2024 Festivals & Events in Bend

Here’s a list of some of our favorite upcoming Bend events and festivals in 2024 and beyond.

Check out the Bend Event Calendar for all events and concerts happening at the Old Mill District and around Central Oregon.

48th Annual SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle

The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is thrilled to announce the 48th Annual SELCO Pole, Pedal, Paddle returns Saturday, May 18, 2024! This year, after participants ski or ride down Mt. Bachelor, don Nordic skis for a loop, cruise down to town on bikes, run along the Deschutes River, then paddle and sprint, they’ll make their way to the new finish line in Riverbend Park.

The SELCO Pole, Pedal, Paddle, or PPP, as the locals affectionately call it, has become a beloved tradition in our community. It’s a day where friends and families come together to celebrate the transition from winter to spring in true Central Oregon style. Combining a few of our favorite sports – skiing, biking, running, paddling – the PPP offers something for everyone in a relay-style race that showcases the incredible recreation opportunities in our backyard.

The PPP is a day where adventure, sports, and community come together in a remarkable way. More details can be found at www.pppbend.com. Hope to see you at the starting line!

Bend Handmade Market

The inaugural Bend Handmade Market debuts downtown Bend June 8! Folks will find 100 makers and artists selling handmade goods. For those of you who have never been to an Urban Craft Uprising show, their events feature handcrafted goods including jewelry, housewares, clothing, toys, art, bath & body products, paper goods, fiber arts, candles, and so much more!

4 Peaks Music Festival

One of Bend’s favorite music and art festivals, 4 Peaks, is set to return to June 20-23, 2024. The icing on top – it’s going to be back at the beautiful Stevenson Ranch! This year’s headliners include Neal Francis, ALO, and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. Plus, the family-friendly festival offers yoga with Nicole Baumann, a silent disco, kidlandia, and a silent band experience with Call Down Thunder. Previous headliners include the likes of The Wood Brothers, Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Greensky Bluegrass, Molly Tuttle, Nahko and Medicine for the People, The Infamous Stringdusters and Los Lobos, among many others!

Big Ponderoo Music Festival

Looking for a music fest where your own chair, grab a beer in less than 10 minutes, and make friends with the people sitting around you? Where you had enough space to bust a move? Hello Big Ponderoo, set for June 29-30, 2024 in beautiful Sisters, Oregon. 

At Big Ponderoo, Central Oregon’s new early-summer American and bluegrass festival, small-town charm meets world-class live music for an unforgettable, warm, and personal festival experience. The Brothers Comatose, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Hogslop String Band, and Bella White are just a few of the artists that have confirmed for 2024 for this second-year festival brought to you by the folks at Sisters Folk Festival. 

Bend Summer Festival

The Bend Summer Festival, which is set for July 12-14 in 2024, draws more than 75,000 visitors with fine food, libations, artists and two stages of live music. Attendees stroll through more than 150 fine artist booths, food vendors and the Bend Business Showcase.

Fairwell Festival

Say hello to a high desert getaway filled with three days, three stages, and 36+ performances highlighting the sounds of folk, blues, rock, country and soul. We’re talking Billy Strings, CAAMP, Brandi Carlile, Black Pumas, Ryan Bingham, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The War and Treaty, Adeem the Artist, and so many more amazing artists right here at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center!

Cascade Equinox Festival

4 Peaks Music Festival and Gem and Jam’s inaugural Cascade Equinox music and arts festival was such a success in 2023 they are bringing it back! Save to date, and come experience live music, interactive art, community yoga, nourishing food vendors, amusement rides and so much more. This year’s electronic music-leaning headliners include Clozee, STS9, Jungle, Mark Rebillet, Liquid Stranger, John Craigie & Shook Twins, and more!

Sisters Folk Festival 

Sisters Folk Festival, where “All The Town’s A Stage,” is an immersive experience in music and community. It is an intimate, multi-genre festival that puts great artists on seven stages throughout the charming mountain town of Sisters, Oregon. The 2024 festival is set for Sept. 27-29.

Founded in 1996 and with 26 years of unforgettable festivals behind us, Sisters Folk Festival is where a small town, friendly vibe meets world-class musicians and production in a picturesque setting.  We are proud to bring high profile and lesser-known artists, songwriters, and bands together to perform in intimate settings, including expansive tents, a historic church, and courtyard venues at local restaurants. 

At SFF we have a long-standing history of cultivating a listening atmosphere, combined with an understanding that folks need to have a good time. Attendees can expect a unique and transformative festival experience beyond fantastic live music.

