WH23

Latimer Quilt & Textile Center offers classes | pg 6-7

Photo by Chelsea Yarnell Family-owned Sea Clean of Cannon Beach

Photo courtesy of Sea Clean

Estate trends

pg 3

Photo courtesy of King Realty

Cover photo by Katherine Mace

Real Estate trends on the north Oregon Coast

By Bob Atiyeh

During recent conversations with three north coast real estate brokers, the consensus is that real estate prices in this area have remained relatively flat over the past year. While a few areas are still showing small price increases, most other areas are showing a small decrease. After the double digit increases of 2020 and 2021, and the still healthy single digit increase in 2022, real estate prices now appear to have stabilized, with real estate prices in Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln counties showing an overall average price decrease of 4% since the beginning of 2023.

According to Pam Zielinski, principal broker for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Netarts; Michael Henderson, managing principal broker for Duane Johnson Real Estate in Cannon Beach; and Tim Regan, co-managing principal broker for Windermere Realty Trust in Gearhart and Cannon Beach, the very strong sellers’ market that existed from the summer of 2020 through the fall of 2022 is now a much more “balanced market” between buyers and sellers. A real estate market is considered “balanced” with an existing inventory of homes for sale of 4 to 6 months. The inventory of homes over the past year has ranged from a low of 2.2 months in September 2022, to a high of 5.2 months in July 2023, before dropping to 3.6 months in August 2023.

Another indicator of real estate trends is “total market time” or the average

time for a property to be on the market. In August of 2023, total market time increased to 62 days, which is the longest total market time since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020. For comparison, in 2022 the average total market time was 35 days, and 28 days in 2021. Pre-Covid it was 90 days in 2019 and 130 days in 2018.

All three real estate brokers said that unique and “key” properties, such as ocean front, ocean view and one-level homes are still seeing modest price increases, occasionally with multiple offers or buyers offering more than the asking price. But more often buyers are now asking sellers for price concessions, with sellers more willing to offer concessions in order to sell their homes.

All three real estate brokers agreed that the market did not experience the increase in listings that typically occurs in the spring

and early summer months, but that they have all seen a noticeable increase in listings beginning in August.

The brokers discussed circumstances unique to their areas. Pam Zielinski feels that the uncertainty surrounding short-term rentals (STRs) in unincorporated Tillamook County has affected sales in her area, adding that 80% of home buyers over the past 2-3 years either would like to rent their homes at least part-time as an STR, or would like the option. Zielinski said that the STR issue seems to be affecting sales more than higher interest rates. Zielinski said that Rockaway Beach is currently experiencing a fairly strong real estate market, and that a new 50-lot development in Oceanside that went on the market this summer has significantly added to the inventory of vacant lots in the area.

Michael Henderson said

that the 2023 median sales price of a home in Cannon Beach is $857,000, while the average price is $891,000, adding that sellers who are aware of the new market conditions, and are pricing their homes to sell, are selling them quickly. Henderson said that 75% of their buyers in Cannon Beach and Arch Cape are offering cash for properties, while the other 25% are financing their purchase.

Tim Regan said although homes listed for over $2 million are sometimes seeing multiple offers, higher interest rates have affected home sales in the $500,000$800,000 price range. Regan noted that for the first time in several years more sellers are reducing their asking price and that he doesn’t see much change in the current real estate market until interest rates begin to decline.

Interest rates spiked in 2023, and have remained

declined to 7.12% in early September, down from 7.18% the previous week, after reaching a high of 7.23% in mid-August.

In August, there were 193 active listings in Tillamook County and 174 active listings in Clatsop County. In 2023 year-todate real estate sales, Cove Beach/Falcon Cove had the highest median sale price of $1,195,000, followed by Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Oceanside, Arch Cape, and Gearhart west.

Pam Zielinski can be contacted at: pzielinski@ bhhsnw.com

at their highest level in over two decades. 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates

Michael Henderson can be contacted at: michael@ duanejohnson.com

Tim Regan can be contacted at: timregan@usa.net

Ocean Highlands. Photo courtesy of King Realty

Sparkling clean homes thanks to Sea Clean

By Chelsea Yarnell Guest Contributor

Want your house to sparkle on the outside?

Sea Clean specializes in keeping coastal homes looking their best with their professional residential and commercial window cleaning, gutter cleaning, roof cleaning, and SoftWash.

