Ski Flagstaff Arizona

Yes Flagstaff, there is a Santa Claus - and the Arizona Snowbowl is proving it. They are scheduled to open for business on Thursday, December 17, 2009! With some generous December snowfall, the resort is ready for the skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes - and just in time for the Holidays. Granted, this means tons of visitors will envelope the town this coming weekend and into the new year, but that's a good thing for all of our businesses who depend on our guests arrival, in hopes they will be spending cash, in addition to their snow playing! So whether you like to go fast on the slopes of the Snowbowl, go at a more moderate pace at the Flagstaff Nordic Center, or perhaps just sit and slide on a plastic disk down the hills of the Snowplay area, Flagstaff has everything you need for a great winter wonderland time!

And of course, if you decide you want find a home up here - drop me a line, I'd be happy to help.


Remember - it's cooler up here, so dress warm!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Questions?

The recent extension of the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit and the addition of a tax credit for some current home owners, purchasing a replacement primary home, has created excitement on the home buying front. With that excitement comes questions. Although many first timers were able to take advantage of the credit this year, there are many more out there that would like to take that plunge too! Now is the time to make sure everyone's questions are answered. Take a look at this video from RE/MAX about the new changes to the tax credit.



Bottom line - Buyers need a REALTOR to help them negotiate this market and take advantage of all the benefits they are eligible for. Remember, It's Cooler Up Here -so if you are interested in Flagstaff Real Estate, contact me - I'll make sure you get all your questions answered and help you through the home buying process.

The Best of Flagstaff 2009

"The Best of Flagstaff" has been a highly sought after honor with local businesses for many years. To receive this designation – you have to get the general public to…well, vote for you. I remember when this first started - you voted by paper. Now, we can easily cast our ballots online for our favorite hangouts, restaurants, motels… even our favorite Real Estate Office (RE/MAX Peak Properties has been voted "The Best" for years now)!

Well, the voting for 2009 has closed and the counting begins. See the 2009 results in the Arizona Daily Sun Newspaper online on Friday December 4, 2009.

Another ongoing winner (besides RE/MAX Peak Properties) is Fratelli’s Pizza. I must agree with the rest of Flagstaff on this one – it is, and has been, the best since 2002! Since I love the Pizza – and my clients so much - those of you on my “Best of” client list will be receiving a coupon in the mail at the beginning of the New Year for 1 free menu item from the famous pizza maker – just go buy an item and get another on the house!
Enjoy – and be sure to check out the winners on December 4th! And if you are not already on my “Best of” client list, drop me a line and I’m sure we can work something out!

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Re-Birth

Band-Aid, tourniquet, lifeline, noose… hmmm, so many ways I’ve heard various politicians, economists, REALTORS, Lenders, etc. describe the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit. And now, we’re set for extending it into April 2010 – so which ever opinion you may or may not hold, it’s going to be with us for a few more months, hopefully inciting some fence sitting buyers to take advantage of the deal. Now, even some current home owners that have been in their home for at least 5 years will be able to get in on the deal with a $6500.00 credit.

Contact me if you or someone you know has questions about getting into a new home and taking advantage of these benefits.

Bottom line – I’ve seen this tax credit at work – helping many first time buyers in Flagstaff catch a break – and I’m sure their opinion of this credit is nothing short of….well, Awesome…so we’ll just leave it at that for now….

Haunted Flagstaff - It's Cooler Up Here!

It's not only Cooler here in Flagstaff - some say it's haunted as well... Come see for yourself this weekend!

Riordan Mansion Special Halloween Tours "Riordan Mansion State Park offers a special nighttime program during the week of Halloween every year. This very popular guided tour is a storytelling session involving tales of the fantastic and the factual. The historic Riordan Mansion makes a great backdrop for spinning yarns appropriate to the Halloween season. Tours are being offered for 4 nights, Oct. 23, 24 and 29, 30, at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Admission for the tours is $8.00 per person, and the tours are recommended for ages twelve and older. Space is limited, so reservations are required. Reservations and information can be obtained by calling Riordan Mansion State Historic Park at (928) 779-4395."

Haunted Flagstaff Walking Tours on Saturday and Sunday through October 31st. Contact the Flagstaff Visitor Center at 928/774-9541 for details and tickets.

