There's a reason scenic Central Oregon is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country: More and more people have discovered its extraordinary charms and decided to make what was perhaps intended as a visit into something permanent. It's easy to understand why. With 300 days of sunshine, a temperate climate and some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, Central Oregon provides exactly the sort of environment the rest of the country can only envy. The first thing to know about Central Oregon (other than that it's an incredible place to live) is that it's anchored by three main cities: the golden triangle of Bend, Redmond and Sisters. Sisters, located at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, secures the northern tip of the triangle, with Redmond to the east and Bend to the south. Keep heading east of Redmond, and you´ll find the towns of Powell Butte and Prineville; journey south of Bend, and you'll find first the popular destination resort Sunriver (along with its new cousin, Caldera Springs), then the recently incorporated city of La Pine. Last but definitely not least, there's the tiny little hamlet known as Tumalo. It's a truly unique community of mostly rural ranch properties located between Sisters and Bend (I like to describe it as not a location but a state of mind).
If you're new to Central Oregon, you may not know that each location has a very distinct personality, topography and climate, and most vary markedly. For example, there's sophisticated, culture-rich Bend; the close-knit Frontier-influenced Sisters; and rugged Redmond. When it comes to geography, you´ll find everything from snow-capped vistas to desert landscapes. On this website, you'll find useful info about everything involved in making an informed real estate decision in today's Central Oregon real estate market -- whether you're a home seller, first-time buyer or experienced investor. Just click on the menu buttons and begin your search. Once you're ready to work one-on-one with a dedicated Central Oregon property specialist, call or email me and I'll immediately get to work for you.
If you're interested in buying or selling a distressed property, I can help. I earned the Certified Distressed Property designation in April 2009.
Featured Listings
SOLD! (1-29-10) A Great Escape - Sisters
A private oasis amid the pines minutes from Sisters, this horse property has it all. The 2,500-square-foot log home features a large kitchen with stainless appliances, 2-story living room with wood fireplace & spiral staircase leading to the large master upstairs with attached loft bonus room. Expansive 2nd bedroom downstairs is easily convertible to two bedrooms. Other highlights: 1 bedroom log guest cabin, barn w/heated tack room, large workshop, 2-car garage, greenhouse, garden, treehouse, round pen, 2 working outhouses. 1 year home warranty included. $599,000
Two-Story Charmer in Crossroads - Sisters
This beautiful 3100-sf home in a quiet setting adjacent to National Forest is filled with quality details. Two-story greatroom features soaring ceiling, large picture windows, surround-sound system, pellet stove & patio access. Kitchen features granite counters, knotty alder cabinets, oak floors, recessed lighting & Elite appliances. Master bedroom located on the main level. The 1.18 acre-property is landscaped & hot-tub ready; subdivision is zoned for horses.
This is Sisters living at its most inviting. The 2-story, 3-bedroom home features a cozy living room with mahogany floors, cast iron woodstove and reading nook. Kitchen is ideal for entertaining, with center island, 2 pantries, dining area, desk nook & window seat. Downstairs office offers enviable mountain views. Upstairs master boasts panoramic mountain views framed by dramatic Paladin windows.
January 2010 Real Estate Market Snapshot for Sisters, Oregon
Sisters started the year off well, with an increase in sales activity -- from 14 pending and closed sales in December to 19 pending and closed sales in January. Meanwhile, after trending down for several months, the median sales price for Active Single Family Residence listings rose a bit ?- from $349,450 in December to $365,000 in January (but still a far cry from the 2009 high of $492,500 last June). The median sales price for Active Residential With Acreage listings, on the other hand, decreased (from $724,000 in December to $711,500 in January, with the 2009 high of $797,000 in August).
Here are a few January highlights of the Sisters real estate market:
LISTING ACTIVITY Active Residential Listings in Sisters:143 (79 Single Family Residences; 64 Residential with Acreage) Contingent Residential Sales in Sisters:3 (2 SFR; 1 RW) Pending Residential Sales in Sisters:12 (9 SFR; 3 RW) Residential Sales in Sisters:7 (5 SFR; 2 RW) Average Days on Market:231 days for Active SFR listings 297 days for Active RW listings 143 days for the SFR listings sold in December 195 days for the RW listings sold in December Median Sales Price:$365,000 for Active SFR listings $711,500 for Active RW listings $327,800 for the SFR listings sold in December $411,950 for the RW listings sold in December
INVENTORY Single Family Residence:14-month supply (68 sales in the previous 12 months) Residential with Acreage: 27-month supply (28 sales in the previous 12 months)
SALES PRICE: Least-Expensive Single Family Residence Active Listing: $119,990 Least-Expensive Residential with Acreage Active Listing: $167,000 Most-Expensive Single Family Residence Active Listing: $1,495,000 Most-Expensive Residential with Acreage Active Listing: $4,900,000 Price Point with the Most Active Listings:
January 2010 Real Estate Market Snapshot for Tumalo, Oregon
After several months of positive market shifts (decreasing inventory and fewer days on market), Tumalo started the new year by experiencing increases in both inventory (from 61 Active RW listings in December to 70 in January) and days on market (from 248 days in December to 254 in January). Similarly, the overall supply increased, from a 16-month supply in December to a 19-month supply in January.
On the plus side (for buyers, anyway), the median price for Active RW listings in Tumalo continued to decrease (from $649,000 in December to $609,450 in January), as did the number of Active million-dollar listings (from 19 in December to 15 in January). Obviously, this is still a market very much in flux.
As a horse-property specialist, Tumalo has always been of particular interest to me because that´s where you´ll find many of the most desirable horse properties in Central Oregon. Because its boundaries are up to interpretation, please consider the following statistics a general barometer of the area´s real estate activity that includes most, but not necessarily all, of the listings in Tumalo.
Here are a few January highlights of the Tumalo market:
LISTING ACTIVITY Active Residential With Acreage Listings in Tumalo:70 Contingent Residential With Acreage Sales in Tumalo:1 Pending Residential With Acreage Sales in Tumalo:8 Residential With Acreage Closed Sales in Tumalo:2 Average Days on Market:254 days for Active RW listings 108 days for RW listings sold in January Median Sales Price:$609,450 for Active RW listings $598,000 for RW listings sold in January
INVENTORY: Residential with Acreage: 19-month supply (44 sales in the previous 12 months)
SALES PRICE: Least-Expensive Residential with Acreage Active Listing: $89,900 Most-Expensive Residential with Acreage Active Listing: $2,200,000 Price Point with the Most Active Listings: $450,000-$499,000 (seven listings) Listings at $1,000,000 or more:15
Congratulations to Jennifer and T.R. McCrystal, owners of the award-winning Jen's Garden restaurant. The dynamic duo were named Sisters Citizens of the Year by the Sisters Chamber of Commerce, thanks to their ongoing support of numerous local endeavors (including the Sisters schools, trails and Folk Festival).
Real Estate Disclosure Forms
Please read the Oregon Real Estate Agency Pamphlet, which explains agency relationships and the responsibilities of an Oregon-licensed agent.
Please read the Oregon Property Buyer Advisory, which provides a great deal of helpful information for both buyers and sellers.
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