Santa Fe, 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.

http://animoto.com/play/kgcPh60stKMBWIDysYYJxA?autostart=true

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!