Real estate partners Ryan Buccola and Greg Fischer dissect the wild state of the economy and Bend's housing market, exploring why rate-affected industries have felt recessionary for nearly two years while other sectors are just now feeling the squeeze. They dig into Bend's affordability crisis—where $9 pita chips symbolize broader cost-of-living challenges—and discuss how sellers sitting on 3% mortgages are burning through equity while the market separates serious real estate professionals from part-timers. The conversation tackles everything from AI hype versus real automation to what 2026 might hold for Central Oregon, acknowledging that while Bend's outdoor lifestyle remains appealing, the community faces serious questions about sustaining affordability for both longtime residents and newcomers.
