purchased when someone is either selling their home or when someone has just purchased a home. However, a home warranty can be purchased any time. A Seller can purchase a home warranty at the time they list the house for sale and it will cover them until the house either sells or the listing expires. A warranty will usually cover heating, AC,duct work, plumbing, water heaters, electrical, dishwashers, garbage disposals, range ovens, cook tops, trash compactors and more. This can also be updated to include such things as septic system pumping, well pump, garage door openers, swimming pools, other appliances, etc. A Seller can also purchase an additional home warranty for the prospective Buyer for a small fee that would cover the Buyer from the time they purchased the home for one year. Normally if something on the list breaks down, a service call is around $60 which you would pay but replacing or fixing anything else covered under the warranty would be free.
So, as a Realtor in Medford Oregon, I decided to purchase a warranty for myself. I purchased mine from American Home Shield but there are other home warranties out there such as Home Warranty of America, First American and many others. Each one has their own separate coverage plan and costs. I purchased the warranty because I own an older home and still have the original heat pump in it. I was hoping that when the heat pump finally died I could get a new one. But the heat pump keeps working. I have had to replace some parts and added a digital thermometer and those things alone would have cost me more than the cost of the warranty. I also had to replace a motor on my dishwasher on a day that company was coming in. The repair service (ordered by the home warranty company) came out right away, ordered the part and replaced it the very next day. That was definitely worth the cost of the warranty.
So, a home warranty is like an insurance policy. In my opinion it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. It has already saved me money.
Getting Out of Debt and Saving in 2010
Posted by susan on 04 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
This is an article sent to me through the Real Estate Book. Simple suggestions that we just need to remember.
RISMEDIA, December 30, 2009—With 2010 right around the corner, what will you be looking forward to in the New Year? Buying your first home? Sending your last kid off to college? Or obsessing over your own personal mountain of debt, even more worrisome in this uncertain economy? It may feel like “Resolution Impossible,” but if you follow Eric Tyson’s advice, you’ll remember ‘10 as the year you finally took control of your financial future.
“While the situation is improving, Americans carry too much consumer debt,” says Tyson, author of Personal Finance for Dummies, 6th Edition.. “If you have credit card debt or auto loans, take some solace in the fact that you’re far from alone and that many others have overcome these hurdles. Consumer debt is not okay, particularly in a slow economy such as this one. It can damage your personal relationships and mental well-being, not to mention the stability of your financial future.”
Here are a few tips from Tyson that will help you improve your financial health in 2010:
Partake in a little self-reflection. A misaligned mindset toward spending and shopping—compulsive or otherwise—can severely affect your financial and personal well-being. If you think you might have a problem with shopping or spending, there are several questions you should ask yourself:
-Do I feel guilty about shopping?
-Is my shopping causing financial trouble?
-Is my shopping, spending, and accumulated debt leading to feelings of helplessness, anger, confusion, fear, or depression?
Make a plan and stick to it. The reason so many New Year’s resolutions fail is that we simply state the thing we want to improve and then never create a plan for helping us get from point A to point B. Most people don’t like to plan unless we’re talking about something fun, like a vacation. But actually, planning for your financial future is a little like planning a vacation. You’re organizing your money and time so that you get to do all the great things you want when you get there. Look at it that way, and you might actually enjoy the process.
Get rid of your four-wheeled debt. Too many people define necessities by what those around them have. A brand new car is not a necessity, although some people try to make it one by saying, “I need a way to get to work.” Guess what? There are plenty of far less expensive used cars out there that will also make it to your office. If you take out an auto loan to buy a car that you really can’t afford and you take a similar approach with other consumer items you don’t truly need, you’re going to have great difficulty saving money and accomplishing your goals. Moreover, you’ll probably feel stressed all the time—which is a poor trade-off for the (short-lived) “new car smell.”
Start making your purchases based on need, not emotion. It can be easy to give in to all of those advertisements telling us how much we “need” that new car, expensive gym membership, or trendy outfit. Marketers play on insecurities, fears, and guilt and suggest that you can feel better about yourself by buying their products. You won’t be able to overcome spending and consumer debt until you recognize these pressures and how they corrupt your buying decisions.
