Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as mother-in-law quarters, are popular to homeowners for multigenerational living and are often converted to rentals for additional income. This year, the housing shortage in Bend has led to a closer look at the possibility that ADUs may be used to help add affordable housing and increase density within […]
housing
Posted inNews
Portland Restaurants Come Down to Meet Housing Needs
More than 50 percent of Oregonians spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Thus, it is not surprising that affordable housing has become a hot issue from the governor’s office to the Portland Development Commission and very much so here in Bend. Even though more affordable housing is desperately needed in Portland […]
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Wood Stove Issues in Selling a Home
One of the required seller disclosure checklists most realtors go through when writing up a listing is for wood stoves. Since 1985, a certification sticker from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to indicate that the wood stove is certified. These stickers are typically on the back of […]
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Take Me Home 3/30-4/6
Subsidized Housing Proposals for Middle Class Wage Earners
Realtors see that the housing crisis is very apparent on a daily basis. Articles published on the subject of affordable housing are often based on cities much larger than Bend, but the principal causes are similar. The common problem is lack of affordable housing for lower and middle income wage earners. According to a recent […]
Posted inCulture
Take Me Home: Inclusionary Zoning in Bozeman
Last November, an affordable housing program was adopted by the Bozeman Commissioners that included requirements for a percentage of housing units in new developments to be priced at levels considered affordable. The current median price of a home listed for sale in Bozeman, Mont., is $300,000. In Bend, it’s $360,000, according to realtor.com, with a […]
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Tiny Homes
Growing popularity
What was thought to be a fad in real estate in recent years doesn’t seem to be fading in popularity. In 2015 the tiny home movement caught the imagination of the producers of the popular TV series “Portlandia.” A skit by actors Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen poked fun at tiny homes. “Everything is thought […]
Posted inCulture
Take Me Home 2/10-2/17
Good Things in Small Packages Downsizing is a popular trend manifesting right now in millennials’ and baby boomers’ penchant for smaller and alternative homes. Retirees downsizing may look to purchase a smaller home with the equity in their existing homes. Budget-conscious millennials look to smaller homes for affordability. With the two largest segments of the […]
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Save Pilot Butte supporter urges City to appeal land use decision
Supporters of Pilot Butte State Park have found themselves entangled in a land use process after learning about plans for a new apartment complex at the foot of the Butte. Because their concerns emerged after the public comment period for the development, members of the Save Pilot Butte group sought to appeal the development’s approval, […]
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Tell Us How You Really Feel: Affordable Housing
It’s not news that Bend has a seriously lack of housing—especially of the affordable variety. But not everyone is in agreement about how to address the problem. We have some opinions of our own, of course, but we want to know what you think. Take our poll below, and if you have ideas not represented […]
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An Interveiw with Gov. John Kitzhaber
Gov. Kitzhaber is the keynote speaker at Tuesday’s SuperForum at the Tower Theatre. Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber is coming to Bend early next week to address how Central Oregon can balance growth with livability. He’ll be presenting at SuperForum at the Tower Theatre 7pm Tuesday, Jan. 21. The event is sold out, but that doesn’t […]