Real Estate Show with Dana Gibson

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Real Estate Show with Dana Gibson

Alice Lema: [00:00:00] Well hey there Southern Oregon. Welcome back to the Real Estate Show. So glad you could join us today. I'm Alice Lema, I'm a broker here in Southern Oregon with John L. Scott Real Estate, and today I am so excited I get to interview one of my favorite agents, Dana Gibson of the Gibson Group in Ashland.

She's also a John Scott agent. She's been in the business forever. She's very smart, she's very funny, and we're so glad to have her on the show again today. We like to have other agents on the show periodically. So today we get to talk to Dana Gibson of the Gibson Group in Ashland, John L Scott.

Before we talk to Dana, let's do a quick look, see at the stats, our local stats. So wanted to point something out about prices, cuz everybody's watching price declines. There's a lot of talk about the market maybe being soft or a crash, but I just wanna point out here in Southern Oregon this time [00:01:00] last year, Jackson County average sales price was 484,000. This year it's 510. That's a 5% which is sustainable. And that would actually be a nice normal appreciation that we could all live with from now on. Also wanna talk about Josephine County this time last year, the average sales price at Josephine County was 438,000. This year is 464 so that's a bump up for Josephine County so far this year of 5%. How about Klamath County our Sister to the East? This time last year, the average sales price in Klamath County was 296. This year it's 323 up 9%.

So, always wanna go back to check the data. Helps us clear our head, keep our feet on the ground. There's still some good deals out there to be had, and the sellers and buyers seem [00:02:00] to be coming together more often this fall and deals are getting done Now some of that requires contingent offers. Some require lenders being a little more helpful with you know, interest rate, point buy downs and things like that, but it's happening. So keep that in mind. There's still plenty of real estate to be had this fall and winter, at least in southern Oregon.

So, having said that, let's take a quick break for a word from our sponsors and get on with our conversation with Dana Gibson, the Gibson Group, Ashland John L. Scott. We're thankful to have our sponsors, John L. Scott Ashlyn in Medford, the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors and Guy Giles of Churchill Mortgage. We appreciate you all so much. We'll take a quick break and be right back with our conversation with Dana Gibson. It's always a good one, so stay.

Well, welcome back everybody to the Real Estate Show. I'm Alice Lema. I'm a broker here in [00:03:00] beautiful Southern Oregon with John L. Scott, and today we're talking to Dan Gibson of the Gibson Group down in Ashland. Thanks for joining us again, Dana.

Dana Gibson: Thanks for having me.

Alice Lema: So, it's been a few months since we've had you on the show and it's been a very, very volatile summer. Can you bring us up to speed, kind of what's going on down in the Ashland?

Dana Gibson: You bet. So we had a strong summer still, although things have shifted as far as sellers being able to put something on the market and expect multiple offers. There has been a shift where we're seeing less offers per listing. And if something is overpriced, it's gonna sit on the market. So while we still have fairly low inventory, there are buyers out there who are looking for homes.

Alice Lema: And are they locals out of towners or a mix.

Dana Gibson: It's, it's a mix of folks. And interestingly apparently so far this year, we have had more driver's [00:04:00] licenses turned in from the state of Washington than the state of California.

Alice Lema: Wow.

Dana Gibson: Right. I know. And so I think part of that has to do with the fact that the Bay Area in particular is getting hit pretty hard with a lot of price reductions. And the Seattle area is still a very strong.

Alice Lema: That is so interesting. I bet that doesn't happen very often.

Dana Gibson: I don't know of it happening in my time in the business.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . So are these remote workers. It's so fun to talk to another agent. I don't mean to just ask you all these questions, but yeah. So what about the remote workforce? How is that impacting things in Ashland?

Dana Gibson: So, I can only give you anecdotal opinion because I haven't really looked at the numbers for that. But interestingly, in the last two years, particularly since Covid and so many more people are able to you know, work from home, we are seeing an [00:05:00] influx in the area of younger families, which is wonderful. I was driving through Ashland yesterday to meet somebody and had to go way back in the park to find a parking space. And it's been like that for most of the summer.

Alice Lema: It's interesting how Covid may be shifting the demographics of Southern Oregon, because remember before the shutdown weren't, we a little over 50%, 55 and over, just kind of generally demographically here in Southern Oregon.

Dana Gibson: Yes, and in particular, Ashland was even higher than that with, you know, most coming in were either retired or newly retired people, or sorry, retiring or wanting to retire in the next one to five years.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . That's been kind of our that's who lives here as the, the older active retiree. And now with the remote workforce, we're starting to see more young families.

