November 2023

A funky month, no doubt . . . but haven’t they all been lately? We saw the purchase of just 108 homes (single family residential on less than an acre); that’s the lowest figure in 10 months. Median price dropped also, to $702,750 after a yearly high of $800,000 in July.

Available inventory in Bend remained tight at just 2 months overall. Interest rates, though dropping slightly, continued to be problematic–hovering around 7%. As a result, 34% of sales in Bend were cash transactions.

27 homes (25%) sold for more than a million dollars; 8 for less than $500,000.

A Quick Market Review

The least expensive house sold in Bend in November was this 3/1, 1092 square foot fixer upper that went for $375,000 or $25,000 below list. It closed in 48 days at $343 per square foot.

Bend’s median priced home would have resembled this single level on the SW side of town. Four bedrooms and two baths, it closed in 102 days at $5000 below list price (at $411 per foot).

The luxury winner for the month (and one of two homes to sell for more than $2,000,000) was this timeless custom home in The Parks. Six bedrooms, six baths, 5509 square feet, it sat on the market for 192 days (not unusual for this price point). Originally listed at $3,895,000; it sold for $2,275,000 (ouch!).

The Most Auspicious Sale Ever!

We recently closed on our wonderful listing in The Highlands:

61664 Belmore Loop

We’re super excited for our Sellers who are moving on to a new adventure, and  happy for the Buyers who’ll be moving into one of the nicest homes in Bend.

We’re actually pretty excited ourselves as well. The home closed at $6.75M . . . the most expensive sale in Bend this year!

A Change of Pace . . . “Pura Vida”

There comes a time when even the most dedicated Realtors need to take some time off. And there are so many choices . . . we could do a “staycation” in Bend. But then I’d be complaining about the lack of good snow or the freezing golf. We could utilize the Sprinter van and visit the kids in Idaho or Washington DC; in November? Surely you jest!

Spur of the moment, we opted for Costa Rica and “Pura Vida.”

The wake up alarm at 3:00 AM was a tough one; and it was chilly for the 5:15 AM flight leaving Bend.

It was 88 degrees upon arriving in Liberia (Guanacaste Peninsula, west coast); the ocean temperature in Nosara was likewise 88 degrees . . .easy to remember!

We’re presently ensconced in a rather basic little Tico house,

just two minutes from the beach at Playa Pelada. The time seems to pass too swiftly; though I think we’ve pretty much adopted the “pura vida” philosophy. Here’s a typical  day in the life:

• Rise and shine
• Walk on the beach
• A quick swim
• Breakfast (must include gallo pinto and Lizan0)

• Read
• Casually work on tan
• Another quick swim
• Jungle walk

• Beer (Imperial) for lunch

• A short siesta
• Work on tan again (the flip side)
• Read
• Watch the sunset

• Dinner
• Read and to bed

It hasn’t been all play . . . we did visit the office of Sotheby’s Costa Rica in Nosara (perhaps the most expensive real estate in the country); met a couple of great brokers and received an excellent update on the market here. Let us know if you’d like details.

Feliz Navidad

Enjoy the holidays with family and friends and those you hold close. Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, an prosperous new year!