For placing offers on this package a Wells Fargo Prequalification is required. Please contact Doug Houser NMLSR ID # 413457 with Wells Fargo on our Business Partner Links.

Situated on a gradual rise, this home enjoys outstanding panoramic Cascade Mtn views.  This open vaulted floor plan has just received all new interior neutral paints, creating an open airy feel.  Technically, the home boasts 4-bedrooms; however the 4th bedroom w/French doors could easily be used as an in-home office or den, in addition to the family room. The property has a quaint red barn & shop area, and all is set back secluded from the entry road.

For placing offers on this package a Wells Fargo Prequalification is required. Please contact Doug Houser NMLSR ID # 413457 with Wells Fargo on our Business Partner Links.

Desirable SW location, close to Old Mill District & 2-blocks from Blakely Park in Forest Grove. This home has a top of the line Lenox gas furnace/air conditioning. The living room gas fireplace has marble surround & adds the perfect touch for cozy evenings. The dining/kitchen has oak flooring & wainscoting. The master has private access to the backyard & a covered deck, & a lit accent raised alcove above the closet for storage or just ambiance. The 2-car garage was split to add a large family room, & the utility/shop could easily be converted back to single car.

Looking for an investor that is a problem solver or creative thinker. Property is sold as is. Currently no domestic water to the property, and no legal access. Improvements are non habitable. Buyer to do their own due diligence, including septic's functionality. A number of adjoining properties may be able to be available thru different sources.

You guessed it, Bend!

A great time for investors, home prices in Bend are 45.2% off their peak in Q1 2007. Bend's median family income is close to the national average of $61,600.*

Contact us to get in on the best deals including foreclosures, short sales and more. 

*Data provided by Fiserv Case Shiller Indexes via Business Insider Magazine

Read more...

This winning Sisters' equine facility combination is found nestled between Whychus Creek and Indian Ford Creek, on the edge of town . The property is currently home to a world class training farm for Hunter Jumpers and easily could fulfill many equine enthusiast dreams. The stunning Three Sisters peaks rise to the West of the farm. Sisters is one of most highly sought after areas for quality of life and top notch schools with active parent participation.

Picturesque and private describes this "working" training farm and family home ( not a gentleman's ranchette) . The package combines one of the most usable larger clear span arena barns in Central Oregon, a large covered- open air- loafing style barn with individual stalls and shared piped exercise runs off each; plus a covered hay storage structure. Between the barns is a protected area for both the farrier and outside grooming location, plus equine hot walker. The rambling, large rustic farm home is centrally located in the heart of the varied equine activities. To the south, east and northwest of the home are corrals, and an expansive cross county course, open green grass areas, a tranquil pond ( great on hot summer days) and natural areas.

Q. Where should I begin?

A. Start by making a commitment to do what it takes to market your house to get it sold. With the right system, the home sale you want is still well within reach.

Q. Why didn't my home sell?

A. Review your previous selling plan and you'll discover that an expired listing usually reflects a problem in one or more of these four major areas:

1. Teamwork,

2. Pricing,

3. Condition of Your Home, and

4. Marketing.

4 IMPORTANT POINTS THAT WILL GET YOUR HOUSE SOLD

 1. Teamwork

Your home is a major financial investment, and your relationship with your Realtor® should be a full partnership where your needs and wishes are heard, and you receive detailed and dependable feedback on the progress of your sale.  Your agent has a responsibility to source this feedback from the agents who have shown your home, and to communicate this to you so together you can make the right decisions about what to do next.  How well did this occur the last time you had your home up for sale?

2. Pricing - Did price work for or against you?

The "right" price depends on market conditions, competition and the condition of your home. Pricing it too high is as dangerous as pricing it too low. If your home doesn't compare favorably with others in the price range you've set, you won't be taken seriously by prospects or agents.

You'll get the facts when you see the statistics!  To help you to establish a realistic selling price for your home, ask your agent to provide you with an up-to-date competitive market analysis to give you:

* a review of comparable homes recently sold or currently for

  sale,

* an idea of how long other homes have been listed, in order to

  calculate an average time in which a home can sell in today's

  market,

* a review of homes whose listings have expired, to understand

  what issues were at play.

Note:  There is no mention of how much you paid for your home or its improvements.  Like any other investment, the market value is determined by what a willing buyer will pay and a willing seller will accept.

3. Condition of Your Home - Show Case Quality!

Is your house someone else's idea of a dream home?  When buyers enter are they inspired?  Do they think, "I love this house!"

Remember, the decision to buy a home is based on emotion, not logic.

A house in move-in condition invites a sale.  You need to

consider:

*  fixing all the little squeaks and cracks

*  keeping it clean for all showings

*  making it uncluttered

*  brightening it up

*  what your home shows like from the street (concentrating on outside curb appeal)

Plus - Consider taking care of major items, such having your home painted. Offering an allowance to your prospective buyers, so they can have painting completed is not the same as having done it for them. Now, as they're trying to imagine what that new paint job will look like, they may also be discounting the price even further because of the less-than-perfect look of those walls.

Remember... A house that presents well, sells for the best price because it outshines the competition.  Ask your agent if they can arrange a no-obligation inspection of your home to help you assess the above.

4. Marketing Your Home To Sell!

One of the first steps in your marketing plan involves finding an agent who will best represent you.  When interviewing agents, test and compare their knowledge and ask each to demonstrate how they will market your home to buyers. Compare, too, how much money each spends on advertising the homes s/he lists, in what media (newspaper, magazine, etc.) and the effectiveness of one medium over the other.  Remember, it's not just how much they spend, but how they spend it.

Say goodbye to any real estate agents using old, traditional methods to sell your home because they don't work in today's market!  To be competitive in today's marketplace, agents who use new and innovative, non-traditional marketing approaches are the ones who are getting more homes sold fast and for top dollar.

EVERY SELLER CAN BOOST A PROPERTY'S EXPOSURE!

1. Make your house easy to show.

* Consider installing a lock box.

* Allow showing times that are convenient to buyers.

2. Use a "For Sale" sign, where permitted.

3. Create a Good First Impression by:

* depersonalizing furnishings and decor so prospects can

  visualize themselves in your home;

* emphasizing curb appeal;

* keeping large pets at a distance.

REMEMBER -  The next prospects who visit your home may be your buyers - be ready for them!

GET THE BEST RESULTS

To get the best results when selling your home, you need to team up with your agent to develop a powerful marketing plan that exposes your property to the widest possible pool of prospective buyers.

 Not all agents are the same. The relationship between you and your agent can make the difference between selling your home fast, or not selling it all.

BUYERS ARE OUT THERE - AND THEY WILL COME!

Before you put your home back on the market, remember:

1. Effective communication is vital between you and your agent.

2. Price your home according to market conditions, competition

   and the condition of your house.

3. Be sure your house is in showcase, buyer ready-condition.

4. Have an innovative marketing plan firmly set in place.

Great Location!  Newer Townhouse in the heart of Prineville, OR. Living room has a gas fireplace.   (NO SHOWINGS until February 27, 2012, due to an un-cooperative tenant).

There is a lot to be thankful for during the holiday season, and our family is especially thankful that we live in an area like Central Oregon and that we can live so close to the mountain. 

It is looking fairly promising this year with the return of La Nina.  So be prepared and buy your passes ahead of time.  Apparently Mt Bachelor has even opened up a Season Pass office in Bends Old Mill District until November 16^th.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and clients, we will see you on Mt. Bachelor.

For your Mt Bachelor Mountain up date and considering skiing getaway properties, contract Terese.  As her older daughter Brooke has qualified for a Junior Olympic race she has a first hand pulse on this sport in Bend, Oregon.

Enjoy a private country living setting on this 9.9 acre property in Redmond. Plenty of room for horses and animals with fencing and irrigated pasture. The traditional style home has expansive tile flooring for easy maintenance and beauty. This property also includes a flag lot that could be proposed as a potential hardship dwelling with power and water available. This is a Short Sale, AS-IS.

When we got to the boat early Wednesday morning I noticed that some of the fly rods in the boat were a lot larger than others.  They appeared to look more like something you might see on a deep sea fishing boat.

I quickly learned as my 12’ pole was handed to me that it was in fact a Spey rod. 

After some instruction on how to cast, I was hooked!  The two handed casting takes place in front of the angler, not behind.  Much better in my opinion.  I really prefer catching fish instead of trees and bushes.

As for the rest of the trip I actually ended up catching more trout than steelhead, but at least I caught something.  Catching is much more fun than fishing.  I am already looking forward to our next Spey rod fishing experience.

Terese Kelley, Broker, Outdoor Enthusiast

If you enjoy walking, running or biking, Farewell Bend Park is the place to be, especially in the early morning or at dusk. My husband and I try to walk the park with our little dog at least a few times a week and EVERYTIME we go, we always say “that was such an enjoyable, relaxing walk” and our little one agrees.

The last time we were there we came across the new artwork piece they’ve put in at the far West end, right at the bridge.  Wow!  It’s something special that everyone at any age would enjoy seeing.  It’s called “TWO BITS” and the sculptor’s name is Greg Congleton, and it was donated to Bend’s Park & Recreation by: Penny & Phil Knight.  We highly recommend you take a walk, enjoy the park and take a moment to “really” see inside and out what makes this “steel sculpture” a one of a kind piece. Please enjoy some of pictures, but I believe you need to see this treasure for yourself.

Your friend in Bend.

Amanda Carter, Office Manager
Central Oregon Outdoors Enthusiast
Bend and Beyond Real Estate

Home Sales between June 2010 through August 2011 ("The Period"):

• Home sales in the period ranged from a high of 389 last September to a low of of 250 in February 2011.
• Homes placed on the market for sale for the period ranged from a high of 3116 in July 2010 to a low of 1847 in February 2011. 

More recently:

• June 2011:  330 homes sold of the 2180 that were for sale. 
• July  2011:     292 homes sold of the 2426 that were for sale.
• August 2011: 332 homes sold of the 2396 that were for sale.