Dana Gibson: We are, and I think the great schools, [00:06:00] particularly in Ashland, the great schools are pulling more families in.

Alice Lema: Yep, Yep. In fact, a lot of those phone calls start with, I just read about the schools in Ashland , so it would be wonderful to have more families.

Not that, you know, our retirees aren't wonderful too, Everybody's wonderful, but it's, it's just interesting, interesting to watch the change. Because of the, the covid. So now we've been fully open and we've been hit with all these interest rate increases. So how are you guys and your clients managing.

Dana Gibson: So interestingly, I think that the interest rate piece is both based on fact that for the same payment or monthly payment, and most buyers are driven by their monthly payment, people can afford significantly less house than they could 10 months ago.

With that said sellers are getting pretty creative and savvy [00:07:00] and offering buy downs on interest rates for their buyers or to pay closing costs. There's all sorts of different ways that we are helping buyers still get into homes at an affordable monthly payment.

Alice Lema: And that really is what it's about, is keeping that payment. But who would've thought that we'd go double from. Yeah. And interest rates, that's a lot to absorb.

Dana Gibson: And, and again, I, yeah, I completely understand. I personally just bought a home five months ago and the difference in the rates in the fours and now at 7.1 is significant. Mm-hmm.

Alice Lema: Oh, so you just bought a house.

Dana Gibson: That's just from April to October.

Alice Lema: And how did it go from a purchase? Yeah.

Dana Gibson: No, it was great.

Alice Lema: Perfect. Perfect. So Ashland has a lot of tourism and the shutdown kind of put a damper on that. What's going on [00:08:00] with the tourism and the Air B&B's down where you guys are?

Dana Gibson: So again at least this last month or so, the Airbnbs and the hotels have been pretty full. It's the last month of Shakespeare and so we're seeing more school groups come in again, and we're just seeing people coming in to see the plays again, which is fantastic. Also, during Covid, the Chamber of Commerce here in Ashland did a really good job expanding outdoor activities and people being able to take advantage and being aware of what's available here in Southern Oregon and Ashland in particular. And so we are seeing more folks for those kinds of activities as well. So it's not just Shakespeare.

Alice Lema: Well, that's brilliant of the Chamber of Commerce to do that. Yes. Yeah. Good for them, very creative. And you know, that's kind of the story of the post covid is who could be creative. Kind of like what you're talking about with the sellers being creative now, helping buyers still [00:09:00] get into houses.

Dana Gibson: Yes, absolutely. I think, you know, the other thing that draws for a town of our size, really, we have amazing restaurants. We have a restaurant recently that was just named by the New York Times, one of the top 50 restaurants in the country. It's called Moss, m a s.

Alice Lema: Wow. Wow, that's fantastic. Our little Ashland.

Dana Gibson: I know. That's great. That's great. Throw a dart and you know, you're gonna end up with a great place to eat here.

Alice Lema: Yeah, yeah. And the lifestyle, you know, it's, it's a very walkable town. There's so much to do. And then there's the weather. I mean, look, it's almost Halloween and it's absolutely beautiful this week, isn't it?

So how are your lenders responding to the increases in interest rates? Have they been able to help buyers get into houses? [00:10:00]

Dana Gibson: So interestingly, the way that I'm hearing from them, and I've spoken with a few over the last few weeks is, is asking sellers to put some of that upfront money in and so they can buy down rates.

There's also some very interesting programs that lenders are coming up with to essentially let folks, what they're saying, buy the house, rent the rate. So get a rate for a year, two years, three years until things settle down a little bit more and they can refinance. And so offer different kinds of programs and obviously it will depend upon the individual person as to what that looks like.

Alice Lema: Of course. Of course. And then they're trying to help raise the limits of some of the, the loan programs. That's always helpful.

Dana Gibson: It is and, and applicable here in this area because our prices are a little stronger than other places in the [00:11:00] valley.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . Yep. Well, and that's the lifestyle in Ashland. It commands a premium price. And what we're talking about with the lenders is they have kind of ceilings on, on how much money they're willing to loan you in any given loan program. And so if they move those ceilings up, like Jumbo, for example. Didn't the jumbo get expanded recently?

Dana Gibson: It, most lenders are, there's a lot less jumbo money that's available out there right now. So if you're in that price category, you either need to have a more significant down or, yeah, work some way to get it below the jumbo amount. Because the secondary market isn't loving the jumbo loans right now. And I, that'll, that'll mellow out too. It's just everybody's kind of taking a deep breath.

