Realty Executives of Northern Arizona
When summer temperatures creep up, your air conditioner starts pulling double duty. But running it nonstop doesn’t just spike your energy bill—it can also strain the system. The good news? There are smart ways to keep your home cool without pushing the AC to its limit.
From simple tweaks to everyday habits, these tips can help keep the heat outside—and your home comfortable inside.
Windows can be one of the biggest sources of indoor heat. If your home gets a lot of direct sunlight, that warmth builds up fast—especially through uncovered or single-pane glass.
Hang blackout curtains or thermal shades in sunny rooms. For a less bulky option, go with solar film or UV-blocking window film. These are affordable, easy to apply, and help reflect heat away from your space. You can also consider exterior solutions like awnings or shade sails if you have large windows or patio doors that face the sun.
Ceiling fans don’t lower the temperature, but they make rooms feel cooler by circulating air. In summer, make sure the fan blades spin counterclockwise to push cool air down.
You can also use box or tower fans to push warm air out of specific areas—like drawing it out of a window after the sun sets. A few fans in the right spots can take the pressure off your AC and help rooms feel more comfortable.
Appliances like ovens, dryers, and even dishwashers can warm up your home faster than you think. During the hottest part of the day, avoid cooking with heat or running machines that generate it.
Instead, grill outside, use a microwave, or prep cold meals when possible. Run the dishwasher or laundry after the sun goes down, when your AC isn’t already working overtime.
Cooling unused rooms doesn’t do much good—and it makes your system work harder. Keep doors closed to spare rooms, laundry rooms, or any other space you don’t need to cool during the day.
That way, your AC can focus on high-traffic areas where comfort matters most. It also helps keep cool air where it’s needed instead of letting it drift into empty spaces.
Insulation isn’t just for winter. In fact, a properly insulated attic, garage, or crawl space can prevent heat from creeping in when it’s hot outside. Check for gaps around attic access points, light fixtures, or any visible cracks.
If your attic feels like an oven, adding or upgrading insulation could help regulate temperatures and reduce the need for constant cooling.
In many areas, the temperature drops significantly after sunset. Take advantage of it by turning off the AC, opening windows, and letting cooler air flow through. Cross-ventilation works best—open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a breeze.
Just be sure to close everything back up by mid-morning before the heat returns.
Cool air can escape faster than you think, especially around old windows, worn door seals, or unsealed vents. Use weatherstripping, caulk, or door sweeps to seal any obvious gaps. These quick fixes don’t cost much but can make a significant difference in keeping indoor temperatures stable.
A dirty air filter forces your AC to work harder to move air through the system. Swap it out monthly in the summer or sooner if you have pets or live in a dusty area. Clean filters improve airflow, boost efficiency, and help keep indoor air fresh too.
If you’re thinking long term, planting shade trees or tall shrubs near sun-facing windows can help block direct heat from hitting your home in the first place. This natural shade barrier takes time to grow, but it’s one of the most eco-friendly ways to keep your home cool from the outside in.
Minor changes can go a long way when the heat starts to rise. From sealing sneaky leaks to making better use of fans and window coverings, each step gives your AC a bit of a break—and your wallet too. It’s not about living in a dark house with the air off but finding the balance between comfort and control. When your home stays cooler without extra effort, summer feels less like a battle and more like a season you can enjoy.
Here in Flagstaff, our summers have some relief when the monsoon season begins, with its afternoon rains and cool breezes. When you are visiting Flagstaff during the summer months, come on by our downtown Flagstaff office, and let a knowledgeable and friendly Realtor tell you more about our area and the local housing market!
Keeping kids entertained all summer can feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re trying to avoid excessive screen time or constant spending. The good news? You don’t need a packed schedule or big outings to make summer feel special.
With a little creativity and a few basic supplies, your home can be the ultimate summer playground.
You don’t need a pool to cool off. A garden hose, a few buckets, or even plastic cups can turn your backyard into the best place to be on a hot day.
Set up a DIY splash zone with sprinklers, water balloons, or sponge toss games. For extra laughs, build an obstacle course with slip-and-slide sections, kiddie pools to crawl through, and towels at the finish line. Let the kids come up with their own rules—the messier, the better.
Gardening is one of several wonderful at-home summer activities for kids. Little hands love digging, watering, and watching things grow. If you already have a garden, set aside a small section for children. Let them plant fast-growers like sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, or snap peas—something they can see change day by day.
No garden? Use small pots or containers. Painting the pots beforehand makes it even more fun and gives them something that feels like theirs.
Art doesn’t have to stay at the table, and it is a perfect at-home summer activity for kids. Bring the supplies outside and let the kids go big—sidewalk chalk murals, sponge painting, or cardboard box crafts can keep them busy for hours.
You can even turn your patio or driveway into an “outdoor gallery” where they display their creations. Mix in themed days (like space, animals, or ocean scenes) to keep the ideas flowing.
When you can’t get away, bring the fun outside. Pitch a tent in the backyard or set up blankets and sleeping bags under the stars. Tell stories, make s’mores in the microwave or fire pit, and listen to nighttime sounds. For younger kids, even a few hours of pretend camping during the day can feel like a big adventure.
If the weather turns or bugs show up early, move the camp indoors. Flashlights, popcorn, and a good book or movie can set the scene just as well.
Perfect for overly hot or rainy days, treasure hunts are a great at-home summer activity for kids. It is also a way to keep energy levels up without leaving the house. Hide clues around the home and let the kids solve puzzles to find the next spot.
Tailor it to their age—simple picture clues for toddlers or rhyming riddles for older kids. End with a small prize or surprise snack to make it feel like a real win.
Not every day needs to be loud and busy. Set aside quiet time for activities that keep hands and minds busy—LEGO builds, puzzle races, or DIY science experiments using pantry staples.
If you have cardboard boxes or extra recyclables, challenge the kids to build a city, a boat, or their dream house. These hands-on sessions spark imagination and keep them engaged, especially on days when the heat’s too much for outdoor play.
Creating a loose theme for each week can help add structure without making it feel like school. For example:
Themed weeks give kids something to look forward to and help you plan ahead without feeling overwhelmed.
With these at-home summer activities for kids, you don’t have to leave the house to make memories. With a few low-cost ideas and a little flexibility, you can keep boredom at bay while turning your home into the go-to summer hangout. It’s about giving kids space to play, be creative, and feel like the season belongs to them, right in their backyard.
Vision and Early Planning:
The idea for FUTS emerged in the 1980s as part of a broader urban planning effort to promote outdoor recreation and sustainable transportation in Flagstaff. With Flagstaff’s growing population and its strong outdoor culture, city planners envisioned a network of interconnected trails that would allow people to walk, hike, and bike throughout the city without relying on cars.
The plan aimed to take advantage of Flagstaff’s beautiful natural setting, including its forests, mesas, and proximity to landmarks like the San Francisco Peaks, and to create a system of trails that would link parks, schools, and neighborhoods.
Gradual Expansion:
The city continues to expand FUTS as part of its regional transportation plan, which promotes non-motorized travel and aims to reduce Flagstaff’s environmental impact by encouraging biking and walking.
Specifics of the FUTS Trail System:
Trail Types:
Popular Trails:
In summary, FUTS was created through careful planning and collaboration over decades, with the goal of connecting Flagstaff’s residents and visitors to both the city and its surrounding natural landscapes. It’s an essential part of Flagstaff’s identity, offering a way to explore the area’s beauty while promoting sustainable transportation.
Come see us when you are looking to buy or sell in Northern Arizona, or have real estate questions. We have on-site Realtors available in our office in historic downtown Flagstaff daily Monday - Saturday.
Fixing and flipping (Fix n Flips) real property is a bustling part of the real estate market! Investors, buyers, and many real estate licensees, regularly engage in these opportunities. The key to a successful flip is speed and economic prudence. Savvy investors identify projects, make cost-efficient improvements, and resell quickly. Yet, it can often be a race to the finish and a recipe for problems with inherent risk for those involved. Consider the following:
Lack of Knowledge About a Property. An investor most likely will not have lived in the property and thus, have little historical data. In turn, the invistor often refuses to provide a Seller's Property Disclosure Statement ("SPDS"). This is not a wise position, or in the best interest of the investor and others involved. To explain:
Practice Pointer. Licensees on both sides of the transaction should request copies of all contractor invoices. Further, licensees for the buyer should advise the buyer to review the licensing history of the contractors through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors ("ROC"). This advice should be given in writing and it should only be the buyer that conducts any research and due diligence with the ROC, not the licensee. This exercise allows the buyer to confirm that only licensed contractors performed work and said contractors are still in business and/or do not have a disciplinary history.
Licensee as a Principal. It has become common for some licensees to utilize their market expertise and participate in Fix n Flips as a principal. If choosing to do so, the following is important:
Ultimately, with Fix n Flips it is always best practice to be well versed in the heightened level of risk that a licensee and their respective clients encounter with fix transactions.
For many, the start of the year is a wonderful opportunity to refresh their living spaces. Aside from cleaning your home, tidying and decluttering might also be at the top of your list.
