New Sammy's  Cowboy Bistro is one of the Rogue Valley's true 5 Star restaurants, and a fantastic dining experience for those looking for some exquisite food and wine pairings. Located on the South end of Talent, close to Ashland Oregon, make sure you call ahead for reservations, as although the restaurant has expanded since opening with their original 6 tables, it is a popular choice for Southern Oregon visitors and residents alike. 

My husband and I saved our trip to New Sammy's for a special occasion, and finally got there to celebrate our 13^th anniversary. Vern recommended an incredible French Basque Region Red Wine to go with our Duck and Lamb dinner selections, and he hit the choice right on. Although prices for this restaurant are at the highest end of the range for our area, we felt our dining experience in this unpretentious environment was well worth it! Check it out:

New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro
2210 S. Pacific Hwy.
Talent, OR
(541)535-2779

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

So HR 3221, the Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008, was signed by President Bush, and as with many of today's proposed solutions it comes with good and bad news. So, first time home buyers - want the bad news first? The "bad news" is Seller Funded Down Payment Assistance programs that have been allowed on FHA programs will no longer be allowed. The "good news" is eligible first time home buyers, buyers who have not owned a home in the past 3 years, who meet the income criteria of less than $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for joint filers may take a $7,500 Federal income tax credit if they purchase a home to between April 9, 2008 (yes, that means it's retroactive) and July 1, 2009 that will be their primary residence. Although it is being called a tax credit, it is really more like a zero interest loan, as eligible recipients will have to pay it back in 15 annual chunks beginning 2010-2025 or in a lump sum if the home is sold before the full amount of the credit is paid back.

Area incomes for Southern Oregon may mean many home buyers don't pay $7,500 in annual income tax, so what happens if your Federal Income Tax is less than that amount? You still get to take the full credit! So, let's say you're an eligible first time home buyer and your 2008 Federal Income Tax amount ends up being only $5,000...you'll get a Federal Income Tax Refund for the difference!

Will this mean you would need to forfeit other programs you may be eligible for, like down payment assistance or a below market rate loan programs? It depends on the funding source...you may qualify for both, or you may not. For example, Oregon Bond is a mortgage revenue tax-exempt bond program through the State Housing Finance Agency, and would not be able to use both programs, but if Southern Oregon Housing Resource Center approves limited funding for down payment assistance in Jackson County Oregon, you may be able to use both.

If you want to check on maximum prices allowed, or to see if you may still be eligible for a partial credit if your income exceeds to limits, or additional details see the Summary legislation at http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/HousingandEconomicRecoveryActSummary3.pdf

With interest rates still low and lots of affordable Rogue Valley homes to choose from, do you have enough reasons to buy yet?

See you at the closing table!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Plans are in the works to help provide down payment assistance for first time home buyers looking to purchase a home in Medford Oregon. The State of Oregon's and the City of Medford's Purchase Assistance Loan programs have been out of funds for several months, leaving first time home buyers looking for this assistance high and dry.

Southern Oregon Housing Resource Center who administers the City of Medford's down payment assistance program is working to provide a limited amount of interim funding from their own sources to help eligible home buyers ready willing and able to buy now while interest rates are still low. The recommendation is for all home buyers buying in Jackson County Oregon for this round.

These programs require first time home buyers attend a HUD approved Homebuyer Education Course. The next course will be at Rogue Community College on Saturday August 23rd, so reserve your spot right away. With such a limited amount of funding available, those buyers that have been preapproved for their financing and have located a home will stand the best chances of obtaining down payment assistance. Those that miss out on this opportunity will hopefully have another opportunity when the funding becomes available again for the Oregon Bond CashAdvantage program, which I hear may happen some time between November 2008 and January 2009.

Stay tuned to see if SOHRC approves this funding request, and feel free to contact me for updates!

