As I started out to write yesterday but did not, today I am blogging about the city of Florence on the Oregon Coast. I did not get sidetracked today with thoughts about something else. When a creative inspiration hits me, though, I find it is best to just give in to that impulse and wander off after it, or I might miss the opportunity. Life is often about missed opportunities and roads not taken, the other side of the choices we DO select. Sometimes, though, if you're really lucky, you can turn around and go back down that road to pick up where you left off, which is what I am doing today.I'm allowed because I'm in real estate. Selling Sacramento real estate like I do is my excuse for everything. Oh, officer, I did not realize I didn't come to a full stop back there, you see, I am a Sac... 07/01/2015

I thought when I sat down to write my blog today that I would talk about our trip to Florence, Oregon, and share all the photographs of that adventure, including the darlingtonia, but the other side of my brain had a different idea this morning. So I just went with the flow. As you know, we have housesitters taking care of hearth and home and cats as my husband and I are frolicking about the Oregon Coast this week on vacation.He still gets annoyed but understands when I need to sit on a bench at the Heceta Lighthouse and send a text message to sellers to let them know the buyer's lender has once again dropped the ball on the buyer's loan and forgot to tell us about a funding condition until now. Now being that we are facing a 3rd extension to the escrow. But it's a simple fix, if we can... 06/30/2015

That's the best way I can describe the town I live in. Florence is a small 4 stop light town of about 8,000 people. The large part of the population are Retirees. I can see why. We have 17 lakes for fishing and water sports. We have crabbing and clamming. With lakes , The Siuslaw River Dunes and the Beach what more could you want? The Dunes in themselves is a whole another blog. As far as shopping we do NOT have BIG BOX stores nor do we want them. If you need them, its an hour over to the 2nd largest city in the state  Eugene  Oregon. We are pretty much self sufficient with a couple chain grocery stores and a large True Value hard ware store. A hardware store that actually has knowledgeable help! Florence also has an ever expanding Peace Health Hospital and clinic including onsite lab w... 07/01/2014

Only in Oregon - Darlingtonia State Natural Site Just off the Oregon Coast Highway north of Florence is a small, 18-acre wayside dedicated to the protection of a single plant species.  Darlingtonia State Natural Site is a State Park property that preserves the cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica), a carniverous plant. The cobra lily, also known as the California pitcher plant, thrives in bogs and marshes.  It's called "cobra lily" because its tubular leaves resemble a striking cobra. To quote the State Park's website: What visitors see in this little garden of multi-colored horrors (for insects), is a plant with yellowish green hooded leaves that form erect, 10 to 20-inch-high hollow tubes. On top, the leaves are often purplish to reddish mottled with transparent areas. A hidden openin... 09/15/2013

Only in Oregon - Wordless Wednesday   I Crossed the Bridge to See What's on the Other Side@ Darlingtonia State Natural Site in Florence, Oregon   06/12/2013

Only in Oregon The other thing is quality of life; if you have a place where you can go and have a picnic with your family, it doesn't matter if it's a recession or not. ~ Jim Fowler 05/01/2013

Only in Oregon Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the Self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed. ~ Indra Devi I grew up in the dry Sonoran Desert climate of Phoenix, Arizona, a place where rainfall is scarce and water must be brought from distant reservoirs and rivers by canal or pipeline to quench the thirst of the city and crops. After moving to the verdant Northwest, I deeply appreciate the luxury of abundant, life giving water that brings forth a cornucopia of plant life and the insect and animal life that it supports. Within an hour's drive of Eugene, Oregon in any direction, locals can experience waterfalls, covered bridges, rivers and streams, farms and ranches, wineri... 04/27/2013

Only in OregonOcean Sunset at Heceta Beach in FlorenceThe sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.– Jacques Yves Cousteau You can view more photos of things to do and see in Oregon on the Facebook page titled 365 and More Things to do in Lane County, Oregon. 04/20/2013

Only in OregonCarter Lake & the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Carter Lake and Campground is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area between Florence and Coos Bay along the Oregon Coast.  It is one of the places that off-highway vehicle riders use to access 40+ miles of wind-sculpted sand dunes that can tower up to 500 feet above sea level. You can view more photos of things to do and see in Oregon on the Facebook page titled 365 and More Things to do in Lane County, Oregon. 04/19/2013

Only in Oregon Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint One of my favorite places in all of Oregon is Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, north of Florence and near the Sea Lion Caves.  We'll frequently stop here with visitors and then have a picnic lunch in the day use park at the mouth of Cape Creek.  After lunch, we'll take the short hike up to Heceta Head Lighthouse for a tour.  Many people say that this is the most photographed lighthouse on the West Coast. The old lighthouse keeper's home is now a bed and breakfast, complete with a ghost story of its own.  The open grassy area nearby is a popular place for weddings in the summer. You can view more photos of things to do and see in Oregon on the Facebook page titled 365 and More Things to do in Lane County, Oregon. 04/17/2013

Only in OregonSailing on the Siuslaw River in Florence, Oregon You're more likely to see fishing boats than sailboats on the Siuslaw River flowing through Florence, Oregon on its way to the Pacific Ocean.  The Siuslaw and its tributaries provide spawning grounds for steelhead and chinook salmon.  The estuary and jetties in the Florence area are great places to catch other fish, crab, or go clamming. Florence lies along the justly famous Oregon Coast Highway (Hwy 101).  It sits at the northern edge of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which provides over 40 miles of wind-sculpted, towering sand dunes to explore and ride on. You can view more photos of things to do and see in Oregon on the Facebook page titled 365 and More Things to do in Lane County, Oregon. 04/17/2013

