rogue valley: Above It All At Prescott Park on Roxy Ann in Medford Oregon - 07/15/08 04:20 PM
There is a familiar landmark in Medford Oregon that many are familiar with. Like Lower and Upper Table Rocks or The Rogue Valley Manor, Roxy Ann is a distinguishing feature in our Rogue Valley landscape. Living on the Southwest slope of RoxyAnn, we know this park well. Prescott Park is a … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: What To Do On A Friday After Work In Southern Oregon? - 07/01/08 03:13 PM
Living in this beautiful area of Southern Oregon, surrounded by forests, rivers, lava flows, caves and lakes, our biggest challenge is to figure out which wonderful terrain we want to go see when there is so much gorgeous scenery to see.
One of our most favorite destinations is Howard … (11 comments)
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rogue valley: Sometimes It’s a GOOD Thing To Be In The Bottom Five - 06/30/08 07:20 PM
So often we focus on being in the "Top 5...This" or the "Top 10...That". Well, although I have some what of a competitive nature, I was thrilled to read in an article in our local newspaper, the Mail Tribune, that I live and work in a "Bottom Five State". That would be … (3 comments)
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rogue valley: “Do You Finance Log Homes in Oregon”? - 06/27/08 12:09 PM
I received a referral last week to a person who owns land just outside of Ashland, Oregon in the beautiful tree covered countryside. They bought this land a few years back, and have an outbuilding/shop/living-quarters on it where they'd been living while preparing to build their dream home. At first, they … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Are True Energy Efficient Mortgages Finally On Their Way? - 06/17/08 05:04 PM
Fannie Mae, HUD, and the Veteran's Administration all came forward with various pilot programs in the 1990's to assist homeowners interested in "Going Green". One of the largest stumbling blocks for homeowners has been the maximum dollar amount these secondary marketing sources will allow to be allocated to energy efficiency improvements. … (6 comments)
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rogue valley: Living Longer And Lifelong Learning Programs in Southern Oregon - 06/16/08 01:32 PM
While reading about the World Health Organization data reflecting U.S. life expectancy has surpassed 78 years for the first time, and I was reminded of one of the many reasons my family and I relocated to Southern Oregon in 2004, educational opportunities for children and adults. At this week's Rotary Club of Ashland meeting, … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Calling All Jackson County Oregon Real Estate Investors Don’t Stop Now!!! - 05/15/08 10:53 PM
Southern Oregon Investors: Have you already purchased and financed 10 investment properties, and are now being told by your lender you will be unable to take advantage of the many buying opportunities we are seeing in our current local real estate market? You have good credit, you can qualify with full … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Do You Know A Jackson County Oregon Resident Who Could Afford $550-650 Per Month For A Home? - 04/30/08 10:17 AM
Calling all Jackson County Oregon residents earning 30-60% of Hud's currently published median income for Jackson County, Oregon based on family size!!!!! Have you, or has someone you know, given up on the idea of ever fulfilling your dream of becoming a homeowner? Have you thought you would be a renter forever because that … (5 comments)
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rogue valley: Guanajuato Mexico Housing Project Supported By The Rotary Club of Ashland Oregon - 04/27/08 12:05 AM
There is an International Affordable Housing Program being supported by The Rotary Club of Ashland to promote affordable housing internationally. This is the Guanajuato Housing Project, a project that like Habitat for Humanity, requires an investment by the home's recipient.
The homeowner must own their own land and build their own … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: To Be, Or Not To Be (More Affordable Housing in Ashland Oregon)…That Is The Question! - 04/26/08 10:39 PM
The City of Ashland and Developer Doug Irvine have been in discussions over the possible trade of land. Doug Irvine is interested in acquiring a 2 acre parcel of land within Westwood Park plus three residential lots on Strawberry Lane, for which he will in return trade 10 acres of land … (7 comments)
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rogue valley: TOP Five Reasons We Relocated to the Rogue Valley - 04/25/08 10:07 AM
2003 was a year of transition for us. My husband was in between jobs, and really didn't want to work for anyone else anymore. For years he watched, and for a while participated in, the hard work and satisfaction that came from my mortagage/real estate business. The time had come to … (4 comments)
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rogue valley: Now Is The Time For Us To Swing This Pendulum Back To The Middle! (Part 1 of 3) - 04/03/08 04:48 PM
Wonderful news! Oregon Affordable Housing advocates have helped secure much needed funds to help retain low-cost rental housing units, funding that will include saving 667 apartment units in Jackson County, Oregon, keeping these units from being sold at market rates when their contracts expire soon. With the low rents maintained to … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Pear Blossom Festival for Medford Oregon is Just Around the Corner - 03/14/08 04:09 PM
Daylight Savings Time is here, and it won't be long before our favorite Springtime events are here.
