TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! We’re not even to Labor Day yet, and there are already flakes flying at Bachelor! Quick reminder that we won’t be sending a newsletter on Monday, so we’ve got your Monday/Tuesday events covered below.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

Buyers Didn't Disappear in August. They're Just Leaving Themselves Some Room.

August was an interesting month for Bend real estate.

New listings dropped 22% from July. But the number of homes going under contract only dropped 3%. And even with buyers continuing to make moves, the median sale price fell another 2.3% to $713,500.

Buyers are still buying. They're just not chasing.

Today's buyers aren't only asking, "Can I afford the house?" They're asking, "Can I afford the house and everything that comes after it?" What happens if the water heater dies? Insurance goes up? The house needs a repair six months from now?

That's why I've been calling this a Market of Margins.

For buyers, getting a good deal isn't always about finding the cheapest house. It's about using the room in today's market to negotiate a purchase that still leaves some room in the budget after getting the keys.

And for sellers, there's an important message here too. Buyers are still out there, but they're being selective. Giving them enough reason to choose your home matters more than simply getting it in front of them.

If you're thinking about buying or selling, let's talk about where the margins are in your part of the market.

📞 541-316-8025
🌐 abrestate.com

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Usually, Labor Day weekend is a quieter one around town as folks head out for their last camping trips of the summer. Not this year, though, as the Bend Comedy Fest is taking over stages across town starting today. As of my writing this on Thursday afternoon, they still had some all-access passes available as well as individual tickets to the shows. You can check out the full weekend lineup here.

Ignore the cool weather and make your way to the Old Mill and downtown Bend for an afternoon of sips, snacks, and shopping. As always, artists at the Old Mill will be opening their doors from 3 - 6 PM, and downtown Bend will be partying from 5 - 8 PM.

Sad news for kids around Bend. The 52-year-old boat/play structure at Harmon Park has been removed after an inspection found chipping paint, rusting metal, and other unsafe play conditions. Our kids spent many, many hours playing on the boat, and it will certainly be missed.

💍 Wild Ring Co grand opening: Want to make your own jewelry but have no idea how to get started? A new business is solving just that. Wild Ring Co is celebrating their grand opening tomorrow (Saturday). They offer workshops where you can pick your own gemstone and ring style, and they’ll walk you through the process to create your own one-of-a-kind ring. You can find their studio at 2600 NE Division St, STE 102.

🍜 Ma Dee Thai on the move: Ma Dee Thai is making a move across town. Their last day at the Bend RV Resort will be on Sunday, and then they’ll be taking a short break for a week or two before reopening at On Tap.

🍧 Snowball Express #2 opens: Bend’s newest frozen treat cart is already expanding. Snowball Express, which serves up New Orleans-style sno balls, is opening its second location at Base Camp. You can still find their original cart at On Tap.

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Join the High Desert Project This Fall

What does it mean to be an American in the West? Consider this question through four thought-provoking evenings at the Museum, part of a new High Desert Project series. Explore how people across the American West define their relationship with this country.

From a behind-the-scenes collection tour to conversations on Indigenous perspectives, the atomic age, and Manifest Destiny — each evening invites dialogue and connection.

Featured speakers include Michael Holloman (Colville Confederated Tribes), Sarah Robey, and Katy Barber. Four evenings. One evolving story of the West. Apply by Sunday, September 20.

🏔️ Friday Night Races: The final Friday night races of the season. And just in time with the flakes flying! 3:30 PM Mt. Bachelor

🎉 First Friday Block Party: The Commons closes out summer with another First Friday block party featuring music from Double Jump. 5:30 PM The Commons

🍂 Kids Art Night Out: Fall Fun: A dedicated art night for kids at TEAL, so you can get out and enjoy the first Friday scene. 5:30 PM Bend Tea & Art Lounge

🎉 Elevation Market returns: After a brief hiatus, the Elevation Market is back for fall. 3 - 7 PM Elevation

🕯 Liminal Library: Escape the chaos of First Friday at Pine & Prism. Here you can step into a space rooted in presence and meet folks offering a mix of tarot, aura photography, art, pop-ups, and more. 5 - 8 PM Pine & Prism

🍵 Make Your Own Tea: Blend and craft your own custom tea at TEAL with Metolius Tea. A hands-on Saturday morning that ends with something delicious and entirely your own. 10 AM Bend Tea & Art Lounge

🧺 NWX Farmers Market: The seasons may be changing, but our local farmers are still producing a bounty of produce. Head up to NWX and stock up the fridge with everything local and fresh. 10 AM NWX

