Author Archives: Sue Long
The Wealth in Your Walls: Why ‘Right-Sizing’ is the Ultimate Retirement Bonus
For many seniors, the family home is more than just a building; it is a vault of memories and a testament to decades of hard work. However, as the years pass, large homes often transition from being a sanctuary to a source of constant maintenance and physical strain. If you find yourself spending more time... Read More
20 Ways to Win in 2026 – Your Ultimate Health Guide
As we move into 2026, the focus on holistic well-being continues to shape how people live, work, and even choose their homes. Here are 20 practical physical and mental health trends for the coming year. 10 Mental health practices for 2026. These strategies are powerful tools for managing the pressures of modern life and building... Read More
Holiday Decor Trends for 2025
Holiday decorating in 2025 focuses on comfort, natural materials, and simple design. Homeowners want calm spaces that still feel festive. Here are the top trends shaping this season. Natural Colors and TexturesEarth tones lead the palette this year. Think clay, moss green, warm brown, and soft wheat. Wool, linen, rattan, and raw wood add depth... Read More
Planning Ahead
Planning is essentially the art of minimizing future foolishness. Did you write down the dinner menu for the week? Congratulations, you just saved yourself a mid-Wednesday existential crisis at the grocery store. Did you allocate funds for that looming tax bill? Excellent, you get to skip the dramatic “surprise debt” scene that most people star... Read More
Top Reasons Buyers Cancel a Home Sale
Getting an offer is exciting, but an accepted contract is only the halfway mark—nearly one in four deals can still collapse before closing. Don’t let a “clean” offer turn into a costly cancellation. The majority of sales don’t collapse because of price; they collapse because of surprises. To avoid becoming a statistic, you must vet pre-approval letters and... Read More
How the Government Shutdown Affects the Real Estate Market
A government shutdown acts as a temporary hurdle for the real estate market, primarily by slowing down transactions and creating widespread uncertainty. While the core conventional market remains largely functional, federal program closures introduce immediate and significant friction. 1. Direct Mortgage Delays The most immediate challenge lies in processing delays for federally-backed loans: FHA and VA Loans: These programs continue... Read More
How’s the market in 2027?
Do you wonder what the market will be like in a year or two? You may be like so many other sellers-to-be that did not want to sell this year but chose to wait for better days with better interest rates and more choices. You may also be waiting to get ready to sell until... Read More
How ADUs Are Changing Housing in Corvallis
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are small, self-contained homes built on the same lot as an existing house. They are becoming more common in Corvallis. But still have a long way to go to gain traction. Homeowners should consider adding them to address housing shortages, create rental income, or provide space for family members. Local zoning... Read More
More Rentals, Affordability Still Tight
Corvallis ranks ninth among small U.S. metros for apartment construction. The city has taken steps to add new rental housing, but affordability is still a challenge for many residents. Recent results: More than 350 affordable rental units completed in recent years Over 250 more units under construction now Zoning changes, development incentives, and a housing... Read More