In celebration of World Food Dan and Blog Action Day I am making the observation that for several years, I have known fewer people than I can count on one hand who,
year after year, cultivated backyard vegetable gardens. Suddenly, this year, everywhere I go, I seem to hear about community
gardens, many of which are not off the beaten track in country backwoods but in the heart of urban areas, thriving in inner cities. I have not seen
them in real life, but those that appear on television appear to be flourishing.
The sudden apparent
explosion of interest in vegetable gardens everywhere; in likely and unlikely of
places leads one to wonder why. Is the interest related to First Lady, Michelle Obama's high profile
White House vegetable garden? Is it related to rumors of a coming global food
crisis? Is it distrust of GMO foods? Is it because people can't afford to buy food because of the rising prices?
I love gardening. But in my own small home gardens, I have always concentrated on
ornamentals. Here in the Southwest, I have been doing the same, emphasizing low-maintenance native plants suitable to our dry,
high desert climate. My current garden is a fragrant garden with a few edible plants
that would not go far in sustaining life but do much to enhance the flavor of the meals I prepare. These plants are herbs -- rosemary, varieties of mint, thyme, oregano, sage. Because I no longer have cats, I removed the catnip and created room for
a tomato plant that took over but bore little fruit. The potted chile plant, on
the other hand, continues to yield a bountiful harvest of bright red peppers,
demonstrating that plants for food can also be decorative.
That is why, next year, I will experiment with putting in more plants for food in my garden. We don’t have to travel halfway around the
world to be made aware of hunger and the need for food in our world. Food banks and homeless shelters
in all our cities report an increase in the population they serve. Are we
in danger yet of running out of food on earth? At 16 billon people and growing,
it would be naïve not to consider the possibility.
So it is not too early to start thinking about food sustainability
on planet earth and of how much each person can contribute. Are genetically modified organisms
(GMO) a solution? GMO with its uncertainties and controversies and is already a
reality. But, be that as it may, food is too important both in terms of
quantity and quality, for its production to be left entirely up to others. If
we don’t participate in conversations about food and food production, we run
the risk of ending up without choices and with devastating consequences. Community and backyard gardens may be
the first wave of participation in food
sustainability action as we become more proactive about how and what we eat.
Let’s all go out and plant vegetable gardens before it is
too late!
Eloise Gift
Gift Realty NM
If there is one city in New Mexico where growth is obvious, it is Rio Rancho. A multiplex cinema opened up at Unser near Southern a few months ago, sparking the opening of at least three eateries nearby around the corner from the Starbucks.Further down Unser, they are putting the finishing touches on the Presbyterian Hospital that is expected to open this fall.
Forty-four thirty-six Snow Heights Circle is also in Southeast Rio Rancho just a bit farter north not far from the Pat D'Arco Highway. It is near to other Presbyterian healthcare facilities that have been in place for some time. It is also close to several premier senior care facilities, not far from Highlands university and INTEL and a large Smith's grocery store where I have found all sorts of specialty items.
The home is full of natural light that flows from windows at multi levels. It is very well-kept and looks new. If one did not know, it would be difficult to guess that from this quiet neighborhood one could have such quick access to so many nearby resources.
All on one level with three bedrooms and two full baths, the home is of manageable size. The open floorplan of the high-ceilinged living area opens onto a beautifully landscaped back garden. Many nichos provide creative spaces for displaying collectibles. A gas-log fireplace ads no-hassle warmth and ambience to winter evenings.
The home comes fully loaded with kitchen appliances and the washer and dryer. I recommend this home for its charm, accessibility and affordability.
Eloise Gift, Gift Realty NM
The majority of Americans looking to buy a home want good schools
and good neighborhoods that are walkable.
Those are the findings of a recent survey by the National Association of REALTORS®
(NAR).
According to the survey, Americans value schools and neighborhoods more highly than size of home.
When considering a home purchase, fifty-six percent want neighborhoods where
they can walk to parks, restaurants and entertainment instead of having to drive.
Seventy-seven percent say an abundance of sidewalks is important.
Fifty percent of respondents would opt for improving existing
transportation infrastructure rather than the construction of new roads and
other developments.
Three out of five would choose to buy a smaller
home if by doing so they could reduce commuting time to 20 minutes or less. Eighty
percent prefer living in single-family detached homes but not if it means
driving a longer distance to work.
What do Buyers Want?
Survey results from studies conducted by Bank Rate.com support my own experience. Buyers
are looking for well-maintained homes in good condition. Buyers want squeqky clean homes with clean walls, fresh paint, updated kitchens, bathrooms and
windows. They want top notch appliances in good working condition. Buyers also want patios, tiled
and hardwood floors and mountain views, all at a reduced price.
Comparatively, so many homes are for sale that buyers can afford
to pick and choose and drive a hard bargain in the process. That's becaise they can generally
find comparable homes on the same street or one over, for the same price.
What Buyers Don’t Want
Buyers are not looking for fixer uppers!
So what happened to the fixer-upper homes, sold as is, that flew off the market within days just a few years ago? They provided opportunities for buyers with little
or no down payment to afford a home. These days, however, Diamond in the rough, fixer-upper homes are languishing on the market with fewer and fewer takers.
Fewer first-time homebuyers are out shopping
for homes because the housing market is no longer favorable to them. Increasingly, they must cope with stringent lending practices that are likely to become even more so if
the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) rule goes into effect with its 20
percent down payment requirement.
An increased supply of newer short sale and bank-owned homes
on the market compete in price with fixer-uppers and make the
price of fixer-uppers less attractive to traditional buyers.
Investors who were attracted to fixer-uppers for rehab and
flipping are ignoring them because they can have their pick of newer, discounted
short sale and bank-owned properties with potentially fewer deferred
maintenance needs and lower rehab costs.
What Can Sellers Do?
Sellers are discovering that selling as is, no matter what the price, is no longer as attractive to buyers as it
once was. So what are savvy sellers doing to get their homes sold? They are teaming up with their REALTORS, taking care of deferred
maintenance, updating, staging and pricing their homes right to attract
buyers.
Eloise Gift
Greater Albuquerque Metropolitan Area
February 2011 indicators give reason to be optimistic about the residential real estate market recovery. Median sales price, average sales price, closed sales and dollar volume of closed sales were all higher than in February 2010. It is significant that average price seems to be increasing consistently. At $220,299, it reflected an increase of 6.6 percent increase over February’s average and was higher than the average for 2006, the third down from the peak of 2007.
Factors Adversely Influencing Market Recovery
Although median sales price for February was higher than that of February 2010, it was lower than in January 2011. Pending sales (homes with contract awaiting closing) were lower than in February 2010 but higher than in January 2011. The inventory of homes for sale was down to 4,791 in January 2011 but was up again to 4, 823, closer to the February 2010 level of 4,929. The increased inventory and average number of days (89 in February compared to 82 in January) it was taking to sell a home also continue to define the market and its recovery. The shadow inventory (distressed properties) being sold as short sales and foreclosures is also still significant and continues to be a factor. Consequently, one must say that some stars, not all, are aligned for market recovery. Until all are perfectly aligned, the region is better described as being in recovery mode and not yet recovered. (Statistics, compliments of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors)
Real Estate is Local
The picture for the entire state of New Mexico is somewhat different than that of the Greater Albuquerque Metropolitan Area. Statewide, half of the counties (McKinley, Los Alamos, Sierra, Bernalillo, Santa Fe) had sales increase in February while half had decreases. Overall, February sales were lower in February 2011 than in February 2010 even though year-to-date sales of 1600 homes were 1 percent higher than reported for 2010. Also, across the state, the median price of $165,000 in February was 1.8 percent lower than the $168,999 median reported for February 2010. This report is consistent with the trend reported by the National Association of REALTORS®. A survey reveals that REALTORS® and homeowners expect home prices in 2011 to remain the same or decline. See REALTORS® Association of New Mexico
Eloise Gift
Manager and Qualifying Broker
Gift Realty NM
Inventories of homes for sale are high all across the country as competition continues from distressed properties. Fewer than usual qualified buyers are looking for homes.
If you are thinking of selling, follow some time-honored advice, good for all seasons and especially in challenging markets. Impressions start at the curbside draw prospects to the front door, then on inside. So start with the garden.
Prune and cut back overgrowth.