☕ Camp Clay Seconds Sale: Not every piece of pottery can be perfect, and that’s ok (at least that’s what I tell myself when I try to make a mug). Head to Camp Clay, where their artists will be selling their slightly imperfect pieces at steep discounts. 10 AM - 4 PM Camp Clay

🌺 End of Summer Luau: Summer goes out in style with a luau at UPP Liquids. Leis, tropical vibes, and a proper send-off to the heat. 6 PM UPP Liquids

🐝 Native Bee Walk: A guided walk through Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, where you’ll learn to identify Oregon's native bees. 11 AM Camp Polk Meadow Preserve

💃 Rise Up & Groove: Are Saturday scaries a thing? Not if you start the day with a free dance party on the lawn outside of Salud Café. 10 AM Salud Café

🏈 Ducks vs. Boise State Watch Party: College football season is back, and The Commonwealth Pub is ready as the Ducks kick off their season (and championship dreams) against Boise State. 12:30 PM The Commonwealth Pub

🎤 Family-Friendly Karaoke: Bring the whole fam and take turns belting out your favorite tunes in front of total strangers. No pressure! 6 PM Bridge 99

🌺 Luau Bash: GoodLife keeps the luau energy going for a Sunday afternoon of tropical drinks, good beer, and the last gasp of summer. 12 PM GoodLife Brewing

🍹 It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Party: The Commonwealth Pub throws a Jimmy Buffett-inspired Parrothead Labor Day weekend party. 1 PM The Commonwealth Pub

💐 Lavender Wreath Making: Craft a beautiful lavender wreath to take home and hang on the front door. 2 PM Bend Tea & Art Lounge

🎭 Short Attention Span: Forgot to buy your all-access pass to the Bend Comedy Fest? You can still catch a show, as this one is 100% FREE. 3 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🎤 Weird Al Yankovic: This is the biggest show of the summer, and I will accept no arguments otherwise. Come sing along to Weird Al’s classics like White & Nerdy, Amish Paradise, and Eat It. 7 PM Hayden Homes Amphitheater

🧘 Yoga & Watercolor: A dreamy collaboration combining an outdoor yoga session with watercolor painting at Pioneer Park. 5:30 PM Pioneer Park

🎤 Public Rock Choir: No auditions and no experience required. This event is just your voice and a willingness to belt out some rock classics with a room full of strangers. 6 PM UPP Liquids

✍️ Word-for-Word Writing Workshop: A community writing workshop at Cafe des Chutes for anyone with stories to tell and a desire to tell them better. 6 PM Cafe des Chutes

☕ Commerce & Coffee: The Bend Chamber's monthly morning mixer is back and heads to Bend Magazine for networking, coffee, and small bites. 8 AM Bend Magazine

🎨 Watercolor at Drake Park: Take the painting outside for a watercolor session with Bend TEAL at Drake Park. 10:30 AM Drake Park

📚 Library @ Big Sky Park: The Deschutes Public Library pops up at Big Sky Park for a midday outdoor gathering of books and food from NeighborImpact’s mobile pantry. 12 PM Big Sky Park

🧠 I Hate Trivia: Hate trivia but want a reason to dress up in your best 80s garb and hang with some friends? Then this night is for you! 6 PM Ballers & Brews

🛠 Mini Makers Market: Come support some local artists at The Grove’s weekly mini makers market (the market is mini, not the makers…I think). 5:30 PM The Grove

💬 Tips for Staying in the Room: Are you like me and find 50 ways to distract yourself every time you sit down to write? Then this free workshop at the library is for you! Jan Kirkpatrick (author of 42 books) will give you some tips on staying focused and productive. 5:30 PM Central Library

WITCH | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 6 PM | Tickets
The Cider Janes | Bend Cider Co | 6 PM
Sweet Red & The Red Hot Billies | Boneyard Pub | 6 PM
Cover Story | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Thoughtbox | M&J Tavern | 9 PM

Rustmouth | Dogwood at the Pine Shed | 3 PM
DuBb Central | On Tap | 6 PM
Samantha Hart & Mason James | Portello Lounge | 6:30 PM
A Collective Subconscious | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Almost | Worthy Brewing | 7 PM 
Guitar Gods Revue | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Superball | The Commonwealth Pub | 8 PM

Snowcreek | Mt. Bachelor | 1 PM

Piña Colada | Ballers & Brews | 4 PM
Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Sweater Weather Stringband | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets
Jazz Folks | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM
Black Lips | Volcanic Theatre Pub | 8 PM | Tickets 

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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