Mortgage rate buydowns, adjustable-rate loans, upgrades and independent representation: what Central Oregon buyers should know before signing a builder's contract.
Buying a newly constructed home in Bend or elsewhere in Central Oregon can be appealing. Modern floor plans, energy-efficient features, attractive finishes and the opportunity to move into a home that has never been occupied are compelling advantages. And in today's housing market, builders may offer another incentive: financing packages designed to make the monthly payment more attractive.
But a lower advertised mortgage rate does not necessarily mean you're getting the best overall deal.
Before purchasing a new-construction home, buyers should understand how builder incentives work, what can be...
The Bend real estate market has become increasingly selective in 2026. Homes are still selling, buyers are still moving to Central Oregon, and desirable properties continue to attract attention. But there is a noticeable difference between the homes buyers are responding to and those that remain on the market.
As we move through August, we are seeing inventory grow and buyer activity slow. We won't have fina...
Not every expensive home is truly luxury. That distinction is becoming increasingly important in Bend as buyers grow more selective and more thoughtful about how they evaluate high-end properties. A few years ago, rapid appreciation and limited inventory pushed pricing upward across nearly every segment of the market. In many cases, homes achieved luxury-level prices simply because demand was strong and supply was limited. Today's buyers are looking deeper than price alone. They are evaluating quality, setting, design, privacy, livability, and how well a property aligns with the Central Oregon lifestyle. The homes that stand out now are usually not the ones trying hardest to appear luxurious—they are the ones that feel nat...
When a home hits the market in Bend, most sellers assume the process unfolds over weeks or even months. Showings build, interest develops, and eventually the right buyer appears.
That's not how it works anymore. In today's market, the first seven days carry disproportionate weight. This is when buyers are paying the closest attention, when new inventory is evaluated, and when a home either gains momentum—or misses it.
If you're asking whether now is a good time to buy or sell in Bend, you're asking the right question. But you need a direct answer—not a generic one. The Bend market in 2026 is not "hot," and it's not "down." Rather, it's selective.
Homes are selling every week. Buyers are still purchasing. But the days of automatic outcomes are behind us. Today, results depend on decisions.
The shift is straightforward: