The festival will feature a wide array of local food vendors, as well as live music from local favorites The Moon Mountain Ramblers and Portland’s Jack Straw.

The Little Woody will take place Labor Day Weekend, September 3 from 5 -10pm and September 4 from 12pm -10pm. Tasting packages will be available and will include a commemorative glass and tasting tickets. See you there!

                          

Copperstone is a small neighborhood of about 34 townhomes adjacent to Awbrey Glen Golf Club located in Northwest Bend, Oregon. A fun neighborhood, you will see lots of outdoor living, patio parties and soirees throughout the summer.

Nearby Quail Park gives families easy access to play equipment, including a basketball court, and groomed barked trails up into the trees. I often walk my dog Boomer in the afternoon here and watch the children play, the dogs chase balls and moms reading books in the filtered sun.

The Copperstone neighborhood is conveniently located across from the Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University Cascades campus.  Students attend High lakes Elementary, Cascade Middle School and Summit High School in the Bend-LaPine School District.

The current market is very stable and has only one property currently on the market and two solds in 2010. Click here to learn more about those properties.

To learn more about Copperstone or any other neighborhoods in Bend, call Martha at 541.815.8300.

                          

Bend had the largest year-to-year drop in housing prices among U.S. metro areas for the second consecutive quarter, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Between the second quarter of 2009 and the same period this year, housing prices depreciated 18.59 percent in the Bend Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Deschutes County. That was the worst of all 303 MSAs the agency measured nationally.

Housing prices in Bend today are a far cry from where they were during the housing boom. Bend had the highest appreciation rate in the U.S. in 2006, topping out at about 36 percent on a year-to-year basis in the second quarter.

On a quarterly basis this year, prices dropped 2.16 percent during the second quarter of 2010 that ended June 30 from the first quarter. During the first quarter, prices dropped 4 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Oregon had the 16th highest depreciation, dropping 3.51 percent from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter this year. Prices rose from the first quarter, however, up 0.46 percent.

The data are based on a housing price index calculated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency that takes into account all purchases and refinanced mortgages.

                          

Sunrise Village is a Bend, Oregon gated neighborhood of approximately 180 single family homes located just off Century Drive on the road to Mt. Bachelor.  I call Sunrise Village a very classic “understated” neighborhood where neighbors enjoy privacy, nature, and many homes overlook the Deschutes River and the others view the Cascades to the West!

Consistently large lots the landscaping character is very “natural” and suited to the ponderosa trees and walking trails.  Neighborhood amenities include swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as access to hiking and biking trails along the Deschutes River.  Sunrise  village is near the Athletic Club of Bend and is convenient to shopping and dining on Bend’s Westside. Students attend William E. Miller Elementary School, Cascade Middle School and Summit High School in the Bend-LaPine School District.

If you’re ready to embrace the natural surroundings of Sunrise Village, call me at 541.815.8300 so I can help you find your next home or tell you what your home will sell for in today’s market!

Martha Hendrick is a real estate expert in Bend, Oregon, specializing in the neighborhoods of Northwest Crossing, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, the Parks, and Broken Top. For property listings and information about Bend visit hendrick.com.

                          

1261 NW West Hills
Price: $349,900

Check out this classic ranch traditional located in historic Bend, Oregon.
Classic Ranch traditional in Historic Bend! Located just around the corner from Hillside Park, this 3 bedroom/2 bath home features a hardwood floors, two-car garage, three fireplaces and a walk out basement partially complete with a bathroom, laundry and family room with fireplace. The property sits on a .33 acre beautifully-maintained fenced landscaped yard with mature trees. NOT A SHORT SALE!

For more information call Martha at 541.815.8300. To see all my real estate listings in Bend, Oregon visit Hendrick.com.

                          

Held at the Les Schwab Amphitheater on Friday, August 20 from 4-11pm and Saturday, August 21 from noon-11 pm, the festival features great food and lots of fantastic beer. Over fifty distinct craft beers will be available for public tasting. This is a festival where the focus is on tasting and enjoying fine craft beers.

Admission to the Brewfest is free. A one-time purchase of a souvenir mug is required for tasting. Tasting tokens are required for beer purchase and only cost $1 each!

                          

Sounds simple, but it can be a complicated and emotional fraught process. In order to fully understand short sales and to know if it’s the right solution for you and your family, here are 9 of the most common myths about short sales in Bend, Oregon:

Myth #1 – The Bank Does Not Want to Help Me and Would Rather Foreclose than to be Hassled with a Short Sale

This is probably the most common misconception about foreclosures. The fact is that your bank truly does not want to foreclose on your property because process is expensive and takes a long time. Through the HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program) the banks, investors and the federal government have all expressed their willingness to consider a short sale deal if the person qualifies.

Short Sale Qualifications Include:

1. Financial Hardship – This is a situation causing you difficulties in affording your mortgage. A hardship can include, but is not limited to: job loss or an out of area transfer, divorce, illness affecting you or someone in your immediate family, being called to active duty in a military unit.

2. Monthly Income Shortfall – “More Month than Money”. You must show you lender that you currently cannot, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.

3. Insolvency – You do not have significant liquid assets that could be used towards paying your mortgage down.

Myth #2 – You Must Have Missed a Mortgage Payment to Qualify For a Short Sale

This may have been true in the past; however, lenders today want to see a verifiable hardship, current monthly cash flow shortfalls, or approaching shortfalls and insolvency.

If you meet these three requirements and you think you will become unable to pay your mortgage before long, it is important for you to act immediately. Once the foreclosure stopwatch starts your options become more limited.

