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By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 6
Great Workout and Great Views Black Butte is an iconic landmark just outside Sisters Oregon and over the years has also been a fire lookout. Today it is a terrific hike climbing 1600 feet in just under 2 miles. When hiked Black Butte on May 8, 2021, the weather was cloudy and cool, but the trail was free from snow until just before the top of the butte. To access the trail head, travel west on Highway 22 five miles past Sisters until you reach the Indian Ford Campground exit (milepost 95). Travel on paved Forest Road 11 until you reach unpaved Forest Road 1110. Travel on 1110 just under six miles to the trailhead (the last mile is quite narrow and rough).  The trail head requires a forest pass and the parking area can fill up early.  The path to the top of the Butte is well maintained a...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 2
Bend Or Home Prices Historically HighIn some way, it feels like we are like a broken record that keeps repeating the same line. Bend home prices are way up and inventory levels are way down. Each month we wonder if we have reached the top (or bottom), but each month we are setting another record - and we don't see the trends changing anytime soon. This is by far the strongest seller's market we have ever seen in Bend with desperate buyers bidding home prices up to levels we have never seen.When April 2021 is compared with April 2020, Bend single family home sales on less than an acre reflect the following: Average sales price up 32.2% to $769,314* Median sales price up 41.2% to $651,000 New listings up 32.6% to 256 Homes for sale down 81.99% to 119 Pending sales up 149.7% to 427 Sold ho...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 5
Multiple Offers the Norm for Bend  Real Estate Sales If your offer to purchase a home in this highly competitive real estate market was rejected, it often is because a cash offer was accepted over one with a loan contingency attached. According to a recent NAR survey of Realtors®, the presence of a competing all cash offer was the second largest reason for an offer not being accepted, accounting for more than 25% of all real estate transactions. Other buyers making a higher offer is still the major cause of rejection. Here in Bend, we are seeing similar trends with multiple offers and bidding wars the norm rather than the exception for most Bend single family home sales. These bidding wars continue to push Bend home prices upward with early figures for April 2021 single family home sale...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 5
The "Unofficial" Hiking Route on Lower Whychus CreekWe hiked to Alder Springs last year for the first time. This lovely canyon oasis, located on Whychus Creek near the confluence of the Deschutes River, has beautiful geological formations and stunning sights at every turn. The "official" and "unofficial" trails are closed December 1 through March 31, but during our recent hike April 24th, 2021, we saw fewer than 20 people the entire time and no one at all on our "unofficial" trail.  The unofficial trail starts at Whychus Creek Crossing, located inside the Crooked River National Grassland. The road to the crossing is rough, passable by standard car, but we would recommend a 4 wheel vehicle. There are several picnic tables at the crossing and no trailhead. But if you walk past the last pi...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 13
Peter Skene Ogden Trail is Ready Now!It has been just over a year since we last hiked Peter Skene Ogden Trail, located just outside Newberry National Volcanic Monument off the road to the park entrance. Last Saturday, April 10th 2021, the weather was predicted to be cool and windy and this hike, mostly sheltered from the wind in the canyon where Paulina Creek flows, seemed a good choice. When we parked our car by the trailhead at the closed McKay Crossing Campground, there was only one other car and the temperature was under 40 degrees. We thought we would hike the 3.5 miles to our favorite waterfalls along the hike - the place we call "Twin Falls." We dressed warm and quickly covered the distance to the falls. After a short stop with photos of the falls, we decided to see how much furt...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 4
Lack of Inventory Triggering Escalating Sales Prices for Bend Oregon HomesThe figures are in for Bend single family home sales in March 2021. It has been a full year since Covid-19's impact on Bend home sales initially was felt and the resulting demand for Central Oregon homes began impacting our local housing market. We have had a year of tremendous buyer demand and Bend real estate sales which have broken records. Multiple offers and bidding wars have pushed Bend home prices to never before seen levels with cash offers typically beating out any offer involving financing. Entry level buyers have found Bend unaffordable and have determined Redmond, Prineville, LaPine and Madras may work better for their finances. The housing boom in Central Oregon is very real and it remains to be seen ...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 2
Redmond  Home Sales Reflect Great Buyer DemandRedmond Oregon home sales have been in high demand over the past year.  Although not involving the high end homes that are now such a component of Bend real estate sales, Redmond real estate sales have been tremendously strong since the Covid-19 pandemic hit with home prices and inventory levels reflecting an extremely strong sellers' market.We made a comparison of 1st quarter 2020 with 1st quarter 2021 single family home sales in Redmond on less than an acre. The following trends can easily be seen: Average sales price is up 28% to $450,328* Median sales price is up 22.6% to $400,000 New listings are down 9.1% to 291 Homes for sale are down 64.1% to 118 Pending sales are up 87.7% to 413 Sold homes are up 12.3% to 247 Median days on market a...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 8
