Gladiator Fire in Prescott National Forest - Let's Not Have This in Flagstaff!

It’s windy in Flagstaff and the National Weather Service Service has us on “red flag” alert for fire danger as long as this weather continues. This means it’s so dry and windy that any outdoor use of power tools is discouraged. Even when the wind stops, fire danger will remain high and there are restrictions on fire use throughout the Flagstaff area. Here’s a summary of what restrictions are in place in various parts of the Flagstaff region:

Coconino County fire restrictions cover all areas outside of city and town limits: All open burning, campfires, fireworks and other fire-starting activities are banned on public and private lands in Coconino County, with the exception of backyard gas grills and charcoal grills. This ban will continue regardless of the Forest Service flag alert level. This applies to places like Kachina Village and Doney Park – even if it’s your private property.

City of Flagstaff: Charcoal barbecues for home and devices that can be turned off are allowed. Campfires, other backyard fires, smoking on urban trails and in Buffalo and Thorpe parks are all prohibited. (And please don’t throw your cigarette butts out your car window as you drive down any city or county roads – we’ve had several grass fires from that cause in the past!)

United States Forest Land in the Coconino and Kaibab national forests: Campfires, charcoal grilling, coal and wood stoves limited to developed campgrounds only. Smoking limited to enclosed vehicles, within buildings, or in developed campgrounds.

Enjoy living in Flagstaff, but be safe and keep the rest of us safe, too!

Nationally, a good sign for the economy and more indication that the housing market may, indeed, have reach bottom.

Here's the place to buy a Flagstaff home.

Based on the relationship between median home price, median family income and average mortgage interest rate, homes have never been more affordable according to tracking by the National Association of Realtors. ® Both home prices and mortgage interest rates are expected to edge up modestly as the year progresses, but housing affordability will remain very favorable with the median-income household well positioned to afford a median-priced home.

We’ve had good U.S. economic news in recent days and that is tough on interest rates. As the economy improves, there will be fewer bond investors as they will be looking for higher returns in other areas. Fewer people buying mortgage bonds means higher interest rates for home buyers. What’s keeping rates as low as they are in the European crisis – no one wants to buy a bond in Europe unless it’s paying an astronomical interest rate. At some point, all the risk will settle out and there will be relatively fewer U.S. bond investors.

Now is a great time to buy a Flagstaff home. Get started here: Flagstaff real estate.

You'll Love This Flagstaff Home!

Just over the Flagstaff city line in beautiful Westwood Estates, this home is minutes from downtown Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University and right around the corner from W.L. Gore's Flagstaff Ranch Road facility. The views of Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks are unbeatable. And, the home is top-of-the-line!

This luxury Flagstaff home listing offers a rare opportunity in Flagstaff to own a Lindal home. Long before “green” building became fashionable, Lindal created homes like this one with sustainability and the environment in mind. Lindal has a passion for quality, as do the owners who built this home with Lindal. You’ll see it reflected everywhere.

Solid oak flooring, custom cabinets, granite counter tops, skylights, window walls, Jenn-Air^® appliances, TimberTech^® decking and so much more make this home the one you’ll want to choose as your Flagstaff residence. Every window is framed like fine furniture, features Low-E Argon glass for energy conservation and achieves the highest industry rating for infiltration prevention.  Windows galore bring the outside in and perfectly frame the forest and mountain views.

The large kitchen is adjacent to a wonderful sunroom that is perfect for morning dining and afternoon reading. The adjacent dining room has seated fifteen for formal dinners and daily serves as the owner’s comfortable TV lounge. The living room features the most magnificent view of the San Francisco Peaks – and you see the same view from the master bedroom.

The second floor is all master suite, featuring the view of the Peaks as well as window walls and skylights highlighting the pine forest in which you’ll live. The windows in the master’s sitting area and bath bring the surrounding forest into your life. The laundry is wisely located in the back of the huge master closet.

You’ll find 1000 square feet of durable TimberTech^® decking so that you can enjoy the outdoors and entertain in style next to your pond and waterfall with the mountains and forest as the backdrop.

The current owners chose a two bedroom design, with guest room on the first floor, while extending the post and beam construction into the garage. This extension of the fundamental Lindal construction element allows for an easy and profitable modification of this home to four bedrooms while maintaining the architectural beauty of the original design. The septic installation and natural gas boiler for the in-floor heat already have capacity for the addition if you so desire. Local Lindal service is available to design an addition to your needs, or enjoy this mountain home home as it fabulously is.

You’ll find awesome views of the San Francisco Peaks from all major aspects of this home. The open floor plan and flexibility of design are inherent in the post and beam construction of Lindal homes like this exceptional one on four acres in Flagstaff’s beautiful and conveniently-located Westwood Estates.

The inventory squeeze came on strong in Flagstaff home sales in April. There were five more sales of single-family homes recorded for the month compared with March and almost an identical number of homes actively for sale. Pending home sales in May are significantly higher than they were at the same point in April. We’ve been seeing a fairly steady stream of new listings; however, the good ones are scooped into contract within a matter of days after their appearance.