Bend Brewfest October 4-5, 2024

Central Oregon’s largest craft beer festival is set to return to the Hayden Homes Amphitheater Oct. 4-5, 2024!

“The Bend Brewfest is back home,” said Beau Eastes, the Old Mill District’s Marketing Director. “We’re confident the festival will be better than ever while staying true to what local craft beer enthusiasts have come to expect and enjoy, and we hope this festival gets some delicious, creative juices flowing at breweries all over the Pacific Northwest.”

In years past, the  event has attracted more than 40,000 fans and included more than 70 vendors serving up 200 beers, ciders, wines and other fermented beverages like hard seltzers. The October dates will hopefully make the festival easier for craft beer aficionados to attend with the event moved outside of Bend’s busier summer months. Come October, they’re going to have a huge, thirsty crowd eagerly waiting to see what they’ve come up with. We cannot wait. 

Read more at OldMillDistrict.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

• Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Your Own Space: Tips for Infusing Your Personality Into Your Home

Your home is a reflection of who you are. No matter what you like, it's exciting to infuse your personality into every aspect of it.

From the décor, to the furniture, to the little details—everything should make you feel right at home. In this guide, we'll share some tips on how you can add your own personal touch to your living space and make it truly yours. So grab a cup of tea, put on your favorite tunes and get started!

Adding Personality to Your Décor
One of the easiest ways to infuse your personality into your home is through your décor. Whether you prefer bold colors, quirky art pieces or cozy textures—there are endless ways to add touches of your personality to your living space. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Mix and Match
Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles, colors and patterns in your home décor. This will give your space an eclectic and unique look that reflects your individual style. For example, you can mix vintage pieces with modern furniture or incorporate different cultural elements into your décor. The key is to have fun and be creative!

Display Personal Items
Showcasing items that hold special meaning to you is a great way to add personality to your home. It could be anything from family photos, travel souvenirs or even vintage finds. Not only will these items add a personal touch to your décor, but they will also serve as great conversation starters for when guests come over.

DIY Projects
Get crafty and create your own unique décor pieces. Not only will this add personal touches to your space, but it's also a fun and fulfilling activity. You can make anything from wall hangings to throw pillows to custom artwork. The possibilities are endless and you'll have a one-of-a-kind home that truly reflects your creativity and personality.

If you have little ones, get them involved in infusing their own personality into their space. Create a photo collage using pictures of their favorite memories or drawings, or make personalized decorations like paper garlands or hand-painted vases. They could have a lot of fun designing and decorating their own space, such as a reading nook or play area.

Making Your Furniture Stand Out
Your furniture is not just functional, it's also an opportunity to showcase your personal style. Here are some ideas to make your furniture truly yours:

Reupholster
Give new life to old furniture by reupholstering them with fabrics and patterns that reflect your personality. This is a budget-friendly way to make your furniture stand out and add a personal touch.

Incorporate Bold Colors
Don't be afraid to incorporate bold colors into your furniture pieces. Whether it's through a statement piece like a bright red couch or through smaller accents like colorful throw pillows, adding pops of color will instantly bring personality to your home.

Get Creative With Storage
If you have the space, consider using unconventional items like vintage trunks or bookshelves as storage solutions. This not only adds character to your space but also reflects your personal style. Plus, it's a great way to repurpose old items and give them new life.

The Little Details Matter
It's often the little details that make a big impact when it comes to infusing personality into your home. Here are some ideas to add those finishing touches:

Lighting
Choose lighting fixtures that reflect your style, whether it's modern and sleek or vintage and whimsical. You can also add string lights, fairy lights or candles for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Textiles
From curtains to rugs to throw blankets, textiles are a great way to add texture and personality to your home. Don't be afraid to mix and match different patterns and textures for a unique look.

Plants
Bringing in some greenery not only adds life to your space, but it also reflects your love for nature. Succulents, cacti and houseplants are all great options and require minimal maintenance.

Scent
Scent is a powerful way to set the mood in your home. Invest in scented candles, diffusers or essential oils that reflect your preferred scent and create a cozy atmosphere. 

Don't Forget the Yard
Your outdoor space is an extension of your home and also a great opportunity to add personal touches. Consider adding a garden with your favorite flowers or incorporating outdoor furniture that reflects your style. Add personalized stepping stones in the garden made from Stepping Bluestone by your favorite plants. You can also hang string lights or set up a fire pit for cozy gatherings with friends and family.

Share Your Story
One of the best ways to infuse your personality into your home is by sharing your story through your décor and furniture. Do you have a favorite travel destination? Display souvenirs or photos from that place in your home. Do you have a hobby or interest? Incorporate elements of it into the design of your space. By sharing pieces of your story, you'll not only add personality to your home but also create a space that is uniquely yours.

