Victoria Murphy ~ Santa Fe, NM

This weekend was the opening of the Santa Fe Opera Season, and since I have a listing next to the SFO I thought it woudl be a great idea to hold an open house. Over 30 people came by in the two hours, and many were in town for the opera. I stood in the massive living room and smiled like I had never smiled before. I would speak quickly about the home and repeat and repeat. I was traversing from one wing to another asking if anyone had questions. Over and over I was asked for my card and about other homes in the area. If my home didn't meet the criteria I was thrilled I knew some inventory that did. Hopefully, some of the people who asked numerous questions will be contacting myself or their agent for a second showing, and those who were interested in other properties - I hope they call later this week.

Today is my Birthday, and while I am not looking for all of you to wish me a Happy Birthday I would of course be thrilled. After all who really doesn't like to have this special day acknowledged. My family has always been a big fan of celebrating birthdays. They should always come with some sort of celebration. Afterall, we have been able to add another year of experiences and memories. We are fortunate enough to still be with the people we love. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated. By the way I am also very proud of everyone of the 51 years of experience, friends and memories I have had - so far.

Santa Fe is in the Top 10

Recently Santa Fe was named as one of the top 10 cities to appreciate within the next 10 years by US News and World Report. This news could not have come at a better time considering the state of the housing market across the country. Santa Fe has long been considered a great investment due to our climate, beauty and attractions. We have a strong second and investment home market which has probably attributed to our being named amounst the top 10. Below is the link so you may enjoy the entire article.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/real-estate/2009/06/04/the-top-10-housing-markets-for-the-next-10-years.html

I will come out and say it I am a registered Democrat and that is about the gist of it. I serve as the chair of our local real estate government affairs committee, the vice-chair (incoming chair) of our state associations legislative committee, and finance chair of our county democratic committee. I am also an RPAC trustee. All of this is great since in the real estate committees we do our best to stay non-partisan and address issues which effect property rights.

But boy can it be scary when you get in a car with potential clients and they begin asking those soft political questions. I just smile and tell the real estate committees I sit on but I am very careful not to let anymore slip. In the car with clients is not the place to spew our political beliefs, it is the place to talk up our cities and all the amenties they will offer the future homebuyer. I can tell you I have had a bloodied tongue on occasion just having to bite down on it. But at the end of the day when you have given it your all - you know it was the right thing to do and keep politics out of the home selling process.

Last year in August I lost my daddy. He was a terrific man very loving and with a gap tooth smile that everyone adored. I was daddy's girl of course so was my sister Felicia, and my sister Raquel, and my sister Kathy, and the granddaughter's but needless to say he loved each of us. And he related to each of us as individuals understanding and knowing all the little intricacies that made of each of us so different.

Today is my first father's day without him. So I met my mother, siblings, husband and daughter at his grave site. We all took him flowers from our gardens because he could not stand purchased flowers.

To all of you fathers out there - Happy Father's Day. To all of you who no longer have your fathers - Many happy memories to you.