Posts from September 2025
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Bend Premier Real Estate | September 2025 Newsletter
What's in the September 2025 Bend Premier Newsletter?
- It's a Mixed Market for Bend Home Sales
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Why September is the Best Month to Paint Your Home's Exterior
- Jefferson Park Has Had 2 Fires in 8 Years
- What You Need to Know About Concessions
10
Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year
You've been waiting for what feels like forever for mortgage rates to finally budge. And last week, they did – in a big way.
On Friday, September 5th, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to the lowest level since October 2024. It was the biggest one-day decline in over a year.
What Sparked the Drop?
According to Mortgage News Daily, this was a reaction to the August jobs report, which came out weaker-than-expected for a second month in a row. That sent signals across the financial markets, and then mortgage rates came down as a result.
Basically, we're seeing signs the economy may be slowing down, and as certainty grows in the direction the economy is going, the markets are reacting to what is likely ahead. That historically brings mortgage rates down.
Why Buyers Should Pay Attention Now
But this isn't just about one...
8
Bend Oregon Real Estate | August 2025 Trends
Its a Mixed Market for Bend Home Sales
August is usually a month where home buyers with young children close their purchases and get settled before school starts. It is also a month in which sellers who didn't sell their properties during the peak summer selling season consider their next options. Often, for those who really need to sell, lowering the asking price can be the answer. For others, taking their property off the market may make more sense. However, in 2025, the August Bend home sales reflected a mixed market with prices up, closings up, inventory up and days on market up.
When August 2025 is compared with August 2024, th...
8
Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It
If your selling strategy still assumes you'll get multiple offers over asking, it's officially time for a reset. That frenzied seller's market is behind us. And here are the numbers to prove it.
From Frenzy to "Normal"
Right now, about 50% of homes on the market are selling for less than their asking price, according to the latest data from Cotality.
But that isn't necessarily bad news, even if it feels like it. Here's why. The wild run-up over the last few years was never going to be sustainable. The housing market needed a reset, and data shows that's exactly what's happening right now.
The graph below uses data from Zillow to sh...
4
Jefferson Park in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness is Still Beautiful Despite Fires
Two Fires in Eight Years Have Impacted Jefferson Park
For those who enjoy hiking in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, one of the most treasured locations to see has been Jefferson Park. Located at the base of Mt. Jefferson, Oregon's second tallest peak, the beauty of the meadow and the reflection of Mt. Jefferson in the multiple lakes has been the destination for campers and day hikers for many years. In 2017, the Whitewater Fire destroyed 11,500 acres, much of which was near the Whitewater trailhead and surrounding forest. However, in 2020, the devastating Santiam Fire, which ballooned to 402,274 acres and destroyed several towns, over 1500 structures and killed 5 people was among the worst fires in Oregon's history. Access to Jefferson Park remained closed for several years after this fire, but has since reopened.
The hike to Jefferson Park from the Whitewater trailhead takes hikers through 4 miles of burned forest before coming to Whitewater Creek where hikers need to cross via stones or logs laid across the creek. There are signs of life returning to the burned area, although it will take many decades before the forest is restored to what it was before the fires. The Whitewater trail joins with the Pacific Crest Trail before reaching the park and once again hikers have to cross Whitewater Creek, this time via a bridge.
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It is shortly after crossing the bridge that hikers actually enter the meadow which is Jefferson Park. There are sections of the surrounding forest that are burned, but also many sections which remain beautiful and alive. Several side paths provide access to Bay, Scout, Park and Rock Lakes, all clean and clear alpine lakes with sandy bottoms with many camping areas nearby. Russell Lake is at the far western end of the park and provides outstanding reflections of Mt. Jefferson. There are campsites around Russell Lake as well. For those who hike from the Whitewater Trailhead to Russell Lake and back, plan on 13 miles and over 2300 feet of elevation gain.
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