I'm going to make a few guesses about what's happening with the house sales in Bend.

1.) All the Open Houses on the west side, and the lack of Open Houses on the east side. Could it be that people on the east side have bought houses with the intent of actually living in them? That they weren't swayed by the 'status' of living on the west side and instead were picking houses for their livibility? Or that they are more humble means and can't afford to play the real estate game, and that those who are so inclined are all on the west side?

2.) Median prices being so high. Obviously, higher priced houses are selling. I know in sports cards that I sell the higher end expensive boxes at a time when sports card sales are at an all time low.

3.) Prices not coming down. I know that with my product, there comes a time when prices and sales get frozen. When things don't sell any better at lower prices than they do at higher prices, and that the inherent price of production is so high that replacement costs are higher than the price you sell. Prices get stuck. Liquidity suffers. You wait for that one guy who really wants it.

Just some thoughts from a retailer.