Be Careful What You Wish For –

When speaking with several clients earlier in the week about our ominous forecast for record setting snowfall, I replied – and I quote, “Oh, I wish, I’ll believe it when I see it!”… Well, at 50+ inches and counting – I’m a believer! As I keep shoveling, shoveling, shoveling to get out of my home – I think back to my proclamation – and smile in humble adoration at Mother Nature’s swift thump on my head – or, maybe that was a huge dollop of snow falling out of a tree! Whatever the case - I now say, with gratitude to Mother Nature and her Team of Snow Gods – thanks for the thump, and for restoring my faith – but enough already!

Here are a few Pics -

And remember, It's Cooler Up Here - and although I'm shoveling, shoveling, shoveling - I still have time to help with your real estate needs - just drop me a line...and bring your shovel.

Spike Lee Speaking in Flagstaff

American Film Royalty, Spike Lee will grace the halls of Ardrey Auditorium, Northern Arizona University on January 27 at 7:00. The Spike Lee Film Festival, January 22 – 27th will be featuring a few of his works including, When the Levees Broke, Bamboozled, and Do the Right Thing. Do the Right Thing will be the opening act of the festival at the Historical Orpheum Theatre in Historical Downtown Flagstaff on January 22, at 7:00. Lee will be the closing act, marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, 2010.
Tickets for “An Evening with Spike Lee” are $30 for the public, $15 for NAU faculty and staff, and free for those lucky students.
Tickets are required - call (928)523-5661 - and for more information visit - www.nau.edu/msi.
Lee is certain to spark some thought provoking dialog amongst the students, faculty and general public that are able to attend these events - definitely worth a look.

And remember, It's Cooler Up Here - so drop me a line if you are interested in Flagstaff Real Estate.

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.