Some questions to ask your moving company:

• Do you provide virtual or digital estimates?
• Are the trucks and movers equipped with hand sanitizers, masks and gloves?
• What other measures are being taken to ensure the safety of your customers and crew?
• How often are high touch surfaces within the trucks sanitized?
• If I opt for packing services, can you pack my home without me there?
• What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

A few other questions, tips and ideas for your move:

1. Is moving an essential service in my state?

Check your state’s executive order for essential businesses, and do so frequently as officials update their guidance daily.

2. How do I know if my move is allowed?

While your local officials may deem moving essential, some apartment communities and HOAs are not allowing residents to move during stay-at-home orders. Check with your management company, board, etc. before booking anything for your move.

3.What should I do to best accommodate my moving company?

You should provide a few accommodations to make the move safe for your family and the moving crew, such as:

• Wear a mask and gloves
• Don’t forget to pack your disinfecting wipes, cleaners and soap
• Allow the crew to wash their hands frequently (before, during, and after)
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces often. Think: doorknobs, sinks, cabinet pulls, refrigerators and more.
• Keep your windows open during the move to provide additional air circulation.

4.  What happens if I need to cancelmy move?

If you need to cancel your moving company, don’t worry. In most cases, booking a moving company is non-binding, allowing you the freedom to cancel at any point prior to your move – without a penalty.

However, if your moving company collected a deposit prior to your move, it may be nonrefundable. Contact your moving company about your deposit. Many reputable moving companies will be flexible or make an exception considering the pandemic. They may refund your deposit or provide credit for a future move.

5. I don’t feel comfortable with others touching my stuff. What are my options?

There are a few things you can do:

You can move using your own vehicle, which is the safest option.

You can rent a truck.

You can rent a container. It’s contactless, and you can pack everything yourself.

6. I want to rent a truck and do it myself. What should I do to ensure my safety?

If you rent a truck, be sure to wear gloves and disinfect the truck’s “hotspots” before getting behind the wheel. This includes the steering wheel, keys, door handles (outside and inside), seats and seat belts, the gear shifter or selector, knobs and buttons on the dashboard, console and touch screens.

7. How do I make sure my things aren’t infected? (boxes, furniture, etc.)

This is a great question because it seems nearly impossible to disinfect every item in every box. If you don’t have to move in right away move your belongings first and then move yourself and family into the house 72-96 hours later.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a study that tested how long the virus can remain stable on various surfaces. They found it was still detectable on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic and steel for up to 72 hours.

If you’re moving at the same time as your belongings, pack on “open first” box or two. When you get to the new home, drop your “open first” boxes in a safe place, and place the rest of your boxes away from them. (You can cover them in colorful tape or use colored markers to make sure they don’t get swallowed up in a sea of other brown boxes.) Prepare to disinfect the box and the items inside.

Here are some items to include:

• For the kitchen: disinfectant spray, water bottle, plastic cups, non-perishable snacks and paper towels.
• For the bathroom: hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, shower curtain, shower line, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant.
• For the bedroom: sheet set, blanket, pillow and phone charger.
• For the next day: change of clothes and instant coffee or cold brew.

8.When/how should I clean my new home properly?

Be sure to deep-clean and sanitize your new home before you move into it. Here are a few resources and tips to help:

Use the CDC’s recommendations on how to clean and sanitize your home.

EPA has a list of disinfectants that meet the criteria to fight COVID-19. When purchasing any product, check if its EPA registration number (located on the product label) is included in this list. The products on this list may be marketed and sold under different brand names, but if they have the same EPA registration number, they are the same product.

Use disinfectant wipes for quick cleanings over the most high-touch areas like doorknobs, sinks, cabinet pulls, refrigerators, etc.

Use disinfectant sprays for areas that can’t be wiped clean. You can use Lysol, for example, on your couches and mattresses which will touch many surfaces during a move (the ground, the inside of a truck, etc.).

Use the CDC bleach mixture recommendation on your new tile floors. Use a disinfecting wet mop cloth on your hardwood floors.

As you unpack, be sure to also disinfect your computer and accessories (keyboards can get pretty gross), your television remote controls, credit cards, wallet and more.

9. Is it safe for installation teams to come into my home?

Many television and internet providers now offer self-service solutions for installing new equipment like routers, DVRs and such. If you’re healthy and capable, that’s your best option. Regardless of installation technique, you need to prioritize your internet setup. Under stay-at-home orders, your internet connection is your connection to work, family and friends.

There have been 1-2 hours call wait times, as more and more people call to increase speeds and bandwidth. You can’t bank on getting an appointment as easily as you have in the past. Additionally, you may also want to consider a high-bandwidth plan to account for changes in working from home, video calls and multi-device streaming and more.

So, Where are we today, Here in Flagstaff in our Housing Market?

I can tell you where we are today, the end of the month March, 2020, and can even show you where we were in March of 2009.
What I cannot say with these uncertain times, where we are going, so will use History as a guide.
I will also include the research below, 'Think This is a Housing Crisis? Think Again', which came from a Real Estate Research company that helps me stay current with the Real Estate Market. You will find this an interesting read.

