What Happens in Escrow? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – March 2020

When people talk about a real estate transaction being “in escrow,” they often assume it is about to close. However, there are several events that normally take place after escrow is opened and before the actual closing of the real estate transaction. This article covers the details of […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:48-07:00March 3rd, 2020|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on What Happens in Escrow? – by Sandy J. Brown

Predicting the 2020 Market – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – February 2020

As we head into a new year as well as a new decade, one of the big questions many people have is about the stability of the real estate market. Lucky for me, the company I work for has their own economist that provides quarterly projections as well […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:49-07:00February 5th, 2020|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Predicting the 2020 Market – by Sandy J. Brown

House Bill 2001 – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – December 2019/January 2020

Oregon is making a significant change in what type of housing is allowed to be built in the state. House Bill (HB) 2001 was adopted by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in June 2019 and gained national attention as Oregon is the first state in the nation to […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:53-07:00December 2nd, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on House Bill 2001 – by Sandy J. Brown

EFU Zoning and Hemp – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – November 2019

One of the things many people enjoy about living in Jackson County is the rural feel of the area and its open farmland. But as evidenced over the last year, a lot of that farmland is being planted to hemp, which is unmistakable at harvest season, when the […]

By |2019-10-29T17:39:44-07:00October 29th, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on EFU Zoning and Hemp – by Sandy J. Brown

Private Loans – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – October 2019

Purchasing a home is typically one of the biggest investments in your lifetime and few people have the cash to purchase a home outright. One option that comes up occasionally, and can work well for everyone, is to get a private loan from a friend or family member. […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:56-07:00September 27th, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Private Loans – by Sandy J. Brown

Conserving Water – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – September 2019

Water is a critical part of our way of life. Our economy, environment and our day-to-day lifestyle need water in order to flourish. But it’s a limited resource, and especially this time of year we need to rethink the way we […]

By |2020-09-30T14:15:57-07:00August 31st, 2019|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Conserving Water – by Sandy J. Brown

Firewise Communities – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – August 2019

With all the wildfires that have devastated communities throughout the west recently, fire safety is at the forefront of many property owners’ minds. The increase in population over the last century has pushed much of the growth into what used to be forest and grasslands. […]

By |2019-07-29T17:04:45-07:00July 29th, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Firewise Communities – by Sandy J. Brown

Know Your Well Well! – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – July 2019

Many households in rural areas of Oregon obtain their water from a well. The question that always comes up in real estate transactions is how much water does the well produce and how much do you need?

The amount of […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:01-07:00July 1st, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Know Your Well Well! – by Sandy J. Brown

Accessory Dwelling Units in Jackson County – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – May 2019

Oregon has a housing shortage and that shortage has been growing in part because of a lack of housing being constructed combined with an influx of people moving to the state—lured by the state’s job opportunities and its forests, mountains, coastline and quality of life. […]

By |2019-04-26T14:48:37-07:00April 26th, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Accessory Dwelling Units in Jackson County – by Sandy J. Brown

Rules on Removing Trees in Jacksonville – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – April 2019

Trees play an especially important role in enhancing our quality of life. They provide screening from structures, privacy, are an effective sound barrier and can limit noise pollution. Trees improve air quality by acting as natural air filters removing dust, smoke and fumes from the atmosphere by trapping […]

By |2019-03-27T14:30:09-07:00March 27th, 2019|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Rules on Removing Trees in Jacksonville – by Sandy J. Brown

Short-term Vacation Rentals in Jacksonville – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – March 2019

Instead of staying at a hotel, more and more travelers are staying in short-term vacation rentals they find through online rental services like Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, FlipKey, and many others. By far the main reason most people use short-term rental websites like Airbnb is to save money. It […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:07-07:00March 4th, 2019|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Short-term Vacation Rentals in Jacksonville – by Sandy J. Brown

