NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOD BANKS'1ST ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE & TRUNK OR TREAT October 31st from 6 - 9 p.m.at the Food Bank on 3805 E. Huntington Dr.(Admission is one can of food) Wear your best costume, and come see us for a night of safe fun.             Haunted House for all ages.....                      Trunk or Treat........                                  Games and Prizes.......... Invite all your friends to ourHalloween Event...Be Safe and Stay Warm.For more information about this Halloween event, to make a donation, and/or to become a Sponsor, please call 928-526-2211 or go to http://www.nafoodbank.org/.A Special Thanks to KAFF Radio and Rodney Wilson, CPA for Sponsoring our Halloween Event.  We are Flagstaff's Community Information Source!http://www.flagstaffcentral.com/     10/30/2007

I was working with pictures while doing some marketing this afternoon. The pictures made me think of the devastation caused by the fires in California this week. The neighborhoods that are the subject of my Focus on Flagstaff Communities blog post today back up to Mt. Elden, scene of the devastating Radio Fire of 1977.  The fire burned through unpopulated areas but destroyed a huge, old growth stand of Ponderosa Pines. Now, thirty years later, this is what the mountain that burned looks like:   (It's the lower mountain in this picture that burned. The mountains in the background are the San Francisco Peaks.)In 1977, the town came out to picnic and watch the fire for days. It swept up one side of the mountain (the side shown in the pictures above) and down the other. The "other side" is ... 10/26/2007

If you're not an enthusiastic NAU alum, you may want to stay away from Flagstaff's westside this weekend. Northern Arizona University celebrates Homecoming with a big game against #3 in the conference Montana. Tailgaiting begins in the early afternoon with the game at the skydome on South Campus at 3:05 p.m. Watch out for heavy traffic on Milton Road all day and for raucus celebrations in the westside restaurants and bars as well as downtown. Historic Downtown Flagstaff will have street closures Saturday morning for the NAU Homecoming parade. More information about NAU Homecoming 2007.Have a great weekend! Team Heitland at RE/MAX Peak Properties -- search for all Flagstaff homes at our website! 10/26/2007

Flagstaff and Coconino County residents have the opportunity to give their views on public transportation issues tonight and on development and planning for Coconino County parks and open space tomorrow night. Public meetings will take place in Flagstaff tonight and tomorrow. There are additional meeting schedule on the parks and open space issues around the County. Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority is a regional organization including Coconino and Yavapai Counties; the cities of Flagstaff, Sedona, and Cottonwood; and Northern Arizona University. NAIPTA's mission statement says "Getting You Where You Want to Go."  NAIPTA currently operates the following: Mountain Line fixed route bus service in Flagstaff Mountain Lift paratransit service for disabled res... 10/23/2007

In Flagstaff's Daily Paper recently, there has been a running controversy about the alleged conflict between affordable housing and green housing. The charge of some is that impact fees will increase the cost of our already above average homes, making affordable housing in Flagstaff impossible. Also that the green building codes under consideration will increase the cost of housing. Another recent editorial accused city administrators with sending "mixed messages" about sustainability by organizing and subsidizing a huge expansion of our retail mall and encouraging the establishment of an auto mall next to it. The Sun sarcastically referred to the city's green policies as a "mantra."The Daily Sun limits the length of letters to the editor, so my response was constrained and incomplete. ... 10/22/2007

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is nationally known as the premier regional symphony. For several years we were blessed with the skills of Randall Craig Fleisher as our artistic director and conductor. Randy has gone on to greater opportunities, but before he left he set up a fantastic repertoire for the 2007-2008 season. Meanwhile Randy and the Board selected four finalists as his successor, to begin next year. Each of these four is performing as "guest conductor" during one of the concerts this season. Audience surveys following each concert will be used to choose the next outstanding Artistic Director and Conductor for the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.This week, the FSO will be lead by Peter Jaffe who is entering his thirteenth season as music director of the Stockton Symphony in Califo... 10/18/2007

A couple of weeks ago I received an "item of value," as one marketing guru calls them, from an out-of-town agent. It was a slick, pre-printed piece talking about the value of "greenery" inside and outside of homes. It was nice, but since I'm not that interested in landscaping and house plants, I would not have paid a great deal of attention to it. It happened to arrive the same day that I went to a meeting of the Flagstaff Chapter of the US Green Building Council. One of the speakers said house plants may be dangerous rather than helpful to indoor air-quality. So, the next morning I looked again at the mailing that I had received. Then I did some research on the US EPA website as well as searching for the research that the marketing piece had vaguely referenced. All of this turned into ... 10/16/2007

