Flagstaff, AZ, is a city unlike any other and has the real estate market to match it. Whether you’re thinking of selling your Flagstaff home or hoping to buy, there are some things you can learn about Flagstaff real estate to make the process much simpler.
#1: Flagstaff Homes for Sale Sell Fast!
If you’ve been thinking of selling, now is a great time to put your home on the market. In Flagstaff, it’s not uncommon for homes to have multiple bidders competing for a sale and raising the sale price. This is because, while there are few homes on the market, many potential buyers are looking to take advantage of historically low-interest rates.
If you’re a potential buyer navigating Flagstaff’s competitive seller’s market, don’t fret! With an experienced local realtor by your side, home buying is much smoother, and it can even be fun! Check out some advice the Elite Team has for prospective homebuyers who want their offer to stand out and win over sellers here.
#2: Flagstaff Homes Are Expensive
Flagstaff is known for a lot of things: our four-seasons climate, sweetly-scented ponderosa pines, and brag-worthy 266 days of sunshine per year, to name a few. If there’s one thing Flagstaff’s homes are known for, though, it’s their cost. There’s no sugarcoating it: Flagstaff homes are expensive.
Flagstaff’s housing expenses are 43% higher than the national average, which can lead to some uncharitable and fragmentary beliefs, such as the myopic “poverty with a view” rhetoric. In truth, Flagstaff homes’ steep prices are driven by the same things that drive home values in every market: low inventory and high demand.
#3: Flagstaff Neighborhoods Are Unique
So what’s behind the short supply and heavy demand for Flagstaff real estate? Well, to begin with, Flagstaff is home to many unique neighborhoods, which means there’s something for just about everyone in our in-demand mountain town.
Searching houses for sale in Flagstaff, AZ, will yield an array of Flagstaff MLS listings. However, to pin down the perfect home for you, it helps to know more about Flagstaff’s distinctive neighborhoods.
Flagstaff Ranch attracts golfers and their families with its 18-hole golf course and 25,000 square foot clubhouse. The luxury gated community sits southwest of town and boasts numerous walking paths, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool among its amenities.
Another among the many Flagstaff neighborhoods designed with golf in mind is Continental Country Club. The neighborhood has a mix of condo developments, single-family homes, and even large, custom estates, providing various options for homebuyers. While golf attracts many of the residents, organized activities and amenities, including pools and tennis courts, give non-golfing family members plenty of entertainment options.
The quiet neighborhood of Kachina Village backs the National Forest, with cabins for sale appealing to those who wish to “get away from it all” while remaining a 10 minute drive from Flagstaff proper. Further south, Munds Park is a quiet, laid-back neighborhood, home to the 18-hole Pinewood golf course, plus plenty of restaurants, bars, and amenities.
The private golf community Forest Highlands offers small single-level homes and large, multi-level luxury estates with 24/7 gate security. Located 5 miles south of Flagstaff, Forest Highlands’ membership amenities include two golf courses, two clubhouses, a disc-golf course, and much more.
For students, teachers, and anyone looking to stay close to NAU and downtown, The Arbors is located just west of town and offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condos with on-site laundry, workout facilities, and community rooms. Nearby Boulder Pointe is another popular choice for those seeking to stay within city limits, offering a mix of townhouses and custom homes in this quiet neighborhood just off University Avenue.
Many first time homeowners find what they’re looking for in Timber Sky. Timber Sky offers the benefits of both nature and urban living to its residents with easy access to the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. Residents enjoy shared gardens, pocket parks, playgrounds, and much more in this affordable neighborhood, where home prices start in the $200s.
Flagstaff is home to dozens of unique neighborhoods. Read about all of them here.
#4: Flagstaff Isn’t Just for Second Homeowners
While many residents call Flagstaff home for only part of the year, Flagstaff’s full-time residents help create the authentic and stimulating atmosphere that initially attracted our seasonal visitors and part-time neighbors.
Flagstaff is Home to Northern Arizona University Students
While many-a-movie depicts culture clashes between town locals and university students, Hollywood found inspiration for these films far from Flagstaff. The NAU community is part of what makes Flagstaff so unique. Residents and students may start as strangers, but it doesn’t take long for them to meet at events on-campus and in-town, transforming them into neighbors.
Flagstaff is a Destination for the Running Community
Flagstaff is also home to an ample and supportive running community, looking to amplify their skills by training at altitude. From recreational runners to marathon-hopefuls and even Olympic athletes, Flagstaff’s local running community is as diverse as it is welcoming. There are running groups here suited to all skills, ages, and comfort levels, even beginners. Home to a championship running team, Flagstaff attracts elite athletes to train on our extensive high-altitude trails system, some of whom decide to become full-time residents.
Flagstaff is the Home of Pluto
Flagstaff residents will argue passionately that Pluto IS a planet. Pluto was discovered at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff by astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh. For over 90 years, Flagstaff’s been celebrating this achievement by hosting the annual I Heart Pluto Festival.
In addition to being the home of the historic Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff is the world’s first international Dark Sky city. Flagstaff has been promoting and implementing policies since 1958 that protect dark skies, fostering a strong astronomy industry along the way. Flagstaff is home to the U.S, Naval Observatory, the Lowell Observatory, the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Center, the National Undergraduate Research Observatory, the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer, and the Discovery Channel Telescope. Flagstaff is a popular travel destination and home to star watchers and Pluto fans, alike!
#5: A Local Realtor Is a Must When Purchasing a Home in Flagstaff
Many of Flagstaff’s full-time residents and second homeowners live in another town or state before calling Flagstaff home. Whether a potential homebuyer lives in Phoenix or Philadelphia, the benefits of hiring a local realtor with experience in Flagstaff real estate cannot be understated. While some towns and cities may only require basic, interchangeable real estate knowledge and experience, Flagstaff isn’t one of them.
By working with an experienced Flagstaff realtor, homebuyers gain an advantage over those without market-specific experience. Just as Flagstaff is unlike any other town, Flagstaff real estate is unlike any other market. Flagstaff REALTORS® know the ins and outs of Flagstaff’s neighborhoods and housing trends and have extensive networks and relationships in the community outside agents lack.
With in-depth knowledge of the area and the market, a local agent can help you quickly assess whether a listing meets your needs and includes your desired amenities. And, with insight into the market’s history as well as current trends, they can identify potential diamonds-in-the-rough that a less-experienced agent might overlook. Homes for sale in Flagstaff, AZ, move fast. Any advantages you have can mean the difference between an accepted or rejected offer. For homebuyers in Flagstaff, an experienced local real estate agent is often the most significant advantage of all.
Planning to buy or sell a home in Flagstaff? It can be stressful to get started, but with a qualified local real estate agent working beside you, you’ll gain the insight and expertise you need to navigate the Flagstaff, AZ, real estate market with ease. The Elite Team at Re/Max Peak Properties is home to the top local real estate agents in Flagstaff, Arizona. We partner with you every step of the way, whether you’re hoping to buy your first family home or sell your second home. Call or contact the Elite Team today to speak with an agent–we would love to work with you!