Average Prices of Homes Sold:

• Over the 15 month period, the average sale stayed generally in the low $200,000s
• High month average was $238,000 in August, 2010
• Low month average was $188,000 in February 2011
• August 2011 Average was $223,000

*These reports were published Sep. 2011, based on data available at the end of Aug. 2011. 
All reports presented are based on data supplied by the MLS of Central Oregon or MLSCO. Neither the Association nor its MLS, nor Bend and Beyond Real Estate, nor Ed Green, Broker guarantees or is in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. 

Read the full article: Click here.

Even with the drop, the number for Deschutes County new foreclosures are still significant with 304 new foreclosures. ( RealtyTrac defines this as the number of properties that recieved a foreclosure filing -a default notice, auction notice or bank respossession. There were 190 in Bend, 79 in Redmond, 32 in Lapine and 3 in Sisters.

August 2011 Foreclosure Rate Heat Map  Deschutes Co. August 2011

The foreclosure status distribution for Deschutes County was:

In Deschutes County on an average 1 in every 258 housing units recieved a foreclosure filing in August 2011.

The foreclosure rate on the above map is calculated by dividing the total housing units in the city ( bases on the most recent estimate from the US Census bureau) by the total number of properties that received foreclosure filings during the month. (using most recent monthly data available), and that number is expressed as a ratio (i.e. 1 to 100 housing units received a foreclosure filing during the month).  The lower the second number in the ratio, the higher the foreclosure rate. So 1 in 100 is higher than 1 in 1000.     Continue

In this Blog, you will learn about Pickleball, its origins and how it is rapidly becoming a hot sport in Bend. You'll find out how you can check it out first hand at an upcoming event and how to keep tabs on where Pickleballers are playing. CAUTION: Before you realize it, you'll have a paddle in your hand and having great fun and making new friends!

What's Pickleball? Played indoors or out on a court (often we use tennis courts to set up) that is lined off to 44 x 20 feet, it looks a little like tennis, but then look again and you see the pickleballers are using one tennis court to set up two pickleball courts, one each side. In reality, without the tennis net, there would be space for three pickle ball courts on one tennis court. The net is slightly shorter than a tennis net. It is played with a solid wooden or composite material paddle about the size of a racquet ball paddle and with a ball that looks much like a whiffle ball. Learn more at the official site for the USA Pickleball Assn. 

Watch a Video to See Players in Action. 

Why is it called Pickleball? The legend (that is heavily touted to be fact) goes that way back in the 1960's when some friends got together and invented it and their dog Pickles would chase the ball and not bring it back! 

Bend Pickleball Club: Visit Oregon High Desert Pickleball BlogSpot to check out the club site and recent news. Come to an organized play day and borrow a club paddle, join in for some coaching and a lot of fun. Players at all levels of skill show up. 

Who's Playing Pickleball: We have teens to seniors on the courts. Many Snowbirds and RVer play because they get hooked at the resorts that are very prevalent in the southern states. Public and private chools are playing Pickleball and many are using in gyms as an indoor winter sport. 

Where to Play? Check the blog for changes. We've been playing a lot at Mountain High Community on selected days. Quail Park has a permanent Pickleball set up for open play. The Bend Senior Center has organized times for outdoor play and indoor play is coming soon. Contact the Bend Pickleball Club for more information or to be placed on the mailing list - email: bendpickleballclub@hotmail.com

Watch Demos and Try it Out at Bend Park & Recreation's Day of Play! 

Click to Read the Article About Pickleball in the Bend Bulletin.

Built by Monticello Homes this home features tile counters in the kitchen and baths, gas fireplace, all appliances, and exceptional floor plan for all lifestyles and gracious living.  This is a must see, and we are sure this won't last long once it hits the MLS.  Wells Fargo Prequal required  ( available at http://www.bendandbeyond.com/Business-Partners ) and for additional information and photos go to new NW 18th Listing .

This is truly a beautiful, 1-story home that offers a 3 car garage, oversized driveway, wonderful landscaping, 1/2 acre lot for kids or pets to play. Fully fenced in yard with privacy lattice on the side yard and plenty of lush green grass to see while sitting under your private covered patio.  The home offers wonderful neutral colors throughout with Hickory cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, Bamboo floors in the entry and kitchen, new carpet in the dining room and great room, slate/stone style vinyl flooring in both bathrooms and laundry room. I highly recommend you come see it for yourself!

For additional  Listing information

 Exceptional Craftsmanship and Quality. Located on the 14th fairway of Lost Tracks Golf Course. Quietly nestled among extensive landscaping accented by water features and  tasteful  paver driveway & walkways. Spectacular living room with Custom built-ins & marble stone fireplace. Porcelain & Travertine flooring & Brazilian granite counter tops. Natural Stone fireplace compliments master suite, including luxurious master bath. Bonus rm w/wet bar, living room, bath & more. 4 car garage room. Seller is OR Broker. sumptuous

For additional Information and maps Click Here