New Mexico

>>>President Signs Bill

President Obama signed the bill yesterday which extends the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. The bill also created a $6,500 tax credit for move up buyers who have owned their current residence for 5 years or more.

First time home buyers, or anyone who has not owned a home in three years, will have until April 30, 2010 to find their new home. They will then have to close within 60 days to receive the credit.

The same thing goes for current homeowners. Here are some details on the two programs.


>>>The Tax Credit's influence on this year's Albuquerque Real Estate Market

The first time home buyer tax credit has had an influence on the Albuquerque Real Estate Market, especially in the last 2 months as buyers rushed to cash in on the tax credit.

Here's a chart that compares 2008 and 2009 Home Sales in Albuquerque (resale homes only):

2008 data (red line) followed a more normal pattern with a peak in the summer months. 2009 data (blue line) shows the sharp increase in sales in September and October as the window of opportunity to cash in on the tax credit was closing.


>>>The Tax Credit's influence on this year's Rio Rancho Real Estate Market

Here's a chart that compares 2008 and 2009 Home Sales in Rio Rancho (resale homes only):


The blue represents the sharp increase in closed sales in July, September and October.


>>>Now's the time to Sell your home in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho

Why am I saying that? Two reasons:

• Sales are up. The stimulus is working
• When the stimulus is gone, sales will go down. When sales go down, prices will go down.

If you are thinking of selling you need to get your house listed soon. Right now the average number of days it takes to sell is 67 days in Albuquerque and 87 days in Rio Rancho. These numbers are likely to increase over the winter.

A window of opportunity has just reopened. Don't miss it!

>>>Contact Me Today

I know the real estate market. I can help you price your home correctly for today's market conditions. Don't delay, waiting to sell will cost you money!!!

If you need a CMA on your Albuquerque or Rio Rancho home, then contact me today.

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9039 Seneca NW is now For Sale!


9309 Seneca NW is located in The Trails at Las Marcadas in Northwest Albuquerque. The Trails at Las Marcadas is a section of newer homes located in Las Marcadas subdivision.

Homes in the neighborhood were built in 2004-2007 by Kim Brooks Homes (now Summertree Homes).

9309 Seneca NW has 3066 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 2,5 baths and a 3 car garage. The home is listed for sale by Lisa Hebenstreit Realty.

The next meeting of the Piedas Marcadas Neighborhood Association will be Thursday, November 12, 7pm at Rio Vista Church of the Nazarene.

In addition to the regular neighborhood business we will have two guest speakers, Dan Lewis and Jim White. Dan Lewis is our newly elected 5th District City Councilor. Jim White is with the PR firm that is representing the Westside SunCal development that has been in the news.

Please plan on attending the meeting and welcoming our new city councilor and to hear information about the proposed development.

Currently there are board positions open. We live in a great neighborhood, wouldn't you like to be more involved in it?

$12 annual membership dues are now payable to PMNA. View our membership page for more information.

SunCal News

SunCal Website

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Yes, Santa Fe has marvellous blue skies, is a cultural gem and has great places to eat. But what about the kids?

Realtors are a varied crew of course, but few Santa Fe realtors have my real-time experience of the school system here, and if you’re considering a move here with school-age children, you need to talk to me! I have a son who is going through the public school system, starting from kindergarden here - my wife also works in the public school system.

I know the zones, the best schools for particular subjects, the best homes in the districts you choose, the whole interzoning lottery, the private school options for K-12….

You’re never just buying a home, but especially with kids you’re buying a neighborhood, a school, buddies that your child will have at a crucial time in their development and of course peace of mind.

As a Dad, I’m very aware of all these issues, and I try to incorporate them in my home selection, so that by the time you arrive in Santa Fe to look at properties, we completely understand each other. Let me help find you and your family a great place to grow up.

ps Things to do while Mom & Dad are house hunting, or afterwards…

Santa Fe Children’s Museum
(505) 989-8359
www.santafechildrensmuseum.org
1050 Old Pecos Trail

If you are traveling with children, and they become bored with the historic sites in and around Santa Fe, this is a great way to lift their spirits. The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits like a climbing wall, obstacle course, bubbles, music, and a working greenhouse featuring daily scavenger hunts. For the fearless, there are even snakes on exhibit. The gift shop has an array of educational toys, puzzles and games.
Admission
New Mexico Residents with ID $4 per person
All other visitors $8 per person
(Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Parents of unaccompanied youth over 12 must register at front desk)
* Dollar Sundays: Admission on most Sundays is $1 for New Mexico residents
Hours of Operation: 10am-5pm Wed-Sat; 12pm-5pm Sun


Warehouse 21
www.warehouse21.org
(505) 989-4423
1614 Paseo de Peralta

In the new Railyards, this is a magnetic place for teenagers, with
everything from anime festivals, to turntable classes to concerts.

Painted Dish
(505) 995-1165
839 Paseo De Peralta Suite F
Great place where children, teens and adults can make their own ceramics and arts & crafts.
Price range : $18-$25.

Genoveva Chavez Community Center
3221 Rodeo Road
www.gccommunitycenter.com
505 955 4001

Athletic facilities including ice arena, indoor athletic and recreational swimming pools, gyms, and exercise equipment.
Fort Marcy Complex Pool, Gym and Mager’s Field Park
(505) 955-2500
490 Bishops Lodge Rd
Local gym and pool a short walk from downtown. Also has tennis courts.
Admission: $4

The Bishops Lodge Resort and Spa
(505) 983-6377
bishopslodge.com
1297 Bishops Lodge Rd
Located about a 10 minute drive from downtown, Bishop’s Lodge has horseback rides (by reservation), Tennis (also by reservation), and hiking trails.

Mellow Vello
(505) 995-VELO
mellowbike.com
638 Old Santa Fe Trail
Mello Vello is great for bicycle rentals, and guides.

New Wave Rafting Company
(505) 984-1444
newwaverafting.com
1101 Cerrillos Rd
Rafting season is such fun in New Mexico! New Wave Rafting has excellent guides to ensure a fun and memorable experience. (Special rules may apply for teens and young children)
Trips start at around $50.00

Parks:
Railyard Park + Plaza
Corner of Paseo de Peralta & Guadalupe
Re-opened in 2008, this is a superb place to hang out, with its picnic tables, flowing stream, children’s activity area and grassy knolls. Get your sandwiches across the road in Whole Foods Market and then relax!
There are often musical events in the Park, and it incorporates Warehouse 21 for the teenagers and SITE Santa Fe for the sophisticates. The Park includes the wonderful Santa Fe Farmers Market, which is open year round Saturdays and Tuesdays, and several coffee shops and casual restaurants.

Local malls:
Devargas Center
(505) 982-2655
www.devargascenter.com
564 N Guadalupe St
Hours of Operation: M-F 10am-7pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su Noon-5pm
Located about a 5 minute drive from downtown. This is Santa Fe’s oldest indoor shopping mall. It has the UA DeVargas Mall 6 cinema here where you can catch a movie. Stores in the mall include Ross Dress for Less, Western Warehouse, Stag Tobacconist, Hastings (video/games/books).

Sanbusco Center
(505) 989 9390
Montezuma St., just off Guadalupe Street

Borders, Just for Feet, Reel Life fishing gear, Santa Fe Pens, Cost Plus - great stores for browsing and buying! This historic building has over 20 stores in a wonderful downtown location, just off Guadalupe, which is a unique shopping and dining experience itself.

Santa Fe Place
(505) 473-4253
www.villalindamall.com
4250 Cerrillos Rd
Hours of Operation: M-Sa 10am-9pm; Su Noon-6pm
Located about a 25 minute drive from downtown (much closer if you’re staying in a Cerrillos Rd. motel). This is the largest indoor mall in Santa Fe, as well as the most modern. It is a popular place to hang out, catch a movie, dine and, of course, shop. The four main stores are Sears, Mervyn’s, Dillard’s and JC Penney’s, and there are close to 80 other shops. There are a number of specialty stores offering candy, shoes, books, home accessories and electronic games. The center food court offers Chinese food, fast food and more. The movie theater shows all the latest releases, and has new very low prices.


Frank O'Mahony is managing broker at Evolve Santa Fe Real Estate (www.EvolveSantaFe.com, 505.699.3985). He works mainly with people moving to Santa Fe to work, relax or retire.

November 6, 2009. It's the end of the week and time for some nice photos. Enjoy.

This is a photo of the mountains north of Silver City. Like the view?

There are doors and gates all around town like this one near our office.

Large Lizard on the house of a friend.