Real estate prices in Bend have been going up steadily over the last five years. According to statistics from the Multiple Listing Service of Central Oregon home prices have almost doubled in the last four years. The MLS shows that the number of sales of homes in the third quarter of 2006 was down 19.32%. However the average sales price was up 25.09% during the same period. These statistics can be misleading because of the lag time of the new home sales and the final closing date.
Some new homes are put under contact before the foundation is poured. This can leave 6 to 12 months before the home is completed and closed. All statistics from the MLS are based on the "Sold" date. Therefore these statistics are skewed. The sale is not reflected properly.
Prices are actually coming down this fall and probably will continue through the winter as the inventory continues to build. It is taking longer for homes to sell and there are more homes for buyers to choose from.
The real estate markets in California, Arizona, Florida and other key states are leading indicators on how the market in Bend will do. In1989 real estate values in Bend jumped 35%. Out of state buyers from California, Florida, Arizona, Washington State and other hot markets were selling their homes for large profits and moving to Bend to buy larger homes. 1990 and 1991 saw the out of state markets dry up with prices falling. The Bend market followed these markets before it picked up again.
This winter is the time to buy real estate in Bend. There are homes on the market now that have been substantially reduced with seller's willing to take any reasonable offer. Some homes are vacant and can be bought with a lease-purchase. We look for the market and prices to pick back up next spring.
A report recently released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., or FDIC reported that Bend is the 35th fastest growing job market in the country for the second quarter of 2006, wit a job growth rate of 4 percent during that period. The FDIC reported sales activity in Oregon fell 12 percent in the same quarter.
Building permits for single family homes have been constantly falling but the pace of building takes a while to slow down from the torrid pace of 2005. Builders have to develop the lots, get permits and start the construction. Construction of the average homes takes about six months. There are still new homes coming on the market today that were in the planning stages in 2005.
Some builders are also starting to offer more incentives if you buy one of their homes. Upgrades in appliances, floor coverings, wood work, landscaping and other aspects of construction are now free. Some builders are also willing to pay points in order to help buyers qualify for lower payments on their loans.
The National Association of Realtor's chief economist, David Lereah, predicted that sales through the rest of 2006 will be lower than earlier predicted. "This year, sales are slowing, homes are plentiful and sellers are negotiating," Lereah said. "Under these conditions, we will probably see prices dip temporarily below year-ago levels as the market works through a buildup in housing inventory."
The Central Oregon Association of Realtors is the best place to track the home sale statistics in Bend and Central Oregon. You can find these statistics on their web site. Keep in mind that these statistics include many new homes that were put in escrow months before the official closing date.
If you are a real statistics buff you can go to the web site of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. It has a housing price index for all states individually, a house price calculator and other useful tools. However, keep in mind that these reports lag behind reality somewhat. Real estate prices in Bend are falling now and will continue through the winter.
Interest rates are still low and gas prices are falling, all good signs that the real estate market in Bend will be picking up next spring. If you have ever thought about buying real estate in Bend Oregon now may be the best opportunity you will have in a long time. There are some good buys in today's market. Look for prices to start going up this spring.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Bend Oregon Real Estate - Buying a New Home
Now is the time to buy a new home in Bend Oregon. The prices of homes in Central Oregon have been going up in value steadily over the past several years. The Multiple Listing Service of Central Oregon reports that home values have almost doubled in the past four years.
Land values have been going up and new construction has been booming for the last five years. Now the market is in a slow down and is being flooded with inventory. Homes are taking longer to sell and builders are being forced to lower their prices.
New home developers and builders were able to sell homes in the past few years before they broke ground. They had buyers waiting in the wings to purchase these homes as soon as the lots were developed and the builder priced the homes. The buyers chose their finish materials and waited for construction to be finished.
The winter of 2006/2007 is going to be the best time to buy a new home in Bend Oregon. The National Association of Realtors reported "In the West, existing-home sales declined 3.1 percent to an annual pace of 1.25 million in September, and were 23.8 percent lower that a year earlier. The median price in the West was $332,000, down 5.1 percent from a year earlier."
One developer/builder in Bend recently lowered prices $20,000 across the board on all of his homes. He now has eight homes sitting finished. He is also including central air-conditioning, upgraded tile counter tops, a refrigerator and backyard landscaping. These free upgrades and lower prices were not available last year.
As new and used home sales continue to fall and inventories continue to build Bend is starting to look like a candy store for home buyers. The new home market will show some of the best buys because builders have to sell. They cannot afford to sit on millions of dollars of inventory.
As we go into winter and the temperature starts to drop the heat bills start to go up. This increases the holding costs of a developer/builder. Builders are also starting to pay closing costs for a buyer which indirectly gives today's buyers a better value yet.
