buy
HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY
YOUR DREAM HOME
IN CROOK COUNTY, OREGON
PRINEVILLE | POWELL BUTTE | PAULINA
welcome hi, I'm Kenzie
Welcome, and thank you for choosing
I’m
me to help guide you through one of
answer your questions, and ensure you
the
feel confident in every decision you
most
journeys,
exciting buying
and
your
important new
home!
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, my goal is to make the process as smooth, stressfree, and enjoyable as possible. In this
here
to
provide
expert
advice,
make. Let’s get started on finding your perfect home! I take pride in creating meaningful relationships
friends. So excited to be on this journey
buying
together! Let’s get started!
from
into
and
to help you at every stage of the journey,
turn
clients,
most
home
them
my
guide, you’ll find valuable information a
of
with
amazing
understanding the market to closing on your dream home.
Kenzie Carnahan
Welcome to
CROOK COUNTY
Big skies, rimrock views and a real hometown feel... Crook County sits at the geographic center of Oregon: about 27,300 people across nearly 3,000 square miles of high desert, ranch land, the Crooked River and the Ochoco Mountains. Whether you’re dreaming of acreage, a newer home in town or a place with Cascade views, there’s room to land here. The county was formed in 1882 from part of Wasco County and named for U.S. Army General George Crook. Prineville, incorporated in 1880, is the county seat and the oldest city in Central Oregon. Les Schwab got its start here, and today Meta and Apple run data centers alongside the ranches and timber. Buying here can mean a city lot one day and five acres with a well the next. I’ve put what you need to know in the next few pages.
The communities
One city and a handful of rural communities spread across the high desert. Prineville’s population is from the 2020 census.
Prineville County Seat ~10,700 residents
Powell Butte Acreage with Cascade views
Paulina
Ranch country out east
Crook County’s only incorporated city, and home to the courthouse, St. Charles Prineville hospital and most of the county’s schools. You’ll find a historic downtown, Crooked River Park and Ochoco Creek winding through town, with Redmond, its airport and Bend an easy drive west.
A rural community on Highway 126 between Prineville and Redmond, known for acreage, small farms and some of the best Cascade views in Central Oregon. Powell Butte is home to Brasada Ranch and the Powell Butte Community Charter School, and its post office dates to 1909.
East of Prineville, the Paulina Highway follows the Crooked River past Post, near the geographic center of Oregon, out to Paulina. This is wideopen ranch country with big parcels and quiet roads, served by Paulina Elementary, one of the county’s small rural schools.
Also in the county: Juniper Canyon, Lone Pine and the Prineville Reservoir area, plus plenty of ranch, forest and recreational land in between.
Neighborhoods
Popular neighborhoods in Prineville. Each one has its own feel, so let’s tour a few together.
Downtown Historic core Close to everything
IronHorse Master-planned Newer homes
West Hills Views close to town Acre-plus lots
Prineville’s original neighborhood, with older and mid-century homes on city lots around the historic courthouse and brick storefronts. You’re a short walk to the Bowman Museum, Pioneer Park, Ochoco Creek Park and the restaurants and shops along Third Street.
Prineville’s first master-planned community, on the former Hudspeth Ranch at the foot of Barnes Butte. About 1,100 acres of newer production homes and custom homesites, with Barnes Butte Elementary in the neighborhood and the Barnes Butte trails right next door.
Up on the hills west of downtown, West Hills offers homes on an acre or more, many with views over the valley toward the Ochocos. You get more room and privacy while staying just minutes from downtown shopping, schools and services.
Also worth a look in and around town: Ochoco Heights, Ochoco Pointe, Northridge and the Estates at Ochoco Creek. Ask me about new construction, too!
Room to roam
Popular neighborhoods outside town, for buyers who want acreage, views or resort living.
Brasada Ranch Resort community Powell Butte
Juniper Canyon Toward the reservoir Acreage
Longhorn Ridge Gated 5-acre homesites
An 1,800-acre resort community in Powell Butte, with about 900 acres kept as open space. Residents enjoy the Brasada Canyons golf course, a spa, pools, trails and an equestrian program. Expect custom homes and cabins, big Cascade views, HOA dues and CC&Rs.
Southeast of Prineville toward Prineville Reservoir, Juniper Canyon is a large rural area with parcels from about half an acre to 10 acres. You’ll see stick-built and manufactured homes, shops and barns, with boating, fishing and dark-sky stargazing at the reservoir close by.
A gated community above the city with paved roads and roughly 5-acre homesites near BLM land, with room for horses. Nearby Indian Rock Estates offers a similar setup: privacy, space and views, while still being close to town.
Want acreage with no HOA? Larger 20+ acre parcels without CC&Rs come up around the county. Ask me what’s on the market right now!
The market out here Crook County offers a mix of in-town homes, acreage and resort properties. Homes are taking longer to sell than they did a year ago, which gives buyers more time to decide and more room to negotiate.
