This weekend brings the 6th annual Bite of Bend festival. Information from the website:

The Bite exceeded everyone’s expectations last year with an estimated 20,000 attendee’s; we expect that number to grow in 2008 Due to the great attendance, we were able to raise a substantial amount of money for local charities.

Here is the concert and kids schedule:

Saturday
11am-10pm - Event Center Open
11am-9pm - Children’s Area Open -games, activities, live entertainment, inflatable adventures and more….
11am-6pm - LIVE Iron Chef Competition
7pm - Bar Flare Exhibition – Bartending Competition
10pm - After party at Summit Stage and Saloon Downtown
Sunday
11am-7pm - Event Center Open
11am-7pm - Children’s Area Open -games, activities, live entertainment, inflatable adventures and more….
11am-6pm - LIVE Iron Chef Competition
5:30pm - Cooking Demonstration with Bluefish Bistro
MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE
Saturday
11:00-12:00 Bill Keale
12:15-12:45pm Bijou Project
1-2pm Jenna Lindbo
2:15-3:15pm Joe Leonardi
3:30-4:15pm Jenni Peskin
4:30-6:10pm El Dante
6:30-8:10pm David Bowers Coloney
8pm Fyreflyte
8:30-10pm Tony Furtado
Sunday
11:00-12:00 Allan Byer
12:15-1:15 Leif James
1:30-2:30 The Erin Band
2:45-3:15pm Bijou Project
3:30-5pm State of Jefferson
5:30-7pm Roots of Creation
KIDS SCHEDULE
Saturday
11:30-12:30 Dance and Sing With Janellybean
1:00-1:30 Three Sisters Dance Studio
1:45-2:15 Dance and Sing with Jannellybean
2:30-3:00 Janellybean Students
3:30 - 4:00 Magic and Fun with Silly Lilly
4:30 - 5:00 Janellybean Students
5:30-6:00 Dance and Sing with Jannellybean
6:00-6:30 Vibe Dance Center

Sunday
11:00-11:30 Vibe Dance Center
11:30-12:30 Dance and Sing with Jannellybean
1:00-1:30 Gotta Dance
1:45-2:15 Dance and Sing with Jannellybean
2:30-3:00 Janellybean Students
3:30 - 4:00 Magic and Fun with Silly Lilly
4:30-5:00 Jannellybean Students
5:30-6:00 Dance and Sing with Jannellybean
IRON CHEF SCHEDULE
Saturday
1st Round 12:00pm
Fireside Red - Jeremy Baumgartner
Pleidies at Five Pine-David Berger

2nd Round 1:30pm
Brasada Ranch Blue Olive - John Nelson
Jackalope Grill - Tim Garling

3rd Round 3:00pm
Volo- Victor Sommo
Marz Bistro-Jeff Hunt and Rich Hall

4th Round 5:00pm
Decoy Bar and Grill - Johnathan Bohn
Chow - David Touvell

7:00pm
Bar Flare Exhibition – Bartending Competition

Sunday
1st Round 11:00am
Winner Round 1
Winner Round 2

2nd Round 12:30pm
Winner Round 3
Winner Round 4

3rd ROUND 2:00pm
Winner Sunday Round 1
Winner Sunday Round 2

FINAL FINALE ROUND 3:30pm
TR McCrystal – Jens Garden – 2007 Champion
Winner Final Round

5:30pm
Cooking Demonstration with Bluefish Bistro

**More information at the BoB website (www.thebiteofbend.com). **

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In 2007 married couples were the largest group of home buyers at 61% and single women accounted for the second largest group at 22%. That means that women influenced 83% of the home buying decisions in 2007. With a number like 83%, if you are not yet marketing the female home buyer you are missing out on a significant opportunity. This leads us to the age old question, “What do women want?”

Here are some of the top features that women are looking for:
*Multi-functional kitchens that act as the hub of the household.
*Luxurious master bathrooms that allow them to retreat from the everyday stresses of life.
*The command center – a room or nook adjacent to the kitchen that includes a desk and
organizational features.
*Laundry rooms located in close proximity to where the laundry is being generated.
*Curb appeal
*Ability to customize
*Healthy alternatives – go green and choose products and features that are low maintenance.
*Outdoor living space – make a home feel larger by extending the living space to the outdoors.
*Opportunities for organization and storage such as walk-in closets and pantries.

