Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Awbrey Glen Homes for Sale

 Awbrey Glen is an established neighborhood with a limited number of homes available.  Here's a link to Awbrey Glen Homes for Sale.  Retired buyers are always looking for single level homes with a triple car garage.  A client of mine is currently designing a single level home that will break ground in the spring of 2014.

Awbrey Glen is a gated golf course community located on the west side of Awbrey Butte and close to down town Bend Oregon.  Homes are built around an 18-hole championship Bunny Mason designed golf course. Be sure and check out the pro shop for sales on quality golf equipment and clothing.

The neighborhood features tennis courts, trout fishing lake, swimming pool and a nice resturant with good food.  The times I have eaten lunch there the service and food has been excellent.  During nice weather be sure and eat out side with a view of the golf course.

If you have interest in this home or any other Awbrey Glen homes contact Jim at Bend Oregon Real Estate Expert.  541-389-4511

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Bend Oregon CRS

Jim Johnson is a Certified Residential Specialist and has been selling homes in Bend, Oregon since 1981.  Broker Referrals.  I am the owner and principal broker of Bend Oregon Real Estate Expert.  Whether you are a broker referring your clients to me, a buyer or seller, you will receive top professional service.

I raised my children here and now my grand children are enjoying the Bend schools and the great number of outdoor activities provided in Bend.  Feel free to contact me today about referrals or buying or selling a home in Bend.  Bend Oregon CRS

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Northwest Crossing Is Booming

Northwest Crossing in Bend Oregon is a booming neighborhood.  A lottery for the NorthWest Crossing Phases 20 – 22 was in September with 42 of 52 lots available selected by 19 NWX Guild Builders that participated in the lottery. These are the last residential lots on the east side of Mt. Washington Drive. As a result, West Bend Property is currently seeking land use approval for a 175 lot tentative plan west of Mt. Washington Drive referred to as the Discovery Park area. Prior to any subdivision construction, major grading and compaction earthwork will be taking place.

Part of the new development is a 32 acre park which includes a 12 acre parcel that will be developed and will include a 3 acre pond.  The city of Bend Park and Recreation will eventually take over the park once it is developed.  This new neighborhood  will surely prove to be as attractive to buyers as the rest of Northwest Crossing has been.

West Bend Property LLC anticipates completing the earthwork and the first phase of residential lots (Phase 24) in spring/summer 2014. Phase 24 will include 53 lots varying in size from 4,500 square feet to over 9,000 square feet.

Stay tuned for more progress report for Northwest Crossing.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Bend Oregon Property Taxes Rise

Since the end of the great recession real estate taxes in Bend have started going back up.  Most people saw a drop in their property taxes along with the drop in value of their homes and other real estate.  Now that property values are going up so is the assessed value with the Deschutes county tax assessor.



It looks like property taxes on all real estate will be going up 3-5% this year.  Even though Oregon has an income tax and average property taxes as compared to the rest of the country, it does not have a sales tax.  When we take our winter vacation and go to Arizona in the winter we end up paying 7-10 percent sales tax on most everything we buy.

So paying a little more property tax each year is no big strain.  It just means the value of our homes is going up.  To learn more about the real estate market in Bend go to:  Bend Oregon Real Estate Expert

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Bend Real Estate Market Leveling Off


The  real estate market in Bend Oregon is leveling off after an impressive come back from the great recession.  Price increases have finally started to slow down as well as multiple offers which were common last year and early in 2013.


I partly judge our market by the amount of activity I have on my web site.  By using Google Analytics I can see the number of "hits" I get on my real estate web site.  Earlier this summer I was getting over 200 hits a day.  40% of those hits were first time buyers.  Now I'm averaging around 100 hits a day and 36% are first time buyers.

Select neighborhoods like: Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, Broken Top,  and Northwest Crossing continue to show strong buyer interest.  Granted our marketing efforts are higher in these neighborhoods than some others.  One of the areas that's starting to show increased sales and buyer interest is Tetherow.

Tetherow is an exclusive neighborhood on Century Drive on the way to Mount Bachelor and the high lakes of the Cascade mountains.  It features a gated quality golf course community, club house, restaurant and the owners have plans for a hotel and town homes.

Even though the market is leveling off there are plenty of opportunities for buyers to find the home of their dreams.  Interest rates are at very attractive levels which may not be seen for a long time coming.  Bend is highly desired place to live and will only continue to grow.