March was a bright spot with sales up from the previous year, but these sales were generated from pending contracts in January and February before the Covid-19 event started to take effect. 

A look past to maybe see the future;

One line below talks about Absorption Rate, the number of months it takes at the current average sales rate to sell all the homes on the market. The Experts in the Real Estate field feel a 6-7 month supply makes a healthy market, any more, we are in a buyers market, any less we are in a sellers market and to few means we have pent up demand from those that cannot find a home to purchase.

Here is some history going back to March of 2009 compared the the end of March this year, 2020.

Here is what the above is showing us;

• Home Sales for the month of March 2020 were up 77% over 2009
• Active homes on the market today are down 50%
• Pending contracts in March 2020 were down 27%
• Interests rates today are down approximately 1.55%
• Both Statewide and in Flagstaff, a % of those wanting to purchase have stepped aside for the time being.

When we compare 2020 to 2009, we are selling far more homes, we have far fewer homes on the market and interest rates are far below 2009.
Showings are down both in Flagstaff and Statewide, Buyers are certainly holding back waiting to see what happens. When the time comes, those that were waiting will jump back into the market and in numbers.

Today and the past recession are two different animals,
We have far fewer homes on the market, interest rates are well below the 2009 rates, and demand for homes thru February has been exceptionally strong which was Caused by both low interest rates, low inventory of available homes and pent up demand. The article below lays out a good case that housing will be the leader in bringing back the economy.

With all of the unanswered questions caused by COVID-19 and the economic slowdown we’re experiencing across the country today, many are asking if the housing market is in trouble. For those who remember 2008, it's logical to ask that question.

Many of us experienced financial hardships, lost homes, and were out of work during the Great Recession – the recession that started with a housing and mortgage crisis. Today, we face a very different challenge: an external health crisis that has caused a pause in much of the economy and a major shutdown of many parts of the country.

Let’s look at five things we know about today’s housing market that were different in 2008.

1. Appreciation

When we look at appreciation in the visual below, there’s a big difference between the 6 years prior to the housing crash and the most recent 6-year period of time. Leading up to the crash, we had much higher appreciation in this country than we see today. In fact, the highest level of appreciation most recently is below the lowest level we saw leading up to the crash. Prices have been rising lately, but not at the rate they were climbing back when we had runaway appreciation.

2. Mortgage Credit

The Mortgage Credit Availability Index is a monthly measure by the Mortgage Bankers Association that gauges the level of difficulty to secure a loan. The higher the index, the easier it is to get a loan; the lower the index, the harder. Today we’re nowhere near the levels seen before the housing crash when it was very easy to get approved for a mortgage. After the crash, however, lending standards tightened and have remained that way leading up to today.

3. Number of Homes for Sale

One of the causes of the housing crash in 2008 was an oversupply of homes for sale. Today, as shown in the next image, we see a much different picture. We don’t have enough homes on the market for the number of people who want to buy them. Across the country, we have less than 6 months of inventory, an undersupply of homes available for buyers.

4. Use of Home Equity

The chart below shows the difference in how people are accessing the equity in their homes today as compared to 2008. In 2008, consumers were harvesting equity from their homes (through cash-out refinances) and using it to finance their lifestyles. Today, consumers are treating the equity in their homes much more cautiously.

5. Home Equity Today

Today, 53.8% of homes across the country have at least 50% equity. In 2008, homeowners walked away when they owed more than what their homes were worth. With the equity homeowners have now, they’re much less likely to walk away from

their homes.

Bottom Line

The COVID-19 crisis is causing different challenges across the country than the ones we faced in 2008. Back then, we had a housing crisis; today, we face a health crisis. What we know now is that housing is in a much stronger position today than it was in 2008. It is no longer the center of the economic slowdown. Rather, it could be just what helps pull us out of the downturn.

About the Author:

February was a good month in Flagstaff, we sold 45.5% more homes than the prior year, and 8.7% more homes came to the market.
Our inventory is still extremely short, hovering around 3.1 month's supply on-hand, where the experts if the Real Estate field feel 6 month's is a good number to reach. We still are in an extreme housing shortage.

For the first two months of the year, we have sold 58.8% more homes, -1.8% fewer homes have come to the market.
Our median prices are hovering at a 7% increase over the prior year.

The housing market is staying extremely strong, driven by two main things, lack of available homes on the market  and the incredible mortgage rates that our out there.
Depending on your current mortgage rate, this may be prime time to refinance. Here in Flagstaff, if you would like some suggestions on Great Local lenders,  give me a shout, that I can help with.

About the Author:

People come from miles around to enjoy the outdoor spaces around Flagstaff. Whether you are into biking, camping, skiing, hiking, fishing, history, or all of the above, we’ve got you covered!

The Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZ Trail, for short) is a complete non-motorized path, stretching 800 diverse miles across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. It links deserts, mountains, forests, canyons, wilderness, history, communities and people. It is the backbone of Arizona, and a beautiful stretch of it runs right through Flagstaff. Its creation was the dream of a Flagstaff schoolteacher, Dale Shewalter. The Trail is maintained by Trail Stewards, incredible volunteers who give their time and talents to keeping the trail in great shape. If you complete the Arizona Trail end to end, you receive a copper belt buckle or pin to celebrate your accomplishment! One of our very own Realty Executives agents is in the process of completing the trail! Previous finishers have included thru-hikers and segment hikers, speed record ultrarunners, yo-yo’s, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and some pioneers who trekked overland long before the AZ Trail was completely built. Wanna know more? Check out: https://aztrail.org/.

If you’re looking to stretch your legs within the city limits itself, check out the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. FUTS encompasses over 50 miles of trails throughout the city and includes areas on all sides of town. You can get just about anywhere around town on foot or by bicycle using these trails! FUTS trails offer an incredibly diverse range of experiences; some trails are located along busy streets, while others traverse beautiful natural places - canyons, grasslands, meadows, and forests - all within the urban area of Flagstaff. The system connects neighborhoods, shopping, places of employment, schools, parks, open space, and the surrounding National Forest, and allows users to combine transportation, recreation and contact with nature.

Keep your eyes peeled as you drive in and out of town…camels were once seen here! In 1857, Edward Beale was commissioned by Congress to establish a trade route from Arkansas to California, and he used twenty-two camels (a.k.a. “ships of the desert”) to carry supplies and tools. There are still stretches of his original trail around and outside of town. Some sections of his trail are abandoned, some are still in use, and others have been transformed by railroads, Route 66, and Interstate 40. If you happen across one of the trail markers, you’ll know it by the shape of a camel imprinted on its sign! Want to know more? Check out this pamphlet: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5434056.pdf

Like to spend time on or near the water? Upper and Lower Lake Mary are located just eight miles south from Flagstaff. These long, narrow reservoirs are great for fishing, boating, and bird watching. The boat landing features picnic tables, grills, vault toilets, and a paved boat ramp. There is also the Lake Mary Narrows Picnic Area, where you will find a fishing area with wheelchair access, tables, grills, ramadas and a paved boat ramp.

Once you start exploring all the beauty around Flagstaff, you'll never want to stop!

So, What is Happening in the Flagstaff Market?

It is early in the New Year to talk about any trends, especially when trying to get a gauge on home pricing, but we can talk about the Housing Inventory.
All last year, we talked about the lack of available homes to purchase, the experts in the Real Estate field felt that trend will continue through 2020.

But how is Flagstaff doing? Overall we had more homes sales in January, then came to the market. Thus depleting our Inventory Level lower than they already were. For the month of January we had 31% more homes come to the market, or 126 homes, compared to 96 the year before. Total number of home sales started off extremely strong in January, up 79% with 93 homes closing compared to 52 the year before.

Broken down;
Single Family homes
                   -8% decrease in the numbers coming to the market or 69 this year, compared
                    to 75 last year.
                    121% more home sales, 64 this year, compared to 29 last year.

Condominiums
                    114% increase in homes coming to the market, 10 this year, 
                    compared to 3 last year. 
                    43% more home sales, 10 this year, compared to 7 last year.
Townhomes
                    220% increase in homes coming to the market, 32 this year,
                    compared to 10 last year. 
                    67% more home sales, 15 this year, compared to 9 last year.

Manufactured Homes
                   150% increase in homes coming to the market, 10 this year,
                    compared to 4 last year. 
                    43% fewer homes sales, 4 this year, compared to 7 last year.

Looking at the Home Sales for January, normally if we see an increase or decrease in sales, we will see a corresponding change, increase or decrease, the month before in homes coming to the market.

I looked back at November and December 2019, those 2 months for all categories of homes in Flagstaff, we had only 2 additional homes come to the market over the prior year, 4 more in November, 2 less in December.

The chart at the left are figures nationwide, showing this is not just a Flagstaff trend.

A combination of better weather and better interest rates definitely helped the Real Estate Market and severely depleted our housing inventory.So, what happened, since the number of homes were not there in the prior months to support a 79% increase in homes sales in January?

When looking at the general Flagstaff area, for all home types, we had 17.2% fewer homes on the market at the end of January this year than last. 
We are also sitting at a 2.89 month’s supply on-hand, which could be the lowest we have seen for quite some time, compared to last year 3.53 month’s supply.
The Experts in Real Estate say 6 months is a good even number to strive for, any less, we are in a seller’s market, any higher in a buyer’s market.

If you are a Buyer: All is not lost, just reaction times are shorter. Inventory is tight and you do not want to make the error of reacting too fast. On the other side of that coin you cannot wait a few days to look at the home you have an interest in.  Once you have a good idea of what you want in a home and find that home, reaction time will be key to the success of getting an accepted offer. Before making that offer, we will do the  research to make sure the asking price and your offer price are similar to other comparable homes sold in the same neighborhood.

If you are a Seller;
Timing is good, maybe the best we have seen for years.
Number of homes on the market are at a level we have not seen for years, interest rates for buyers are low and expected to stay close to our current levels for the remainder of the year.
At one time, we said the key selling season was Spring, Summer and early Fall, but not today!

This is one of the strongest selling markets we have seen in quite some time... 

With all this said,

A combination of low inventory and low interest rates may make for an interesting 2020, something we will keep a close eye on as we move through the year.

About the Author: