Uncategorized • August 13, 2025

Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?

by Bob Baronas

Finding a beautiful home is so exciting! But before you buy a new house, there is a very important step you need to take. It’s called a home inspection. A home inspection is when a special person, called an inspector, comes to look at a house you want to buy. They check all the parts of the house to make sure everything is working right.

Why Do You Need a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is like a check-up for a house. First, the inspector looks at the roof to see if it is in good shape. Next, they check the walls, floors, and windows. They look for any cracks or places that might be broken. Also, they check the important things inside, like the pipes, the lights, and the heating system.

Think of it as a way to find any hidden problems before you buy the home. For example, the inspector might find a small leak in the roof or a pipe that is old and needs to be fixed. When they find these things, they make a list for you. This list helps you know what might need to be fixed in the future.

What an Inspector Checks

A home inspector looks at many things.

Outside: The roof, the walls, and the yard to make sure water flows away from the house.
Inside: The attic, the basement, the kitchen, and the bathrooms. They check the lights, the faucets, and the air conditioning.

A good home inspection helps you feel safe about buying your new home. If the inspector finds big problems, you and your real estate agent can talk to the person selling the home about getting them fixed.

More Information About Home Inspections

If you want to learn more, here are some great places to look:

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is a great place to find a professional inspector. Click here to find a trusted inspector.
You can also read about what to expect from an inspection. This guide can help you understand the process.
You can also learn about home warranties that can help with future repairs. Click here to learn about home warranties.

Get Help from a Real Estate Pro

A home inspection is a very important part of buying a home. It is always a great idea to have a real estate agent help you. They can explain the inspection report and help you with the next steps. For Northern Arizona, you need a trusted guide.

Bob Baronas is a real estate agent who helps people find and buy homes in Flagstaff and beyond. He knows all about the Flagstaff real estate market. He will make sure you have the best information and help you every step of the way.

Contact Bob Baronas for your Home search!

Bob Baronas, Real Estate Agent Coldwell Banker Northland
Website: www.LuxuryHomesNAZ.com
Phone: 928-853-2287
Email: Bob@CBNAZ.com

Visiting a Flagstaff Open House? You Don’t Need a Contract to Look!

by Bob Baronas

Walking into an open house can be exciting. You get to see a beautiful home, imagine your life there, and explore without feeling rushed. But you might have a question on your mind: “Do I need a real estate agent with me to see an open house?”

The simple answer is no.

An open house is just what it sounds like—it’s open to the public! You can visit an open house and walk right in. You do not need to sign any special contract or agreement with the agent at the front door just to look around. It’s a great way to get a feel for the neighborhood and see what kind of homes are for sale in Flagstaff.

So, Why Should You Hire a Real Estate Agent?

While you don’t need an agent to visit an open house, having a professional on your side is the smartest way to buy a home. Think of it this way: the agent hosting the open house works for the person selling the home. Their job is to get the best deal for the seller.

When you hire your own real estate agent, they work only for you. They will:

Be on your team. They have your best interests at heart, not the seller’s.
Negotiate for you. They can help you make a strong offer and get the best price.
Find all the homes. They have access to all homes on the market, not just the open houses.

The Right Help for Your Flagstaff Home Search

Once you decide you’re serious about buying, you can sign a buyer-broker agreement with your agent. This is a simple contract that says they will work for you. It also helps to formalize how your agent will get paid.

Most of the time, the seller of the home pays the commissions for both agents. This means you get to work with an expert on your side without having to pay them directly out of your pocket.

When you’re ready to buy a home, whether you’ve found it at an open house or a private showing, your personal agent is there to guide you. From writing the offer to closing the deal, they are your expert every step of the way.

For all your Flagstaff real estate needs, consider working with Bob Baronas. He is a trusted agent who can help you find your dream home and make the buying process easy.

Contact Bob Baronas for Your Flagstaff Home Search:

Bob Baronas, Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Northland
928.985.0140
Bob@CBNAZ.com
www.LuxuryHomesNAZ.com

Home Buying • Interest Rates • Luxury Homes Flagstaff • Northern Arizona Home Market • Relocating to Flagstaff • Rental Properties • Short Term Rentals • Uncategorized • August 6, 2025

Waiting to buy a home until the “Season” ends? Don’t do it!

by Bob Baronas

Recently I have heard some of my clients express that they are waiting for the home buying season to settle down to get a better deal on a home. My advise when I hear this is “Why wait?”

Here are the facts:

Homes that have sold were on the market an average of 99 days.

Homes currently on the market have been on the market an average of 79 days.

There are more homes on the market now than in the last 3 years.

Interest rates are at their lowest in nearly a year (6.49% on conventional loans) . Buy on a good interest rate today and don’t gamble on the possible lower rate later, refinance!

Statistics indicate we are at or very near a BUYERS market.

Make home buyers say “NO” to your offer to buy their home.

Search for a home HERE.

Flagstaff Gated Golf Communities • Home Buying • Home Selling • Interest Rates • Luxury Homes Flagstaff • Uncategorized • August 6, 2025

🌦️ Monsoon Season in Flagstaff, AZ: Why It Matters

by Bob Baronas

🌦️ Monsoon Season in Flagstaff, AZ: Why It Matters

Flagstaff’s summer monsoon arrives roughly between early July and mid‑September, when southerly and southeasterly winds shift moisture northward from the Gulf of California and Gulf of Mexico, sparking daily afternoon thunderstorms across northern Arizona visittotravel.com+9knau.org+9knau.org+9Wikipedia+2FOX Weather+2.

💧 Why Monsoons Are Important

These storms contribute up to half of Flagstaff’s annual rainfall—about 7 inches of the yearly ~21.6 inches Wikipedia+1.
The rains support high‑elevation forests and wildlife, especially in transitional zones between ponderosa pine and piñon‑juniper stands Grand Canyon AdventuresTripJive.
They help reduce wildfire risk by boosting humidity, lowering temperatures, and moistening vegetation during prime fire season gardeninflagstaff.org+4climate-woodlands.extension.org+4Wikipedia+4.
At the same time, intense rainfall can trigger flash floods in dry washes and localized mudflows; lightning remains a hazard even in otherwise sunny conditions Wikipedia.

🎧 More Local Insight

For expert commentary and regional weather updates, check out KNAU Public Radio, featuring Lee Born, Flagstaff’s meteorologist: he offers regular Northern Arizona weather forecasts and monsoon-era reporting Wikipedia+9knau.org+9Muck Rack+9.
The National Weather Service Forecast Office Flagstaff provides official guidance on monsoon triggers and hazards (see link below).

🔍 Forecast Highlights

Hot and very dry conditions dominate mid‑week (Aug 6–10), with gusty winds and high fire danger.
A passing shower or isolated thunderstorm may arrive Tuesday, August 12, signaling early signs of monsoon moisture penetrating into Flagstaff.
While showers are limited this week, the shift toward more humid air later in the week reflects the broader monsoonal transition.

🌱 How Monsoon Weather Shapes Flagstaff’s Climate

Evaporation and Retention: At our ~7,000-foot elevation, heavy rainstorms slow groundwater loss and recharge ecosystems Wikipedia+1Grand Canyon Adventures.
Vegetation Rebound: After monsoon showers, native grasses, wildflowers, and pine bark flourish—lightning triggers nitrates, which fertilize plant growth thearb.org.
Ecosystem Balance: Reliable monsoon seasons help stabilize the forest–desert transition and mitigate long-term drought stress Grand Canyon Adventuresclimate-woodlands.extension.org.

📎 Useful Links

National Weather Service – Flagstaff Forecast Office: major source for official weather statements, storm watches, and flood alerts.
KNAU Public Radio – Weather with Lee Born: interviews and updates on monsoon behavior from Flagstaff’s chief meteorologist.

In Summary

Flagstaff’s monsoon season is a crucial period of life-giving rainfall and atmospheric change. While this week remains mostly warm and dry, the forecast hints at the start of monsoonal moisture by Tuesday, August 12. Keep one eye on official updates from the National Weather Service and enjoy local insight from Lee Born on KNAU to stay informed and safe during monsoon season.

Want a seasonal wrap-up or advice on how we track moisture surges here? Just ask!

Sources

Flagstaff Gated Golf Communities • Home Buying • Home Selling • Interest Rates • Luxury Homes Flagstaff • Northern Arizona Home Market • Relocating to Flagstaff • August 1, 2025

Thinking about Buying a Home? Here’s Why You Need a Real Estate Agent on Your Side

by Bob Baronas

Buying a home is one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. But it can also feel a bit overwhelming. That’s where a great real estate agent comes in! They are your personal guide through the entire process, making sure you find the right home and get the best deal.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do for You?

Think of a real estate agent as your expert helper. They do a lot more than just open doors for you. A good agent:

Knows the local market. They know all about the homes for sale in your area, including new listings that aren’t public yet.
Helps you find the perfect home. They listen to what you want—like a big yard, a new kitchen, or a certain neighborhood—and find homes that match your wish list.
Is a master at paperwork. Buying a home involves a lot of forms and contracts. Your agent makes sure everything is filled out correctly so you don’t miss anything important.
Negotiates for you. When it’s time to make an offer on a home, your agent works to get you the best price and terms. They are on your team!

The Buyer-Broker Agreement: A Simple Promise

Before your agent can start showing you homes, you’ll need to sign a Buyer-Broker Agreement. This is a document that officially says your agent works for you. It’s a way to make things clear for both of you.

This agreement is important because it:

Explains the services your agent will give you.
Protects your interests and makes sure your agent is on your side.
Talks about how the agent will get paid.

You will talk with your agent about what you will pay them for their help. This can be a flat fee, a percentage of the home’s price, or an hourly rate. This is a very important part of the agreement, and everything is negotiable.

How Your Agent Gets Paid (Without You Reaching for Your Wallet)

You might be wondering, “Do I have to pay my agent out of my own money?” Not always!

One of the best things about hiring a buyer’s agent is that you can often ask the home seller to pay your agent’s fee.

During the purchase process, when your agent helps you write an offer on a home, they can add a line to the contract that asks the seller to cover their compensation. For example, if you offer to buy a home for $400,000, the offer can also ask the seller to pay your agent’s commission. The seller can say yes or no, but it’s a common practice.

This is a powerful way for you to have a professional expert on your side without having to pay for them out of your own pocket. Your real estate agent will guide you on how to make this request and will be your advocate throughout the entire process.

Choosing to hire a real estate agent is a smart first step toward finding your dream home. They will save you time, stress, and money, and help you get the best deal possible.

Connect with Bob Baronas, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Northland if you have any additional questions or are ready to get started looking at your next home!