Lot's of homes for sale in Applegate - why? (Medford: apartment, home sales)

[MidCenturyModern]

Originally Posted by adaptable

No doubt the Applegate, like many other desireable regions across the U.S., surged during the 2000-2007 period as the housing market skyrocketed (albeit with unwarranted exuberance), the economy was doing well and the early baby boomer retirees began their migration to these destinations. As the economy improves, and the wine industry and organic farming continue to grow in the Appleate valley you will see the housing market recover.

In addition, there are going to be 10,000 baby boomers retiring each day for the next 20 years. This is the largest demographic wave in the history of the country. The Applegate, and the Southern Oregon, is still a very desirable region and as more people move into the area businesses and services will follow.

These economic and housing burps are not new. With on-going population growth and historic demographic changes Southern Oregon will recover and thrive. I think we're in the beginning stages of the next major upward trend move in this area. UGB's are a blessing in disguise even for folks that would like to seem them disappear.

Agree with everything you say. Both Southern Oregon and Bend Oregon have great climates and will recover, as will Reno-Sparks-Tahoe, along with Truckee-Grass Valley-Auburn.

Ashland-Applegate Valley ... Ashland is within the urban growth boundary so home prices are very high. Applegate Valley is outside the UGB except for Talent and Medford. Not sure if Jacksonville has an UGB ...

The Applegate Valley is the next Sonoma Valley !

[MidCenturyModern]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

It is a beautiful area, but there are not enough jobs.

Certainly doesn't help matters when Wallmart has to sue the City of Medford to build their Supercenter. Medford should approve all developments due to its high unemployment.

Folks like me like your area yet hesitate to move in when we hear about urban growth boundaries, foreclosures, the DLCD, companies suing city councils, the state blocking the natural gas pipeline, etc. Sounds dreadful compared to Colorado or Utah. Hope the voters wake up and throw the anti-growth folks out of office. Newbies to ANY area expect growth and jobs, along with quality, affordable housing. Oregon's land use policies prevent this.

Originally Posted by JuniperRidge1

Urban growth boundaries in Oregon, California, etc. result in Infill as you write above. However, most people prefer homes with yards, so they live outside the urban growth boundaries where lots are larger. The commutes of these folks last longer.

strongly agree; folks live in North Scottsdale to have newer homes on larger lots and then commute 30 miles each way ... folks live 40 miles south of downtown salt lake city so they can buy homes for $150K ...

ashland and medford are restricted by their UGB's so folks live in cheaper communities i.e. the applegate valley and grants pass Why not eliminate the UGB's, build closer to town, and save gas ?

[SETabor]

Ashland prices are higher than Medford because they're in Ashland more than because of any UGB. It's akin to the fact that a house in Vale is more expensive than one in some unnamed city nearby.

If you like the southern Oregon weather but are wary of UGBs, then you could live in Yreka - you'd get the best of both worlds.

One reason people buy houses with yards out in the suburbs with a 30-mile commute is because that's where the cheap houses are being built. If you could buy a cheap house closer, most people would. But the sprawl keeps the housing stock moving steadily outward resulting in rings of older development. I can't find the reference now but I recall reading about how the new exurbs and rebirth of downtown cores are leaving rings of suburbs between the two with decreased home values that are becoming the new ghettos.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

Agree with everything you say. Both Southern Oregon and Bend Oregon have great climates and will recover, as will Reno-Sparks-Tahoe, along with Truckee-Grass Valley-Auburn.

Ashland-Applegate Valley ... Ashland is within the urban growth boundary so home prices are very high. Applegate Valley is outside the UGB except for Talent and Medford. Not sure if Jacksonville has an UGB ...

The Applegate Valley is the next Sonoma Valley !

Nah,

I would say that the Umpqua Valley is the next Sonoma. It has a better climate, and is much more affordable.

Greg Jones, Wine Climate guru from Southern Oregon University, whose parents own Abacela are already doing it..

The Abacela Story

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

There is no urban growth boundary in the salt lake city area or down in the phoenix area. Utilities extend forever in both cities and median home prices are less than anywhere up in Oregon where you have urban growth boundaries. Lot sizes are also much larger in parts of both salt lake and phoenix resulting in more trees and wild birds.

There's a vast difference between Utah and Arizona, where the land is unproductive without massive irrigation projects, and Oregon, which is one of the great garden spots of the world. There is something to be said for easing land use restrictions in areas where the land is worthless, like Wheeler County, but so far the legislature has not been able to agree on any reforms. In the Phoenix area, nobody wants the land, so nobody cares if it gets developed. If you put a city the physical size of Phoenix in the Willamette Valley, there wouldn't be a Willamette Valley.

The trees in Phoenix are there because of irrigation. If you quit watering them, they die. The birds are not natural. The native sage hen is almost extinct because of habitat destruction.

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

Actually, there is citizen input since Citizens elect their City Councils who then appoint the City Manager, planners. All of these officials are responsible for zoning. In addition, HOA's provide zoning and can fight developments that they don't like. One does not need a bureaucratic system especially when it drives up land prices with speculators.

Anyone who has visited those areas has seen how monumentally that system has failed. Where there are natural attractions worth visiting, you will find them ringed with McMansions and neon lighted businesses.

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

Actually, Dartmouth land use economist Dr. Bill Fischel calculated that if every family of four had one acre of land, that would only occupy 3 percent of the U.S. So if the population doubled, that would be 6 percent with one acre. Most Americans right now do not even own an acre of land.

I'm sure they can buy as many acres as they want for a few bucks in Arizona or Utah. In Oregon, the land is generally worth more, so the price is relatively higher.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

ashland and medford are restricted by their UGB's so folks live in cheaper communities i.e. the applegate valley and grants pass Why not eliminate the UGB's, build closer to town, and save gas ?

Ashland and Medford each have a 20 year inventory of buildable land within their urban growth boundaries. You can build close in if you want.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by MidCenturyModern

Not sure if Jacksonville has an UGB ...

All incorporated cities in Oregon have a comprehensive land use plan and an urban growth boundary.

[AAAplus]

[quote=frederick blauch;23053441]Is there something going on in the Applegate area (besides the obvious slow economy) that so many homes would be for sale?[/quot

would love to know where these homes are and how to find them on line (in the applegate valley) i checked trulia and the only listing if found was for some apartments in talent

from what i read here and elsewhere sounds like this silly urban boundary thing or whatever it is results in housing un-affordability, so where can i find an acre or two for less than 50 grand in southern oregon ?

how about a house on a one acre lot for under 175 grand?

[Larry Caldwell]

Subscribe to the local newspapers and read the public notices in the classifieds to find out about foreclosure sales. Do your inspection as much as possible, and don't neglect a title search. Just because the primary mortgage holder is foreclosing doesn't mean there aren't other debts against the property. Then show up on the courthouse steps with your check in hand.

You might also be able to pick up an acre or two in a busted subdivision fairly cheap. At least that way you would have water and sewer. If you buy an acre or two outside of town, chances are it would never be buildable.

[hamellr]

[quote=AAAplus;24578552]

Originally Posted by frederick blauch

from what i read here and elsewhere sounds like this silly urban boundary thing or whatever it is results in housing un-affordability, so where can i find an acre or two for less than 50 grand in southern oregon ?

Harney County, Oregon Land for sale, Harney County, Oregon Acreage for Sale, Harney County, Oregon Lots for Sale at LandWatch.com