Is it Time to Sell Your Home? – by Sandy Brown

On Real Estate & More – February 2019

February weather in Southern Oregon doesn’t always seem like spring but this is the time that many people start to think about the real estate market again; spring marks the beginning of the busiest home-selling and buying season. With warmer weather, more daylight, and the motivation to get […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:09-07:00February 1st, 2019|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Is it Time to Sell Your Home? – by Sandy Brown

Jacksonville’s Historic Designation What Does It Mean for You? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – December 2018/January 2019

Jacksonville got its start as a gold rush town; later settlers coming west on wagon trains found the Rogue Valley to be a desirable place to establish land claims and settle down as farmers and ranchers. Jacksonville was at one time the largest town in the Oregon […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:11-07:00November 28th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Jacksonville’s Historic Designation What Does It Mean for You? – by Sandy J. Brown

Will Computer Technology Replace Comparative Market Analysis? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – November 2018

The technology used today for real estate transactions is amazing. The internet provides resources for everything related to real estate—locating properties, viewing, listing, advice on buying and selling, and even pricing calculators, known as an automated valuation model, or AVM.

An AVM is a program that automatically analyzes various […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:14-07:00October 25th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Will Computer Technology Replace Comparative Market Analysis? – by Sandy J. Brown

Alternative Financing – by Sandy Brown

On Real Estate & More – October 2018

Qualifying for a mortgage nowadays isn’t easy. Lenders have strict requirements that weed out applicants with poor credit or too much debt or other extenuating circumstances. But there are other options that could work, depending on the willingness of both the buyer and seller, including a lease option […]

By |2018-09-28T13:54:58-07:00September 28th, 2018|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Alternative Financing – by Sandy Brown

Being a Realtor – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – September 2018

I will be blunt. Before I became a real estate broker, I didn’t think all that highly of the profession. I had been working as a city land use planner and had many occasions where buyers and their agents didn’t do their due diligence until after the property […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:17-07:00August 31st, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Being a Realtor – by Sandy J. Brown

The Wonderful Rogue Valley – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – August 2018

I am sitting in my camper at Lake of the Woods as I write this article, reflecting about life. I usually write about land use or real estate issues, but summer is upon me and I want to talk about this wonderful Rogue Valley we call home. The […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:18-07:00July 30th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The Wonderful Rogue Valley – by Sandy J. Brown

Home Pre-Inspections – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – July 2018

Making the decision to sell your home is often the easy part. What can be more challenging is getting your home ready to sell, and a big part of that is being prepared for a home inspection. A home inspection is a big factor in getting your sale […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:19-07:00June 29th, 2018|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Home Pre-Inspections – by Sandy J. Brown

Potential Appraisal Issues – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – June 2018

Selling a home is not for sissies. Between the last-minute showings, scurrying to clean up the pile of toys and stuff more junk into the junk drawer, the stress of negotiations when an offer finally does comes in, and wondering what hidden issues the home inspection may bring, […]

By |2018-06-11T09:14:22-07:00June 5th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Potential Appraisal Issues – by Sandy J. Brown

Purchasing a Home – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – May 2018

With spring in full swing, you may be thinking about buying a home but are not sure where to start. Here’s a list of the main items that typically occur when purchasing a home.

  1. Create a list of items that are most important to you and which are […]
By |2020-09-30T14:16:25-07:00April 27th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Purchasing a Home – by Sandy J. Brown

The Comparative Market Analysis – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – April 2018

As a real estate broker, I spend a lot of my time looking at homes and conducting research. One of the things I do most often is preparation of a comparative market analysis (CMA), which is a document that helps determine the selling price range of a home […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:27-07:00March 30th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The Comparative Market Analysis – by Sandy J. Brown

The “Zestimate” – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – March 2018

Clients repeatedly ask me about Zillow. For those who aren’t familiar with Zillow, it’s a website offering an opinion of a home’s value called a “Zestimate” and it is prominently displayed on each property’s listing page.