The Medford 2008 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off with The Junior and Senior Royalty Coronations held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the North Medford High Auditorium, Jr. Royalty beginning at 9:00am and Sr. Royalty beginning … (4 comments)
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rogue valley: Freddie Mac 100 Program Elimination Reflects Continued Tightening in Credit Criteria - 03/10/08 02:56 PM
For First Time Home Buyers in Southern Oregon, I typically recommend the Oregon Bond CashAdvantage program when the buyers lack a down payment, so the elimination of the Freddie Mac 100 program will not have much effect on my business practice. I received the following today from one of the lenders:
"ELIMINATION … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: Table Rock Fellowship of Medford Oregon Steps Up to Help Habitat for Humanity Rogue Valley Build Their Next Home - 03/10/08 01:44 PM
Table Rock Fellowship is a nondenominational Christian fellowship church that has grown to become one of the Rogue Valley's mega churches. In spite of roughly 3,000 weekly attendees at this church, it has remained a down-to-earth, friendly church offering many programs and link groups to its members looking to find the right … (8 comments)
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rogue valley: Oregon Legislature Funds "The Big Look Task Force" - 02/26/08 03:05 PM
The Big Look Task Force on Oregon Land Use Planning recently received funding to continue with their findings. In 2007 The Take Force's charge was to develop long-term, permanent recommendations for updating the state land use program for consideration in the 2009 Legislature.The mission of the Big Look Task Force is … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Fannie Mae's Declining Value Area Designation - 02/26/08 12:07 AM
We're starting to see the "Declining Value Area" condition popping up on some of our automated underwriting decisions on Jackson County, Oregon properties. In many cases, this will not affect the borrower's loan amount. For first time home buyers putting the minimum amount down for their down payment, it is creating … (4 comments)
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rogue valley: “Back to Nature” - Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park and Trail System, in Historic Jacksonville, Oregon - 01/28/08 09:48 PM
The discovery of Gold in the Oregon Territory at Rich Gulch in 1851 created the boom town of Jacksonville, Oregon, like many of those towns established in the California Gold Rush of 1849. The resulting gold rush fever quickly created the prosperity of Jacksonville, the hub of commerce as well as the County … (10 comments)
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rogue valley: “Back to Nature”-Upper & Lower Table Rocks in Medford/Central Point Area, Oregon - 01/28/08 09:14 PM
Two of the most prominent topographic features in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon are Upper and Lower Table Rocks. These mesa buttes rise immediately above the north bank of the Rogue River near Tou Velle State Park in southwestern Oregon, between Sams Valley and Central Point, providing amazing vistas of the surrounding Cascade … (7 comments)
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rogue valley: Declining Market Designation? Maybe, Maybe Not For the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon! - 01/13/08 10:54 PM
In December 2007, Fannie Mae instituted a requirement that maximum loan-to-value ratios be reduced for loans they make on properties deemed to be in a declining market area, either by the appraiser or by secondary verification sources such as Moody's/Case-Shiller House Price Index.
Depending on which list you look at, cities in … (7 comments)
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rogue valley: Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity Dedicates 2 Homes January 12, 2008 - 01/11/08 10:48 PM
In this day and age when affordable housing is such a challenge to come by, it is wonderful that Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity will dedicate two homes in Medford, Oregon on Saturday at 2PM.
