Here's the basic residential listing data for the months of July and August, 2009 for the SANTA CLARA market area of Eugene, Lane County, OR as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):     New Listings may include properties previously listed by the same or a different brokerage. Cancellations or Expired Listings may, therefore, by duplicated in the active category. Pending Sales are those subject to a new sale agreement within the month. Active Listings are those for sale on the last day of the month. Closed Listings are those that closed in escrow within the report month. 10/10/2009

Karen Church, your "Go To" gal at RE/MAX Integrity at www.eugenehomesgal.com discusses the question of "Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report?" If you are in the process of reviewing your credit report, the first thing to do is make sure that the information contained within the report is correct.  In June 2004, The U.S. Public Interest Research Group published the results of a survey it conducted involving 200 adults in 30 states to test the validity of credit reporting.  Their finds were as follows: 25% of the credit reports contained errors serious enough to result in the denial of credit. 79% of the credit reports contained mistakes of some kind. 54% of the credit reports contained personal demographic information that was misspelled, long outdated, belonged to a stranger, or was o... 10/09/2009

  Here's the basic residential listing data for the month of August, 2009 for the BETHEL - DANEBO market area of Eugene, OR as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):     New Listings may include properties previously listed by the same or a different brokerage. Cancellations or Expired Listings may, therefore, by duplicated in the active category. Pending Sales are those subject to a new sale agreement within the month. Active Listings are those for sale on the last day of the month. Closed Listings are those that closed in escrow within the report month. 10/06/2009

  Here's the basic residential listing data for the month of August, 2009 for the FERRY STREET BRIDGE market area of Eugene, OR as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):     New Listings may include properties previously listed by the same or a different brokerage. Cancellations or Expired Listings may, therefore, by duplicated in the active category. Pending Sales are those subject to a new sale agreement within the month. Active Listings are those for sale on the last day of the month. Closed Listings are those that closed in escrow within the report month. 10/06/2009

Realtor Karen Church, www.eugenehomesgal.com , with RE/MAX Integrity in Eugene, Oregon wants to share the Red Cross List of the symptom differences between a cold and the Swime Flu.  Keep this list handy and feel free to forward it to your friends and family.     Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms  Symptom Cold Swine Flu Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu. Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains ar... 10/02/2009

Karen Church, your "Go To" gal at RE/MAX Integrity at www.eugenehomesgal.com discusses the question of "How Does the Underwriter View My Credit Score?" If you are considering a home purchase, it is in your best interest to make every effort to increase your credit score; especially if you know you have issues you should be dealing with.  It is often the case that people are not aware of bad marks on their credit record until they apply for financing for a major purchase such as a home or a car. As part of the loan process a credit report is run.  You can take advantage of the opportunity to get a free credit report from each of the three main CRAs: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. As a sidebar, you can choose to get the free report for all three bureaus at the same time, so you are awa... 10/02/2009

Realtor Karen Church, your "Go To" gal at RE/MAX Integrity at www.eugenehomesgal.com discusses The Five Factors of Credit Scoring.  Credit scores are comprised of five factors.  Points are awarded for each component and a high score is most favorable.  The factors are listed below in order of importance. 1.  PAYMENT HISTORY - 35% Impact Paying debt on time and in full has the greatest positive impact on your credit score.  Late payments, judgments and charge-offs all have a negative impact.  Delinquencies that have occurred in the last two years carry more weight than older item's  2.  OUTSTANDING CREDIT CARD BALANCES - 30% Impact This factor marks the ration between the outstanding balance and available credit.  Ideally, the consumer should make an effort to keep balances as close to z... 09/25/2009

There's been lots of discussion on ActiveRAIN over the last few weeks on the issue of extending and/or expanding the federal $8000 tax credit for "first-time" home buyers.  Now, most of that debate appears to be over.  The direction Congress may go is quite clear.  They will extend the current credit for six months -- or they will do nothing. Many ActiveRainers have opposed the whole idea of the credit and any continuation of it.   Many have wished for an expansion of the credit:  either an increase to $15,000 and/or an expansion of the credit to enable all buyers in all income levels to qualify.  Some of us, including me, have advocated a simple extension of the current credit, perhaps with some sort of logical phase-out. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), a former real estate broker, who ... 09/21/2009

