Oregon coast questions (Portland, Salem, Bend: buy, casino, place to live)

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

All I can say is get a real estate agent who knows the area well, and don't be in a hurry.

While prices are going up everywhere, the Portland area has seen some insane real estate prices.

Just because that happened in the Portland area doesn't mean it's happened all over Oregon.

A lot of people are trying to unload their beach house white elephants and think they can take advantage of the Portland real estate craziness and make some money from unwitting out of staters...

Plus I bet a lot of them were purchased before the big crash a while ago, and people are trying to wring every last cent to compensate for the inflated prices they paid way back when real estate was considered an easy to qualify for, "no brainer" investment.

You have to ask yourself why a house in Coos Bay would even come close to the price of a house in Hawaii.

Just what is the attractiveness of a place like Coos Bay that would warrant that pricing?

You are wise to be cynical and ask questions.

For accuracy, home prices in Coos Bay are not even close to prices in Hawaii. Real estate prices in Hawaii are more than double what they are in Oregon, and Coos Bay is on the low end for Oregon. Average home prices in Coos Bay are about half the prices of the cheapest homes in Hawaii.

As for why, I think we all know why. One word: Californians, who think any home that is listed for less than half a million dollars is a bargain, that should be snapped up immediately.

[movedintime]

Hey PDX, have always enjoyed reading your posts. They come across genuine and from a straight shooter. Seems you must be a writer or professor???? Thank you for what sounds like straight honesty.

Cloudy, one would think what you write about comparing home prices from Hawaii to Coos would be accurate. That is the dilemma.... Our place is short of 1000sq ft , 3 bed/2 bath on 1/3 acre built in 1977. I've completely remodeled with all new kitchen cabinets (custom, not home depot ) granite counters, deep cast iron sink and faucet, stainless glass top stove and fridg. All new bath, glass tile walk in shower, tile floor, new double vanity. Fresh paint inside and out. The house needs nothing, except what someone thinks they just might want. We would feel fortunate to put 275 in our pocket if we sold.

From what I see on redfin or zillow, it would take 200 or better to get into an older home in Coos and more $ to bring it up to what we have now. But would still have an Older place, which I'm guessing you know require more maintenance and $ to keep up.

I've got to be missing something.??? As PDX suggested a good realtor will be needed. We both would like to leave here and like many, many others would like to be were it isn't too hot or too cold. (the 3 bears syndrome...haha) Being somewhat familiar with Coos and very familiar with the N.W in general it seems like a likely spot. Big enough town to still have some employment, beautiful area can't be argued with stuff to do in the general vicinity.

As PDX stated, what is the attractiveness of a place like Coos Bay that would warrant that pricing.

Trying to wrap my head around giving up a place here for a place there for a reason other than,"we want to"
That doesn't seem to be a good enough reason yet. Maybe we're searching for some kind of benefit. Like maybe swapping locations (we see that as a benefit) but feel the home should also be upgraded or at least have some left over. At this point it seems like an upgrade in location but a big downgrade in housing.

any suggestions on a Good realtor or possibly a local builder ??

[oregonwoodsmoke]

You must be trying to sell in Puna, then.

Benefits? The air will smell a lot better, the humidity is different and a lot more comfortable. Weather will be a lot cooler. You are already accustomed to living with rain, schools can't be any worse and your children won't be beat up, no vog.

[Nurse Bishop]

Do people ever just agree to simply swap houses? Seems like it would be a lot less complicated.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by movedintime

Trying to wrap my head around giving up a place here for a place there for a reason other than,"we want to"
That doesn't seem to be a good enough reason yet. Maybe we're searching for some kind of benefit. Like maybe swapping locations (we see that as a benefit) but feel the home should also be upgraded or at least have some left over.