Myth #3 – I Do Not Have Enough Time Before My Foreclosure Date to Negotiate a Short Sale

This is probably the most damaging myth to the homeowner. Foreclosure is a process, and you do have time to make key decisions that could produce a better ending for you and your family.

The foreclosure can sometimes be stalled up to the day of the foreclosure if you take action. Most all lenders will stall a foreclosure on a property if there is a legitimate executed sales agreement. Some lenders will even stall a foreclosure by simply providing information showing you are earnestly trying to sell the property. Hiring a real estate professional who is educated and experienced in the short sale and foreclosure process is key.

Myth #4 – Listing My Property as a Short Sale is Embarrassing

It is completely understandable to have reservations about letting people know that your home is worth less than you owe. However, recent estimates show that one in eight homeowners in the United States are currently in the same situation as your family and over 70% never contact a real estate professional for help before losing their property to foreclosure.

Locally, short sales are not publicly recorded through the Realtors multiple listing service, so many short sales occur with only the parties that are privy to the transaction ever knowing that the homeowner ever faced financial distress and hardship.

Myth #5 – Banks are Not Accepting Short Sales and are Waiting for Another Bailout

Today, the reality is that the US government and lenders are willing to do anything they can to avoid foreclosing on properties. More banks are actively and aggressively pursuing short sales and they want to work with Realtors who understand them. Freddie Mac recently stated their organizational goal of “eliminating distressed assets through modification or short sale”. Furthermore, banks are working hard to improve the short sale process internally, making it easier for agents and homeowners to work with them and to navigate through the short sale process.

Myth #6 – Buyers and Buyers-Agents are Avoiding Short Sale Properties

In today’s real estate market, “short sales” are synonymous with “good deals”. Modern buyers are eager to get the best deal available to them today. Short sales are increasingly being priced even better than foreclosures, and buyers are taking note. Listing your property with a Realtor who is educated and experienced in the short sale process will increase your chances of successfully avoiding foreclosure.

Short Sales are new to many people, including many Realtors, but I have a wide range of experience helping Bend, Oregon families sell their home through Short Sale. If you, or someone you know, would like a free consultation don’t hesitate to call me at 541.815.8300.

                          

While this is truly a historic time to buy, according to the article “these low rates have failed to spark home sales, which have plummeted this summer as the economy remains weak and credit standards stay tight. Applications to refinance home loans have grown but remain well short of a massive refinancing boom.”

My two cents: While the rates are unbeatable, the answer to “Is this the best time to buy?” is always going to be “It depends.” If you find your dream home is within your reach, then yes, with these rates now would be a great time to buy. But it has to be a great time for you, not just for the rates. Don’t buy if you’re not ready just because you worry about the rates going back up. On the other hand, people ask if they should wait for prices to go lower? Maybe, maybe not. But remember, it’s better to get your dream house a week early than to make an offer a week late when it is already sold.

Martha Hendrick is a real estate expert in Bend, Oregon, specializing in the neighborhoods of Northwest Crossing, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, the Parks, and Broken Top. For property listings and information about Bend visit hendrick.com.

                          

Munch & Music is over, but if you are looking for something to do with the kids in Bend, Oregon’s Northwest Crossing then Munch & Movies picks up right where we left off with new family friendly festivities every Friday night in August.

The event officially starts at 6:00pm every Friday night with live performances by local musicians. Movies will begin at dusk and there will be a brief intermission. There will be dinner food, dessert, and kettle korn available from one of many restaurants on site. Come and enjoy free films on the big screen ranging from classic horror, unsurpassed comedy, moving drama and exciting action.

The movies are:

• August 13: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• August 20: Monsters vs. Aliens
• August 27: Up
• September 3: The Wizard of Oz

All very family-friendly, and the movies all show on a big 40 by 20-foot screen.

They all take place at Compass Park in Northwest Crossing. Be sure to come early to find a good parking spot, and bring a coat as the nights can get chilly. See you there!

Martha Hendrick is a real estate expert in Bend, Oregon, specializing in the neighborhoods of Northwest Crossing, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, the Parks, and Broken Top. For property listings and information about Bend visit hendrick.com.

                          

You will immediately notice the immaculate streetscape and groomed landscaping with the Cascade mountains looming behind the growing neighborhood, which has mixed styles of both craftsman and contemporary style homes and features a swimming pool, many parks and covered pavilions.

A reasonable HOA fee of $108 per month ensures that everyone has the pleasure of enjoying a community where the pride of ownership shows—adults and children alike playing soccer—tossing balls to those dogs—children laughing-and smiles all around.

One of the reasons so many of my clients like The Parks at Broken Top is the fact that it indeed is a mixture of demographics—young families with children, active retirees, some vacation homes and retired couples who live near their grandchildren and can walk them to the swimming pool and parks! Students attend William E. Miller Elementary School, Cascade Middle School and Summit High School in the Bend-LaPine School District. Here’s a little video to give you a small taste of the neighborhood:

Why is it time to buy?  When this neighborhood was first developed—the market was at its peak and some families simply could not stretch their budget to move up to the Parks.

But now, thanks to the recent correction, The Parks at Broken Top is an active market, both sustainable and very affordable—today!

There are currently only six active homes available for purchase (from $249,900 up to $599,999) and over the last year 16 homes have sold and closed (not including two recent pending sales).

If you’re ready to “move on up” to The Parks and enjoy the lifestyle that fits your family, call Martha at 541.815.8300 to help you find your next home or tell you what your home will sell for in today’s market!

Martha Hendrick is a real estate expert in Bend, Oregon, specializing in the neighborhoods of Northwest Crossing, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, the Parks, and Broken Top. For property listings and information about Bend visit hendrick.com.