Balloons Over Bend Starts Friday

There is a fascination with watching colorful hot air balloons rising at sunrise in the Central Oregon sky with the backdrop of the Cascades and the high desert landscape. Starting this Friday, the annual Balloons Over Bend festival will run through Sunday offering daily sunrise launchings of the hot air balloons, Night Glow Friday evening in Bend and Saturday evening in Redmond, plus many fun activities for the whole family during the day. The planned schedule is as follows:

Friday July 28, 2023

• Balloon launches at Sunrise at RE Jewell Elementary School
• Balloon blast kids race at COCC
• Bend Night Glow at COCC

Saturday July 29, 2023

• Balloon launches at Sunrise at RE Jewell Elementary School
• Redmond Night Glow and Brewfest at the...

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Bend High End Home Sales Reflect a Changing Market

It has been awhile since we last reported on Bend luxury home sales. We pulled a report showing year to date activity over the past three years. While Bend home prices in general are back to a small upward trajectory year over year, the numbers of sales are significantly down, as they are in all price points in most of the markets in Central Oregon and across the country.  Higher interest rates have changed the buying power of would-be home purchasers, even in the high end, and have also kept many would-be sellers off market. Why sell when the mortgage interest rate many homeowners have is so good? A replacement home, while potentially being better for the current lifestyle of a home seller, may cost more on a monthly basis with the higher interest rate with which they may need to purchase.

When the first six months of high end Bend home sales are compared year over year between 2022 and 2023, the following change...

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The Obsidian Trail in the Three Sisters Wilderness is Available by Permit Only

We have hiked the Obsidian Trail several time over the past few years, but the hike done July 2, 2023 was extra special. Late snow has delayed access to the high Cascades and we found patches of snow on our hike. However, these were easily traversed with trekking poles. The 11.5 mile loop connects with the Pacific Crest Trail for several miles and at the peak of the elevation, hikers walk by and on glaciated obsidian which sparkles in the sunlight. Photos do not properly reflect the actual experience of the glittering rock. The hike also passes through high alpine meadows, which had wildflowers blooming, and several shallow creeks to cross. Obsidian Falls can be a great rest stop, but our favorite lunch spot is in the sun taking in the amazing views of Middle and North Sister as well as Little Brother. All in all, the 11.5 miles gained 2165 feet in elevation and took 5.5 hours of actual walking time. Bring bug spray this time of year as the mosquitos are out.

Bend Single Family Home Sales Reflect Mixed Results

We have been tracking Bend home sales for many years. Bend has been in a seller's market since 2012, but the level to which the seller's market changed during Covid was beyond any we had seen before. Home prices skyrocketed with multiple offers driving sales and inventory levels dropping to two weeks at the peak of the pandemic. However, since last summer, the Bend real estate market has been in transition with rising mortgage interest rates the biggest contributor to the change. While high mortgage rates have greatly impacted the buying power of many home buyers, lack of inventory remains an issue. We had seen home price increases level off and even drop yea...

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Its hard to believe that after living in Bend Oregon since 1985, we finally attended our first 4th of July Pet Parade. This event has been a Bend tradition since 1924, only missing 1943 due to the Second World War and 2020-2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We arrived early for our seats at 9:00 am with the parade beginning at 10:00 am.  By the time the parade arrived, it is estimated there were well over 10,000 people either participating in the parade or watching it. The pets involved were mostly dogs, but we also saw rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards, goats, sheep, ponys and horses. Lots of partiotism and fun for everyone.