Oregon's Heat Smart Program - Required Removal of an Uncertified Woodstove Upon Home Sale   

Beginning August 1, 2010, if you are selling a home with an uncertified woodstove, you will be required to remove this device from the home.

Residents of Deschutes County, Jackson County, Klamath County, the town of Lakeview, and the cities of Bend and Medford currently have regulations that require homeowners to remove a non-certified solid fuel heating device when a home is sold. If you are a resident of these areas, please check with your local agency to determine what requirements apply to you.

You can tell if your device is certified by looking on the back for a certification sticker from Oregon DEQ or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This label indicates it is certified to comply with particulate emission standards. A safety label (from U.L. or other safety listing agency) is not the same as DEQ or EPA certification. You can also check EPA's list of

You can look up the model number of your stove on EPA's certified woodstove list. You can also try to call the manufacturer of the stove to determine if it was certified.

??If the homeowner/seller has an uncertified woodstove device in any building on the residential property being sold, he or she must remove and destroy it before the close of sale.

?? The seller must also give you, the buyer, the seller's disclosure form indicating whether there is a wood burning device on the property.

?? It is the seller's responsibility to remove the uncertified wood burning device unless you and the seller agree that you, the buyer, will be responsible for removing the stove. If so, you must remove and destroy the uncertified wood burning device within 30 days after the closing date of sale.

?? The buyer should also: Get a receipt indicating you have destroyed the stove.
Submit the notification form to DEQ

You must obtain a permit from your local building codes department. Oregon building codes

?? Pellet stoves - Similar in appearance to wood stoves; however, instead of wood, pellet stoves burn a renewable fuel made of ground, dried wood and other biomass wastes compressed into pellets. Unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate.

?? Central, wood fired furnaces - Indoor, ducted, thermostatically controlled devices  with a dedicated cold air inlet and hot air outlet that connect to the heating ductwork for the entire house.

?? Antique stoves - Woodstoves built before 1940 that have an ornate construction and a current market value substantially higher than a common woodstove manufactured during the same period.

?? Masonry fireplaces - There are two major types of wood-burning fireplaces, traditional masonry fireplaces that are typically built of brick or stone and are constructed on site by a mason; and "low mass" fireplaces that are engineered and pre-fabricated in a manufacturing facility prior to installation. Most fireplaces, whether masonry or low mass, are not used as a primary source of heat; their function is primarily for ambiance and secondary heating.

?? Masonry heaters - Site-built or site-assembled solid-fueled heating device, consisting of a firebox, a large masonry mass, and a maze of heat exchange channels. It stores heat from rapidly-burning fires within its masonry structure, and slowly releases the heat into the home throughout the day.

The statewide DEQ program will supersede any local stove removal requirements currently in effect.

Norm Lacey (www.normlacey.com)

5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell

To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind.

1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the "mouth of chi" (chi is the "life force" of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It's also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere.

2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms.

3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It's even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender.

4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners.

5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.

Source: Sell Your Home Faster With Feng Shui by Holly Ziegler (Dragon Chi Publications, 2001)

Norm Lacey (www.normlacey.com)

Lender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

?         W-2 forms - or business tax return forms if you're self-employed - for the last two or three years for every

person signing the loan.

?         Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.

?         Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.

?         Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings

accounts.

?         Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and

car loans.

?         Addresses where you've lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if

appropriate.

?         Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of

value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.

?         Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.

?         Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.

?         Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.

Norm Lacey (www.normlacey.com)

Common First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes

1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.

2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.

3. They don't find the right agent who's willing to help them through the homebuying process.

4. They don't do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.

5. They don't think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.

Source: Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com.

Norm Lacey/Principle Broker
Dune Country Realty
Reedsport Or. 97467
541-999-8994
laceynorm@charterinternet.com
www.normlacey.com



The following is the RMLS activity reports for Douglas & Coos County June 2010.


CoosCountyMarketActionJune2010.pdf

DouglasCountyMarketActionJune2010.pdf

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ljsnswX4Q

DuneFest 2009, home of the best dunes drag racing and events anywhere. The Reedsport/Winchester Bay Oregon Chamber of Commerce is proud to present this five-day event full of fun and exciting activities. Located on the central Oregon Coast, DuneFest is the premiere ATV sand event in the country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoYAb2u6-E