$505,360
median sale price
$2,426 median property tax bill/year
64
median days on market
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU • Prices range widely, from manufactured homes on land to Brasada Ranch homes over $1M, so “median” only tells part of the story. • About 3 in 10 homes have had a price drop, so there’s often room to negotiate. I’ll set up alerts so you see new listings the day they hit. • Acreage and rural homes have fewer comparable sales, so appraisals can be tricky. An appraisal contingency protects you. • Land, acreage and manufactured homes often need a different loan than a house in town. Talk to a lender early.
Buying RURAL PROPERTY
Homes outside Prineville come with a few things you won’t find in town. Here’s what we’ll look at together before you buy.
01 wells & water
02 Septic Systems
Rural homes usually run on a private well. The Oregon Water Resources Dept. keeps drilling logs for most wells, so we’ll pull the log and test flow and water.
Outside city sewer, most homes use septic. A septic inspection is a must, and Crook County Community Development keeps septic permits and records.
03 Water rights
04 Wildfire & insurance
Irrigated pasture needs a water right, often through Ochoco Irrigation District. Not all rights are equal, so we’ll confirm what transfers before you commit.
Nearly every property in the county carries some wildfire risk. Get homeowners insurance quotes early in the contingency period.
05 Internet & utilities
06 Zoning & Building
In Prineville you’ll find cable and fiber options. Out on acreage, fixed wireless or satellite is common, so we’ll check service at the exact address.
Much of the county is zoned for farm and forest use. Planning to build, add a shop or place a manufactured home? Check with County or City planning first.
Living here SCHOOLS Crook County School District serves about 3,350 students. In Prineville that means Barnes Butte, Crooked River and Steins Pillar elementary schools, Crook County Middle School and Crook County High School. Out of town, there’s Powell Butte Community Charter School and small rural schools in Paulina and Brothers. HEALTH CARE St. Charles Prineville is the local hospital, with an emergency department right in town, and Mosaic Medical runs community clinics here too. For specialty care, St. Charles Bend is about 45 minutes away. For emergencies, always call 911.
Things to do
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR. Boating, fishing and Oregon’s first International Dark Sky Park, about 14 miles southeast of town.
THE CROOKED RIVER. Fly fishing, camping and the Chimney Rock trail along the wild and scenic stretch below Bowman Dam.
ROCKHOUNDING. Crook County is known as Oregon’s rockhounding capital. Grab a map at the Chamber and hunt for agates and thundereggs.
CROOKED RIVER ROUNDUP. Prineville’s big summer rodeo, plus the Crook County Fair.
STEINS PILLAR. A 350-foot rock column in the Ochoco National Forest with a popular hiking trail.
SMALL-TOWN LIFE. The Bowman Museum, the Pine Theater, local breweries and neighbors who wave.
Local resources
Keep this page handy. The courthouse is at 300 NE 3rd St., Prineville.
COUNTY, CITY & STATE OFFICES Crook County Assessor Property values and records
(541) 447-4133
Crook County Tax Collector Property tax bills
(541) 447-6554
County Clerk Recorded deeds and documents
(541) 447-6553
Crook County Community Development Building, planning and septic
(541) 447-3211
City of Prineville City hall, inside city limits
(541) 447-5627
Oregon Water Resources Dept. Well logs and water rights search
oregon.gov/owrd
HEALTH & SCHOOLS St. Charles Prineville Hospital and emergency department
(541) 447-6254
Mosaic Medical, Prineville Clinic 375 NW Beaver St.
(541) 447-0707
Crook County School District District office, 471 NE Ochoco Plaza Dr.
(541) 447-5664
EMERGENCIES: always call 911. Numbers current as of October 2026; call ahead to confirm hours.
successful BUYING PROCESS I KNOW THAT BUYING YOUR HOME CAN BE STRESSFUL... Buying a house can feel overwhelming, but with me as your agent, you don’t have to worry. I handle the details, from finding the right home to negotiating the best deal, to handling any and all inspections. I take what is complicated to most people and wrap a pretty little bow around the whole process so you NEVER have to stress.
CLOSE ON THE HOUSE (AND CELEBRATE)
MAKE A STRATEGIC, COMPETITIVE OFFER
FIND YOUR DREAM HOUSE!
CONTINGENCY REMOVAL PERIOD
why you need an agent Inspections (home, roof, radon, well, septic) Lender Recommendations (to ensure the best rate) Send new listings in your area and price point Access to potential off market properties What expenses you’ll encounter during the buying process Knowledge of the New construction process What contingencies to have in place to protect you (the buyer) How long is the process once you go under contract
FUN FACT: I’m not the realtor looking to close the most deals each year; I’m not interested in being “sales-y” just to get a commission.. I’m the realtor who wants YOUR best interest at heart, and I will fight for YOU every step of the way. I have a saying in my business “It’s never about the commission and its ALWAYS about the client.
