What's in the June 2023 Bend Premier Real Estate Newsletter?

• May Bend Home Sales Remain Mixed
• Watermelon Shrub
• Real Estate is Still Considered the Best Long Term Investment
• Tumalo Mountain June 2023
• Moving Now Can Give Your Home its Day in the Sun

 Bend Single Family Home Sales Figures Remain Mixed

The May 2023 Bend real estate sales have been published and reflect a market in transition. Inventory levels are growing, but a strong seller's market remains. High mortgage interest rates continue to impact buyer's purchasing power and while average home prices are down slightly, they are not at a level that would significantly affect most Bend home buyers. As we enter our summer peak selling season, the question on how mortgage rates and inventory levels will reflect in 2023 home sales will be answered.

When May 2023 Bend single family home sales on less than an acre are compared with those from May of 2022, the following changes can be noted:

• Average sales price down 3.1% to $861,432
• Median sales price up .8% to $746,250
• New listings down 26.7% to 222
• Homes for sale down 21.1% to 265
• Pending sales down 21.8% to 172

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Chush Falls is Snow Free and Ready for Hikers

We have hiked Chush Falls several times, usually during the fall or winter with snow and ice. However, this Memorial Day weekend we elected to take the hike in the Three Sisters National Wilderness snow free. Unlike earlier hikes, many of the recently downed trees from the 2017 Milli Fire had been cut which enabled us to more easily hike the first two miles. However, the last quarter to half mile to the viewpoint had yet to receive this attention and scrambling over and under downed trees can always create challenges. The viewpoint overlooking Chush Falls is fairly obstructed by trees, so we typically take the very steep path down to the base of the falls, a path which should only be taken by people who are fit enough to make it both down and up.  We had never seen  the 60 foot Chush Falls as full as it was with the snow runoff from our wet winter really impacting the rivers and streams. Unlike winter time, if we got close to the falls, we would have been quite wet so we stayed a bit back and enjoyed the view from a distance.  

After clambering back up to the viewpoint, we decided to extend the hike to Upper Chush Falls, having never gone past Lower Chush Falls during our previous winter hikes. No attempt had been made to clear any downed trees, so hiking with GPS was very helpful since we often had to leave the path to maneuver around large fallen trees. It wasn't far past Lower Chush Falls that we reached the first lovely waterfall, the Cascades. Located on Whychus Creek just above the confluence with Park Creek, the Cascades is viewable just from the trail, without an easy way to get closer. Continuing past the Cascades, within a half mile we were surprised to see the spectacular, 200 foot Upper Chush Falls. For those of us familiar with Central Oregon waterfalls, Bend's popular Tumalo Falls is 97 feet. We didn't expect to see such a beautiful, towering waterfall. Following a social trail, we attempted to find a great viewpoint, but ended up on a steep ledge which felt a bit perilous, so we backtracked down to the base of the falls, getting as close as the vegetation would allow.  All in all, we were very happy with our decision to hike the extra distance to experience all 3 waterfalls. Per GPS, we traveled a total of 6.25 miles with 950 feet of elevation gain (more than most trails note due to our steep side trips). 

Laurenn Schiek Has Joined Bend Premier Real Estate

After spending many years on Maui, Laurenn moved to Oregon in 2019 and never looked back.

She was the accounting administrator for one of the largest landscape contractors on Maui, as well simultaneously functioning as the volunteer bookkeeper/office administrator for a Maui non-profit, and she served on the board as their assistant Treasurer. She has also worked as the bookkeeper for a busy Bend law firm.

Laurenn has a son & a daughter, and an incredibly joyful golden retriever named Winnie Monroe. When she is not at work you will find her adventuring somewhere in nature, cooking a beautiful meal, or finding creative ways to live in the moment with her children. She is passionate about health & wellness in the mind, body, heart & soul; and is currently pursuing her passion and earning her certificate to become a Functional Medicine Health Coach.

What's in the May 2023 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Bend Home Sales Take a Downward Turn
• Rancher Butcher Chef
• Downsizing for the Win?
• 6 Books to Change Your Real Estate Perspective
• Reasons to Sell Your House in Today's Market