Saturday, April 29
9 am to 4 pm
Sunday, April 30
11 am to 4 pm
Tillamook Beekeepers Association announces 2023 Bee Days to be held at the annual Tillamook Home and Garden Show April 29th and 30th. We are excited to announce that Dr. Dewey Caron, Author and Professor Emeritus of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, & Affiliate Professor, Dept. Horticulture, Oregon State University will be providing lectures on Beekeeping and dealing with today’s beekeeping challenges on Saturday the 29th. The 45 minute lectures are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Dr. Caron is the Author of Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping, published by Wicwas Press. This is a standard reference for all serious beekeepers and professional apicul-
turists. He is world renowned in the beekeeping community and speaks to audiences in Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, and all over the United States. We are privileged to
have him with us on this fun occasion.
In addition to Dr. Caron, the Tillamook Beekeepers will be demonstrating live honey bees, selling
honey and bee related arts and crafts, sharing the hobby of beekeeping with everyone interested in these awesome little creatures so essential to our human existence
and there will be a raffle to win a hand-crafted bee hive. To learn more about the Tillamook Beekeepers Association go to https://tillamookbeekeepers.org/.
Win this hand-crafted, hand-painted beehive, built by Rick Stelzig and painted by Paige Andrus to be given away at the Headlight Herald Home and Garden Show. The drawing will be held 3p.m. Sunday, April 30 Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 To purchase raffle tickets online, go to: www.tillamookbeekeepers.org
The winner of this raffle will receive this beautifully handcrafted hive including the beautiful barn roof, 2 deep boxes with 20 deep frames and foundations, 2 medium supers with 20 medium frames and foundations, ventilation box, screened bottom board, and hive stand.
• The value of this hive is estimated at $750.
• The winner will also receive a one-year membership in the Tillamook Beekeeper Association valued at $20.
2nd Place Prize$100 gift certificate for the TCCA Farm Store.
3rd Place Prize$50 gift certificate from JAndy Acres Nursery.
• The Drawing will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. at the 2023 Home and Garden Show, Sunday, April 30th.
• Must be 18 years of age to participate (proof must be shown at drawing).
• Must be a resident of Oregon to participate (proof must be shown at drawing).
• You do not need to be present to win but must arrange for pickup of the hive.
• The total number of tickets which may be sold is 1000.
Bob Atiyeh Country Media
“The New Normal” was not “Normal” and we are now returning to the “Old Normal” is how Michael Henderson, Principal Managing Broker for Duane Johnson Real Estate in Cannon Beach, sees the current trend in north coast real estate as the market returns to pre-Covid levels.
Pam Zielinski, broker for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Netarts, agrees with this assessment of the current real estate market, saying that she is seeing the return of a “balanced market” between buyers and sellers. Henderson and Zielinski say that it is no longer a “sellers market”, a trend they noticed beginning in the fall of 2022. With available inventory still relatively low, neither of them sees a decline in prices on the horizon, as values are protected by low inventory. After an average 50% increase
in north coast real estate prices over the past 3-years beginning in early 2020, the low inventory is likely the result of many sellers taking advantage of the higher prices of the past few years to list their properties. Even though the average selling price is now 96% of the listing price, Henderson and Zielinski agreed that prime real estate locations are still in demand and may still receive multiple offers, adding that about half of all listings receive cash offers. Both say that listings tend to start increasing around the time of “spring break” in late March, with the number of new listings typically reaching a peak in early summer.
Henderson noted that there are currently just 18 active listings in all of Cannon Beach and Arch Cape; with homes accounting for half of the listings, and the other half
Continued on Page 8
If you are looking for the missing piece of your kitchen setup or want something to add a touch of panache to your home, finnesterre at 194 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita is the place for you. In 2011, Terri Desaro opened finnesterre, and the store has been delivering “casual elegance” ever since.
