Flagstaff Real Estate and Community News records my thoughts for the general public and my clients about living and selling real estate in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. Here's last week's collection of blog posts: Regarding the Flagstaff City Elections: Flagstaff Record Turnout Predicted Flagstaff Voters Choose Change and Experience Regarding the Flagstaff real estate market: The market is becoming more competitive for buyers in at least some price categories Now Is the Time to Buy A Flagstaff Home Flagstaff fairs better than many real estate markets - read with caution! Regarding National Real Estate News: Senate Advances Housing Bill About Living in Flagstaff: Memorial Day Weekend in Flagstaff! Some general thoughts (and linking back to Active Rain): Recollections of the Meaning of Me... 05/26/2008

 Both Terry and I are very excited and pleased to let everyone know that Russ Lyon Realty Company of Flagstaff, a 61 year old icon in Arizona real estate, and Equitable Sotheby's International Realty, a world leader in luxury home sales, have merged to form Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty. We are personally looking forward to bring the combined services of these two giants in the real estate industry to our clients.   Jim and Terry Tress Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC 1 Campus Drive Parsippany, NJ  07054   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      Merger Creates Largest Sotheby's International Realty® Network Member    PARSIPPANY, N.J. (June 4, 2008) - Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Equitable Sotheby's International Realty in Scottsdale, Ariz... 05/25/2008

Perhaps I've been a bit too over-confident about my physical fitness this afternoon. I just signed up to walk up the Snow Bowl Road on August 16 in the Flagstaff event "Climb to Conquer Cancer".  Climb to Conquer Cancer is a noncompetitive walk to raise awareness and dollars to fight cancer. Actually, I am excited to announce that I am supporting the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer by participating in this fundraising campaign along with others at RE/MAX Peak Properties. Our team, of course, is called RE/MAX Peak Climbers. Please visit my personal fund-raising web site to learn more about this campaign and to donate to Climb to Conquer.  All contributions support the American Cancer Society's efforts to fund groundbreaking cancer research, provide up-to-date cancer inform... 05/23/2008

From noon to 4PM on May 31st, Forest Highlands is having a Open House Tour featuring many of the homes that are currently for sale in the community. Four of my homes will be on the tour and you are also welcome to tour the lot I have listed as well.     774 Fred Breen 5 Bedrooms/5.5 Bathrooms6,033 Square Feet 1.02 Acre LotLocated on 10th Fairway of Meadows CourseFor more infornation, click here. Listed for $2,795,000    256 Griffiths Spring3 Bedrooms/4.5 Bathroons4,080 Square Feet.67 Acre LotMount Humphreys ViewsFor more information, click here. Listed for $1,950,000    867 Forest Highlands4 Bedrooms/4.5 Bathrooms4,150 Square Feet.57 Acre LotLocated on the 3rd Fairway of Meadows CourseFor more information, click here. Listed for $1,675,000     222 Forest Highlands4 Bedrooms/4.5 Bathroom... 05/18/2008

OPEN HOUSE When: Saturday, May 31st, 2008 Time: Noon - 4PM Location: 102 Edward Ayer Road                   Forest Highlands                   Flagstaff, AZ 86001   Come see this wonderful home on May 31st. Overlooking the 4th and 5th holes of Forest Highlands' Canyon Course, which is the top-ranked course in Arizona, this home will not disappoint.     Features Include: 5 Bedrooms/ 4 Bathrooms 5,750 Square Feet 4+ Car Garage Built with many "green" features including R-38 Thermo Block, R-6.6 windows, no forced air, VOC-free paints and more. Listed for $2,150,000 For more information about the Open House, directions to Forest Highlands or to learn more about this wonderful home, please contact Heather Tawes Nelson of Realty Executives Mountain View at (602) 751-1675 or visit my website. ... 05/18/2008

I'm new to podcasting -- I just got an ipod at the end of last year. I've only purchased a few things, but there is all sorts of great free stuff. My favorite thing is the ability to time-transfer my favorite National Public Radio programs. I love The Diane Rhem Show! Today, her panel had a great discussion of the gridlock that is blocking the mortgage relief bill. I wanted to share it with my blog readers and I knew there was a way to insert a podcast into my other blog, I just hadn't done it. The difficult part is finding the actual podcast address. I don't think I can describe how to do it well enough to give instructions here, but if you want to try it yourself, the key is fiddling around with the "properties" shown when you right-click on the podcast link. As I get more "expert" at... 05/14/2008

