The Hidden Costs of Remodeling

Remodeling Costs You Don't Think About

It's common for buyers to think that they can easily make changes to homes, and do the work themselves to make the home "their own".  While showing homes in Bend I often hear, "oh that's not a big deal, I can change that" from buyers.  This includes remodeling bathrooms, adding on to homes, changing surfaces and/or finishes, etc.  While much of the time these changes can be made easily and for fairly cheap, sometimes home buyer's don't think about the hidden costs involved and/or potential problems of doing the work themselves.

If you don't know all of the steps involved in completing a project, it's hard to accurately estimate the costs.  In the remodeling I've done on my own home, I've learned this the hard…

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Introducing Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate Bend

Change is in the air.  The leaves have turned throughout Central Oregon, the Cascade Mountains are blanketed with snow, and winter is right around the corner in Bend. I also have a big change to announce.  My former company, Prudential Northwest Properties, adopted our new name on November 6th, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate.  That's right, Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway has put the brand behind the new HomeServices real estate network.  I'm excited for the change as new programs, technology, and tools are already rolling out.

“Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a new franchise built upon the financial strength and leadership of Brookfield and HomeServices,” said…

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NW Bend Home Hits Market

20245 NW Tristen Way, Bend OR 97701

A NW Bend home close to downtown, shopping, and the Deschutes River trail

New Reduced Price: $288,000

Make an appointment to see this home before its gone.

This home is located in a subdivision of large custom homes not far from the Deschutes River Trail and Sawyer Park, and just minutes from downtown Bend. The subdivision consists of large, custom homes.  The home is truly in "like new" condition.  It has only had one owner and has been lightly lived in.  It's a great location and home in northwest Bend. 

Property Features

• 3 Bedrooms
• 2.5 Bathrooms
• 1801 Square Feet
• Built in 2008
• Corner Lot
• Oversized 2 car garage (extra deep and very tall for storage)
• Slate Entry
• Gas Fireplace
• Rear patio…

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Bend Home Rentals In High Demand

Bend Oregon Rental Housing Market

The tides have turned... Just a few years ago tenants were negotiating lower rents, and the Bend rental market had around a 12% vacancy rate (reported by local Bend news station KTVZ).  Today the vacancy rate is 1%.  Homes are rented within minutes, with multiple applications.  I had a client rent out a home near downtown over the weekend.  She advertised on Craigslist only, and said she'd be at the home taking applications for a 2 hour period. She had people waiting when she arrived, and took over 30 applications.  Needless to say she rented the home out for what she was asking the same day.

People in need of a house rental in Bend are having a rough go at finding a suitable home. Many are constantly searching…

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Downtown Bend Historic Home

Downtown Bend Oregon Home For Sale

345 NW Hill St Bend, OR 97701  $230,000

This historic George Davis Bend home is located just a few blocks southeast of downtown Bend OR, in the Historic District.  Built in 1920, this home is full of character including stucco siding, wood floors, and a gas fireplace.  The home is located near commercial properties including Boneyard Brewery and the Taco Stand restaurant within a block away.  This would make a great investment and was rented at $900 a month.  It would also make a great home for someone who wants to fix it up as they live in it.  This great location near downtown, lets you truly live the Bend OR lifestyle.

Bend Home Features

• 3 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathroom
• 1290 SQ FT
• Corner Lot
• Outside…

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Oregon State University plans 4 year college in Bend

OSU Cascades Buys Land For 4 Year Campus in Bend

Oregon State currently has a small campus on the Central Oregon Community College grounds, (Oregon State University Cascade campus),  but has been talking for some time about expanding to a full 4 year university. In late September the college took a huge step in turning these talks into a reality.  OSU has made an offer to purchase land for their new campus.  The The Finance & Administration Committee of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education approved the land acqusition in late September.

Where?

The new campus is slated to go in near the inersection of Chandler and Simpson Avenues on the SW Side of Bend near Broken Top and Cascade Middle School. They plan on purchasing 56 acres of land, a 10…

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SW Bend OR home for sale

An Amazing Home and Great Setting in Southwest Bend

61018 Lodgepole Dr, Bend OR 97702  $279,900   

SOLD!!!

THIS HOME HAS SOLD AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

This SW Bend home is located near the Old Mill and Deschutes River.  The well cared for home has been upgraded with beautiful laminate wood floors, a newer woodstove, and a huge deck in the backyard. The good sized lot includes a fully fenced backyard with mature landscaping and a fire pit.  A great place for entertaining.

Features

• Built in 2004
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2.5 Bathrooms
• 1942 Sq Ft
• .17 Acre Lot
• Living and Family Rooms
• Great Room Floor Plan

The great room floor plan includes a towering entry.  The living and family rooms are on the main level with a newer woodstove on a…

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Bend OR Homes under $200,000

Bend OR Homes for sale under $200,000

Not long ago there were homes availble in Bend for under $100,000... But currently the cheapest stick-built, single family home on the market is at $123,000 (and it's a major fixer upper). The lower end market has surged in the past 6 month.  Currently there are only 39 Active Bend OR homes for sale for under $200,000.  Most of these homes are in need of some TLC, and they're still selling quick, sometimes with multiple offers.  If you're looking for a home in this price range, be prepared to encounter multiple offers.

All information in this post is based on stick-built, single family homes (excluding townhomes, condos, and manufactured homes).

Pending Home Sales and Sold Statistics

The MLS reports 116…

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Bend Real Estate Market Update First Half of 2013

Bend Real Estate Market Statistics

The secret is out of the bag... Our real estate market in Bend is once again thriving with sales and new construction.  Foreclosures and Short Sales are slim, multiple offers are common, and many appraisals are coming in at above the sales price.  Let's look back at the 1st half of 2013 real estate statistics for Bend.  These statistics are only for stick built homes within the Bend area, excluding manufactured homes, condos, townhomes, and others. All statistics come directly from the Central Oregon MLS.

Sold Statistics Jan 1st 2013-June 30th 2013

• 1182 homes were reported sold in the 1st half of the year
• 231 of these sales were new construction!!!
• 14 homes sold below $100K
• 286 in the $100K-$200K price…

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NE Bend home for sale

20765  Barton Crossing Way,  Bend, OR  97701     $389,000

THIS HOME HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF OF THE MARKET AND IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

A fantastic home in NE Bend close to schools, shopping, and dining

• 3 Bedrooms
• 2.5 Bathrooms
• Office/Den
• 2497 Sq Ft
• Built in 2005
• Alley Access
• Large Laundry Room
• 3 Car Garage

This home has great finishes throughout. The master bedroom is located on the main level with a walk-in closet, soaking tub, dual sinks, and a walk-in shower with dual shower heads.  The main living level features vaulted ceilings, a slate entry, beautiful wood floors, a gas fireplace, and a dining area. The kitchen is good size with plenty of counter space and features plenty of Hickory cabinets, solid corian kitchen counter…

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