Foreclosure Filings Rose 5 Percent in 3rd Quarter of 2009.  Foreclosure filings, including default notices, auctions and bank repossessions, rose 5 percent in 3rd quarter, from the previous quarter and 23 percent from a year ago, according to Realty Trac's quarterly Metro Foreclosure Market Report. One in every 136 households with a mortgage loan, or 937,000 properties, received a foreclosure filing between July and September.

"Rising unemployment and a new variety of mortgage resets continue to gradually shift the nation's foreclosure epicenters in the third quarter away from the hot spots of the last two years and toward some metro areas that had avoided the brunt of the first foreclosure wave," says RealtyTrac's CEO, James J. Saccacio.

Las Vegas had the highest third-quarter foreclosure rate in the country with 5.13 percent, or one out of 20 housing units, nearly seven times the national average. Some 40,408 Las Vegas properties received a foreclosure filing during the quarter, up 9 percent from the previous quarter and 54 percent from the third quarter of 2008.

Merced, Calif., had the second-highest foreclosure rate with one in every 27 properties receiving a foreclosure filing, followed by Caper Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., where one in every 28 households received a foreclosure filing. Several cities that had not been part of the initial foreclosure wave posted the biggest year-over-year increases during the third quarter: Boise City, Idaho; Salt Lake City; and Provo-Orem, Utah.

Article compliments of Realty Trac

Trulia, Inc. has announced that 1 in 4 homes experience a price reduction during the past 12 months.  More than 40% of the top 50 major metros across the U.S. are experiencing price reduction levels above 30%, significantly higher than the national average.  The average discount for price-reduced homes continues to hold steady at 10% off of the original listing price.

Northeast Continues with Most Homes Reduced.  The Northeast continues to see the highest level of price reductions, with 29% of current listings experiencing at least one price cut - Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire are all seeing over 30% of listings with price reductions. (Regions according to the U.S. Census Bureau).

-Northeast - 29% of listings with price reductions
-Midwest - 28% of listings with price reductions
-West - 25% of listings with price reductions
-South - 24% of listings with price reductions

"With mortgage rates still low and the expansion of the tax credit to trade-up buyers, we could see significant inventory - both new and 'shadow inventory' - hit the market during the next four-to-six months," said Pete Flint, Trulia co-founder and CEO. "Inventory levels this quarter are poised to be atypical of a normal real estate market, which could create tremendous pressure on sellers to price their homes competitively and move their property before the tax credit expires on April 30th."

Cities experiencing significant increases in percentage of listings with price reductions from June 2009 to November 2009 include:

-Kansas City, MO - 59% increase in price reductions
-Colorado Springs, CO - 43% increase in price reductions
-Omaha, NE - 39% increase in price reductions
-Louisville, KY - 37% increase in price reductions
-Milwaukee, WI - 30% increase in price reductions

Cities showing signs of the highest percentage of declines for listings with price reductions from June 2009 to November 2009 include:

-Las Vegas, NV - 34% decrease in price reductions
-San Jose, CA - 25% decrease in price reductions
-San Antonio, TX - 18% decrease in price reductions
-Los Angeles, CA - 16% decrease in price reductions
-Oakland, CA - 16% decrease in price reductions

Luxury Market Still Hardest Hit
Luxury homes (those listed at two million dollars and above) continue to bear the brunt of discounts being offered with an average of 14% being slashed from the original asking price compared to the national average of 10%. Additionally, luxury homes represent less than 2% of all current listings on Trulia, but are responsible for 25% of the $28.1 billion in home price reductions.

Article compliments of RIS Media

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I can think of many things I am thankful for.  For one, I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and a warm, cozy bed to sleep in every night.  I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to express myself on blogs like Active Rain.  And, I am most thankful for the men and women who fight (so I don't have to) to defend these very freedoms, so I can continue to enjoy these luxuries. 

Take a look at these pictures of the men and women who are affording you the same luxury:

 Many Things I am Thankful For!

Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

Here is a picture of a public toilet in Houston, Texas.

Now that you've seen the outside view,

take a look at the inside view...

