Santa Fe, NM

Since this is the neighborhood in which I live, I'm excited to tell you about this thriving district. Settled at the turn of the last century there was need for housing close to the bustling Santa Fe Rail Yard. Homes here were built with Victorian architecture, Territorial brick design and Pueblo Revival styles; many of them made of adobe. From our house, we can walk to everything Santa Fe has to offer, including the new trains in the Rail Yard District, the downtown plaza, museums and the Santa Fe River. The New Mexico Rail Runner will take you to Albuquerque for a mere $8.00. The neighborhood is home to The Farmer's Market, fabulous art galleries, fine dining and cafes, and excellent shopping opportunities. Of course, the beautiful State Capitol building is here and is presided over by Governor Bill Richardson. I'd love to show you the area along with our new office located at 314 S. Guadalupe, (which is .4 miles from my house). Here is a link to the homes for sale in the neighborhood : Homes For Sale In South Capitol Click Here

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

Not all remodels are created equal. You may already be familiar with Remodeling magazine's popular Cost vs. Value report, which documents the average return on investment expected for specific improvement projects. But have you taken into account the latest design trends that will make your home more desirable and thus more valuable? For example, many buyers are seeking homes with hardwood, composite or travertine tile flooring because they require less maintenance than carpet and give a home a beautiful and natural feel. Replacing carpeted areas with these contemporary flooring options can give your home a worthwhile face-lift. Here is a link to a wonderful home I represent for sale in the neighborhood which will be held "Open" this Saturday and Sunday, June 6^th and 7^th: http://www.715OldSantaFeTrail.com

My Business to Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. One of the unique services I provide when I take on the marketing of a home is to offer a complimentary "enhancement consultation". Let me introduce you to the professional talents of my wife, Tonia Prestupa. She is an Interior Designer, Professional Organizer and a Party Planner extraordinaire. Tonia designs classic and modern interiors that create harmony and ambience within the surrounding architecture. Precious touches and exceptional objects are selected and crafted with rare skill from the finest of materials. Above all is her unwavering conviction that beauty and comfort elevate the human spirit. Her elegant and luxuriously designed interiors are showcased in Santa Fe, Chicago, Palm Desert, Los Angeles and North Carolina.

If you need help with a special area of your home, office, closets or garage that is overwhelmingly cluttered or disorganized, Tonia's skill as a Professional Organizer will help you restore not only your area of concern, but your sanity!

If you want to entertain a small group of friends or clients but don't know where to start or don't have the time to put it all together, Tonia's party planning company can design custom theme parties that are imaginative and memorable. She can be reached at 505.470.5060 and her Email is toniasantafe@gmail.com. If you need something, please call me on my cell at 505.470.4180 or Email me at mumphrey@prusantafe.com. Be sure to visit the directory at this link: My Business to Business Directory

Continued success,

Michael Umphrey

Rich in art and history, Canyon Road is the cultural center of Santa Fe. Located in the heart of the Historic Eastside, the art galleries found on the ¾ mile lane are what help make Santa Fe not only a world-class travel destination but also the 2^nd largest art market in the country. My family takes its daily walk on Canyon Road from our home in the south Capitol District. One of our favorite destinations is The Teahouse, on the corner of Palace Avenue and Canyon Road, where we stop for one of their exotic teas and a decadent pastry. The adobe walls and gardens are a spectacular sight this time of year and it's a delight when we can discover who and what lives behind them. Santa Fe was once known as the Lilac Capitol of the world. The word "Gringo" was given to us during the Mexican-American (1846-1848), when U.S. Cavalry troops, riding through Mexico, would sing "Green Grow the Lilacs". You'll also find Nathalie's clothing and furniture shop, fine dining at Geronimo's, live music and Spanish tapas served at El Farol. If you hear my Christmas music album, "A Tender Santa Fe Christmas", you'll get the feel for what awaits you on Christmas Eve, when thousands of people from all over the world gather here to walk Canyon Road in a light snow, to view the decorations, sing carols around blazing luminarios and to share in the spirit that is Santa Fe. Here is a link to the neighborhood:Luxury Homes For Sale on Canyon Road

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

Just as Americans did in the days of and Pearl Harbor and World War II, I believe we need to rally behind our leader. The President's Stimulus Plan will help to stabilize the housing market and aid the unemployed. The Stability Plan is helping the owners of 3-5 million homes in jeopardy of foreclosure by giving them the means to refinance. The current market has given me an exciting opportunity to be the ultimate coach to my buyers and sellers and to instill confidence in them. Still, all real estate is local. Here is a link to two Luxury Homes I have listed for sale which will both be on an "Open House" tour this Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. www.25ArroyoPequeno.com and www.7HoneySuckleCircle.com

