Michael Umphrey

by Michael Umphrey on July 24, 2009

Have you seen the film, Red Sky at Morning? Richard Crenna starred in this story of a boy's life in Santa Fe during World War II. It was filmed here in the neighborhood of the historic East side. Walking the street of Cerro Gordo (Fat Hill) you will find that not much has changed. The Santa Fe River slips through the sleeping city as the tones of St. Francis Cathedral hover in the air. One can take the short 2 mile trek along the river from the Plaza toward the lower slopes of the Santa Fe National Forest to the end of Cerro Gordo Road. The 20 mile long Dale Ball Hiking Trail begins there. My family and I always look forward to visiting Upaya Zen Center for the seasonal celebrations of the equinox. The area is heavily wooded and the lush, arboreal landscape is a surprise for most visitors. This weekend is the 58^th annual Spanish Market happening in Santa Fe. If you ever wanted to see the history of New Mexican Spanish arts and culture then now is the time to come. While you're here be sure to take a look at Luxury Homes For Sale On Cerro Gordo Road

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

"Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle."- Ken Hakuta

Nowadays, "free money" isn't just found on late night infomercials packed with crazy schemes. The truth is, there are a lot of real - legitimate - ways to find free money. From government tax credits to online deal finders that let you search the best deals in one place, there's actually a lot of free money out there just waiting to be found. I'll be sending you my Item of Value for this month and it will take you through some of the best ways to find free money and stretch those dollars just a bit further.

My Business to Business Referral

Since I am so active in the industry, I come across some great referrals. Let me present John Dominguez, owner of Dominguez Carpet One. If he doesn't have the carpet or tile you need he'll make sure he finds it and installs it to in a seamless fashion. John is excellent at what he does and is a person I can put my name to. He can be reached at 505.988.3022 and his address is 1000 Cerrillos Road. Let him know I referred you and he'll take extra special care of you.

I'll see you in the neighborhood!

Michael Umphrey

Upper Canyon Road - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on July 16, 2009

The sky shines with an evening sun that turns the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains the color of watermelon. Tonia and I were married in the gardens of the Randall Davy Audubon Center at the end of Upper Canyon Road. 12 years later our son, Nick, became a camp councilor there. Fed by the snowmelt, three reservoirs serve as some of the city's drinking water and spill into the Santa Fe River. Just 3 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza and bordering the Santa Fe National Forest is a 190 acre urban preserve run by the Nature Conservancy. Willow trees and cottonwoods, beaver and birds paint the landscape along the trailhead of the 20-mile Dale Ball Hiking Trail. A series of ponds and wetlands make this neighborhood first choice for our family's regular hikes. These photos speak volumes. Homes For Sale On Upper Canyon Road

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

5 ways to speed up your sale:

1) Together we'll set the right price. A correctly price home will always draw attention from buyers.
2) Get your house market-ready before you begin showing it so your family can get used to keeping your home clean and beautiful.
3) The more frequently your home is shown, the faster you will find buyer. Keep your home clean and staged so you can be ready to show your home on short notice.
4) Decide in advance what price and conditions you will find satisfactory.
5) Don't refuse to lower your asking price. Consult with me to keep your home priced realistically.

My Business To Business Referral

Each week I bring present to you an excellent business. Let me introduce Dr. Mark Seredowych. He is a general practitioner and has been our doctor for 10 years. His care and bedside manners are contagious and he is a person I can put my name to. Mark can be reached at 505.982.4276 and his address is 1650 Hospital Drive, Suite 200, Santa Fe, NM. Let him know I referred you and he will take extra special care of you. If you need me for anything feel free to call my cell at 505.470.4180

I'm looking forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.

Michael

by Michael Umphrey on July 9, 2009

Let's conjure up an image of arguably one of the most magical streets in Santa Fe. Acequia Madre means "mother ditch" and if you've seen the film "Milagro Bean Field Wars" you know the importance of the culture and livelihood of any neighborhood in New Mexico blessed by flowing waters. Located in the Historic East Side the narrow street was meant for burros carrying firewood down from the mountains and to accommodate the horse-drawn carriages of inhabitants of adobe homes hidden along its alleyways, invisible to the world. If you explore any of its walking paths and listen to the murmur of the water you may feel that time seems to stop. The Downtown Subscription is a coffeehouse and favorite meeting place for the locals. As you step into the café you'll breathe in that perfume of coffee and magic that strangely no one thought of bottling. You can buy practically any periodical you can think of from around the world and, of course, The New York Times. The Garcia Street Books is just next door with its outdoor display of treasure for sale. Be sure to take a look at HomesForSaleOnAcequiaMadre

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

A smart home is a green home. One of the most important trends in modern home design is incorporating environmentally friendly amenities. Here's a look at the green housing trends that will not only bring an older home to a new millennium, but also attract younger buyers when it's time to sell. Copper roofs tolerate inclement weather and will last 100 years and can be completely recycled. Low-emittance windows, doors and skylights block the sun's UV rays and reduce energy consumption. LED lighting contains no hazardous chemicals, uses 80 percent less energy and can last up to 20 years. Green toilets conserve water (which can save you 30 to 50 percent on your annual water bill). Induction cook top coils release their energy directly to the pot or pan and its contents so that less energy is diffused. Reclaimed wood and fast-growing plants such as bamboo and unused pre-cut wood find new life as gorgeous, affordable countertops. Cork flooring is a great alternative to hardwood because it is extremely durable yet inexpensive. To keep indoor air clean and cut down on landfill pollutants, use paints that don't contain toxic, volatile organic components (VOCs). The planet (and your wallet) will thank you.

