Everything you need to know before you buy in Bend
The six-step process, honest pricing by neighborhood, and how I actually work with buyers. Written by someone who has done this in Bend since 2007, not a template.
Get the Free Buyer's GuideSix steps, start to keys
Here's exactly how the process works in Bend, from the first conversation to the day you get your keys. It's all in the guide too, so you can keep it handy.
Get pre-approved
Before you look at a single home, talk to a lender. Pre-approval tells you exactly how much you can borrow and shows sellers you’re serious. In Bend’s market, sellers pay close attention to how strong your financing is.
Get clear on what you want
Bend’s neighborhoods feel genuinely different from each other. Make a list of your non-negotiables before we start touring, so we’re not wasting your weekends.
Start looking at homes
Once we know your budget and priorities, I set up a custom search so you’re seeing new listings the moment they hit the market. In Bend, the good ones move fast.
Make a competitive offer
I pull comparable sales and help you build an offer that’s competitive without overpaying. Price matters, but so do terms: inspection timeline, closing date, and contingencies.
Inspection and due diligence
Get a home inspection. Always. This is your chance to understand exactly what you’re buying. If something is a dealbreaker, you can walk away.
Close
Once we clear inspection and appraisal, your lender finalizes the loan, you do a final walkthrough, and you sign. Accepted offer to closing typically takes 30 to 45 days.
What $600K to $1M gets you in Bend
$600K to $750K
Solid, newer single family homes in NE and SE Bend. The busiest, most competitive band in town. My Angora Ct listing drew 5 offers here and closed at $750,000.
$750K to $900K
Mountain views are possible in SW Bend, but location matters a lot at this price. On the west side, this budget mostly buys older homes and fixer-uppers, not the view.
$1M+
This is where NW Bend mountain views really live: NW Crossing, Awbrey Butte, and custom builds. Below the million mark on the west side, expect to trade the view for the location.
Numbers move with the market. Read the current read on competition or ask me for today's picture.
Discovery call first, showings second
Most agents start with a showing schedule. I start with a conversation about how you actually live, then build you a personal property portal and an intentional tour of 5 to 8 homes, not thirty. And here's the thing: I will never guide you into overbuying. No one should be house poor, and no one wants to be married to their mortgage.
More about how I workA real result, not a sales line
I listed a home at 20767 NE Angora Ct for $699,900. It received 5 offers in 5 days and closed at $750,000, 30 days later. That's the same market read and strategy I bring to every buyer I work with.
Questions I get on almost every call
How fast do I need to act as a buyer in Bend?
On a well-priced home in the $600K to $750K band, sometimes days, not weeks. On a higher-priced home or one that needs work, you generally have more room. I’ll tell you which situation a specific home is in before you write an offer.
Will prices in Bend drop so I can get a better deal?
I wouldn’t plan around a crash. Bend is a place people consistently want to live, and the supply of homes in the most desirable neighborhoods stays limited. I’d rather help you buy the right home at a fair price now with a clear strategy.
How do I choose a realtor for buying in Bend?
Pick someone who actually lives in the area they sell, will tell you what a listing photo hides, and starts with your life instead of a showing schedule. That’s exactly how I work.
Get the Bend Home Buyer’s Guide
The six-step process, honest pricing by neighborhood, and how I work with buyers. Free, no strings.
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Ready to start touring?
Tell me your budget and what matters most, and I'll build you a search that fits, not a firehose of everything on the market.