There are different kinds of investors. Some can have a positive effect on the community through their approach to buying properties. Others, of a buy/fix/flip bent may be less inclined to see positive economic growth and progress in their city. The quick profit is the focus for the second group. With these interest rates, it is a great time to buy for anyone, but especially for investors who have analyzed cash flow and found it to be acceptable for future profitability. Fortunately, Corvallis Oregon is the kind of place people land and stay. The relatively stable economy, life filled university town feel, and a feeling of long standing tradition and community pride contribute to this steadiness. As a homeowner considering a sale of a home to an investor, there may be an ideal kind of... 08/30/2012

This is just for fun. The College of Engineering at Oregon State University has a practice math placement test. Most adults have long been out of school, but there are always those mathletes who like to prove they've still got it. Challenge your co-worker or friend and see how you do on this 40 question multiple choice challenge. Here is the link, and good luck! https://secure.engr.oregonstate.edu/mathpractice/   08/29/2012

We came across a couple of efforts that are happening locally with good intentions. Both are focused on the quality of the environment - in one case water safety, and in another, reducing air pollution as part of an interest in clean energy sources we can produce ourselves (nothing is more basic than a bicycle). Here are a couple things you can do with local support and resources to participate in a community wide effort to keep Corvallis one of the greenest cities in America.   Dump the Drugs   The Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates that 40% of all prescribed medicine goes unused. Most prescription medication abuse occurs when drugs are obtained from family and friends.  As a water, wastewater, and stormwater utility, Corvallis Public Works also is interested in remov... 08/24/2012

The Boston Globe did an interesting article in 2007 on generational preferences in real estate, noting that the Boomer affinity for McMansions as well as the number of Boomers owning a supersized home compared to the number of interested Gen-Xers (the would-be buyers) makes for an interesting situation where supply far exceeds demand. Boomers are left holding the bag. After doing a 90’s upgrade in home to correlate with their expanding family size, Boomers want to scale back. But Gen-Xers do not often feel a need for a large home and the status associated with it. Gen-Xers are waiting longer to marry, having fewer children and are focused on building their careers. Many are not financially able to buy a huge house anyway. So with the large Boomer generation beginning to arrive at retire... 08/23/2012

Corvallis           Price Range Active Listings as of 8/2/2012 Sold Listings Last 6 Mos. Average Sold Per Month Months of Inventory Av. Days on Market Solds $0 - $99,999 * 1 0.17 * 690 $100,000 - $149,999 4 6 1.00 4.00 53 $150,000 - $199,999  29 25 4.17 6.96 114 $200,000 - $249,999 35 74 12.33 2.84 122 $250,000 - $299,999 31 52 8.67 3.58 108 $300,000 - $349,999 19 44 7.33 2.59 135 $350,000 - $399,999 18 23 3.83 4.70 121 $400,000 - $449,999 17 14 2.33 7.29 126 $450,000 - $499,999 6 8 1.33 4.50 155 $500,000 - $599,999 11 8 1.33 8.25 158 $600,000 - $699,999 5 4 0.67 7.50 148 $700,000 + 5 6 1.00 5.00 90   180 265   4.08 168 08/21/2012

Realtors often give advice to would-be home sellers about curb appeal. What about the home owner who simply wants to live as though they just moved in to a fresh and organized home? What are key things which can be done now, in August, to create a well-cared-for feeling at home? Here are some top suggestions for Oregon home owners who have a little time and inclination to look at their home with new eyes.   Stand back and look at your yard. Where you see brown, dead or overgrown – attack, get it out of there. Make the entrance to your home uncluttered and more spacious feeling, so the path to the door is clear. If you have a front porch, wash away the dust and then sweep or powerwash the floor surface.   Consider strategically placing lights in a well-landscaped yard in order to conceal... 08/20/2012

Ever heard of Furniture Share? They are doing something really cool that solves a couple problems:   1. Unused/unwanted furniture which is perfectly good ends up in landfills.   2. Families in our area do not have basic furniture items for healthy, comfortable lives.   If you are one of those people who enjoys purging your home of unwanted items and are guilty of the ease of just taking it all to the dump, read further to learn how one more trip or a simple phone call to arrange pick up could make a big difference in the lives of fellow community members.   Furniture Share is always in high demand of clean, useable furniture and household items to redistribute to families and individuals in need. They serve an average of 100 individuals per week, providing them with basic and essential ... 08/15/2012

