Hope MacManus's (hopemacmanus) Blog

There are two golf courses in Florence: Sandpines Golf Links http://www.sandpines.com/index.php and Ocean Dunes Golf Links http://www.oceandunesgolf.com/. Both are surrounded by lovely homes. Sandpines is still in the process of being developed with plans in process for townhomes and additional s...

I'm positively in love with a charming ranch style home and just have to write about it. It's sweet, TOTALLY remodeled, on a quiet street across from Miller Park and the city's bike and walking path and it's not even my listing: http://tinyurl.com/yhn7h8c When I say totally remodeled, I mean new ...

Everyone who comes to Florence asks about property that's water view. That makes water view property especially valuable and therefore especially pricey. That said, there are water view properties that may be attainable for you. One of my favorite water view neighborhoods is Southview. Located ab...

Florence was named THE number one retirement community by "Retirement Places Rated" in August 2004. People flocked to my town, Paradise on the Pacific, driving up real estate prices. New homes popped up overnight, like mushrooms after a good rain in our beautiful forests. Five years later, Floren...

On our first visit to Florence from North Carolina in January 2004, our real estate agent told us that there are people who move to Florence seeking a small coastal town with natural beauty and the ambiance of Old Town. Florence has all that and more. But, he said, some leave after five years, se...

The Feds have ridden up on their white horses once again, this time to institute changes to RESPA, the Real Estate Settlement Procedure Act, a federal law designed to help borrowers shop for the best loan. RESPA is enforced by HUD, Housing and Urban Development. RESPA requires federal loan or mor...

Some people are re-examining their use of credit, especially as the all-important Holiday shopping season is upon us. The cost of credit has skyrocketed of late as credit card companies ratchet up charges before the new federal law goes into effect in February 2010 that curtails companies' abilit...

Greentrees Village is one of two over 55 gated communities in Florence. Greentrees residents enjoy the privileges of owning both their home and their land. Established in the early 70's, Greentrees has about 700 homes located east and west of Rhododendron Drive perhaps a mile from highway 101 nea...

Florence, though a small town, includes areas and subdivisions both north and south of the Siuslaw River bridge, all with unique neighborhoods with their own style, ambiance, amenities and microclimates. One subdivision near the beach but out of the tsunami zone is a favorite of mine: Heceta Sout...

Florence Oregon Real Estate Goes to the Dogs!   It's another fabulously beautiful day in Old Town Florence, Oregon. Lots of Eugenians and Rosebergians have made a hasty departure from the sodden heat of the valley in search of cool breezes and delicious smoothies at the Herb Jar next door to the...