According to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) annual Priced-Out Estimates released earlier this month, 71.5% of Bend residents have been priced out of the Bend real estate market based on a median priced home of $409,281. The household income needed to qualify would be $102,710.  Although the NAHB figures are fairly recent, this number is roughly 73% since the median price of a home in Bend today is closer to $520,000. And for every $5000 increase in the median price for a Bend home, another 700 local residents will be priced out of this market.These Bend numbers are higher than the national median home price of $346,757, resulting in about 75 million households, or roughly 60% of all U.S. residents, being priced out of the U.S. market. Just an additional $1000 increase i...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 4
Amazing Bend Home Sales in February 2021It has been a full year since the Covid-19 pandemic hit America and the resulting Stay at Home orders were implemented in most states. When the pandemic first came to the Bend real estate market, we thought that sales would be impacted negatively - and this was the case initially. When businesses shut their doors and laid off employees, brokerages followed suit and turned to the internet and virtual connections with clients.  Within Bend Premier Real Estate, the use of our Matterport 3D tours became a major tool to enable buyers to "see" homes without actually entering the property. Bend Premier brokers looked to utilize virtual tools as much as possible to keep business going.However, unexpectedly Bend real estate sales started to soar with lack ...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 1
Strong Home Sales in Bend Continued in January 2021If we were to use one phrase to summarize January 2021's Bend single family home sales on less than an acre, it would be "more of the same." The 2020 Bend home sale trends since getting over the initial shock of the Covid-19 pandemic have been monumental and the start in 2021 appears to be continuing the movement.When January of 2021 is compared with January 2020 for Bend single family home sales on less than an acre, the following data can be noted: Average sales price up 28.2% to $666,293* Median sales price up 31.5% to $577,500 New listings down 12.3% to 135 Homes for sale down 84.1% to 89 Pending sales up 104.4% to 280 Solds up 12.4% to 154 Average days on market down 76.9% to 18 Median days on market down 90.2% to 4 Months of suppl...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 4
Lack of Inventory a Major Issue for High End Sales2020 was a year that will be remembered in the history books. In January and February 2020, real estate sales were great across the country with low interest rates leading the way enabling buyers to afford more than they could in the past. Low inventory levels were making sellers realize that listing in the winter could be a good decision and Bend Oregon real estate sales were breaking records.  Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the subsequent recession and work-from-home orders made many believe Central Oregon real estate sales would drastically drop. However, after the initial shock, Bend home sales came roaring back when the pandemic made people realize that if they were to work from home, home could be where they really wanted to li...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 2
Strong Real Estate Sales Were the Norm for Redmond Oregon in 2020Redmond, Oregon has often been thought as a more affordable option to Bend. And when we represent buyers looking to settle in Central Oregon, Redmond often becomes their choice when they discover what they can afford to purchase there versus what they can afford in Bend. And Redmond is growing with over 500 new construction homes either sold, pending or active in MLS over the past 12 months.* When Redmond single family home sales on less than an acre from 2020 are compared with those from 2019, the following can be noted: Average sales price up 11.99% to $390,355 Median sales price up 12.1% to $359,900 New listings up 10.7% to 1266 Homes for sale down 13% to 309 Pending sales up 35.1% to 1348 Sold homes up 18.9% to 1185 Me...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 2
2020 Had Unexpected Results for Bend Single Family Home Sales Who would have thought when 2020 began that we would be hit with a world wide pandemic, recession, work from home orders, and a Bend real estate market that was unprecedented in its volume of sales, increase in home prices and lack of inventory. When 2020 is compared with 2019, the following reflects the sales of Bend Oregon single family homes on less than an acre: Average home price up 15% to $611,764* Median home price up 11.6% to $502,000 New listings down 3% to 2623 Number of homes for sale down 32% to 552 Pending sales up 21.2% to 2838 Sold homes up 10.9% to 2596 Median days on market down 52.2% to 11 Months of supply down 35.7% to 2.7  Average price per square foot up 10.2% to $291 Median price per square foot up 10.3...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 3
Our first hike of 2021 was at the Whychus Canyon Preserve, a place we had never been before.  Located at the end of Goodrich Road off Cloverdale Road outside of Sisters, the preserve provides for 3 different hikes of varying difficulty and view. We took the Long Canyon Route which follows the canyon rim before dropping 300 feet in elevation into the canyon and follows the creek for 2.3 miles before climbing back to the rim. The walk on the rim travels through meadows and has a  North Sister view overlook before heading back to the trailhead. All in all, the loop is roughly 5 miles and depending on the time of year, can offer wildflowers and mountain views. The other hikes in the Whychus Canyon Preserve include the Mid Canyon Route, shorter with only 3 miles, and the Wagon Road and Meado...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 5
