Who Owns Oregon's Beaches

Oregon has nearly 363 miles of pristine, public coastline beaches. Or does it? The Oregon Beach Laws of 1967 and 1969 protected the public's right of access to the free and uninterrupted use of Oregon ocean beaches and regulated the use of motor vehicles on the beaches. Now the U.S. Supreme Court may have something to say about that. A case from Florida being argued today pits the state's need to prevent beach erosion against the rights of property owners to keep ownership of the land at the water's edge. Property owners bringing the case claim that new beach laid down through the State's beach replenishment program, is theirs. The State says the property owner's property line hasn't changed with the addition of more beach. It's just that they have more dry beach now. The real issue is that property owners don't want the general public to use the new beach area, in essence preserving the beach as their own private domain. Now it's up to the supreme court to decide if the State of Florida judicial system acted unconstitutionally by making a ruling which resulted in an unconstitutional taking of private property. The Florida Supreme Court says that the beach replenishment is just "the state's constitutional duty to protect Florida's beaches in a way that reasonably balances public and private interests." When new beach is created, property owners' rights haven't changed: they can still get to the ocean and see the water. The court also said Florida common law has never provided the landowner a right to own the emerging land as their own property. Now the U.S. Supreme Court — including at least one justice who owns a vacation house on the water — will make a ruling. The decision might make big changes for Oregon's beautiful public beaches--and not in a good way.

5 Things to do Before Putting your Home on the Market

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

What to Do About Mold--Is It Really a Problem?

Home buyers and sellers want to know if there is mold in a home. So why not do mold testing? If it were only that simple. Fungal air tests are expensive and inconclusive. Neither the New York City Department of Health nor the Environmental Protection Agency recommend measuring airborne fungal levels. So how DO you know if there's mold: If you see mold or you smell mold you have mold. You do not need to test for it if you see it or smell it. Mold problems are caused by water problems. No water problem, no mold problem. Find the water problem and you will find the mold. Moisture meters can help determine whether a material is wet, even when it appears dry and can therefore help locate a moisture source or reservoir; the moisture meter provides immediate results. Here's where to look for water: high spots--roofs and attics near dormers. Low spots--basement and crawl spaces. The holes--doors, windows, under windows. Plumbing pipes and fixtures, water tanks, toilets, sinks, dishwashers, showers, washers. The cold spots, areas in contact with the outside, especially corners of closets. Mold may grow in hidden spaces like in exterior walls or ceilings or spaces that contain water pipes or air conditioning ducts. Look behind or beneath cabinets, furniture, shelving, appliances fixtures, sinks, cabinets, toilets, behind headboards, bookcases, sofas, dressers, file cabinets, or toilets. Under vinyl wallpaper, mop boards, under carpet or vinyl flooring. If you don't see it or smell it on a surface you probably don't have it. The "white glove test" and common sense are currently the best approach. No dust and dirt--no mold. Clean everything for dust and dirt and everything will be clean of mold. Dry dry dry. A little bit of mold is not a problem. A little bit of residual moisture may be a problem. Find that moisture! For futher information, see www.cdc.gov/mold/ , http://forensic-applications.com/moulds/sok.html and http://forensic-applications.com/index files/page477.htm

When's a Tsunami Coming to Florence?

Lots of people who are interested in owning a home in Florence ask me about tsunamis and the tsunami zone. The Cascadia subduction zone is a fault that stretches from northern Vancouver to northern California. Recent findings concluded the Cascadia subduction zone was more hazardous than previously suggested. The feared next major earthquake has some geologists predicting a 10 to 14% probability that the Cascadia Subduction will rupture in the next 50 years, producing an event of magnitude 9 or higher. The tsunami produced may reach heights of approximately 100 ft. The last known great earthquake in the northwest was in January of 1700. The Great Alaska earthquake of 1964 was the most powerful recorded earthquake in US history, a magnitude 9.2. The resulting tsunami affected Florence as well. Water was pushed up the Siuslaw River until it ran out of steam where the river widens out at the North Fork of the Siuslaw, not far from Florence. Geological evidence indicates that great earthquakes may have occurred at least seven times in the last 3,500 years, suggesting a return time of 300 to 600 years. There is also evidence of accompanying tsunamis with every earthquake. The City of Florence has addressed the question of tsunamis head on. Follow this link for more information, including a tsunami map: http://www.ci.florence.or.us/default.cfm. Click on the link on the left, Emergency Preparedness.