See you at the closing table!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

This family owned and operated wine shoppe and bar located next to the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Downtown Medford is just the place to go for Oregon wines, appetizers and friendly service. It is a favorite stop of mine when meeting friends after work or on my way to or from a performance at the theater. Cork's has a winemaker/vintner night every first Wednesday and blind tasting every Third Friday coinciding with the Downtown Medford Third Friday Art Walk. Come on down to Corksat 235 Theater Alley just off Central and Main in Downtown Medford. You'll be glad you did!

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

A local phenomenon, if you enjoy fine dining, you MUST go to The Jacksonville Inn. This was the first restaurant we dined at when arriving in Southern Oregon, and the one we have frequented most since moving here in 2004. Not only is this wonderful restaurant offering fabulous, creative food selections, they have one of the best wine selections in the Rogue Valley.  I know they'll have some of our favorite wines in their Wine Shoppe for us to serve at our own dinner parties, and I'm often stocking up there. Knowing we have enjoyed every meal we've been served, we like to give Gift Certificates to the Jacksonville Inn out as client gifts, confident their visits will be memorable ones, too.

We have our company Christmas Party at the Jacksonville Inn every year, and we all look forward to this annual event. The catering service Platon and his crew have provided at many different functions I've attended is consistently superb. They are huge supporters of our area non-profit organizations, playing a big part in helping their various missions be successful.

Whether you are looking for patio dining, café dining, or a memorable dining experience in the romantic dining room, Jacksonville Inn is the place!

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

These big city transplants were thrilled to find out about Bambu, a Pan Fusian, Asian restaurant and wine bar located in South East Medford. On date night, my husband and I love to go out for dinner to try different types of ethnic foods. Bambu is a real find! We've worked our way through their entire menu of pan asian cuisine, and enjoyed every dish with many of the wonderful Southern Oregon wines they serve. Even with a change of ownership since we first started dining there in 2004, they have the same superb chef. Head to this restaurant located in the Larson Creek Shopping Center at 970 N. Phoenix Road in Medford Oregon for a wonderfully unique dining experience.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

If you haven't been to MacLevin's Whole Foods Deli, you have a delightful experience awaiting you. This family owned deli had my Brooklyn New Yorker husband moaning and groaning over the delicacies that took him for a joyous walk down Memory Lane. The menu offerings were like a "big city" neighborhood deli, but right in quaint Historic Downtown Jacksonville Oregon at 150 E California Street.

The MacLevins' story of how they came to Oregon is so similar to our own...and to that of many out of state transplants who have found their way to Southern Oregon to live out their dream. Go down and hear their story, while enjoying some of the magnificent offerings they have on their menu. Just don't go Tuesday or Wednesday, as these are the days they are out enjoying their wonderful lifestyle here.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Avalon Bar & Grill is the happening place in Talent Oregon, this community just North of Ashland that does not have a restaurant tax. Don't get me wrong, I'll pay the restaurant tax to visit some of Ashland's fabulous eateries, but I am off topic. At Avalon Bar & Grill, you can expect an ecclectic menu with some great choices. Like music? Head over to Avalon's Sunday afternoons, or check to see who may be playing during the week.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

With its wonderful ambiance, Rostel's Restaurant & Bar is a fun place to go with friends after work, or your special someone for dinner. Rostel'sis located at 311 E. Pine Street in Downtown Central Point, this turn of the century building is beautiful (not the building in the photo). Reviews I've read have been mixed on the service and food quality, but our group enjoyed themselves, and the food was good that we all had during our visit. Definitely worth checking out!

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Located in this quiet Southern Oregon community of Central Point is the Rogue Creamery, a company that makes artisan cheeses who has achieved world-recognition and awards for their phenomenal Bleu Cheeses. Located at 311 N Front Street in Central Point Oregon, you may go in for tastings and/or tours (see comment correcting this below) 7 days a week. You will find many local restaurants preparing dishes with cheeses from the Rogue Creamery, and many suggestions of cheese and wine pairings are offered.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com