Realty Executives of Northern Arizona
As the Olympics draw to a close, I thought it would be fascinating to look at how homeownership — one of the most powerful symbols of stability and success — compares across countries.
Homeownership represents more than just a place to live. In many cultures, it reflects financial security, generational wealth, and personal achievement. Yet even in nations with strong ownership rates, affordability and economic conditions continue to shape the path to buying a home.
Below is a look at how six major countries compare in today’s housing market.
United States
The U.S. remains one of the more affordable developed markets based on its price-to-income ratio, making ownership attainable compared to many peers — even with elevated interest rates.
Canada
Canada’s ownership rate is strong, but affordability remains a serious challenge — especially in major metros like Toronto and Vancouver.
United Kingdom
While ownership remains culturally important, higher price-to-income ratios continue to strain first-time buyers across the UK.
France
France benefits from comparatively lower mortgage rates, but affordability ratios suggest that buyers still face meaningful income barriers.
Japan
Japan’s incredibly low interest rates are attractive, yet affordability challenges remain due to income dynamics and urban concentration.
Brazil
Brazil boasts one of the highest ownership rates among these countries, but high borrowing costs and affordability pressures create significant financial strain for buyers.
Key Takeaways
Why This Matters Locally
Global trends influence capital flows, interest rate policies, and investor activity — all of which impact local markets here at home. While every country faces unique housing challenges, the desire for homeownership remains universal. It is comforting to know that the US housing market remains one of the most desirable especially in terms of affordability.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply understanding how today’s market positions you for long-term wealth, I’m always happy to talk strategy.
Blessings,
Kim
Data sources: Trading Economics, World Population Review, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Statistics reflect 2025–2026 estimates.
Declutter One Space at a Time
Clutter can creep in slowly, especially during the rush of the holidays. Instead of tackling your whole home at once, choose one area each week- like the kitchen pantry, entryway, or linen closet. Small wins build momentum and create a cleaner, more peaceful environment. Many homeowners are surprised by how much lighter and more organized they feel after this simple reset.
Refresh Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Even if winter is still lingering, there are plenty of quick upgrades you can do now: clean your entryway, add a fresh doormat, update exterior lighting, and plan for spring landscaping. Boosting curb appeal not only enhances pride of ownership but also strengthens long-term value.
Create a Maintenance Plan You’ll Actually Follow
Most homeowners know they should stay on top of maintenance, but the execution can be challenging. This year, build a simple seasonal checklist that includes tasks like replacing filters, cleaning gutters, sealing windows, and testing smoke detectors. A proactive plan reduces stress and prevents small issues from turning into costly surprises.
Reduce Energy Waste Throughout the Home
A more energy-efficient home is good for your wallet and your comfort. Consider upgrading to LED bulbs, installing smart thermostats, sealing drafts, and improving insulation where needed. These small adjustments often create immediate improvements in temperature control and utility costs.
Update One High-Use Room
You don’t need a full renovation to give your home a noticeable lift. Refreshing a frequently used room such as the living room, main bathroom, or kitchen can transform how you feel in your space. Consider updated hardware, new textiles, better lighting, or a fresh coat of paint. Even modest changes can make the room feel brand new.
Organize Your Documents and Home Records
Build (or Rebuild) Your Emergency Kit
Every home should be prepared for unexpected events. Take time this year to assemble essentials like flashlights, batteries, shelf-stable food, water, a first-aid kit, and backup chargers. Replace expired items and make sure every household member knows where the kit is stored.
Start a Home Savings Fund
Whether you’re planning future upgrades or preparing for routine expenses, setting aside a dedicated home fund gives you peace of mind. Even a small monthly contribution can grow quickly and help you stay ahead of upcoming projects. It also keeps you in a strong position for larger goals down the road.
Improve the Health of Your Indoor Environment
Many homeowners overlook indoor air quality, yet it plays a significant role in overall wellness. Schedule HVAC maintenance, replace filters regularly, add air-purifying plants if you enjoy greenery, and consider deep cleaning carpets or window coverings. Cleaner air creates a noticeably more comfortable living experience.
