The HWY 97 Re-route Project in Redmond is Nearing Completion

  ODOT, (Oregon Department of Transportation) is finishing up the final touches on the HWY 97 re-route project in Redmond. The re-route project should free up Redmond traffic tremendously. The project includes a parkway similar to Bend’s parkway. Drivers will now have the option to bypass downtown Redmond.

The project is scheduled to be completed this weekend. If weather allows, the northbound lanes will open of for a trial by pedestrians and cyclists on Sat. from 10 am to 2 pm. The lanes will then open to automobile traffic on Monday. The southbound lanes are slated to open on May 12th.   This bypass will be great for Downtown Redmond. Through traffic will avoid the downtown area,… Read Full Post

 

Deschutes River Woods Real Estate Market

Deschutes River Woods is a unique subdivision in Bend, Oregon. The area sits between HWY 97 and the Deschutes River just north of a giant lava bed. Big Ponderosa pine trees blanket the subdivision. DRW offers rural living, yet is only a short drive to Downtown Bend. 

The subdivision mainly consists of ½ acre to 2 acre lots. There are no CC&R’s in Deschutes River Woods, which allows property owners to use their property in a variety of ways. Some home owners have horses on their property, while others have home based businesses.  Many buyers are finding that DRW is the best choice for them in the current Bend Real Estate market.

Residents of Deschutes River Woods have the luxury of having the Country…

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It amazes me how many agents and home owners use horrible photographs to market their Central Oregon listings. 

Most buyers search the internet before buying a home these days.   You’ve heard the saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words”.  Its true, especially in real estate.  Pictures tell the buyers a lot about the properties, and many buyers pick out homes that they want to see purely by the pictures.  It’s important for agents/owners to invest in a good camera, or pay a professional photographer to take quality photos that represent properties accurately.

In a college photography class that I attended at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon, the professor used real estate magazines to show us what “bad photographs” look like. …

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Bend Real Estate Market Report-  Affordable Housing is Back!

I remember a time about 1 1/2 years ago when there were only about 5 homes on the market in Bend for less than $300,000.  Today there are currently 416  stick built homes on the market in Bend for less than $300,000.  19 of these homes are priced less than $200,000.  WOW! 

Affordable Housing Statistics

• The average price of these 416 homes is $262,904. 
• The average Square Feet of the homes is 1550 sq ft.
• These affordable homes have been on the market for an average of 147 days.

Buy now or wait?

Hmmm... Interest rates are hovering around 5.5% and there is a supply of affordable homes in Bend.  The inventory of homes has been declining, and interest rates won't get much…

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Redmond Oregon Airport Expanding

The Redmond airport is scheduled to have a major expansion in the near future.  Kirby Nagelhout Construction apparetnly submitted the lowest bid for the work.  The project will include expanding the current terminal space from 23,000 square feet to 136,000 square feet. 

Current flights from Central Oregon

The Redmond aiport currently offers flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Eugene, Seattle, Portland, and Las Vegas.  These flights have allowed many business men and women to move to the Bend Oregon area.  I've had a few clients buy a home in Bend because of the ability to jump on a plane and fly to business meetings out of state.  This expansion will make it easier for these folks to do…

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Bend tops the list of "smart places to retire" 

Real Estate in Bend Oregon is #1 on lis of "retirement hot spots for less"

This article was sent to me by a mortgage broker in Bend.  The article is about how slowing home sales in desired cities offer a an opportunity for retirees to pick and choose where they want to retire, written by Business Week.  Bend tops the list for a variety of reasons, recreation, economy, beauty and more. Read the full Retirement Hot Spots- Bend real estate article.

Why do I think Bend is #1 on the list?

Bend is a beautiful city.  Tucked away on the east side of  the Cascade mountains, Central Oregon has a lot to offer retirees.  The glorious Deschutes River runs through town, and offers recreation and scenic sites.  Scenes…

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