The good news is that blogging brings business. The bad news is that I then have no time for blogging. I've got lots of great ideas, but finding the time to get them on paper (so to speak) and also take care of my 13 listings, 6 closings in May, and still have a life in beautiful Flagstaff has become a problem.By the way, if you're looking for fun in Flagstaff this weekend, here is the link to Flagstaff things to do. (Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff -- pictured on the right --would be an interesting place to hang out if you found nothing else on that list. There is sure to be music and people-watching, and it's surrounded by great restaurants and shops.)I'm resisting the impluse to hire someone to blog for me because it's my thoughts and expertise that seem to be attracting people... 05/03/2008

My clients read and watch the real estate news closely, but they don't always correctly understand what it means to them. I try to explain what I hear and read regularly in my blog so that it makes sense in the context of the Flagstaff home market. Listening to the national real estate news is a great way to get blogging ideas. I think you need to take the next step and make that national news relevant at the local level.One example is my post this week about New Home Construction Statistics. Mid-week, the U.S. Commerce Department issued first quarter statistics for new home starts and new home building permits. Do you know the difference?  And how the different data is gathered? You can provide that information to your clients by linking to the U.S. Bureau of the Census website. The me... 04/19/2008

Big news for Flagstaff music lovers: Elizabeth Schulze is the choice for Flagstaff Symphony conductor. After a year-long competition that brought some great talent to Flagstaff, the announcement was made on stage at the final FSO concert of the 2007-2008 season. I saw her conduct at the first performance of the season and she's been my personal choice since then, although the others (all men) were also outstanding. Ms. Schulze is now the conductor of the Maryland Symphony. Since Flagstaff has, in the past, shared an Artistic Director with other symphonies as far away as Hudson Valley, New York and Anchorage, she may not be leaving that post. I've not heard one way or the other.By the way, last night's performance was was fabulous. I'm sure my enjoyment of Britten's War Requiem was enhan... 04/12/2008

The bug person told me to take the day off. Actually, she told me to take a hike. (?) It's beautiful today, so maybe I'll do that. Later. Right now, I'm blogging. And trying to get price changes. And trying to get roofs fixed. You know -- the life of a real estate agent. (But I'm doing it from my beautiful Flagstaff home instead of from the office.)The good news is that we have two new, very attractive listings this week: 1460 Fox Hill Road and 555 N. Apollo, and the buyers' agents of Team Heitland are very busy. Tina is at a three-day marathon to finish up her Certified Residential Specialist designation. Patty has been doing her own marthon with buyers running through homes all week -- and writing offers!  The bad news is that I made no progress this week on my next technical goal -- ... 04/11/2008

Flagstaff, Arizona's Aspen Valley Golf Course, the best kept secret in Northern Arizona. As we leave winter and start Spring a lot of the residents of Northern Arizona put away their skis and pick up their golf clubs. There are five golf courses in the Flagstaff area. Four are private and one is public. Aspen Valley was purchased by the members in 1993 and has consistantly improve ever since. With 400 members getting a tee time is easy and the dues have remained low .. approximately $2,200.00 per year. If your looking for a cool retreat during the summer months visit Flagstaff and check out Aspen Valley Golf Club. 04/10/2008

 The Majestic Elk were at one time the most widely distributed member of the deer family in North America. It is estimated that there were an estimated to total of 10 million Elk before European man arrived in what was to become the United States. The great reduction in elk numbers is attributable to market hunting and agriculture. A population low of 90,000 occurred in 1922, of these, 40,000 were in Yellowstone Park. The Park's herds became a reservoir for stocking breeding elk. Between 1912 and 1967 more than 13,500 elk were transplanted from the Park. In February 1913, 83 elk were released in Cabin Draw near Chevelon Creek. From these transplants the Arizona elk population has grown to nearly 35,000 animals. It is a marvelous feeling to travel Northern Arizona and be privileged to se... 04/09/2008

 Wapatki National MounumentWhen traveling in Northern Arizona do not miss the opportunity to visit this site. Wupatki National Monument Wupatki Pueblo was the largest pueblo around 800 years ago! In one of the warmest and driest locations on the Colorado Plateau it was an active meeting place for diffent cultures. This legacy remains but we still do not know how and why people lived here. Located just north of Flagstaff, Arizona it offers little food, water or comforts but the people who settled here were hardy and resourceful. When travling in Northern Arizona do not miss the oppotunity to see this attraction. 04/08/2008