Evaluate Your Long-Term Real Estate Goals
A new year is the ideal moment to think about the bigger picture. Are you planning to move, invest, downsize, or enhance your current home’s value? Understanding your goals helps you make smarter decisions throughout the year. This is where partnering with a seasoned real estate professional truly matters—they can offer insight, strategy, and guidance based on real market knowledge and years of experience.
By adopting even a few of these resolutions, you’ll set the stage for a more organized, efficient, and enjoyable home year-round. And if any of your goals involve buying, selling, or upgrading your property, having the support of a well-connected real estate expert ensures you’re making informed decisions that align with both your lifestyle and your long-term plans.
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays held many blessings. We are grateful for being voted Best of Flagstaff for the 5th year! Your trust and commitment to me and Realty Executives of Northern Arizona is so appreciated.
Let's start 2026 with a brief analysis of our Flagstaff real estate market. The latest data for single family homes, condos, townhouses, and apartments shows a market that is steadily gaining momentum while remaining relatively balanced.
Market Metrics Snapshot
| Metric | Current Data |
|---|---|
| Months Supply | 5.7 months (MoM -15% · YoY +86%) |
| Median Sold Price | $735,000 (MoM +17%) |
| Sold-to-List Price Ratio | 98.11% (MoM +1%) |
| Median Days on Market | 68 days (MoM -7%) |
| New Listings | 84 |
| Active Listings | 355 |
| Pending Listings | 52 |
Months of supply currently sits at 5.7 months, down 15% from last month but up significantly year-over-year. This reflects a market that is tightening in the short term while still offering buyers more choices than this time last year. Overall, conditions are moving closer to balance, with neither buyers nor sellers holding a decisive advantage.
The median sold price increased to $735,000, representing a notable 17% rise from last month. This level of price movement suggests renewed buyer confidence and stronger demand, especially for well-positioned properties.
Homes are continuing to sell very close to asking price. The sold-to-list ratio of 98.11% indicates that sellers who price appropriately are achieving strong outcomes, and buyers may find less room for negotiation compared to earlier months.
Market pace is also improving. Median days on market declined to 68 days, reflecting more efficient transactions and a buyer pool that is acting with greater clarity and confidence.
Inventory activity shows 84 new listings coming to market, 355 active listings available, and 52 properties currently pending. With pending sales holding steady and new listings more limited, demand appears to be keeping pace with supply.
Overall, our market is entering a more confident phase. Sellers are benefiting from rising prices and quicker sales when homes are priced correctly. Buyers also have opportunities but should be prepared to act strategically. Nationally, Lawrence Yun, the economist for the National Association of Realtors, is forecasting a 14% increase in sales volume with a 4% increase in home prices. You can read the article here.
If you would like to discuss how these trends relate to your goals or your neighborhood, I would be happy to help. I'm only a phone call or email away.
Blessings,
Kim
Here are practical tips for pet-owning sellers to get their home showing-ready.
Pet owners often become “nose blind” to smells that visitors notice immediately. Before showings:
If odors are persistent, professional carpet cleaning or deodorizing treatments can be a worthwhile investment.
Whenever possible, remove pets from the home for showings and open houses. Even friendly animals can distract buyers, cause allergies, or make visitors uncomfortable. Options include:
If removal isn’t possible, confine pets securely to one area and clearly notify your agent.
Pet items can make a home feel less clean and more cluttered. Before each showing:
The goal is not to erase your lifestyle, but to help buyers imagine their own.
Buyers notice scratched floors, chewed trim, stained carpets, and damaged screens. Addressing these issues ahead of time can prevent negative assumptions about overall maintenance. Simple fixes include:
These improvements often pay off in stronger offers and fewer inspection objections.
Outdoor areas matter just as much as interiors. Before showings:
A clean, neutral yard helps buyers focus on space and potential—not upkeep concerns.