With snow falling in the Cascades, it is becoming harder to find places to take a long hike in Central Oregon without snow shoes or cross country skies. Last Saturday we decided to re-hike the 1.4 mile, 500 foot elevation gain Bessie Butte trail located off China Hat and then take the Swamp Wells Trail through the Deschutes National Forest to Kelsey Butte, located roughly 5 miles south of Bessie Butte. The trail, lightly covered with snow, was easy to follow and our research on the hike showed it to be one for mountain bikers as well as hikers.  The Swamp Wells Trail, if followed its entire length, eventually will end at Newberry Crater after 20 plus miles with a lot of elevation gain in that final push.  During our hike through the woods we saw only one other person, a woman with her d...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 10
We have heard about Chush Falls, located off the Three Creeks Lake road outside of Sisters, Oregon, for many years, but had never hiked it until last Saturday. Since it was the middle of December, but snowfall had been somewhat light, we believed we would be fine hiking in the 2 plus miles into the waterfall. We got a late start so that it would be warmer, but experienced a lot of ice on the trail the first mile. Although we had trekking poles, ice spikes for our shoes would have been very helpful and that first mile was walked fairly slowly. The first mile of the hike is through the burned trees of the 2017 Milli fire. But despite the burned trees, there has been a lot of regrowth with manzanita and young trees and the views of North and Middle Sister were beautiful. However, one issue...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 7
Bend OR New Home Prices Expected to RiseThe demand for Bend Oregon housing over the past year has broken records. With less than a month supply of single family homes for sale, builders have been working hard to bring new product onto the market. However, the demand has not kept up with the supply and more and more buyers are not able to purchase a home they can afford.Besides the changes that great demand has made to Bend new home prices, there is another important issue connected with housing affordability - the price of lumber. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March when lumber prices dropped initially, the price of lumber has climbed at a tremendous rate, reaching a high of almost $1000 per thousand board feet in September before prices dropped in October. However, with decent...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 6
A Tantalizing Wine Experience in Downtown BendWe were very excited to be able to try out this new little wine shop, tucked away in downtown Bend. It has only been open for about 6 weeks (what a time to open!), and Dave has done an incredible job of putting together a diverse portfolio of varietals at reasonable prices.We made a reservation for one of two outdoor dining tables to do the weekly signature flight. The seating was appropriately distanced, and each table came with its own heater; we hardly used our blankets we brought. This week’s selection was Gamay- a varietal we are personally not very familiar with, so this was an extra treat!Our tasting experience had us traveling from France to the Willamette valley and between sparkling, carbonic maceration, and a mix of carbonic macer...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 0
Bend Home Prices Up With Inventory Levels DownThe Bend real estate trends continued their 2020 pattern in November with prices up significantly over November 2019 and the inventory of available single family homes for sale down. The demand for Bend housing sometimes appears desperate with multiple offers the norm on most new listings and most buyers disappointed as their "highest and best" offer isn't sufficient to "win the home." Comparing November 2020 with November 2019 sales for Bend single family homes on less than an acre, the following trends can be seen: Average sales price up 23.2% to $640,366* Median sales price up 24% to $537,000 New listings down 6% to 126 Homes for sale down 80.7% to 144 Pending sales up 96.5% to 336 Sold homes up 22.9% to 209 Median days on market down 81....
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 2
Inventory Levels Less Than a Month for Bend Oregon Real EstateThe October 2020 figures have been published for Bend single family home sales on less than an acre. The results continue the trends we have been experiencing this year - recording breaking low inventory, record breaking demand and record breaking home prices. The inventory of available Bend single family homes for sale has now reached a desperate level of less than half a month of supply.  This has created a situation where multiple offers are the norm, days on market historically low and prices escalating at a rate that we believe is unsustainable.When October 2019 sales figures for Bend single family homes on less than an acre are compared with those from October 2020, the following changes can be noted: Average sales pric...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 6
Probably one of the most popular hikes in Central Oregon is the trail from Century Drive via Fall Creek up to Green Lakes in the Three Sisters Wilderness.  This nine mile round trip gains 1500 feet elevation, crossing the creek three times, but is relatively easy to moderate for most hikers.  Hundreds of people will take this hike on sunny summer days and the enjoyment of the beauty of Green Lakes is one of the "must dos" for many Central Oregon visitors.  During our years in Central Oregon, we have taken this hike often and have enjoyed the experience every time, despite the increased traffic on the trail.Last Saturday we decided to hike the alternative trail to Green Lakes.  This trail starts at the same parking lot as the Fall Creek trail, but instead travels via Soda Springs up the ...
By Lynnea Miller, Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon
(Bend Premier Real Estate)
Comments 7
I have been fortunate to be interviewed periodically on real estate trends and issues in Central Oregon. Two days ago a local reporter asked me on camera what was happening with Covid and Bend Oregon real estate. Here is the link to the interview:  Interview of Central Oregon - Bend Real Estate Market It is always interesting to see what they include and choose to edit out when a final product is produced. Hopefully the information was helpful for our local residents and our brokerage receives added credibility as a result of the interview.

Deschutes County, OR Real Estate Professionals