About Santa Fe County, NM

Camino De Las Animas - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on November 21, 2009

Camino De Las Animas - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

The smell of the sleeping streets calms me on my morning walk through Camino De Las Animas. Birds sing and the dogs bark. It's a short lane near downtown Santa Fe with a gorgeous abundance of Victorian, Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture. No less prominent is the home of one of our most famous artists, Gustav Baumann, now owned and preserved by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation. Several homes on this street are included in the National Register of Historic Places. When you come to visit Santa Fe, be sure to take a stroll on this magical street to see why life in this city is so enchanting. While you're here, be sure to take a look at Home For Sale In The Neighborhood

Michael's Minute of Real Estate

The President signed an extension and expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit through April 30, 2010. As long as the home is under contract by that date and closing occurs by June 30, 2010 an $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time homebuyers (those who have not purchased a home within the last three years). A credit if $6,500 is available for homeowners who have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as a principle residence for five consecutive years of the past eight. These credits are available to buyers with incomes below $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Homes valued at more than $800,000 are not eligible. Please feel free to call me for more details at 505.470.4180

My Business -To -Business Referral

Each week I let you know about an outstanding business in Santa Fe. Let me introduce Dr. Chris Fuller of High Country Macula, Retina and Vitreous. Chris is a surgeon most capable for any type of ocular trauma, having travelled the world with ORBIS International, a non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to improving eye care in some of the world's most remote, impoverished and underserved areas. Let him know I referred you and he'll take extra special care of you. He can be reached at 505.982.5716. If you need anything, especially if you're new to town, take a look at My Referral Directory.

I'm hoping to see you in the neighborhood. Let me be the first to say, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Michael Umphrey

Rarely available beautiful light filled Beverly Spears designed home with a fantastic art studio. Combining Northern New Mexico with a splash of Provence. Located 6 miles from downtown off Old Santa Fe Trail. This magnificent home/frame construction features a dramatic living space, high ceiling, fireplace, stunning outdoor kitchen with a private gardens, lavendar fields, a petite vineyard, and spa. The property allows horses. Full basement with rooms & walls of storage.

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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!