Santiam SummerFest - Stayton Oregon 2009July 25 9:00am -5:00pm   July 25th marks the date for this year's Santiam SummerFest and it promises to be the biggest and the best one yet. Event organizers, the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce has once again worked diligently to put together another spectacular fun-packed day. The day begins with the Pancake Breakfast by the Stayton Volunteeer Fire Department from 7:00am - 11:00am at Pioneer Park and continues throught the day with a Family Dog Show, Food Court, Classic Car Show, Bed Races, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Arts and Crafts Booths, Farmer's Market, Music and a Kid's Zone. For more information please contact Stayton-Sublimity Chamber. 07/15/2009

We've been doing lots of staging consultations recently -- helping clients prepare their homes for entry into a market where there is lots of competition.  Sometimes these consultations result in large projects being undertaken -- but so often it's the little things that make a huge impact as well. A room may be decluttered and neutral, but still not have the pizzaz it needs to make it to the MUST see list as buyers zip through dozens of listings on the MLS.   And a kitchen can be spic and span -- and still have have a warm appeal (knives are not decor). And a simple space . . . Can have a cozier feel.   By inserting a little color and a few details - - these rooms have turned up the heat!  The homeowners did all this work themselves, and as a stager, yes I would have done a few things ... 02/16/2009

Bank Counter Offer Comes Back $25,000 Over Asking Price!   I had an offer in on a Short Sale for some buyers.  The List price is $129,000.  My buyer's made decent offer.   We knew this was a back up offer and in 3 days we had a counter offer of $125,000.  My buyers made a counter offer and came up a couple thousand dollars.    There are renters in the property and they are beating the heck out of the house.  One bedroom smells horribly of "cat," the bathroom has extensive dry rot and the kitchen cabinet doors are being torn off the hinges.  Our offer was a good offer for the shape the house was in.  After two weeks of waiting for an answer, I get a giggling call from the listing agent.  She tells me she can't believe it but the Bank came back at $155,000.  Can you believe it $155,000!!!... 01/30/2009

One of the biggest things stopping people from participating in the American Dream today is the ability to come up with the down payment. While talk of a credit crunch keeps some buyers sidelined because of credit problems, many others with good credit are able to get the best deals in years including programs with no down payment! The program leading the way in no down payment requirements (for non veterans) is the USDA Rural Development loan. This loan is available right now for Stayton, Aumsville, Turner and Mill City, and who better to show you homes in these communities than Leslie Stewart with Prudential Real Estate Professionals in Stayton. To qualify for the program (it is income limited), a family of four cannot have a total household income of more than $70,750 per year. That ... 10/30/2008

I have had several people interested in obtaining a USDA home loan for property in Marion, Polk, Linn and Benton Counties.  I've put together a map of part of the county that should help in identifying areas that qualify for this program. I would also recommend you contact Leslie Stewart with Prudential Real Estate Professionals in Stayton for help in finding that property, especially in Marion and Linn Counties. You can call Leslie at 503-769-3448 X 1910 or her cell at 503-932-8202. As you might know - it's one of the last TRUE 100% home loans available - and it doesn't have PMI!  The rates are comparable to FHA, so it's a very affordable payment!  You do not have to have PRESTINE credit, but we generally want to see scores above 580, and 12 months of "clean credit." USDA does require ... 10/20/2008

  Santiam Park is one of Stayton’s newest city parks, located on the corner of Third Street and Wildflower Street.  Park benches are placed along the perimeter sidewalk.  There is a play structure for all ages but the kids will be excited to spend a couple of hours playing on its many levels.  Swings and slides, ramps and bridges and a castle area will make the kids happy.  Another bonus, the park is close to Dairy Queen, the perfect stop for a quick snack or a Blizzard after you have a little fun!    Whether you are looking for a place to take the kids to blow off a little steam or a quiet place to read your favorite book or visit with a friend, be sure to visit Santiam Park.  There is a great place to play a game of volleyball, wiffleball or football.  Santiam Park backs up to a small... 07/26/2008

  Today was a perfect day for the Santiam Summerfest! The weather cooperated and it was sunny, about 72 degrees with a slight breeze.  It warmed up in the afternoon. The booth across from us was giving away free snow-cones and it was busy all afternoon. Our Prudential office sponsored a booth and we had several people stop by and chat about our local market conditions.  Sandy and Suzette held down the fort for the first shift and Mary and I took the second shift.  There were activities for kids and adults alike. The Kids Zone had a couple of bouncy tents, face painting and arts and crafts area. This years turnout looks like be a banner year for Summerfest!  Many of the businesses around town also sponsored booths. I wandered down to the food court and the Yakisoba noodles smelled delici... 07/26/2008

Finally, It’s Summer in Stayton and its time to gather for fun, entertainment and food!  Proudly presented by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce, event sponsors include the North Santiam Community Credit Union, Our Town Newspaper, KCKX 1460am, Canyon Advertiser, MegAvail, The Stayton Mail, Lakeside Assisted Living, STR Towing and Recovery, KENC am radio, the City of Stayton, Washington Mutual Bank, Pacific Power, Marion Estates, Wave Broadband, Blazer Industries, Slayden Construction, SCTC, Sterling Bank and Key Bank.   Saturday, July 26, 2008 Stayton Volunteer Firefighters Breakfast – ALL YOU CAN EAT!  7-11 am, Pioneer Park, 7th Ave and Marion St.  For more information call 503-769-2601   Stayton SummerFest Car Show- 9am-3pm, Pioneer Park, 7th Ave and Marion St.  Get your fill of  s... 07/15/2008

The first quarter has ended for the real estate market.  Here is where our local markets currently stand. Market data information is from the local WVMLS.Here is what is occurring in the city of Stayton in real estate...Average Sales price:The average sales price so far this year is $236,490, up 11.36 % from last year's $212,355.  Inventory:Stayton has an absorption rate of 3.7.  This places the current Stayton inventory at 12.4 months.Home Sales Closed:In the first quarter this year, 11 homes closed on the market.  That is down 27 % from the same time frame last year when 15 homes closed in the first quarter. Sales have slowed slightly in Stayton, and with high inventories it will be important to price well.New Home Construction:Stayton did not have enough new construction home activit... 04/03/2008