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.