And you know, the truth of the matter is that the rates are at where they've traditionally been for decades. We're, we're in an average market rate, we've just had almost three years [00:12:00] of historically low rates. And so I think everybody has to emotionally and mentally adapt more than anything else.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Yes. It's interesting cuz even people who are our age or older who remember the 6%, 7% as being a good thing. Yes. You know, we got so used to those lower rates now, it feels like sticker shock.

Dana Gibson: It it does. I mean, when I first got in the business in 1989, rates were 12% for real estate

Alice Lema: Yep. Yep. That, that's what it was like in the eighties. Yeah. So the other interesting thing that's happened in the last few months during the summer, and you mentioned it briefly in your introduction, was not as many multiple offers. Yes. Yeah. Can you speak to that a little bit about the subtleties of that change?

Dana Gibson: Well, although [00:13:00] there still is low inventory per the number of buyers, and this is for the 750 or million dollar market and below. Over a million dollars, it's a different circumstance. There's a lot of inventory, but below a million dollars there still is limited inventory. And so it is to some extent still keeping prices pretty strong for the sellers who are putting their places on the market.

With that said, there are less buyers in the market right now. And so sellers don't have as strong a position as they did before. And buyers have a bit more choice than they did, even though inventory is still considered low, you know, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 offers on properties. It's, if there's something that's come on the market pretty, and it's considered to be pretty desirable and priced right, we could see two or three offers still, but, not near what we were over the last 12 months.

Alice Lema: [00:14:00] Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . And it seems that the buyers at least are enjoying having that time to think and choose carefully.

Dana Gibson: Yes. We're seeing that, that people don't feel like they need to walk in a door and make an offer. Another interesting factor is in September about 20% of deals nationwide fell, once they were in escrow. And so we're seeing that, I think because people were still feeling like they had to get in and grab something, and then either they were getting cold feet or having second thoughts or just weren't so sure.

So the fact that people can take a moment more and consider, I think is very positive for the whole market.

Alice Lema: Well, it might help keep the deals together because they can be more calm in the beginning. Yeah, that idea of frenzy as Lennox calls, it is not always healthy for the [00:15:00] transaction. So we're talking to Dana Gibson of the Gibson Group in Ashland, John L. Scott. And we like to check in with her and her team every so often. We're gonna have to take a quick break here, and then we'll be back to discuss more of the market trends and what's happened the last few months down in the Ashland market. We're thankfully brought to you by John L. Scott Ashland in Medford, Ashland, Guy Giles of Churchill Mortgage and our local Rogue Valley Association of Realtors RVAR. Thank you so much. We're gonna take our quick break and we'll be right back. Don't go.

Well, hey everybody. Welcome back to the Real Estate Show. We're talking to Dana Gibson, the Gibson team down in Ashland. And one of the things we were just getting ready to talk about is just the enormity of changes that everybody has had to adjust to in the last few years. If we go back a few years, it's monumental isn't it.

Dana Gibson: It is, and it's not just [00:16:00] market changes, but it's technological changes. The the way that we market to people and get information available to buyers that are looking in the market and how we even communicate with our sellers. So it's something that in order to be effective, as you're moving forward in, you know, from 22 to 23 or from 20 to 22, you have to keep up on what's happening and keep integrating these new technologies and processes to be most effective for your clients.

Alice Lema: Yeah, it's been so much and the covid reaction Helped by technology. We were able to continue to do transactions. Our governors still let us work during that time. But have you noticed that some of those contact less or contact less, not as much contact procedures are still in place.

Dana Gibson: So some are, but honestly I didn't, you know, have a client in [00:17:00] my car for probably over two years and people are, I think, getting a little more comfortable. It'll be interesting to see what happens this winter with the first winter that we're not somewhat locked down. We're still, however, doing FaceTime showings and I'm, other brokers are doing FaceTime showings on our listings. And but people I think are feeling more comfortable flying or driving up here and interacting face to face again.

For me, I think the bigger piece is how we're communicating and getting information about listings and marketing to potential buyers.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . And how's that changing?

Dana Gibson: Well, You know, there's always been, or not always, but for a long time there have been portals and there have been other ways that we can communicate with our clients. Sellers for showing now is online. The vast majority of people who are searching for a home go online [00:18:00] before they even call a realtor. And a lot of clients because they have or potential buyers have access to this online information, will come to realtors with a list of what they wanna see. Rather than in the old days, they may have seen one or contacted you about a, a piece of property and then you would come up with some additional properties for them to see.

