Central Oregon Farmer's Markets

Summer means more time outdoors hiking, biking and enjoying the Central Oregon sunshine. Summer in Bend also brings the opening of several farmers markets around town. Check out the list below to learn more:

Downtown Market

Wednesdays 2-6pm | Located in the Brooks Alley at Crows Feet Commons, the downtown Bend farmer's market features many local vendors such as Crooked River Bison Ranch, Fields Farm, Sparrow Bakery and more! 

Eastside Market

Thursdays 2-6pm | The new Bend Eastside farmer's market location is at the Whole Foods Market. Vendors are still being finalize, but you can expect to see local favorites like Juniper Jungle Farms and Rainshadow Organics. 

Northwest Crossing Market

Saturdays 10-1 | Get your weekend started off right with a trip to the Northwest Crossing Farmer's Market. Featuring live music, events and local vendors, this market is a must-do whether you're a local or you're just visiting Bend for the weekend. Sip your coffee or beer as you peruse pottery vendors, local artisans, and of course loads of produce and fresh food. 

Rising Interest Rates' Impact on Central Oregon Home Buyers & Sellers

After several years – with interest rates remaining historically low – rates are on the rise. What will this increase in interest rates mean for buyers and sellers in 2018?

Home prices in Central Oregon have been increasing by more than 10% every year since 2014, yet home buying has remained affordable and attractive, especially for first-time home buyers, due to lower interest rates over the past six years.

With interest rates hovering around 4.5% at the end of February, and additional increases expected from the FED throughout the year, home buyers are looking at reduced buying power throughout 2018. If a home buyer has a budget around $400,000, when interest rates go up by .25 of a point, it lowers buying power by about $15,000. What does that mean? It means that home buyers will have to adjust their purchase price down by $15,000 in order to achieve roughly the same monthly payment. This can be a big deal for first-time buyers whose price points are already right at or below the median sales price in Bend, which is right around $400,000 for a single-family home.

However, while interest rates may seem high, it’s important to remember that 4.5% is still considered historically very low. In the 1980s, interest rates were near 20%! Thankfully, we are a long way off from interest rates becoming that high again.

How will the interest rate increase affect buyers and sellers?

I believe that the Central Oregon housing market will continue to remain strong this spring and summer selling season. The number of new listings in Bend is down 7% in February over 2017 and inventory remains low with only 538 single-family homes available for sale in Bend. Only 225 of those homes are priced under $450,000. With historically low median days on market (the median in Bend is currently 60 days), and an increase in relocation buyers, finding an affordable home without competing with other buyers might prove difficult. While home buyers may need to adjust their desired price range slightly, there is still an opportunity to find a great home, even with rising interest rates.

Are you interested in what your home could be worth this spring? I’d be happy to sit down and provide a personalized market report for you. If you’d like to purchase a home in Central Oregon, let’s discuss how I can help you buy successfully in this competitive market.

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

It's that time of year! Fall is a great time to check your home to ensure it's ready for the colder winter months. Below is a list of recommendations for preparing your home so that you stay warm, dry & cozy! 

Central Oregon Fall Activities

From hiking to enjoying your favorite cup of coffee, it’s easy to take advantage of the fall season and everything it offers. Here are a few activities to enjoy the cooler weather, beautiful scenery, and the great community around Central Oregon.

Oktoberfest

To kickoff the fall season, Bend is holding it’s annual Oktoberfest on September 15th & 16th, 2017. Beer, food, wine, cider, music, quirky games, and much more is there for you to enjoy during the free event. This is a great way for local businesses to promote their services and products and for visitors to have a good time.

Rock Climbing

The climbing scene in Central Oregon is undeniably great no matter the season, but the fall offers weather for the best days. Smith Rock is the ultimate place to go and has all levels of climbing, from beginner to extreme. But if the weather isn’t cooperating or you’re really new to climbing, Bend Rock Gym is a great place to spend the day. They have a great staff that’s always willing to help give pointers and offer lessons.

Mountain Biking

With the cooler weather, the fall makes for some of the best mountain biking around Central Oregon. There are many popular local areas to visit (check out the list here) or you can head over to Mt. Bachelor Bike Park which has over 13 miles of downhill trails. Traveling or don’t have a bike? No worries, Mt. Bachelor has a fleet of bikes you can rent and there are also a handful of bike shops in Bend that offer tours and rentals, such as, Pine Mountain Sports and Cog Wild.

Metolius River

Central Oregon is full of gorgeous places, and there are some spots out there during the fall season with lots of changing colors you have to check out. Located just north of Sisters is the beautiful Metolius River, great for hiking, fly fishing, and enjoying a beautiful autumn day. In Bend, the Pilot Butte trail is a great hike and offers miles of views.

Beer

Central Oregon has a great selection of local brews and fall also offers a few awesome seasonal beers. Maps for the Bend Ale Trail are available at the Bend Visitor Center where you can get all the stamps and claim your prize. The Brew Bus is a great and fun way to travel around the breweries around Bend too!

Thrifting

If you enjoy shopping or an interesting activity on a rainy day, then thrifting might be your answer. Bend is full of awesome thrift shops to add a little spice to your spaces. The Humane Society Thrift is a good choice knowing proceeds are going to the local animal shelter. Other local thrift shops that are great for finding treasures include City Thrift, Possibilities, and Starburst. Gear Fix is also a great resale shop for used outdoor equipment.

Coffee

There’s something about cozying up in your favorite sweater and drinking a delicious warm drink. Thump Coffee, Backporch, Lone Pine, and Megaphone all roast their beans locally. In addition to those selections, there are many more wonderful local coffee shops in Bend that offer a different vibe, perfect for a cool autumn day. If you're not a coffee drinker, but are looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of tea, Townshend's Tea downtown offers a warm atmosphere complete with couches and comfy chairs.

