Housing Market Trends to Watch in 2021

As the new year opens, industry experts are busy publishing their housing market forecasts. At Evergreen, we’re keeping an eye on 2021 and what it means for our industry. Below are three trends we think are important to watch and what they mean for your business in the new year.

Home purchase demand will continue to rise. Home is more important than ever and people are reevaluating their current space. Extra space for home offices, kids learning remotely, or for new hobbies have many homebuyers wanting to move or purchase their first home.

What this means: 2020 has changed our lives and people are looking for homes to fit their new lifestyles. This could result in increased competition for homes and homebuyers should prepare by determining their budget upfront and reacting quickly to new listings (1) .

More new construction. Increasing demands for homes may result in low inventory for many markets. Low inventory could drive up home prices, making new construction homes an attractive option. Home builders may also have more opportunity as they have reduced competition with office builders and low interest rates have allowed them to purchase materials at lower costs (2).

What this means: New construction homes, especially in suburban and rural areas, may offer clients more variety and affordability in tight inventory markets. Keeping an eye on new construction opportunities could allow you to open up new markets.

Homebuyers more likely to leave urban areas

With employers extending work from home policies or making remote work permanent, many homebuyers are eyeing areas away from the office and city (2). Suburban and rural areas often offer more affordability, less density, and lower living costs.

What this means: With the ability to work remotely, homebuyers may be more willing to look outside urban areas to meet their price range. Becoming knowledgeable about suburban or rural areas with desirable amenities could help expand the selection of homes for your clients.

The forecasts predict new opportunities and we’re excited

to work with you in the upcoming year! If there’s anything

we can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

1. Source: Falcon, Julia. “Despite Low Inventory, Expect a Strong 2021 Housing Market.” HousingWire, 11 Dec. 2020.

2. Source: Fairweather, Daryl. “Redfin’s 2021 Housing Market Predictions: 10% More Home Sales.” RedFin News, 15 Dec. 2020.

 

3 Reasons Why Bend is a Hot Relocation Spot

Bend Is A Hot Relocation Spot

With the latest census numbers out from 2019, it’s no surprise that Bend’s population is higher than ever and that the city had an excellent decade of growth, with an estimated 31% increase in population within the last 10 years and around 3% growth last year alone. That’s why Bend continues to make it into the lists of the most popular cities for relocation in the United States. 

Despite the tumult of 2020, we’re still seeing a steady influx of visitors and relocators moving to Bend from other regions – and here’s why that’s important. 

1. Bend Businesses Continue to Thrive from New Customers

More people relocating to Bend for work or family reasons means more opportunities for local businesses to win new customers. Bend brands have long thrived on creating long-term loyalty with a combination of quality and embracing the innate upbeat friendliness of the region. Relocators are a valuable source of new revenue, new ideas – and in some cases, new business partners to create synergy with. 

Once these loyal customers are created, they are also more likely to tell their out-of-town friends and family about the businesses they like most or show off products that they got. This increases brand reach and is a valuable type of ambassadorship. 

2. Bend Still Thrives Even Under Pandemic Conditions

There’s another important reason moving to Bend has remained a popular option in 2020: COVID-19 has not treated many larger cities well, but Bend has several strengths that have enabled it to avoid these problems and continue to be a destination for those looking to find a new job. 

First, the city’s focus on the outdoors is particularly timely while social distancing regulations continue. It’s a lot easier and safe to plan an afternoon of open-air mountain climbing with close friends or family rather than heading to a more crowded location where chances of infection are higher. These outdoor options may not be available in larger urban areas without significant travel. Many outdoor activities in Bend also allow for easy social distancing or solo ventures, from kayaking to fishing or desert hiking. 

Second, businesses in Bend have been in some ways more fortunate that the companies in many other cities. Outdoor companies can continue to focus on Bend’s summer and winter activities without worrying too much about these activities being curtailed (and in some cases, the extra time lockdown has created has actually been a boon). The great summer weather has also meant that businesses can utilize their outdoor areas to the greatest extent possible to ensure customers stay safe while still visiting – there’s a reason food trucks have been so popular this year!

3. Bend Continues to Manage Its Development

When small cities see lots of growth over a short period of time, they can sometimes struggle to match that growth with the proper planning and development. Fortunately, Bend has shown the ability to create proper plans and room for development in accordance with needs changing over time. Rezoning locations, adding another school district, and similar changes are slowly but surely preparing the city for its new residents. 

Remember, if you want to relocate to Bend or learn more about the process, we are here to help with the latest information and services!

Millennials on the move

You don’t have to look far for stories on how young people are willing to live on a sailboat rather than in an apartment if it means affording top-dollar cities like San Francisco. These stories suggest millennials are willing to live in minivans, under someone’s staircase, or even wooden crates if it means achieving urban nirvana.But do they? While it’s true millennials are moving in droves across the U.S., they may be targeting different cities than you think. To take a closer look at their most recent migration patterns, we used 2016 census data to explore the cities and states with the youngest new residents, where millennials make up the largest populations, and the cities turning into hot spots for international audiences. Check out the latest trends below.

Most youthful residents in America

Millennials may not be moving as often as the generations before them, but when it comes to finding the right work opportunities, they’re more than willing to pack up their desks for a change of scenery. One study found 85 percent of millennials were willing to relocate for a job, and 82 percent thought being flexible with where they lived was a necessity if they wanted to be successful. Thankfully, that doesn’t always mean they have to be willing to relocate to some of America’s most expensive states. New residents moving from out of state into North Dakota had the youngest median age on average: just over 23 years old. North Dakota is one of the best states for businesses, so its strong economic climate could be a part of the draw for millennials. Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, and Nebraska also had the youngest median age range of new residents moving from out of state. And even if they aren’t quite there yet, some states are starting to trend younger compared to years past. The median age of people relocating to Louisiana was nearly 28 years old in 2016, a more than 20-month decrease from the year prior. Nebraska, Illinois, and Washington also trended younger with their newest residents.