Have you ever heard of Smilebooth? It's a portable camera-behind-the-curtain which can be rented and used at fundraisers, events such as weddings or corporate gatherings, and apparently the local sororities and fraternities have had quite a bit of fun with this as well. The booth has been seen to fit up to 10 people. We see this as a fun way for friends and family to connect. Consider an ugly sweater party, for example - not many people do something this original and offbeat. Smilebooth has a facebook page with albums of photos located at facebook.com/smilephotobooth If you have been trying to come up with a different idea for a gathering you might look into it. We did not investigate cost, but there is an office in Corvallis at 420 14th. We are not in any way affilited with Smilebooth ... 08/14/2012

Bard in the Quad - The Taming of the Shrew 08/15/2012 - 08/19/2012 Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad Corvallis, Oregon 97331 6:00 PM $15 adult, $10 youth, $5 OSU Student Parking: Parking Lots,Street  08/13/2012

News from your Chamber: Ever Considered Running for City Council?    The City of Corvallis has announced that City Council election packets are now available for interested citizens.  On November 6, the voters in Corvallis will elect nine non-partisan City Councilors to the Council for two-year terms.  Each of the nine Councilors will be elected individually from the Wards where they live.   Are you interested?  Have you wanted to help set the direction of the City?  To qualify as a candidate, you must be: A Corvallis registered voter A Corvallis resident for at least one year prior to the election A resident in the Ward for which you are running at the time the nomination is filed Nominations are made by petition with signatures of 20 registered voters residing in the Ward you live in.... 08/10/2012

Summer meteors – coming up!   We don’t know a thing about astronomy, but this could be a memorable family event if you can stay up for it.   Photo: Jimmy Westlake “In early August, you’ll notice the moon is very big and bright in the sky all night long. As always, after midnight is the best time for meteor watching. So after late July, you might want to wait until the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13 to watch for Perseid meteors. The moon will have shifted to the early morning sky, not rising until shortly before dawn, and appearing in a waning crescent phase. On August 11, 12 and 13, as an added treat, the moon will be sweeping past the brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – in the eastern predawn sky. You can’t ask for more!”  EarthSky.com 08/09/2012

Size & Scale of the Universe: a family astronomy program08/07/2012 - 09/07/2012Time: 3:30Location: Corvallis-Benton Co. Public Library1645 NW Monroe Ave   Corvallis, Oregon 97330541-766-6793 websiteAward-winning astrophysicist Kevin Manning will present a free, family-oriented program that will incorporate awe-inspiring video footage in addition to hands on activities. The indoor part of the program begins a free, family-oriented program that will incorporate awe-inspiring video footage in addition to hands on activities. The indoor part of the program begins at 3:30. At 5:00, Manning will take us outside for a telescope viewing of sunspots using NASA solar screens for safe viewing of the sun. 08/09/2012

Renovating an Aged Charmer? It is easy to admire the ground-breaking, often unmatched architecture of a vintage or historic home. We also admire the people who take on the project of a house built 7 or 8 decades back. It is rewarding work, and the character of historic homes in unlike any new construction. Those older homes were built to last, and last they have. But nothing stands forever. Perhaps yours has gone untouched since the 1930’s and you are wondering what to be concerned about and what can wait. After a little research and with conversations we’ve had, here are some thoughts to consider since you have committed and have taken this on. The results will be worth it! When you bought the home inspections would have taken place, so you know where things stand for the inspections t... 08/02/2012

The 51st Annual Clothesline Sale of Art   Clothesline Sale of Art - 51st Annual August 4, 2012 BentonCountyCourthouse Lawn 120 NW 4th St. Corvallis,Oregon97330 9am - 5pm   The Corvallis Art Guild will hold its 51st annual "Clothesline Sale of Art" on the lawn of the beautiful Benton County Courthouse.  This traditional, annual event will feature the work of over 60 artists, all members of the Guild, who will display their two dimensional art in oil, watercolor, acrylics,  colored pencil, collage and digital art   Visitors to this "outdoor gallery" will be treated to exceptional art-work at affordable prices.  Both originals and reproductions are offered, both framed and unframed, along with note cards.  Visa and Mastercard sales are accepted.  A percentage of the profits will be donated... 08/01/2012