My Business to Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Dr. Gabriel Roybal is our family dentist and has been for 16 years. His office is one of the most elegant and was designed by local architect David Naylor. Dr. Roybal has achieved national recognition for excellence for cosmetic dentistry by his peers. It is estimated Dr. Roybal has placed more than 30,000 porcelain veneers, crowns and crown restorations during the course of his career. Gabriel is a person I can put my name to. He can be reached at 505.989.8749 and on the Web at www.gabrielroybal.com Let him know I referred you and he will take extra special care of you. If you need something, please call me on my cell at 505.470.4180 or Email me at mumphrey@prusantafe.com. Be sure to visit my Business Referral Directory at My Business to Business Directory

With best wishes,

Michael Umphrey

Hyde Park Road, a National Scenic Byway, connects downtown Santa Fe with a world -class ski basin at the top of the Santa Fe National Forest. The enclave of The Santa Fe Summit is located just five miles up that road from town. It is a gated community of high-end, luxury estates and most have spectacular views of sunsets, city lights, and Mt. Antonito in Colorado 100 miles to the west. The landscape offers tall pines, sweeping vistas. High mountain wildflowers abound. Adjacent to the unique Asian style mountain spa resort of 10,000 Waves, the scenery, forest and weather are reminiscent of the Japanese Alps. The vision of the developer draws the elite of the world to the neighborhood and I‘d love to show it to you. To see the fine homes currently for sale in The Summit be sure to visit Santa Fe luxury homes for sale in The Summit

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

It used to be "Location, Location. Location".
Today, it's Financing, Financing, Financing"

In 2008, nobody wanted to do anything. In 2009, people are getting off the fence. The buyers are out there. For Americans, this unprecedented economy has been healthy for us in that better fundamentals are returning; people are saving and spending less. Banks are lending. There is so much liquidity today with 4 trillion dollars in money market accounts. It is my goal to become my client's trusted advisor and I welcome you to call me with any questions or concerns.

My Business to Business Referral

Each week I present to you an outstanding business. Michelle Kirk is the owner and founder of Broken Beauties. It is the only fashion orthopedics company in the world and it's on the Net. Your daily living needs are now delivered to your door. Broken Beauties will help you heal in comfort and style with items to make your recovery so much easier. Michelle is a good friend. I've known her for four years and she is a person I can put my name to. Michelle can be reached at 505.603.0764, Email: michelle@brokenbeauties.com and on the Web at http://www.brokenbeauties.com. Let her know I referred you and she will take extra special care of you. If you need something, please call me on my cell at 505.470.4180 or Email me at mumphrey@prusantafe.com. Be sure to visit my Business Referral Directory athttp://www.mybusinessdirectoryonline.com/Home.aspx/MichaelUmphrey

Here's wishing you a most splendid Memorial Day holiday,

Michael Umphrey

So what does this have to do with real estate - simple networking. I have made quite a few connections and each of those movies needs locations. It is time to think outside of the box and look for other avenues to promote our listings. .... AND Do you have that listing for that incredible million dollar home that is furnished and sitting empty - How About Having it Rented to One of the Stars of the Film or to be used for a few days for a location shoot.

Many of your states on their websites will have a film office site. You can set yourself up as a location manager or scout. Who knows locations better than us? We are out there all of the time scouting that perfect home for someone - well here is another way to use that resource. The pay - pretty darn good.

Many years ago I, at the tender age of 13, I was asked to be in a local movie, Billy Jack. That led to Red Sky at Morning and then onto Running Wild and Showdown. It was then I decided to pursue other interests leaning towards the fashion arena.

Well needless to say several years ago I was in a position to accept another movie, Buffalo Girls. I had so much fun I have been doing background for many of our locally made movies and television shows, Swing Vote, In Plain Sight, Crazy Heart, and The Spy Next Door. I will soon be filming an upcoming series called Locked, and have been asked to play the main role in a soon to be shot horror/suspense film. I will work hard perfecting my screaming and scared look.

Here is a shot from some small productions I did.

Today, I'm excited to tell you about the neighborhood of Las Estrellas. Just a few minutes from the heart of Santa Fe is the new 550 acre community of townhouses, condominiums and custom crafted homes. There are open spaces, walking trails and panoramic views of the mountains and brilliant stars. If you work at the Thornberg Campus, you can walk to work at their new facility, which opened in March of this year. Click here to view Homes For Sale in Las Estrellas.Here is the link to a beautiful residence I represent for sale in the neighborhood, which was a model home. www.1730RidgePointeLoop.com

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

How much energy does your home waste? AHA !, Advanced Home Analysts, can perform a range of assessments on your existing home, from a simple walk-through energy audit to measuring energy usage with sophisticated computer programs and equipment which may qualify you for an Energy Efficient Mortgage, tax rebates and other incentives to help you pay for energy upgrades to your house. AHA also ensures that your home's air quality and combustion appliances are safe for you and your family. Amanda Evans is HERS Certified and BPI Certified and is a person I can put my name to. She can be reached 505.690.2603 and on the Web at www.ahanewmexico.com. Let her know I referred you and she will take extra special care of you. If you need something, please give me a call at 505.470.4180. Be sure to visit my Business Referral Directory at: www.mybusinessdirectoryonline.com/Home.aspx/MichaelUmphrey

Continued success,

Michael Umphrey