What is your healthcare situation? Hawaii is generally held to have the most comprehensive coverage in the US. Assuming the ACA is still around by the time you move, Oregon's rural counties have pretty stiff rates (often about 50% more than the Portland metro area) and I think Coos County has just the 2 insurers. If you use the pages at healthcare.gov and put in the Coos zip, you can see what your coverage would run there.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Hey PDX, have always enjoyed reading your posts. They come across genuine and from a straight shooter. Seems you must be a writer or professor???? Thank you for what sounds like straight honesty.

Thanks.
I am a retired structural/environmental test engineer.

[movedintime]

Not in Puna. Not my cup of tea, but some like it. Also not the high society neighborhood, but a very good desirable area in town (Hilo) , nice neighborhood with city water and amenities. The other benefits you listed are very true.
Our children are grown and gone, so not an issue for us, but you are correct. Life here is pretty hard on the red headed white kid.

Swap houses is a good idea, and I think some do it. I don't know how or if I could ??

Health care is one of the reasons close to the top of the list. It is well known that health care in Hawaii is at best comparable to 3rd world. Especially the outer islands. Well Known.

Cloudy Days thoughts about Coos Bay property being half of Hawaii was my 1st thought also. If that was the case we would be there faster than you can post or email.. haha

I spent roughly 15 plus years in N. Idaho. Coeur d alene to be exact. That place got over ran as it became a resort town. Everybody and their brother decided they had to be there. Figured if I had to be in the crowds I'd at least find decent weather.
Has that happened to Coos Bay also ? Has it become a resort destination ?

[Nurse Bishop]

Run an ad in the Coos Bay (or other town) newspaper. There must be people in Oregon that are sick of the rain and dream of sunnier climes who would swap houses to live in Hawaii. No, Coos Bay is a sort of industrial town. North Bend is a better part of Coos Bay with nice houses. Bandon, south of Coos Bay is a nice little town, very cute and touristy.

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by Nurse Bishop

Run an ad in the Coos Bay (or other town) newspaper. There must be people in Oregon that are sick of the rain and dream of sunnier climes who would swap houses to live in Hawaii. No, Coos Bay is a sort of industrial town. North Bend is a better part of Coos Bay with nice houses. Bandon, south of Coos Bay is a nice little town, very cute and touristy.

Perhaps trading homes might work if both parties owned their homes outright, but I don't think banks or mortgage companies would be willing or able to make a trade possible.

[Tulippsy]

Originally Posted by movedintime

Not in Puna. Not my cup of tea, but some like it. Also not the are grown and gone, so not an issue for us, but you are correct. Life here is pretty hard on the red headed white kid

I spent roughly 15 plus years in N. Idaho. Coeur d alene to be exact. That place got over ran as it became a resort town. Everybody and their brother decided they had to be there. Figured if I had to be in the crowds I'd at least find decent weather.
Has that happened to Coos Bay also ? Has it become a resort destination ?

It’s not just Coos Bay, OP, but pretty much the entire state of Oregon has rapidly escalating real estate prices. Higher end homes are increasing more slowly but the lower priced homes, especially in the 200’s are in high demand. I’m sure our friendly, local, fount of real estate knowledge Silverfall, could chime in and tell you more. I think that might be pretty much the case across the mainland, save for a few pockets. I know for sure the same thing is going on in south Florida, where we relocated from.

For example, three years ago my husband and I retired and relocated to Portland from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We discovered the COL to be virtually the same. We bought a 2/2 condo - 1100 sq. feet in the low 200’s, on the far west side. Less than a year later we sold and made a roughly 70k. We did do some remodeling but didn’t spend close to that.

Next we moved to Jacksonville, Oregon and into an over 55 manufactured home community. Again, we stayed a year. We bought in the mid 90’s and sold for 175k. A fourteen year old manufactured home. In a park.

Now we are on the southern Oregon coast. I hope this one is it. I am deliriously happy here. We are in another manufactured home, which is all we can afford. It’s a beautiful, large home in a lovely setting. 2 minutes to the beach and there is ALWAYS parking. Free parking.

The coast is not for everybody, but the other retired people I have met here are all very content. Save for one gent who is angry they won’t build a casino in town. 😊. Thank goodness!