October 31st - Halloween Harvest Heritage Square in Historic, Haunted, Downtown Flagstaff - "Festivities include creepy carnival games, arts and crafts, a costume contest, a Downtown Trick or Treat Trail, and Casper, the movie. Haunted tours of Historic Downtown will start at Heritage Square and will leave every ½ hour starting at 4:30 p.m. Most activities are free; however a $2.00 wristband will gain you entry onto as many carnival rides as you dare."

Flagstaff has so much to offer all year long! Keep watching my blog for upcoming events and activities this fall and winter.

Fall In Flagstaff - It's Cooler Up Here!

Flagstaff has many things to offer in the Fall! Changing Aspen and Oak leaves,
the weather is nippy, the air is crisp and there are plenty of fun filled
activities and events. Here are just a few to consider.

Northern Arizona University Homecoming 2009 Festivities through October 26th, including a downtown parade Saturday at 11:00 and the big game against Idaho State is at the NAU Sky-dome with a 3:05 kickoff!

Haunted Flagstaff Walking Tours on Saturday and Sunday through October 31st. Contact the Flagstaff Visitor Center at 928/774-9541 for details and tickets.

October 31st - Halloween Harvest Heritage Square in Historic, Haunted, Downtown Flagstaff - "Festivities include creepy carnival games, arts and crafts, a costume contest, a Downtown Trick or Treat Trail, and Casper, the movie. Haunted tours of Historic Downtown will start at Heritage Square and will leave every ½ hour starting at 4:30 p.m. Most activities are free; however a $2.00 wristband will gain you entry onto as many carnival rides as you dare."

Flagstaff has so much to offer all year long! Keep watching my blog for upcoming events and activities this fall and winter.

And remember – It’s Cooler Up Here – so break out that wool sweater and enjoy the season!

Thinking of Buying a Home?

Buying a home is a great idea and there are many options available right now in the Flagstaff area. To help you prepare for this event, here are five great tips recently printed in the AZ Daily Sun (our Flagstaff paper) by Candice Choi:

1. Check your credit report. Lenders are being a bit more careful about lending money these days. You want to find out what your FICO score is. A “stellar score” ranges from 760 to 850 and means you might be able to negotiate the terms of your mortgage. You can get your FICO score for $15.95 from www.myFICO.com
2. Be ready to come up with at least 10% down payment on a conventional loan and 3.5% on an FHA - and if you are able to come up with more, not only will your monthly payment be reduced, but you might get better terms on your mortgage.
3. Be ready for fees associated with your mortgage—anything from standard closing costs to service fees charged by the lender. Total expenses will vary with each situation, but according to Bankrate.com the national average last year for additional fees was $3,118 for a $200,000 mortgage. (typically 2-3% of the sale price of the home) Some, or all of these closing costs can be paid by the seller if negotiated through the offer process.
4. Home Inspections come in all different price ranges, depending upon the focus and the thoroughness of the inspection. Most Realtors have inspectors they know and trust (I do). Expect to pay $300.00 to $400.00 for a home inspection, which is money well spent.
5. Don’t just focus on the mortgage costs when looking at a home or property. Consider the costs for utilities, maintenance and any improvements that you might want to make in the future. If you are considering alternative energy sources, you will want to explore costs and tax credits.

Of course, as your Realtor I will be talking to you about all of these tips and encouraging you to ask any questions that pop into your head. I want to help you find the right home, at the right price - visit my website and let's get to work.

First Time Home Buyers In Flagstaff - Making My Job A Blast!

Well, the great news is, I've been experiencing a NOTICEABLE increase in business from first time home buyers! I've heard it described as "coming out of the woodwork", "downpour", "feeding frenzy" - all great terms when you are a Realtor and that's what's going on in your market, BUT, a really BIG question??? How long will this last - is it just a small hiatus from the "crisis" that we're in? You know, that pesky little "economic crisis" the one that still doesn't have a name - other than "economic crisis"?

I'm not a "The Sky is Falling" kind of gal, but we do have to be realistic and embrace the mess that has been created... accept it, understand it, work with it, learn from it, and go through the growing pains before watching it go away. Whether we've reached the bottom or not.... the people that can take advantage and financially take on purchasing a property right now are scoring some wonderful deals! Plummeting prices and interest rates - and then throwing in the tax credit for first timers is, quite frankly, making the Buyer Representation part of my job, a blast!