Decluttering, albeit a daunting task, can be very rewarding. Letting go of items you no longer need or no longer serve their purpose frees up space in your home and your mind, leaving you feeling lighter and happier.
If you feel like decluttering is such a chore, it might be because you haven't found a method that works well for you. Understand that there isn't a "one-size-fits-all" decluttering solution. Tidying up your space will always depend on your time, energy, or interest, so you don't have to follow only one rule. Here we've rounded up five of the most popular and expert decluttering approaches to owning less, hopefully to make the task a little easier for you.
Whether you want to experiment with these methods to see what works best for you, or you already have a favorite approach but want to try a new one, the results will remain the same: your remaining items will have more meaning and you'll also have the chance to help others when you donate the ones you no longer need.
What is the KonMari method?
The KonMari Method™ is probably one of the most famous decluttering methods, introduced by Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo in her 2014 bestselling book "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." She also starred in her own Netflix show, "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo."
The core principle of the KonMari method is simple--choosing what sparks joy. Instead of choosing what to discard, you are choosing to keep only the items that speak to your heart. Kondo recommends tidying by category and not by location, starting with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and, finally, sentimental items. To get started, collect every single item you own in a particular category and put them in a big pile. Gather all your clothes, for example, and then start the process of deciding what to keep. As you go through your belongings, Kondo suggests that you thank your items for their service before donating or throwing them away.
This method is also an effective way to make a lot of progress decluttering in specific categories across multiple areas of the house at once.
Who is it for?
Any drawbacks?
The KonMari method can be time-consuming since you will be sorting through your entire collection instead of focusing on a particular room or space. Additionally, this is not entirely a minimalist method as it can also encourage hoarders to continue keeping things they don't need, just because they think these items still spark joy in their lives.
What is the One-in, One-out technique?
This simple rule means that in each category, you can't add another item until you remove or donate one you already have. This can apply to books, clothes, shoes, sets of glassware, cutlery, and kitchen tools, among others. If you follow this method properly, you'll never accumulate more than you should and can keep the volume of your belongings constant.
Who is it for?
Any drawbacks?
Things can get out of hand when you use this rule as an excuse to purchase new items and bring more things into your home. If you continue to buy and just tell yourself that you'll get rid of something in its place, it can eventually lead to a never-ending cycle of buying and decluttering.
What is the 20/20 rule?
This rule is simple: If you are unsure about an item but it costs under $20 and could be replaced withing 20 minutes, you can declutter it.
Who is it for?
Any drawbacks?
You may not be able to apply this tactic to a lot of sentimental items, since if they are really sentimental, then they can't be replaced for less than $20 in 20 minutes.
What is the Swedish Death Cleaning method?
While this decluttering idea sounds morbid, the intention is important and meaningful. Swedish Death Cleaning was first introduced by Margareta Magnusson in her book Dostadning: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Dostadning, or the art of death cleaning, is a Swedish phenomenon by which the elderly and their families set their affairs in order.
This method of decluttering is designed for those later in life and involves removing all non-essential items to ease the process for your loved ones once you've passed on. It's a wide-scale method to declutter your home, with suggestions that include dealing with larger items then moving down to smaller items (junk drawer, wardrobe), and then saving sentimental things for last. It allows you to keep the more precious items since you might decide to give them away to the special people in your life. Fans of this method see it as a gift to your loved ones, especially if you don't want to end up leaving your mess for them to deal with for months or even years.
Who is it for?
Any drawbacks?
It's worth noting that the Swedish Death Cleaning is designed to be slow, so expect that it can be a long and thorough process.
What is the four-box method?
As the name suggests, all you need here are four empty boxes that you will label with their purpose. While there are some variations, most experts include the following: keep, trash or throw away, donate, and sell. Other variations also include 'rehome' and 'undecided.'
This is quite an easy, straightforward, and flexible way to deal with your clutter as you can do it for however long and whatever frequency your prefer. You can also use the 'undecided' box if you are still unsure about any particular item. If you have several family members, they can have their boxes and even have them customized to the categories they need.
Who is it for?
Any drawbacks?
While this strategy is pretty straightforward, the problem comes when you become indecisive on a lot of items and everything ends up in the 'undecided' box. If you don't have the time or confidence to address them later, you might end up with piles of miscellaneous items that will either just stay in the box or clutter up other areas of your home. The key is to follow through with what you're supposed to do with your stuff according to the category they fall under. Also, you may need a little guidance when it comes to deciding on things that fall into one or more categories.
Gary Nelson Group
Where the Experts are - Serving Flagstaff and Northern Arizona since 1977
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