When a home hits the market in Bend, most sellers assume the process unfolds over weeks or even months. Showings build, interest develops, and eventually the right buyer appears.
That's not how it works anymore. In today's market, the first seven days carry disproportionate weight. This is when buyers are paying the closest attention, when new inventory is evaluated, and when a home either gains momentum—or misses it.
Wondering what to expect from the housing market in 2026? You're not alone. For the past few years, affordability has been the biggest obstacle between buyers, sellers, and their next move. High mortgage rates, limited inventory, and rapid price growth forced many households across Central Oregon to sit on the sidelines.
The good news is this: conditions are finally shifting. In 2025, affordability improved to its best level in three years, and most economists agree that progress should continue into 2026. That outlook is based on three fundamentals that matter everywhere—including Bend, Redmond,
As the holidays approach, many Bend homeowners find themselves asking the same question: Should I list my home now or wait until after the New Year?
The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer—but there are compelling reasons to consider making your move before the year ends.
If you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improving in 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that's the 5th straight month where buying a home has started to get a little bit easier.
Let's break this down into real dollars, so you can see the difference this could make for you (and your move).
One of the clearest signs of this shift is in monthly payments. The latest data from Redfin shows mortgage payments on a median-priced home are now $283 lower than they were just a few months ago (see graph below):