Here is the break down for single family home sales for June, July and August in Eugene, OR's FERRY STREET BRIDGE RMLS market area SHOWN BY type of sale:  REGULAR SALE, SHORT SALE, OR BANK-OWNED SALE   (WATCH the colors carefully!)   24  Single Family Homes sold in August: Short Sales:                                                                                 Bank Owned: 3237 Queens East $325,000                                                      1122 Oakway $254,000 2285 Providence $172,000                                                         3020 Harlow $200,000 2865 Van $167,000                                                                   1652 Kings North $179,900   26 Single Family Homes sold in July: Short Sales:                                                       ... 09/13/2009

Which homes are selling best in Lane County, Oregon's FERRY STREET BRIDGE  RMLS  Market  Area? The table below compares actual closed sales of single family, detached homes in the months of  June, July, and August, 2009 to the inventory available in the Ferry Street Bridge market area as of September 12, 2009.   Square-Footage Range Active ListingsSeptember 12, 2009 Closed Sales June, 2009 Closed Sales July, 2009 Closed Sales August, 2009  Three-Month Absorption Rate Available Inventory (in months) All 114 31 26 24 81/3 = 27 4.2 But the aggregate Available Inventory for all of Ferry Street Bridge doesn't tell you what you really need to know! Here is the breakdown by square footage range: Square-Footage Range Active Listings September 12, 2009 Closed Sales June, 2009   Closed Sales Jul... 09/12/2009

When was the last time you met with your advisor to make sure you have all the proper coverages for your risk exposure? Call the insurance experts at LeDoux Insurance Agency, Inc for a free review of your insurance packages 09/09/2009

Which homes are selling best in Lane County, Oregon's BETHEL-DANEBO  RMLS  Market  Area? The table below compares actual closed sales of single family, detached homes in the months of  June, July, and August, 2009 to the inventory available in the Bethel-Danebo market area as of September 5, 2009.   Square-Footage Range Active ListingsSeptember 5, 2009 Closed Sales June, 2009 Closed Sales July, 2009 Closed Sales August, 2009  Three-Month Absorption Rate Available Inventory (in months) All 115 23 30 20 73/3 = 24.3 4.7 But the aggregate Available Inventory for all of Bethel - Danebo doesn't tell you what you really need to know! Here is the breakdown by square footage range: Square-Footage Range Active ListingsSeptember 5, 2009 Closed Sales June, 2009 Closed Sales July, 2009 Closed Sales ... 09/06/2009

Karen Church, your RE/MAX Integrity "Go To" Gal at www.eugenehomesgal.com wants you to know that there are grants available to help homeowners with home improvements to reduce the risk of wildfire.  If you live in Lane County you may be eligible for a grant:  Firewise Grants Available to County Residents The grants are intended to help homeowners with home improvements to reduce the risk of wildfire.  Lane County is offering a new financial assistance program that will pay residents to reduce their vulnerability to wildfire. The County's new Firewise Incentive Program provides cash incentives to residents who make landscaping and structural improvements to their properties, which may help protect their home in the event of a wildfire.  Through the program, approximately $500,000 in gran... 08/31/2009

  In recent months, we've noticed favorable market factors at the lower end of the price/size range for homes for sale in Eugene, Springfield and Lane County, OR. We've read about declining inventories and stabilizing home prices in many parts of the country -- as evidenced by information posted on the Active Rain real estate network. The first reliable, positive national numbers appeared a month ago when    the Case-Shiller Index (as reported by Standard and Poors and the Wall Street Journal) for May showed that Index's first month-on-month increases in nearly three years. Now, for the Index for the month of June, 2009 is even more positive. What is the Case-Shiller Index? This monthly report is derived from year-on-year sale of the same homes. It's not an arithmetic mean (average).  I... 08/30/2009