Developers are usually large businesses that can afford to sell a few houses at a loss to get them through the winter. One builder has lowered his asking price of one particular home to almost $50,000 lower that the same floor plan sitting vacant down the street. He has several homes finished and sitting vacant and his interest payments continue and now winter heat bills will be adding to his holding costs.
This "buyer's market" won't last for long though. Interest rates are still around 6.25 percent and the Federal Reserve just held tight with no interest increase. So interest rates should stay low over the winter.
Gasoline prices are falling and it was just reported by the Bend Bulletin, Central Oregon's local news paper that "Deschutes County jobless rate sinks To 3.7 percent." Bend continues to grow. There are good jobs available and people continue to move to Bend.
Bend is also one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. If you live in Bend you can drive 30 minutes west and be in the mountains with great fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. You can drive 30 minutes east and be in the high desert with spectacular mountain views and fresh clear air.
It is said that Bend's local ski mountain, Mount Bachelor has some of the best powder in the Northwest. Golf magazines also report that Bend is one of the best golf communities in the West. Golf is available for golfers of any budget from inexpensive public courses to luxury private courses.
The Deschutes River runs through the middle of Bend. It is a nationally famous trout stream and also has Steelhead and Salmon runs in its lower reaches. Because Bend is such a great place to live there will always be a demand for new homes.
Local Realtors look for prices to stabilize and start back up next spring. David Lereah, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors said, "When consumers recognize that home sales are stabilizing, we'll see the buyers who've been on the sidelines get back into the market, and sales will be at more normal levels in the wake of the unsustainable boom that we say last year."
The next few months will be the best time in a long time to buy a new home in Bend Oregon.
Land values have been going up and new construction has been booming for the last five years. Now the market is in a slow down and is being flooded with inventory. Homes are taking longer to sell and builders are being forced to lower their prices.
New home developers and builders were able to sell homes in the past few years before they broke ground. They had buyers waiting in the wings to purchase these homes as soon as the lots were developed and the builder priced the homes. The buyers chose their finish materials and waited for construction to be finished.
The winter of 2006/2007 is going to be the best time to buy a new home in Bend Oregon. The National Association of Realtors reported "In the West, existing-home sales declined 3.1 percent to an annual pace of 1.25 million in September, and were 23.8 percent lower that a year earlier. The median price in the West was $332,000, down 5.1 percent from a year earlier."
One developer/builder in Bend recently lowered prices $20,000 across the board on all of his homes. He now has eight homes sitting finished. He is also including central air-conditioning, upgraded tile counter tops, a refrigerator and backyard landscaping. These free upgrades and lower prices were not available last year.
As new and used home sales continue to fall and inventories continue to build Bend is starting to look like a candy store for home buyers. The new home market will show some of the best buys because builders have to sell. They cannot afford to sit on millions of dollars of inventory.
As we go into winter and the temperature starts to drop the heat bills start to go up. This increases the holding costs of a developer/builder. Builders are also starting to pay closing costs for a buyer which indirectly gives today's buyers a better value yet.
Developers are usually large businesses that can afford to sell a few houses at a loss to get them through the winter. One builder has lowered his asking price of one particular home to almost $50,000 lower that the same floor plan sitting vacant down the street. He has several homes finished and sitting vacant and his interest payments continue and now winter heat bills will be adding to his holding costs.
This "buyer's market" won't last for long though. Interest rates are still around 6.25 percent and the Federal Reserve just held tight with no interest increase. So interest rates should stay low over the winter.
Gasoline prices are falling and it was just reported by the Bend Bulletin, Central Oregon's local news paper that "Deschutes County jobless rate sinks To 3.7 percent." Bend continues to grow. There are good jobs available and people continue to move to Bend.
Bend is also one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. If you live in Bend you can drive 30 minutes west and be in the mountains with great fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. You can drive 30 minutes east and be in the high desert with spectacular mountain views and fresh clear air.
It is said that Bend's local ski mountain, Mount Bachelor has some of the best powder in the Northwest. Golf magazines also report that Bend is one of the best golf communities in the West. Golf is available for golfers of any budget from inexpensive public courses to luxury private courses.
The Deschutes River runs through the middle of Bend. It is a nationally famous trout stream and also has Steelhead and Salmon runs in its lower reaches. Because Bend is such a great place to live there will always be a demand for new homes.
Local Realtors look for prices to stabilize and start back up next spring. David Lereah, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors said, "When consumers recognize that home sales are stabilizing, we'll see the buyers who've been on the sidelines get back into the market, and sales will be at more normal levels in the wake of the unsustainable boom that we say last year."
The next few months will be the best time in a long time to buy a new home in Bend Oregon.
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