Infusing your personality into your home is all about creating a space that reflects who you are and what you love. From your décor to the little details, there are endless ways to add personal touches and make your home truly yours. We hope these tips have inspired you to create a living space that is a true reflection of your unique personality. So go ahead and get creative—your home should be a place that brings you joy and comfort every day. And don't forget to share your story through your design choices!

Read more at Rismedia.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Can You Offer Less on a House? How To Lowball and Negotiate Like a Pro

Most house hunters hope to find that hidden gem: a great house listed at a low price.

While that occasionally happens, it is more common for buyers to try to create their own discount by making a lowball house offer. But that bargain-hunter’s strategy can backfire.

A lowball offer, or an offer price that’s significantly lower than the listing price, is often rejected by sellers who feel insulted by the buyers’ disregard for their property. Most listing agents try to get their sellers to at least enter negotiations with buyers, to counteroffer with a number a little closer to the list price.

However, if a seller is offended by a buyer or isn’t taking the buyer seriously, there’s not much you, or the real estate agent, can do.

Offering less on a house

However, as a buyer, you can take steps to increase the likelihood that your low offer will be accepted, or at least increase the chances that negotiations can take place.

Before you make an offer at all, you should be thoughtful about your goals. If you love the house and truly want to buy it, don’t submit an offer that’s too low. Be honest about what kind of mortgage you can afford and how much the house is worth. If you’re not sure, you can ask your real estate agent if the house is fairly priced, or if it would be reasonable to come in at a lower number. You can still offer the sellers a low price, but you don’t want to scare them away or give them an opportunity to accept an offer from another buyer.

However, if you’re interested in grabbing a bargain and becoming a homeowner for financial reasons (and are less invested in which house you own), a low offer could be the right option for you. Consider making an offer that hovers 25% below the asking price—and see what happens.

1. Stay updated on current market conditions

You and your real estate agent should be discussing the local real estate market throughout your house search so that you can recognize the value of individual homes. If your local market is a seller’s market with competition for homes, you are much less likely to have a lowball offer accepted than if buyers have the upper hand. However, in any kind of real estate market, a house that has been listed for sale for several months is more likely to have owners willing to negotiate a lower price.

It’s important to know the real estate market and do your research. A seller might be thrilled to get your low offer in one market, but might be more likely to go back and forth on price when more people are interested in home buying. You don’t want to be stuck making counteroffer after counteroffer when there are multiple people interested in the home. If you lowball the sellers, they might end up selling the house to other buyers and you’ll be looking elsewhere for your new home.

2. Be respectful of sellers

Even if you think the sellers have overpriced their property or have let it fall into disrepair, it is important to treat them with respect and follow the protocol of your local real estate market.

After all, this is the sellers’ home, perhaps the place where they have raised their family. They may be selling because circumstances are forcing them to sell, rather than by choice.

A low offer may be upsetting to the sellers, but if you and your real estate agent present the offer along with an expression of your appreciation for the property, it’s more likely to be accepted than a low offer accompanied by a half-complete contract or an insult about the property’s condition.

3. Have your agent contact the listing agent

To depersonalize the negotiations, it is best to have your real estate agent and the listing agent discuss your offer, but your agent can do more by talking to the listing agent even before you make an offer.

Your agent should also find out as much as possible about the sellers: why they are selling and whether they have turned down other offers. This can be helpful regardless of whether you intend to make a lowball offer or contemplate a higher offer.

4. Have your financing in order

Sellers are rightfully concerned about getting to the settlement of any offer they accept, so your offer should be accompanied by a pre-approval letter from a lender along with an earnest money deposit. The higher your deposit and your promised down payment, the more likely the sellers are to take your offer seriously. In fact, if you can make an all-cash offer, you are even more likely to succeed.

Keep this in mind: Having your finances in order also includes making the right decisions for yourself and your bank account. That is, make sure you can afford the mortgage for the house you like. If you think you could end up in trouble with your lender a few months or years down the road, take a step back. If you offered to waive the home inspection but are praying there are no issues with the house (because you know you can’t afford major repairs), maybe rethink this sale before going into escrow.

Yes, the seller may have multiple offers and you may end up back on the house hunting trail. But, it’s better to keep looking for a house you can afford than to default on your mortgage and end up in trouble with your lender.

5. Eliminate as many contingencies as possible

If you are making a lowball offer price for the home, you might consider keeping the contingencies to a minimum. With a steal of a price, you probably shouldn’t expect to have the sellers make repairs or to convey additional items to you, such as their window treatments. You should still have a home inspection, but you may want an information-only inspection if you anticipate making any repairs yourself.