But by and large, now people have a list of what they wanna see and we're facilitating that. And also obviously the negotiations and the transactions themselves.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. Yeah. It is interesting that we don't make as many suggest on addresses for people to check out as we used to. That's very true.

Have you how have your sellers reacted to the idea that even though Covid's over a lot of buyers still want to do the virtual walkthrough, you know, the video chat on the phone thing?

Dana Gibson: Sellers, we haven't had [00:19:00] any issues. Sellers have been very open to that. They're comfortable. When it comes to making an, offer. Most sellers are gonna want a buyer to have walked through their property and know the property. Or they move forward rather than just seeing it through a phone or a video. But with that said, it's, it's an effective way to get somebody more familiar with a property that in an unproduced way.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. and even the local people are liking that video chat walkthrough before they see it in person. So it's just, it's just kind of interesting what we all latched onto as technological help that's still in place. You know have you had anybody at the title company do a instead of having you come in in person, they're doing a zoom ,signing with a notary.

Dana Gibson: Yes. Yeah. I've, we haven't had that personally, but I know that they exist. And, and also even though there [00:20:00] are certain documents that have to be notarized. By and large, if it's a cash transaction, they're able to do it all online now with digisign or whatever they wanna use to have the clients signed that paperwork. And there's, I think just the deed and maybe something else has to be signed now with and notarized.

Alice Lema: Yeah. Yeah, it's super streamlined. Do you have any clients asking you about blockchain?

Dana Gibson: I haven't, No.

Alice Lema: Yeah. That's just kind of hanging out there on the fringes. But every once in a while we get a call with somebody asking about that and I keep thinking it's gonna be an Ashland sale That kind of starts that whole ball rolling just because of the demographics in Ashland. I just was curious if anybody had brought it up yet.

Dana Gibson: We, not personally.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Yeah. So I guess there's people back east using digital currency. But the title company said, cuz I asked them, the title company said, no, we don't do that. [00:21:00]

Dana Gibson: Well the other piece, and I know cuz we work in the same company that you're aware of, is that wire fraud has become really significant over the past three years. And so that's something that we're actually adding to all of our transactions to make our clients very aware, and Suzanne and I have taken classes on it and how to best avoid it. It's, it's another factor with the digital age taking over to some extent.

Alice Lema: Yeah. And that's a non-positive leftover, right? Right. People are still in their basements with their hacking tools.

Dana Gibson: To some extent that's here to stay. I think that the in person piece, of our business will always be a factor, at least as, but there's also always, you know, other pieces. And I think the technological piece will just continue to evolve and grow and become a bigger part of what we [00:22:00] do. Mostly for the positive .

Alice Lema: Yeah. Yeah. But it's just, it's just kind of interesting. And you brought up having people in your car. So so are, are you saying that people are wanting to, they're more comfortable being in the car with you now?

Dana Gibson: They are in, over the last couple of years, we would literally drive in separate cars and be on the phone and as we drove through and they would drive behind me, I could give you know all the explanations of, there's the high school, there's an elementary school, this is Southern Oregon University, and literally we were doing it over a phone and while you were driving around in separate cars, while we were driving in separate cars.

And yes, it was helpful, but it's not the same. Dynamic is being in the same space together and feeling somebody's energy and understanding what it is they're needing in the moment.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Yeah. Wow. It is so interesting. So the [00:23:00] other thing we were wondering is as we're winding down this really kind of strange summer and going into the fall and winter market, what do you see happening in your area housing wise?

Dana Gibson: Oh again, been taking quite a few economic seminars. I wanna make sure that we are well versed on what's happening in the nation, but more so in the state of Oregon and specifically southern Oregon. So they are predicting that Medford's gonna have a 0.7% increase in prices still for the year 2023 and Ashland, they're predicting to have about two percentage points of your value.

So it's still a great idea to buy a house. You're still not throwing away your money. The other thing is, is that starting in 2023, this is the highest that I've been aware of that landlords are going to be able to raise rents, and I think it was up to [00:24:00] 14.4%. The most I had known about was around 10%. And so people are gonna be able to buy homes for what they're paying for rent, and then have the write off from.

So even though our appreciation isn't what it's been because we've had historic increases in appreciation over the last couple of years, it's still a good idea to buy a house. It's gonna put you in a better financial place.

Alice Lema: And do you find that people are not aware of that rental increase in the state of Oregon?

