whybend.com

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/10/08/0803_strongest_housing_markets/38.htm

What a great place to live! I went kayaking with my husband on the river yesterday at sunset. I saw some baby ducks with their mom swimming next to us. So Cute! Today, off to Caldera Springs. A resort in Sunriver. Caldera is 11 miles from Bend, Or but you wouldn’t know it when you are there. The weather can be very different. There are luxury homes priced from 600,000’s-1,200,000. Cabins start in the 400,000’s. Lots are only $125,000 and up. They were in the 400,000’s at the peak of the market.

We are finally getting some sunshine. Time for an Open House. I will be doing an Open House again at 3153 NE Cromwell Ct this Sat. June 3rd from 11-2pm.

Also, Bend’s tour of homes is coming up. I will be at some town homes in North West Crossing on Sat. the 17th from 9-2. The builder is Sage builders.

1. Bend, Ore.: Stiff demand from second-home buyers helped nearly double median home prices in lovely Bend, Ore., between 1999 and 2006. But the subsequent real estate collapse has dragged the area’s price-to-income ratio from 3.4 in the third quarter of 2006 to 1.7 in the fourth quarter of 2009. That’s below Bend’s average price-to-income ratio of 2 for the 15 years ending in 2003. This increased affordability makes retirement property in Bend particularly attractive today, says Lester Friedman, president-elect of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors. “Central Oregon has always been a place where people came to get away,” Friedman says. “And, of course, that is kind of the definition of retirement.” Friedman points to a number of activities that can keep seniors busy in Bend year round, including hiking, mountain biking, skiing, fishing, boating, and volunteering. “We have wonderful college facilities, so continuing education is easy,” he says. “You name it, we’ve got it.”

I am having another open house for those of you who could not make it last weekend.  Go to the Blog roll on the left to see the virtual tour.  Hope to see you there!

Come see this beautiful home.   From Neff rd go south on Providence and lft on Locksley to NE Cromwell ct.    The address is 3153 NE Cromwell ct.  For more information on the house go to www.nicburke.com and click on bend real estate.  It is the featured property.

Steve Miller Band and Goo Goo Dolls are playing in Bend. New Mexican restaurant where Ciao Mambo use to be. Joolz is open again.

MLS open house this weekend. There are going to be lots of Open homes this weekend. I will be doing an Open House at a beautiful Custom home at 1162 Redfield Circle on Sat. from 12-3pm. Please come by and visit!

Condo by the college for under $50,000.  Townhome above the Old Mill for $275,000.  Homes with acres of irrigated land for under $500,000.  Beautiful custom homes in Broken top and Awbrey Butte under $600,000.  Downtown large condo with membership to the loft downtown for under 800,000.  Great second homes in all price ranges.