To learn more about everything Central Oregon has to offer, check out my relocation guide or give me a call - 541.728.3356. 

Original blog post by Cascade Sotheby's International Realty.

Top Places to Live in Oregon

Top Places to Live in Oregon

Oregon is a place that offers so many beautiful places to call home. You can live next to the Cascade Range in the high desert, along the coast where you’ll have miles of beach to stroll on, or in cities that invest in parks and open spaces for their residents to enjoy. Those who are active in the outdoors in Oregon will boast that they can go surfing, mountain biking, and snowboarding all in the same day. Those who love food and entertainment will find that Portland and many other cities take this very seriously, with quality restaurants, craft beer, and the local scene being the standard. So if you’re considering making the move to the Northwest, here are some of the top places to live in Oregon.

Central Oregon

For those who love the outdoors, Central Oregon is one of the best places to live. As one of the premier recreation destinations in the West, Central Oregon’s lakes, rivers, and single-track trails are just the beginning. Whether it’s a day cutting fresh tracks through thigh-deep powder at Mt. Bachelor or admiring an evening sunset from the back nine at Pronghorn’s Nicklaus Course, Central Oregon is the perfect outdoor playground for both visitors and residents. In addition to fairways and trails, Bend, Redmond, and Sisters lay fertile ground for starting and growing a business in a region that draws talent. Whatever your inspiration, the team at Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty’s flagship office will draw from their local expertise to find you the perfect property.

Farm, Ranch, & Vineyard

Land is the foundation for a sense of place. Its type determines the flow of towns, the taste of cuisine, and the boundaries of recreation. From southern Washington to southern Oregon, and from pristine coastline to eastern hills, our brokerage covers a range of nearly 100,000 square miles and much of that land is rural. Our Farm, Ranch, and Vineyard brokers are experts, as they, too, are ranchers, riders, farmers and vintners. Andy Warhol said that “land really is the best some of the most incredible farm, art.” We agree, and we are proud to say that in this realm, our brokers are lifelong connoisseurs. You will often find them outside the office–cultivating land and relationships while driving back roads, wrangling horses, or walking rows of grape vines. They are ready to match their extraordinary expertise with your vision.

Oregon Coast

Once the nearly exclusive province of loggers and fishermen, the villages along the rugged and unspoiled Oregon Coast have blossomed into travel destinations with universal appeal. Dining, galleries and cultural activities complement the natural beauty that provides seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in old growth forests and along oceanfront bluffs. With offices in Cannon Beach, Gearhart, and Manzanita, Sotheby’s International Realty brokers can find the perfect home for anyone looking to add the seaside to their lifestyle.

Portland Metro

City living is at its best in Portland, where you’ll find a quality of life that is unmatched in other major American cities. Portlanders are adept at creating spaces where business, culture and the great outdoors intersect. The Rose City has more than 10,000 acres of public parks and natural areas, giving residents ample opportunities to explore the environment without having to travel beyond the city limits. Bicycle friendliness is only matched by eco-friendliness. Each neighborhood’s charm is amplified by world-class eats, local microbreweries and coffeehouses.

Lake Oswego

One of the oldest inhabited areas in Willamette Valley, Lake Oswego continues to be one of Oregon’s most desirable suburban cities to “live where you play.” With the eponymous lake at the center of life, Lake Oswego has maintained a reputation as one of the most coveted places in the Portland area for families to put down roots. The town boasts award-winning schools and parks against a backdrop steeped in history. From the historic Ironworks installation in the city park to its array of carefully-preserved Victorian homes and cottages, Lake Oswego exudes character and classic charm.

If you're thinking about making Oregon your home, check out these beautiful homes! Visiting Central Oregon soon? You can request our relocation guide here. 

Original blog post by Cascade Sotheby's International Realty and can be found here.

Why Bend, Oregon is a Great Place to Live

If you've visited Bend, or if you're one of the lucky ones who gets to call Central Oregon home, then you understand why so many choose to relocate here either full-time or as a vacation destination. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, endless outdoor activities, and a trendy yet independent mountain culture, Bend is genuinely an awesome place to live. 

If you need specific reasons why Bend is the best city in Oregon, check out this list that covers everything from the Arts to Breweries. Are you planning a trip to Central Oregon this holiday season and looking for places to go while you're in town? Grab a cold beer, sit back, sit back and Visit our Discover Bend page to learn about summer hot spots, locals favorites, and some of the most beautiful hikes in Oregon. 

Life is Great on Skates

The snow isn't falling yet in Bend, Oregon, but the Bend Parks & Recreation Ice Pavilion is officially open for the season! If you're looking to polish your figure skating skills, practice your curling technique or start an ice hockey team this is the spot to do it. Be sure to check out their website for schedule and details.

Staying in Sunriver this holiday season? Not to worry, they have a fantastic ice skating rink for all to enjoy. They also offer the Alpine Express Train that takes the little ones on a short ride around Sunriver Village - a must do for families visiting Sunriver this winter season.

If being on ice skates isn't your thing (trust me, I get it), you can always snuggle up next to the fire pit, drink some hot cocoa and breathe in the crisp fall and winter air in Central Oregon.

10 Homes Built for Nature-Lovers in Central Oregon

It's no secret that Central Oregon is known for it's unique high desert landscape - a mix of juniper, aspen and oak trees, mountain views, and volcanic terrain. Check out these beautiful homes that make our rustic and breathtaking scenery the star of the show.

Want to find your own nature-inspired Central Oregon getaway? Feel free to browse here!