Published by Gillott Home Team · Keller Williams Realty Mid-Willamette

We don't usually stop to celebrate milestones — there are too many clients to help, too many homes to sell. But this one is worth pausing for.

According to the latest WVMLS data, Laura Gillott and Gillott Home Team are #1 in Benton County for 2026 — the first time the team has ever topped that market.
For a team rooted in Lebanon, Oregon — in Linn County — cracking the top of Benton County for the first time is a genuine milestone. And with Managing Principal Broker Sue Long and her team now part of Gillott Home Team, it's only the beginning of what's coming for Corvallis.
Experience matters. And this is what three decades of it looks like on paper.
What the WVMLS Data Actually Shows
The Willamette Valley Multiple Listing Service tracks agent and team production across every city and county in our region. Every May, the numbers get updated.
Here's what the 2026 WVMLS YTD r ...

Turkeys and tinsel, pumpkin pie and Christmas gifts. The holidays are here again, and it's the perfect time for house hunting! We know you're busy planning family feasts and much-needed vacations while dealing with blustery weather, but here's why you should buy this season. While it might seem counterintuitive to put a big-ticket item like a home on your holiday shopping list, it really does make sense.
Don't believe us? Check out these surprisingly smart reasons to let everyone else hit the mall to buy half-off sweaters while you make the purchase of a lifetime: a new house to ring in the New Year!

1. Less competition from home buyers
Most buyers take the month off to celebrate the holidays, attend parties, and host out-of-town guests. Or, maybe they’ve heard that this is a lousy time to buy a house. Whatever the reason, shopping for real estate at a time when fewer buyers are in the market can pay off big. (That’s because competing. ...

Despite what you've heard, winter can actually work to a home seller's advantage.So while your competition is hibernating, consider these budget-friendly ways to prep your home for both buyers and guests this winter.

Don't skip curb appeal just because it's winter!
Cleaning out your gutters is important so you don't give the impression that you have roofing issues. You can also add some winter-themed outdoor decor for a more welcoming feeling!
If you can, now's also the time to make sure your front door has a fresh coat of paint. A bright, colorful front door will stand out more, and that can really wow your buyer.
Turn up the heat
Many homeowners like to keep the thermostat set down in the 60s to save on their heating bills, but you don't want a potential buyer to think they're visiting a house that's hard to heat. A cold house might hurt the sale. When a buyer enters the house and wants to hurry up and get out of there because it is so chilly, it proba; ...

4 Smart Home Technologies that You Should Invest In Today
With the prices of smart technology and home automation dropping, it can be tempting to get in on the action. Except knowing where to start can be a bit overwhelming. However, the great thing about upgrading your home is that you can customize it to fit your needs and lifestyle.
1. Control The Temperature
Smart thermostats are some of the most popular tech on the market at the moment. If you’ve ever left the house only to worry if you left the heat or AC on all day this is perfect for you. They’re incredibly easy to program and use, some will even automatically learn your behavior and turn on and off when you are not around. Others come paired with an app. From your smartphone you can easily check in with your home and control its settings.
Not only that, smart thermostats are an excellent way to cut down on energy waste. In fact, according to the Consumer Technology Association, a smart thermostat can cut do; ...