Research before you enter the store. Prior to going shopping for necessities that aren’t everyday purchases—say, a new refrigerator—do some research first. Your research will help you identify brands, models, and so on that are good values. You don’t want to make an expensive mistake.
Watch your food budget. Dine out less and keep stock of the groceries you already have. Learn to cook if you don’t know how. Try to keep a healthy inventory of groceries at home. This will minimize trips to the store and the need to impulsively dine out because your cupboard is bare. Try to do most of your shopping through discount warehouse-type stores, which offer low prices for buying in bulk, or grocery stores that offer bulk purchases. Saving on the amount you spend on food will help you put more money toward paying off your debt and eventually setting money aside for investments.
Become more energy efficient. Check out opportunities to make your home more energy efficient. Adding insulation and weather-stripping, installing water-saving devices, and reducing use of electrical appliances can pay for themselves in short order. Many utility companies will even do a free energy review or audit of your home and suggest money-saving ideas.
Watch what you are paying for insurance. Many people overspend on insurance by carrying coverage that’s unnecessary or that covers small potential losses. Coverage of small losses, such as $100 or $200, is not useful for most people since such a loss wouldn’t be a financial catastrophe.
“It won’t be easy getting out of debt, and it’s certainly not something you will be able to achieve overnight,” says Tyson. “Like losing weight, it’s something that takes constant dedication but has a great payoff in the end. Whenever you lose focus or feel like giving in, think about the wonderful benefits of financial well-being. Once you’re out of debt, the money you are able to invest will mushroom into substantial savings that will allow you to get more for your money,” concludes Tyson.
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND AND BEYOND IN SOUTHERN OREGON
Posted by susan on 29 Nov 2009 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Thanksgiving weekend is almost over. Although we did not have out-of-state guests stay with us, we did spend a wonderful weekend with friends and family. There were activities throughout the Rogue Valley starting with the kick off of the holidays with last week’s annual Gingerbread Jubilee at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford. Unbelieveable creations of all kinds were displayed and made by all age groups and later auctioned off with proceeds going to help make it possible for the Craterian to bring national and international performing artists to our community.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is always held for the Ashland’s Festival of Light with a parade culminating in the Plaza for the grand illumination of more than a million lights adorning the downtown buildings. This celebration will definitely put you into the spirit of the season.
Saturday was was a day of giving with net proceeds from books purchased at Barnes & Noble in Medford going to the SMART reading program in Jackson County. This was a good day to buy for all our little guys and a few for ourselves as well. Later in the day we drove up to the beautiful Applegate wineries with cans of food to donate to Access. We met friends and ran into several old time Applegate friends at Schmidt and Wooldridge - our two favorite wineries up there. My goodness it was a beautiful day with so many people enjoying the weather, the scenery, and the wonderful wine (we purchased a 2007 Syrah from Wooldridge to save for a special occasion - Maybe our “Wing Day” at Mt. Shasta in January with the whole family.
To end this fun weekend we are taking our grandson to the Rogue Valley Railroad show at the Medford Armory to see the model railroad layouts, historical railroad artifacts and memorabilia. Last year was his first time there and he was just fascinated with all the moving trains, many rolling through decorated holiday scenes. All proceeds go to the the Railroad Park.
So much to do this holiday season. I will be helping this year with the Providence Festival of Trees also held at the Medford Armory starting this coming Wednesday. This is the 18th year of the Festival and is a display of elegantly decorated holiday trees in all types of themes by local designers. The trees are auctioned off on Wednesday but kept up through Sunday for public viewing. All proceeds of the auction go towards the Providence Community Health Foundation.
Friday Dec. 4th is the Jacksonville Tree lighting ceremony and celebration of Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas. There will be a parade, rides in the horse-drawn wagon, and town criers and carolers throughout the season.
We will be taking our annual trek to Camp Baker Road in Phoenix once again to cut our tree. And of course we can’t forget skiing at our own Mt. Ashland ski resort. Just a few more snowfalls and they will be ready to open. So, if you have to stay home this year there are more fun events than you could possibly do. Our valley is full of wonderful activities like these going on throughout the rest of this year.