Barking, whining, or scratching during showings can quickly turn buyers off. Pets that react to doorbells or strangers can disrupt tours and shorten showing times. If pets must remain in the home:
There’s no need to hide that pets live in the home, but it’s best not to spotlight it. Avoid photos in listings that include pets or pet accessories. Neutral, clean visuals photograph better and appeal to a wider audience.
Selling a home with pets requires extra planning, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By minimizing odors, clutter, and distractions, you create an environment where buyers can focus on the home—not the animals who live there.
With thoughtful preparation, pet-owning sellers can attract more buyers, stronger offers, and smoother transactions—all while keeping their furry family members comfortable during the process.
In today’s digital-first real estate environment, many clients begin their home search with Zillow. The Zestimate has become a familiar reference point, often shaping seller expectations and buyer perceptions before an agent ever enters the conversation. While Zestimates offer convenience, experienced real estate agents know they frequently miss the mark—and sometimes by a wide margin.
Understanding why Zestimates can be inaccurate helps agents educate clients, set realistic expectations, and reinforce the value of professional expertise.
Zillow’s Zestimate is generated by an automated valuation model (AVM) that analyzes public records, historical sales, and nearby comparables. What it does not do is walk through the home, evaluate workmanship, or understand buyer psychology.
Unlike agents, algorithms cannot assess condition, flow, natural light, curb appeal, or pride of ownership—factors that often determine how buyers perceive value and how aggressively they compete for a property.
Agents know that upgrades sell homes, but Zillow often doesn’t see them. A remodeled kitchen, new roof, upgraded HVAC, or high-end finishes may not be reflected in public data. As a result, homes with extensive improvements may be undervalued, while outdated or poorly maintained homes may appear overpriced online.
This disconnect is especially common in markets with older housing stock or where renovations are frequent.
Real estate is local—sometimes block by block. This is especially pertinent to the Flagstaff area. School boundaries, traffic patterns, views, zoning changes, national forests, and neighborhood reputation all influence value. Agents track these nuances daily; algorithms struggle to capture them.
In fast-moving or transitioning markets, Zestimates often lag behind reality. Agents see buyer demand, multiple-offer situations, and price adjustments in real time—long before those trends appear in an AVM.
Zestimates rely heavily on public records, which are often incomplete or inaccurate. Incorrect square footage, missing additions, wrong bedroom counts, or unrecorded improvements can significantly skew values. Even when homeowners claim their property and update details, the Zestimate may not meaningfully adjust.
Agents, on the other hand, verify data, measure homes, and reconcile discrepancies before pricing a property.
Custom homes, luxury properties, rural estates, historic residences, and mixed-use properties are notoriously difficult for automated models to price. With limited comparable sales, Zestimates become educated guesses at best.
Agents fill this gap by expanding comp criteria, adjusting for qualitative differences, and applying professional judgment—something no algorithm can replicate.
One of the biggest challenges agents face is helping clients separate online estimates from market reality. Sellers may anchor to a high Zestimate, while buyers may use a low one to justify unrealistic offers.
By explaining the limitations of Zestimates and presenting a data-backed comparative market analysis (CMA), agents reposition themselves as trusted advisors rather than salespeople.
Instead of dismissing the Zestimate outright, savvy agents use it as a conversation starter:
This approach builds credibility and demonstrates value through education.
Zillow’s Zestimate can provide a broad snapshot, but it cannot replace local expertise, on-the-ground insight, or professional analysis. Real estate agents bring context, accuracy, and strategy—qualities no algorithm can fully replicate.
For agents, the goal isn’t to compete with Zestimates, but to clarify their limitations and show clients why informed human judgment still matters most in determining a home’s true market value.
When you are looking for accurate, local information about the real estate market in Northern Arizona, come on in and see us or give us a call. Our office is proud to have been voted the Best Real Estate Agency/Company in Flagstaff for 5 years in a row. Let us show you what we can do together!
Where the Experts are - Serving Flagstaff and Northern Arizona since 1977
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