Laura Warden

Copyright Laura Warden, Choices Real Estate. Albuquerque Horse Property Specialist.

You wouldn't think of an urban downtown as a likely location to meet a bunch of farmers, but 'tain't so in Albuquerque!

Every Saturday morning, from a bright-and-early 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Robinson Park right in Downtown Albuquerque is the site of the Albuquerque Downtown Growers' Market. (OK, I know that's mighty early to be up on a Saturday morning, but hey, if you want to meet real live farmers you'll need to get up with the chickens!)

This weekly, open-air market features 100% locally grown New Mexico produce-- to qualify, fruits and vegetables must have been grown within 60 miles of downtown Albuquerque, so you know you're getting really fresh, really local produce. In my experience, much of it is organically grown, as well.

In addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables, there are booths that sell such products as local honey, locally made goat cheese, and home-made pastries, tamales, and artisan breads. You can also find local plants and flowers for sale.

Think of the benefits, and come on out:

1. It's green and eco-friendly to buy local
2. Local produce is fresher, better tasting, and often healthier than the stuff that's trucked in from thousands of miles away
3. It's an investment in our local community and local economy, supporting our local farmers,

So blink the sleep out of your eyes a little extra early next Saturday, and meet some of the Albuquerque area's rural residents-- and improve the quality of your own table for the week! Here's a map to help you find the place:

I'm looking forward to more of these "Name that Photo" entires... They're lots of fun! In the mean time, can you ID this subject of this photo?

Once again, it was taken here in New Mexico...

See what you think.

If you know anyone relocating to the Albuquerque area, keep me in mind!

Laura Warden, Choices Real Estate, (505)239-4796

Real estate statistics for Edgewood, NM for the month of June, 2009 are a mixed bag. There are reasons for both optimism and pessimism about the Edgewood real estate market. Here's why:

The average sales price of single family residential homes that closed last June was actually UP from the figures for the same month last last, and up very considerably over the figures for June of 2007!

That's great news, and rather surprising given everything we're hearing about real estate prices falling nationwide.

It's not all good news, though. Only half as many houses closed last June as in June of 2008, with only 5 closings of single family detached homes closing last month, compared to 11 closing in June of 2008, and 23 of 2007. So far fewer homes are actually closing.

Edgewood, New Mexico is a great little town 20 minutes east of Albuquerque, that is full of affordable rural homes and horse properties. Edgewood is also growing quite rapidly, with new commercial activity such as the new Wal-mart that recently opened, and offers resident local shopping, dining a business opportunities without having to drive into Albuquerque.

For more information about Edgweood and its real estate market, contact me any time at (505)239-4796, or visit my Albuquerque Horse Properties website.

An additional piece of bad news was that the average time on the market doubled! In June of 2007 and June 2008, the average "Days on the Market," or DOM, were 56 and 55 days, respectively. But in June 2009, the homes that closed had been on the market an average of 136 days, so it is taking far longer for the homes that do sell to close.

So, the good news is price are up.

The bad news is fewer homes are selling, and they are taking longer to sell.