NR Market Watch

From: Neil Hummel, Century 21 Real Estate

WOW!  May has been a busy month with all the year end activities at school, graduation and yes 46 years ago, I enlisted in The United States Marine Corps.  Obliviously a life changing decision and not only was I proud to serve my country but I was honored to be associated with some of the finest young men and women our country has to offer.  When I look back on all the great experiences and the confidence that it built in me, I was truly the beneficiary of a once in a lifetime opportunity.  As I look at the many fine young men and women who are currently serving our country in 2 wars, I recall my combat experiences in Viet Nam when I was just 18.  I am now more humbled and honored by what our country stands for, for I realize the price we pay for our freedoms.

In the residential sales market of real estate for Douglas County, our closed sales were up for May 2010 (+13.7%) compared to May 2009.  Why you may ask? It was due to the home buyers’ tax credits. ($8000 and $6500 respectively)  Many people rushed to get their sales closed in order to take advantage of that program.  Pending sales fell significantly (-19.1%) which is not good news for pending sales is our indicator as to what we can expect in the future.   Again, closed sales rose (+1.2%) when comparing May 2010 to April 2010.  During this period pending sales decreased by a whopping (-40%) and new listings went down by (-17.2%).  At the month’s rate of sales, the 1,249 active residential listings would last approximately 15 months.  Overall year to date the average sales price has increased by (+2.4) to $157,000 v. $153,300.

Our local economy is still suffering with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.  There are many attempts underway to bring new business to our community to help us stimulate our depressed economy.  One of the most exciting projects is the proposed construction of a $8 Million 8000 sq.ft. building and laboratory on the Umpqua Community College campus known as the Southern Oregon Wine Institute or SOWI.

Presently, there is a huge community campaign effort going on to help raise funds to match the state funding of $4 Million dollars.  I am involved in the fund raising aspect of this project. I think it will bring new jobs and new industries to our area which we truly need.  The college will not only grant a 2 year degree in Viniculture but the students will bottle wine to sell as well as learn how to harvest the grapes from a 7+acre vineyard which has already been planted on the campus.

Remember to support our troops and their families as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue.  Please extend a warm welcome to our very own Charlie Company who is now home safe and sound.  Keep your spirits up and always do good things for your friends and family for it will pay big dividends for you in the future.

Join Think Local Umpqua and Umpqua CDC for an old fashioned BBQ at the Grand Hotel (736 SE Cass Avenue in downtown Roseburg) on Thursday, June 24th from 4:00 to 6:30 pm as we celebrate the release of our second Local Pages guide to local food and independent business.  Enjoy local brisket from Emerald Hills Beef, prepared by Smokin’ Friday BBQ.  Lily Brislen will give an overview of the Think Local Umpqua initiative from 5:30 to 6 and explain why “Local Thinking” is important and what our mission is.  All are welcome; please help spread the word.   Stop by to pick up your 2010 Local Pages guide (or a stack for your business) and mix and mingle with other Local Thinkers.

It is pretty easy to get caught up in all the moving parts of a new endeavor. In the end, according to Anthony Tjan in Harvard Business Review, the focus must be on planning, selling and executing. I loved this line from the article: ” …the good news is that you’re making good time, and the bad news is that you’re lost.”

Three-quarters of American households are using social media, according to this article at InformationWeek. About 20%  of adults publish or own a Blog, and more than half have a social media profile. Expect big marketing dollars to follow.

Some theorists and researchers are concluding that we’re losing higher order cognitive abilities due to the way we surf the web. Others disagree. Here is quite a thought provoking column from Open Culture featuring an interview with Nicholas Carr. Carr authored the book, “Is Google making us stupid?”

Douglas Timber Operators

Breakfast Meeting Announcement

LOCATION: Elmer’s

Thursday, June 24, 2010

7:00 a.m. No-Host Breakfast

Speaker: Cliff Dils – Forest Supervisor – Umpqua National Forest

Program: Update on the 2010 UNF Projects and Plans

For more information, contact our office (541) 672-0757.

Donna Scholl

Executive Assistant

Douglas Timber Operators

3000 NW Stewart Parkway, Suite 208

Everybody is looking for new economic tea leaves to read. If our fixation on careening Dow numbers hasn’t fully occupied our time, we’re watching container shipments, rail cars, and counting the number of times Bernake uses the word optimistic. Now the Christian Science Monitor gives us a new leading indicator – people quitting there jobs. Yes, people don’t quit if they are not confident about finding a new job – and that means, according to some economists, things are looking up.

Scott Anthony in an article for the Harvard Business Review gives his four Ps of innovation. This quick read reminds that question of scale, market, pricing and purchasing behavior need to be deeply considered. No surprises really, but he provides a nice way to remember essential elements.

If you sat down with your email early this morning you had plenty of company.  According to this article in AdWeek ,58% of American’s who start their day online, start it with e-mail; another 20% go to a search engine or portal; and 11% start with Facebook. Must admit that before I head to the gym in the too early hours, I grab my I-phone and  do a quick email check, followed by Facebook.

John Wooden was a great coach and a great human. We are not reminded often enough that there are men and women who walk among us who are just better people than we are and that we should strive to be more. John Wooden’s death last week reminded us of tales of greatness and humility and I was once again astonished. If you would better understand Wooden’s way to great leadership you’ll really enjoy his official website. Don’t miss his Pyramid of Success, here is the link to the printable version.