Kerry Knouse has joined Bend Premier as a Principal Broker. Kerry brings over 10 years of experience representing buyers and sellers. Kerry had a long career in construction prior to becoming a real estate agent and really understands the Central Oregon market, including its varied neighborhoods and communities. Bend Premier is pleased he has joined us. To read more about Kerry, click on Kerry's website.
The Bend real estate market is in transition. With high mortgage interest rates impacting the buying power of potential Bend homebuyers and with sellers who may currently own a home financed under a low mortgage interest rate not listing, low inventory levels are keeping home prices up while the number of sales have dramatically dropped. We are seeing fewer new listings hitting the market, resulting in fewer pending sales and closed transactions. This is beyond the normal slow down that happens in Bend after school starts. This change is being felt nation wide and fewer home sales are happening with mortgage rates now approaching 8%.
We compare Bend Home sales year over year in order to be consistent in our data. When September 2023 sales of Bend single family homes are compared with those from September 2022, the following changes can be noted...
Started in 1993, the Broken Top community and golf club have been one of Bend's premier subdivisions for many decades. Situated in Bend's west side, the private Morrish-Weiskopf designed 18 hole golf course and club have hosted professional and local tournaments and have been member owned for the past few years. Residences in the gated community include custom designed luxury homes on large lots, luxury townhomes, and a handful of vacation rentals which can also be used as year-round dwellings.
Broken Top real estate sales experienced the same pattern that much of Bend did during the Covid-19 pandemic with home prices and demand rising dramatically during 2020-2021, and then leveling off once interest rates doubled in 2022. Today, median sales prices have dropped from their 2022 peak with inventory levels and the number of sales rising.
Brooks Resources broke ground on Awbrey Glen in 1993 and completed the subdivision in 2006. Its 156 homesites were sold individually to buyers who were able to hire their own contractor to build their custom home, subject to architectural guidelines. This created a neighborhood of unique high end homes, many of which bordered Awbrey Glen Golf Course. Today there are 375 members of Awbrey Glen Golf Club, a private club offering the golf course, restaurant, pool, fitness facility, and many activities. People who live at Awbrey Glen tend to enjoy their home and social life.
Unlike Bend in general, home prices in Awbrey Glen are going down. This may be partly because Awbrey Glen's listings are limited. With only 156 homesites in a fully built subdivision, Awbrey Glen home sellers are fewer than other developments in Bend. Homes there are of varied size and value. It may be...