Flagstaff’s University Heights Neighborhood.

by Bob Baronas

Discover University Heights: A Premier Flagstaff Neighborhood

Nestled in the southwestern part of Flagstaff, Arizona, University Heights is a serene and picturesque community that offers residents a perfect blend of natural beauty, convenience, and a strong sense of community. Known for its towering ponderosa pines and proximity to essential amenities, this neighborhood is an ideal choice for homebuyers seeking tranquility without sacrificing accessibility.

Lush Natural Surroundings

University Heights is renowned for its dense canopy of ponderosa pines, providing a forested ambiance that offers both beauty and shade. The neighborhood’s design seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape, offering residents a peaceful retreat from urban life. Additionally, the area provides easy access to the Flagstaff Urban Trails System, perfect for walking, jogging, and biking enthusiasts.

Proximity to Northern Arizona University

Located just southwest of Northern Arizona University (NAU), University Heights is an excellent choice for faculty, staff, and students seeking nearby housing options. The short commute allows residents to enjoy campus events and amenities while residing in a quiet, off-campus environment.

Diverse Housing Options

The neighborhood boasts a variety of housing styles, from charming single-family homes to modern townhouses and condos. This diversity caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets, making it suitable for families, professionals, and retirees alike. As of February 2025, homes in University Heights are available at various price points, reflecting the area’s desirability and market trends.

Community and Lifestyle

Residents of University Heights enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with access to quality schools and community amenities. The neighborhood’s design encourages outdoor activities, with numerous trails and parks nearby. Its location also offers convenient access to shopping centers, dining establishments, and healthcare facilities, ensuring that all essential services are within reach.

Real Estate Insights

The real estate market in University Heights reflects its status as a sought-after neighborhood in Flagstaff. Properties here have shown consistent appreciation, making it a sound investment for potential homeowners. The combination of natural beauty, strategic location, and community amenities contributes to the area’s strong property values.

Are you ready to find a Home?

University Heights stands out as a premier neighborhood in Flagstaff, offering residents a harmonious blend of nature, convenience, and community spirit. Whether you’re looking to relocate or invest in a second home, this charming area provides an exceptional living experience that captures the essence of Flagstaff’s unique appeal.

Home Buying • Home Selling • Interest Rates • Northern Arizona Home Market • Uncategorized • February 17, 2025

Should you buy a second Home in Flagstaff in 2025?

by Bob Baronas

Why Invest in a Second Home or Relocate to Flagstaff in 2025

Flagstaff, Arizona, continues to attract attention as a prime location for both second-home buyers and those seeking relocation. The city’s unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant community, and robust real estate market makes it an appealing choice.

Strong Home Price Appreciation

In 2024, Flagstaff’s real estate market demonstrated significant growth. The median sale price of homes reached $738,668 in January 2025, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous year. This upward trend indicates a healthy appreciation in property values, benefiting homeowners and investors alike.

Inventory Trends

The housing inventory in Flagstaff has experienced fluctuations, impacting market dynamics. In November 2024, there were 415 active listings, a 10% decrease from the previous month, suggesting a tightening market. By January 2025, the number of homes for sale slightly decreased to 344, a 2% drop from December 2024. This limited inventory, coupled with rising demand, contributes to the appreciation of home values.

Market Competitiveness

Flagstaff’s housing market remains somewhat competitive. Homes typically sell after 61 days on the market, compared to 48 days the previous year. In January 2025, 54 homes were sold, up from 45 in January 2024, indicating sustained buyer interest.

Diverse Housing Options

The market offers a range of properties to suit various needs. In Q3 2024, the average price per square foot for single-family homes was $434.76, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year. This diversity allows buyers to find homes that align with their preferences and investment goals.

Conclusion

Flagstaff’s real estate market in 2024 showcased robust growth, with rising home prices and a dynamic inventory landscape. These factors, combined with the city’s natural attractions and quality of life, make it an excellent choice for purchasing a second home or relocating in 2025.

Uncategorized • December 19, 2023

Welcome to Winter 2023-24 in Flagstaff Arizona!

by Bob Baronas

Unlocking the Charms of Flagstaff: Your Ultimate Guide to Homeownership in the Pines

Hello, future Flagstaff homeowners!

As a Realtor who’s had the privilege of helping countless families find their dream homes in this enchanting corner of Arizona, I am thrilled to be your guide to the vibrant and welcoming community of Flagstaff. Nestled amidst the breathtaking Ponderosa Pines, Flagstaff is not just a city; it’s a lifestyle. So, grab a cup of your favorite brew, settle into a comfy chair, and let’s embark on a journey to discover why Flagstaff might just be the perfect place for your next home.

Nature’s Embrace

One of Flagstaff’s undeniable charms is its natural beauty. Surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff offers a myriad of outdoor adventures right at your doorstep. From hiking and biking in the summer to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, there’s a seasonal activity for everyone. Picture waking up to the scent of pine trees and enjoying your morning coffee on the porch while the crisp mountain air invigorates your senses.

Community Spirit

Flagstaff isn’t just a city; it’s a tight-knit community that takes pride in its friendly atmosphere. From the local farmers’ markets to the lively events downtown, there’s always something happening. The sense of community is palpable, and it’s not uncommon to make lifelong friends at the neighborhood coffee shop or during one of the many community events that dot the calendar.

Educational Excellence

If you have a growing family, Flagstaff is an ideal place to nurture young minds. Home to Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff provides access to top-notch educational opportunities. The city’s commitment to education extends to its excellent public and private schools, ensuring that your children receive a well-rounded and quality education.

Real Estate Wonderland

Now, let’s talk real estate. Flagstaff’s housing market is as diverse as its landscape. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy cabin in the woods, a historic downtown bungalow, or a modern family home, there’s something for every taste and budget. As your Realtor, my mission is to turn your dreams into keys in hand, and I’m here to guide you through every step of the home buying process.

Flagstaff’s Four Seasons

Flagstaff enjoys all four seasons, each offering its unique charm. From the blooming wildflowers of spring to the golden hues of fall, Flagstaff’s ever-changing landscape ensures that there’s always something beautiful to behold. Embrace the snowy wonderland in winter and relish the long, sunny days of summer. It’s a place where every season feels like a new adventure.

In conclusion, Flagstaff is more than just a city; it’s a way of life. From the towering Ponderosa Pines to the welcoming community spirit, this Northern Arizona gem has a lot to offer. As your friendly Flagstaff Realtor, I’m here to make your homebuying journey as smooth as possible.

Ready to embark on this exciting adventure? Let’s chat! Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to make a move in Flagstaff, I’m here to help you find the perfect place to call home.

Here’s to new beginnings in Flagstaff – where the pines whisper, and your dreams come to life!

Happy house hunting,

Bob Baronas

Flagstaff Realtor

Associate Broker

Home Buying • Home Selling • Interest Rates • Northern Arizona Home Market • March 27, 2023

Inflation, interest rates and buying or selling a home

by Bob Baronas

There has been a lot of news in the past couple of weeks regarding inflation and interest rates. The first question we need to answer is what is the Federal Reserve? The Federal Reserve System (the Fed) is the central banking system of the United States. It was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, after a series of financial panics led to the desire for central control of the monetary system in order to alleviate financial crises. The two stated goals of the Fed are to stem out-of-control inflation in the economy and promote full employment. Without getting into the weeds too deep it can be said that the tools used to stem inflation directly and negatively impact the unemployment rate in most cases. That is, the way the Fed chooses to stem inflation is to raise the cost of borrowing money which can often result in putting people out of work. Like it or not, what the Federal Reserve Bank does has an impact on our economy.

So what does this all mean to home buyers and home sellers? I believe there are two main thrusts to this question. One, higher interest rates now disincentivize those who are currently in a home from selling. That is if you are in a home now and are paying a 4% interest rate on your home loan it makes little sense to move if you don’t need to then go on to pay 6.5% on a new home loan. Last year there was a housing shortage with few homes to buy for those interested. This had the result in increasing inflation in the price of homes. Two, new home buyers will continue to have fewer choices, and the cost to buy a home is more expensive independent of the actual price of the home.

Homeowners are staying put. If you are living in your primary residence and are paying on a mortgage you acquired in the past 10 years or so you are sitting in a pretty strong financial position. Your home is worth a bunch more and your loan is much lower than it would be if you established it today. So why would a home seller list their home and move? Well, because this may be a great time to do just that. Higher interest rates create a circumstance where your buying power is just a bit stronger. Investors have largely left the home-buying market due to an increase in interest rates (nearly 2% higher than a home buyer would pay). Fewer are buying homes right now due to higher interest rates that are not expected to drop considerably ever again. That is to say that 5.5% interest will be amazingly low looking into the foreseeable future. People take new jobs, relocate and pass away and all of these folk need to sell their homes in a timely manner. All homeowners in Northern Arizona have benefited from an extremely healthy market over the last several years. With fewer buyers due to increased interest rates homes will be on the market for longer and longer periods of time. When this environment exists negotiation between buyers and sellers is most possible unlike in the last couple of years. Sellers are not losing money on any home they have owned for at least 5 years right not so there must be some flexibility in home pricing for those who must sell their homes.

For home buyers, there is a window right now where interest rates are at the historic average. Interest rates are actually good if one takes out the artificially low-interest rates of the past 10 years or so. I say with confidence, we will not see 4% interest rates in the future and we are unlikely to see 5% interest rates anytime soon. 6%-6.5% interest rates are now gold. Take advantage of them. If I am wrong then in the future refinancing is always an option. If interest rates go up, you will wish you had listened.

If interest rates decline in the next few months (again I don’t expect to see them dip below 6%) I expect another highly competitive home market with inflated home prices. Buy your first home in Northern Arizona now. I don’t see too many scenarios where this will have been a bad choice.

Uncategorized • December 19, 2022

Fed Watch. Anticipating interest rate hikes or reductions

by Bob Baronas

Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months. The new expectations from the futures market are for a quarter percent rate hike in February, which should hold through March and May. Note: In the lower chart a 100.0% probability of change is a 100.0% probability the rate will rise. The current rate is 4.25%-4.50%.

AFTER FOMC MEETING ON:	CONSENSUS
Feb 1	4.50%-4.75%
Mar 22	4.75%-5.00%
May 3	4.75%-5.00%

Probability of change from current policy:

AFTER FOMC MEETING ON:	CONSENSUS
Feb 1	100.0%
Mar 22	70.1%
May 3	76.9%