If you are looking for an experienced broker to help you find a home in Bend feel free to contact me.  I have raised my family here and have been selling quality homes since 1981.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Bend Real Estate Prices Jump

Home prices in Bend Oregon jumped last year.  A report released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency ranked the Bend-Redmond Metropolitan Statistical Area fourth in the nation for yearly home price increases.
Search All Homes in Bend

This report covers all of Deschutes County and reported the median price of homes sold increased 16.73 percent in the second quarter of the year compared with the second quarter of 2012.  The Federal Housing Finance Agency's quarterly house price index track median home price gains in each of the nearly 400 metropolitan areas in the United States.

Only three areas in the country had a higher year over year appre3ciation rate, Stockton California, Phoenix Arizona and Las Vegas Nevada.

Prices are still much lower than they were at the peak of the real estate bubble in 2006.  These reports are always in the past and don't necessarily predict the future.  I do see a bright future in the Bend real estate market but the activity from potential buyers has decrease about 25% in the last few months. 

My website averaged around 200 hits per day a couple of months ago and is now averaging around 150 hits.  That's a decrease in 25% in the interest from buyers nation wide.  Now is a good time to buy a home in Bend because our prices are still good and interest rates are near all time lows.  I look for prices to continue to increase as sales in other areas bring buyers to Central Oregon.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Housing Opportunities in Bend Oregon

The following article was recently published by the National Association of Realtors.   The recent fall in home prices in Bend has made the lower end of the market more accessible for first time home buyers and all buyers in general.  Real estate prices in Bend fell approximately 50% from the 2006 highs but have started a strong rebound.  The average price of a home in Bend rose 27% the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same time period in 2012.  BEND OREGON MLS SEARCH

Article - The shape of home ownership and housing markets has changed dramatically over time and will continue to change in the face of new housing opportunities and challenges. That’s according to panelists at the “Challenges and Opportunities in Housing and Home ownership” session today during the Realtors® 2013 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.

During the session, academics from DePaul University, George Mason University, University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland presented various research and data illustrating the impact of shifting demographics, new mobility patterns and an uncertain interest rate environment on future housing prices, availability and affordability. Funding for some of the research was provided by the REALTOR University Center for Real Estate Studies.

“The residential mobility rate in the U.S. has been falling steadily since the 1990s, when it was approximately 20 percent, to its current level of 12 percent,” said National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “The decline is unwelcome news since it may imply a reduction in economic mobility. Mobility is currently being impacted by the lack of housing inventory since fewer homes are available. In the future, proposed regulations requiring larger down payments could also significantly reduce mobility since fewer homeowners may be able to afford a home.”

Lisa Sturtevant from George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis said recent trends in residential mobility are most likely the result of changes in the age distribution of the population. She said the two largest segments of the population – baby boomers and millennials – are delaying many major lifecycle events that have been traditional for their respective life stages, like marriage, children and retirement. That also means they are not moving as much as members of previous generations at the same life stages, which could be dragging down the overall residential mobility rate.

“Home ownership rates have declined fastest for millennials, most likely the result of fewer job opportunities and higher student debt; however, I believe they still want to become owners and will eventually make their way into the housing market,” said Sturtevant. “When they do enter the market they’ll care about different things than previous generations too; I foresee more single people buying smaller homes in urban areas.”

Yun agreed that the recent housing downturn hasn’t change younger buyers’ attitudes about homeownership, despite many of them delaying their entrance into the market. “Rather, reduced home prices and lower interest rates have provided an opportunity for younger buyers to affordably enter the housing market,” he said.

James D. Shilling from DePaul University’s Institute for Housing Studies shared his insights into recent trends in household mobility and its future impact on the single-family housing market.

“Higher home prices will unlock a large number of households with negative or low equity and incentivize them to get off the sidelines and into the housing market. However, combined with future increases in interest rates, the net effect is likely an overall reduction in residential real estate transactions and household mobility,” said Shilling.

He anticipates the Federal Reserve will keep mortgage rates low through 2013 and most likely into 2014; consequently the majority of current homeowners will have mortgages with loans rates near record lows, and when rates start to rise they will not be incentivized to give up those low-rate loans to buy a new home with a higher rate mortgage.

Lucy Gorham from the Center for Community Capital at the University of North Carolina offered her perspective into housing policy implications for homeowners, including proposed regulations requiring higher down payments from home buyers. She said while restrictive underwriting helps lower loan defaults, it disenfranchises a higher percentage of creditworthy borrowers; if 20 percent down payments were required, as many as 60 percent of current buyers could be outside of the qualified mortgage criteria and potentially face higher interest rates or fees.

“Despite the recent housing crisis, home ownership continues to help build wealth for lower to middle-income households. A safe mortgage product with good underwriting helps lower loan defaults; requiring greater down payments simply closes off access to a greater percentage of borrowers,” said Gorham.

Imposing higher down payment requirements would negatively affect low- and moderate-income households and disproportionately impact minority home buyers, she said. Gorham said minority families tend to have lower wealth and greater need for access to mainstream sustainable loan products, and that more will need to be done to meet their credit requirements since minority families are expected to be the greatest source of future housing demand.

Margaret McFarland, Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development at the University of Maryland, agreed that excessive risk reductions requiring higher down payments and credit scores exclude too many well performing loans from the market.

“Federal Housing Administration loans are an important financing option for affordable home ownership,” she said. “Veterans Affairs home loans also perform very well in relation to other mortgage products, even with a zero down payment.”

Homes and real estate prices in Bend and Central Oregon are still affordable but it looks like prices will continue to climb.  Interest rates are at an all time low so now is still a good time to buy.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Home Prices and Sales Continute to Rise in Bend

Existing-home sales nationally rose in April but remain below underlying demand because of limited inventory and tight credit, according to the National Association of Realtors.  All regions are showing strong price gains from a year ago.  BEND OREGON HOMES FOR SALE

Existing-home sales in the West increased 1.7 percent to a pace of 1.20 million in April and are 4.3 percent above a year ago.  Given limited choices and multiple bidding, the median price in the West was $263,600, up 17.5 percent from April 2012.


Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, town homes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million in April from an upwardly revised 4.94 million in March.  Resale activity is 9.7 percent above the 4.53 million-unit level in April 2012.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the market is solidly recovering.  “The robust housing market recovery is occurring in spite of tight access to credit and limited inventory.  Without these frictions, existing-home sales easily would be well above the 5-million unit pace,” he said.  “Buyer traffic is 31 percent stronger than a year ago, but sales are running only about 10 percent higher.  It’s become quite clear that the only way to tame price growth to a manageable, healthy pace is higher levels of new home construction.”

Existing-home sales are at the highest pace since November 2009 when the market spiked to 5.44 million in response to the home buyer tax credit.  Total sales have been above year-ago levels for 22 consecutive months, while prices show 14 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases.

Total housing inventory at the end of April rose 11.9 percent, a seasonal increase to 2.16 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 5.2-month supply at the current sales pace, compared with 4.7 months in March.  Listed inventory is 13.6 percent below a year ago, when there was a 6.6-month supply, with current availability tighter in the lower price ranges.

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $192,800 in April, up 11.0 percent from April 2012.  The last time there were 14 consecutive months of year-over-year price increases was from April 2005 to May 2006.

Distressed homes – foreclosures and short sales – accounted for 18 percent of April sales, down from 21 percent in March and 28 percent in April 2012.  Eleven percent of April sales were foreclosures, and 7 percent were short sales.  Foreclosures sold for an average discount of 16 percent below market value in April, while short sales were discounted 14 percent.

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.45 percent in April from 3.57 percent in March; it was 3.91 percent in April 2012.

The median time on market for all homes was 46 days in April, down sharply from 62 days in March, and is 45 percent faster than the 83 days on market in April 2012.

NAR President Gary Thomas, broker-owner of Evergreen Realty in Villa Park, Calif., said market conditions have flipped in the past year.  “With homes selling in half the time it took to sell a year ago, buyers must be both decisive and prudent,” he said.  “Advice with contract terms and negotiations is where the expertise of a Realtor shines for both buyers and sellers.”

Short sales were on the market for a median of 73 days, while foreclosures typically sold in 43 days and non-distressed homes took 44 days.  Forty-four percent of all homes sold in April were on the market for less than a month, while only 8 percent were on the market for a year or longer.

First-time buyers accounted for 29 percent of purchases in April, compared with 30 percent in March and 35 percent in April 2012.

