Here’s also hoping you enjoyed yesterday’s Super Bowl Game. Quite the event! Did you catch the automotive ad with Clint Eastwood? I really like the sentiment that it’s half time in America. Yes, tough times for so many, but that’s when we’re best at pulling it together and moving forward. Those that know me know I believe that a positive attitude brings positive results. I’m not making light of people’s hardships, there are so many in need, but it seems to me now is the time to focus on what’s next, use this down time to plan for the future, and stage a come-back of our own.

Happy Monday!

No, you don’t need to be represented and you don’t only have to look at fsbo (for sale by owner) properties, though sellers are advised to contact their agent if an inquiry comes in. Realtors, perhaps especially in small towns like ours, recommend a buyer have an agent for multiple reasons. For one, we have access to information about similar sales or even previous sales of the property you are interested in that is not in the public record. Local knowledge can go a long way toward getting you the best price when negotiating a purchase.

As for ‘dual agency’, Oregon law states a broker can represent both a buyer and a seller in the same transaction, but only with the written permission of both parties. Personally I handle this on a case by case basis. If I’m asked to do so and feel I can objectively represent both parties I will. But if I’m uncomfortable with the buyer’s position, say they want to make a ridiculously low offer that isn’t in the best interest of the seller, then I would be doing that buyer and the seller a dis-service by representing both sides.

Yes, those of us that live here know we have the occasional snowy day, maybe 5 or 6 days a year. Beautiful! Personally I don’t like the cold much, but completely enjoy these rare days. I snapped these this morning. And it’s wonderful to know that the nearby mountains offer great skiing, snowboarding and other winters activities within just a few hours drive. Of course we have the amazing Oregon Coast within an hour or so also, but that’s a discussion for another day.

The photos here face both mountain ranges that make up the Willamette Valley. The Cascade Mountains are in the far distance in the first photo and, though you can’t see them, if you could see due west of the second photo you’d find the Coast Range.

The timing is especially fun for our local kids today as they have the day off from school in honor of Martin Luther King. Whether you’re here in town or visiting from afar… enjoy!

Where I live, the winter sunrises outside my window can be spectacular, and this morning was no exception. I live west of downtown Philomath. The house faces southeast where, on days like this, I can see the silhouette of the Three Sisters, in the Cascade Mountain range, through gorgeous shades of pink, orange and grey while a band of fog slowly moves along a deep ravine where the Marys River resides down a steep embankment below the back yard. It is a wonderful way to start the day, and a new year! While I feel so very fortunate to have found such a lovely spot to live, it is just one of many fabulous places here in the Willamette Valley.

Welcome to 2012 and thank you for stopping by my new online neighborhood. Here I plan to share many different thoughts and ideas about our area and its real estate in particular. To start, I thought it would be fun to tour some local communities and share their highlights and nuances. I hope you’ll visit often and share your thoughts as well. We’ll begin soon with a tour of Corvallis neighborhoods and also touch on important topics surrounding the many different aspects of real estate ownership. Again, thanks for visiting.

Wishing you all a bright and shiny 2012!

Please check back to see new posts!

Sincerely,
Christine Hauser