Cox Island, A Siuslaw River Sanctuary

Cox Island, Siuslaw River Sanctuary: Cox Island is in the middle of the Siuslaw River a few miles inland from Florence Oregon. Now owned by the Oregon Nature Conservancy, it is a prime example of an estuarine saltmarsh ecosystem. During high tides, the island is flooded by the rising tide. During low tides, the island's mudflats are revealed, supporting large colonies of shrimp and clams which great blue heron and other birds and mammals feast on. The island is dissected by a maze of channels, narrow but deep and not suitable for foot travel.

You can reach Cox Island by boat; it's an easy kayak and canoe paddle, particularly if you can time your trip by the tides, floating down to the island as the tide goes out and floating back to the ramp as the tide comes back in. If you want to rent a kayak or canoe, Central Coast Watersports on Highway 101 in the center of town can fix you right up. You can launch at the public boat ramp at Cushman, a few miles up 126 from the Florence city limits. Cox Island is a mile downstream. Land your boat on the northeast corner where the old house is. That's the safest spot. But be sure that your boat is tied up securely lest the tide take it all the way to the mouth of the Siuslaw, some seven miles away.

The best times to visit are during the Spring and Summer. There are over 80 species of birds to watch for including great egrets, phalaropes, whimbrels and short-billed dowitchers. Beaver, river otter, muskrat and mink call the island home. It is common to see bald eagles and hawks.

For more information, visit the Oregon Nature Conservancy.

This was first posted on the ActiveRain Real Estate Network under Localism

How to Boat Where the Fish Go in Florence Oregon: Docks, Wharves, Water Sport Stuctures, Oh My!

How to Boat Where the Fish Go in Florence Oreogon: I attended a seminar put on by the Oregon Department of State Lands this week and learned a lot about wetlands, submerged and submersible land and structures on them. Turns out, folks must register boat docks, floats, boat houses, floating cabins, water sport structures, revetments, attenuators and retaining walls that are on state-owned submerged and submersible land. Whew! That was sure a mouthful. The state has a way with words, doesn't it? Here's the easy skinny: A water sport structure includes water ski buoys, jumps and ramps; kayak race gates and so forth. The cost of registration ranges from $125 to $350 depending on the structure and its size. The registration must be renewed every 5 years. You have to submit the names and addresses of your neighbors, those owning riparian land within 200 feet of your structure, along with their comments for and against with your application. The department may deny your registration if your neighbor has a legitimate bone to pick with you, for example, that your dock interferes with their fishing or recreation. The state won't deny you if the neighbor doesn't like the color you picked, however. If your dock gets washed away, you can replace it with the same size and use structure. You can't make it bigger or change the location or way it was used. Gaming the system is "no win." You can even submit a registration for a structure that is shared with your neighbor, including a floating recreational cabin. If you need more info, take a look at http://www.oregonstatelands.us/. Florence Oregon has some 18 lakes plus the Siuslaw River, and the mighty Pacific beyond, all full of fish and fun to boat and float and have a home on. I have a pamphlet which describes all the lakes and the types of fish they have along with a photo of each lake. I can send you a copy by snail mail or better yet, take a look at the pamphlet on my website, http://www.oregonflorencerealestate.com/ Wondering about the photo? It's the beautiful Florence harbor, marina and boardwalk.

Help Me Find My Neighbors!

Foreclosed Florence Home in My Neighborhood, Mercer Lake Heights--There's a lonely home looking for a family. Yup, the home directly across the street from me--I live in Mercer Lake Heights--is empty, has been for a whole year, the unfortunate result of a foreclosure. The neighborhood I live in is great, and not just because I live there. It's quiet, it has a family of deer and a family of black bear, all the neighbors know one another, nearly everyone has a dog or a cat, it's in the county--no city taxes--but it's only 10 minutes from Old Town's great boutiques, restaurants and our gorgeous little harbor. And--hard to believe--our homeowner's association owns a dock and picnic area on Mercer Lake, one of the area's most sought after lakes for its beauty and great fishing. A few steps away from this home is an open space with a couple of chairs perched on the edge of the ridge. The lot is owned by the next door neighbors but he and his wife let everyone snug up with their honey and drink in the beauty of the Northwest, the lake and the towering trees. The home is about 1500 square feet, simple ranch style, sunken living room, plenty of kitchen cabinets and a sunny south facing deck. What more could you ask for? This cute foreclosed home is listed for $155,000 but no doubt you could get it for less. So if you want to know more about banana belt living in Mercer Lake Heights and what it means, let me know. I'll even share a banana with you, my treat! www.oregonflorencerealestate.com www.twitter.Florence_OR.com

