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.

Things to Do: 17th Annual Pow-Wow

Now here's something fun and FREE to do in Florence. Everyone is welcome to attend.The 17th annual pow wow to benefit the Native American Education Programs in three area school districts--Siuslaw, Mapleton and Reedsport--is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th at Siuslaw Middle School on Oak Street. The Grand Entry is at 1:00 and 6:00 pm. The pot luck is at 4:30 pm. There's open drumming, Native American arts and crafts and much more. Dancers and drummers from all over Oregon and surrounding states come to this community for the pow wow. Any proceeds go to the Native American Education Program Parent Committee fund to help enhance the program. The Native American Education Program is a two part program with the schools districts. The first part is scholastic: children are helped with their school work and encouraged to stay in school. The second part helps students understand the culture and traditions of their ancestors. The program teaches respect of self, others and the world around. Now what could be a better accomplishment than that!

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

Vacation Rental Options in Florence Oregon

Florence Oregon has been a popular vacation spot since Boris Karloff stayed at The Lighthouse Inn in the '30's http://www.lighthouseinn-florence.com/ and Clark Gable flew in to hunt and fish from the Lodge on Woahink Lake. Now Robin Williams finds his way to Florence on occasion. Well, if it's good enough for movie stars, it's good enough for the rest of us. Vacation rentals in Florence are as varied as the locales and microclimates in the greater Florence area. For instance, you can stay in a darling cabin at the Park Motel http://www.parkmotelflorence.com/ property south of the Siuslaw River Bridge. Bob and Margaret who own the Park Motel live on site. They'll treat you like family, so be prepared to want to come back every year as my friends from Gresham do. Or how about a family reunion on one of the areas' 18 lakes? This fabulous home has it all, privacy, a dock, swimming, warmth: http://www.florence-oregon-rentals.com/property-detail.php?property=31 and can sleep up to 12 people. You'll feel as though you're in heaven! Here's another idea: check out the vacation rentals by owner website for a whole page of fabulous vacation rentals including several on our lakes. http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/oregon/central-coast/florence Got an RV and want to rent a spot for a while? The Port of Siuslaw Harbor http://www.portofsiuslaw.com/pages/campground.php is a popular spot and the spaces right on the river are fabulous. Plus you can walk to Old Town for a morning coffee, stop at the river next to The Waterfront Depot for the view of the bridge or for rendering a watercolor en pleine aire or head to The Bridgewater for a brew http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-22031635R-the_bridgewater_restaurant-i. Don't have an RV but would like to stay in one spitting distance from the beach? Take a look at Mike and Debbies Coastal Hideaway http://www.florencerentals.com/vacrent.htm Always fantasized about sleeping on a luxury yacht? How about Enke: http://www.florencerentals.com/enke.htm What a romantic vacation this would be! So you're only limited by your imagination when it comes to renting a place in Florence. Want inside tips on vacation rentals? Call me and I'll give you the straight skinny, be it mountain, lake, ocean, RV, cabin or tent. I know the area well and can provide you with answers to all the little questions you might have: 541-991-7480. I don't claim to be unbiased because I love all the possibilities that Florence Oregon has to offer.

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.

Peaches, Pooches and Pocketbooks on the Old Town Florence Boardwalk

I love strolling the Old Town Boardwalk during Saturday Market. What a lovely assortment of food and fun stuff to pick from. I think just about every dog in town visits the boardwalk. I saw hot dog doggies, fluffy doggies, short doggies and tall doggies, barky doggies and standoffish doggies. My dog, Maeve, is a whiner doggie, not to be confused with a weiner doggie, a cross between a Chow and a Golden Retriever, about 35 pounds, a redheaded shedder extraordinaire. If I were smart, I'd collect all that red hair and knit a sweater for the cool months I spend in front of the fire. Or maybe I could figure out a way to incorporate her hair into my watercoloring. Anyone with suggestions, please shout them out. Anyway, when Maeve sees another dog, she whines and sings out her hello, hoping someone will come over and pet her. She thinks she's the prettiest pooch on the boardwalk and lots of folks must think the same or love her singing because they come over and give her a pet. She gives them a toothy smile and that results in more pets, then she sings a little more and the pet goes on. Last time we were on the boardwalk, the fresh veggie vendors were there in force. I bought my husband and I a peach each from an organic farm, the kind of peach that you just have to eat right then and there, the kind I call a two paper towel peach, so much juice dripping down your chin, you attract bees and butterflys to the sweet nectar. Could August possibly get any better than this? Not in my book. The Saturday Market goes on until the weather gets fall-like, maybe a little rainy. I hope we've got another 6 weeks and that those peaches keep coming. But you never know, so if you've a yen for juicy peaches, pooches, pocketbooks and more, set your sites for Florence Old Town right away.

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!

What's It Doing on the Oregon Coast

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to visit the Oregon Coast and this weekend's weather is going to be a stunner: sunny sunny sunny. Florence's famous native rhododendrons around which the Rhododendron Festival was founded 103 years ago were not quite in full bloom for that festival last weekend. This weekend, they'll be out in all their blazing pink glory. Though with Florence's development over the past five years, native rhodys have become less prevalent, there are certainly areas where they are prominent. One of my favorite areas for viewing is around our lakes to the south of the Siuslaw River Bridge, especially around Honeyman Park, the site of Cleawox Lake, and around Woahink Lake. If you've not taken the flat leisurely walk around Cleawox Lake, you've got a real treat in store for you. Our dog, Maeve, loves that trail too. Cleawox Lake is a top spot for fishing--no big motors allowed--kayaking, swimming, canoeing, picnicing, and hiking over the massive dunes to the beach. South of the Siuslaw River Bridge, especially east of highway 101 is a sought-after area to live. Lots are typically an acre or more and best of all, this area is protected from the coast's summer wind thus allowing people to garden to their hearts content, even growing large vegetable gardens. There, depending on the particular microclimate, temperatures can actually exceed 80 degrees during the summer. If you think you want to live where the temperatures get that warm, you need the help of an expert in the Florence area's microclimates. Guess who that would be: me! So for the latest in the weather, good real estate deals, and where the best skinny dipping spot is, just email me. I'm your neighborhood expert.