Native Americans in Florence Oregon and the Oregon Coast

The earliest written record of life along the Siuslaw River comes from the journal of Alexander McLeod of the Hudson's Bay Company. In the mid-1820's he led a fur trapping brigade to the coast and came as far south as the Siuslaw River. He described the Native Americans he met as "peaceful and industrious." Fur trappers and traders would have ongoing good relations with coastal tribes until the middle of the 19th century when political events would forever alter the way of life along the coast. First, the bill that created the Oregon Territory passed Congress in 1848 and Lane County was formed by act of the territorial legislature a couple of years later. Then in 1855 a series of treaty conferences along the Oregon coast obtained the signatures of the heads of almost every Native American group between Tillamook Bay and the California border ceding more than 2.5 million acres that were never paid for as had been agreed upon. They were forced onto the Siletz Reservation which originally extended from Tillamook County to the "outlet of Tahkenitch Lake" south of Florence and stretched to the crest of the Coast Range. In 1865, the reservation was further decimated when it was cut into two parts, a wide swath being taken out of the middle so that non-Natives could exploit the oyster beds in Yaquina Bay. Then once more, in March 1875, the southern part of the reservation, including the Siuslaw Valley, was opened to non-Native American settlement. Most Native Americans moved to what was left of the reservation. The census of 1910 showed only 7 members of the Siuslaw Indian tribe living in the valley. Taken from "The Florence Book" 2008 Revised Edition, The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

Getting Involved and Having a Ball in Florence

Once of the most amazing things about Florence Oregon is the amount of volunteerism here. Perhaps it's because many people who live here are retired and have the urge to have something positive to do with their time, perhaps it's because people like to be with other people, perhaps they want to have fun, all good reasons to volunteer. Florence is virtually run on volunteers. Much of what makes Florence special today is because of volunteers: the Florence Event Center, the Siuslaw Public Library, the revitalization of Old Town, the new ice machine which will soon be operational for our commercial fishing fleet, the Florence Area Humane Society, Florence FoodShare, the 102 year old Rhododendron Festival, the Florence Van Fans who take people with cancer to Eugene for chemo and now the new Senior Center just being built--all of these projects have been successful because of volunteers, many of whom are unsung heroes. It doesn't matter how old you are, where you came from, what you did in that other life, there's a volunteer opportunity just waiting for anyone who cares to lend a helping hand. If you're interested in finding out more about volunteering, check out the Florence Meeting Place page in The Siuslaw News, a full page in tiny print of many of the activities in Florence. That's a good starting place. Better yet, when you're in Florence next, ask the person you meet in the coffee shop or at the grocery store who they volunteer with. I'll be you they've got a great answer! And you'll get an invitation to get involved yourself.