Ten years ago, Jonathan Tate and Andrea Mace purchased a small window cleaning route in Cannon Beach and grew the business to become known as Sea Clean.

“When the opportunity came up for the business, it was a no-brainer,” Tate said. “I said, ‘Yes, I want this business! We’ve been in [Cannon Beach] so long that we had so many connections.”

What started with just the two of them washing windows, grew into a business with four techs and one administrative assistant, and with the growing demand, may be looking to add addition employees.

“We have a lot of reoccurring accounts and are thinking about adding a third truck (to the business),” Tate said.

While Sea Clean is known for window cleaning, nearly half of the business conducted is for SoftWash. Soft washing is the environmentallyfriendly alternative to pressure washing.

“We use water-based, biodegradable chemicals to emulsify dirt and grime as well as completely sanitize 99.8 percent of the biological infestation

and contaminants on your property,” Tate said. “Soft washing uses one-third the water of pressure washing and the clean lasts four to six times longer. We are the only company on the North Coast with the Authorized Professional Badge of Certification from SoftWash Systems which means we are highly regulated in a very unregulated industry.”

While the fall is a great time to get a home prepared for winter, Tate said

Sea Clean services are offered all through the year.

“Everyone’s property needs cleaning because everyone has a slippery deck, stains on the driveway, or moss on the roof,” Tate said.

Sea Clean also offers a subscription, known as “SoftWash Subscription,” for regular monthly home cleaning services that meet the maintenance need of each property. Each monthly visit includes dusting window

sills, removal of bug nests and webs, and cleaning of entrance glass and front stoop. Additional services throughout the year include seasonal needs such as hanging and removal of hard-to-reach holiday lighting, cleaning of outdoor lighting fixtures, and gutter cleaning.

Service areas include: Cannon Beach, Gearhart, Manzanita, and Seaside.

For more information or for a free estimate, visit seawindowsclean.com.

Sea Clean is a local, family-owned business out of Cannon Beach. Pictured are owners: Jonathan Tate and Andrea Mace, and their son Emelio Tate. Photo courtesy of Sea Clean

Sea Clean of Cannon Beach offers services for professional residential and commercial window cleaning, gutter cleaning, roof cleaning, and soft washing. Photo courtesy of Sea Clean

Helping a Loved One With Healthy Aging

When most people consider healthy aging, they think of physical activity, and that’s a vital element to good health. But along with the physical part, healthy aging also encompasses cognitive, mental and even social health.

If you’re caring for an aging loved one, here are a few ways to incorporate each into your routines with them:

Physical Health

• Daily walks around the neighborhood, or walking through a grocery store or while out at other errands.

• Gardening or other light yard work appropriate for their ability level.

• When watching television, using commercial break for simple movements like marching in place or stretching.

Cognitive Health

• Daily brain games like crossword puzzles or Sudoku.

• Playing board games and card games together, which can require strategic thinking.

• Watching television game shows that require critical thought, like Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune.

Mental Health

• Gently ease into conversations by asking if there’s

anything on their mind, letting your loved one dictate what they do or don’t want to discuss.

• Remind your loved one that mental health is healthcare. If their knee was bothering them, they’d see a doctor, the same should go for mental health.

• Enlist the help of a professional if you think your loved one has depression or isn’t comfortable talking to you.

Social Health

• Join a local volunteer group or charitable association that you both enjoy, and where you can meet new people.

• Local book clubs can be a great way to meet new people and exercise the mind.

• Arrange phone or Facetime calls for your loved one with friends or relatives.

Healthy Aging at Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers

Here at Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers, our residents enjoy all aspects of healthy aging with comprehensive fitness options, innovative cognitive programs and a focus on mental health in a friendly, social community.

For more information, visit us online at prestigecare.com/ fiverivers or call us at (503) 8420918 to schedule a tour.

FREE Guide To Healthy Aging

PRESTIGE SENIOR LIVING

Five Rivers

Latimer Quilt & Textile Center brings back class offerings

By Chelsea Yarnell Guest Contributor

Since COVID, Latimer Quilt & Textile Center has not offered in-person classes, but are now bringing them back with a full, fall schedule.

