Here’s to a happy and joyful holiday season for everyone. A
warm holiday season it has been so far here in
Bend, Oregon. This has not stopped Bendites
from enjoying a great start to our
ski season. Living
in Bend has such great advantages to the daily grind, it is so nice to enjoy
the snow in the morning then follow it up with an afternoon bike ride or escape
the grind by heading out to the slopes for a quick hour or two.
In this month’s
report we actually have seen an increase in active listings, while new listings
coming to the market have declined. While most active listing categories are
down but relatively equal to last month, listings in the $225,000-$325,000
range have jumped. This category saw an increase of 34 more homes actively
listed. Many of these homes have come into the market to take advantage of the
favorable reporting the last few weeks. The number of listings in the pending
sale category also has dropped dramatically by 68 transactions. The homes that
sold in Bend also dropped but this appears to be in line with the season.
Watching our daily sales trends makes me think that December
will continue to be solid. One category in a pinch is with those trying to complete
their short sales before year’s end. T
he
“Mortgage
Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation” for distressed
homeowners expires then which could leave many successful short sale clients
with enormous tax liability. While there has been intense lobbying to extend tax
relief, it is being drown out by the
fiscal cliff
bickering. The effect this bickering has on the rest of the market remains to
be seen. This bickering has cast a constant pall on the joyful holiday season
and has effectively been the Grinch that is stealing Christmas and beyond. Soon
Santa will come and go, as will this crisis too.
I have refused to give in to the Grinch’s his year and have
asked Santa to send more referrals. I am pretty sure that Santa will not mind a
little help from those of you out there that know someone in need of a hard
working broker. Help keep the coal out of my stocking, I am
easy to reach.
Have a great Holiday Season and spread a little joy to those
known and unknown to you!!
It has been quite some time since
we have had a white Christmas here in Bend but this year Bing Crosby would have
been proud. Over six inches feel in the days preceding Christmas this year
making for a snow globe wonderland. 
