Real Estate

Ashland boasts many historic homes and a number of new homes built to reflect that style with numerous Craftsman features.  Ashland has a distinct Urban Growth Boundary created to avoid sprawl. 

Everywhere you look there is the feeling of open space.  The use of natural materials indoors and out has created a palette that displays the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.  The housing market in Ashland has recovered strongly from the recession of 2008-2011, seeing home values rising once again. While the real estate industry was impacted, the quality of life and on-going appeal of living in Ashland lessened the impact in comparison to the rest of the region. The construction business in Ashland and all of southern Oregon was challenged by the recession but has shown significant strength and improvement.

Ashland Conservation Programs

The City of Ashland is committed to green building practices as well, from new construction to small remodels to individual appliance purchases. The Ashland Conservation Division was established more than 30 years ago and is responsible for operating water, recycling, air quality and energy conservation programs. The division works with Ashland residents, businesses, the Ashland School District, Southern Oregon University, Asante Ashland Community Hospital and other community groups, to increase the efficiency of their resource usage. The Conservation Division offers energy and water expertise, programs and guidance to Ashland residents and contractors. Zero interest loans or cash incentives are available to both residential and business customers for implementing the efficient use of electric energy in both new construction and existing homes. Solar electric system and solar water heating incentives are also available. 

The Conservation Staff conducts free on-site energy and water analysis reviews to identify ways to increase efficiency. 

For more information on resource efficiency and conservation in Ashland, or to get started building your green home, please contact the City of Ashland’s Conservation Division at 541-488-5306 or visit ashland.or.us/conserve.

Residential 
New Construction Program

The City’s “SmartBuild” program also incorporates Earth Advantage certification along with and high efficiency heating systems and water heating to help builders and homeowners to push beyond standard energy efficiency in their projects, by incorporating to incorporate air quality improvements, reduction in use of potentially harmful or unsustainable products and materials while and reducing their physical impact on the surrounding property. The home must pass diagnostic tests which demonstrate that the house and duct system are tight and energy efficient, as well as demonstrate that approved products and materials were incorporated into the construction of the structure. WaterSense certification incentives provide water conservation solutions to the SmartBuild package.  For homeowners and builders wanting to seek the most sustainable home possible, SmartBuild also has incentives for “Net Zero” construction, the combination of ultra-high efficiency and on-site solar system that results in a home with an annual energy consumption of zero. For more information on determining how the SmartBuild program options fit with your new construction plans visit the Conservation Division website at ashland.or.us/smartBuild.

For more information on residential energy conservation programs, call (541) 552-2063.