Good Eats and Treats for the Vegetarian and Organic Eater

Looking for organic food? Want to crunch a great carrot right off the farm? Florence has a couple of choices for you. The Florence Food Co-Op, located on Rhododendron Drive a 1/2 block off highway 101 on the west side, is a year or so old. It has a lively and interesting group of committed volunteers, many of whom bring goodies directly from farms in the valley to the Co-op so that the veggies are as fresh as any bunny would want. If you're looking for good eats at a restaurant, try Nature's Corner Cafe and Market, also on highway 101 on the west side, 1/2 a block from the much loved and much photographed and painted Siuslaw River Bridge. There you'll find an eclectic mix of Art Deco furniture to plop down on and a menu extraordinaire. I don't think any other restaurant in town has such a fabulous selection of mouth-watering delectables. One of my staples is a black bean taco with yummy salsa and a smattering of fresh mixed greens on the side, all for the tiny price of $3.95. And the water's free. It's the perfectly sized lunch on the fly. Plus there's always entertainment looking out the window at passersby, or you can sit on their outside deck under blue skies and beachy breezes. Before you leave, you might want to pick up a bottle of organic wine and be sure to check out their petite grocery with everything you need to tempt the organic pallette. Of late, Safeway, Fred Meyer and Grocery Outlet carry their own selections of organic vegetables, frozen foods and miscellaneous sundries as well. All you veggie heads out there, Florence has what you need. It takes a veggie head to know a veggie head! So if you need any tips about vegging out in Florence, I'm your gal. www.oregonflorencerealestate.com

25 FREE Things to Do in the Florence Area

1. Go kayaking or canoeing on Cleawox Lake at Honeyman State Park. The lake has a long narrow finger that's great to explore. Look and listen for lots of interesting birds.
2. Hike the Siltcoos Lake trail through old growth Douglas Fir, hemlock and Western Red Cedar. The loop is a couple of miles round trip and the rewards are many, not the least of which, depending on the season, are brown newts and banana slugs crossing your path.
3. Take a walk on Heceta Beach from the North Jetty to Driftwood Shores. Be on the lookout for seals playing in the near shore waves.
4. Stroll Saturday & Sunday Market along the boardwalk in Old Town and chat with artisans about their work.
5. Check out the fabulous beads at The Brown Dog in the Highway 101 Antique District.
6. Go swimming at Woahink Lake. You'll love the little sandy beach and refreshing clear water.
7. Ask to see Boris Karloff's room at The Lighthouse Inn on Highway 101, a 1930's treasure.
8. See Cobra Lilies at Darlingtonia State Natural Site. No, they don't bite.
9. Listen to the ukeles play at the Old Town gazebo. You'll think you're in Hawaii.
10. Dance to Curtis Delgagdo at Traveler's Cove.
11. Look for Sea Stars and anemones at Stawberry Hill.
12. Watch the salmon make their run up the Upper North Fork River in the fall.
13. Agate hunt just about anywhere.
14. Tube down the Siuslaw above the Mapleton Bridge, and on down the river.
15. Check out the art work at Backstreet Gallery, an artist's cooperative.
16. Bike the Munsel Creek Bicycle Trail.
17. Attend the Pioneer Museum's Storytellers event.
18. See Lemon yellow Gorse in bloom in February on the rocks at Southview.
19. Eat sun-warmed blackberries you pick yourself in August. Yum!
20. Skate at the skateboard park in Miller Park.
21. Watch the Rhododendron Parade, 102 years old, in May.
22. Paint a picture of the Conde McCullough bridge over the Siuslaw from the beach on Bay Street.
23. Hunt for wild iris in the late spring.
24. View Sweet Creek falls any time of year. Enjoy the swimming holes in the summer.
25. Read The Siuslaw News online.

Tiny Beach Getaway or Casual Country Elegance, You Decide

Even though Florence is a small town, just over 9,000, I am continually amazed at the complexity and variety of homes for sale. Take the 2 bed 1 bath upgraded and updated single wide manufactured home on West 19th Street. Talk about cute as a bug's ear, this has got it happening. I was the selling agent when this home was on the market a couple of years ago. Have you seen the ad "We Buy Ugly Homes?" Well, this would be that ad's poster child. That was then. Now, it's the perfect beach area getaway close to shopping on a street that dead ends at Miller Park. How sweet is that? Take a look for yourself: http://tinyurl.com/pzezny

On the other end of the spectrum is Bearfoot Lodge, a Northwest Rustic style chalet home on about 3 acres, complete with fish pond, vegetable garden, fruit trees, totally secluded, tucked away in a little valley where your only neighbors are long haired Scottish Highland cattle, coastal mountains and tall trees. http://tinyurl.com/qahycy It has an 1156 square foot ground floor Guest Suite with private entrance suitable as caretakers quarters. And that's only the beginning. From it's Master Suite with ensuite lounge, its dining room bathed in Merlot, to it's wraparound deck for gracious al fresco entertaining, this home is perfect for those seeking their own little piece of heaven. Located 3 miles from Highway 101, a quick trip to Florence's popular Old Town galleries and restaurants, it boasts temperatures a full 10 degrees warmer than Townies experience. So it has the best of both worlds: great temperatures for gardening and sunbathing yet minutes from all the action and the might Pacific Ocean.

And Florence has homes in-between too. Want one-story no maintenance living? Is an Old Town condo your cup of tea? Looking for a view lot to build your dream home on? Does the lake and it's magnificent steelhead fishing strike your fancy? It's all here in spades. Get it while the getting's good. The selection of properties is the best it's ever been in Florence but that won't last forever. A gal from Texas just popped into the office and she's discovered that Florence is truly that Paradise she's been looking for. Pending sales have picked up. I think they'll soon be lining up to buy property. The days of multiple offers are around the corner. http://www.oregonflorencerealestae.com/

Lots of Lots for Pennies on the Dollar in Florence

This morning I had a lovely couple walk into the office. They have a home in Grants Pass and an RV lot in Arizona and are looking for an RV lot in Florence because Grants Pass is way too hot in the summer. There are lots of lots for little to nothing in Florence right now, some of which are foreclosed lots in lovely subdivisions, some in gated communities on the golf course, some in 55+ parks, some in the country, one with a fabulous view of Old Town Florence, the Siuslaw River and the beautiful Conde McCullough bridge built in 1936, http://tinyurl.com/kpp8fw. I sent them off to explore the two best lots for their RV and for investment. If they're smart, they'll be back because now's the best time to purchase a lot or a home in our area. Prices haven't been this good since before the 2004-2005 boom. Check out all the Florence area lots for sale at www.oregonflorencerealestate.com. Contact me for my two favorite lots for sale.

A Bungalow by the Sea for You and Me Honey 'Cause Home Prices in Florence Oregon Just Hit Bottom!

Florence, Oregon has seen few foreclosures and only modest home price declines. In fact, many homes in the over $350,000 price range are still overpriced. However home prices in the lower end of the market have come down substantially. The Coastal Highlands neighborhood is a good example. This neighborhood is comprised of modest 3 bedroom 2 bathroom homes built in the late '90's. Folks who live there are police officers and hospital workers with a good sprinkling of retirees. There's one lovely home listed at $155,000 that's on a quarter acre with a fenced yard, 2-car garage, new paint inside and out and new carpeting. That's a good buy in this town any way you look at it. Take a look at MLS #9044819 at http://www.oregonflorencerealestate.com/. I guarantee you, the home looks better than the photos and it's not my listing either! So if you want to live in Paradise on the Pacific, all indications are that this really is the time to buy, especially if you want a sweet bungalow in a pretty, quiet neighborhood. And if you're interested in a list of foreclosed and short sale properties, I have one. Just email me and ask for this free report and I'll send it right along: hope@hopemacmanus.net

From the Florence Oregon Real Estate Expert: Don't you Wish you were Here?

I'm sitting in my office in lovely Old Town Florence, Oregon. The office doors are wide open and a piney little breeze is wafting in. The fountain is burbling. Sweet smells from The Shed Bakery are in the air and I'm hoping that Siuslaw Coffee Roasters will roast this morning. There's a bundle of folks sitting at the sidewalk tables in front of The Beachcomber on Bay Street enjoying a sunbath and The Beachcomber's wonderful huevos rancheros. I bet they'll be back to sample the wares from the brew pub, equally yummy. Highway 101 is busy with RV'ers and ATV'ers. The Lighthouse Inn, our historic mom and pop motel which was a favorite haunt of Boris Karloff, is filling up for the 4th of July celebrations. I'll be watching for the barge to arrive from which the fireworks are set off; it anchors across the Siuslaw River at the old Glenada ferry landing. Folks bring chairs, kids, dogs and coolers and set up along the Old Town boardwalk for an old-fashioned fun-filled evening. Life is good in Paradise on the Pacific. If you want to live here, let me know. I'll even tell you where my favorite skinny dipping spot is!

Hope@HopeMacManus.net
www.oregoncoastrealestate.com

From the Florence, Oregon Real Estate Expert: Is Real Estate Taking a Dive, or Is This the North Jetty?

I've lived in Florence, Oregon for over five years and I continue to learn new things about this marvelous place every single day. Here's today's new thing: the Florence area has some great dive spots. The North Jetty dive park is used as a saltwater training site and is very popular with beginners and returning divers. You can find crab, cockles and some fish. Woahink Lake just south of Florence has been used since the 60s as a freshwater training site and is protected shallow water area for beginners. You can find many man made things, from a sunken boat and rocking horse to a mini "Kiss concert." And when you're through with these two spots, it's a short drive to Coos Bay's Sunset Bay State Park for some challenging diving. You can see kelp beds and an abundance of fish and other sea life. An hour north of Florence, Newport's South Jetty is a good place to learn how to spearfish and pick up crab.

From the Florence, Oregon Real Estate Expert: Killer Real Estate Deals!

Since we've had a big increase in folks walking into our lovely office in Florence, OR I've been thinking about what THE BEST real estate deals are right now. Here's my favorites today: a condo right above my Old Town Florence office, so you can walk to Siuslaw Coffee Roasters for a fabulous cup a joe or sit on your balcony and view the famous Siuslaw River Bridge designed by Conde McCullough in the 30's for $159,000; a great lot in one of our nicest new subdivisions, The Reserve, for $35,000; a 1638 square foot water view home in town for $247,000. All of these are "distressed" properties and may therefore be gotten for less. You don't know until you make an offer. So call me for the MLS numbers and a chat about Paradise on the Pacific, Florence, Oregon, USA.

From the Florence Oregon Real Estate Expert: We Didn't See the Ghost!

I have the most wonderful mother-in-law in the world and here's one of a million reasons why: Helen treated Cliff and me to a stay at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, http://www.hecetalighthouse.com/ We actually slept in one of the last remaining Lightkeeper's Cottages on the Pacific Coast. We had the Queen Anne Room which is described this way:

Our most romantic room, fit for a queen. A four-poster bed with Austrian shears
sets the mood. View the forest and our gardens through your window. We
provide terry cloth bathrobes for the walk across the hall to the shared
European style bath. Soak in a porcelain claw foot tub and gaze at the beach below.

Doesn't that sound like the perfect room? And it was. The sunset was unbelievably fabulous. A sliver of a moon hung in the perfect spot to the south of the lighthouse. I took a million photos and plan to paint the scene--I'm a beginning watercolorist. Not the least remarkable about our stay was the seven course breakfast. How do I sing its praises? No words could possibly capture the palate-stimulating extravaganza that I experienced. You'll just have to go there yourself. Oh, I almost forgot! We'd heard that the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage is haunted. In fact there's a book full of guest comments from those who have seen "them" and written about "them." Maybe the moon wasn't right, maybe the wine I'd had wasn't strong enough, but I didn't see one ghost, didn't smell one ghost, there wasn't even any ghostly fog that night. Must mean that I'll have to return under more auspicious circumstances!

Once you've fallen totally in love with the Central Oregon Coast, come see me and I'll regale you with the Best Place to Skinny Dip and the Best Place to Picnic Under a Waterfall. And I can always tell you about real estate in Florence, Oregon. Because there's lots more to explore in this amazing area. So much that you'll want to live right here in Paradise on the Pacific.

You can search all property in Oregon at http://www.oregonflorencerealestate.com/, or email me at hope@hopemacmanus.net. Ghost inquiries welcome!