Eloise Gift, New Mexico Real Estate

Hot Air Balloons Fly in Fair Weather

The morning was perfect for balloon launching. The predawn hours were not as biting cold as they can be. The wind was down and dawn broke perfectly, soft and meltingly rosy as the sun glided above the peak of the Sandia Mountains. But I barely noticed. It was too tempting to keep my ringside seat at the Don Chalmers hospitality. I had to be on the field in the middle of the hubub of hundreds of balloons in traditional and non traditional shapes firing up at all once and waiting their turn for take off. The sensation is indescribable and I could only capture it in parts in pictures. But if, as they say, one picture is worth a thousand words, these put together should do a better job of telling the story than words could.

Firing up and Breaking Loose

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A Gift for real estate

The balloons are up . . .up . .  and away this first day of International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have been watching the practice runs over the northwest gradually increase each day until yesterday morning when a newbie in town would have thought it was the real thing- so many were aloft.

This morning despite the uncharacteristic (except on balloon fiesta opening days) overcast skies, over rtwo hundred lifted off. (I counted those I could see from a distance -two hundred- and knew I couldn't see them all. I photograped one that drifted close to me.

 I can't wait to get onto the field next Friday. For the first time I will help staff a booth for NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). So if you are at the balloon fiesta, look for the NAWBO booth and come over and say hello. I shall also be promoting Eloise Gift of Keller Williams and will have some promotional items for you. In the meantime, if you can't be there, enjoy the video and plan to join us next year the first weekend in October.

The wave pf collapse of some of our most trusted financial institutions is having a ripple effect that is leaving a wake of speculation and doubt about financial partners and planned developmen projects. Independent entrepreneurs, developers and even states are concerned about taint from the turmoil raging around Freddie Mac, Fannie May, Lehman Brothers, Merril Lynch and AIG. Remaining institutions are suspect as some nervously ask, Who is is next?

It is for thaos ereasons the SunCal Developers who acquired the former Westland Corporation's holdings find themselves having to give reassurance about their Albuquerque project. Apparently, Lehman Brothers were financial partnered with SunCal on earlier projects in California, but were not on the Albuquerque, NM ticket. A SunCal spokesperson said the Albuquerque project has $100 million in equity and its capital partner here in Albuquerque, is E.Shaw, a $35 billion investment firm. SunCal and Shaw remain fully committed to the Albuquerque project. NM According to the New Mexico Business Weekly, SunCal put in the above disclaimer.

Undoubtedly, New Mexico is relieved to hear the disclaimer and learn that SunCal' s plans for a master-planned community of the 57,000 acres west of Albuquerque is not in jeopardy. We are all aware that the greatest challenge for buyers and investors in the current real estate market is that of securoing financing, and the city of Albuquerque and SunCal have been working on this project for sometime.

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Green Status Quo
Albuquerque and indeed, the state of New Mexico are no laggards when it comes to environmental awareness and green standards. Both city and state have received recognition for initiatives to implement and support green practices relating to energy efficiency, clean air and water; the development alternative, sustainable energy sources through wind and solar power; water conservation and green construction. . The Mayor of Albuquerque, Martin Chavez, has received local and international awards for green initiatives including the 2006 recognition for water conservation. The state has an increasing number of buildings-residential and commercial-that have met the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) standards for the highest levels of certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Al the New schools under construction in Westside Albuquerque are being built to similar specification.

Comes Now the PRC
It is a tribute to the progress made by the state of New Mexico that its Public Relations Commission has now joined the coalition for supporting and upholding green standards with its new website, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The commission's stated mission is to "regulate the utilities, telecommunications, motor carriers and insurance industries to ensure fair and reasonable rates and to assure reasonable and adequate services to the public as provided by law. The PRC also has responsibility for the State Fire Marshal's Office, the Firefighter Training Academy, Pipeline Safety and the registration of all corporations doing business in New Mexico."

According to a statement on its website, the PRC believes that New Mexico, can develop its highly rated solar energy and wind potential and in doing so, also stimulate economic growth and the creation of new jobs. In its capacity as regulator, the PRC is in a position to be a positive force for change, economic development and job growth in the state. Its website is an initial statement of solidarity with the mayor, the governor and the citizens of the state. I cannot imagine how anything but good could come from this coalition.

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El Caballero de Los Ranchos, one of Albuquerque, New Mexico North Valley's most delightful neighborhoods is in a gated, park-like setting off Chavez Road between 4^th Street and Rio Grande Boulevard. Like most North Valley residential developments, the El Caballero site was once a farm. The lush green of the area may be a continuing testimony to the fruitfulness of that era.

A current resident told me that the development was the brainchild of three or four friends just about 30 to 40 years ago, and that the last house was constructed in the early 90's. El Caballero continues to be a preferred destination for those seeking the tranquility of the North Valley. I have met several people who grew up in El Caballero whose goal is to return there to live. But the neighborhood is a self contained area of just about one hundred twenty-three homes with no room for expansion. Homes are built on .6 or more acres.

The homes in El Caballero are built on the inner and outer sides of a circular road (Salamanca) with lots of open space, shady cottonwood trees, and gardens in between. Many homes are adobe or part adobe, Santa Fe traditional southwestern style. Some residents like to describe their home using the names of their particular builder (a popular name is Nick Garcia). Many homes have been renovated and updated, and no two seem to be exactly alike.

Currently, six homes are on the market in El Caballero. They range in size from 2, 700 to 5, 600 square feet and in price from $599,000 to $1, 269,000.

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