RE/MAX Ideal Brokers, Inc.  - Grants Pass, Oregon Hey Tonto, the Loan Arranger is here!   For our customers' convenience, Bank of America has opened a loan office in our RE/MAX Ideal Brokers, Inc. building at 1830 N.E. 7th Street in Grants Pass, Oregon. Now that we are the largest Real Estate Company in Josephine County, Oregon, we can offer more services than anyone.                         03/05/2010

When Banks All Shut Down Today is the anniversary of the March 5th, 1933 Bank Holiday. After Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration on March 3rd, 1933, the "New Deal" started. Because of a month-long run on the United States banks, Roosevelt declared a nationwide Bank Holiday and shut down the nation's banks on March 5th. The next week, in his first of many "Fireside Chats," Roosevelt appealed to the people to leave their money on deposit and that the system was sound. During the shutdown, the Congress passed the Emergency Banking Act of 1933, the Federal Reserve created the FDIC so the money was secure, and when banks opened again on March 13th, people were standing in line to re-deposit their horded cash. The stock market also closed during this period, although not by law.  I can't bla... 03/05/2010

TapRock Northwest Grill In Grants Pass, Oregon Spring is coming to Grants Pass.  We had dinner at the TapRock Grill and got there early so we could sit in the top dining room, and look down on the wild Rogue River. There were a lot of people in the lower dining room, and many of the patio tables were filled as well. We weren't quite ready for the outdoor seating at the TapRock Grill yet, but probably in a week or so we will begin our warm weather habits of eating outdoors all the time. We will be eating on the patio all summer long at the TapRock, and for those people who came from areas like I did -- so sorry, but we cannot accommodate you with the customary mosquitoes. They aren't here! 03/04/2010

When People are Fearful, be Greedy!  This is a now famous quote from billionaire Warren Buffett in the fall of 2008.  Buffett said, "When people are fearful, be greedy, and when people are greedy, be fearful."  Critics who have mocked the Billionaire's investment strategies, have had to (as The Wall Street Journals puts it) sit down for their traditional three-course meal: humble pie, their own words and a little bit of crow. Warren Buffett was featured on MSN's home page today in an article written by The Wall Street Journal discussing the "Billionaire Basics."  The world's most famous investor lays out his basic principles of investing in this year's annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.  Here are the top 6 tips he recommends for investors in todays' market. 1.  Stay liqui... 03/03/2010

CREDIT SCORES - How They Affect Us The quality of our lives is governed by our credit scores. The major credit reporting agencies are; Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian. When you fill out any application for credit, it is reported to one or more of these agencies.  This inquiry triggers the credit reporting agency that you have applied for credit, and they will follow up to see if credit was granted, and for how much, and the terms.  This information becomes part of your credit file and will be reported every time you make a payment, and if it was on time or late. Yes, you've all heard that an inquiry from someone can lower your credit score.  It can, and it's hard to put a number on how many points it can change for each inquiry. I remember one time that we ran credit on an individual... 03/03/2010

Pulling a Late-Nighter!  Tonight, I am stuck at the office sorting through piles of paperwork.  I have already stopped once for dinner, and some occasional comments on Active Rain.  I just can't seem to focus on the task at hand.    Do you ever feel buried in mounds of paperwork?  Why do we need all this paper anyway!  Are your contracts getting longer each year?  It seems like there is always one more piece of paper to process on every deal.  And, the fact that we must store these files for 6 years for the Agency... Arghhhh! Okay, enough ranting.  I am off to tackle some more piles.  For those of you who are relaxing on the sofa with a warm cup of tea and perhaps a slice of chocolate cake for dessert.... hhhhhmmmm, I will be sitting here pulling a late-nighter and thinking of you!  31 ... 03/02/2010

If We Could Only Re-elect Thomas Jefferson   Our government is experiencing so much partisanship that I wonder if they will be able to get anything done. We are not able to work on our economic recovery while our elected officials keep posturing for control like roosters in a barnyard. Like Thomas Jefferson said, "I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government.  It is always oppressive." Jefferson also said, "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." I must quote Jefferson one more time.  He said, "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." CNN quoted Jefferson this week also when he said, ... 03/02/2010