Dana Gibson: I think that's absolutely accurate that people don't know what's coming. Those of us who are in the business and make it our business to keep informed, are trying to keep our clients informed. But I think the everyday person is gonna have no idea. And that's, you know, gonna be a big deal for a lot of people.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm . And I don't personally know of any landlord that's going to use that full 2023 increase that it has to do with the State of Oregon Rent control. They [00:25:00] have like the 7% limit every year, but then they have this other kind of variable Inflation number, the consumer price index. And so when they announced it, the consumer price index limit is gonna be 7.5. Then you add that to the seven, that's 14 and a half percent that landlords will be allowed to charge next year.

And I just don't see hardly any of the tenants, much less, some of the landlords know, but the tenant population doesn't seem to be clued in, and I'm really getting worried about them.

Dana Gibson: Agreed. I think they have to know to be prepared if they're gonna have to make a move or do something different from where they are.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. . And it makes buying a house pencil more. It does. Yeah. Yeah. Especially in Ashland, the rents are really high in Ashland. Can you imagine?

Dana Gibson: Right. And with FHA loan limits up and with a three and a half percent down, there's so many programs, there's even [00:26:00] zero down programs out there for people that if they've got a, you know, a steady income that rent money can be buying them a home and you know, helping secure their financial future.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . So the 0% down is, are you talking about the VA or the USDA?

Dana Gibson: They're, they're, yes. Those programs. Mm-hmm. They're that qualify for those programs as well.

Alice Lema: Isn't that amazing that Ashlyn qualifies for 0% down because if it's location, is that right? Yeah. The U S D A has like a proximity mapto a urban areas. So they consider Ashland far away, is that right?

Dana Gibson: Absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, renters are obviously gonna be affected by the increase in rates because if new landlords are getting into the market, they're gonna have to ask more in rent to cover their mortgage.

Alice Lema: That's true. [00:27:00] Yeah, I didn't think about that. So what you just said was very poignant. Landlords new to the landlord business or buying more properties are paying higher interest rate. They're gonna need more rent from their tenants, aren't they?

Dana Gibson: They are. Yeah.

Alice Lema: How are the you've got a lot of hotels and big multi-family Air B&B type properties along the strip in, in Ashland. Have those been still selling vacation rentals, multi-family?

Dana Gibson: Yes, there's still people, so many people, and I don't have a percentage, but so many people that come into the Ashland Market want to have a primary home and some sort of income element. Mm-hmm.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . Well, and that's just smart anyway, isn't it? So we're talking to Dana Gibson, John L. Scott office, and Ashland the Gibson team. We're gonna be back to you [00:28:00] in just a quick minute. This broadcast is going to be repeated tomorrow, Sunday at 6:00 PM. In the meantime, wanna say a quick thanks to John L. Scott Ashland and Medford Guyes. Churchill Mortgage and our local Rogue Valley Association of Realtors are gonna be right back with Dana in two seconds. Don't go.

Hey, Southern Oregon, welcome back to the Real Estate Show. Dana Gibson of the Gibson Group down in Ashland is joining us today. We were talking about the potential impact of the rent increase rules for Oregon, and little bit of concern we both have for the tenant population.

Dana Gibson: Indeed I think between commercial loans or residential investment loans perhaps being shorter term and landlords having to refinance at different rates, and just the other factors that we discuss that it's, it's gonna be a factor moving forward And again, I think a lot of these [00:29:00] folks who are paying a certain amount of rent, it's worth their time to contact a realtor or their local lender to talk to them and see what their possibilities are.

So even if they're not ready right now, these lenders are really great at helping people repair credit, tell them the best way to prepare to get into the market and, and buying real estate.

Alice Lema: Yep. That's good advice. Yeah. Just because you're not ready to go write an offer today doesn't mean you can't start getting your ducks in a row. That's what smart consumers do.

Dana Gibson: Honestly, You know, some of these folks, it could be a month or to pay off a couple of credit cards or things that people, It can happen much faster I think then people have in mind to be able to get a loan and buy a house.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. . And if you are renting, we all strongly urge you to look into that process. Just faced with these possible rent increases of up to 14.5%. Yeah. You can't make this stuff up[00:30:00]

So we haven't talked much about the luxury market. Let's, let's talk about that cuz that's on a completely different process right now.

Dana Gibson: It is. And so for the last two and a half years, we have seen the strongest luxury market that we have seen in all of my years doing in this business. So we at sometimes were seeing maybe two and a half, three months inventory of over a billion dollars in the Rogue Valley.