All-cash sales were at 32 percent of transactions in April, up from 30 percent in March; they were 29 percent in April 2012.  Individual investors, who account for most cash sales, purchased 19 percent of homes in April, unchanged from March; they were 20 percent in April 2012.

Single-family home sales rose 1.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.38 million in April from 4.33 million in March, and are 9.0 percent above the 4.02 million-unit level in April 2012.  The median existing single-family home price was $193,300 in April, which is 11.0 percent above a year ago.

Existing condominium and co-op sales declined 3.3 percent to an annualized rate of 590,000 units in April from 610,000 in March, but are 15.7 percent above the 510,000-unit pace a year ago.  The median existing condo price was $189,500 in April, up 11.3 percent from April 2012.

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 1.6 percent to an annual rate of 640,000 in April and are 4.9 percent above April 2012.  The median price in the Northeast was $245,100, up 5.1 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest fell 3.4 percent in April to a pace of 1.12 million but are 9.8 percent above a year ago.  The median price in the Midwest was $149,300, up 6.7 percent from April 2012.

In the South, existing-home sales rose 2.0 percent to an annual level of 2.01 million in April and are 14.9 percent above April 2012.  The median price in the South was $168,700, which is 10.6 percent above a year ago.

Home prices in Bend continue to rise as inventory continues to fall. The good news for buyers is that interest rates are still at all time lows.  Now is definitely time to buy real estate in Bend Oregon. Call us today and we will help you find your new home in Bend.





Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Bend Oregon Real Estate Market Is Heating Up

The Bend Oregon real estate market is heating up!  The average price of a home sold in the first quarter of 2013 was up 27% over the average price over the same period of time in 2012.  Distressed home sales are on the decrease.  As of this posting there were only 3 bank foreclosures for sale in Bend and 13 short sales.



That is one of the reasons for the increase in prices. Another reason is that upper end home sales are also picking up.  There were 55 homes sold in Bend for over $500,000 in the first quarter of 2013.  Three of those homes sold for $1,000,000 or more. 

Bend is a great place to live and buyers young and old are moving to Central Oregon for the weather and the life style.  Even thought prices are on the rise there are still some on buys on the market and interest rates are near all time lows.  Bend Oregon Real Estate Expert is a family owned company with world wide marketing and home town service.  Call us today so we can help you with your real estate transaction!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Vacation Home Sales On The Rise

Search for vacation home sales in Bend Oregon.  Vacation home sales improved in 2012, while investment purchases remained elevated for a second consecutive year, according to the National Association of Realtors.

NAR’s 2013 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2012, shows vacation-home sales rose 10.1 percent to 553,000 from 502,000 in 2011.  Investment-home sales declined 2.1 percent to 1.21 million from 1.23 million in 2011, but those sales had been well under a million during the market downturn.  Owner-occupied purchases jumped 17.4 percent to 3.27 million last year from 2.79 million in 2011.

Vacation-home sales accounted for 11 percent of all transactions last year, unchanged from 2011, while the portion of investment sales was 24 percent in 2012, down from 27 percent in 2011, marking the second highest share since 2005.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said favorable conditions are driving second-home sales.  “We had a strong stock market recovery, which helps more people in the prime ages for buying vacation homes.  Attractively priced recreational property is also a big draw,” he said.

Yun notes an ongoing investor presence.  “Investors have been very active in the market over the past two years, attracted mostly by discounted foreclosures that could be quickly turned into profitable rentals,” he said.  “With rising prices and limited inventory, notably in the low price ranges, investors are likely to step back in coming years.”

The median investment-home price was $115,000 in 2012, up 15.0 percent from $100,000 in 2011, while the median vacation-home price was $150,000, compared with $121,300 in 2011, reflecting a greater number of more expensive recreational property sales in 2012.

All-cash purchases remain common in the investment- and vacation-home market: half of investment buyers paid cash in 2012, as did 46 percent of vacation-home buyers.  Forty-seven percent of investment homes purchased in 2012 were distressed homes, as were 35 percent of vacation homes.

Of buyers who financed their purchase with a mortgage in 2012, large down payments remain typical.  The median down payment for both investment- and vacation-home buyers was 27 percent, the same as in 2011.

Investment-home buyers in 2012 had a median age of 45, earned $85,700 and bought a home that was relatively close to their primary residence – a median distance of 21 miles, although 29 percent were more than 100 miles away.  Thirty-five percent of investment buyers purchased more than one property.

“Property flipping modestly increased in in 2012,” Yun said.  “However, this isn’t flipping in the sense of what took place during the housing boom.  Rather, investors generally are renovating and improving properties before placing them back on the market to resell at a profit.”

Six percent of homes purchased by investment buyers last year have already been resold, and another 8 percent are planned to be sold within a year.  In the 2011 study, 5 percent of investment homes were already resold, and 8 percent were planned to be sold within a year.  Overall, investment buyers plan to hold the property for a median of 8 years, up from 5 years in 2011.

Seventy-eight percent of all second-home buyers said it was a good time to buy, compared with 68 percent of primary residence buyers.  “This suggests that second-home buyers tend to be a step ahead of general buyers in sensing a market recovery,” Yun said.

The typical vacation-home buyer was 47 years old, had a median household income of $92,100 and purchased a property that was a median distance of 435 miles from their primary residence; 34 percent of vacation homes were within 100 miles and 46 percent were more than 500 miles.  Buyers plan to own their recreational property for a median of 10 years.

Lifestyle factors remain the primary motivation for vacation-home buyers, while rental income is the main factor in investment purchases.

Buyers listed many reasons buyers for purchasing a vacation home:  80 percent want to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat, 27 percent plan to use it as a primary residence in the future, 23 percent plan to rent to others and 23 percent wanted to diversify their investments or saw a good investment opportunity.

Fifty-five percent of investment buyers said they purchased for rental income, 30 percent wanted to diversify their investments or saw a good investment opportunity, and 20 percent wanted to use the home for vacations or as a family retreat.

Eleven percent of vacation buyers and 16 percent of investment buyers purchased the property for a family member, friend or relative to use, often for a son or daughter to use while attending school.

Forty-five percent of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 25 percent in the West, 17 percent in the Northeast and 12 percent in the Midwest.

Thirty-six percent of investment properties purchased last in the South, 28 percent in the West, 20 percent in the Northeast and 16 percent in the Midwest.

Forty-seven percent of investment buyers said they were likely to purchase another investment property within two years, as did 37 percent of vacation-home buyers.  Twenty-nine percent of vacation buyers said they were likely to purchase another vacation home within two years, as did 31 percent of investment buyers.

Approximately 42.8 million people in the U.S. are ages 50-59 – a group that dominated second-home sales in the middle part of the past decade and established records.  An additional 43.1 million people are 40-49 years old, which is the prime age for current buyers, while another 40.1 million are 30-39.

NAR’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data shows there are 7.9 million vacation homes and 43.7 million investment units in the U.S., compared with 75.2 million owner-occupied homes.

Vacation home sales and Bend Oregon real estate sales continue to increase.  Contact us today with any real estate questions about Central Oregon.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Real Estate Survey

Bend Oregon real estate search. Purchasing a home is an important life decision, and many factors can influence the home choices buyers make.

The National Association of Realtors 2013 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences examines the features buyers prefer when it comes to purchasing a home, as well as the differences in preferences when it comes to factors such as region, demographics and household composition. The survey captures buyers who purchased a home between 2010 and 2012.

“Deciding where to live comes with a lot of options, but buyers quickly realize that some features are more important than others when it comes to choosing the right house for them,” said NAR President Gary Thomas, broker-owner of Evergreen Realty, in Villa Park, Calif. “Buyers need to have a clear idea of what features are important to them and know where they are willing to compromise; in this respect, Realtors® can bring buyers home. Realtors® visit hundreds of homes with buyers each year, and have a unique understanding of what buyers value in their local markets.”

Geography and demography strongly influence what buyers value in a home. The typical recently purchased home was 1,860 square feet and was built in 1996. Repeat buyers, buyers of new homes, married couples and families with children typically purchased larger homes. First-time buyers and single women tended to buy older homes. The typical buyer purchased a home with three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Slightly over half of the homes purchased were on a single level.

Southerners tend to buy newer homes; they were more likely to want a home less than five years old and in a wooded lot with trees when compared to other regions. Not surprisingly, buyers in the South also placed a higher importance on central air conditioning.