Speechless Sunday ~ How Now Brown Cow!  My fine furry friends decided to mosey on over to be included in picture day of this 35+ acre ranch.  I didn't even have to ask them to pose for the camera, they just obliged quite naturally.  If all my clients mooooved as quickly as these cows, I might end up on the poor farm.  It's just another funny day in the neighborhood!  Gotta love them cows!      Speechless Sunday ~ How Now Brown Cow!  02/28/2010

Understanding Earthquakes It is so hard to understand the differences in the destructive power of earthquakes, because the Richter Scale is a base-10 logarithmic scale that doesn't relate to the ordinary things around us. I guess it's because of the fact that you don't just easily relate it to anything else with which we are familiar. I can tell you a 4.7 quake is like hitting a wall at 50 miles an hour, and a 6.7 quake is like hitting the same wall at 45,000 miles an hour. A brief look at a few examples shows that 2 - 2.9 quake is recordable, a 3 - 3.9 quake can be felt, but damage is unlikely.  A 4 - 4.9 quake is noticeable, and produces damage.  When we hit the 5 to 5.9 scale, this is considered moderate, and can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings.  A 6 - 6.9 quake is... 02/28/2010

Great NW Neighborhood - Grants Pass Oregon.  In my previous blog, I failed to mention a cool little fact about my neighborhood.  Not only do I live in a cool NW neighborhood in Grants Pass, and I have really kind and considerate neighbors, but there is also something unusual about the location of my home in this NW subdivision.  It's interesting, because it is a typical NW Grants Pass subdivision where most of the lot sizes are 1/4 acre on a quiet cul-de-sac.  However, on one side of the street, there is a small farm that borders the back yard of several homes, including mine.  It's the coolest thing to wake up to some cows grazing in a field.  And every time I mow my lawn, the cows come up to my fence hoping to snag the left-over grass clippings.  Here are some pics of the view from my... 02/28/2010

It's Another Day in the Neighborhood.  Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was characterized by its quiet simplicity and gentleness.  I too, am lucky to be living in such a neighborhood.  Everyday, I am a witness and a beneficiary to simple acts of kindness. Typically, I work sporadic and sometimes late hours as a Realtor.  Many times, I have arrived home to see my trash can and recycle bin already at the curb for the next morning pick-up.  Thanks to my kind neighbor.  On several occasions, I have arrived home from a week-long vacation, to find my lawns freshly mowed.  Thanks to my kind neighbor.  And just today, I was driving down our cul-de-sac and the little ole' man who lives in the corner house was outside and he waved.  I have never met him, nor do I know his name, but he always waves and... 02/27/2010

Are You a "Bean" Buyer?  Coffee beans that is!  The price of coffee beans may jump in the near future, due to the fact that the nation's production of coffee has dropped to a 33-year low.  Excess rain is primarily to blame, but the scarce use of fertilizers is also a reason for lower yields. Just like homes and land for sale, when there is a high demand for something, and a short supply, prices go up.  And considering the fact that coffee happens to be a staple of American life, it may be prudent to not delay your purchase.  So, if you are a regular coffee bean buyer, perhaps you should stock up on your favorite brand of coffee beans right away.  Buy your coffee beans today, and don't forget to refrigerate them for longer storage.   This message has been approved by another happy "bean"... 02/26/2010

Is That Dam Sand Really Gone? - Grants Pass, Oregon We surely hope so!  In order to protect and strengthen the wild salmon population, Grants Pass blew up the Savage Rapids Dam on the Rogue River last summer. Giant pumps were installed to replace the Savage Rapids Dam  in supplying water for our local irrigation district.  Then with the dam gone, the new route the river took deposited 200,000 cubic yards of sediment, blocking our new irrigation pumps. Soon, the farmers will need to start irrigating their fields and backyard gardens will need to be watered. So now, the heavy equipment has cleaned out the dam sand and we hope it stays gone!         Gary Swanson, voted best new Realtor® by a DAM Site!   02/26/2010

