Bend, Oregon Real Estate Market Summer Stays Strong…

The Duke Warner Market Trends Report for August is out and the upward sales trend has made it through the summer. As one might expect with summer being the busier selling season, the numbers for August rose slightly over the July numbers. The number of properties listed as active dropping slightly. The most active category of homes remains in the under $225,000 range followed closely by the next bracket of $225,000 -$325,000. As reported previously the competition for nice properties that are well priced in these price ranges is stout. Rarely do we submit an offer on a home in the $150,000 range and not have to compete against several other buyers. The upper reaches of the market also continue to see steady sales results which helps balance the market.


As has been the trend for the last several months the distressed property market has been dampened. Once the fuel for our newer listings this segment has now become a trickle. The newly enacted Oregon Senate Bill 1552 has effectively shut down the number of default notices being served which may have slowed down the number of homes falling into this category. The required mediation of the Senate Bill has affected the number of folks moving toward short selling their properties. Most folks in distress are waiting to see what the mediation process will bring before committing to selling their property.

From what I have observed, this segment of the market had already been in decline long before the Senate Bill was enacted. This makes for the likelihood that we are nearing the end for this episode of the housing collapse. I have no doubt that we will continue to see distressed properties on the market but the fantastic opportunities of the last few years have largely been gobbled up and finding new treasures will take more work.

If this is the end of the collapse it may be some time before we see a fully recovered market. Most folks are wary of what the next few months will bring. With the politics of an election year dominating the decision making of business owners, the lawmakers and Wall Street, it could be months before there is any clarity to where the economic markets are heading. This uncertainty continues to dampen the jobs market and saps the strength from folks who want to sell their property and move on with their lives.

Bend is showing its durability and desirability, more than once we have been presumed to be a failing community but every time our spirit shines through. The qualities that have drawn folks to Bend since long before there were saw mills and ski hills remains here today. The beauty of the river, the mountains and the dry climate will always be what endures and draws people to Central Oregon.