By Neil Hummel, Century 21
Greetings:
Good News! I have been selected to be the chairman of the upcoming bond measure in May 2012. Umpqua Community College will request authorization from the voters of Douglas County in May 2012 to finance $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds to build a Regional Allied Health & Science Training Center, an Industrial Arts & Technology Training Center, and to repurpose vacated spaces, including the infrastructure on the campus.
The bond would also enable Umpqua Community College to purchase a facility or build a facility to provide programs and services in South County. The tax rate is anticipated to be $.33 per $1000 assessed value of property in Douglas County. The median home value in Douglas County is $176,700 and at $.33 per $1000 that equates to $58.08 per year for 25 years to support the bond levy. I am often asked,“ why would the College put a bond levy to vote under the worse economic conditions in our nation, in our state and in our county? “ In my opinion, we need to do it now more than ever! We really don’t have any other choice! If we don’t do something constructive who will help us? I feel strongly that our college is the catalyst for economic growth in our community by offering students the curriculum to survive and thrive in the workplace.
The citizens of Douglas County are a very resilient and self supporting group, and with the successful passage of this bond levy, we will offer hope for not only now but into the future. To me, this is more than a bond levy or another tax, it is an investment now for the future citizens of this county.
What we are asking in this bond levy reminds me of what was asked of our community in 1964 when the college was established. Douglas County was fortunate to have the conscientious and futuristic leaders back then to secure the location of a community college here. They invested then and we are being asked to invest now for bigger dividends into the future of our community. A recent study conducted by EMSI concluded that the college has a $196.7 Million impact on our local economy annually. Folks, that is huge. Please help me and the college get this measure passed in May 2012, the future of Douglas County depends on it. If you would like to help me, please call me.
Residential real estate in August 2011 compared to a year ago saw that our closed sales went up from 75 to 77. Also, compared to last month our closed sales rose as well from 65 to 77 (+18.5%). Pending sales also grew from 79 to 102 (+29.1%). However, when look at year to date to closed sales compared to this time last year we are down -4.9%. (585vs615).
The average sales price has decreased by -8.6% compared to last year at this time to $152,200 vs. $155,600. As you can see, when prices decrease our sales increase. Today’s prices are where they were in August 2004 and down from the high of $251,000 in February 2007.
I am very encouraged to see the upward trends in our market, which can be attributed to lower prices, lower interest rates and sellers that are willing to work toward getting their houses sold. Sellers are pricing their homes to sell rather than just to see if they sell. I often tell sellers that even if they take less in the sale of their property more than likely wherever they are moving to, they will buy at a lower price as well.
Again, please keep our brave young men and women who are serving our country along with their families in your thoughts and prayers for all their sacrifices in keeping our nation free. Also, remember those families and survivors of 9/11, ten years later. God Bless you and the USA!
