This is what it's all about for us…As we reflect on the year, we're incredibly grateful for the trust so many of you placed in us. Real estate is about more than homes—it's about life
February 2025 Update
Dated: February 17 2025
Views: 292
Happy February, don't forget Valentine's Day is February 14th! Homebuyers should be feeling the love right now because there is more inventory in Bend. Also, the Median Days on Market is 118 days. Buyers have more choices AND time. Buyers may not be loving the interest rates but what's not to love about more options and less competition? Check out this Market Report that highlights key market indicators for Bend, Oregon real estate. We are here to help when you or someone you know is ready to talk about buying or selling real estate in Central Oregon. Our contact information is at the end of this email. Call or email us!
Happy February, don't forget Valentine's Day is February 14th! Homebuyers should be feeling the love right now because there is more inventory in Bend. Also, the Median Days on Market is 118 days. Buyers have more choices AND time. Buyers may not be loving the interest rates but what's not to love about more options and less competition? Check out this Market Report that highlights key market indicators for Bend, Oregon real estate. We are here to help when you or someone you know is ready to talk about buying or selling real estate in Central Oregon. Our contact information is at the end of this email. Call or email us!
Oregon Places New Rules on Homeowners Living in Wildfire Areas
Oregon has introduced new wildfire hazard maps that impose stricter building codes and vegetation reduction mandates on homeowners in high-risk areas. These maps were released in response to record-breaking wildfires in recent years, including the deadly 2020 fires and the historic 2024 season, which burned nearly 3,000 square miles and cost the state over $350 million.
The regulations affect about 106,000 of Oregon's 1.9 million tax lots, focusing on properties near forests and grasslands. While the state law prohibits insurers from using these maps to raise rates, insurance companies already have their own wildfire risk models.
The new rules apply primarily to new construction in high-risk zones, requiring fire-resistant materials. Existing homes will only need updates if major renovations, such as full roof or siding replacements, occur. Experts stress that while these measures can increase a home's fire resilience, they do not prevent wildfires from occurring.
If you own a home or properties in Oregon we recommend talking to your insurance company about what to expect at renewal time. We also learned that if your insurance is held in your name but your home or property is held in a Trust, insurance companies could use this as a loophole to not insure. If you own your property in a Trust, add your Trust as additional insured to your Insurance Policy or talk to your insurance provider. There is a lot of information swirling around. We continue to learn a lot about changes with homeowners' insurance and will share with you what we find out.
Check out our current listings & activity
To Do's: Your February Home Checklist
“February is a time of year to indulge in home comforts like cooking big-batch meals, reading in the afternoon and watching movies with the family. Here are a dozen ideas to add to your to-do list this month, from the necessary (clearing sidewalks of snow and ice, say) to the just-for-fun (treating yourself to weekly flowers).” - Laura Gaskill
Dogwood at the Pine Shed: New Food Truck and Beverage Spot in Bend
"Nearly two years in the making, the restoration and renovation of a historic building from Bend's mill town past has been completed as the Dogwood at the Pine Shed opened on Friday.
The outdoor food and beverage entertainment hub on Second Street in Bend had been called The Catalyst while it was under construction. The former mill mechanic repair shop has been moved and renovated to become a cozy, comfy cabin with an industrial vibe, said Sean Lawrence, Dogwood general manager.
“We really wanted to preserve the aesthetic and feel of the old Pine Shed and bring our Dogwood flair to it,” Lawrence said. “The old Dogwood (Cocktail Cabin on NW Minnesota Avenue) was cozy and had a cabin feel. We merged that with the industrial warehouse feel to create a sleek but cozy atmosphere.”
The grand opening of the bar/lounge was on Friday, and was heralded as a sign of the future for the Bend Central District's redevelopment. The city envisions it as a second downtown and the future home of Bend City Hall.
The Pine Shed was the previous home of Spoken Moto, a coffee and beer hangout on SW Industrial Way. The developer used a grant from Visit Bend's Sustainability Fund to pay for the transport of the Pine Shed from its previous home to Second Street near Hawthorne Avenue, a 1.5-mile journey. The project was developed by Bend resident Kurt Alexander, who owns Petrich Properties." - Suzanne Roig - The Bulletin
We can't wait to check it out.
Thank you for reading!
Brooke Garcia
Brooke Garcia is a mother of two daughters, licensed broker with Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s, and the Marketing Director for her and her husband’s real estate company, Bend Homes Now. Born an....
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