Posts from February 2026

Why Oregon Is America's Top Moving Destination and What It Means for Bend

There is a noticeable shift happening across the country.

In 2025, Oregon officially became the number one inbound state in America. Nearly 65 percent of interstate moves involving Oregon were inbound. More people are choosing to move here than leave.

And here in Bend, we are feeling it.

This is not just a spike. It reflects a broader recalibration in how Americans are deciding where to live.

A Different Reason to Move

For years, relocation was primarily about jobs. Transfers. Promotions. Corporate ladders.

Today, the motivations are more layered.

The top reasons Americans moved in 2025 were:

• Closer to family
• New job or company transfer
• Retirement
• Lifestyle change

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What's in the February 2026 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Lower Prices and Fewer Sales as Buyer Interest Rebuilds
• Cozy Braised Short Ribs
• The One Room at a Time Spring Prep Strategy
• The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Are Making Right Now

The Bend, Oregon real estate market has always moved to its own rhythm. Shaped by geography, lifestyle, and a steady stream of people drawn here for similar reasons, it rarely behaves like larger metro markets. Right now, that rhythm is defined by limited inventory and consistent demand.

Buyers moving to Bend often arrive with a strong sense of place in mind. Walkable neighborhoods. Proximity to trails, schools, or downtown. A home that feels connected to how they want to live day-to-day. That focus means well-located homes continue to draw attention, even as pricing and interest rates fluctuate.

Pricing in Bend varies widely, and not just by square footage or finish level. Neighborhood context matters. So does condition, layout, and how a home fits into daily routines. Buyers who take time to understand how different parts of Bend actually function tend to make more conf...

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I Want to Move to Central Oregon… Can I Handle the Weather?

If you're thinking about moving to Central Oregon, chances are you've already pictured it: blue skies, pine trees, mountain views, coffee in hand, trailhead five minutes away.

Then the doubt creeps in.

But can I actually handle the weather?

Short answer: maybe—and that's okay to figure out honestly.
Long answer: let's talk about what Central Oregon weather is really like, season by season, without the hype or the horror stories.

The Big Surprise: How Sunny It Is

One of the biggest shocks for newcomers is how much sun we get.

Central Oregon averages 300+ days of sunshine a year. Even in winter, it's common to have bright blue skies after a storm. Snow falls, then the sun comes out like nothing happened.

If you're comin...

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Lower Prices and Fewer Sales as Buyer Interest Begins to Rebuild

January opened the year with continued price softening and a clear slowdown in closed sales across the Bend single-family market. While overall activity remains lower than a year ago, buyer interest is beginning to reappear, particularly in pending sales. Inventory tightened noticeably as fewer new listings entered the market, setting the stage for a more competitive spring—provided sellers price realistically.

When comparing January 2026 with January 2025 for Bend single-family home sales on less than an acre, the fo...

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