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The phone calls started coming in last week. Buyers who'd been sitting on the sidelines since rates climbed above 7% suddenly wanted to talk numbers again. The reason? Mortgage rates have fallen to their lowest point in over a year, hovering just above 6% for qualified borrowers.
For Bend's real estate market, this shift changes the equation in ways that go beyond simple monthly payment calculations. The question isn't whether lower rates matter—they do. The question is what smart buyers should do about it right now.
A half-point drop in interest rates might not sound dramatic until you run the numbers on Bend's median home price. On a $650,000 purchase with 20% down, the difference between a 6.5% rate and a...
For years, Bend's housing market has been defined by extremes: a relocation boom during the pandemic, a sharp reset as interest rates climbed, and then a long stretch where low inventory kept competition fierce. As we move through 2026, the ground finally feels more balanced — especially for relocation buyers looking for a lifestyle upgrade without the bidding-war chaos of years past.
Below is a look at what's driving the shift: interest rates, supply, buyer behavior, and the enduring lifestyle appeal that keeps Bend on the relocation shortlist for Seattle, Bay Area, and Portland households.
After peaking in the 7%+ range, mortgage rates have been sliding steadily into the
Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You're not alone. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest obstacle between buyers, sellers, and their next move. High mortgage rates, limited inventory, and rapid price growth forced many households across Central Oregon to sit on the sidelines.
The good news is this: conditions are finally shifting. In 2025, affordability improved to its best level in three years, and most economists agree that progress should continue into 2026. That outlook is based on three fundamentals that matter everywhere—including Bend, Redmond,
If you've been watching the housing market lately, you may have seen headlines about a surprising surge in pending home sales across the U.S. — the highest we've seen in nearly three years. That's a big deal for buyers and sellers alike, and when you pair it with what we're seeing locally here in Bend and Central Oregon, a clear picture starts to emerge: opportunity — but only if you understand the market on both the national and local level.
A lot of people are asking the same thing right now: "Is it even a good time to sell?" And the truth may come as a bit of a surprise...
For many homeowners, the answer is a strong yes.
Why? Because of one major factor working in your favor: your equity. Odds are, if you've lived in your home for a while, you know you have significant equity. But how much are we really talking about? The number might just change everything about your next move.
Here's how it works. When you own a home, you build up something called equity.
Each time you make a mort...
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