Real Estate Agents should be familiar with the features that appeal to the female home buyer. Get to know those features in the homes that you are showing and be sure to point them out to your clients. Men typically seek different features, so when making your comments be sure to specifically direct them to your female client.

With so many homes on the market and so many sellers trying to compete by pricing, why not set yourself apart by appealing to a buyer’s needs and wants? Women are looking for ways to enhance their lives and part of that is simplifying. Be sure to point out those features that enhance and simplify!

Resources:
Get to Know Your Female Homebuyer, by Ann Matesi Senior Contributing Editor with HousingZone.com

Single-Women Home Buyers: A Market Worth Watching, by Paul Bishop and Harika “Anna” Bartlett, of the National Association of Realtors Research

Single Women Showing Home-buying Power, by Metro Creative Services (Lodi News)

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Earth Advantage® certification is a great way for a buyer to know that a builder is committed to providing energy savings for the homeowner and as well as using green building practices. Woodhill Homes currently offers Earth Advantage certified homes as part of their Responsible Home Collection in Woodhill Park, Bend 10 and now, Reed Pointe.

To obtain certification, a new home’s features are performance tested to save energy and increase comfort. The homes are third party inspected & certified by Earth Advantage staff to be at least 15% more energy-efficient than standard building practices. This benefits the homebuyer personally as well as allows the builder and buyer to be socially responsible.

The specific areas that bring energy savings are insulation, windows, high efficiency furnaces and Energy Star appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines.In addition, an Earth Advantage certified home will include compact fluorescent light fixtures, energy efficient windows, fresh air ventilation systems and attention to sustainable building practices. It does the cost the builder more to provide these features but the value of the home increases accordingly. In the end, the homeowner will reap the benefits of both lower energy and water bills as well as increased comfort. As energy prices continue to climb, more buyers are asking for these features and understanding the impact both on a personal level as well as a global level.

Estimated utilities savings can add up to hundreds of dollars annually. In fact, Earth Advantage® has teamed up with Fannie Mae, the nation’s largest source of home mortgage funds, to help more people own greener homes in Oregon. One program uses the savings you realize from buying an Earth Advantage home to help you qualify for the loan. Oregon Housing & Community Services offers a program as well. There are lots of reasons to buy green.  Green-built financing options are just another incentive for a buyer to consider an Earth Advantage home for themselves and for the community at large.

By Pat Huber, Partner / Broker
Taft Dire LLC
Read more on Earth Advantage home and financing here.

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On June 7^th, be prepared to have FUN! Fun for everyone! We have added some new events to our party this year so be sure and check them out. As always, this party is free! That’s right. We’ll have live music, free professionally guided whitewater rafting trips, ice and clay sculpture demonstrations, Kid’s carnival, raffles with great prize packages, a $10,000* Texas Hold’em Poker tournament, and much much more. Take a look at our schedule below:

• 8:00 am - 10:00 am Pancake Breakfast for $3.00 with a donation going to the RiverFest River Cleanup.

• 9:00 am - 11:00 am  Y102 Gorge Country Live Remote

• 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Volleyball Tournament – $40 entry fee. Get a team together…can you dig it? For more info contact susie@deschutesriver.com

• 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Fun area open for the little ones. During the afternoon, clay will be provided for kids to make beautiful sculptures with (or in my case crummy ashtrays).

• 11:30 am - 5:00 pm Free whitewater rafting trips.

• 1:00 pm Dave Milligan Shelby Rally….come check out some sweet rides!

• 1:00 pm - until we have a winner $10,000* Texas Hold’em Tournament – $200 entry fee, limited to 50 participants. 100% payout. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Call 541-395-2404 for more info or email topher@deschutesriver.com.

• 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Chainsaw ice and clay sculpture demonstrations by local artists.

• 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Wine, beer, and liquor tasting by local vineyards and distilleries.

Other events include a river parade, live music throughout the day, and much more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase all day long. Come out and join us. We’ll see you on the river!

Thank You Imperial.  Free whitewater rafting trips! This looks fantastic.

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After years, Redmond gets new apartments
By Jeff McDonald / The Bulletin

Central Oregon’s housing-rich landscape has seen few apartment complexes built in recent years, but at least one pair of developers see an opportunity in Redmond.

George Hale and his partner, Jay Campbell, opened the first new apartment complex in Redmond last week in at least five years. Glacier Vista, a 48-unit complex, will be Woodhill Homes Inc.’s first apartment project in Redmond…read the full article here

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You see, we’re moving in Redmond . . . prices, that is. Woodhill Homes is closing out our last homes at Obsidian Meadows so that we can move on to our future neighborhoods. To do so, we’ve lowered prices on our remaining homes.

When we say lowered, we mean it. Drops of $10,000 to $45,000 on some really nice homes, ranging in size from 1,624 to 2,405 square feet, on big lots around a quiet cul-de-sac. Some with mountain views and full landscaping, too. Home prices range from $224,950 to $249,950.

So that customers can make their move fast, Woodhill Homes’ partner Jay Campbell will be on site with the Taft Dire staff, ready to respond to all offers. Bank of Bend’s Doug Amend will be available as well and Bank of Bend is offering some financial incentives for buyers, too. Also, there’s a special “You’re Moving” drawing for buyers with chances to win items ranging from a gas barbeque to outdoor furniture and more. Details can be found in this Moving Sale flier.

It’s all happening this weekend from 11 am to 5 pm. We’ll be hosting a free barbeque each day from 12 to 2 pm. Getting there is easy: from Hwy 97 in Redmond, head west on Hwy 126, turn left on 35th and left on Lava Avenue. Come by, check out the fantastic homes and then we’ll all get moving.

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The Housing Crisis Is Over

By CYRIL MOULLE-BERTEAUX

The dire headlines coming fast and furious in the financial and popular press suggest that the housing crisis is intensifying. Yet it is very likely that April 2008 will mark the bottom of the U.S. housing market. Yes, the housing market is bottoming right now…continue reading

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“It is really remarkable how much where we are today looks like the bottom we’ve had in the last three cycles,” Mr. Case says. “Every time we’ve gone below a million starts, the market has cleared at that moment.”

Read more of Is Housing Slump at a Bottom?

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A bustling and growing city of 23,500 (circa 2006), Redmond is conveniently and centrally located between Bend, Sisters, Prineville and Madras.  Its size makes it so one can find a number of resources, services and employment options in town, yet its location allows residents only a 15 – 20 minute commute to other areas if needed. One place to spend time in Redmond is the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. This facility is a big reason why people from all over the world travel to Redmond with about every imaginable event being held there from rodeos, concerts, conventions, home shows, sports events and more. It doesn’t hurt that Roberts Field, Redmond  Municipal Airport, is right down the road from the Expo Center.

The air travel gateway to Central Oregon, Roberts Field now has more than 40 arriving and departing flights from Eugene, Portland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. For recreation, Redmond is at the center of great outdoor adventures. From world-class rock climbing at Smith Rock to tennis, biking and golf at Eagle Crest Resort to camping, fishing and boating at Lake Billy Chinook, you have it all close to town. In Redmond, there’s plenty of adventure, too. On the golf note, Juniper Golf Course was rated as one of 2006’s best new courses by Golf Digest magazine . . . and it’s public, folks. Then there’s the charmingly unique Petersen’s Rock Garden & Museum, a fascinating oddity recommended highly as a must-see for anyone.

Involved in real estate, we have talked with a lot of people about their reasons for moving to Redmond. The majority said it is because they fell in love with the 360 degree views and the endless activities and adventures that they can share with their family and friends. On top of that, they said they appreciated the hometown hospitality that you get as if you’ve lived here your whole life. With those reasons, we don’t think it’s any wonder why Redmond is a great place to live and one of the fastest growing cities in Oregon.

Redmond resources link: http://www.visitredmondoregon.com/
Deschutes Country Fair & Expo Center:  http://www.expo.deschutes.org/
Roberts Field: http://www.ci.redmond.or.us/internet/content/view/233/292/
Smith Rock link:  http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_51.php
Eagle Crest: http://www.eagle-crest.com/
Lake Billy Chinook link: http://www.lakebillychinook.com/
Juniper Golf Course: http://www.junipergolf.com/
Obsidian Meadows: http://woodhillhomes.net/blog/category/obsidian-meadows

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One of the more well-known indoor rock climbing destinations in Bend is the Inclimb Rock Gym.  They’re right there nestled in downtown Bend.  They offer all kinds of lessons for new or experienced rock climbers.

Haven’t ever tried rock climbing or perhaps a little scared of the whole process?  Read Mark Morical’s article - he seemed hesitant but ended up having a really good time.  And then get out there and start learning!

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Regular home maintenance will preserve the value in your home and keep minor problems from escalating into major ones. If you own a Woodhill home, you know that Woodhill Homes provides every homeowner with a 1 year in-house warranty, along with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty® at closing. However, brand new or charmingly old, every home needs regular maintenance. Regardless of what kind of home you own, you can find a comprehensive Spring Home Maintenance List at 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty® web site. Having seen homes in a variety of conditions in my line of work, I encourage all homeowners to not forget the importance of regular scheduled seasonal home maintenance to keep systems and structures in top condition.

In addition to maintenance, most homes also need a thorough cleaning each spring. To get started and help stay on track in your spring cleaning fest, here’s some handy, printable Spring Cleaning Checklists. Since Woodhill Homes builds energy-efficient and environmentally homes that are certified by Earth Advantage and Energy Star, it only makes sense to have eco-friendly housekeeping practices in a Woodhill Home. For more information on green cleaning methods, here is a great resource for some environmentally friendly cleaning recipes that are inexpensive and easy to make at home. So, roll up the shirt sleeves, mix up some earth-friendly cleaning solutions and have at it. You’ll have a fresh, clean home ready for your enjoyment all spring and summer long.

by Kathy Pomper, Broker
Taft Dire LLC

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Because we strive to include new and innovative features in our homes, we are looking for your ideas. This is our online suggestion box. A few of the features we have included in past homes have been; Ipod docking stations, built-in speakers in living areas, outdoor fireplaces and green built homes and products. Recently, an article written for HGTV’s website commented on todays trends. Read it here.

Agree? Disagree? We want to hear.

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Consider the “Loss” on Selling Your Present Home:

For example, say your present house is worth $300,000, but because of high inventory and few buyers, you must reduce your price by 10%. So, instead of receiving $300,000, you would get $270,000 and “lose” $30,000.

Consider Your Real Profit:

Now, consider this. Say you bought this home 7 years ago and paid $100,000. You’re still ahead $170,000, less costs of sale, aren’t you?

Consider the “Savings” on Buying Your New Home:

If you are planning to move up to a $500,000 house, which is located in the same market, you could probably buy that house at that same 10% discount or $450,000. This would mean you had saved $50,000. So you “lost” $30,000 on the sale of your home. But you “made” $50,000 on the purchase of your new home. Doesn’t that put you $20,000 ahead?

Don’t Forget the Impact of Interest Rates:

Which way are interest rates moving? Are they moving up or moving down? If interest rates are near an all-time low and beginning to inch upwards, waiting could cost you more than you would think. You might not be able to afford to buy a home at any price.

• Each 1/2 point decrease in your interest rate gives you $25,000 more in purchasing power.
• Each 1 point decrease in your interest rate gives you $50,000 more in purchasing power.
• Each 2 point decrease in your interest rate gives you $100,000 more in purchasing power

Right now, you can get real estate in nice areas for prices that we haven’t seen in a while. So what if you take a little less for your current house? In three to five years when the market has fully rebounded you’ll have twice as much equity in the new house as you would ever have been able to build in the old house.

For more on why buying now is in your best interest according to famed money guru Peter Lynch, check out the “Ignore the Headlines” article from Dan Kadlec’s “Right on Your Money” column at Time Magazine. It’s more than just thought provoking.

Read full article here

More on Real Estate in Bend, Oregon

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• Just married… so you have two of everything
• Moving in but still have all of that stuff you collected in college
• A hybrid of these two situations

So now that you have a brand new shiny place… you want to decorate it! However, with a “recession” looming, you don’t want to break the bank to decorate your new place.

Phoebe Chongchua wrote a nice piece about how to decorate your home with a budget over at Realty Times. One thing that she hits on that I think is something we’re all guilty of is impulse buying. Admit it; you’ve seen that sofa or chair or rug that you knew would really tie the room together. And without thinking about spacing or if it’ll fit in your kitchen or living room, you purchased it… only to bring it home to find out that you had to rearrange everything else in order for it to fit.

Nice article to read before going out there and decorating your new home.

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While the article does bring up an alternative to owning a home in Bend… the truth is still there: you’re renting. I’m not going to say that renting means that you’re practically throwing your money away… but it’s pretty darn close to it.