My Favorite Small Homes in Florence, Oregon

There are two small homes in the greater Florence area that I just love. The first one is on W. 17th Street. Although it was built in 1954, it has been completely remodeled and when I say completely, I mean completely: new roof, new shake siding, new windows and trim, new garage door, new cabinets, new appliances, new flooring, new plumbing and most electrical. It's as cute as a small home can possibly be. It is 1008 square feet and is located across from Miller Park and a walking trail to take your dog and only 17 blocks from all the restaurants and boutiques of Old Town Florence. Take a look at it: http://preview.tinyurl.com/yhn7h8c. The second home that I love is north of the Florence city limits by about 10 minutes, ensconced in Western Red Cedar and Sitka Spruce. It's 896 square feet with two bedrooms and one bath located steps from Mercer Lake. It has new everything--plumbing, septic, electrical, cabinets, you name it. Built in 1966, it has a 2-car garage and plenty of room for parking. It's fully furnished and would make a great vacation home as well as an income property. You can see it at
http://preview.tinyurl.com/y8ten99. So if you're ready to downsize, you won't go wrong with these two cuties. Looking for something a bit bigger? We've got brand new small homes too. One that's soon to be built in town is listed at $169,900. And you get to pick out the color granite! That's right: granite. Want to know more? Email me at hope@hopemacmanus.net, www.oregonflorencerealestate.com, www.twitter.com/Florence_OR.

Florence Oregon Neighborhoods, Part 5: Munsel Creek Estates

One of my absolute favorite in-town neighborhoods in Florence is Munsel Creek Estates, a small cul-de-sac subdivision of 35 lovely homes built in 2003 to 2005. The homes are all one story except one and range in size from 1700 square feet to 2200 square feet. Lots are just shy of one quarter of an acre, large enough to garden, low maintenance landscaping already in place. I think the reason that I especially like this subdivision is that all the homes are gracefully placed on their lots, are very well kept and the subdivision is tucked away and quiet. The developer left some large trees, a sought-after feature for many who move to Florence. In addition, the homes are different from one another but harmonious. Munsel Creek runs along the northern edge of the subdivision and makes a nice destination for a dog walk. Munsel Creek Estates begins at 13th Street, making it only 13 blocks from Old Town Florence's boutiques, yummy restaurants and harbor, an easy walk or bike along pretty flat streets or along the Munsel Creek bike path. Since Munsel Creek Estates is located on the east side of highway 101, it's sunny when subdivisions at the beach are fogged in and it's a little warmer, making it more likely that you'll get a good crop of strawberries and fat squash in the summer. Since it's a small neighborhood, all the neighbors know one another and virtually every home is owner occupied, an added plus. Homes are not that frequently on the market. There's is only one for sale right now:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yb4h4aq. If you'd like to stay in touch with this neighborhood's sales, let me know and I'll email you future listings as soon as they come onto the market. http://www.oregonflorencerealestate.com/, www.twitter.com/Florence_OR

Florence Oregon Foreclosed Bank Owned Homes

Florence Oregon Foreclosed Bank Owned Homes There are 13 foreclosed bank owned homes listed on the MLS right now, much fewer than before. Even though that's a small number, the selection is quite varied, offering Buyers just about everything by way of location, price and amenities. The least expensive is $79,050, a fixer on .24 acres north of the Florence city limits. Even though it's right on highway 101, it's worth looking at as an income property or two family living since Lane County has it listed as a duplex. It's been added onto over the years since it was built in 1944. The most expensive is $390,000, a brand new custom home, never lived in, over 3,000 square feet, located in the south lakes area with a seasonal peek of a beautiful coastal lake. In between are two river front properties, one in Mapleton and one in Florence, both nearly new, priced at $227,000 and $225,000 respectively. There's one home that is lake front--there's a steep path to the lake--with a shared community dock, 2,400 square feet, two separate living areas, older home (1973) but mostly updated. It has a strong financial record as a vacation rental so this one would make a good income property. If you want some elbow room, there are two or three homes on large lots, about half an acre. And if you need bedrooms or two family living there are three homes that fit the bill. There's even one condominium for sale for $99,800, two story, close to Peace Health Hospital. If you're interested in purchasing a bank owned property in Florence, Oregon, recently name one of eight coastal towns that are bargains for real estate by "Where to Retire" magazine, the time may be now or never. www.oregonflorencerealestate.com, www.twitter.com/Florence_OR

Florence's Annexation War

Florence is generally a sleepy town--until someone or "ones" get a burr under their saddle. It happened when a casino was in the making. The casino is built, though opponents are still at it with a law suit which may come before the Oregon Supreme Court. Now opponents of annexation have scored a victory by waylaying the city's 2020 Comprehensive Plan : Lane County decided last week to send the plan back to the Florence City Council. Though the city adopted the plan way back in 2002, the county must also adopt it because they are responsible for the plans in the city's UGB, the Urban Growth Boundary, which lies north of the city limits. The city has worked diligently to address the concerns of annexation opponents, and a lot of key kingpins have given their blessing at the county and state levels. But members of Citizens Against Annexation (CAA) till oppose the plan contending that the city is creating a septic care to force residents of the UGB to annex. Opponents won the day when Springfield Commissioner Bill Dwyer said “This thing is not ready and I’m not going to vote for it.” So the Florence City Council will surely grumble about having to deal with the issue once more. Hopefully the local Planning Commission, working with all the right grand poo bahs to tweak the plan, will satisfy the County Commissioners at their May 19th meeting. I think many in Florence and Lane County hope that this issue won't end up on the docket of the Oregon Supreme Court. Stay tuned. For a more complete account of the issue, check The Siuslaw News.