Let's face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today's mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, "Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?"

But here's the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.

What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.

1. Less Competition from Other Buyers

The winter months tend to be quieter in the real estate market. Fewer people are actively looking for homes, which means you'll likely face less competition when you make an offer. This makes the process feel less rushed and l...

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There's one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high. It might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could really boost your profit, but the reality is, it usually backfires.

In fact, Realtor.com says almost 20% of sellers — that's one in five — have to reduce their price to get their house sold. And you don't want to be one of them. Here's why starting 

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What's in the January 2025 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• More Inventory and Moderate Price Increase the Norm in 2024
• Creamy Mushroom Pasta
• Cozy Ideas to Transform Your Living Room This Winter
• Hike Smith Rock for a Winter Challenge
• Get Ready to Sell a Home in 2025

The Burma Road, Summit Trail, Misery Ridge Loop Can be Challenging

For those looking to undergo a challenging Central Oregon hike when the Cascades are covered with snow, Smith Rock State Park can provide many options. Typically very busy in the summer when rock climbing is at its peak and the weather warm, winter hikes in Smith Rock can be rewarding with fewer crowds and different perspectives of the rocks. Before sections of the park are shut off in the spring due to falcon nesting, hikers can explore little known social trails and see portions of the park rarely visited. However, for those who wish to exert themselves, hiking along the Wolf Creek trail until connecting with Burma Road, climbing it and then hiking the north side of the park along the Summit Trail, then up Mesa Verde until connecting with Misery Ridge and climbing the backside past Monkey Face to the summit until returning down to Crooked River and then up the canyon to the parking lot can be a fulfilling winter hike of over six miles and close to 1800 feet of elevation gain. During the winter, sometimes weather conditions can create icy patches, so microspikes and trekking poles can be helpful. But if the weather cooperates, the Burma Road, Misery Ridge Loop can be a wonderful challenge.

More Bend Home Inventory and Moderate Price Increases Were the Norm for 2024 Sales

2024 Bend home sales experienced modest price increases for the year, but Bend home buyers were fortunate to have more options. Sellers who had hesitated putting their property on the market during Covid and following when mortgage interest rates were close to 8% finally had more inclination to do so when mortgage rates dropped to the mid 6% range during the summer of 2024. Delayed moves which were offset by high mortgage rates for a subsequent purchase finally made sense when rates dropped. Although there was an increase in home prices and sales for Bend single family homes, it was modest. With more in...

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