About Santa Fe County, NM

Today is the start of the Santa Fe 400th and the official beginning of Santa Fe, New Mexico's 400th year! The celebration begins with VIVA Santa Fe this weekend and the party continues for the next 16 months commemorating the lives, stories and diverse cultures that make Santa Fe the oldest capital city in the country. I am certain Don Pedro de Peralta would be amazed and proud at how the "villa" he began in 1610 looks 400 years later. More on what happened to Santa Fe real estate during the past 400 years. Now it is time to party!

I just read a great blog about using your photo and not the Gray avatar. That set me off on the simple fact that one needs to update not only their profile photos but also their MLS listing photos and information. I get a big kick out of doing an MLS search. Here it is the end of August and there is snow on the ground of listing - and the seller wonders why there property isn't selling - it's your agent they aren't paying attention to your home.

I also love the 10-20 year old profile photos used - people accept your age - you've earned it. After all your still on the right side of the ground. This weekend I was with a buyer from out of town that I had been communicating with via email. When I went to meet her in our lobby the first thing she said was "You look just like your photo". Well I hope so - I update it every 2 years. Does it cost to have this done - yes. But that is just one of the costs of doing business.

Another pet peeve - update your listing information. On a recent MLS search a property came up matching my buyers criteria but I had to ask my self "Why has it been on the market for over a 1000 days"? Could it be the remarks that if this property went under contract and closed by July 30, 2007 the seller would cover the closing costs and a $2,000 bonus to the buyers agent?

Get with it people - check out those photos and remarks and get them updated.

age 2

2005

2007

2009

On Friday I will be staying with my mother at her home and I thought I would make one of her favorite dishes - Trenette con Pesce Spada E Spinach - otherwise known to my mother as the Pasta, Fish and Nuts dish. So since I have pulled out the recipe which has begun to yellow in my collection of recipes to copy it - I thought I would pass it along because it really is truly delicious. The recipe originally came from Cucina Italiana but I have modified to to our tastes.

3/4 of a can of anchovies fillets, drained and patted dry

2 large garlic cloves

3 cups Swiss chard, stems removed and roughly cut leaves

3/4 pound of firm white fish, swordfish, mahi mahi, halibut

4 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup pine nuts, roasted to golden brown

1/2 cup of slivered almonds, roasted to golden brown

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, toasted in 2 tblsp olive oil

1 package penne pasta, cooked al dente, and drained reserve 2 cups liquid. (I prefer whole wheat)

1/4 cup Olive oil

1 cup dry white wine

2 Tblsp lemon juice

2 cups reserved water from pasta.

In a heavy skillet add anchovies and olive oil and cook over a moderate flame. Stir until the anchovies dissolve. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the Swiss Chard, fish, tomatoes, nuts, and wine and simmer until the fish is cooked through about 3 minutes. Add mixture and lemon juice to pasta. Add 1 cup of the reserved liquid and toss gently. Add more liquid as needed.

Serve pasta sprinkled with bread crumbs and enjoy!

Montezuma Street - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on August 17, 2009

Montezuma Street - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

All it takes for a little inspiration to compose my weekly blog on the neighborhoods of Santa Fe is to take a walk around the block. The district is heaving with Friday afternoon traffic as I make my way to Montezuma Street, the hub of the Rail Yard District. Just a ½ block from my office I can stroll through Border's Books, The Cowgirl Hall of Fame Restaurant (excellent Bar-B-Q and live music), Pranzo Italian Grill, Café Dominic, Zia Diner, and Kohnami Sushi. The Jean Cocteau Theatre is now home to the New Mexico Film and Museum Office. The Sambusco Center is home to 24 shops including Bohdi Bazaar, Teca Tu, Santa Fe Pens and the best shoe store in the world, On Your Feet. Be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale On Montezuma Street

Indian Market begins this coming weekend, August 22-23^rd. Held on the Plaza and the surrounding streets downtown, there will be more than 1,100 of the finest American Indian artists offering the most exquisite pieces of jewelry, clay pottery, beadwork, photography, painting, sculpture and more. Collectors from the all over the world will be on hand the night before when judges will announce the Best of Show followed by the Sneak Preview. In its 88^th year, Indian Market remains the most prestigious gathering for indigenous artists, patrons and collectors. There'll be a Native American Clothing Contest, traditional dances, corn on the cob and fry bread too! Click here for Indian Market Events Schedule

Michael's Minute of Real Estate

If you're not looking to "flip" a house but looking for value and a home in which to live, this market offers the highest opportunity for you and your family. Inflation is coming. One doesn't live with the price, one lives with the payment. With these historically low interest rates I must say again, "Buy now and thank me later."

My Business to Business Referral
Each week I let you know about an outstanding business in Santa Fe. Let me introduce to you Henry Sena, owner of Alive Electric, Inc. Henry and his crew just completed re-wiring our 8,000 square foot, 80 year old historic downtown Santa Fe Prudential office. Henry is excellent at what he does and is a person I can put my name to. He can be reached at 505.690.7678. 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

Imagine sitting on the front porch and listening to arias and opera rehersals in the background. That was my wonderful experience last weekend as I held this incredible home open. Only 10 minutes into downtown Santa Fe this 24 hour security gated community is beakoning your buyers to come and relax by the pool, listen to the various reknowned opera singers, but most of all to enjoy the home itself.

Your opportunity is this weekend with 2 open houses on Saturday and Sunday from 1 - 3 each day.

4465 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 6 fireplaces, studio, center courtyard swimming pool with mountain views, 10 minutes to downtown Santa Fe, and an oversize 2 car garage. $1,160,000.00 The only single family home on the market in the wonderful Casas de San Juan subdivision.