The mortgage bank that I work for, Alpine Mortgage Planning, has issued a challenge to the Eugene/Springfield area to bring in a Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in First Time Home Buyer Tax Credits as part of the Stimulus package. You can check out the challenge here. All of this means that the loan advisors teaming with their Realtor partners will be working to bring the dream of homeownership to at least 125 first time home buyers between now and November 30, 2009, the date the tax credit expires. Check out the http://www.alpinemilliondollarstimuluschallenge.com/ website for information about upcoming seminars for new home buyers. Down Payment Assistance programs will also be addressed during the seminars, helping prospective home owners get the money together for the down payment. If yo... 08/30/2009

Realtor Karen Church, your Eugene, Oregon "Go To" Gal at www.eugenehomesgal.com with RE/MAX Integrity explains that termites can be a silent destroyer of the most expensive item you possess:  Your home!  According to the National Pest Management Foundation, these insects are even more of a threat to wood based structures than flood, fire, or wind.  Homeowners usually don't notice these pests until the damage is done.  Termites can take up residence in a home for years, or even decades before you notice any visual signs of damage.  An average subterranean termite colony can consume one two by four per year.  Thus winning the nickname "silent destroyer".  Termites can enter a home by slipping through a crack in the foundation, through window vents, and even roof joints.  Older houses are ... 08/26/2009

Realtor, Karen Church, your "Go To" gal in Eugene, Oregon at www.eugenehomesgal.com asks, "Do you qualify for a Short Sale?"  A Short Sale as defined:  When the home owner has hardship and owes the bank more than what the property is worth, the bank is willing to take less than what is owed to avoid having another foreclosure. What qualifies for a Short Sale:  Divorce, Relocation, Job Loss, Decrease in Income, Medical Issues, Death, and if you are facing Foreclosure. Foreclosure is never the answer.  If you go into foreclosure you get a reduction of 250-300 points on your credit score on your credit report.  A short sale shows up as "Debt Settled" on a credit report.  This is a much better choice.  However, if you are facing foreclosure, you must act soon. The Mulitple Listing Services ... 08/25/2009

Home prices rose 2.9 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarter. This is the first such gain in three years and an additional sign that the housing market is slowly stabilizing. The recent results of the S&P/Case Shiller index, which measures repeat home sales, are showing the same positive trends reflected in other housing market indicators. Home sales, construction activity and builder confidence have all risen in recent months. Overall, prices fell 14.9 percent in the second quarter compared with the same time period a year ago. This quarter, average home prices are near historic 2003 levels.The S&P/Case Shiller system measures national home prices in various time ranges in all nine U.S. Census divisions. The report includes a 20-city index and a 10-city index. Offered o... 08/25/2009

Some of you may have recently heard about the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.  Here is a simple overview to help explain how it works.  This program only applies to properties that have been foreclosed on and are owned by the lien holder.  It will not work for properties in short sale or bought at auction and being resold/flipped.  I am a Realtor, not a lender, so if you are interested in the program, I will be happy to forward you to a lender who has experience with the program. Features The NSP is a community loan designed to assist buyers in financing a REO home in eligible areas that have been hard hit by foreclosures.  The program allows for up to a maximum of $50k or, 20% of the purchase price plus allowable closing costs, whichever is the lower. So on a $150k purchase with cl... 08/18/2009

    I wanted a really quick and easy business to profile for the current business-post contest here on ActiveRAIN.    I picked a really RAPID one instead. I wanted a fast eating place with some local flare.  I knew right where to go. I hurried along Eugene, OR's Franklin Boulevard and into the Glenwood area that's slowly but surely (not quite rapidly) becoming a part of Springfield, OR. I was headed for a pizza restaurant in Eugene-Springfield where rapidity is every where you turn. My destination was It's a place with Rapids in the name ...and in the whole business model. There's easy parking...the lot's so large you could ROAR your engine and the neighbors wouldn't notice. There are Roaring Rapids in the front of the restaurant. There are Roaring Rapids located outback that give the p... 08/11/2009