Realty Executives of Northern Arizona
Did you know that Flagstaff in Coconino County, Arizona, is home to the world's largest ponderosa pine forest?
Or that it was once a stop on the famous Route 66?
Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, was a highway in the United States that stretched from Chicago to California.
It was established in 1926 and served as a major transportation route for people and goods during the Great Depression.
Many historical landmarks and tourist destinations can be found along the route.
Whether you want to go hiking and biking in the forests or explore downtown's historic district, this city has something for everyone.
Here are some of the best things to do in Flagstaff, Arizona:
The Orpheum Theater:
Built in 1911, it was originally known as the Majestic Theater.
It served as a major movie theater for the community until it closed in 1999.
The building remained closed for three years until it was renovated and reopened in 2002.
Today, the Orpheum Theater hosts a variety of live performances, including concerts, plays, and comedy shows.
Historic Downtown Flagstaff is a place brimming with history and culture.
The district is lined with beautiful old buildings full of historic charm and character, most of which date back to the early 1900s.
The district has several museums and historical landmarks, including the Museum Club, the Elks Opera House, and the Weatherford Hotel.
Visitors can also enjoy shopping and dining in Historic Downtown Flagstaff.
Lowell Observatory is a historic observatory located on West Mars Hill Road.
Founded in 1894, it was the first observatory in the United States to be open to the public.
It’s best known for its discovery of Pluto in 1930.
Today, Lowell Observatory is home to several telescopes and exhibits that allow visitors to explore the universe and see the stars.
Some exhibits on display include the Leonard Nimoy Planetarium, the Discovery Center, and the Aspen Grove.
The Leonard Nimoy Planetarium is a state-of-the-art theater that uses advanced digital projection technology to recreate the night sky.
The Discovery Center is a hands-on exhibit space that features displays about planets, stars, galaxies, and other topics in astronomy.
The Aspen Grove is an outdoor exhibit area with many interactive displays about the sun, moon, planets, and other astronomical objects.
Nestled on North Fort Valley Road, the Pioneer Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the American frontier.
The museum features several exhibits that tell the story of how the west was explored.
Some highlights include a replica of a pioneer cabin, an interactive mining exhibit, and a life-size diorama of Fort Apache.
In addition to its exhibits, the Pioneer Museum also offers many educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Some of these programs include the Living History Program, which allows visitors to learn about pioneer life first-hand from costumed interpreters, and the Trails to Treasure Program, which teaches kids about archaeology and history through interactive activities.
The Pioneer Museum is a great place to learn about America’s western heritage, and plenty of fun and educational programs are available for visitors of all ages.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is a museum dedicated to the study and preservation of Native American culture.
Located on North Fort Valley Road, the museum features several exhibits that explore the history and culture of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and other Native American tribes.
Some highlights include the Navajo Code Talkers exhibit, which tells the story of how Navajo marines used their language to create an unbreakable code during World War II.
There’s also a pottery lab that allows visitors to watch potters working on traditional pottery techniques.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is a must-see for anyone interested in learning about Native American culture.
If you’re looking for a great outdoor activity in Flagstaff, hiking to Humphreys Peak is the way to go.
Located just a short drive from the city center, it is the highest point in the state and offers some of the best views you can find.
The hike to the summit is about a six-hour round-trip, but it’s well worth it when you reach the top.
In addition to hiking, there are several other activities available, including camping and fishing.
For anyone looking for a great outdoor adventure, be sure to check out Humphreys Peak.
Northern Arizona University is a public university located on South San Francisco Street.
The university offers a variety of degree programs in several fields and is home to the world-renowned School of Forestry.
In addition to its academic programs, it offers many activities and attractions for visitors, including the NAU Observatory, which features interactive displays about the sun, moon, planets, and other astronomical objects.
It also has several beautiful hiking trails on campus, which offer great views of the surrounding area.
Northern Arizona University is an excellent place to learn about forestry and nature conservation.
Flagstaff Mall is a great place to spend a day when you’re looking for something fun to do.
In addition to its wide variety of stores, the mall along US-89 also offers different activities and attractions for visitors.
