The information in this blog is provided courtesy of Jamie Baker, now of Ticor Title. It is mainly taken from an email that she sent out to Realtors in Ashland. But it is very good information.
You may be surprised to learn that the Ashland taxes actually went down this year. This is due to the fact that the 07/08 taxes included a bond for the schools. Most accounts will see a decrease by a couple hundred dollars, but it has to do with the assessed value of the property itself.
I know a lot of you may be asking if you will see a decrease in your taxes because the property values are declining. The answer to that question in a nutshell is "NO". Here's why:
· When Measure 50 was approved by voters in 1997, a MAV, or Maximum Assessed Value was established for each property. That value was calculated for each property by subtracting 10% from the property's 1995-96 Real Market Value (RMV). Under Measure 50, property tax is based on the lower of either the RMV or the MAV.
· The MAV increases by 3% each year as long as the Real Market Value of the property is greater that the MAV. As always, the Real Market Value changes with the real estate market.
· Since 1997 the real estate market (and Real Market Value) has seen unprecedented growth while the MAV has continued to go up the constitutional 3% per year. This has caused the MAV to remain much lower than the Real Market Value, ranging from 35% to 65% of the RMV, with the average property's MAV being 52% lower than the RMV. The Real Market Value would have to drop by 52% before the taxes would be affected.
Per the County's calculations, the changes in Real Market Value for the 08/09 year are as follows:
ASHLAND -11 TO 13%
PHOENIX/TALENT -9 TO 12%
EAST MEDFORD -18-21%
WEST MEDFORD/APPLEGATE -17 TO 24%
CENTRAL POINT/SAMS VALLEY -17 TO 20%
ROGUE RIVER AREA -9 TO 14%
NORTH COUNTY -7 TO 11%
(The information above was shared with us(Ticor Title) by Dan Ross, the County Assessor.)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
TAXES ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 15TH, BUT THIS YEAR THE 15TH FALLS ON A SATURDAY, SO THE PAYMENT MUST BE IN BY MONDAY, THE 17TH. If you pay in full by the 17th, you will receive the 3% discount.
It looks like there is some movement on whether or not the train will start running through Ashland again. A petition was filed to let another provider start running the service. As a fan of railways as a mode of transportation, I am at odds with how I feel about the train coming through Ashland again. This line carries little other than lumber from Northern California to Roseburg.
It is not a passenger train...and the freight can still go by rail..it just has to take a very circuitous route up the other side of the Cascades, and over through Springfield.
With the number of old railway crossings in Ashland, and the questionable health of the tunnel at the top of the Siskiyou Pass, I think it would be wise to let this train line be permanently disabled.
This story is not reported in the Ashland paper, but is being followed closely by the paper in Roseburg.
Quoted from http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20080905/NEWS/809059914&parentprofile=search:
CORP open to another operator for Siskiyou line | NRtoday.com - The News-Review
The petition from shippers came in response to a decision by CORP earlier this year to curtail southbound service between Ashland and Weed and to cut northbound service from five days per week to two. The cost to ship on the line was also increased.Shippers said they were told that unless CORP found a way to increase rail traffic and profitability, all service over the Siskiyou summit might be curtailed.
The changes were made, Lundberg said, because of a lack of rail traffic. According to Wednesday's filing, CORP has not provided service between Ashland and Montague, Calif., since May 6, the last day service was requested by customers.
I have a little trailer that is kind of a glorified tent on wheels. It has a table, icebox, bed, and stove. It is shorter than my truck, both in legnth and hight. I love the thing because it makes camping so easy. 
I spent last night on the banks of Howard Prairie Lake. It is 30 minutes from my house in Ashland. You can fish, ski, swim, etc...
A client of mine owns the resort. He is an excellent and friendly guy named Joel. If you get a chance to camp up here, tell Joel hi from the Agent In A Kilt. Who knows, there might be a free soft serve Ice Cream in it for you.
Back to the campfire now.
P.S. There is high speed wireless access here!!!!