Rake or blow leaves
Spring is the perfect time to add new plants or replace those that did not make it through the winter.
When your prospect arrives at the front door, let it be as welcoming as the garden.
Repair cracked or peeling paint or repaint the entire door for a fresh look
Put a shine on handles and other hardware.
Once you get your prospective buyer through the door, you want to have them choose your house from among the many that match their criteria: Having a welcoming; squeaky-clean, uncluttered house is most important.
Toss out old, soiled area rugs.
Shampoo the carpet.
Wash floors
Wipe walls with soap and water or touch up with paint if soil is not extensive. If maintenance was deferred or paint colors are dated, consider repainting entire house in a neutral color.
Replace tattered window coverings with easy-care blinds
Wash windows
Clean blades of ceiling fans
Clean light fixtures and wash shades
Clean the refrigerator, stove, ovens
Remove clutter from every room. Let the surfaces of your countertops show.
If you are a smoker, stop or start smoking outdoors. (This will enlarge your pool of buyers.)
Once your homework is done, call your REALTOR, to consult on pricing, market strategies and getting it listed. Await your steady stream of visitors.
Eloise Gift
Across the state of New Mexico, home sales were up almost 3 percent from January 2010 and 14 percent from January 2009. Taos County led the rally, reporting almost twice as many sales as in January 2010. Santa Fe and Bernalillo Counties also reported increase in sales but with median price in both counties less than in 2010. Santa Fe’s median price was $311,000 and Bernalillo County $172,000.
In the Greater Albuquerque market area which includes Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties, the January closed sales for single-family detached homes was up 4.01 percent above those reported for January 2009, and the highest for the month since 2008. In January 2011 closed sales numbered 363 compared to 349 in January 2010.
The median sale price for single-family, detached homes in the Greater Albuquerque area was $172,240 in January 2010. In January 2011, it was $172,000. Average price was $205,624 in January 2010. In January 2011, it was $201, 239.
Both the inventory of homes for sale and the number of days it took to sell a home were also higher than in January 2010.
The top-selling price range was $140,000 - $159,999, slightly up from the November and December 2010 top-selling prices ranges with a maximum of $139,000.
Despite variations from region to region, the effects of unemployment and the continuing inventory of distressed properties (bank-owned and short sales) the consensus is that the New Mexico real estate market is beginning to stabilize statewide. With spring being the opening season, so to speak, of annual real estate sales, perhaps a brighter picture will evolve with warmer weather, clearer skies and blooming gardens that draw more people outdoors.
Data provided by the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® and the REALTORS® Association of New Mexico.
Analysis by Eloise Gift
'Tis the season to be jolly, the holiday season when we coulld easily spend every evening of the next 30 days at a holiday party or other festive event. This year, despite continuing economic hardship for many, I have noted dogged determination not to let hard times put a damper on holiday cheer. Not only private parties but public, new and traditional events are on calendars. Check out the Community Events Page for local public events.
Commendably, hosts and hostesses are not forgetting those in need. I know of at least three groups, so far, that are asking guests todonate food or toys for th less fortunate. The Women's Council of Realtors (New Mexico Branch) is collecting non-perishables for the Road Runner Food Bank for its ongoing feeding of the homeless. Both the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® and the Kirtland Air Force Base 377th Wing Division are asking guests to contribute toys for needy children.
'Tis the season to be jolly, but I know there are those who become uncharacteristically sad at this time of year. I used to be one. My sadness was triggered by memories of my mother's death on Christmas Eve. I dreaded the start of the Christmas carols and hated the memories of loss they re-wakened each season until I decided to change it. I celebrating my wedding on Christmas Eve, convinded that my in heaven would be pleased by my decision.
I know that getting married during the holidays is not an option for everyone but most important is the decision to take control to chase away the blues. Another cure is the act of sharing and the giving of gifts, not necessarily of material things. Many may not have the resources to give material gifts and need to recognize that a gift of time and talent especially in these times, can often be more valuable in bringing joy to both giver and receiver.
