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Homes For Sale Bend Oregon

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The real estate markets in California, Arizona, Florida and other key states are leading indicators on how the market in Bend will do. In1989 real estate values in Bend jumped 35%.

Out of state buyers from California, Florida, Arizona, Washington State and other hot markets were selling their homes for large profits in 1989 and moving to Bend to buy larger homes. 1990 and 1991 saw the out of state markets dry up with prices falling. The Bend market followed these markets before it picked up again.

Today's market looks very similar to the 1989-1991 market. 102 single-family homes on less than one acre in Bend closed in October 2006 according to the Multiple Listing Service of Central Oregon. That is a decrease of 59 percent from the active market in October 2005.

The median sales price was down slightly but that does not include homes that have been on the market for almost a year and haven't sold. There are homes that have been listed with one Realtor for six months and then listed with another. Many of these homes still have not sold.

One newer home that was listed in December 2005 at $399,500 is still on the market. The seller refused an offer of $379,500 the first month it was listed. That home is now listed with another Realtor at $329,500 and that is just the asking price. The owner would now entertain any offer.

This winter is the time to buy real estate in Bend. There are homes on the market now that have been substantially reduced with seller's willing to take any reasonable offer. Some homes are vacant and can be bought with a lease-purchase. We look for the market and prices to pick back up next spring.

A report recently released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., or FDIC reported that Bend is the 35th fastest growing job market in the country for the second quarter of 2006, wit a job growth rate of 4 percent during that period. The FDIC reported sales activity in Oregon fell 12 percent in the same quarter. This indicates demand for homes in will continue.

Some builders are starting to offer more incentives if you buy one of their homes. Upgrades in appliances, floor coverings, wood work, landscaping and other aspects of construction are now free. Some builders are also willing to pay points in order to help buyers qualify for lower payments on their loans.

The National Association of Realtor's chief economist, David Lereah, predicted that sales through the rest of 2006 will be lower than earlier predicted. "This year, sales are slowing, homes are plentiful and sellers are negotiating," Lereah said. "Under these conditions, we will probably see prices dip temporarily below year-ago levels as the market works through a buildup in housing inventory."

There are still many home for sale in Bend that are over priced for today's' market. But there are also a good variety of homes that are for sale that are very good buys. Sellers that have to sell are forced to lower their prices and offer to pay closing costs, include appliances in the sale and replace carpets prior to close and many other "freebees" in order to sell their homes.

New home developers and builders were able to sell homes in the past few years before they broke ground. They had buyers waiting in the wings to purchase these homes as soon as the lots were developed and the builder priced the homes. The buyers chose their finish materials and waited for construction to be finished.

Today large builders particularly cannot afford to sit on their vacant homes during the winter and pay interest, taxes, insurance and utilities. These builders are offering "free" perks to sell their new homes today. Prices are being lowered substantially.

Interest rates are still low, the economy is good and gas prices are stable or falling, all good signs that the real estate market in Bend will be picking up next spring. If you have ever thought about buying real estate in Bend Oregon now may be the best opportunity you will have in a long time.

Prices are falling. Interest rates are low and there are some good buys in today's market. Look for prices to start going up this spring.

Homes For Sale Bend Oregon

The Metolius River springs from the ground at the base of Black Butte and flows into Lake Billy Chinook. Lake Billy Chinook is technically a reservoir as it is backed up my Round Butte Dam. The Metolius River, Crooked River and the Deschutes River all flow into the reservoir.

Bull Trout are an endangered species in Oregon with the exception of the Lake Billy Chinook and the Metolius River fishery. The Metolius maintains a steady flow of pure water at a moderate temperature year round, ideal for Bull Trout Spawning.

Bull Trout closely resemble Dolly Varden which is an anadromous trout found in coastal streams. The Dolly Varden migrates to the ocean to feed and then spawns in the coastal rivers. The Bull Trout is a land locked cousin.

The Metolius River and Lake Billy Chinook provide a year round fishery for large Bull Trout. The river is strictly catch and release of all fish including Bull Trout and restricted to artificial flies and lures downstream from Bridge 99. Consult the current issue of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing Regulations.

Matt Johnson, a Bend real estate broker, and three of his friends recently took advantage of a 65 degree day in February and landed and released 9 huge Bull Trout while fly fishing the Metolius River. The largest was close to a whopping 32 inches! Fly fishing for Bull Trout is not an easy proposition but these fishermen have figured it out. Most fly fishermen put in many hours before hooking a large "Bully." Landing one is another matter.

The Oregon State record was caught in the reservoir in 1989 by Don Yow. It was a gigantic 23 pounds and 2 ounces. Biologists say there are larger fish present today.

Lake Billy Chinook is full of Kokanee Salmon which is the primary source of food for the big trout. These salmon are plentiful and help Bull Trout grow fat fast. They will however, eat anything that swims as long as it is bit size. They do take big bits.

Even thought the reservoir is open year round the Metolius Arm is closed during the winter months and open March first thru October 31. The best time to catch large Bull Trout in Lake Billy Chinook is March thru April in the Metolius arm. Normally the big fish will come out of the deep water into the shallows to feed at this time.

They can usually be found in 10 to 20 foot of water. Any lure that resembles a six to twelve Kokanee is best. Fly fisherman can set up a wind drift along the shore and cast large streamers into the appropriate zones.

Trolling for big trout is also popular. Large silver plugs such as Rapalas and Rebels are successful. Some fishermen will use down riggers putting their lures at the appropriate depth which is usually 15 to 20 feet. Be ready for a strike when you cross a main lake point. Cut herring is a popular bait when trolling.

Some anglers will cast to the shore. You can either set up a wind drift of use an electric trolling motor to keep your boat at the appropriate depth. Keep the boat in 15-20 feet of water and cast into the shallows. Big Bull Trout can sometimes be found in 3-5 feet of water if the wind is blowing with a good chop on the water.

There are some years when the fish don't move into the shallows early in the season. If this is the case jigging may be the ticket. Use your depth finder to locate the large schools of Kokanee in the Metolius Arm. This happened in 2006 to Daryl Loveland of Bend. He caught and released a 14 pound Bull Trout in 80 feet of water with a 2 oz jigging spoon right off the bottom.

Current Oregon State regulations allow one fish 24 inches or larger to be kept per day. To fish the Metolius Arm of the reservoir it will be necessary to purchase a Warm Springs Tribal fishing permit. These permits can be purchased in Culver at one of the two grocery stores. You drive through Culver on your way to the Reservoir.

Winter and early spring are the best times to fish for large Bull Trout. The river can become a little crowded in the summer and Lake Billy Chinook is a well known water skiing lake. Please release all Bull Trout as they are not very good eating. Plus, that 15 pounder may grow up to be the next state record if you release it. If you get one over 23 pounds and 2 ounces, keep it. You will have a new state record!

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Jim Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Information Technology, Dental Practice and Abdominal. Jim Johnson CRS is a real estate expert who has lived in Bend Oregon since 1981.Call 541-389-4511 or see his web site

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