My Business-To-Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Let me introduce to you Walter Burke Catering. Whenever the occasion has called for wonderful food, the only catering company I ever call is Walter Burke. In my announcements of an Open House or Client Appreciation Party all it takes to ensure a memorable event is a mention his savory and enticing menu. Walter offers contemporary cuisine, classic full service from casual to formal and delivery. For your private jet, he'll prepare meals for you, your passengers and crew and your feast will be ready for your flight from the Santa Fe Airport. He also runs his full service restaurant on Museum Hill. Walter is a person I can put my name to. He can be reached at 505.473.9600 and on his Website at www.walterburkecatering.com. Let him know I referred you and he and his staff will take extra special care of you.

I hope to see you strolling along the Acequia Madre.

Continued success,

Michael Umphrey

Downtown - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico - Michael's Blog

by Michael Umphrey on July 2, 2009

Through 2010 the city is celebrating its 400^th anniversary and we're in the mood to party. My office is in the neighborhood of downtown Santa Fe. I'm looking out my window at the Santa Fe River and the awe- inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountain range beyond. The Plaza is three blocks away. I'm surrounded by world- class restaurants all of which have been given the highest ratings in Conde Naste, Bon Appétit, Travel & Leisure and many others. The Lensic Performing Arts Theater, The New Mexico Museum of Art, the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, and the Institute for American Indian Arts are all downtown. This weekend we celebrate Independence Day with the 33^rd annual Pancakes on the Plaza party, hosted by United Way. The average high temperature for Santa Fe in July is 82 degrees and New Mexico is called The Land of Enchantment for good reason. I'll try to save you some pancakes. Be sure to visit LuxuryHomesForSaleInDowntownSantaFe

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

I currently have over 10.5 million dollars worth of residential homes pending and due to close in August. Many residents here make Santa Fe their second home. I'll be sending the latest local market data to my buyers and sellers on July 11 which will show why I am urging my clients and customers who want to make Santa Fe their home to take advantage of the low interest rates and the large selection of homes from which to choose. I'll find you the house that you want for the price that you want. If you'd like to receive the report please give me a call at 505.470.4180 I am encouraging you to take the next step. You can thank me later.

My Business to Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Let me introduce to you Randy Moya, of WIN Home Inspection. Randy not only performs an excellent home inspection, he also performs pre-listing inspections designed to help sell your home with less fear of the buyer's inspection. Pre-listing inspections now includes a 120 day warranty for the seller. WIN Home Inspection has been in business for over 9 years and they have performed over 3000 inspections. Randy's number is 505.466.7243, his e-mail is www.wini.com/santafe and on the Web at www.wini.com. Randy is a person I can put my name to. Let him know I referred you and he will take extra special care of you. If you need anything, please give me a call at 505.470.4180, or send e-mail an e-mail at mumphrey@prusantafe.com. For a complete list be sure to visit MyBusinessToBusinessReferralDirectory

Happy 4^th with wishes for your continued success,

Michael Umphrey

by Michael Umphrey on June 24, 2009

The Inn at Loretto

I don't think I'll soon run out of wonderful places to write about that are still within walking distance from our home in Santa Fe. The short walk to Museum Hill is one of our favorites. Set among the Pinon and Juniper pines that pepper the landscape are four world-class museums: the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. Of course, they each have their own unique gift shops. In The Museum Hill Café you can enjoy the full service and food hosted by Walter Burke Catering while marveling at some of the most exquisite hilltop vistas of the town. July 11-12 the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market will be held here at the museums featuring artist from 50 countries. There are no middle- men and 90 percent of the profits go to the artists. Visiting here could possibly be the highlight of anyone's holiday. The neighborhood itself is extremely desirable and you can take a look at Homes For Sale On Museum Hill

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

It's Open Season on ID theft. It is the fastest growing crime in America, and the average victim spends 175 hours and $1,000 repairing the damage. Here are some tips to protect you. Invest in a locking mailbox. Use a cross cut paper shredder and buy software that will perform a "secure delete" of your sensitive files. Beware of tax preparation services that hire seasonal workers with minimal training. Be careful of using an online tax service insuring the site is reputable. Type in the Web site URL directly and never follow an e-mail link. Here's the real estate part...my new listing www.spanishhillestate.com

Downtown Santa Fe

My Business to Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Let me introduce Marc Howard, the creator of exceptional jewelry designs. For many years Tonia and I have been delighted with his marvelous craftsmanship and customer care and he is a person I can put my name to. If you need any sort of custom designed jewelry you can visit Marc's shop in the Railyard shopping district at 328 S. Guadalupe Street. His number is 505.820.1080 and his Website is www.marc-howard.com. Let him know I referred you and he will take extra special care of you. If you need me for anything please feel free to call me on my cell at 505.470.4180

Continued success,

Michael Umphrey