Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend, Author at The Source

Central Oregon Homes, by Design

From craftsman to mountain modern: A guide to Central Oregon home styles

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Central Oregon homes come in a wide range of styles. From historic Craftsman bungalows near downtown Bend to sleek contemporary homes designed around Cascade views, the region’s architecture reflects both its history and evolving lifestyle. But what makes a Craftsman a Craftsman? How is a ranch style different from a farmhouse? And what does “Northwest […]

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The Buyer’s Market Has Changed. Have You?

Four questions Central Oregon homebuyers should ask before making their next move

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

The Bend housing market has shifted in ways that give buyers more room to negotiate — and they’re starting to take advantage of it. More options, longer days on market and a growing willingness from sellers to negotiate have created opportunities for buyers to be more selective and strategic. But having leverage and knowing how […]

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What Does $500,000 Buy You in Central Oregon

How far can your budget go—and what kind of Central Oregon lifestyle does it buy?

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend August 30, 2026August 28, 2026

If you have $500,000 to spend on a home in Central Oregon, the biggest question may not be whether you can afford to live here. It may be where you want to live. The same $500,000 budget can buy dramatically different properties—and lifestyles—depending on which community you choose. Using year-to-date data from local FlexMLS, including […]

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The House You Want Has a Price. Your Lifestyle Does, Too.

Buying a home is about more than what you can afford. It’s about what you’re willing to give up to own it.

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend August 14, 2026August 17, 2026

Buying a home has always involved compromise. Maybe the house has the perfect kitchen but a less-than-perfect backyard. Maybe the location is ideal, but the square footage isn’t quite what you had in mind. Increasingly, buyers are facing a different question: How much house can I afford without letting the house dictate how I live? […]

Business News

The Psychology Behind Home Prices

Why a single dollar can change how buyers search, sellers price, and homes are perceived.

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend July 31, 2026August 2, 2026

If you’ve spent any time browsing homes in Central Oregon, you’ve probably noticed something strange. A surprising number of listings stop just short of the next major price point—$599,000, $799,000, $999,000. It’s almost as if every Realtor collectively agreed that round numbers are off-limits. Of course, that’s not actually what’s happening. The truth is that […]

Business News

Is Real Estate Becoming Too Digital?

Technology has made buying and selling a home easier than ever — but has it also made genuine expertise harder to recognize?

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend July 20, 2026July 19, 2026

Technology has transformed nearly every aspect of buying and selling a home — and in many ways, that’s a good thing. Buyers can browse hundreds of listings from their couch, tour homes virtually, sign contracts from their phone and receive an instant estimate of their home’s value with just a few clicks. According to the […]

Business News

The Mid-Year Checkup: Bend Real Estate in 2026

Sales are up, prices have softened, and today’s market continues to reward patience over urgency

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend July 8, 2026July 1, 2026

As the celebration of America’s 250th birthday fades into the background and more people begin floating down the Deschutes each afternoon, one thing is certain — we’ve officially reached the halfway point of 2026. That also means it’s time to see what the first six months of Bend’s real estate market have revealed. After a […]

Business News

Real Estate Is Still a People Business

From home searches to marketing strategies, artificial intelligence is transforming the real estate industry—but local knowledge, trust, and human connection still matter most

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend June 19, 2026June 18, 2026

Unless you’ve been avoiding the internet for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that artificial intelligence is everywhere. From customer service chatbots to content creation and personal assistants, AI is reshaping how people work, communicate, and access information. Real estate is no exception. Buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals are incorporating AI into their […]

Business News

The Season of Selling

Why summer remains one of the best times to list a home in Central Oregon

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend June 9, 2026June 7, 2026

Summer is more than a season of sunshine and outdoor recreation in Central Oregon — it’s also one of the busiest times of year for real estate. While homes sell throughout the year, summer has long been considered one of the strongest seasons for homeowners looking to maximize their property’s appeal and attract motivated buyers. […]

Business News

What Actually Causes Mortgage Rates to Move?

Inflation, bond markets, consumer spending and investor confidence all play a larger role in mortgage rates than most people realize

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend May 22, 2026May 21, 2026

If you’ve followed the housing market over the last few years (or even the last few weeks), you’ve probably heard some version of this sentence: “Mortgage rates went up because of the economy.” While technically true, that explanation doesn’t tell the full story. Mortgage rates are influenced by several moving parts at once, and many […]

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