 The Flagstaff condo described below is right next to Northern Arizona University and within smelling distance of Oregano's Pizza Joint. Check out that link -- it's pretty cool -- a Big Band sound. Click on the link for the Flagstaff location and you'll see the patio at this very delicious pizza place. The deep dish reminds me of true Chicago pizza from my college days, but I like the thin crust best (maybe because they serve it faster?).   The map on the right is Oregano's location (click on it and you'll hear the jazz). So, anyway, here is the condo that you should own to be within reach of Oregeno's great smell, and the NAU campus:To learn more about condos in Flagstaff, read Flagstaff, AZ Condo Market.  To learn more about this condo click here. For all your real estate needs, conta... 04/04/2008

That I hate bugs! They give me the creeps. Each week, my assistant prepares a list of Flagstaff events for the coming weekend for me to blog about. She sends it to me with her favorite picture of the week.  Here is this week's picture. Ugh! The photo relates to "Bugs at Work", an exhibit at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. I, for one, will not be going!     There are lots of other things to do in Flagstaff this weekend, from opera to politics to classic plays. There is bird-walking, art-walking, and mountain climbing. Come on up!If you'd like to buy or sell Flagstaff real estate, contact Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties.  Have a great weekend - we will! 04/03/2008

Yep, that's right. Just by doing what I consider the necessary part of my work as a Flagstaff real estate agent - knowing the market - I won a $50 gift certificate for dinner at Buster's Restaurant in Flagstaff.  Pine Knoll Village is a new 55-lot development toward the east edge of Pine Knoll Drive (which runs through the south end of the NAU campus on the west side of Flagstaff). This is near the better known (thus far) Rio Homes development. I had been meaning to pay my second visit to Pine Knoll Village (the first was several months ago, when ground was just being broken). Then, last week, I got a message from the developer, Bob Karberg, a long-time colleague in Flagstaff real estate. He offered a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to any agent who visited the Pine Knoll subdivisi... 04/03/2008

Louie isn't there anymore! On Thursday, I did my usual "what's up in Flagstaff this weekend" post and included an archive picture of Louie the Lumberjack (Mascot of Northern Arizona University) in front of the Walkup Skydome.  Well, I went to the Flagstaff Home and Garden Show on Friday and Louie had moved!  Apparently, students had vandalized Louie one too many times in his outdoor position on campus, so he has been moved inside the Skydome. This weekend, he towered over all the displays at one end of the Home and Garden Show. He apparently keeps a close eye on the court during all home basketball games, but I haven't heard that it has helped the players much. If I were from an opposing school, I'd be intimidated by that ax! 03/30/2008

 A propane leak cause an historic cabin to blow up at Fort Valley in Flagstaff, AZ.  This is certainly an eye opener for everyone who heats their homes with propane.  Right now the explosion is still being investigated but they believe that it may have been caused by a crack in the propane line.  With heavy snow and ice this winter the gas leak may have been buried under a large amount of ice.  Luckily for the renter and the home owner no one was injured in this explosion.It's a good time to have your gas lines inspected in Northern Arizona to make sure there has been no damage from our wet winter.     03/28/2008

 Over 1000 exhibitors will inspire home ideas in Flagstaff for the next three days as the Home and Garden Show occupies the Northern Arizona University Skydome. As visitors enter the Home Show, they will be greeted by NAU's mascot, Louie the Lumberjack, pictured here in front of the Walkup Skydome. Louie may not be very welcoming or homey, but, hey, it's a college campus!Click here to print an internet coupon for $2 off at the Flagstaff Home and Garden Show.I'll be at the Home Show tomorrow a.m. working the booth of the Coconino County Democrats. If you're in Flagstaff at the Home Show, look for me in the booth between 10 a.m. and noon.  Then back to work in the afternoon with yet another listing appointment!  For details on more fun things to do in Flagstaff this weekend, visit my othe... 03/27/2008

It's been a beautiful Spring week in Flagstaff. At 7000 feet, temperatures have been in the fifties and even thelow sixties at mid-day.  Winter coats are, of course, still required when the sun falls and there is still plenty of snow gracing the mountains above town. Flagstaff is a beautiful place to live!   It's also been quiet here in Flagstaff this week, with much of this college town out of town for Spring Break. But the school breaks have freed up time for home buyers also and we're seeing some more activity from first-time and move-up buyers. What we are not seeing is the traditional Flagstaff second-home buyer, who is someone from the Phoenix area looking for a place to get away from the heat and crowds in the Maricopa valley. This will be the second year in a row that Flagstaff... 03/21/2008