Posts from July 2023

What's in the July 2023 Bend Premier Real Estate Newsletter?

• Bend Home Sales Reflect Mixed Results
• Iron Mountain Hike 2023
• Today's Housing Market is a Sweet Spot for Sellers
• The Bend Oregon Pet Parade
• The Benefits of Downsizing for Homeowners

The Obsidian Trail in the Three Sisters Wilderness is Available by Permit Only

We have hiked the Obsidian Trail several time over the past few years, but the hike done July 2, 2023 was extra special. Late snow has delayed access to the high Cascades and we found patches of snow on our hike. However, these were easily traversed with trekking poles. The 11.5 mile loop connects with the Pacific Crest Trail for several miles and at the peak of the elevation, hikers walk by and on glaciated obsidian which sparkles in the sunlight. Photos do not properly reflect the actual experience of the glittering rock. The hike also passes through high alpine meadows, which had wildflowers blooming, and several shallow creeks to cross. Obsidian Falls can be a great rest stop, but our favorite lunch spot is in the sun taking in the amazing views of Middle and North Sister as well as Little Brother. All in all, the 11.5 miles gained 2165 feet in elevation and took 5.5 hours of actual walking time. Bring bug spray this time of year as the mosquitos are out.

The 48th annual Sisters Quilt show, celebrated as the world's largest outdoor quilt show, was held last Saturday, July 8th. Quilts could be seen hanging from walls, porches, in windows, on fences and over balconies. It was estimated that over 1300 quilts were displayed throughout the town with over 10,000 visitors from all 50 states as well as some foreign countries. This year's theme was "Hidden Stories" and it was interesting to try to figure out the stories in these beautiful works of art.

Bend Single Family Home Sales Reflect Mixed Results

We have been tracking Bend home sales for many years. Bend has been in a seller's market since 2012, but the level to which the seller's market changed during Covid was beyond any we had seen before. Home prices skyrocketed with multiple offers driving sales and inventory levels dropping to two weeks at the peak of the pandemic. However, since last summer, the Bend real estate market has been in transition with rising mortgage interest rates the biggest contributor to the change. While high mortgage rates have greatly impacted the buying power of many home buyers, lack of inventory remains an issue. We had seen home price increases level off and even drop yea...

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Its hard to believe that after living in Bend Oregon since 1985, we finally attended our first 4th of July Pet Parade. This event has been a Bend tradition since 1924, only missing 1943 due to the Second World War and 2020-2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We arrived early for our seats at 9:00 am with the parade beginning at 10:00 am.  By the time the parade arrived, it is estimated there were well over 10,000 people either participating in the parade or watching it. The pets involved were mostly dogs, but we also saw rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards, goats, sheep, ponys and horses. Lots of partiotism and fun for everyone.