Anticipating your move, feeling a little stressed and open to a bit of advice?   Eat the frog. Do the hardest, most hated and exhausting thing that everyone saves till last, and get it over with. The outdoor part of the move with broken pots, piles of debris, lawn chairs crying for the dumpster – just power through and be proud of yourself for getting over the biggest hurdle.  Ideally, you can chip away at the indoor preparation and packing. Ask yourself if it is really worth packing, carrying and unpacking each item. Ask yourself when you last used the item. Where will the article fit into the plan for your new home? If you cannot imagine where it fits in and have not used it for years, it is time to say your farewells.   For some people, this is very freeing, almost addicting, to purg... 07/31/2012

My family used to go to the county fair every year when I was a kid. My mom would offer dozens of different vegetables and baked goods for judging, and we’dspend hours examining her competitors' wares and smiling proudly over her blue ribbons on display.   Camille, “lover of coleslaw” waywardspark.com    The 99th round of the Benton County Fair & Rodeo begins Wednesday, August 1st at noon and goes until Saturday at midnight. As usual, expect family fun, live entertainment, great music, fun rides and activities for every age. There are some changes to this year’s fair as reported by The Gazette Times.   Logistical Changes   Fair officials have done away with reserved seating at this year’s Main Stage concerts, so fairgoers can pitch a blanket or a yard chair on the lawn to enjoy the show... 07/30/2012

Zillow Blog a few days ago cited Fannie Mae, reporting that the single-family home rental was the fastest-growing sector of the rental market from 2005 to 2010—and it's still growing.   People may be giving Google a little too much credit these days. We also tend to make faster decisions in this information driven age, so many people searching for a rental will expect quick, tailored results from Google, and they will go with what Google pulls up first in the non-paid organic results. In searching, renters may neglect listings which come up too far down the list. If you want your rental business to get visibility on Google, rental professionals need to channel energy into search engine optimization (SEO), which helps get websites higher in Google search results. We focus on this when s... 07/30/2012

"Husband left us for a 22 year old. House for sale by scorned, slightly bitter, newly single owner." This was the opening line to a For Sale By Owner listing which is getting quite a bit of attention, even on a local Portland news station. Elle Zober of Beaverton, Oregon admits her approach is quirky, and she says on her website that she is “not a Realtor, nor do I have the same access to all the fun little stats they have." A mother of two, she has found her own way to move on. "Adulterers need not apply," the sign reads along with Zober's contact information.  She said the sign is not a means of revenge against her ex. "I just thought it was truth in advertising," she said. "I want people to know it was a family home. It was well-loved and it was well taken care of. I want another fam... 07/28/2012

Land Use - A Community Conversation07/30/2012Time: 7pm - 9pmLocation: Richardson Hall, Room 107Oregon State University   Corvallis, Oregon 97330541-230-1237 websiteThis is an opportunity for community members to respond to the Land Use Action Team’s proposed revisions to the Land Use section of the Community Sustainability Action Plan. For more information, contact.  This is an opportunity for community members to respond to the Land Use Action Team’s proposed revisions to the Land Use section of the Community Sustainability Action Plan. For more information, contact Info@SustainableCorvallis.org or call 541-230-1237. Sponsor: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s Land Use Action Team   07/28/2012

The Latest Symptoms: Corvallis, Oregon Real Estate and National Economic Indicators  With broad brushstrokes, we bring you an update on the real estate market and economic factors involved both nationally and locally. Here is a fact to be proud of:  The Wall Street Journal lists Corvallis as one of the 10 Best Cities for Millennials, citing an unemployment rate which is 2.5% less than the national average.   One factor we keep an eye on is the simple observation of how many homes are for sale and how long it is taking them to sell. We have not had as much housing inventory in BentonCounty as we do at this moment since February of this year when the statistic was 12.4 months to sell what was currently listed. Right now we are at 10.4 months. There was an interesting burst of activity in ... 07/23/2012