While that information is helpful for buyers and sellers, Zillow’s Zestimate can be […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:30-07:00March 1st, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The “Zestimate” – by Sandy J. Brown

Home Prices Up – by Sandy Brown

On Real Estate & More – February 2018

February is when many people start to wonder if it’s time to put their house up for sale. It’s not a bad idea to start thinking this way, as spring marks the beginning of the busiest home-selling and home-buying season in most areas. With warmer weather, more daylight, […]

By |2018-02-08T14:48:52-08:00January 26th, 2018|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Home Prices Up – by Sandy Brown

The Winter Real Estate Market – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – December 2017/January 2018

The general school of thought for real estate—and it often proves to be correct—is that listing your home in the spring market will bring the biggest benefit. People are more likely to look for homes when the weather is nice. Weather-wise, it is a nicer time of […]

By |2017-12-16T07:27:26-08:00December 1st, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The Winter Real Estate Market – by Sandy J. Brown

The Seller’s Side of Closing on a Home – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – November 2017

What happens during the escrow period after a buyer and seller enter a purchase agreement? As the seller, you may think you won’t have to do much during this time except sit back and wait; however, there is considerable work that needs to be done before […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:38-07:00October 27th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The Seller’s Side of Closing on a Home – by Sandy J. Brown

Regulating Marijuana in Jackson County – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – October 2017

The approval of Ballot Measure 91 in 2015 to allow the sale and use of recreational marijuana has made some dramatic changes to the landscape of Southern Oregon. The County’s limited farmland, especially properties with irrigation rights, has increased considerably in value and there is a limited inventory […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:41-07:00September 28th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Regulating Marijuana in Jackson County – by Sandy J. Brown

Top Reasons Home Sales Fall Out of Escrow – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – September 2017

According to Wikipedia, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings,” is an expression that means you shouldn’t presume to know the outcome of an event which is still in progress. Although the phrase is generally understood to be referencing the stereotypically overweight sopranos of the opera, it […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:43-07:00September 6th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Top Reasons Home Sales Fall Out of Escrow – by Sandy J. Brown

Marketing Your Home in Today’s World – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – August 2017

The world we live in today is a digital one and searching for a home is no exception. Buyers now have apps that let them search by location and neighborhood. Online listings have virtual tours so viewers can look at potential homes while narrowing down their search in […]

By |2017-08-07T07:55:15-07:00July 28th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Marketing Your Home in Today’s World – by Sandy J. Brown

The Perils of Overpricing – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – July 2017

Everyone wants to get the highest price possible when selling their home, and many people believe their home is worth more than it actually may be. After all, homeowners have emotions attached to their home and, as a result, often think their home is worth more than prospective […]

By |2017-07-06T10:23:21-07:00June 30th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on The Perils of Overpricing – by Sandy J. Brown

How Much Water Do You Really Need? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – June 2017

Many households in rural areas of Oregon obtain their water from a well. The question that always comes up in real estate transactions is how much water does the well produce and how much do you need?

The amount of water needed will yield various results, though some websites […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:51-07:00June 4th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on How Much Water Do You Really Need? – by Sandy J. Brown

Common Types of Mortgage Loans – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – May 2017

Buying a home involves many steps and the type of financing you choose is one of the most important. Just as homes come in a variety of architectural styles and prices, so do the ways you can finance them. While it’s easy to tell if you prefer a […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:53-07:00May 2nd, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Common Types of Mortgage Loans – by Sandy J. Brown

Why Won’t My House Sell? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – April 2017

As a seller, nothing is more frustrating than having your property sit on the market without selling while other homes around yours proudly display a “Sold” sign! Here are several reasons homes don’t sell, and how to go about addressing this issue.