“Anyone who is interested in a specific class, give us a call,” Latimer Quilt and Textile Center Manager Kim Schauss said. “Come and have fun and learn a new technique or improve on a old one. I love watching the classes and seeing everyone learning and the camaraderie that comes from it.”

Kicking off September, Helene Knott taught a class on scroll wall hangings on Sept 16. Her next class will be hosted on

Sept. 23, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for “Confetti Landscapes;” a quilt panel crafted by using fabric confetti to make delicate lacy trees and foliage in a pictorial landscape. In this class, students will have their choice of tree designs. Skill level is recommended for confident beginners and up. The cost for the class is $50 for members and $60 for non-members. The class is limited to 12 people.

Local Carol Smead will also be hosting a Machine Embroidery class on Oct. 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The hope for the class will be to create a group of machine embroiderers to share information and help each other. Limited space, register by Oct. 11.

Rounding out the fall, Helene Knott will return on Nov. 11 for a “Sashiko”

class: a stitching technique to render non-traditional designs such as sim -

ple landscapes or Mayan pictographs. The class will be hosted 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,

Continued on Page 7

Latimer Quilt & Textile Center is located at 2105 Wilson River Loop Road, open to the public TuesdaySaturday, 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, children under 13 are free. Photos by Chelsea Yarnell

Latimer

Continued from Page 6

$50 for members and $60 for non-members.

In addition to one-time classes, Latimer Quilt & Textile Center also hosts ongoing groups including Oregon Coast Fiber Artisans, Cordelia’s Knitters, Latimer Weavers, Tillamook County Quilt Guild, Ocean Breeze Rug Crafters, and Needlework.

An annual membership supports Latimer Quilt & Textile Center and their mission to preserve, promote, display, and facilitate the creation of and provide education about textile arts. A membership gives members access to the benefits of: bimonthly newsletter, reduced class rates, no admission cost to shows, use of library, and use of various textile tools. Individual membership is $30 a year.

For more information on upcoming classes, contact Latimer Quilt & Textile Center at 503-8428622. Latimer Quilt and Textile Center is located at 2105 Wilson River Loop Road, open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, children under 13 are free.

Latimer Quilt & Textile Center has returned to offering in-person classes this fall. Photos by Chelsea Yarnell

HOME LOAN DREAMS DO COME TRUE

Feel Great About Your Home Loan Rate Now and In the Future!

If you finance your home purchase through us, you may qualify for the option of a mortgage modification down the road. No, it’s not a refinance. In fact, it’s faster and cheaper! With a mortgage modification, you may qualify to adjust your home loan with us to a lower rate and payment when rates come down. All at a fraction of the cost of refinancing your home loan! And that makes getting your dream home an actual dream come true.

Explore Your Mortgage Loan Options

Provided by TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union

Conventional loans are offered by private lenders like credit unions, banks, and online mortgage brokers. They may be conforming (meeting guidelines of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) or nonconforming.

• Fixed-rate home loans: Offer a steady interest rate over loan terms of 10, 15, 20, or 30 years for your primary residence, with predictable monthly payments.

• Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans: Offer a low, fixed rate for an initial period and then adjust with market rates on a predetermined schedule.

• Jumbo loans: These non-conforming loans

let you borrow higher loan amounts if you have the necessary down payment and meet other criteria.

• Bare land loans: Help you buy land to build a home (build land loans) or empty land that you don’t plan to develop (raw land loans).

• Vacation home loans: Give you the financing to buy a second property for vacation purposes if the property is at least 50 miles from your primary residence and you don’t plan to rent it out.

Government-backed loans are partially insured by government departments so private lenders can offer loans to people who may not otherwise qualify, or offer a better rate than a conventional loan. The

insurance covers the lender in case the borrower defaults.

• FHA loans: Insured by the Federal Housing Authority so more people may qualify for a home loan, as long as the property meets appraisal guidelines.

• VA loans: Insured by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide competitive home loans to veterans and other eligible military personnel, with appraisal guidelines.

• USDA loans: Insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help people buy a home in eligible rural areas, if household income is below a certain limit. You may not need a down payment if you meet the other eligibility criteria.

WELCOME HOME

FALL 2023

Publication of the Tillamook Headlight Herald and Country Media. Inc.

1906 Second Street, Tillamook, OR 97141 tillamookheadlightherald.com

To advertise in future editions of Welcome Home, contact Katherine Mace at headlightads@ countrymedia.net or call 503-842-7535

Welcome Home Spring 2024

Publication date: March 12, 2024

Deadline: March 1, 5 p.m.