With that said, over the past four or five months, I think a lot of folks in the luxury market have decided to test the market and so we have a lot more inventory than we did. And so in Ashland, they're a lot of homes up to 18 months of inventory, and that's, Jackson County has a whole 36 months of inventory in the over the million dollar market.

So here's, here's where the positive change is for the people who are looking [00:31:00] in and own luxury properties in Southern Oregon. And that is we are seeing, there have been many sales including recently over two plus million dollars. . And ,so whereas in the past if we saw $2 million sales, even in Jackson County, it was a ranch or some sort of income producing property, and now it's more of the norm.

So people can comfortably invest in a property like that and not be afraid that they're gonna get hammered if they go to sell it, when they go to sell it. Because, Because it's more normal. It is more normal and we're seeing more of those properties come available and sell and it's, you know, it's the same as the other under million dollar market, in that it's about value.

And if people see the value there, they're still gonna purchase. The, the other piece is that the vast, we have a couple of listings. One is [00:32:00] 2 million and the other is 4.95 million. And we're seeing cash buyers. The vast majority of folks who are looking looking at these are cash buyers.

So I. It's interesting to me that with the rates going up, people who do have the cash to move forward are choosing to just do that rather than, than get a loan with a low rate.

Alice Lema: Mm-hmm. Interesting. Interesting. And so I wonder and maybe you can speak to this, are some of those luxury buyers selling another asset and that's why they have cash or they're just liquid.

Dana Gibson: The majority we have seen are liquid. There have been a couple of folks who have had the ability to purchase but want to sell a house first. And one that I'm aware of that we just showed this week, one of our higher end listings that would need to sell their property in order to buy. But that was the first one that I've come across since summer that needed to sell to buy.

Alice Lema: Well, [00:33:00] that is so interesting. So then the next question is, Are these folks coming from outta the area? I'm assuming, but maybe not. And then also, are they, how are they picking Ashland, Southern Oregon? So, or are they choosing us?

Dana Gibson: We have local buyers in that market. And there's a significant number of those buyers that are local, that are in that market. However the majority are still coming out of either California or Washington State.

Alice Lema: Interesting, interesting.

Dana Gibson: They're choosing southern Oregon for our weather. For the fact that we have a university here. It's a pretty sophisticated place for an area our size and the fact that we have really outstanding schools and hospitals and medical care.

So for somebody to be able to get a lot of what they've been experiencing in a larger city, in this sweet [00:34:00] little town and be able to walk to get a bite to eat or a cup of coffee, or to run across a neighbor when you to the grocery store, all of those things are really appealing to these folks and it's what's bringing them here.

Alice Lema: And it's such a beautiful place. I was on the plaza this morning after an appointment and there's just no place like it. And we love all of Southern Oregon, but I think Ashland has a special place in our heart just because it's so charming.

Dana Gibson: Yeah. I really love this little town and am very pleased to be able to call it home.

Alice Lema: Yeah. Yeah. So are you all moved into your new house? Are you all settled?

Dana Gibson: Mostly. It it took me five months to get my bookcases, but they went in this week, still supply chain issues.

Alice Lema: Oh wow. Yeah. That's still, that's still a thing. And you know, remodeling is kind of popular in Ashland. So do you have your labor force back and maybe not as much supply chain trouble?

Dana Gibson: We have [00:35:00] some really fantastic Southern Oregon and Ashland specific contractors here that can come in and help folks update or remodel or build. And there are people who've been doing this a long time and know how to interact with the city. And so, yes, we still have really great people to help folks with those kinds of projects.

Alice Lema: Oh, that's great because, so, Having a house that's 75% of what you want and then just changing a little something is better than waiting.

Dana Gibson: Agreed. Agreed. Yeah. Covid also has really opened up people's eyes to those kinds of changes and, and compromises.

Alice Lema: Mm. Well here we are post covid. Some things are different. Some things are the same.

Dana Gibson: Yes. Agreed. Agreed. And I think overall it's for the better.

Alice Lema: Well, Dana you wanna give your cell phone real quick and thank you again for being on the show. How do people get ahold of you? [00:36:00]

Dana Gibson: Sure. You can reach me at 541-890-4140.

Alice Lema: Well thank you again so much for your time. It's always great to see you. Wealth of information. Dana Gibson Gibson Group, Ashland, John L. Scott. Have a beautiful weekend everybody. We'll see you next time. Bye now.