Price—Pricing your home properly from the start […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:56-07:00March 29th, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Why Won’t My House Sell? – by Sandy J. Brown

What Does a Realtor Really Do? – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – March 2017

Being a real estate broker is not easy. I will be the first to admit, before I became a broker, I didn’t have a real grasp of how much behind-the-scenes work good brokers really do. And considering how brokers are depicted on some reality TV shows, it’s understandable. […]

By |2020-09-30T14:16:59-07:00February 28th, 2017|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on What Does a Realtor Really Do? – by Sandy J. Brown

Finding The Next Good Deal – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – February 2017

I have been involved with real estate to some extent my entire life. As a child, my parents spent much of their free time at open houses, always trying to find “the worst house in the best neighborhood.” My parents would then buy that house, remodel it, and […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:03-07:00January 31st, 2017|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Finding The Next Good Deal – by Sandy J. Brown

Teamwork – by Sandy J. Brown

On Real Estate & More – December 2016/January 2017

Purchasing property is one of the biggest decisions most people will ever make, and your real estate broker is essential to making it happen. But it takes a team of professionals who work with your real estate broker, and a good Realtor will have an established team […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:05-07:00November 30th, 2016|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Teamwork – by Sandy J. Brown

Water Rights in Oregon – by Sandy J. Brown

Water is an important resource anywhere, and the Rogue Valley is no exception. During the heat of the summer, it is relatively easy to see the lush green of those properties with water rights versus the brown fields of those without.

Those properties with water rights have additional value, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:07-07:00October 24th, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Water Rights in Oregon – by Sandy J. Brown

Keeping Animals – by Sandy J. Brown

Pet restrictions are generally associated with rentals; however, homeowners also have animal restrictions, depending on the type of animal and where the property is located. If you’re looking to buy a condominium or in a planned subdivision (frequently called planned unit development or PUD), be prepared for rules. Lots of rules, covering everything from how […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:10-07:00October 4th, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Keeping Animals – by Sandy J. Brown

Are Home Inspections Important? – by Sandy J. Brown

Jacksonville Review – September 2016

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. A home inspection is an inexpensive way to find out about the overall condition of the home. It is important to conduct a home inspection to avoid a costly mistake by purchasing a property […]

By |2016-09-28T09:23:45-07:00August 25th, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Are Home Inspections Important? – by Sandy J. Brown

Sustainable Food Systems – by Sandy J. Brown

One of the things I love most about the Rogue Valley is the abundance of fresh, local produce and other goods grown on our surrounding rural lands. However, with projected population growth and the legalization of marijuana, comes increased pressure on farmland and the ability of farmers to afford farmland.

There are a number of organizations […]

By |2016-08-04T16:26:12-07:00July 26th, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Sustainable Food Systems – by Sandy J. Brown

Why Do I Need Title Insurance? – by Sandy J. Brown

A question that comes up continuously in real estate transactions is—“What is title insurance for and why do I need it?”

Title insurance is important because it protects buyers of real estate and lenders against any property loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances or defects in the title […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:17-07:00June 29th, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on Why Do I Need Title Insurance? – by Sandy J. Brown

How Can You Buy a High-End Home? – by Sandy J. Brown and Jessica Hickman

Buying a home is an exciting event and often one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make. Most buyers do not have the cash funds available to purchase a home outright. This is especially true for properties within and around Jacksonville as prices continue to increase, which is intensified by a limited inventory […]

By |2020-09-30T14:17:23-07:00May 1st, 2016|Featured Stories, Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on How Can You Buy a High-End Home? – by Sandy J. Brown and Jessica Hickman

How Marijuana is Affecting Real Estate in Southern Oregon – by Sandy J. Brown

The approval of Ballot Measure 91 in 2015 to allow the sale and use of recreational marijuana is making some dramatic changes to the landscape of Southern Oregon. You hear about it almost daily in the newspapers or on the news, you see new businesses sprouting up, and you see the price of real estate […]

By |2016-04-12T14:09:38-07:00March 30th, 2016|Sandy J. Brown|Comments Off on How Marijuana is Affecting Real Estate in Southern Oregon – by Sandy J. Brown
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