While more than three-fourths – 78 percent – of all buyers purchased a home with a garage, garages were more popular among new-home buyers, Mid-westerners, and suburbanites. Forty-one percent of homes purchased had a basement, but this feature was more popular among buyers in the Midwest and Northeast. Northeastern buyers also value hardwood floors more than people in other regions. Southerners typically bought the largest home at 2,000 square feet. Those in the Northeast followed closely behind with a typical home purchase of 1,850 square feet.

Among buyers 55 and older, 42 percent considered finding a single-level home very important, compared to just 11 percent of buyers under age 35. Single women also placed higher importance on single-level homes, while single men wanted finished basements. Both single men and married couples placed higher importance on new kitchen appliances.

Among all 33 home features in the survey, central air conditioning was the most important to the most buyers; 65 percent of buyers considered this feature very important. The next most important feature was a walk-in closet in the master bedroom; 39 percent of buyers considered this feature very important. Closely behind was having a home that was cable-, satellite TV-, and/or Internet ready, as well as an en-suite master bathroom.

When it came to actually buying a home, among buyers who considered central AC and cable-, satellite TV-, and/or Internet ready very or somewhat important, 94 percent bought a home with these features. The next most common feature was an eat-in kitchen; 89 percent of buyers who thought this was important purchased a home with an eat-in kitchen. 

Buyers value some features so much that they are willing to spend more money to have them. Sixty-nine percent of buyers who did not purchase a home with central AC would be willing to pay $2,520 more for a home with this feature. Sixty-nine percent of buyers who did not purchase a home with new kitchen appliances would be willing to pay $1,840 more for a home with this feature. A walk-in closet in the master bedroom was the third most common feature on which buyers would spend more. Sixty percent of buyers who did not purchase a home with a walk-in closet would be willing to pay $1,350 more for a home with this feature.

The features on which buyers placed the highest dollar value were waterfront properties and homes that were less than five years old. Thirty-two percent of buyers would be willing to pay a median of $5,420 more for a home on the waterfront, and 40 percent of buyers would be willing to pay a median of $5,020 more for a home that was less than five years old.

The rooms that buyers were willing to pay the most for were a basement and an in-law suite. Thirty-three percent of buyers would be willing to pay a median of $3,200 more for a home with a basement, and 20 percent of buyers would be willing to pay a median of $2,920 more for a home with an in-law suite.

When it came to rooms that buyers want in a home, 55 percent of buyers thought it was very important to have a living room, although buyers in the Northeast placed more importance on a home with a dining room. Buyers aged 55 and older placed more importance on a bedroom on the main level of the house. Buyers aged 35 to 54 placed more importance on a laundry room, while those with children placed more importance on a family room.

The two most common rooms buyers were willing to spend more for were a laundry room and a den/study/home office/library. Sixty-three percent of buyers who did not purchase a home with a laundry room would be willing to pay $1,590 more for a home with this room. Forty-four percent of buyers who did not purchase a home with a den/study/home office/library would be willing to pay $1,920 more for a home with this room.

Although 97 percent of recent buyers were satisfied with their home purchase, there are always features buyers would like that they don’t have, said NAR Vice President of Research Paul Bishop. “Most satisfied homeowners still said they would like more or larger closets and storage space. In addition, nearly half of recent buyers would prefer a larger kitchen, and two out of five would prefer a larger home overall.”

Within three months of a home purchase, 53 percent of buyers undertook a home improvement project. The typical buyer spent $4,550 on various projects. Remodeling the kitchen was the most common home improvement project; 47 percent of buyers undertook a project in the kitchen. Bathrooms were a close second at 44 percent. Forty-one percent of buyers who made home improvements added or replaced lighting, and 37 percent added or replaced appliances soon after becoming a homeowner.

In October 2012, a sample of households that had purchased any type of residence real estate during 2010 to 2012 and still owned the property was surveyed. The survey sample was drawn from a representative panel of U.S. households monitored and maintained by an established survey research firm. A total of 2,005 qualified households responded to the survey. Households were sampled to meet age and income quotas representative of all home buyers drawn from the 2011 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

If you need help in finding that home in Bend Oregon that meets your special needs please contact us today.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Bend Oregon Commerical Real Estate

Major commercial real estate sectors continue to improve, albeit slowly, with gradual economic improvement and job creation driving absorption of space, according to the National Association of Realtors quarterly commercial real estate forecast.  Bend's commercial real estate tends to lag behind national trends except for the Multiple family units.  Search multiple family units here.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said rental housing demand has been exceptionally strong. "Rent increases have been higher in multifamily housing where supply is not matching strong demand, thereby allowing landlords to raise rents at faster rates," he said. "Overall commercial real estate leasing activity continued to grow in most markets during the closing months of 2012, which is modestly lowering vacancy rates in all of the commercial sectors early this year."