Here's a link to some IRS info that may give incentive to more first timers that have not already taken advantage of this huge gift! And, if you or anyone else you know (first timer or not) would like help with Flagstaff Real Estate - let's talk!

Life Expectancy Calculator

This is a really neat tool. Is the stress of life in general cutting your life short? Take this quiz to find out your Virtual Age and Life Expectancy. Virtual Age It's fun, too! I'm almost 47, yet going on 30.5 :-) with a life expectancy of 90.5 (that's not that great and I'll be working on that number)!

Many things we have no control over - yet so many factors, we actually hold the key...Enjoy your life, be thankful for what you have (yet motivated and expecting more) - cut the burger and fries to 1 time per month (if you are thankful for it and appreciate it - it's enough), and most importantly, learn how to roll with the punches - Be thankful for the blows of life as they are there to push us to the next level!

Another great event in Flagstaff!

Flagstaff may be a small town, but big things happen here, like LUNAFEST! LUNAFEST is a fundraising film festival “dedicated to promoting awareness about women’s issues.” All the films are created by women and tour nationally, with the proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Fund and the Girls on the Run. To date, LUNAFEST, developed and funded by Luna, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women (which you surely have tried – yum), has raised over $200,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund as well as other non-profit organizations.

So mark your calendars and head over to the Orpheum Theater (15 W. Aspen) on Saturday, March 28, 2009. There is a matinee showing at 2pm (with tickets only $5), and if you are an evening kind of person, doors will open at 6:30pm ($15 for adults; $25 for couples; $10 for students). Besides 10 great short films, there will be two local guest speakers during intermission. Topics cover everything from women’s health to cultural diversity, body image and sexuality.

Is It a Good Time To Buy a Home?

YES - It is a great time to buy a home! Of course, things are a bit different than 3 or 4 years ago (thank goodness). Be prepared to jump through a few more hoops with your lender and have some money on hand for a strong down payment (typically 10% for conventional and 3 ½ for FHA), but the deals and houses are out there - just waiting for the strong at heart to take advantage of the opportunities.

One thing to keep in mind, if you are in the market for a house, a good rule of thumb is to keep it for at least five years. That advice comes from www.BloggingStocks.com – and me too – although each individual situation is different and can yield varied results. Right now, "Flipping" houses (unless you’re a pro who finds an unbelievable deal and has the connections to renovate and re-sell cheaply) is risky business at best, but finding a place that works for you and settling in or renting it out for awhile is the best course of action for returns on your dollar. If you sell too quickly, you may lose $$$ - and that’s not the idea.

So, don't be afraid to contact a realtor (preferably me) and see what’s out there on the market. I’m ready to help you find “your deal” in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. Check out my website www.nazhouses.com where you can request a Custom Home Search or quickly be in contact with me to discuss your plans.

The Sunday Morning Gift - Continued....

The Sunday morning gift I spoke about in the last post was the gift that kept on giving and giving...To the point were I had to ask the Snow Gods for mercy from their Comeback Of The Decade!

The Gift That Kept On Giving

A Sunday Morning Gift

Flagstaff residents received a Sunday morning gift - waking up to 8 inches of snow (I say more like 5, but I'm not going to argue with Brittney, the Channel 3 Weather Lady). After having one of the wettest Decembers on record, the Snow Gods have been taking a break - but it looks like their back at it again - and their arrival is a welcome sight! There's nothing like taking a walk in Downtown Flagstaff after a decent snow! This picture, provided by Flagstaff Webcam is the beautiful Church of the Nativity.

Now, my dog and I are going to get out of the house, walk downtown and go see it in person!

Salsa Brava Featured on Food Network's Triple D

A popular Flagstaff restaurant was recently featured on the Food Networks show - Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Salsa Brava, located on the historical Rt. 66 in Flagstaff, AZ is well known for their unique mexican cuisine and their extreme salsa bar! But now, they've hit the big time and their not just a local secret anymore.

When the owner was contacted by the popular cable tv show, he initially didn't know who they were, but after some research, realized that he was just given a gift from the restaurant Gods and jumped right into the opportunity to be featured. Ya - can you imagine - kinda like HGTV contacting one of us Realtors to be featured on House Hunters or something? That would be a huge hallelujah moment wouldn't it?