Graphic Design: Steph Baumgart

Fall is the time to prepare your garden for winter

Individuals who don’t live near the equator or in another warm climate know that winter will rear its chilly head this year. Cold temperatures and possible snowy conditions may be excellent for some winter sports, but gardeners recognize these conditions are not ideal for their plants.

The inevitable slowing of activity in the garden during fall marks a time to shift attention from constant plant care to preparing the landscape for next season. It may be tempting to simply let Mother Nature take over, but a little pre-winter TLC can ensure gardens make it through winter unscathed.

Remove spent plants

Decomposing organic material is the basis for compost and other fertilizers. However, vegetable plants that are left to sit can lead to decay in the garden. Decaying plants can serve as hosts for pest populations and diseases. Rotting vegetables also can drop unwanted seeds into the soil, which eventually can strip nutrients that normally would go to next year’s crops.

Ornamental plants and perennials can be cut back in fall. Cut down stalks and remove leaves.

Plant a cover crop

The gardening resource This Is My Garden recommends planting a cover crop to set the stage for a successful spring. A cover crop protects the soil and can return nutrients to

it. When the soil is bare during winter, weed seeds can easily blow in and lie in wait, ultimately becoming a problem during the ensuing year. Cover crops can include clover or field peas, which will increase the levels of available nitrogen.

Amend the soil

Fall is a perfect time to add soil amendments, such as manure and compost. These fertilizers will add nutrients and break down gradually, enriching the soil over the winter.

Replenish mulch

Gardeners may have added mulch around shrubs and other areas of the landscape early in the season because it is attractive. But mulch also does much to reduce water loss and protect the soil from erosion. It may inhibit weed growth as well. Replacing mulch when the mercury drops can insulate the soil, which helps to regulate soil temperature. A

thick layer of mulch around root vegetables left in the garden can offer protection against hard frosts.

Divide bulbs

Divide plant bulbs and plant them where you want flowers like daffodils and tulips to grow in the spring.

Prune dormant plants

Wait until plants are dormant to prune them and adjust their shape. Most shrubs and trees should be pruned in late winter, right before new growth.

Move potted plants

Bring delicate plants into a sheltered area, such as a greenhouse or indoor garage, so they can continue to thrive during the winter.

Fall and winter still provide opportunities to spend time in the garden. At this point in the year, gardeners can prepare landscapes for the next season.

How to care for wild birds during fall and winter

The arrival of fall and winter forces everyone to confront the changes synonymous with the seasons, and local wildlife is no exception. Low temperatures, harsh winter storms and a scarcity of food can make it challenging for wildlife, including birds, to thrive throughout the fall and winter.

Even though several species of birds are migratory and travel to warmer climates to wait out winter, many others stay put. The Audubon Society says that keeping close to home helps some species of birds maintain their territories.

Some birds will puff up to retain heat; others will seek shelter in dense foliage or cavities to avoid the elements. Many birds will

huddle together to share warmth.

Another way of keeping

warm is building up fat as an insulator and energy source. The Audubon Society says

more than 10 percent of some birds’ winter body weight may be fat. That can

be challenging to maintain when common sources of food, such as insects and berries, disappear as winter wears on. This is when some human intervention can prove handy, advise ornithologists. A few simple efforts may benefit birds and other wildlife that may not hibernate winter away or escape to the tropics.

• Have a supply of food, bird feeders, houses, and any other bird-related gear at the ready before the storms really rev up.

• Invest in nutritious food, such as black oil sunflower seeds or blends that are high in black oil sunflower seeds. You also can make available more foods that are high in fat, such as suet, peanut butter or even whole peanuts. Mother Na-

ture Network also suggests adding meal worms if they can be found.

• Choose feeders that will keep seed dry; otherwise, it will be prone to bacterial and fungal growth.

• Don’t discard fallen leaves or any downed twigs or pruned boughs from trees. This will give birds material for creating shelter or hiding away when the weather gets especially brutal. When the Christmas tree is finished for the season, place it in the yard as a windbreak for birds.

• Put shallow water sources around so birds can drink. Replace them frequently if water freezes.

Wild birds can benefit from some help when the temperatures start to drop in winter.