It's made entirely of one-way glass!
No one can see you from the outside,

but inside, it's like sitting in a clear glass box!
Now would you go?  COULD YOU...?

Imagine you are at a party on the 10th floor of a hi-rise building...
You have to visit the bathroom...  You open the door...

This is just a painted floor.  But wouldn't this mess with your mind?

Would you be able to walk into this bathroom?

 Bathrooms You Won't Find in Grants Pass, Oregon!

Bragging rights reserved.  Is this just the cutest little face you ever did see?  Okay, I know I am prejudice, but what's a new Grandma to do?  My little 10 month old grand baby was getting a little sleepy and tired of her Grandma taking so many pictures of her.  So here she is, big brown eyes and all.  I couldn't resist sharing this precious little gem with all of you. 

How To Avoid the 10 Biggest Mistakes Home Sellers Make

You'll sell your home faster - and for more money - if you avoid these common pitfalls.

You Will Need

• A thorough housecleaning
• An open mind
• Home improvements

Step 1: Declutter your home

Get rid of as much clutter as possible. Stuffed closets, extraneous furniture, exercise equipment in living quarters, crowded countertops, overflowing cabinets, and endless knickknacks make homes seem smaller than they are. Consider putting some things in storage.

Step 2: Hide your pets

Hide all evidence that you own animals. Just because your potential buyer loves his own pets doesn't mean he wants a house that reeks of yours. Get rid of pet stains and odors (pay a professional if you have to) and send the four-legged family members to a neighbor's house when you show your home.

Step 3: Be scarce yourself

And, while you're at it, make yourself scarce during home showings. You know how you feel about those annoying salespeople who follow you around the store, making you uncomfortable? That's how potential home buyers will feel about you.

Step 4: Don't discount the first offer

Think carefully before you reject the first offer on your home; studies show it is usually the highest bid you get. And the longer you hold out for a better offer, the lower your chances are of getting it, because people start to think that something must be wrong with a house that's been on the market for so long.

Step 5: Always negotiate

Don't take lowball offers personally, or you'll lose a lot of potential buyers. Instead of viewing them as insults, look at them as starting points for negotiation.

To attract the most buyers, list your home a few thousand dollars below a major round number. If you're hoping to get about $200,000, for example, list it as $199,000, not $205,000. You don't want to miss out on buyers who have set $200,000 as their cutoff point.

Step 6: Out with the old

Toss or change anything that makes your home look tired - worn carpeting, old throw rugs, dirty light switch covers. Give every room a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color. Don't let cost deter you; this is truly a case where you've got to spend money to make money.

Step 7: Remember curb appeal

Don't discount the importance of a good first impression from the street. Trim hedges, reseed the lawn, plant some flowers, wash the windows, scrape and repaint the front door and windowsills, and put some oversized potted plants at the entrance.

Step 8: Depersonalize your home

Rid your home of all your treasured personal touches - family photos, the kids' artwork on the fridge, religious artifacts, bowling trophies, your ceramic pig collection, the shrine to Elvis. They will only make it more difficult for potential buyers to imagine themselves in your home.

Step 9: Aim for light and bright

Because home buyers are nearly unanimously looking for a light, bright house as opposed to a dark, dreary one, do what you can to make that happen. Ditch the heavy drapes, take down dark wallpaper, put in high-wattage light bulbs, and get rid of wood paneling.

Step 10: Fix anything that's broken

Fix whatever is broken before you list your home. It's almost always cheaper to do it yourself than to let the buyer use it to bring down the price.

Coffee Girl - Astoria Oregon.  Many people who know me, know that I am a huge coffee lover.  From the first time  I visited Portland Oregon in 1987, I fell in love with the atmosphere and ambiance of Oregon's coffee houses.  Little did I know then, that I would eventually move from  southern California to southern Oregon. 

It's been 10 years since I walked into the Dutch Bros Coffee House in Grants Pass Oregon for the first time.  The atmosphere was a bit funky and eclectic, but nonetheless warm and inviting.  After tasting a Dutch Bros mocha, triple shot topped with whip cream, I knew I was hooked.  It didn't take long for this coffee girl to acclimate to her new surroundings. 

