Oregon Coast Real Estate Blog - Living on the Oregon Coast » Visitor Favorites

False Rumor on Real Estate Sales Tax

Dean — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:31:00 +0000

The Internet has picked up a false rumor that has gone viral in recent weeks. The substance of the rumor is that a “national sales tax” is about to be inacted that will levy a “sales tax or transfer tax” on real estate ranging from 1% to 3.8%.. This is totally misleading as is illustrated in the Medicare FAQ from National Association of Realtors. It is always advisable to consult with your tax and investment advisers to determine if this change affects your particular situation.

Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Dean — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:25:19 +0000

On Saturday March 17 the Newport Fisherman’s Wives will sponsor the annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet in Newport. It begins at 9:00 AM at Yaquina Bay State Park and features a memorial in the memory of the 116 fisherman lost at sea since 1900 out of Newport. Of this number 38 were recovered the remainder have not been recovered. All of these folks were someones husband, father, son, brother or friend.

More than ever the emphasis is on safety in this most hazardous occupation. During the festivities there will be friendly competitions such as survival suit races in which participants are timed in a race which involves donning a survival suit, jumping in the Bay and swimming to a raft.

The Blessing of the Fleet follows and old Italian tradition of gathering in early Spring to express thanks for a bountiful harvest and to pray for the safety of those going to sea and for peace of mind for those waiting at home.

The third Saturday in March is a time when many fishermen are in port repairing gear and preparing for the up-coming Salmon, cod and shrimp seasons.

Come on over and enjoy a long time tradition here in Newport.

Steve Brown, Keiko’s Vet Passes

Dean — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:22:48 +0000

On Friday 2/3/2012 our community lost a wonderful man who was an amazing Veterinarian, a good friend and a true pillar of our coastal community. Steve Brown gained world wide fame as he undertook the duties of doctoring Keiko, the Free Willy Orca, back to health at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Steve and his wife Marian built an excellent animal hospital and staffed it with wonderful Vets and Technicians. They treated all my family pets including the Bassett Boys and several cats. A trip to the vet was a real highlight for all these creatures.

Over recent months Steve and I crossed paths at the Outpatient Treatment Center where we were both undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. All through his struggle, Steve’s cheerful and optimistic outlook belied the gravity of his condition.

He will be missed.

Read more: Oregon veterinarian who cared for Keiko of ‘Free Willy’ fame dies …

Nye Beach

Dean — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:17:36 +0000

Nye Beach Historic District, Newport is one of the best places to start a visit to the Central Oregon Coast. For over 100 years this has been a favorite destination for visitors from the Portland area and the Willamete Valley. In early days families would Summer here with the bread winners working in the Valley and making the trip to the Coast for long weekends. Today it is considered an anchor destination whether for an extended visit or a short stay.

Nye Beach offers a collection of fine food providers, wine shops, clothing shops, galleries, bakeries and lodging choices. On the South end is the Newport Performing Arts Center home to music, theater and dance. To the North on pedestrian friendly Coast Street one can experience a wide variety of attractions. Nye Beach is a mixed use area where residential and commercial interests mingle happily. From the Sylvia Beach Hotel, one of the oldest building in Newport, to the Green Stone Inn, one of the newest choices are abundant.

Most people arrive by car so parking is readily available at the Nye Beach turn around which is also great beach access. The turn around is the site of the popular annual Clam Bake. Nye Beach has all the charm one can imagine without being “touristy” and is popular with locals as well as visitors. Be sure to put it on your list of places to see in Newport.

Crabbing on the Oregon Coast

Dean — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:24:40 +0000

Tis the season to crab on the Coast. The recently announced delay of the opening of the commercial or offshore Dungeness crab season will not effect recreational crabbing in Oregon’s bays and estuaries. Bay crabbing is fun, inexpensive and easily accessible. A fishing license is required and the gear is simple. If needed, you can rent a boat and traps from one of the many marinas — they have bait for purchase, too. Timing is important as the crabs feed on an incoming tide. Once you have caught your limit, the shellfish need to be cooked. This can be done for a small fee at the marina where the rentals were obtained.

Rain gear is advised; even in dry weather, rubber boots and waterproof gloves are a good idea. Some of my best memories are of crabbing trips with family on Yaquina and Alsea Bays. My consistent companions (other than my daughter Amanda who was a great boat driver) were my two Newfoundlands. Since there is always some slack time involved it was entertaining to watch the Newfies watch the pelicans, seal and sea lions as they watched us.

Come on over for a great adventure and some wonderful eating.

Dungeness Quick Tips:

Tide Tables (HMSC)

Daily sport fishing limit: 12 male.

Minimum legal size: 5 3/4 inches measured in a straight line across the back immediately in front of, but not including, the points.

Look for:

White tipped claws
Ten carapace spines (widest at 10th)
Color reddish-brown to purple

Shellfish Regulations (from the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations publication)

Arts and Entertainment on the Coast

Dean — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:02:39 +0000

People often ask “what is there to do on a rainy November Saturday on the Coast?” Here is one option: spend it in the comfort of our beautiful Performing Arts Center! Even those who are not opera buffs are becoming enchanted with the Met’s Live in HD presentations.

On Saturday November 19, The Metropolitan Opera returns to the Newport Performing Arts Center for a live in HD presentation of Satygraha by Phillip Glass. The Washington Post calls this “a profound and beautiful work of theater”. The synopsis tells us of the early life of Gandhi in South Africa. The great news is that this performance is presented live from New York and if you don’t happen to speak Sanskrit, not to worry; English subtitles follow the script.