Finding and writing about your niche in the Florence Oregon real estate market   When I started real estate everybody said to find a niche; something that set me apart from everyone else in the real estate industry. Because I knew energy and its efficiency on homes through fireplaces such as gas, wood, and pellet, that's the direction that I went. I would help folks find the best and most efficient energy source for their home and advertise homes that offered either a green environment or high energy efficient system.   But while my days as being an actual real estate agent are over, writing about real estate and other people's niches has become my passion. Take Florence Oregon real estate professional Rob Shepherd; he knows the Florence real estate market like the back of his hand and ... 06/25/2012

To they will start coming by the droves. Our little town of 8,000 will swell to 30-40 thousand people. Officially it starts tomorrow night with the pageant and ends Sunday with the Parade. In between there will be a 5 and 10k run, car show, car cruise, gun show and many vendors. One of my favorites is the Elks chicken BBQ held Saturday and Sunday. Sometimes on Saturday night I enter the car cruise in my 1960 Corvette pictured on my website. The weather is forecast for sun so come on down! If you need a Hotel, forget it! 05/16/2012

  Here's a comparison of the number of ACTIVE LISTINGS, number of CLOSED SALES       and the AVERAGE PRICE for residential listings    for the MONTHS OF MARCH,    2006 - 2011       for the     COASTAL LANE COUNTY        market areas, including Florence, Dunes City and Mapleton, OR      as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):        This February and March,  the inventory in Coastal Lane decreased, contining a slide from the 2009 high while sales were up slightly from this month last year.  Last month, regarding February I said, "It is astonishing that average price continues a four-year climb in the face of such high inventory.  If other months looked as good as February...." Unlike February, March now has no four-year price trend upward.  But, gleefully Ma... 05/06/2012

Searching the local Florence Oregon real estate MLS doesn't have to be stressful or confusing. While there are dozens of real estate websites about the Oregon coast from Oregon Coast realtors, you may not find all the same properties on every page. Only a source that goes directly to the Florence Oregon real estate MLS (multiple listing service), will give you every available listing in the entire area. Many available listings may not show accurate results if the home has recently gone under contract. While most MLS systems allow for up to date current activity, only your Florence Oregon Realtor will know for sure if a home or property is under contract.   While it's fun to search, and browse the properties, don't get your hopes up too high on a brand-new listing. These types of listing... 05/01/2012

 Here's a comparison of the number of ACTIVE LISTINGS, number of CLOSED SALES      and the AVERAGE PRICE for residential listings   for the MONTHS OF FEBRUARY,   2006 - 2011     for the    COASTAL LANE COUNTY    market areas, including Florence, Dunes City and Mapleton, OR    as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):      This February,  the inventory in Coastal Lane decreased, contining a slide from the 2009 high while sales were up from this month last year. It is astonishing that average price continues a four-year climb in the face of such high inventory. If other months looked as good as February....        NOTE: Florence and Coastal Lane County joined Eugene, Springfield and the rest of Lane County in the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service only ... 03/18/2012

Ixtapa family Mexican restaurant has opened another store in Florence Oregon. They are located at 1015 hwy 101 in Florence Oregon. To the locals this means the former Aztlan building. They are featuring lunch specials at $5.75 and Dinner specials starting at $7.75 the phone # is 541-997-4499. I have been happy with meals at another store they have in Veneta Oregon, so I knew this should be good. They have been open a week at this time, and I have been there twice, and later today will make three times. As of yesterday (3-9-2012)  they did not have their liquor license. I'm not a drinker but those wanting a Margarita will need to wait a few more days. Give them a try and tell them, Rob Shepherd from Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate sent you! 03/10/2012

    What kind of financing is used for the purchase of single family homes in the   FLORENCE - DUNES CITY - MAPLETON      RMLS market areas of COASTAL LANE COUNTY, Oregon?                 Is "all-cash" an important factor?  Are most new loans conventional or FHA? How about federal VA?  Do all other financing mechanisms (owner financing, lease-options, etc.) account for many sales?Here is how the sales for single family homes in this RMLS market area break out for calendar year 2011 - by type of purchase made:     02/12/2012

Phil's Saw Shop in Florence Oregon now offers knife sharpening! I have been taking my kitchen knives to Eugene Oregon an hour drive each way and then returning a few days later to pick them up. That translates into 260 miles round trip to complete the project. The other day I was in to get my chain saw serviced and noticed a little card board sign about the knife sharpening service. It turns out one of the younger kids does this. I left them and got a call back a couple hours later that they were ready to be picked up! As I work at Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate 3 blocks away this is an excellent situation for me! Did I mention they came back SHARPER than SHARP! Phils Saw shop is located at 399 Nopal accross the street from Sterling Savings Bank the phone nomber is 541-997-9767 tell ... 01/23/2012

Here's a comparison of the number of ACTIVE LISTINGS, number of CLOSED SALES    and the AVERAGE PRICE for residential listings for the MONTHS OF NOVEMBER,  2006 - 2011   for   COASTAL LANE COUNTY   market areas, including Florence, Dunes City and Mapleton, OR   as reported by the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS):   In November,  the inventory in Coastal Lane increased againwhile closed sales remainded steady. Prices continue to be depressed by an over two-year supply.        NOTE: Florence and Coastal Lane County joined Eugene, Springfield and the rest of Lane County in the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service only in recent years. While small numbers of homes have always been sold through the valley multiple, data before 2006 is not comparable to that shown here. 01/02/2012