Upon searching the Web for various Oregon attractions, I stumbled upon a video of the Coffee Girl in Astoria, Oregon.  Another quaint coffee house with catchy music, scenic ocean views that are simply spectacular, and some of the most artful barista coffee swirls I have ever seen.  I have yet to visit the Coffee Girl in person, but it is on my bucket list of things to do in the near future.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the video.  If you are not already a coffee lover, be prepared to be converted :)

The secret to success and healthy living... Enjoy a mocha today and every day ~ Melinda Peterson

Short Sale - Pre-Foreclosure - 450 Midway Rd #22, Medford, Oregon 97501.  Just when you think you couldn't afford to buy a home...

This wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1182 s/f Medford townhome was built in 2005 and presents itself with a great floor plan, granite counter tops in the kitchen, appliances, and all the modern conveniences of home.  Nicely landscaped with private patio in backyard, and plenty of storage area.  HOA $100/per month, which includes water, sewer and trash.

Why wait any longer to buy a home in Medford, Oregon?  Interest rates are still low and you may qualify for the First Time Home Buyers Tax credit!

MLS# 52908346  -  $85,000.

Cause for Pause.  As I was walking to the Grants Pass MLS office, which is located only a few short steps away from my office, I had a cause for pause.  You see, there is a resident homeless man who camps out on the side porch of our local MLS office.  As I was walking on the sidewalk, he called out to me saying; "Watch your step, you don't want to trip, like the last time." 

Initially, his comments startled me as I didn't see him right away.  My next reaction was to focus on the sidewalk which was barely visible this time of year due to the fallen leaves from the trees,  There is a raised section of the sidewalk that has buckled from an over-grown tree root.  I had taken a tumble there once before, which was witnessed by the homeless man.  He offered to help me then, but I quickly said no thanks, and went on my way.

On this day, I chuckled at his comment and said; "You remembered when I did the Superman slide on the sidewalk?"  He laughed too.  We exchanged smiles and I went on my way.  But for several days after that, I couldn't stop thinking about our brief conversation.  I wondered what caused this man to become homeless.  I have seen him many times over the past year, but this was the first time I was able to look past his ragged dirty clothes and see a man who smiled and had a sense of humor.    

Just a few days later, I asked him if he would like half of my tuna sandwich, and he said yes with a smile.  It was a bit chilly that day with the temperature being somewhere in the low 40's.  When I walked back to my office and made myself a cup of coffee, I thought he would probably like a hot cup of coffee too.  When I offered it to him, I asked if he liked it black or with cream and sugar.  He replied; "black," with another big smile on his tan weathered face.  Once again, I went on my way.

It didn't occur to me to ask his name, but I hope to do so in the near future.  For now, he is the homeless man who camps out on the side porch of our local MLS office.  Today, I had a cause for pause.  I will no longer ignore what is staring me straight in the face; the raised sidewalk, the superman slide, the kind words of a homeless man, and Loving Thy Neighbor as Thyself :)  

The Active Rain Welcome Basket - Welcome to the Neighborhood!  Whether you know it or not, you have landed here by divine appointment.  We know how unsettling it is to move into a new neighborhood (we have all been there, and done that).  So we want to invite you to your first House Warming Party.  Your new Active Rain neighbors have filled your Welcome Basket with all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy. 

As with any new move, you may experience some difficulty finding your way around.  That's okay, we have all gotten lost a time or two.  In your basket, you will find some great navigational tools, so you can always find your way back home.  We also know how hungry you might be, since your fridge and cupboards are still bare.  Not to worry, there is plenty of meat and potatoes in the basket as well.  Eat as much as you would like, but be sure to save room for dessert!  There's plenty of that too!

There may be times when you feel alone in your new community.  That's understandable.  It is tough to leave the familiarity of your old neighborhood and have to make new friends.  Be patient.  Lasting friendships are built over time.  Take comfort in knowing that we are right next door and you're welcome to come over anytime and chat if you feel the need.  We'll be here.  The light is always on and something good is always brewing.  Can't wait to get to know you!  Welcome to the neighborhood!