What’s the Next Big Real Estate Shift No One Is Talking About Yet?

If you’re active in real estate in Central Oregon — in markets like Bend, Redmond, Sisters and the surrounding area — you’ve likely heard about tight inventory, rising rates, and green homes. But there’s one emerging trend that hasn’t yet grabbed headlines, and it could reshape how people buy, live in, and invest in property: the convergence of risk-resilience, smart home infrastructure, and sustainability premium.

In short: homes are increasingly valued not just for location and size — but for how they handle climate risk, extreme events, and future-proof infrastructure.

1. Why This Shift Matters

• Investors and buyers are becoming more aware of climate-related risks — wildfires, flooding, insurance hikes, supply-chain delays for repairs. A recent trend report shows more investors are moving away from high-risk zones. Real Estate Investor MBA+2concreit.com+2

• Technology and building standards are evolving: smart homes, energy-efficient systems, resilience features (backup power, fire-resistant materials) are no longer niche. Contrank+2sellstate.com+2

• As these features become more mainstream, they’ll quickly move from “nice-to-have” to “must-have” — and homes lacking them could begin to lag in value or take longer to sell.

2. What This Looks Like in Practice

For a market like Central Oregon, here are real-world ways this shift could play out:

• Homes in wildfire-prone zones or high-insurance-cost areas may begin to face discounting unless they’ve invested in resilience features (e.g., ember-resistant roofing, defensible space).

• Properties with solar + battery storage, smart-home automation, and energy-certifications will command premiums or sell faster — not just for utility cost, but for perceived resilience and future savings.

• Neighborhoods that offer strong internet infrastructure, backup power potential, and walkability to amenities might outperform more remote areas, even if land/size is slightly smaller.

• Investors may begin to price in risk factors (insurance cost increases, supply chain delays for repairs, regulatory changes) when choosing markets and properties.

3. Why It’s Still Under-the-Radar

• Many buyers and sellers are still focused on traditional value drivers (lot size, number of bedrooms, school district) and haven’t yet shifted mindset.

• Data is still catching up: resilient-feature premiums are harder to quantify and may not yet be fully captured in comps or appraisals.

• The trend is gradual — it’s not a sudden crash or boom. It’s more of a shifting baseline for what buyers expect.

4. What to Watch For / Action Steps

For Buyers & Investors:

• Ask: What happens if the power goes out for 24–48 hours? Homes built with resilience in mind may be more attractive.

• Seek properties with appliance, HVAC, roofing, and insulation upgrades — especially if they’re designed to reduce future cost or risk.

• Compare insurance premiums and zoning/risk data (wildfire map overlays, flood risk) before buying.

• Ask how future-proof the infrastructure is (internet, EV charging, solar readiness).

For Sellers:

• Highlight resilience and smart tech features in listing descriptions: “battery-backed solar”, “fire-resistant siding”, “fiber internet / co-working ready”.

• Consider investing in upgrades that boost perceived future value — even if the traditional comps don’t yet fully reward them.

• Be prepared to explain to buyers how your home lowers risk and cost over time — not just how many beds or baths it has.

The next big real estate shift is not just about size or location anymore — it’s about resilience, smart infrastructure, and sustainability. Homes that handle future risk, reduce costs, and offer flexibility will increasingly stand out.

If you’re buying, selling, or investing in Central Oregon, starting to factor these elements in now could give you an edge over those who stick to “traditional” metrics.

FAQs

Q: Is this trend relevant only for luxury homes?

A: No — while luxury homes lead first, these features will trickle down. Even mid-priced homes with smart, resilient upgrades may outperform peers.

Q: Can I retrofit older homes to participate in this trend?

A: Yes. Upgrades like solar + battery, smart thermostats, insulation, and fire-resistant landscaping help. But demand may favor homes where these are already integrated.

Q: Will appraisers and lenders recognize these features?

A: Increasingly yes. As energy and resilience certifications become more common, appraisers and lenders are beginning to account for them — though local uptake varies.

Q: How soon will this shift impact resale value?

A: It’s already beginning. But the full effect will likely play out over the next 3–5 years. Getting ahead of it now can provide a competitive advantage.