If the sellers are already letting their house go for a bargain, you don’t want to complicate the sale with a bunch of contingencies. It’s important to find out what you should expect to repair, and the costs, but you should generally expect to get the house as is.

Keep in mind that a low offer is not always the right offer to make. In fact, you need to be prepared to lose the house if your offer is too low. Sometimes the market isn’t in your favor and the sellers will stand firm on the list price.

However, if you can make a low offer respectfully, in the context of your local market, you could end up with the bargain home of your dreams.

Read more at Realtor.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Just Listed: Discover Luxury Living at Juniper Preserve!

Welcome to Paradise at the coveted Juniper Preserve!

This spacious, 4296sf home includes 4 bedroom suites (2 up, 2 down) with 2 additional 1/2 baths. Luxury kitchen with Tiger Maple cabinets, walk-in pantry and Wolf appliances. Enjoy stunning floor to ceiling views of the water and Cascade Mountains from the Great Room with stackable patio doors opening to your backyard oasis. Dining area also opens to the expansive back patio where you’ll find the covered full outdoor kitchen - built in BBQ, wine fridge and mini fridge/freezer, dishwasher, side sun shades, hidden pop up TV and sunken fire pit, all overlooking the water and beyond! Another patio entrance adjacent to the hot tub leads to the large primary bedroom and sitting area, exquisite bathroom with shower and ample closet. Upstairs suites boast incredible mountain views - one with private balcony! A large bonus room completes the upstairs retreat - don’t miss the huge storage space or potential bunk room above the garage!

Listed by Ryan Fisher + Jenelle Brewer for West + Main Homes. Please contact Ryan for current pricing + availability.

 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(303) 935-8787
hello@westandmain.com

Presented by:
Ryan Fisher + Jenelle Brewer
Ryan: 541-598-6375
Jenelle: 541-350-4187
Ryanf@westandmainoregon.com
jenelle@westandmainoregon.com

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These home remodeling projects offer the highest return on investment in history, report finds

Home renovation activity may have cooled somewhat compared with its pandemic-era frenzy, but homeowners are still investing in their spaces, particularly as the spring housing market heats up.

And when it comes to the return on investment, some projects now offer the highest return values in history — with a few home upgrades averaging returns of nearly 200% for the first time ever — according to the 2024 Cost vs. Value report from Zonda Media, a housing market research and analytics firm.

Garage door replacements offered the highest average return at 194%, followed by upgrading to a steel front door, with a 188% return on investment — both worth nearly double what they were last year, the report found. 

Curb appeal is key

Forget a designer chef’s kitchen, the projects offering the greatest returns in resale value are mostly related to curb appeal rather than more glamorous kitchen and bath remodels, according to Zonda’s report.

In fact, nine out of the top 10 projects with the highest return on investment were exterior improvement projects, the report found.

“When it comes to adding resale value to a home, exterior replacement projects continue to make the most sense,” Clay DeKorne, chief editor of Zonda’s JLC Group, said in a statement.

However, with rising costs for construction labor and building materials, not everyone will get their money’s worth in improved home value.

Only three projects on Zonda’s list can typically deliver even a 100% return on investment, including replacing the garage doors, upgrading to a steel front door and installing a stone veneer.

“Discretionary projects like an upscale bathroom or kitchen remodel will feel valuable to those who make the selections but won’t provide nearly as much return to sellers,” DeKorne said.

A minor kitchen remodel — such as painting and updating the backsplash — did provide high returns, at 96% of costs recouped. But major upscale kitchen and bathroom remodels did not, the Zonda survey found, with returns of 38% and 45%, respectively.

‘Un-sexy upgrades are more important’

With high home prices and a tight supply of homes for sale, sellers need to be especially strategic in their efforts to attract the buyers willing to pay top dollar in today’s market, according to Todd Tomalak, Zonda’s principal of building products research.

Further, financing renovations or improvements with a home equity loan or home equity line of credit have gotten more expensive along with the Federal Reserve’s string of 11 rate hikes since 2022, including four last year.

“A new garage door or new entry door can make a pronounced difference,” Tomalak said. “It could be the thing that makes one house stand out against all the others, making the home worth a higher price.”

To get the best bang for your buck, talk to a realtor in your area about specific renovations that may increase the value of your home and which ones to skip, the CNBC article advised.

Read more at CNBC.com

Related Links

• The decision to sell your home vs. rent it out is ‘complicated,’ experts say — what to know

• Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

• What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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