Both ends of the age spectrum

In years past, millennials may have wanted the true “big city” experience until they realized how much it was going to cost. Now, the urban vibe is available in many more states, and businesses not being open around the clock may no longer be a drag for young people looking to relocate. Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Nashville, Tennessee – sometimes referred to as “18-hour cities”are just a few places where millennials are finding the city atmosphere (and job opportunities) they want at prices they can afford. In 2016, it was cities including Greensboro, North Carolina; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Detroit, Michigan, that had the youngest new residents ranging from 23 to 24 years old. Cities like Greensboro are known for their metropolitan energy and thriving communities – and a below-average cost of living. Other cities could be experiencing the opposite effect though. Stockton, California; Newark, New Jersey; and St. Petersburg, Florida, had the oldest new residents, ranging from 34 to 38 years old on average.

States appealing to millennials on the move

Despite skyrocketing costs of living and occasionally overcrowded living conditions, states like California, Michigan, and New York are still popular destinations for millennials on the move. But one state managed to beat them all for the highest percentage of millennial newcomers in 2016: Minnesota. It might get more than a little cold in this Midwest region, but Minnesota’s position as one of the best states in America for quality of life, a booming economic climate, and a strong metropolitan scene made it the premier destination for millennials in 2016. Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio also ranked among the most popular states for millennials recently willing to relocate.

A different type of city life

The go-to cities and states for millennials looking for job opportunities, community atmosphere, and even the scenic outdoors aren’t exclusive to a select number of overpriced locations. In reality, every corner of the country has its own pockets of younger residents who’ve helped imbue the best parts of urban life. Places like Sunnyvale, California (home to tech giants like Google and Facebook), still accounted for a vast majority of millennial relocations on the West Coast, but in the South, it’s a different situation. More than 70 percent of newcomers to Arlington, Virginia, were millennials in 2016, followed by nearly 65 percent in Newport News, Virginia, and over 61 percent in Norfolk. Virginia offers new residents plenty of opportunity for booming locals due to its quality of life and positive business growth. New Haven, Connecticut, saw more millennial movement than Boston or Jersey City, and Madison, Wisconsin, proved more popular than Minneapolis, Cincinnati, or Chicago.

Importing Talent

If there’s one industry that’s had a profound impact on migration patterns it’s technology. While the cities and states enjoying a positive influx of residents and employees have continued to expand, even immigration into the U.S. is owed in a large part to the availability of tech jobs in popular regions. Millennials coming from outside the U.S. were more likely to land in Berkeley, California, than any other city in 2016. Berkeley ”home to the University of California” is just steps away from Silicon Valley. Nearly 74 percent of new international residents moving to Berkeley were millennials. Tempe, Arizona; Omaha, Nebraska; and Durham, North Carolina, saw similar migration patterns from millennials in 2016.

Settling in, not settling down

Millennials may not be moving as often as generations before them, but they know having the best job opportunities can mean being willing to relocate – sometimes thousands of miles away. Instead of flocking to major metropolitan areas where the cost of living has exploded, though, young people are finding their urban communities in new and surprising locations.

Methodology

To compile the data used in this article, we looked at the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 population estimates. We calculated the percentage of new millennial residents by finding out the numbers of 20- to 34-year-olds relative to the entire population that moved from out of state. We considered only people who moved from out of state, exclusive of those abroad, unless otherwise noted.

Sources

This article was originally posted on Porch.com.

Meet Rob Moore and Arbor Mortgage Group

Arbor Mortgage Group was founded in 2007 in Bend, OR and is the leader of the Central Oregon mortgage industry. Rob Moore is Arbor’s co-founder and President and runs his company alongside his partner, Chris Starling. As business owners, Rob and Chris believe that in order to be the best in the industry, they need to fully understand their clients & partners. The best way to do so is to be active loan officers as well as run the business. This allows them to interact with clients and partners on a daily basis and see firsthand how the industry is behaving, what the real estate trends are and what clients are needing and wanting from their lender.

One thing that all of Arbor’s team members have in common is that they love what they do and also where they live. Several of them have relocated to Central Oregon from other cities, States and countries. This allows them to better understand their customers, as they have been in their shoes before. Moving and purchasing a home in a new area can be both exciting and confusing. Every person’s situation, background and goals are different. Arbor understands that no two houses are the same, no two clients are the same and no two mortgages are the same. With all of that uniqueness, Arbor strives to become a partner to their clients, guiding them through the home loan process and ensuring they both understand and feel comfortable with the transaction.

Since its inception, Arbor’s mission has been (and continues to be) to offer Personal, Positive & Professional service to all their clients and partners and they take great pride in doing just that. Their commitment to the Personal, Positive and Professional home loan experience is evident from the thousands of customers they have helped along the years and the increasing number of repeat clients they get.

If you are interested in purchasing a home or refinancing your existing home, reach out to Arbor Mortgage Group and one of their loan officers will be glad to help you find the right mortgage product for you and your family. Arbor offers conforming mortgages for purchase and refinances as well as FHA loans, VA loans, Oregon VA Loans, USDA Rural Loans, Jumbo Loans, Construction Loans, Homestyle Rehab Loans,  Home Equity Loans and Reverse Mortgages.

Please visit their website www.arbormg.com or call them directly at 541-323-0422.