Kenzie Carnahan
let’schat
BUYERS REP AGREEMENT Before we begin viewing homes, as of August 17th 2024 every realtor in the industry has to have a Buyer’s Representation Agreement signed with their clients before showing homes. (If agents show with out it signed we get fined and get have our license evoked.) This agreement is critical in making me your dedicated agent, meaning I’m fully committed to working in your best interest throughout the entire homebuying process. It allows me to provide you with the highest level of service, giving you access to my expert advice, negotiation skills, and full support. My social media connections and any/all of my off market properties. The agreement is a great way to make sure we are all on the same page, ensuring that we’re both clear on our roles and that you’re protected as a buyer. Once it’s signed, we can start finding your perfect home with confidence!
home loan application checklist PERSONAL INFORMATION Full name Date of birth Social security number Contact information (phone, email, address) EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Current employer’s name, address, and phone number Length of time with current employer Position/title Income information (salary, bonuses, commissions, etc.) FINANCIAL INFORMATION Bank account information (checking, savings, investments, etc.) Other assets (real estate, vehicles, etc.) Current debts (credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.) Credit score and history PROPERTY INFORMATION Property address Type of property (single-family, condo, townhouse, etc.) Purchase price Down payment amount DOCUMENTATION Government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.) Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, etc.) Bank statements W-2 forms Employment verification letter Homeowners insurance policy
ONLINE HOME SEARCH Make finding your dream home in Central Oregon a reality with the Real Scout app! With constant updates and all the latest inventory pulled directly from the MLS, this app truly puts you in control of your home search.
DOWNLOAD THE APP STORE
Real Scout App
homebuying checklist BUDGET
01 02 03
Calculate your monthly income/debt Check your credit report/FICO score Use a mortgage calculator Establish your downpayment
MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL Choose your mortgage type Research to find the best lender Shop for the best interest rates
DETERMINE YOUR WANTS & NEEDS IN A HOME Choose a location Choose a type of home Choose a size Choose a price range
04
WORK WITH A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL Get a referral from friends/family Interview agents and ask them about buyer's representation contracts and agreements Go over your wants and needs
homebuying checklist SEARCH FOR HOMES
05
Browse properties online (Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com) Your agent will set up new listing notifications for you Go on home tours and attend open houses
MAKE AN OFFER AND NEGOTIATE
06 07 08
Determine the purchase price and include any contingencies Read the Purchase and Sale agreement thoroughly before signing Place a competitive bid and be prepared to make a counter offer
FINALIZE THE DEAL Your agent will assist you with requesting the home appraisal and home inspection Choose a home insurance company Complete the loan process with the lender
CLOSE THE PURCHASE Review the settlement document prior to closing to see how funds will be collected/distributed Obtain a cashier's check for the amount you need to bring to closing, including he down payment and closing costs
contingency period In real estate, a "contingency" refers to a condition of the Agreement of Sale that needs to occur in order for the transaction to keep moving forward. As the buyer, there are many contingencies that you can choose to include in your contract. Passing this period, if everything looks good at this point, there are just two more stages before closing: a title search and transfer of ownership. By working closely with me, you'll be better able to understand what contingencies are all about, when they're most likely to be necessary, and what you can do to make sure you're in the best position possible for dealing with contingencies when they arise. COMMON CONTINGENCIES: Sale-of-home contingency, financing contingency, inspection contingency, appraisal contingency.
details of contingencies
01
Inspection Contingency Every contract has an inspection contingency. This is where the buyer is able to do their due-diligence on the property with a professional inspection.
02
Financing Contingency Most contracts are also contingent on the buyer's financing. We don't accept offers unless we have the buyer's pre-approval from a lender.
03
Appraisal Contingency Inside the buyer's financing their is often an appraisal contingency. This means the buyer's financing is contingent upon the home appraising for their purchase price.
04
Home Sale Contingency Some contracts are also contingent upon the buyer selling and closing on their current home. There will be additional paperwork and dates we abide by with this type of contingency.
closing day This is it! The big day!!! I’ve done this dozens of times and I promise you, we’ll get through it just fine. You’ll be signing a lot of paperwork today, most of it pretty dull, all of it important. The good news is, it's all paperwork we'll have already reviewed.
The deed isn’t a legal document until it has been recorded by the county recorder’s office. Once each party has signed, the title company will send it to record. This can take a few hours.
Once the deed records, and the funding has been processed by the title company.. you’ll get the keys to your NEW HOUSE! (i’ll be giving you play by play updates of all of this!)
communication Weekly check-ins with me even if we
aren’t
actively
looking
that
week Weekly check-ins with your lender to
make
sure
everything
is
handling
all
running smoothly I
will
be
communication
with
the
listing
agent the entire time I will handle all title/attorney communication throughout the entire transaction
ready to find your dream home? I can’t wait to help!
KENZIE CARNAHAN R E A L
E S T A T E
A G E N T
541-419-4132 @realtor.kenziecarnahan