For more tickets and more information call 541-265-ARTS or log on to CoastArts.org. If your are fortunate enough to live in this Coastal Community you can take advantage of the rich local arts culture. Or you can make a wonderful weekend visit and sample the abundant local seafood in season. Come on over and sample some of the very best without the crowds.

Beaver Creek Natural Area, a Jewel in the Coastal Crown

Dean — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:13:16 +0000

The Beaver Creek Natural Area, which was dedicated in the Spring of 2010, has already become one of the brightest gems in the crown of attractions on the Central Oregon Coast. More than 300 acres of marsh, uplands and meadows in this coastal waster shed provides an opportunity to observe close up deer, elk, beavers, river otters and nutria. In the bird families this area is home to Bald Eagles, Blue and Green Herons, Kingfishers and many other types of marsh and forest dwelling birds.

This area is unique for several reasons. In a relatively small area one can observe several distinct zones all with their own plant, animal and insect life.

Accessibility is a key to enjoyment here. Several miles of hiking trails are used in the Summer months with more planned in the future for year round use.

Kayaking and canoeing are very popular here both as self guided tours year round and Oregon State Parks tours from July 1 to Labor Day. having experienced both I can attest to the fact that a trip up Beaver Creek in a kayak is like a journey to a pristine wilderness without the hard work to get there.

With so much to see it’s worth several trips in all kinds of weather just to watch the ever changing panorama.

Located 8 miles South of Newport and 2 miles North of Seal Rock on Highway 101 this attraction is easy to find. For those curious folks jussst go to the links provided or stop by the Visitor Center 1 mile East on North Beaver Creek Road.

This area was for years a treat known mostly to local residents. Now, thanks to good planning by several conservation groups and Oregon Parks it is ready to be enjoyed by all.

Come on over and give yourself a treat.

July 2011 Real Estate Sales on the Oregon Coast

Dean — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:53:41 +0000

Sales are increasing slightly in the current market. Lenders are becoming more able to fund new loans and interest rates remain below 5% in most cases. Requirements are stringent with regard to Buyer qualifications of excellent credit and income. Once these hurdles are jumped new loans are moving fairly swiftly assuming that the property condition is better than average. Most Buyers are arriving with letters of conditional loan approval in hand and with a good knowledge of the overall market as a result of internet research. This research is often broadly done by the Buyer with specific detail done by an experienced who has access to the local inventory and a clear idea of the Buyers objectives.

The days of the Realtor acting as “tour guide” are pretty much over even though on an initial visit, some familiarization of areas and neighborhoods is often quite helpful.

Sellers seem to be getting the message as well. They, for the most part, are understanding that to gain showings of their property it must be priced within an accurate range and in really good condition.

There has never been a better time to invest in real estate on the Oregon Coast. Call or e-mail me, I would be happy to discuss your objectives and needs.

Central Oregon Coast Property Type	Volume	Avg Sales Price	Days on Market	Avg % of List to Sale Price
Site Built	40	$275,104	157	94%
Manufactured	2	$164,950	116	96%
Condos	4	$207,250	434	89%
Residential Land	4	$111,375	70	80%
Multi-Family	2	$357,000	81	94%
Bank Owned	8	$159,356	99	97%

April 2011 Real Estate Sales on the Oregon Coast

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 04:26:33 +0000

The number of closings on the Oregon Coast is holding fairly steady for 2011 as Sellers begin to understand the pricing philosophy that Realtors have been promoting for many years. The days of overpricing and hoping to negotiate to a lower price are long gone. The properties that are priced to sell are the ones getting the showings and are selling. The current thought is to price going in at an accurate value. Negotiations do occur leading to agreement and these are more often on minor issues other than price. Bank owned properties closed at a lower number last month but at an average price actually over the list price. This may be due to the number of Buyers competing for the same properties. Overall this is a great time to be looking at Central Oregon Coast properties.

Central Oregon Coast Property Type	Month	Avg Sales Price	Days on Market	Avg % of List to Sale Price
Site Built	40	$232,070	190	95%
Manufactured	5	$114,700	201	91
Condos	8	$184,438	283	92
Land Residential	8	$61,825	267	88
Multi Family	0	0	0	0
Bank Owned	10	$141,920	176	101

Rogue Ales Brewery

Dean — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:39:00 +0000

One of the “must stop” sites in Newport is actually two. The Rogue Ales Brewery in South Beach on Yaquina Bay and Rogue Ales Brew Pub on the Bayfront. In the brewery tours are available of the unique process of creating handcrafted beers and ales which incorporates many ingredients from farms owned by them parent company. In both locations great food is to be enjoyed featuring custom grown Kobe style beef and local fresh seafoods. The food service is family friendly with a varied menu.

Established in Ashland,Oregon in 1988 the project was moved to Newport in 1989 and has grown steadily ever since. Over the years Rogue Ales has won it’s share of gold medals in competition.

The Brew Pub on the Bay Front is a popular gathering place for locals and visitors. A short walk takes you to all the galleries, shops, eating places and provides a close up view of a working fishing port.

The Brewery located on the South Beach side of the Bay is located at the apex of a triangle which includes OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon Coast Aquarium and the New National Oceanic and Atmospheric h0me port. Just adjacent to the West is the premier condominium development on the Oregon Coast, The Regatta.

Just another way to Relax in a State of Excitement on the Oregon Coast. Come on over and see for yourself.