Quoted from http://www.howardprairieresort.com/:
Southern Oregon Camping | Campground and RV Park Near Ashland and Medford Oregon
Since 1997 the Howard Prairie Lake recreation area in Southern Oregon near Ashland and Medford has been rated the number one recreation facility of its kind in Oregon. The popularity of the area is attributed to the commitment of Howard Prairie Lake Resort, Inc. in concert with Jackson County Parks and Recreation to you, our customers.We've created a camping, RV park, and recreation area that is clean, safe, and friendly. Vacationers spend a day, a week, even the whole season at the resort. Our facilities have been designed for any length of stay, with a large picnic area, campsites with limited or full hookups, a store and restaurant, laundry facilities, and a full-service boat marina.
Howard Prairie Lake is generally considered by fishermen and Fish and Wildlife authorities alike to be among the finest rainbow trout fisheries in the Northwest.
Howard Prairie Lake is not just about trout and bass fishing though, boating fun of all forms, from canoeing to skiing to sailing, is very popular.
Howard Prairie Lake Resort, away from it all, ... but not too far away!
Oh, Summer has finally arrived in our glorious Ashland, Oregon. I know some people who live here feel that is should always be 75 degrees. I, on the other hand love when the heat finally decends upon the Rogue Valley and warms my bones.
I guess as a kilt wearer, I may enjoy the warm weather a little more than those poor souls who feel a need to wear pants. But this is my favorite time of year.
But what do you do if you live in Ashland, and don't like the heat as much as I do.
Well, the public swimming pool is always a great option.
Daniel Meyer Pool is open for business.
A mere blocks from my home, this is the classic American swimming pool.
Open for Lap Swimming for $2.00
Open For Family Swimming for $1.50
And even an Adult Open Swim for $1.50.
Temparatures this week in Ashland have been in the high 90's.
It is a little hotter generally in Medford with Temps creeping above 100.
Cheers,
Adam AgentInAKilt Bogle
| EXISTING HOME SALES - February 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008 - 2007 vs. 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACTIVITY | DAYS ON MKT | PRICING | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 | Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 | February 1 to April 30 | Apr 2007 vs Apr 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Area | # Sold 2007 | # Sold 2008 | Average 2007 | Average 2008 | Median $ 2003 | Median $ 2007 | Median $ 2008 | 5-year % Change | 1-year % Change | Median $ | Median $ | |||||||||||
| Ashland | 71 | 41 | 113 | 123 | $276,000 | $439,500 | $355,000 | 28.6% | -19.2% | $425,000 | $385,000 | |||||||||||
| Talent | 18 | 10 | 67 | 103 | $147,500 | $268,750 | $256,000 | 73.6% | -4.7% | $235,000 | $256,000 | |||||||||||
| Phoenix | 10 | 10 | 75 | 125 | $167,500 | $225,000 | $250,000 | 49.3% | 11.1% | $189,250 | $233,750 | |||||||||||
| Jacksonville | 6 | 9 | 110 | 207 | $287,900 | $467,500 | $357,500 | 24.2% | -23.5% | $465,000 | $600,000 | |||||||||||
| West Medford | 81 | 43 | 83 | 90 | $127,250 | $213,400 | $199,000 | 56.4% | -6.8% | $209,900 | $190,000 | |||||||||||
| East Medford | 113 | 79 | 89 | 112 | $182,000 | $280,000 | $235,900 | 29.6% | -15.8% | $274,000 | $207,500 | |||||||||||
| Central Point | 52 | 51 | 86 | 137 | $149,900 | $256,750 | $222,000 | 48.1% | -13.5% | $258,900 | $222,900 | |||||||||||
| White City | 21 | 16 | 80 | 80 | $118,000 | $195,000 | $147,500 | 25.0% | -24.4% | $200,000 | $141,750 | |||||||||||
| Eagle Point | 35 | 19 | 93 | 104 | $139,900 | $280,000 | $273,000 | 95.1% | -2.5% | $240,950 | $261,000 | |||||||||||
| Shady Cove/Trail | 9 | 3 | 135 | 47 | $165,000 | $233,000 | $207,500 | 25.8% | -10.9% | $240,000 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Gold Hill & Rogue River | 13 | 5 | 94 | 60 | $150,750 | $225,000 | $172,500 | 14.4% | -23.3% | $209,950 | $172,500 | |||||||||||
| COUNTY TOTALS | 431 | 288 | 91 | 117 | $167,000 | $262,500 | $235,000 | 40.7% | -10.5% | $257,200 | $225,000 | |||||||||||
| NEW HOME SALES - February 1, 2008 through April 30, 2008 - 2007 vs. 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACTIVITY | DAYS ON MKT | PRICING | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 | Feb. 1 to Apr. 30 | February 1 to April 30 | Apr 2007 vs Apr 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Area | # Sold 2007 | # Sold 2008 | Average 2007 | Average 2008 | Median $ 2003 | Median $ 2007 | Median $ 2008 | 5-year % Change | 1-year % Change | Median $ | Median $ | |||||||||||
| Ashland | 8 | 3 | 44 | 15 | $291,950 | $389,000 | $389,000 | 33.2% | 0.0% | $132,290 | $475,000 | |||||||||||
| Talent | 4 | 2 | 139 | 265 | $182,389 | $363,892 | $303,250 | 66.3% | -16.7% | N/A | $318,000 | |||||||||||
| Phoenix | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | $180,900 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
| Jacksonville | 2 | 2 | 260 | 24 | $275,000 | $383,000 | $257,250 | -6.5% | -32.8% | $279,000 | $234,500 | |||||||||||
| West Medford | 18 | 13 | 118 | 191 | $155,450 | $275,000 | $234,900 | 51.1% | -14.6% | $225,000 | $210,000 | |||||||||||
| East Medford | 18 | 14 | 158 | 159 | $266,562 | $431,450 | $276,450 | 3.7% | -35.9% | $468,408 | $314,950 | |||||||||||
| Central Point | 11 | 5 | 113 | 126 | $167,400 | $254,000 | $245,000 | 46.4% | -3.5% | $219,900 | $245,000 | |||||||||||
| White City | 13 | 9 | 66 | 79 | $123,900 | $224,900 | $201,000 | 62.2% | -10.6% | $219,950 | $201,000 | |||||||||||
| Eagle Point | 13 | 3 | 115 | 83 | $166,000 | $445,900 | $274,900 | 65.6% | -38.4% | $465,000 | N/A | |||||||||||
| Shady Cove/Trail | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | $188,250 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
| Gold Hill & Rogue River | 0 | 1 | N/A | 66 | $289,500 | N/A | $269,000 | -7.1% | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||
| 87 | 52 | 115 | 135 | $177,700 | $310,000 | $249,950 | 40.7% | -19.4% | $229,900 | $254,900 | ||||||||||||
| ALL HOMES ON MARKET (includes rural) | Ø | The statistics in the top two charts represent urban area homes and exclude rural properties. N/A means "No Activity" in the reporting period. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Area | Active 5/1/07 | Active 5/1/08 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ashland | 351 | 334 | -5% | Ø | Median price means the midpoint, with half of the sales being above and half of the sales being below the listed number and is not the same as average. | |||||||||||||||||
| Talent | 77 | 64 | -17% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Phoenix | 52 | 58 | -12% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Jacksonville | 109 | 95 | -13% | |||||||||||||||||||
| West Medford | 406 | 295 | -27% | Ø | Median prices reflect overall market trends and are not a measure of pricing for individual properties. | |||||||||||||||||
| East Medford | 556 | 532 | -4% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Central Point | 333 | 285 | -14% | |||||||||||||||||||
| White City | 114 | 102 | -11% | Ø | Small sampling sizes can lead to wide variances in year to year comparisons. | |||||||||||||||||
| Eagle Point | 224 | 199 | -11% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shady Cove/Trail | 86 | 82 | -5% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gold Hill & Rogue River | 199 | 201 | 1% | Ø | All statistics are based on what is reported by REALTORS® to the Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service. For more information visit www.jacstats.com. | |||||||||||||||||
| Other Areas Jackson County | 141 | 145 | 3% | |||||||||||||||||||
| COUNTY TOTALS | 2648 | 2392 | -10% | © 2008 Southern Oregon MLS | ||||||||||||||||||
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