Bend Premier Real Estate Blog

Over the past few years, some homeowners have decided to delay their move because they don't want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. Maybe you're thinking the same thing. And honestly, that's no surprise. It's a very common roadblock and is one of the biggest factors that's kept the number of homes on the market so low for so long.

But a growing number of homeowner...

Click Here to Read More...

Hike to Paulina Falls in the Winter for a Unique Experience

Once the roads into the high Cascades have been closed for the winter, there are more limited hiking opportunities for Central Oregonians. However, one favorite hike is close to La Pine state park and on the road to Newberry Crater. This is the Peter Skene Ogden trail which follows Paulina Creek all the way to Paulina Lake. Hikers can take the trail as far as they wish, although during winters with heavy snow, it can be challenging and snow shoes would be recommended.

November 2, 2024 was scheduled to be cloudy, but dry. The lower elevations of Peter Skene Ogden Trail had patchy snow, but it was easy walking.

Two and a quarter miles into the hike, the second large, "twin" waterfall is passed and then the hike steepens until the bridge is reached which crosses over Paulina Creek. Past the bridge the snow deepened and hikers without snowshoes had to post hole in soft snow to get any further. 

The path also steepens past the bridge and there was more accumulated snow. Central Oregon typically doesn't get a lot of snow early November, but 2024 was different with the snow depth on Peter Skene Ogden Trail over a foot at Paulina Falls. With more snow falling and the trees covered in a snow blanket, it was truly a winter wonderland with no other hikers seen. The entire hike up and back was just under twelve miles and over 1500 feet of elevation gain.

What's in the November 2024 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Bend Home Prices Up in October
• Green Bean Casserole
• November Home Fixes Not to Forget
• Hiking Tam McArthur Rim to No Name Lake in the Fall is an Experience
• Why Buying Now is Worth It

Bend Home Prices Up In October

The trend seen over the past four months changed in October when year over year Bend home prices rose rather than fell. Both average and median Bend single family home sales prices were up, perhaps a reflection of lower interest rates seen in September which enabled more home buyers to purchase higher priced homes or an unusual anomaly which was reflected with a large number of million dollar plus homes (over 35% of total home sales) closing. Typically in the fall,

Click Here to Read More...

Cascade Mountain Hikes in Fall Can Have Unexpected Weather Conditions

Hiking in the Oregon Cascades in the fall can offer amazing experiences with stunning views, early snow, fall colors, and no need for forest passes. However, the weather can also change suddenly and hikers need to be prepared.

On October 26, 2024, the hike from Three Creeks Lake to Tam McArthur Rim began with low clouds covering the Cascades. The hike up from the trailhead (the sign was already covered for winter), to the rim experienced some wind, although much of the early part of the trail was in sheltered forest. Once reaching the rim, the winds really picked up, but the clouds also lifted so that the mountains (Broken Top, The Three Sisters, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack) could be seen.

Typically the unmaintained trail from Tam McArthur Rim to Broken Top and No Name Lake is fairly simple until hikers reach the cinder rim which is traversed before getting to Broken Hand. On October 26, the clouds lifted and the wind picked up. For those not prepared for wind chill, the gusty winds would have really impacted comfort. Hiking below Broken Hand rather than across the face made a lot of sense as the wind was getting even more fierce. Upon reaching the ridge overlooking No Name Lake, the wind was extremely strong and it was difficult to even stand; anything loose would have been blown off the ridge. Getting a few pictures and returning to a more sheltered space behind a rock outcropping made sense, as well as drinking hot drinks before attempting the trek back. Very few people traveled this hike to Broken Top this day, although upon returning to Tam McArthur Rim, there were a good number who had reached the rim in the afternoon once the weather warmed a bit. 

Anyone who hikes in the Cascades in the fall needs to be prepared for changing weather and unexpected situations. But for those who do, the rewards can be amazing.