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REAL ESTATE Tight market for potential Rogue Valley home buyers Number of homes listed for sale in Southern Oregon is down 20 percent from last year Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jun. 26, 2016 at 7:36 PM Updated Jun 26, 2016 at 7:37 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jun. 26, 2016 at 7:36 PM Updated Jun 26, 2016 at 7:37 PM » Social News The Biggs family made the rounds Sunday, checking out local "open houses" in search of more space. Having just received an offer on the 1,200-square-foot home they bought 12 years ago, Jerry and Rebecca Biggs and their daughters Kelsy and Kaitlyn were on a whirlwind tour of five houses as temperatures soared past 90 degrees. "Our family is getting bigger and we need a little bit bigger place," said Jerry Biggs. "We're looking for something 1,700 to 2,000 square. We're looking to see what's out there and hoping to make an offer pretty soon." The Biggs and other home buyers are finding the choices are limited, even as median sales prices continued creeping up. The Rogue Valley and many other markets are seeing a dearth of homes for sale, perhaps the fewest available in modern times. At the end of May, there were 930 houses listed by the Southern Oregon Multiple Listing Service, down 20 percent from last year. The Biggs, who live near St. Mary's High School, say they've looked at 10 to 15 houses during their month-long search. "There are a few houses, it just seems like they're going so fast. We find one we want to make an offer on and it's gone. There were three houses that we were willing to make offers on, and they're all gone now. " Stopping at a three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,893-square-foot house priced at $324,950 on Bailey Avenue in northeast Medford, the Biggs compared notes at the mid-point of their expedition. "I'm wanting a family room, a living room, something that's open where I can sit back and relax,"he said. His wife had her ideas too. "I'm paying more close attention to the kitchen amenities and laundry room," Rebecca Biggs said. Their teenage daughters are hoping for bigger rooms and a larger yard. "I like the idea of house with the bedrooms separated from the master bedroom," Kaitlyn Biggs said. The median sales price for Jackson County residences sold in May was $249,900. Of the more than 40 open houses held this past weekend in Jackson County, the overwhelming majority were listed at $300,000 or more. Matt King and his family crisscrossed the valley as well Sunday. King's visit was more exploratory, but he conceded the steep driveway at his north Medford home he has lived in the past 10 years is growing tiresome. "The main problem with our house is our driveway, it's at a slant, it's really annoying," said King, who began looking at houses two weeks ago but is taking his time. "It could take a year, I'm in no hurry. Rising prices bother me the same way as the price of a steak go up, it's just the economy." Price, location and layout are important, but so are property taxes, said the home alarm installer, while wandering through a three-bedroom two-and-a-half bath, 2,127-square-foot house, priced at $339,900, on Annalee Drive in Central Point. "The property taxes are so much higher here," he said. "When I look at something like this, it's nice to look at, but it's twice the property tax I'm paying now for the same size house." With mortgage rates still in the 4 percent range, King looks forward to a reduced lending rate from the 5.25 percent he's paying now. "I have a budget, and I'm trying to stick to it," he said. "I know what I pay now and I know what's out there and what I can afford and what I can't." —Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles .31 By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Jun. 26, 2016 at 7:36 PM Updated Jun 26, 2016 at 7:37 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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