Posts from April 2025

It's not really a surprise that 70% of buyers paused their home search last year. Maybe you were one of them. And if so, no judgment. Conditions just weren't great.

Inventory was too low, prices were too high, and mortgage rates were bouncing all over. That made it really hard to find a home you loved – and could afford. And why sell if you're not sure where you're going to go?

But here's the thing: the market's shifting. And it might be time to hit play again.

The Inventory Sweet Spot

More homeowners are jumping back into their search to make a move this year. Builders are finishing more homes. And together, that's creating more options for you when you move – maybe even the home you've been waiting for.

More homes = more possibilities.

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Let's talk about something you might not check nearly as often as your bank account – and that's how much your home is worth. But when it comes to your financial situation, it's an important thing to remember. When's the last time you had a professional show you the value of your home?

Think about it. For most people, your house is probably the biggest asset you have. And if you've owned your home for a few years (or longer), chances are it's been quietly building wealth for you in the background. And honestly? You might be surprised by just how much. 

What Is Home Equity?

This wealth you may not even realize you have comes in the form of

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Lava Butte is Located Just South of Bend

Lava Butte is part of the Lava Lands Visitor Center which is the interpretive hub for Newberry Volcanic National Monument. Located just south of Bend on the west side of Highway 97, the Visitor Center is closed from the middle of October through the beginning of May. However, the parking lot remains open year round (snow permitting) for people who hike the 5.5 mile Sun-Lava paved path over the lava fields or hike the 3.3 mile round trip up Lava Butte. The road up Lava Butte is traveled by a shuttle during the summer, but during the off season a gated fence stops vehicles from making the trip. However, hikers and bicyclists can access the butte through a person gate in the fence and enjoy the trek up the butte and views from the top.

Those who walk the 1/4 mile around Lava Butte's rim can read a lot about the geology of the area in the interpretive signs. Newberry Crater is the largest volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with an area of 1,200 square miles when its lava flows are taken into account; this area is larger than the state of Delaware. From north to south, the volcano has a length of 75 miles, with a width of 27 miles and a total volume of approximately 120 cubic miles. Over 400 lava buttes are part of the volcano, Lava Butte being one of them. From the top of the butte, many other cinder cones are visible, among the most popular for Bend residents is Pilot Butte located within the city limits.

Although not a long hike, the trek up Lava Butte provides for almost 600 feet in elevation gain along a paved road. For those who want more, there are many additional hikes in Newberry Volcanic National Monument which become available late spring/early summer.

According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19. And since that week has come and gone, you might be wondering: did I miss my chance? Not at all – and here's why.

That's just one source's take, based on their own research. Other organizations run similar studies. And since different places use different methodologies for their research, sometimes the results vary too – and that's actually good news for you. According to Zillow, the best time to list your house is still ahead.

The latest research from Zillow says sellers who list their homes in late May tend to see higher sale prices based on home sales from last year. The study explains why:

"Search activity typically peaks before Memorial Day, as shoppers get serious about house hunting before their summer vacation and the new school year in the fall. By targeting late spring, sellers...

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Bend Home Prices Appear to be Leveling Off

Spring 2025 has begun with many economic and political changes within the country. The uncertainty of tariffs and the stock market may ultimately result in a pull back in home sales. However, the beginning of April has had strong real estate sales for Bend Premier Real Estate brokers. It could be with people not having confidence in the stock market, the proven reliability of real estate to consistently gain value over time coupled with more certainty in mortgage interest rates leveling or even dropping could result in a boom in Bend home sales. The next few months could be a roller coaster, or perhaps a more steady-as-she-goes market....

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