Posts with tag 'bend real estate trends'

If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you're not alone – and you're definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today's market is offering something you haven't had in a while: options.

Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they've been in quite a long time. Here's what they have to say.

Affordability Is Finally Improving 

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting to turn the corner:

"Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market."

Mortgage rates have e...

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What's in the October 2025 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Lower Mortgage Rates are Making a Difference
• Pumpkin Pancakes
• Get Spooky While Saving: Budget-Friendly Halloween Decor Ideas
• Carl Lake is a Little Known Hike
• 3 Advantages of Buying a Newly Built Home Today

Lower Mortgage Interest Rates Are Making a Difference for Bend Home Sales

For many Bend real estate brokers, the first half of 2025 had mixed sales results. Home prices moderated, and inventory levels increased. With more homes on the market, buyers had more choices. However, high mortgage interest rates kept many would-be home buyers off the market. Home sales proceeded through the summer at a relatively lower pace than was typical for Central Oregon.

However, the market changed in September. In the beginning of September, mortgage rates dropped below 6.5%. This coupled with more motivation from

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If you've been watching from the sidelines, now's the time to lean in. It's officially the best time to buy this year. According to Realtor.com, this October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025:

"By mid-October, buyers across much of the country may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and negotiating power they've been waiting for—a rare opportunity in a market that has been tight for most of the past decade."

So, if you're ready and able to buy right now, shooting for this month means you should see:

• More homes to choose from
• Less competition from other buyers
• More time to browse
• Better home prices
• Sellers who are more willing to negotiate

Just remember, every market i...

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There's a new divide in housing right now. In some states, buyers are gaining ground. In others, sellers still have the upper hand. It all depends on where you live. Curious what's happening in Oregon?

These 3 maps show how the split is playing out across the country. In each one:

• Darker Shades of Blue = Buyer friendly
• Lighter Shades of Blue = Seller strong

Inventory Sets the Stage

While the number of homes for sale has improved pretty much across the board, how much growth we've seen can look dramatically different based on where you live. And that impacts who has the leverage today.

This map uses data from Realtor.com to break it down:

• The darker shades of blue show where inventory has risen more than in other areas of the country. Buyers here have more to choose from and should have an easier time finding a...

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