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.

Vista Redondo - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on November 4, 2009

Vista Redondo - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

This week let's ease into a gentle stream of traffic and in just 12 minutes emerge onto a majestic New Mexico landscape and a neighborhood called Vista Redonda. It's perched upon four mesas above the Village of Tesuque with spellbinding vistas of the snow capped mountains and staggeringly brilliant sunsets. Home to movie stars and captains of industry, the upscale, water-wise community totals almost 700 acres and 82 luxury homes. There is also easy access to the adjacent National Forest. My wife doesn't know it yet but I'll be taking her to the fabulous Terra Restaurant for our 14^th wedding anniversary next week. Located next to Vista Redondo, the restaurant is part of Encantado- an Auberge Resort and member of The Leading Hotels of the World. I'll be having the Roasted Rack of Lamb Duo with gaujillo chili jus, a lamb shank tamale and tomato-tomatillo sauce. Be sure to visit Luxury Homes For Sale In Vista Redondo

Michael's Minute of Real Estate

Predatory Lending Schemes- According to the FBI, mortgage related schemes are up 173% from last year. Beware of lenders who tell you that they are your only chance of getting a loan or owning your own home, and avoid "no money down" loans. This is a gimmick used to entice consumers to purchase property that they likely cannot afford or are not qualified to purchase. Be wary of mortgage professionals who falsely alter information to qualify a consumer for a loan. Do not let anyone persuade you into making a false statement, such as overstating your income, the source of your down-payment or the nature and length of your employment. Never sign a blank document or a document containing blanks.

My Business-To-Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Let me introduce to you Brian Bodei, owner of Adobe Paint & Decorating. Family owned and operated for 18 years, Brian and his crew are not likely to let you get away with a drab color selection or miss any detail. My clients love his work and he'll be more than happy to give you an estimate on a room or the whole house. Let him know I referred you and he'll take extra special care of you. Brian can be reached at 505.438.8336 and is located at 25 Bisbee Court, Unit E, Santa Fe, New Mexico. If you need something, please call me on my cell at 505.470.4180.

Continued success,

Michael Umphrey

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, and he is sometimes otherwise known as Closings. I was fortunate enough to close two deals in the last two weeks, and also a referral closing. I have another tied up with a few lender issues but that too should be closing within the next two weeks. So have a few checks in hand has been a wonderful thing, and I can tell you my credit card companies were very happy about this as well.

So here's to all of you my fellow brokers - I wish you well and may the blue ink soon be dotting your offers. I wish all of you very quick and successful closings!

You know the old saying it comes in threes? And when you hear it you know it isn't good. It would be great if it applied to winning the lottery or any other great and exciting thing I can't even phathom at this moment.

So what were my 3's?

1. First my home office computer crashed. Thank goodness my brother has a local computer repair company called Gremlin Computers (little plug for the brother). He was able to save my hard drive.
2. My office computer caught a virus and I don't thing it was the Swine Flu - so little brother to the rescue again. He scrubbed my hard drive and got rid of the virus. Did I mention my little brother has a local company by the name of Gremlin Computers? Sorry - had to plug the bro again.
3. My Blackberry Storm decided not to let the phone button work any longer. Do you understand how not fun it is to make every phone call from voice recognition?

Now did these all happen a week or so apart? Of course not! They all happened within a day apart. I was having email and blogging withdrawals. The sight was not a pretty one. But I am happy to say that thanks to the folks at Verizon for replacing my Storm and to my delightfuly little brother who owns a local computer repair place called Gremlin Computers (things come in 3's including plugs to little brothers) I am up and running again.

Whew!

Michael Umphrey - Santa Fe Fine Homes - Santa Fe Real Estate Market Expert

Luxury Homes in Santa Fe by Michael Umphrey

Saveur Restaurant - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe,New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on October 7, 2009

Saveur Restaurant - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

Today I decided drive through the web of streets to breakfast at one of my favorite French restaurants, Saveur. I've known the proprietaires, Dee and Bernie Rusanowski, for many years and I was delighted to learn that they are returning tomorrow from a trip to the French countryside where they celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary. With innovative hospitality they serve chef specials of gourmet soup (today is Seafood Chowder, Cream of Asparagus or Vegan Garden Vegetables). For a real flavor of French cuisine Santa Fe locals come for breakfast and then return for lunch to feast on the gorgeous abundance of Dee's and Bernie's sumptuous buffet selections. The small restaurant is scrupulously clean, and the pride in which the chefs have prepared the food lets you know they've put their hearts around every detail. Dee and Bernie seem to know everyone by name and I'm glad they are back from France. The address is 204 Montezuma Street and their number is 505.989.4200. Bon appetite! Be sure to take a look at homes for sale in this neighborhood. Click Here!

Michael's Minute of Real Estate

Here are some effective ways to lower your insurance premium without lowering your coverage. Check out online resources. Go to the Department of Insurance for your state to make an educated comparison of various companies. Compare quotes from at least three different insurance companies to determine which one has the best coverage and premium. Consider using one insurer for all your needs. Some companies offer a multiple policy discount if you buy auto, home and life insurance policies from them as well. Consider a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your premium. Check to see if you belong to any groups or organizations that can get you a lower rate. Common examples include alumni associations and service clubs. Dennis Rossi is my insurance agent at The Insurance Connection and he can be reached at 505.984.0206

My Business To Business Referral

Each week I let you know about an outstanding business in Santa Fe. Let me introduce to you Luis Delgado, owner of Delgado Iron Works De Santa. For ultimate privacy in our South Capitol neighborhood home Tonia and I had Luis manufacture and install a most beautiful iron gate. His craftsmanship and ability to introduce ornate intricacies is unsurpassed. He can perform refurbishing or re-design and expert welding. Luis is terrific at what he does and is a person I can put my name to. Luis can be reached at 505.471.6605 and is located at 1310 Siler Road. Let him know I referred you and he will take excellent care of you. If you need anything please feel free to give me a call at 505.470.4180.

I'll see you in the neighborhood,

Michael