In July 2022, finnesterre opened under new owner Ann Maizel. Maizel moved to the coast in 2016 and began working at finnesterre. In 2017, Maizel became manager. When owners Desaro and Fred Kassab discussed selling, Maizel took on the business.
“When they started last year, talking about selling the business, I started realizing how much our customers love the store, and I wanted to be able to keep it there for them,” Maizel said.
finnesterre offers a variety of products for shoppers. The shop supplies ceramics from Japan and local artists, placemats, cocktail glasses, and mixing utensils for those looking to complete their kitchen and dining collections. They also carry a wide selection of blankets and pillows. The cozy store offers customers an eclectic mix of home decor pieces.
“We have a selection of table lamps, side tables,
we always try to have one really nice chair that we have available to sell,” Maizel said. “We have mirrors, wall decor pieces, art, paintings by local artists.”
With finnesterre being a smaller space, it’s crucial for Maizel to carefully curate the items they sell. Finding things that fit the store’s aesthetic and will appeal to various customers is key. During the past couple of years, finnesterre has seen an uptick in folks looking for home decor pieces.
“I would say we’ve seen more of it in the last few years with all the new building that’s happening in Manzanita, and probably elsewhere too, but particularly in Manzanita,” Maizel said. “Quite regularly, people are coming in, looking for just the right piece for a certain wall in their house.”
finnesterre has a good mix of customers, both locals, and tourists. The members of the community and the repeat customers are something Maizel finds special.
“Seriously, it feels like family. When those customers come in each year, and you see them, and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s so good to see you,’” Maizel said. “From my perspective, it’s important; I love it. And I think it’s important to them, too, to have a place that is familiar to them.”
If you are in the market for a touch of casual elegance to tie your kitchen or home together, finnesterre should be a destination next time you go through Manzanita.
Spring is right around the corner – and with it, warmer days, later sunsets and blooming flowers.
It’s a time of rebirth, and the promise of longer days in the sun.
Spring is also a time of additional work around the yard. It’s when lawns need to be mowed, weeds need to be pulled, and shrubs need to be trimmed.
It’s not most peoples’ idea of a fun day, but for older adults, that yard work and home maintenance can be physically and mentally taxing,
and thus a recipe for injuries and falls.
The risk can be especially prevalent given that the bad weather of the winter often causes people to stay inside more often and let any fitness routines lapse. Muscles and joints may not be in prime condition after a long layoff, so if the cold, gloomy winter led to a more sedentary lifestyle for a few months, the risk of injury or a fall is increased when an older adult tries to jump right into their home and yard work.
That’s not how anyone wants to start the Spring – so if you or a loved one is ready to consider senior living, this is a good time to start weighing your options.
At Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers, there’s no more mowing or weeding – our team keeps our community beautiful. Sit back on our patio and enjoy relaxing Spring days with an iced tea, while we take care of the details.
It’s the perfect time to consider independent or assisted living with us here at Five Rivers. For more information on how you can spend more time enjoying life, and less on the day-to-day responsibilities of home ownership, contact us to schedule a visit of our community.
Learn more at prestigecare.com/ FiveRivers, or call us at (503) 8420918.
Pacific Northwest Cabinets is a remodeling company that can help quote, design, and install cabinets, countertops, window coverings, tile, and flooring. When you step into the PNW Cabinets’ showroom, the staff is committed to giving customers custom options tailored to their preferences.
Owner Debbie Sanderson and her husband, Kurt, have been in the design industry for 25 years. Debbie grew up
woodworking with her dad and his business and eventually became a kitchen designer in Southwest Portland. When she moved out to the coast, she worked at Home Depot for a while before striking out on her own.
“I decided to open my own business because people didn’t, I feel, number 1: have enough choices out here. And number 2: I couldn’t take care of the customers like I really wanted to,” Debbie Sanderson said. “It was just frustrating to me, so I wanted to be able
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to help people, be better, and, you know, have happy people.”