Its highlights include a children’s play area featuring games and activities for kids and a [nearby] movie theater that offers a variety of new releases and family-friendly movies.
The mall also has several restaurants for visitors who want something to eat, including everything from fast food chains to upscale dining options.
Flagstaff Mall is an excellent place to spend a day with friends or family.
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is a must-see for anyone visiting Flagstaff.
The monument is home to the Sunset Crater, a conder cone volcano formed about 1,000 years ago.
The volcano is still active and features several hiking trails that offer great views of the surrounding area.
In addition to its hiking trails, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument also features exhibits that tell the story of how the volcano was formed.
The highlights include a replica of a Native American village that showcases how people in the area lived before and after the eruption.
There’s also an interactive video exhibit that allows visitors to learn more about the science behind volcanoes.
Walnut Canyon National Monument is a great place to learn about the history of Southwest America.
Located on Walnut Canyon Road, the park offers ranger-led tours of the canyon and self-guided tours of the visitor center and museum.
Walnut Canyon National Monument offers a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore.
The shortest hike is the Island Trail, a half-mile loop that takes visitors around the island in the canyon’s center.
The longest is the Rim Trail, a six-mile round-trip that takes hikers to the top of the canyon walls.
There are also plenty of trails in between, so hikers can choose a trail that best suits their abilities and interests.
Flagstaff is home to several excellent breweries, and Mother Road Brewing Company is one of the best.
The brewery offers a variety of different beers, including everything from IPAs to stouts.
Mother Road Brewing Company is best known for its wide variety of craft beers.
Its most popular beers include the Tower Station IPA, the Route 66 Blonde Ale, and the 7th Street Stout.
The Tower Station IPA is a classic IPA that is heavily hopped and features a citrusy flavor.
Meanwhile, the Route 66 Blonde Ale is a light, refreshing beer perfect for summer days.
The 7th Street Stout is a rich, chocolatey stout that will satisfy your cravings.
In addition to its wide variety of beers, Mother Road Brewing Company also offers various tours and tastings. It’s the perfect place to try some local craft beer.
If you’re looking for a delicious and unique craft beer, check out Mother Road Brewing Company on South Mikes Pike Street.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Flagstaff Extreme is the place for you.
Located in Fort Tuthill County Park, the course offers various activities that will test you and push you to your limits.
Highlights include a zip line that takes visitors over the forest canopy, and a rock wall, which features challenging obstacles.
The course also has several trails perfect for hikers of all abilities.
Flagstaff Extreme is perfect for anyone who wants to experience some excitement and adventure that will get the blood pumped and give you a rush of adrenaline.
The Arboretum at Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit any time of year.
Located on South Woody Mountain Road, it comprises several gardens and walking trails, perfect for visitors who want to enjoy the beauty of nature.
The gardens feature various plants, including everything from cacti to roses.
Meanwhile, the walking trails are perfect for hikers of all abilities, and the arboretum has picnic areas ideal for family gatherings or date nights.
In addition, the arboretum offers many different events throughout the year.
Highlights include the Spring Plant Sale and the Holiday Lights event, which features thousands of lights illuminating the grounds during the holiday season.
The Arboretum at Flagstaff is worth a visit if you’re looking for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy some natural beauty.
If you’re looking for a place to cool off and have fun, the Flagstaff Aquaplex on North Fourth Street is the place to you.
It’s a multigenerational recreational center that offers various activities, such as swimming lessons, indoor wall climbing, and a fully-equipped gymnasium.
The aquaplex also has several pools, including a pool heated to 85 degrees year-round.
The pool is perfect for swimming, diving, and playing games with your friends.
Grand Canyon National Park is one of Arizona’s most popular tourist destinations, and for a good reason.
It’s home to some of the most stunning natural wonders in the world, including the Grand Canyon itself.
The Grand Canyon is a mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.
The park offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors, including hiking, camping, fishing, and river rafting.
An hour and 20 minutes from Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park is a must-see for anyone visiting Arizona.
Flagstaff is a charming city that offers plenty to its visitors.
Whether you want to explore the great outdoors or learn about its rich history, there’s something for everyone in the city.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start planning your trip, and be sure to check out all the best things to do in Flagstaff, Arizona!
Blake Walsh, Oct. 14, 2022, Travel Lens
Rising interest rates and previously skyrocketing home values have put many homes out of reach for buyers in all price ranges.
But there are ways to soften the effect of what a mortgage may cost.
Be decisive
Moving quickly when you are able to do so may be your best strategy. If you find that perfect property, get it. Many buyers have lost their buying power since the beginning of the year with interest rates almost double. So, it may be more beneficial to act quickly to beat losing out or being priced out of that perfect property.
Explore an adjustable-rate mortgage
If you plan on living in your next home for fewer than 5 to 7 years, it pays to speak to your lender about a 5/6 or 7/6 ARM or adjustable rate mortgage. For a far superior interest rate, you will get a loan that does not rate-adjust for 5 to 7 years, adjusts every six months afterward, and you could sell it or refinance before that ever occurs.
Lock it down
Interest rates fluctuate weekly; sometimes daily. Speak to your mortgage adviser about when to lock that interest rate, how long you get to keep that rate and whether you should pay for a longer rate lock.
Pay cash
That sounds like a very flip thing to say, but cash is starting to become king again. Money has been so cheap over the past few years that it made sense to get a loan even if you were able to pay cash for a property. In many markets, however, cash has been used by up to 27% of buyers to win a deal and then refinanced after close of escrow. Cash was great for that; it may be great again to sweeten the pot for a seller who may be caught off guard by current market conditions and is ready to make a deal.
Make an offer
With changing market conditions, many home sellers don’t know what the market value of their home is and are waiting for an offer. A seller’s situation may have changed, and they may be willing to accept less than asking price. You may come to an agreement on your terms. As the old saying goes: “They can’t say ‘Yes’ unless you ask the question.”
About the Author:
Gary Nelson
2022 President, Arizona Realtors
Delegated Associate Broker
Realty Executives of Flagstaff
https://www.garynelsongroup.com/
928-600-4279
Early Beginnings
The Sinagua people occupied a large area surrounding Flagstaff between about 500 CE and 1425 CE. These peoples then left the area due to unknown factors. These factors may have included: the eruption of Sunset Crater, resource depletion, drought, and/or clashes with newly arrived Yavapai people. There were also Northern Tonto Apache tribes in the area. A US Army Corps of Engineers book notes that Flagstaff did not have a colonial Spanish presence. There were Spanish missionaries nearby however, as indicated by the naming of the San Francisco peaks in the 17th century.
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Arizona separated from Mexico in 1848 and became American territory, and Flagstaff was created about 10 years later. It began when Edward Beale was appointed by the U.S. Congress to build a road across North America. Using camels along with horses and donkeys to carry supplies on his journey, he sent back glowing reports of the Flagstaff area. Our grasslands, timber, and water were attractive, but its isolation discouraged immediate growth.
On July 4, 1876 a small group of emigrants from Boston camped at a small spring with the peaks looming overhead. In honor of the nation’s centennial, they stripped a pine tree of its branches and bark and raised an American flag. When they moved on, future travelers used this post as a landmark.
The Railroad Arrives
In 1880, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad began to lay track between California and Albuquerque. Merchants and saloonkeepers set up supply camps along the railroad for advance parties of workers. In 1881 these citizens called the little town Flagstaff, in honor of the landmark. By that fall, population was at 200, and was becoming a railroad town filled with dance halls, gambling houses, and saloons. When the railroad was completed, some of these citizens moved on, but for those that stayed, Flagstaff became home for various sheep and cattle ranchers, lumber mills, merchants, cafes, hotels and saloons.
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Beale’s trail was replaced with cross-country railroads and highways, including Route 66. The proximity of Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon brought an economic boost and expanded tourism, even during the Great Depression.
Pluto is Discovered
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In 1894, Massachusetts astronomer Percival Lowell had the area scouted for a site to build a new observatory. The Lowell Observatory was then built on Mars Hill, overlooking the town. In 1930, Pluto was discovered from the Observatory, and was named in part for Percival Lowell (PL). In the 1960s, during the Apollo program, the Clark Telescope at Lowell was used by the United States Geological Survey to map the moon for lunar expeditions.
In 1894, Massachusetts astronomer Percival Lowell had the area scouted for a site to build a new observatory. The Lowell Observatory was then built on Mars Hill, overlooking the town. In 1930, Pluto was discovered from the Observatory, and was named in part for Percival Lowell (PL). In the 1960s, during the Apollo program, the Clark Telescope at Lowell was used by the United States Geological Survey to map the moon for lunar expeditions.
Today's Flagstaff
The Northern Arizona Normal School was established in 1899, and was renamed Northern Arizona University in 1966.
Flagstaff saw its first tourist boom in the early years of the 1900s, and was known as the City of Seven Wonders. These seven wonders were the Coconino National Forest, Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, San Francisco Peaks, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monument.
As the town grew, the infrastructure of the downtown remained the same, stunting economic growth. Many businesses started to move out of the area. Then in the 1990s, the city drafted a new master plan which revitalized the downtown area, and had a focus on preservation. With the construction of a city hall, library, and city administrative building, downtown became more cultural again. Store owners took advantage of the historical appeal. Original sandstone buildings were restored and neighborhoods became registered as historic districts.
With the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport running more and more flights, commuting and tourism was expanded. Microbreweries and craft restaurants opened downtown. In 2001 Flagstaff was recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as the world’s first “International Dark-Sky City”, followed in 2012 by its official title of “America’s First STEM Community”. Olympic athletes began coming to Flagstaff for altitude training. The HYPO2 center in the city trained over 85 Olympic medalists from 44 countries between 2012 and 2019.
Today you’ll find Flagstaff packed with well-kept trails and forests, which provides a backdrop for a wide variety of outdoor sports and activities. Downtown Flagstaff boasts many amenities including microbreweries, locally-owned restaurants, and year-round festivals and events. All of these make Flagstaff a vibrant and highly desirable place to live.
Imagine you meet someone new and, during the conversation, you ask what they do for a living. They answer, “I’m a plumber.” Chances are, you immediately conjure an image of them installing pipes or fixing leaks.
But, you also know they probably do much more.
A similar thing happens to us occasionally. Someone will ask what we do, and we tell them we are real estate agents. They then immediately assume we help people buy and sell homes.
And, of course, that’s true! But, we actually do much more for our clients.
For example, we are there for clients when they have questions or need advice, even during the years between moves.
We are also available to clients when they need a recommendation. For example, if you’re looking for a good contractor for an upgrade you’re planning for your home, we can probably give you a name.
And, we also keep my clients informed with valuable market updates, tips, and how-to articles. (That’s why we send you this e-Newsletter each month.)
The bottom line is, We are there for you throughout the homeownership journey, helping ensure you’re always in a property that matches your lifestyle and goals.
Update to Flagstaff Home Sales
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Though an added note to this, if we compare this year's home sales to 2019, we're only selling -2% fewer homes, and possibly back to a more normalized homes sales trend. |
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Until recently, the reason for this was lack of available inventory. For example, early in 2022 we only had 41 homes on the market and at that time we should have seen 400-500 homes. Today that number has climbed to just under 300 homes in the general Flagstaff area, a huge jump. |
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With inventory increasing one might think that home values would start to decline but the median home price in Flagstaff's active inventory is $725,900. The median price of homes sold this year-to-date is $650,000, up 25.6%. Homes on the market are 11% higher than the median for the year. Couple the higher home price with the interest rates that are hovering at 5.5% or so, that means that a mortgage payment could be as much as $600-$700 more a month. |
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Another interesting fact is that increase in home prices have slowed down as we progress into the year. The month of January, home prices rose 29.2%, while June the increase dropped to 17.3% and July month-to-date they are up at 2.5%.
We have attached a chart that breaks down sales through July 19th by home type, along with a final chart at the bottom showing home sales of all types by price range. You will see that homes sales have shifted from under $700,000 to over $700,000.
This is a very fast changing market. If you have questions, please never hesitate to reach out to Renee or Jeff with any questions.
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Renee Gaun * Jeff Ross 928-606-6232 Renee
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15 E. Cherry Ave |
Where the Experts are - Serving Flagstaff and Northern Arizona since 1977
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