The median price of a single-family home sold in Flagstaff increased from $236,000 in March to $248, 650 in April. That’s up nearly 8% from April 2011 with an increase in volume of sales of 22% from last April. The percentage of distressed property sales dropped from 43% in March to 33% in April, about as low as that percentage has been in at least two years. That’s a hot market.

Record low interest rates are fueling the demand for Flagstaff housing, as well as a sense that “the bottom” is being reached this year. Those factors have not been enough to set fire to the upper price ranges in Flagstaff homes, though we did see more than a handful of sales above $400,000 in April for the first time in several months. Mortgage interest rates are going to continue to be low through the summer.

I’m still holding my breath a bit in anticipation of what 2012 will bring for the Flagstaff real estate market. What’s clear is that 2012 is going to end better than 2011.

The Flagstaff real estate market recovery will be bumpy. I’ve seen some appraisals that don’t match contract prices, which requires renegotiation. Sellers may get overconfident, imposing higher asking prices or tough inspection negotiations which will turn-off buyers. Buyers are eager but they remain cautious. Buyers want to take advantage of record low interest rates and get into the market before they “miss the bottom.” But they are not taking many risks. Potential buyers have heard too many stories of the collapse in the real estate market and they are proceeding with extreme caution. The good news is that they finally proceeding.

We need more homes to sell in the Flagstaff real estate market. Builders are accommodating that with the start of several “spec” houses – a phenomenon we haven’t seen in several years. If you know anyone who has been thinking of selling, please have them give me a call. I’d be delighted to list their home for sale. As you can see if you check the Featured Flagstaff Homes and Recent Closings sections of my website, I have several listings under contract and have closed several transactions this year for Flagstaff sellers (not to mention the buyers).

The big question is what will our inventory be? There is potential for an influx of distressed properties. Also, late May through August is traditionally the time for Flagstaff owners to list their homes. Stay tuned.

On Friday (7:00 p.m.), Saturday (2:00 & 7:00 p.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.), Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy presents the musical theatre classic, Guys and Dolls. Unforgettable music and zany characters make this an audience favorite, and a delightful musical theater offering to enjoy for all ages.  At the Theatrikos/Doris Harper-White Playhouse (downtown).  Students $5, Adults $7.  Advance tickets with a $1 service fee at stageseven@yahoo.com or 928-779-7223, ext. 211.

The Museum of Northern Arizona presents Kayenta and Monument Valley: 100 Years of Settlement and Trading in Indian Country.  1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

This is the last weekend for the 10^th Annual Recycled Art Exhibition at the Coconino Center for the Arts.  The exhibition features locally-made artwork created using only recycled or found objects. Always thought provoking and fun.  Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

On Saturday, the Friends of Coconino County Parks presents Amphibians at Rogers Lake.  Learn about the Western Chorus Frog, as well as other amphibians that can be viewed at Rogers Lake.  Take a short walk on an old railroad bed and enjoy hearing the frogs croak.  Binoculars suggested.  Meet at Fort Tuthill County Park, 10:00 a.m.

The Flagstaff Potters Guild offers a Pottery Studio Driving Tour on Saturday to various locations around town.  You may find great gifts for mom, dad or grad.  Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Help beautify the Rio – Weeding and Trash Pickup Party on Saturday.  Join Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, FoRio, Sierra Club and other groups between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Lunch, tools and training provided.  Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.  Meet at 10:00 at the gravel parking lot on the 4^th Street/Humane Society Road.

Saturday is National Train Day at the Flagstaff Visitor Center.  Join in and celebrate with a historic walking tour, Flagstaff on the Map, led by Steve Hirst, 10:30 a.m.  There’s a Flagstaff Postcard book signing, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and a train robbery at noon. (Only in Flagstaff is crime scheduled!) The Flagstaff Model Railroad Club will be on hand.

The annual Soar Into Spring Kite Festival returns to Foxglenn Park on Saturday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Celebrate Flagstaff's windy season with an afternoon of kite flying, carnival games, rides, a rock wall, face painting and more.  Admission is free.  Vendors will be onsite.

Enjoy Mother’s Day at The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Sunday.  Yes, don’t forget Mother’s Day!  Bring mom and the whole family to enjoy the gardens. Chocolate tasting and family photo booth. Free admission for mothers, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Also on Sunday, there’s a Mother’s Day Vocal Concert at the United Church of Christ (740 N. Turquoise), 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Vocal students present a concert with a reception to follow.  Classical, musical theater and early Italian music will be featured. All are invited.  Free, donations accepted.

On Saturday and Sunday, Granite Creek Vineyards in Chino Valley presents its 8th Annual Mother’s Day Wine and Art Festival, featuring award-winning wines, talented local artists, live music and a delicious wine-friendly buffet.  This fun is within easy reach of Flagstaff. 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Adults $10, includes wine tasting, and souvenir wine glass.  Buffet is an additional $20, $10 kids 12 and under.  If you want to get out of town, take I-40 west to Ash Fork, left on Hwy. 89 to Chino Valley, left on Road 3 North (first stoplight) and right on Road 1 east, 1/2 mile on right.

Other entertainment picks:  The Museum Club presents Southern California country music from the Von Cotton Band, Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m.  Every second Saturday, it’s The Payback, a funky R&B dance party, at Charly’s Pub & Grill – Three of Flagstaff's finest DJs rock the soul oldies all night long.

Living in Flagstaff is great! When you're ready to give it a try, start here: Flagstaff real estate.

Here’s a great opportunity for year-round second home living in Flagstaff! Come up to golf or hike in the summer, ski and play in the snow in winter, and enjoy all the amenities of living in Flagstaff’s Continental Country Club Community. This Walnut Canyon Village townhome brings with it all of the amenities of Continental Country Club, including the 18-hole golf course (reduced green fees), driving range, tennis courts, swimming pools, exercise room, activity center, pro shop, bar and grill, and banquet rooms. There is no better place to relax in Flagstaff.

This wonderful single-level townhome features a living room and master suite each with their own access to a private patio with lake views. The living room has a brick fireplace for cozy winter days. The townhome has two large bedrooms, two full baths and a two-car garage.  

Paved walking paths through the neighborhood greenbelt and around the lake lead to national forest trails.

As an added inducement, the owner will leave furnishings, so you can move right in to enjoy the current season in Flagstaff. Golf at Continental Country Club has begun and it’s great to be out on the course! So let’s get started now!

Call (928) 714-0001 to arrange your private showing with me, or contact your own Flagstaff Realtor^® and say “this is it! I want to see MLS #148149.

Housing news in recent days has been generally positive with signs of price increases close to home in Phoenix though Tucson still may be falling. Fiserv Case-Shiller expects home prices to stabilize by the end of 2012 and begin to rise in 2013. This is consistent with other forecasts I’ve seen for some time, at least as it applies to Arizona.

Sellers who price correctly should expect their homes to sell quickly – and be ready to move. Buyers in the Flagstaff home market are discouraged by the inventory available, which remains low. The percentage of distressed properties in the market, in Flagstaff and elsewhere, is falling. That’s another sign that prices are likely to stabilize.

Key housing markets, including Phoenix, are showing increases in employment, which is critical to a revival of the housing market.

With the renewed crisis in Europe, bond investors will be moving money out of Eurobonds and into the U.S. bond market – keeping home loan interest rates low and probably pressing them lower in the near future. This will help to offset any near-term price increases for buyers using a mortgage to purchase their homes.

To buy or sell any Flagstaff home, please contact me: Ann Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties.

To search the Flagstaff MLS, click here!

Click here to see my featured Flagstaff home listings.

Additional note from this morning's email on 5/10/2010: From AOL and CNN "Buying a Home Won't Get Much Cheaper."

United Way of Northern Arizona is sponsoring a volunteer day for the Schultz Flood area on Saturday, May 12th. This is an opportunity for the broader community to assist residents affected by the flooding in the Timberline area in preparing for the upcoming monsoon season.

The focus of the volunteer day will be to make, place and replace sand bags and to clear the front of jersey barriers in the Schultz Flood area to support preparation for potential flooding. If you need assistance with sandbags or clearing your jersey barriers, then please call the Flood Hotline at 679-8390 as soon as possible. You will be placed on a list of those needing assistance.

It’s always hard to predict how many volunteers will come out, so all needs may not be met during this event. However, Coconino County will continue working with United Way and the community to try and provide flood preparation outreach whenever it’s feasible to do so.

Volunteers, please also call the Flood Hotline if you would like to volunteer to for this event. There will be two shifts available on May 12th – one from 8:00 am to 11:00am and another in the afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Volunteers should bring sunscreen and gloves, and must wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Volunteers are asked to arrive at either 8:00am or 1:00pm to sign in and receive some brief safety training. Meet at Silver Saddle Road. Questions? Call United Way at 928-773-9813.

Living in Flagstaff involves working together!

In this environment, don't wait too long. Rates may continue to hit record lows, but there is only so far they can go. As we've learned with the the Federal Reserve overnight rate, zero is the bottom. Likewise, somewhere between 3% and 4% is the bottom for a 30-year fixed mortgage rate, unless you pay significant upfront points to buy down your future rate. There are no negative rates!

Average interest rates on fixed-rate mortgages hit record lows in the most recent Freddie Mac survey of conforming rates, released on Thursday. Meanwhile, in some markets, we're seeing home prirces begin the creep up. Distressed properties are falling as a percentage of all sales as homeowners who've been waiting to sell are seeing an opportunity to move their home for the first time in years.

As one analyst said in a private email this week: "Don't miss the train, it's leaving." It may be a slow train, but it's leaving.