I thought the local paper had discarded the email where I responded to Reporter Cyndy Cole's questions about the Flagstaff real estate market. After all, I'd sent the answers in a rush as I was leaving town for a four day visit with the grandkids. But, low and behold, the interview appeared on the front page of the Business Section of the Arizona Daily Sun yesterday - along with a interview from our local board president.Of course, I'm delighted. This picture, however, is not of me. I don't look this good in a pants suit. For more on this news and another article in the same edition of the paper about the Flagstaff real estate market, check out my blog post elsewhere.                     Team Heitland RE/MAX Peak Properties specializes in Flagstaff residential real estate. 10/08/2007

Some important public land planning will take place in Flagstaff over the next few months as we revisit development on McMillan Mesa. McMillan Mesa is located in north central Flagstaff, east of the Flagstaff Medical Center. Here is a Google Earth picture of McMillan Mesa.The land is hard and rocky and presents development challenges, so after a small housing development over 25 years ago, little was done with the vast open space until recently. Many who came to Flagstaff over the years mistakenly thought it was permanent open space. A few years ago, there was a bond proposal to purchase private land to save it for development. The bond initiative failed and some private development is in process, including the planning for Flagstaff's YMCA building.Still, there are 30 acres of open spa... 10/01/2007

Come on up - there is plenty to do this weekend in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Festival of Science continues this weekend, filling the city with more choices than anyone could cover. One of them may well be of interest to Realtors®, as well as potential Flagstaff homeowners:Flagstaff Solar Home Tour9 a.m. - 1 p.m., SaturdayWillow Bend Environmental Education Center, 703 E. Sawmill RoadPick up maps from Willow Bend and explore Flagstaff solar homes at your own pace. Talk to homeowners and experts about how this technology works.The Museum of Northern Arizona has a new exhibit featuring the dinosaur discovery in Southern Utah. Museum docents will be giving tours on Sunday.The Northern Arizona University Choral season opens on Sunday afternoon with a great performance of vocal jazz performanc... 09/28/2007

Our interim Flagstaff City Manager used to be in government in California. He says we have as much going on in Flagstaff as in California city.  This weekend is a prime example. Friday night opens "Dig Science" -- a ten-day, all volunteer event sponsored by institutions (NAU, Museum of Northern Arizona) and business with the purpose of getting kids excited about science. But there are events for adults, too. Check out the schedule for the Flagstaff Festival of Science events this weekend. This includes lots of fun in Wheeler Park during the mid-day Saturday. Several events are scheduled throughout the Flagstaff area on Saturday and Sunday.Saturday, there is a great opportunity to learn about farming at 6900 feet. Mountain Meadow Farm -- inside the City of Flagstaff -- will have a tour o... 09/21/2007

 The turnout for similar programs in Flagtaff earlier this summer blew the socks off the Regional gurus, so they are doing it again. Each attendee will have their own computer at the Northern Arizona University computer lab. Outside, it will be chilly except at mid-day, so bring a sweater! Sorry, I won't be there, but new RE/MAX affliates from my office will be. RE/MAX Southwest Region Presents:Hands-On Technology TrainingFlagstaff, AZTuesday, Sept. 25 & Wednesday, Sept. 26 (identical sessions)Make time for technology at these free sessions designed to help you maximize world-class resources available to you as a valued member of the RE/MAX network. Use hundreds of professional, trademark-compliant marketing templates available through the RE/MAX Design Center to create brochures, flier... 09/19/2007

It's a rainy day out and they say the Monsoons are over. Just makes me think about when the next full moon will occur. Some may think they are romantic, but not me. As those who know me, know that I am sure all the weird stuff happens on those days. Did you ever have a day that everything went wrong? Just look up. If the moon is full, you'll understand. Did your listing cancel to take on a rental or did you get your showing sheet back with the comments that the Buyer thought the house was "quirky"? That happens in Flagstaff. I also had a Buyer that did not sign the loan docs in time for closing - instead she had a baby! I am usually affected for the whole week around the fullness in some adverse way. Is this affecting your sells also or is it just me? Here in Flagstaff I could say it is... 09/16/2007

What to blog about - the un-ending question! Today, I talked about mold in Flagstaff homes, and my Flagstaff home in particular.  Where did I get the idea and information?  The idea came from a recent CRS newsletter - which, because I am a CRS, I would be entitled to simply copy and paste.  But that would have endangered my SEO, right, bloggers?  Take a search for the word mold used with the phrase "unpredictable cousin Harry" (quoted from the CRS Your Home Newsletter) to see how many other CRS agents made the SEO mistake.  So, instead, I took the mold-in-the-home idea, rephrased some of the language, took out "cousin Harry," and created my own post.I also used resources from the library of resources on the Ecobroker.com website, providing links to those as well as pulling info for my o... 09/15/2007

Ever been to a bed race?  Here's you're chance. Come to Flagstaff this week-end.  The 13th Annual fund-raiser for Toys for Tots in Flagstaff is one special event that persuades the City Council to close downtown city streets. Winners will get an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii.  Surrounding the bed race (trials on Saturday, final on Sunday) is a whole carnival of events and booths for adults and kids alike. Plus, the weekend is the Flagstaff Arts Council Organization Open Studios Event. All day Saturday and Sunday, art studios around town will be open for viewing. There is a 10-page guide and map available on my other blog.  Plus, plus, lots of separate musical and drama events going on Friday and Saturday evenings. Get a sampling of the events here.  Bring a jacket for our cool evenin... 09/13/2007

But the development is ahead of the law! Flagstaff City Staff has been busy developing revisions to the Flagstaff Land Development Code which will encourage Traditional Neighborhood Development or "New Urbanism." TND is like the old neighborhood you wish you grew up in --- a mix of residential, commercial, park and government space, where residents can walk to most activities. There is a Smart Growth Network and you can read all about it, including their guiding principles, at the SmartGrowth Online website.I've blogged about Flagstaff's latest residential/mixed use neighborhood elsewhere and you can also see the list of scheduled city meetings regarding the code revisions at that post. Here is a list of TND neighborhoods all over the country: TND Town Paper. In Flagstaff, we've been wa... 09/09/2007

The Flagstaff real estate market may not be rockin' but the weekend will be.  Flagstaff celebrates the "Mother Road" (Route 66) this weekend with a car show, outdoor movie, live music, art and craft show, beer and food. Also this weekend, you can do Flagstaff's First Friday Artwalk, take a ranger-guided hike on the San Francisco Peaks, attend an old-fashioned an ice cream social with games to celebrate literacy, and enjoy outdoor bluegrass music performed by winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Burnett Family Bluegrass, (without driving all the way to Telluride!). I've got the schedule posted on my other blog, Flagstaff Real Estate and Community News.  The weather is scheduled to be beautiful! Bring a light jacket for the evening outdoor activities and expect highs in the hi... 09/06/2007

The Coconino County Fair in Flagstaff!  Come on up for a great weekend of fun. There will be music, dancing, people of stilts, horses, antiques, politics (oh yes!), and all sorts of fun (not to mention food). The list is way too long to go here, but you can read it officially from Coconino County using this link.Of course, if you want to avoid the crowds, there is always the great outdoors. And it looks to be another beautiful weekend, with temps under 80 degrees and scattered showers.When the fair closes Monday afternoon, the Flagstaff Symphony breaks out the jazz at Pine Mountain Amphitheatre for an evening of great vocal and instrumental entertainment. I don't want to miss this one since I did miss the earlier jazz extravaganza on July 3. I heard it was great. For details more detail... 08/30/2007

Seventy percent of the Alt A and Subprime Mortgage Lenders have shut down. Here at Lenders Direct Mortgage we are always looking for new programs to help our clients purchase homes. We have a GREAT new product. It is a Stated Income Loan that will go up to 95% loan to value with as low as a 660 FICO Score.  With a FICO Score of 700 or better the 30 year fixed rate would be 6.875% with No Prepayment Penalty.We also have a Stated Income/Stated Asset new program with as little as 10% down and a 681 or better FICO Score and a No Ratio program up to 95% loan to value with a 660 FICO Score.If you are self employed and can't qualify on a regular loan these programs may work for you. Please call me at (800) 552-1188 for a Free Consultation.Thank you,Lynne DewarSr. Mortgage Consultant 08/30/2007

Wake up to the morning news of home sales from the National Association of Realtors® ? Those of us on west coast and Arizona time did.  In spite of the hype, it's much the same as it has been for several months. (Maybe even the hype is at a lower pitch this morning?)For a comparison to Flagstaff AZ statistics, take a look at Flagstaff Real Estate and Community News. You can also read my musings about the wonderful Flagstaff weekend. This a.m., the storms are rolling in already, but most of our weekend was sunny with a few scattered storms.                                  The Coconino County Fair is coming up this Labor Day weekend, so it might be a good time to make plans to come on up!    Meanwhile, if you know of anyone who wants a home in cool Flagstaff, send them to us: Flagstaff r... 08/27/2007