Sanderson leased the showroom at 3470 N Hwy 101 Ste 104 in Gearhart in February 2020. Kurt Sanderson owns his own company, KHS Northwest, which handles installation. Two weeks later, COVID shut everything down. Ironically, the shutdown did not affect the business. Because many people were doing home improvement projects, PNW Cabinets found demand immediately.
PNW Cabinets have done projects in Gearhart, Seaside, Warrenton, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, and Nehalem. Thanks to the reach of their website, they have done jobs in Bend, Salem, Lincoln City, and Olympia. When the company gets dimensions for the jobs, it can use a network of fabricators and partners to service areas beyond its local reach.
PNW Cabinets does a lot of work on kitchens and bathrooms, has done work on offices and commercial jobs, but they primarily work on residential remodels.
“We did a really nice threebathroom remodel over here on the prom in Seaside that turned out spectacular,” Debbie Sanderson said. “It’s their vacation home, and I think they Airbnb it also, but we had a really strict timeline; we were hoping it would all work out, and when it did, and when it was finished, it turned out so great, and she was so, so happy.”
PNW Cabinets works hard to accommodate any aesthetic, but Debbie Sanderson’s aesthetic is what she calls”transitional.” In kitchen design, this means a blend of traditional and contemporary design. What Debbie Sander-
son thinks sets the business apart is its customer service.
“We’re not going to just take the money and run. We’re not going to just give you half of a job.” Sanderson said. “We’re going to be very transparent in what the job is, the details, be very communicative with the customer so that they know what’s going on... Our goal is to have happy clients, we want to make people happy, and that’s what makes us happy.”
This March, PNW Cabinets will open another showroom in Tillamook at 1910 First St. The second location will allow PNW Cabinets to meet the demand more efficiently in that area.
Debbie Sanderson said, “We thought, ‘why not,’ get going down there and have a couple locations for this business so that we can service people better and, you know, help them out. “
The interior of a home may be where homeowners and their families spend the majority of their time, and there’s no denying that a well-planned interior goes a long way toward making a house a home. However, the exterior of a home, including its landscaping, can serve as a source of pride and catch the eye of prospective buyers when the home hits the market.
It’s easy to walk past a home with an eye-catching exterior and assume the homeowner has a green thumb or has spent lots of time and money working on the landscaping. Though that may be true, oftentimes it’s the simplest strategies that make all the difference. Homeowners can keep these strategies in mind as they look to transform the exterior of their homes.
• Dress up the walkway. A longer walkway can give guests a strong first impression of a home and won’t break the bank. Create new planting beds and plant bright plants and flowers along each side of the walkway. If it’s necessary and within budget, lengthen the walkway to create the feel of a more grandiose entryway.
• Make things more symmetrical. A messy landscape can give a poor first impression, even if the area features some beautiful plants. In such instances, a little effort to make things more symmetrical, with equal parts grass and vegetation, can create a cleaner, more inviting look.
• Mulch your flower and tree beds. Mulch is a relatively inexpensive but effective way to add aesthetic appeal to a landscape. Freshly mulched beds beneath trees
and flowers creates a clean and organized look, and the mulch also serves a practical purpose, as it reduces weed growth and helps the soil retain moisture so plants stay healthy and look better throughout the warmer months when rainfall may not be steady or significant.
• Plant shade trees. Shade trees can be especially useful when selling a home. The shade provided by trees can shield grass from blistering summer sun, potentially helping it stay green. A lush green lawn appeals to buyers and gives the impression the home has been well maintained. In addition, shade trees can be used to create the look of a backyard oasis. A well-placed bench beneath a large shade tree can entice buyers who want a relaxing spot to enjoy warm summer days outdoors without getting a sunburn.
• Consider maintenance. The more exotic an exterior landscape is, the more maintenance it’s likely to require.
Lawn and garden enthusiasts may not be turned off
by landscape features that require steady maintenance, but homeowners who don’t have much time for such work should keep things simple. A poorly maintained
landscape, even if it includes exotic plants and elaborate designs, will adversely affect curb appeal. Another feather in the cap of low-maintenance landscape features
is they could prove more appealing to prospective buyers, who may view elaborate, exotic landscaping as a lot of extra work they won’t want to do.
Some simple landscaping strategies can help homeowners transform their home exteriors without requiring a significant investment of time or money.
Continued from Page 3
commercial properties and vacant land. Of the 9 homes on the market, just three are listed for under $1 million.
Zielinski said that sales of vacant residential lots are still strong in her area, and that she has noticed more interest in the past six months, possibly because buyers just
want to get their foot in the door and buy something as prices increase. Both Henderson and Zielinski said that the majority of buyers are second-home buyers, buying for an investment or the shortterm rental market.
Henderson noted that many other real estate markets, such as Portland, began seeing the trend towards a more balanced market in the spring of 2022, but said that the north coast real estate
market typically tends to lag other markets by about 6 months.
Zielinski observed that “through all the ups and downs in the real estate market and economy over the years, it’s never the same circumstances, as there is always a different twist to it.”
Looking at “real estate inventory in months”, a market is typically considered “balanced” between buyer and seller with an available inventory of 5-6 months, but starting to trend towards favoring buyers beginning around 4 months.
The inventory was 4.2 months in December 2022, which was the highest level since the early days of Covid in the spring of 2020. Over the past 3 years, inventory dropped as low as 1.1 months, and stayed at or below 2 months from the summer of 2020 until late spring of 2022. Looking back to the beginning of 2017, inventory reached a high of 9 months in the first part of 2017, with an overall average of 6 months inventory in the three years prior to the impact of Covid moving the real estate markets into the temporary “new normal.”
Questions for Michael Henderson can be emailed to:michael@duanejohnson. com
Questions for Pam Zielinski can be emailed to:pzielinski@bhhsnw.com
Even with mortgage interest rates increasing over the past year, home buyers still have good options when purchasing a home. After hitting historic lows over the past few years, interest rates on a 30-year home mortgage climbed from 3.75% at the beginning of 2022 to a high of 7.375% in November 2022, and have since fallen a full percentage point to 6.375% (5.875% on 15-year loans) in late January (mortgage rates fluctuate daily and are based on individual credit profiles)
According to Pat Fox, Area Manager with Union Home Mortgage, home buyers will likely continue to see a slow decline in mortgage interest rates this year, but the days of the very low interest rates of 2.5% to 3% are over. Mortgage industry economists
next 18 months as inflation subsides.
Fox said that there are no signs of a housing bubble like the one in 2008; “the data does not support it and mortgage default rates
onset of Covid in early 2020. With people being able to work remotely, combined with very low interest rates
increasing the demand for real estate, areas such as the Oregon coast and Central Oregon have seen an influx
of homebuyers; driving up home values while keeping housing inventory low in many real estate markets. Even though some homes are still selling for more than the asking price, the overheated market has cooled over the past 6 months. It’s currently a good time to purchase a home, with less competition between buyers.
Fox explained that the good news is that even with higher interest rates, there are more financing options for homebuyers. Conventional loan limits have increased to $726,200, making it easier for people to qualify for higher loan amounts. Consumers have a wide range of loan programs to select from; with VA, FHA, Conventional and Jumbo loans, as well as “Non-
Conforming” loans, there is a mortgage program to assist most buyers.
With the declining interest rates, Fox said mortgage applications are up almost 30% in January. With real estate markets becoming more “balanced” between buyer and seller, it’s easier for buyers to get more price concessions from sellers, which can be used for closing costs, or to “buy down” the mortgage rate. Mortgage rate “buy downs” are tools that enable home buyers to lower the effective interest rate in anticipation of lower rates in the future, which then allows homeowners to refinance at the lower rate. “Date the Rate, Marry the House” advises Fox.