National vacancy rates over the coming year are expected to decline 0.4 percentage point in the office market, 0.4 point in industrial, 0.3 point for retail and 0.1 point in multifamily, with that sector experiencing the tightest availability.

"Business spending is expected to rise faster in 2013 because of record high corporate profits. Low interest rates also are permitting companies to improve their balance sheets," Yun said.

NAR's latest Commercial Real Estate Outlook offers projections for four major commercial sectors and analyzes quarterly data in the office, industrial, retail and multifamily markets. Historic data for metro areas were provided by REIS, Inc.,2 a source of commercial real estate performance information.
Office Markets

Vacancy rates in the office sector are forecast to fall from a projected 16.0 percent in the first quarter to 15.6 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

The markets with the lowest office vacancy rates presently (in the first quarter) are Washington, D.C., with a vacancy rate of 9.4 percent; New York City, at 9.6 percent; and Little Rock, Ark., 12.1 percent.

Office rents should increase 2.6 percent in 2013 and 2.8 percent next year, following a 2.0 percent gain in 2012. Net absorption of office space in the U.S., which includes the leasing of new space coming on the market as well as space in existing properties, is expected to total 34.0 million square feet this year and 42.3 million in 2014.
Industrial Markets

Industrial vacancy rates are likely to decline from 9.6 percent in the first quarter of this year to 9.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

The areas with the lowest industrial vacancy rates currently are Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif., each with a vacancy rate of 3.6 percent; Miami, 5.6 percent; and Seattle at 6.0 percent.

Annual industrial rents are projected to rise 2.3 percent this year and 2.6 percent in 2014, after increasing 1.7 percent last year. Net absorption of industrial space nationally is likely to total 121.8 million square feet in 2013 and 103.5 million next year.
Retail Markets

Retail vacancy rates are forecast to slide from 10.7 percent in the first quarter of the year to 10.4 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

Presently, markets with the lowest retail vacancy rates include San Francisco, 3.5 percent; Fairfield County, Conn., at 4.2 percent; and Orange County, Calif., 5.2 percent.

Average retail rents will probably rise 1.5 percent in 2013 and 2.1 percent next year, following a 0.8 percent gain in 2012. Net absorption of retail space is seen at 11.9 million square feet in 2013 and 16.4 million next year.
Multifamily Markets

The apartment rental market - multifamily housing - should see vacancy rates ease from 4.0 percent in the first quarter to 3.9 percent in the first quarter of 2014; vacancy rates below 5 percent generally are considered a landlord's market with demand justifying higher rents.

Areas with the lowest multifamily vacancy rates currently are New Haven, Conn., at 2.0 percent; New York City, 2.1 percent; and Minneapolis and Syracuse, N.Y., each at 2.5 percent.

Average apartment rents are expected to increase 4.6 percent this year and 4.7 percent in 2014, after rising 4.1 percent in 2012. Multifamily net absorption is projected at 270,600 units in 2013 and 253,200 next year.

The Commercial Real Estate Outlook is published by the NAR Research Division. NAR's Commercial Division, formed in 1990, provides targeted products and services to meet the needs of the commercial market and constituency within NAR.

Vacancy factors in multiple family dwellings in Bend are going down and rents are going up.  Contact us today with any questions you might have.  CONTACT

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Pending Home Sales for December 2012

According to the National Association of Realtors®Pending home sales declined in December but have stayed above year-ago levels for 20 consecutive months.  As of this posting there were 357 pending residential sales in Bend.  This does not include Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver or any other outlying towns.
LINK to MLS search for homes for sale in Bend.

The Pending Home Sales Index is a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, fell 4.3 percent to 101.7 in December from 106.3 in November but is 6.9 percent higher than December 2011 when it was 95.1. The data reflect contracts but not closings.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said there is an uneven uptrend. "The supply limitation appears to be the main factor holding back contract signings in the past month. Still, contract activity has risen for 20 straight months on a year-over-year basis," he said. "Buyer interest remains solid, as evidenced by a separate Realtor® survey which shows that buyer foot traffic is easily outpacing seller traffic."

