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A Local Garden Resource Reborn
Are you a gardener? Do you revel in the bloom and bounty our short season can produce? I was introduced to this little nursery several years ago by my mother in law. She was determined to get my garden in shape (still a work in progress) and introduce me to the local nurseries. I am a bee gardener; I have a whole patch dedicated to supporting bee’s. So O attempt to garden organically, and focus on planting things not pre-treated with chemicals. I noticed via Social Media that a ‘Schilling Garden Market’ popping up in my new feed, and low and behold, the old Schilling Solar City location has re-opened…
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Mainstream Concerns about an Economic Slowdown Revisited
Recently, we reported that many believe a recession could happen within the next two years. We explained that 70% of economists and market analysts surveyed last year believe that a recession will occur in 2019 or 2020 and that 42% of consumers currently looking to purchase a home also agree that a recession will occur this year or next. However, the U.S. economy has performed well in the first quarter of 2019 and that has caused some experts to change their thinking on an impending economic slowdown. Here are a few notable examples: Anthony Chan, Chief Economist at JPMorgan Chase “I feel really comfortable that the economy is slowing down this year, but…
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How Quickly Can You Save Your Down Payment?
Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer. Depending on where you live, median income, median rents, and home prices all vary. So, we set out to find out how long it would take to save for a down payment in each state. Using data from HUD, Census and Apartment List, we determined how long it would take, nationwide, for a first-time buyer to save enough money for a down payment on their dream home. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their monthly housing expense. By determining the percentage of income spent renting in each state, and the amount…
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Sunday Market Watch
Today I see that the local markets are a bit slow. We had 8 homes listed, 6 price drops, and 12 homes went pending. Whenever you see listing numbers lower than the pending numbers, market power sits in the lap of the sellers. Low inventory, and the buying season picking up as the temperatures do mean, all things remaining equal, we can expect to see another summer of steadily increasing prices. Builders are attempting to keep up with the influx of new residents, but since we are coming out of winter, we are a few months away from many of those new homes being completed. Want to know more about…
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TEDx Bend
Are you a fan of TED talks? How many hours have you spent being inspired by other peoples interesting ideas? This last weekend, I volunteered for our local TEDx here in Bend. What is a TEDx you ask? Per the TED.com web site, “TEDx brings the spirit of TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe. TEDx events are organized by curious individuals who seek to discover ideas and spark conversations in their own community.” I can attest to this! As part of my rewards for diligently setting up and serving a meal to the presenters and sponsors of our local event this last weekend, I…
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Homebuyers Shouldn’t Worry About 2008 All Over Again
Last week, realtor.com released a survey of active home shoppers (those who plan to purchase their next home in 1 year or less). The survey asked their opinion on an impending recession and its possible impact on the housing market. Two major takeaways from the survey: 42% believe a recession will occur this year or next (another 16% said 2021) 59% believe the housing market would fare the same or worse than it did in 2008 Why all the talk about a recession recently? Over the last year, four separate surveys have been taken asking when we can expect the next recession to occur: The Pulsenomics Survey of Market Analysts The Wall Street Journal…
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Smith Rock – A Winter Wonder Land
Do you know those days, the ones where you are working too much, snowed in, and feeling a bit of cabin fever?! I have been feeling that quite a bit with all this snow and grey skies. Don’t get me wrong, I love snow! I moved here for Snow! but when it means work gets weird, and takes more time, I dont get many chances to get out and enjoy it. That changed yesterday when I turned to my husband and said, ‘get on your snow gear, we are going to Smith Rock!’ I have seen the beauty of Smith Rock under snow in photos for years, and I simply…
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Bend Burger Company
One of our favorite little splurges in town is a lunch at Bend Burger Company. Located on 3rd street in Bend, and with a Sister company in Redmond (Redmond Burger Company), they are the quality answer for your good burger needs. Handmade patties 100% NW beef, sauces that are perfectly savory, on a fresh bun is they way to go. Add bacon, cause they are not kidding around with the thick slices you get! The fries are hand cut, and you have options of regular or sweet potato tots! They also offer an array of substitutions from burger lettuce wrap, burger salad, burger bowls, or gluten free bun. My personal…
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Fall on the Deschutes River Trail
Some days, as we find ourselves running from new listings to client meetings, we need a quick escape. Bend affords us the ability to do this in so many ways, and yesterday we selected the South Canyon reach of the Deschutes River Trail. We accessed the trail from what locals call the first street rapids, but the most common access is from Farewell Bend Park. The trail reaches south, through the canyon about one and a half miles, and then crosses the river via a foot bridge to return on the other side for a total trip just over three miles. o 0 (my dogs favorite, a loop rather than…