Well, we can all keep dreaming - and in the meantime, if you get to Flagstaff, check out Salsa Brava on Rt. 66 for some great spice!



http://azdailysun.com/articles/2009/02/04/news/local/20090204_local_190272.txt

Life - After The Super Bowl

Now that the shock has worn off - the stadium cleaned, sounds from cheering fans and "The Boss" no longer can be heard. Reality sets in and whether your team was the winner or not, there are some lessons we can benefit from.
I'm not necessarily a football fan - this is the first game I've watched in its entirety since my college days (a long time ago). But I am forever a sports fan, from individual to team - I'm a fan of their hard work and mental attitude - the successful habits that athletes can teach all of us!
Being the best you can be in sports is much like anything else in life - it's never easy. The game is what everybody sees and relates to, but it's only the tip of the iceberg. The tough, hard, difficult work that goes on EVERY day, even when you don't feel like it - never giving up, keeping faith through adversity - it's the only way to get to the "Big Game". The odds might be against you and everyone is suggesting you pack it up, but if you hang in there, work hard and believe in yourself - you'll make it through the difficulties.
I'm choosing to look at this economy as my practice - an opportunity to work hard, learn, prepare and get myself ready for the "Big Game". Easy....no way, uncomfortable - to the point of painful at times...for sure, but the end results will be priceless.

Change is Good - Campaign 2009

It seems we are all a bit more in tune with the concept of "Change" these days. The changes we have been promised as a nation, the ones we've promised ourselves to make because we need or want to, even the changes we are forced to make because that proverbial baseball bat of life has clubbed us. So…, I'm making a declaration - 2009 will be the "Change Is Good" year! A campaign to stay positive - through the "Good, the Bad and the Ugly" occurrences, and use these experiences as opportunities to grow.
Now... to start off the "Change is Good Campaign", let's talk about Change a Pet's Life Day! With the recent buzz around our new 1st Family choosing their Whitehouse doggie, pet adoption has been put into the spotlight. Hill's Pet Nutrition (better known as Science Diet) has declared January 24, 2009, as Change a Pet's Life Day. Any program that brings attention to pet adoption, the plights that face our fur ball friends and the "changes" that need to be made to treat them with honor, will get a thumbs up from me!
But what about the people that already have a pet? I started to think about how I could make some small "changes" that would greatly improve the quality of my dog's life and here's one I came up with!
If I had to name one activity that truly makes my dog tick (no pun intended) – it’s a walk! To get out into the woods of Flagstaff - free to run, sniff, chase and hunt is primo for her, but even a regular walk on a leash still seems to be the most exciting thing on the planet – you can see the gratitude, every time on her face - it makes her doggie day. I try to give this gift to her as much as possible, but sometimes I let life get in the way.
So, from this day forward – I pledge to make a “change” that will “Change My Dog’s Life”. No matter what my mood, how I’m feeling, what went wrong, what went right, what’s happening in the day - I am going get the both of us out of the house and enjoy a walk.

In closing, I challenge you to do the same, (obviously not a walk if your pet is a turtle, bird, etc) to come up with something you can do to make your pet’s life better – and I guarantee, you’ll both reap the benefits - Change is Good 2009!

How Many Realtors Do We Have and What Do We Need Them For Anyway?

Did you know there are 574 active Realtors in Northern Arizona? Yikes, that's right up there with the number of lube shops in Flagstaff. Chances are, with those numbers, you can not only get your car lubed at a moments notice, but also, everything that is important about a Realtor's services to their clients has been said. So with the best intentions of making this interesting for you (readers, clients and future clients), I'm going to take a different direction. Having Realtor representation, whether you are buying or selling, is right up there with...well, getting your car lubed on a regular basis. You can do it yourself if so inclined, but what about all the other stuff - the dirty filters, cracking hoses and belts, and leaking seals that might get overlooked and end up costing you more in the long run? I've been a Realtor since July, 2005 and as a professional, take the responsibilities of being a Realtor very seriously. In a nutshell, to look out for my clients' best interests through thick and thin and provide the information and guidance to help them make the decision that best fits their needs is key - and...sharing many smiles along the way!