Questions for Pat Fox can be emailed to: pfox@uhm. com.
4 bedrooms, 3 full baths
514 Douglas Avenue, Tillamook
This very well-maintained home has spacious rooms and lots of storage!
Features include:
3 Large master bedroom with large bathroom and walk-in closet
3 2 additional bedrooms upstairs plus 2nd full bathroom in hallway between
3 4th bedroom downstairs next to 3rd full bathroom; perfect for an elderly parent
3 Large indoor laundry room with storage and freezer space
3 Living room downstairs and family room upstairs
3 Kitchen with pan drawers and large pantry
3 Large fenced yard, front and back
3 Attached large workshop and carport
3 8’ X 8’ stick-built garden shed in 2008
3 New Tillamook PUD approved windows in 2011
3 New 30-year roof in 2013
3 New Hardie (fiber cement board) siding in 2015
3 New wood pellet stove in 2019
3 Lot size is 5000 sf, living space is 2604 sf and house is 3113 sf Within walking distance of Safeway, Liberty Elementary School, YMCA, Carnahan Park, 9th Street Park, hospital, dentist and doctor offices, library, theater, downtown. Owner occupied neighborhood. Full property taxes in 2022/23: $2,506
Price: $435,000* *Only pre-approved financing or cash buyers considered
For more information and to visit the home, please call Herman (503-812-2530) or Karen (503-508-5341).
Buying a home is a big step, but your Fibre Family can help keep your costs and stress to a minimum. We can recommend a mortgage loan that’s perfect for you because, well, we know you. Start your application online or call us to make an appointment today!
fibrecu.com/mortgage
Provided by TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a homeowner looking for a change, it can be confusing when navigating all your home loan options. This quick guide can help you learn what types of home loans are available, and find the best fit for you.
LOANS are offered by private lenders like credit unions, banks, and online mortgage brokers.
• Fixed-rate home loans offer a steady interest rate over loan terms of 10, 15, 20, or 30 years for your primary residence. This is a popular choice because you can lock in a rate for the life of your loan.
Pros: Budgeting is easy because your payments remain steady aside from any tax or insurance changes.
Cons: Market rates may drop after you lock in, so you may need to refinance for a lower rate later.
• Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans offer a low, fixed rate for an initial period and then adjust with market rates on a predetermined schedule. ARMs often suit people who plan to move, sell, or refinance in the short term.
Pros: You get lower payments at the start of your loan term and you may get a lower rate if market rates fall in the future.
Cons: Your rate may go up if market rates rise, affecting monthly payments over the life of your loan.
• Jumbo loans let you borrow higher loan amounts if you have the necessary down payment and meet other criteria. These are ideal if you want to buy a home that has a purchase price above the amount set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency
(FHFA) each year.
Pro: You can buy a high-value home.
Cons: You must have a large down payment and/or borrow a large loan amount, so be sure you can comfortably afford the payments.
• Bare Land loans help you buy land on which you plan to build a home (Build Land loans) or empty land that you don’t plan to develop (Raw Land loans). A Build Land loan is ideal if you have your eye on a nice piece of empty land or a vacant lot and you want to eventually build your home there. You might then get a construction loan and convert it to a regular home loan once your build is complete. If you don’t plan to develop the land, consider a Raw Land loan.
Pros: You can buy the perfect spot for your future dream home.
Cons: You may need to prove you plan to build within a certain timeframe and you may need a sizable down payment.
• Vacation Home loans give you the financing to buy a second property for vacation purposes. You may qualify for a Vacation Home loan if the property you want to buy is at least 50 miles from your primary residence and you don’t plan to rent it out. Mortgages for primary homes, vacation homes, and rental or investment properties each have different rules.
Pros: You can buy that alpine cottage or beach house for some getaway time.
Cons: You’ll need to manage two mortgages and use the property strictly as intended.
are partially insured by government departments so private lenders can offer loans to people who may not otherwise qualify, or offer better rates than the per-
son might get for a conventional loan. The insurance covers the lender in case the borrower defaults.
• Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans are available for first-time or repeat homebuyers as long as you meet lending criteria and your home passes appraisal.
Pros: These typically have easier qualifying criteria than conventional loans and lower down payments.
Cons: You need to buy a property that meets the appraisal guidelines, and this extra step sometimes means sellers prefer buyers with conventional loans.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) loans are available for eligible U.S. Veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and surviving spouses. It’s a lifetime benefit you can use to buy successive homes with no down payment needed.
Pros: You don’t need to make a down payment or pay mortgage insurance.
Cons: You need to pay a VA funding fee and the property needs to go through the VA appraisal process. Because of this extra step, some sellers prefer buyers with conventional loans.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans are available to people with moderate income who want to purchase a home in an eligible rural area. You may not need a down payment if you meet the other eligibility criteria.
Pro: You likely won’t need a down payment.
Cons: Your income cannot be above a certain limit and your home must be in an eligible rural area and pass appraisal.
No matter which home loan direction fits you best, the most important thing is to choose a lender you trust who will work with you to make the experience as smooth as possible.
Many people take to the great outdoors to escape the increasingly techdriven daily grind. Though that’s an understandable perspective, gardeners who aren’t deploying tech in their home gardens could be missing out on a host of benefits that could help their plants, flowers and vegetables thrive.
Devices like smartphones and tablets have made many aspects of life easier and more efficient, and various tech products can do the same when working in the garden.
• Plant monitor: Plant monitors are sensors that can keep tabs on the health of plants and deliver that information to gardeners. Plant monitors often connect to smartphones via Bluetooth and can deliver information on the amount of heat, light and water a plant is getting. Sensors vary in price, and some will provide more information than others. But these sensors are ideal for gardeners who love their plants but often forget to check up on them each day.
• Garden camera: Critters and insects are the bane of many gardeners’ existence. Determining just what is nibbling away at flowers and plants isn’t always so easy, as many animals are savvy enough to restrict their dining to the middle of the night and insects are so small they can be hard to spot. Garden cameras can serve as the watchmen of a garden and gardeners can review footage to determine just who is com-
promising all of their hard work. They can then use that knowledge to remedy the situation and give their plants a better chance to thrive.
• Weather station: Even the most seasoned gardeners cannot document the conditions outside as effectively as a good weather sensor. Weather sensors track conditions such as temperature, relative humidity and air quality. This information can then be paired with irrigation devices to ensure plants get all the care they need to thrive throughout the season.
• Garden hub: Avid gardeners have traditionally had to arrange for neighbors or loved ones to tend to their plants when they
leave home for vacation or weekend getaways. Garden hubs can take care of that by pairing with smart irrigation systems that ensure plants are watered even when no one is home. Certain hubs even gather and analyze local weather conditions to develop a watering schedule to ensure plants thrive. These hubs aren’t just handy when on vacation, as they can be great for gardeners who want to know things about their plants that are not apparent to the naked eye.
People may see their gardens as welcome respites from their devices. But garden gadgets can help plants thrive and make time in the garden that much more enjoyable.
Heat pump water heaters are not only the most efficient way to heat water, they also help to reduce energy waste and hot water costs by up to 50%!
Tillamook PUD offers a rebate on qualifying unitary tier 3 models and tier 4 models.
Looking into new windows? Through the weatherization program at Tillamook PUD, site built and manufactured homes could qualify for a rebate on ENERGY STAR® Replacement Windows with a U-Value of .30 or below.
At home or away, a smart thermostat helps you save energy and stay comfortable!
Tillamook PUD is now offering a rebate on all qualifying smart thermostat purchases.
*A free energy audit of your home must be completed before installation.
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For more information about Energy Efficiency
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