What a rewarding day this will be! Not only for the 14 lives about to change with … (10 comments)
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rogue valley: Happy New Year Southern Oregon - 12/30/07 01:13 AM
I wanted to wish everyone that reads this in Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley, Ashland, & Medford or wherever else you may be a very Happy New Year and hope that 2008 is a healthy and prosperous year for each and everyone of you! I look forward to many more blogs in the … (5 comments)
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rogue valley: Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley Youth Choruses Strike Medford Again! - 12/02/07 07:56 PM
Last night was the Winter Finale Performance of the Rogue Valley Youth Choruses, and what a wonderful performance it was! "A Harvest of Song"was presented at North Medford High School's Lynn Sjolund Auditorium, with all four choruses - Rogue Valley You Ensemble, Directed by Pam Nordquist; Discovery Chorus, Directed by Sandy Roney; … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Medford Ranked Safest City in Oregon - 11/30/07 11:27 PM
Well, she's done it again! The Mail Tribune reported that Medford has hit the FBI's list as the safest city of more than 75,000 residents. She ranked 35th in the Nation. High community involvement from volunteerism to activism play a part in this City's success. Whether you want to visit or … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: "ABC's of Homebuying" HUD approved Course Saturday December 8th - 11/26/07 03:53 PM
It's that time again! Every two months, Southern Oregon Housing Resource Center/ACCESS Inc. puts on the HUD approved "ABC's of Homebuying" course at Rogue Community College campuses, alternating between Medford and Grants Pass. The next class will be on December 8th from 9 - 4 at the Medford RCC Campus located … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: First Time Home Buyers Finding Great Deals! - 11/16/07 03:56 PM
With all the focus on the negative in today's news, I thought I'd throw in a couple of positive scenarios.
#1 Transaction closed September 2007:
A young couple decided the time was right for them to buy their first home. They were married a year and a half ago, have been … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: Medford Oregon Makes the List - Again! - 11/15/07 12:16 PM
So, you are a Baby Boomer looking to slow down the pace in your life. The kids are grown and on their own, or maybe you didn't choose to HAVE kids, having focused your attention on your career, hobbies and travels. In your mid-forties on up to 70+ years old, is … (9 comments)
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rogue valley: New Affordable Housing in Central Point - 11/09/07 08:11 AM
The City of Central Point has a history of showing support for affordable housing. They supported Habitat for Humanity/Rogue Valley when they built 6 homes, the last two being dedicated in December 2005. Also in 2005, the City of Central Point supported the construction of 62 affordable one-bedroom senior apartments, the … (2 comments)
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rogue valley: New Affordable Housing in Ashland - 11/08/07 08:53 PM
There ARE opportunities for affordable homeownership in Ashland!
The City of Ashland typically has higher prices for homes than other areas of Jackson County, and it is because of this, they are the one City who makes the greatest effort toward providing opportunities for affordable housing in Jackson County.
The City of Ashland is … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: New Affordable Housing in Medford - 11/08/07 08:14 PM
Have you heard of the Grape Street Village Project being built by Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation (RVCDC) at Grape and 11th in West Medford? Unlike the Mutual Self-Help project RVCDC is building in Ashland, this project will only require 100 hours of sweat equity from the buyers. These will be … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: New Affordable Housing in White City - 11/05/07 11:41 PM
I was happy to read in our local newspaper that a new Affordable Housing construction project is almost ready in White City, an unincorporated area just north of Medford. Auburn Estates is the name of this development and it looks like a great place for families. Only recently have we seen prices reach this … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: There's A New Green Player In Town - www.BuildGreenRogueValley.org - 10/09/07 12:04 PM
Has anyone noticed there is a LOT of talk about "Going Green" lately? Thank Goodness, like Affordable Housing, Going Green has become "In" - not just in the "Organic Circles", but also in the mainstream. Environmental changes will come about only with major steps being made in this direction. Oregon is … (9 comments)
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rogue valley: Proud To Be A Part of Habitat For Humanity/Rogue Valley's Success - 10/09/07 01:04 AM
My family and I relocated from Santa Clarita, CA to the Rogue Valley in beautiful Southern Oregon in 2004. We heard so much about the Quality of life the Rogue Valley had to offer, but our decision to move here had already been made as we drove down the Siskiyou Pass in to … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Short Sale in Medford, Jackson County Oregon - 06/27/07 11:14 PM
Short Sale in Medford, Jackson County OregonJared Hokanson - Realtor Medford Oregonwww.jaredhokanson.com I got a call from a client yesterday and found out that they owe more on their house than it is currently worth in this buyers market in Rogue Valley, and must sell as they are in foreclosure. For any homeowner … (0 comments)
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rogue valley: Company with 300+ employees possibly coming to Jackson County Oregon from California - 06/19/07 10:13 PM
Company with 300+ employees possibly coming to Jackson County OregonJared Hokanson - Realtor Medford Oregonwww.jaredhokanson.comToday in our weekly Medford Rotary Club meeting, we had a speaker from www.soredi.org come and speak to us about their 20 year anniversary celebration. He mentioned in passing a couple times that Medford, Jackson County area is … (2 comments)
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