Posts in category 'Uncategorized'

A Newcomer's Guide to Grocery Shopping in Bend, Oregon

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to visit grocery stores.

Whether I'm strolling the endless dairy aisle in a French supermarket, admiring colorful produce displays in Guatemala, or exploring the endless new-to-me fruit and vegetable ingredients in Thailand, grocery stores tell me more about a place than almost anything else. You learn what people value, what they cook, and how they live their daily lives.

That's why one of the first questions I get from people relocating to Central Oregon is surprisingly simple:

"Where do you grocery shop around here?"

The answer depends on what you're looking for. Bend has everything from familiar national chains to regional favorites to locally owned markets that have become community institutions. Here's a quick guide to some of the stores you'll want to know when you arrive.

For Everyday Convenience

You'll find famil...

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If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you're not alone – and you're definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today's market is offering something you haven't had in a while: options.

Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they've been in quite a long time. Here's what they have to say.

Affordability Is Finally Improving 

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting to turn the corner:

"Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market."

Mortgage rates have e...

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There's a new divide in housing right now. In some states, buyers are gaining ground. In others, sellers still have the upper hand. It all depends on where you live. Curious what's happening in Oregon?

These 3 maps show how the split is playing out across the country. In each one:

• Darker Shades of Blue = Buyer friendly
• Lighter Shades of Blue = Seller strong

Inventory Sets the Stage

While the number of homes for sale has improved pretty much across the board, how much growth we've seen can look dramatically different based on where you live. And that impacts who has the leverage today.

This map uses data from Realtor.com to break it down:

• The darker shades of blue show where inventory has risen more than in other areas of the country. Buyers here have more to choose from and should have an easier time finding a...

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Its a Mixed Market for Bend Home Sales

August is usually a month where home buyers with young children close their purchases and get settled before school starts. It is also a month in which sellers who didn't sell their properties during the peak summer selling season consider their next options. Often, for those who really need to sell, lowering the asking price can be the answer. For others, taking their property off the market may make more sense. However, in 2025, the August Bend home sales reflected a mixed market with prices up, closings up, inventory up and days on market up.

When August 2025 is compared with August 2024, th...

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