Did you know that we have a Discovery West YouTube channel? There, you’ll find all kinds of in-depth, easy-to-consume information about our Bend Oregon neighborhood, including a new video covering the home buying process for the community. Our model is a bit different than other new neighborhoods, and there’s a reason: it brings diversity and character to Discovery West, helping to fulfil our vision for a “beautiful life.”
In this new video, Inez Martin, principal broker for Harcourts The Garner Group Real Estate, gives an update on Bend, Oregon neighborhood development, the sales process and why so many are choosing to call Discovery West home. Originally from Hawaii, there are many things that drew Inez to Central Oregon -such as the outdoor lifestyle – and she sees the same motivations among the home buyers with whom she works on a daily basis.
The added appeal of Discovery West has a lot to do with its proximity to:
- Connected trail systems that lead all the way to Phil’s Trail complex for mountain bike riding;
- Easy access to Mt. Bachelor and the Cascade Lakes Highway for year-round high mountain enjoyment;
- All the dining, shopping, personal and business services and other amenities right next door in NorthWest Crossing; and
- The 40-acre Discovery Park, which includes a three-acre lake, natural play area with water play feature, walking trails, fenced off-leash dog park, restrooms, picnicking areas and picnic shelter – plus a dog park.
Inside the neighborhood itself, people like what Inez calls the “live-work-play vibe” and the fact that it is not a “cookie cutter” development. She explains the Discovery West Builders Guild model, which consists of 19 local area construction companies that have been approved by the developer to meet the Bend Oregon neighborhood’s architectural and construction standards. The developer (made up of many of those behind the popular NorthWest Crossing community) sells ready-to-build lots to the Guild builders through a lottery process during each phase of development. The builder then sells the homesite with their plans for a home that fits that particular lot to the end buyer.
Inez says that most builders in Discovery West are not listing homes until they have reached the drywall stage of construction. This allows them to have more current costs in place, so they can set the right price. Sometimes, this provides a rare opportunity for the home buyer to pick some of the interior fixtures and finishes.
She mentions that Discovery West does have CC&Rs in place, part of which include: meeting requirements for Earth Advantage certification, which encompasses several green and sustainable building benchmarks; complying with FireWise USA wildfire mitigation measures; and meeting certain architectural guidelines. A small annual HOA fee covers maintenance of common areas – many of which are planned for the next phase of the neighborhood, Phase Four.
Phase Four is a bit different from what we’ve seen so far in our Bend, Oregon neighborhood. Not only will it have a community gathering area, Discovery Corner, and some retail amenities, but it will also be home to several new housing types. Live-work units, townhomes, cottages and mews (attached dwelling), plus a handful of single-family homesites, will add even more diversity to the community.
Make sure to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more!