Make Me Hot!  I went on a listing appointment the other day, to one of my former client's home in Grants Pass Oregon.  After chatting for awhile about the best strategy to get her home listed and sold, our conversation drifted off course into personal matters.  On many occasions throughout my real estate career, I've found myself wearing a variety of hats when dealing with clients.  This day, my hat was one of marriage counselor/motivator.  My client confided that after several years of being married, the spark in her relationship with her husband had slowly dimmed.  They would soon be celebrating their 10-yr anniversary and she wasn't terribly excited. My client shared that she had gained some weight after the birth of their son, and the extra weight was wreaking havoc on her self-este... 02/25/2010

Woodpeckers In Southern Oregon Have Evolved My first conclusion was that Woodpeckers in Southern Oregon must be seriously challenged, but I realized that they have evolved to the next level!                               Just this morning, I heard what I thought was the tapping of a water pipe.  Every so often, I would hear a three to five second vibration.  Being this is a new home, I grew concerned over it, as both my wife and I thought it must be because of the dishwasher drawing water and making some pipe vibrate. So after the dishwasher finished, and the rhythmic vibrations continued, we started searching the house.  Finally, I went outside to see if it was a neighbor building something, but the noise was so evenly spaced and for such short duration, it didn't make sense. Then I he... 02/25/2010

Oregon Coal Mines - "Who'da Thunk It?" Oregon Coal Mines once prospered along with our gold mines. We are known for our gold mining history, but few people realize that there's coal in "them thar hills." The southern Oregon coast wasn't much of a gold producing area, but they did discover vast stores of coal in the early 1850's south of Coos Bay. One of the largest Oregon Coal Mines was the Beaver Hill mine.             Oregon Coal Mines supplied much of San Francisco's coal supply starting in the mid 1850's. Oregon Coal Mines prospered up into the mid 1880's, when coal prices plummeted and they ran into employee troubles. Since most Oregon Coal Mines had been bought by outsiders by that time, the mines began to fold.  Oregon Coal Mines once numbered over seventy.   The final blow to co... 02/23/2010

When Can Sellers In A Short Sale Stop Looking Back Over Their Shoulders?           With the possible pitfalls of a short sale, it's no wonder many people aren't even attempting short sales as a way out.  They are just ignoring it all until it happens. If the lender just removes their lien for an agreed upon sale price, they may retain a "note" for the unpaid balance and come back after the poor seller later on. If they cancel the debt, then the ex-homeowner could be taxed by the IRS on the amount "forgiven."  The IRS feels that if you have a debt excused, then that amount you no longer have to pay is like income to you and therefore can be taxed. No wonder the market is so confusing.  Couple this with the lengthy process in selling short and the potential buyers are getting more and mor... 02/23/2010

Parks In Grants Pass, Oregon Talk about a "Park-like setting."  We only have 32,000 people in Grants Pass, but we enjoy 16 city Parks, 19 county Parks, and numerous state and federal Parks and forests. Ever wonder how it came to be that one section of the country could be so beautiful?         Well, if the creator who made this world could live anywhere he wanted, don't you suppose it would be in the best of all places?     Welcome to God's country.   02/21/2010

Grants Pass, Oregon Is Growing! Like a volcanic rumble, I feel it coming!  The first sign of future growth for Southern Oregon, the population in Grants Pass grew last year by three percent.  While that doesn't sound like much, it's a good sign. Having studied this area for many years, now that I live here, I seem to be able to feel our economic recovery coming.         Maybe it's just my Real estate "risemologist" degree, but our area has no major industry.  We will grow because other states are having so many problems, people are going to flock to our area to "live the good life."             If you can any possible way, make the move now before the big eruption, you won't be sorry!  Our citizens are great, we have no sales tax, low property taxes and beautiful surroundings. Hurry!  P... 02/19/2010

Dale Earnhardt Remembered       The racing legend is always brought to mind this time of year.  He had his fatal crash on February 18, 2001. In December of 2000, I purchased a 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS for my wife with his signature on it. Mr. Earnhardt had sat down in this car when visiting the dealership a good friend of mine managed, and signed his name on the dash with a paint pen. When we came in to buy my wife's car, she picked the most "loaded up" one they had, and my buddy steered us to the other one.  He said Dale Earnhardt had just autographed it, and of course, we wrote the check immediately! Two months later, Dale Earnhardt was gone. So tragic!  My wife still has the car, with only 28,000 miles on it.  She can't bear to part with it.               02/18/2010