Mr. Moore brings up the point that more renters in the market + more houses for rent = falling rental prices. And this is certainly true. And while there may be some incentives out there to go the rental route (such as a discounted first month’s rental price or even some free work done on the property if you rent for over a year), you’re still renting… and not owning. I’d much rather put money towards property & a home I could potentially own than one I’m just renting for however long.

Anyway, a nice read for sure and a different perspective on the housing market.

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“Now despite all this, there continue to be clear signs that the housing market itself is finally bottoming out of its nearly three year post-boom correction…”

Hmm, does that sound familiar…? Anyway, very good article!

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• The Blacksmith is having a little St. Paddy’s day celebration of sorts.  Check out their food & drink specials.
• The Astro Lounge is having an event as well.
• Hack Bend has a comprehensive list of other events happening in and around Bend for St. Paddy’s day

So there you go.  Now you don’t have an excuse to go out there and celebrate!

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The city attracts a large amount of tourists and is often referred to as the recreational Mecca of Central Oregon. To begin with, The Mount Bachelor Ski Resort attracts tourists from all over the world. The Cascades Lake is a great gathering place for hitchhikers to enjoy a little peace and unwind.

Drake Park in Bend, Oregon. More pics on our Flickr page.

The population in Bend Oregon offers great levels of diversity. Today, its transformation is noted in the rising population. It is being referred to as the paradise of the pensioners and buying a home in Central Oregon is being considered more of a luxury each year.

The growth of construction in the Bend, Oregon real estate sector can be felt directly by studying the contribution of the sector on the economy of the city. It has been found that the Bend real estate market in Central Oregon and the construction associated with the building of the sector alone has constituted about 17.3 percent of the jobs in the city.

The typical phase of the national housing boom in Bend, Oregon is fostered by factors such as increased activity in Bend’s construction and real estate sectors; low interest rates on housing loans coupled with the most modern and well-equipped lifestyle amenities. So buying a home in Bend, Oregon is becoming a popular choice with many individuals looking for high-quality craftsmanship in a price range they can afford.

Bend is well connected with other parts of the country by air, rail and road. Education levels continue to rise as more and more people are moving into the city. The crime rate throughout the area of Bend is low implying a friendly and safe atmosphere for families to enjoy.

The scenic beauty of the city is only accentuated by the mild climate, the various recreational facilities and the growing economy. People are choosing Bend, Oregon from far and wide to settle in a new home amidst this tranquil environment. The abundant sunshine year round and the lively lifestyle makes Bend a great place to call home.

People from all walks of life such as professionals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, retirees and professional athletes all are beginning to find a home in Bend. The tranquil nature mixed with vibrant and active ambiance makes it a place that entices many.

Buying a house in Bend, Oregon offers you a wide variety of home choices, from luxury homes to small apartments. The prices of real estate in Bend are anticipated to scale northwards once the recession is lifted, so one can invest now in the real estate sector and reap its appreciation in the near future.

Also Read “Why We Moved to Bend, Oregon”

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Really, if you look at the numbers, he may not be far off. Last month in Bend, there were only 11 single family permits pulled. That is off of a high of 271 in June of ‘05 and 81 in January of last year. What that means is that virtually no new homes are being built, and if you factor in sales per month, and existing inventory, we should work through the overhang in inventory by about mid summer putting us back to an equilibrium.

At that point, prices should start to bottom out and start back to their long term trend line of 3-5% appreciation per year.

So who can you believe? Good question, but the Fed has said once they are done fighting the economic slowdown, they will redouble their efforts to fighting inflation, which means increases in interest rates, which for buyers means higher payments. Are we at the bottom? Nobody knows, but the house you see today, if you wait too long, could cost you more to own tomorrow. Remember, it is almost impossible to pick the bottom and most times you only recognize it after the market has turned up.

More Bend Real Estate Information from Woodhill Homes

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A reminder that any email that asks you for your Social Security Number, Bank Account Number or other personal information is to be treated with a high level of suspicion.

The phone scammers merely ask you to provide your bank routing and account numbers so that they may direct-deposit your rebate. Sounds quick and easy. And it is for them. With this information your account can be jeopardized very quickly.

Summary – So be aware, ask questions and verify information requests (whether email or phone) with a trusted advisor or family friend before responding. If you receive a phony email notice please forward to phishing@irs.gov and delete the email. Also, remember the IRS will never contact a taxpayer via an unsolicited phone call.

Doug Amend, CMPS®
Mortgage Consultant

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