Flagstaff Blog - Real Estate and All Things Flagstaff: December 2007

Some of my favorite people live in Iowa, and I was born and raised there, but, wow, how did I live there? I've just returned to lovely Flagstaff, Arizona after 8 days in gloomy Iowa. The tempertures were about the same as here. The snow on the ground was about the same. But I didn't see the sun during my entire stay in Iowa! Ugh!

I am a political junkie, so it was fun to read the Des Moines Register every morning a catch a few of those television commercials that are running only in Iowa (probably also in New Hampshire, but I can't vouch for that).

But definitely not worth the lack of sun. Also, there is no place to be outside and alone! (I wasn't on a farm, so I guess if I had been, I might have been able to find some space.) But here in Flagstaff, I just step out my door into the forest and solitude. I can hike on real, outdoor trails instead of on a treadmill. Is this heaven? No, it's Flagstaff.

I guess this is why I read, as I was catching up on my Flagstaff paper, that Arizona remains one of the fastest growing states in the country. It's why we are likely to pick off two more Congressional districts from those slower growing states in the Midwest and East. Oh, no, that's because people want to be warm and live in Phoenix and Tucson! But after a season there, they'll want a second home in Flagstaff!

Here are some other great reasons to be in Flagstaff:

Incredible Creative Talent: Flagstaff cultural opportunities win accolades throughout the year.

Snow play in Flagstaff!

When you want to buy your Flagstaff home, contact us: Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties.

Yes, Arizona does have snow - at 7000 ft. and above in and around Flagstaff, Arizona. And we're celebrating it BIG-TIME this week-end.

We have downhill skiing, snow-shoeing, snow play, and cross-country skiing designated areas. And you can just strike out on any forest service trail in your snow-shoes if you like. (But, if so, please take survival gear and make sure that you cell phone is charged, has GPS tracking, and will receive a signal in the area you are playing in.) For down-hill skiers, the conditions have not been as good in the last four years!

Saturday night, there is another holiday celebration downtown - this one in support of Toys for Tots. Bundle up and come for free hot chocolate and, for all the kids, teddy bears. This is just one of the places where Santa can be sighted in Flagstaff this weekend. Check out all the places I know where Santa can be seen by clicking here.

In addition to all this outdoor fun, there are plenty of indoor activities.  Check out some suggestions by following this link.

The weather should be bright and sunny - but very chilly at night. Bring your sunglasses, because the snow reflects very intensely.

Flagstaff, AZ is the world's first International Dark-City!  Yep, that's not news, but we value it here everyday. It's one of the things that makes living here so wonderful, whether you are into astronomy or not. Many are, dating back to the time of Percival Lowell's choice of Flagstaff for his telescope (we won over Tucson!). Now, Lowell Observatory is on the cutting edge of research and the Discovery Channel is funding a hot new telescope being constructed just outside Flagstaff.  (On the right is a picture of "Percy" Lowell, courtesy of the Lowell Observatory website.)

That's just a little background to explain the excitment in town this week because the annual Geminid meteor shower is going to give us the best night sky show of its history since 1996 on Thursday and Friday nights. This is because there is a small cresent moon this year as the shower occurs, and that moon is setting early. So, the sky will be WAY dark when the shower hits just after midnight.

This great light show can be seen in other parts of the U.S. as well -- in the eastern sky.  But, you need to value dark skies in your community to make it really show off. Read more about our Flagstaff dark skies, and how it relates to real estate (yes, it really does) at: Flagstaff Dark Sky Enthusiasts In for a Treat.

There is also a little story in that post about how it pays to know the facts and resources in your community when you're meeting with out-of-town buyers. It's the way to make yourself a successful real estate agent!

Ellen DeGeneres blew into Flagstaff yesterday morning on a Warner Brothers private jet that was tossed and turned in our winter storm. With a large TV crew, she had breakfast at one of the Northern Arizona University dorms, stood next to the giant pine cone (already set up to drop on New Year's Eve) on the balcony of the Weatherford Hotel, and shaved and autographed a Flagstaffonian's head! What a day!

Because of the weather, her planned helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon was cancelled and she took off for LA by early afternoon.

Lots of good people visit Flagstaff, but they are not always as funny as Ellen! Read all about it:

Sunny Ellen Shines on a Soggy Day
By Betsy Brunner
Arizona Daily Sun

The Flagstaff Ellen Show will air locally on Wednesday at 3 p.m. on Channel 12 or Channel 2.

For those of you who live in big cities and might be looking for a perfect small town to move to, check out Flagstaff and call us:

Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties, Flagstaff real estate agents with a mission to make our clients raving fans!

 For fun things to do in Flagstaff this weekend, without Ellen, click here.

The word is out (which we've been sitting on for two weeks). The readers of our local paper, the Arizona Daily Sun, chose my brokerage, RE/MAX Peak Properties, the best real estate firm in Flagstaff for the THIRD year in a row!

Our broker, Andrew Meyer, is so gracious that he gave all the credit to the agents. Of course, he maintains a wonderful, supportive environment in which we can work with joy and passion. 

Here is what the Daily Sun said: "At Re/Max Peak Properties, located in the historic Saginaw House, Owner Andrew Meyer relies on quality agents who are excellent at what they do, with an obsession for exceeding client expectations. Expect large numbers of sales, high professional and ethical standards from agents who are polite and courteous. The office focuses on maintaining an environment that gets results for clients."

Here is the post from my other blog: RE/MAX Peak Properties Named "Best of Flagstaff"  

I am so happy to work in an office filled with great agents. Of course, I think the best of the best is my team: Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties.  Thanks to all!

This weekend will be another filled with fun in Flagstaff. If your in the lower elevations of Arizona, you may not want to visit because it looks like another winter storm is rolling in.

But, that's good news up here because it means the Arizona Snowbowl is likely to keep its promise to open on December 13.

Meanwhile, locals can check out a variety of fun things to do in Flagstaff this weekend by clicking here:

Fun Things to Do in Around the Flagstaff Community This Weekend

For those of you interested in those boring real estate statistics, instead of fun things to do, follow this link:

Flagstaff Real Estate ~ Let's Do the Numbers! (for November)

Have a great weekend. If you hear anyone mention that they want to buy or sell Flagstaff real estate, send them here:

Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties