Take Me Home Archives - The Source

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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Think You Can’t Afford to Buy a Home? You Might Be Surprised.

Have you actually looked at what you qualify for?

by Megan Hunt Broker REMAX Key Properties August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

I hear the same thing from potential homebuyers all the time: “I’d love to buy, but interest rates are too high.” Or: “I just don’t have enough saved for a down payment.” And my response is usually the same: Have you actually looked at what you qualify for? Because you might be surprised. With rental […]

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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? […]

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Women Homebuyers

Why winter in Bend makes sense

by Karen Malanga, Kristin Marshall & Jonny Malanga Brokers RE/MAX Key Properties & NestBend November 26, 2025November 30, 2025

Something’s shifted in real estate over the past few years. Women, especially single women, are buying homes at rates that would’ve been unthinkable a generation ago. In 2024, single women made up about 20% of all buyers, while single men accounted for only 8%. Among first-time homebuyers, nearly one in four buyers is a single […]

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When Should You Sell?

Timing Your Sale for Maximum Return

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend November 21, 2025November 20, 2025

The number one question most people ask when they’re considering selling their home is, “When should we sell?” The long-standing belief is that summer is the prime season — but what does the data actually show? To get a clear answer, I focused on three key statistics: % of Original List Price Received, Average Days […]

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Bend’s True Property Value: Its People

Bend’s beauty is from laughter, music and conversations

by Will Hubbard, Broker, REMAX Key Properties November 14, 2025November 16, 2025

With the chaos of the world accessible at our fingertips, it’s easy to get detached from what is right in front of us, something special. We don’t just enjoy the mountains, the Deschutes and the public lands that surround us, we also benefit from those who bind us together. Built by locals, newcomers and everyone […]

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Bend’s Still on Top

Adventure, safety and small-town charm define Bend

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend October 24, 2025October 25, 2025

Most of us already know why people move to Bend—because at one point, we did the same thing. But why does it continue to top Oregon’s “best places to live” lists, and yet not a single Oregon city appears in U.S. News‘ Top 275? Back in 2000, Bend’s population was 52,029. A decade later, it […]

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What Kind of Snow Falls on Your Dream Home?

How Central Oregon’s winter magic reflects the homes we love

by Karen Malanga, Broker RE/MAX Key Properties October 17, 2025October 19, 2025

When winter arrives in Central Oregon, no two snowfalls are quite the same, just like no two homes. From powder snow dusting Cascade Mountain cabins to glistening hoarfrost on Tumalo ranch properties, the type of snow that settles around a home says everything about the lifestyle it offers. Powder Snow: The Adventurer’s Haven Light and […]

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The Cost of Overpricing Your Home

Want to sell your home fast? Price it right

by Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend October 1, 2025September 30, 2025

If you’ve ever sold real estate — or really anything — you’ve probably been warned about the importance of listing at the right price. But what do the actual numbers say, and what’s the reasoning behind it? In August, single-family homes in Bend sold for an average of 94.1% of their original list price — […]

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Don’t Let These Three Clauses Confuse You

A guide to Oregon’s purchase and sale agreement

by James Keane, Licensed broker RE/MAX Key Properties September 18, 2025September 11, 2025

When buying a home here in Oregon, there are several agreements, addendums and the like that are required to complete the purchase and sale of a particular property. The centerpiece of every transaction is the Purchase and Sale Agreement, a document designed to protect both parties and ensure a smooth closing. Yet, over the years, […]

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