Yun said shortages of available inventory are limiting sales in some areas. "Supplies of homes costing less than $100,000 are tight in much of the country, especially in the West, so first-time buyers have fewer options," he said. "We expect a seasonal rise of inventory in the spring to help, but a seller's market may be developing. Much of the West is already a seller's market for homes priced under a million dollars, but conditions are much more balanced in the Northeast."

Even with tighter inventory, a pent-up demand and favorable affordability conditions bode well for the market. Yun expects existing-home sales to increase another 9 percent in 2013, following a 9 percent rise in 2012.

The Pending Home Sales Index in the Northeast fell 5.4 percent to 78.8 in December but is 8.4 percent higher than December 2011. In the Midwest the index rose 0.9 percent to 104.8 in December and is 14.4 percent above a year ago.

Pending home sales in the South declined 4.5 percent to an index of 111.5 in December but are 10.1 percent higher December 2011. In the West the index fell 8.2 percent in December to 101.0 and is 5.3 percent below a year ago.

Inventory of real estate for sale in Bend is down but there are still some really good buys available.  Interest rates are near all time lows.  Check out our web site for quality homes.  Bend Real Estate

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Bend Real Estate Prices Rise in 2012

Bend Oregon Real Estate prices rose in 2012.  Home sales in Bend were up in every category.  The average sales prices was $263,556, up 10.65% from 2011.  The median sales price was 220,395, up16.00%. BEND OREGON MLS SEARCH 

The number of short sales was down 15.77% while bank owned homes were down 28.47%.  There were 299 bank foreclosed homes sold compared to 418 in 2011.  The banks have been more open to short sales in the last few years.  That results in a reduction of foreclosures.

Dollar volume of homes sold was up 30.10% while the number of homes sold was up 17.58%  The averalge days on the market was 132 down 4.35% from last year.

Statistics can be boring but the bottom line is now is the time to buy before prices and inventory goes down even more.  Interest rates are at historical lows and there are still some exceptionally good buys on the market.  Current prices are a little over 50% of what they were in 2006.

If you would like see current foreclosures for sale click here.  This link is updated daily.
BEND OREGON BANK FORECLOSURES

Call or e-mail if you would like to look at homes in Bend or Central Oregon.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Pending Real Estate Sales Rise Again in November 2012

Bend Oregon Real Estate sales would be higher but inventory is at a very low level.  Bank foreclosures may increase as lenders are switching over to Judicial foreclosures which should provide more inventory in 2013.

Pending home sales increased in November for the third straight month and reached the highest level in two-and-a-half years, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 1.7 percent to 106.4 in November from a downwardly revised 104.6 in October and is 9.8 percent above November 2011 when it was 96.9. The data reflect contracts but not closings.

The index is at the highest level since April 2010 when it hit 111.3 as buyers were rushing to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. With the exception of several months affected by tax stimulus, the last time there was a higher reading was in February 2007 when the index reached 107.9.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said home sales are on a sustained uptrend. "Even with market frictions related to the mortgage process, home contract activity continues to improve. Home sales are recovering now based solely on fundamental demand and favorable affordability conditions."

On a year-over-year basis, pending home sales have risen for 19 consecutive months.

The upward momentum means existing-home sales should rise 8 to 9 percent in 2013 to approximately 5.1 million, following a 10 percent gain expected for all of 2012. The median existing-home price is projected to rise just over 4 percent in 2013, after rising more than 7 percent in 2012.

The Pending homes sales index in the Northeast rose 5.2 percent to 83.3 in November and is 15.2 percent above a year ago. In the Midwest the index edged up 0.1 percent to 103.8 in November and is 15.2 percent above November 2011.

Pending home sales in the South were unchanged at an index of 117.2 in November and are 13.9 percent higher than a year ago. In the West the index rose 4.2 percent in November to 110.1, but is 3.2 percent below November 2011 with inventory constraints limiting sales.

Home prices in Bend are now rising but interest rates are at an all time low.  Now is a great time to by real estate in Central Oregon.  You can search all homes for sale in Central Oregon at Bend Oregon Real Estate Expert.