Many opportunities abound in our worlds to volunteer in our communities. Such giving has the capacity to draw us out of ourselves as we focus on the needs of others than on our own, and allow us to discover that a seemingly small expenditure of thoughtfulness can bring tremendous, wonderfully unexpected comfort. If you have not tried it, consider helping a food bank distribute food, visiting a homeless shelter to feed the hungry, or volunteering to help a child learn to read. What about going caroling to cheer up some shut ins? 'Tis the season to be jolly. In attempting to help others feel jolly, you might just make yourself jolly also.
When you put your house on the market one thing you want to do is lure would-be buyers to enter your home to see the floorplan, the marvelous updates and the loving care you have taken over the years. Your home has lovely features and amenities but if prospective buyers constantly drive by without stopping and never enter the property, you have little chance of convincing or persuading them to buy.
So when you are considering selling, do not neglect to work on landscaping for curb appeal as much as you do on the house itself. Follow the link on this page to a resourceful site with an article by Pat Curry of HouseLogic. It offersgreat suggestions on how to improve and maintain curb appeal. Other articles on the site offer answers to other house maintenance and improvement questions.
Eloise Gift, CRS
Gift Realty NM
Would you like to learn more about home care, maintenance, protection and management?
Through membership in the National Association of Realtors, I am able to provide my customers and clients with a valuable information resource to take care of one of their most valuable assets. Access HouseLogic through my blog to start taking advantage of resources like Joe Bousquin's article onwater heaters and saving energy, Water Heater Heaters: Five Tips For Saving Energy.
Every year, the Homebuilders Association of New Mexico hosts the Parade of Homes that showcases the best of the best homes built in the area.
The 2010 Parade has fewer homes than in recent years but is every bit as interesting as it has always been. Homes on tour, are in Rio Rancho, Corrales, the Northwest Heights, the Northeast Heights, Placitas and the East Mountains,
I note a greater number of lower priced production homes added to the parade, as if to compensate for the reduction in the number of higher-end custom homes. Another observation is an increased number of green homes at both ends of the price spectrum. One may say the homes on tour this year reflect a more egalitarian approach to home production, possibly driven by the economy. Speaking of green, I particularly liked the features of the upper end (above $500,000) New Haven contemporary-style green home in the video. It has polished concrete floors and brings in the outdoors in a delightful way.
I have not yet seen all the homes in this year's Parade of Homes. I am looking forward to next weekend's visits. Because fewer homes are in the parade I expect to see a greater percentage than I have in the past. I will have more news next week.
Eloise Gift
Gift Realty NM
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Duration: 0:33
Note that this information is outdated.
Annual Homebuilders Association of Central New Mexico Event spread over three weekends
When/Where: Greater Albuquerque Area/ October 8-10, 15-17, 22-24
In the current real estate market, every community in the nation has its share of short sale and bank-owned inventory, and the greater Albuquerque, New Mexico market is no exception. The difference in the size of each market's inventory lies in the degree of impact of the mortgage loan crisis.
Surprisingly, although we are well into the third year of the downturn with rising inventories of short sales and bank-owned in the market, i routinely have conversations with people who think a short sale has to to with the length of time it takes to close on a property - that the term "short sale" means a shorter than normal escrow period. Interestingly, short sales generally tend to have a much longer than expected escrow period.
A short sale occurs when:
The purchase price of a property is insufficient to enable a seller to pay the costs of sale including all loans or debts secured by the property
The seller has no resources to pay the difference
The bank or lender agrees to release the seller from the debt for an amount less than is owed.
In a short sale, the bank or mortgage lender incurs a loss, but the loss is comparatively smaller than the loss incurred in the alternative to a short sal - foreclosure. So the short sale becomes a viable way for a lender to minimize losses while providing a good option for homeowners who can no longer afford their mortgages or need to sell in a down market; a short sale affects credit history much less than a foreclosure does. After a short sale, homeowners may qualify for another mortgage sooner than they would with a foreclosure.
At the same time, both short sales and bank-owned properties can provide opportunites for new homeowners to enter the real estate market. Qualified buyers can buy available short sales and bank-owned (repossessed) homes at "discounted" rates . If interest rates are low as they are at this time the greater the opportunity. For information on how to acquire short sale and bank-owned properties in the greater Albuquerque area of New Mexico, contact Gift Realty NM.
If the greater Albuquerque area was not a destination for many out-of-towners in May, we must conclude that many locals bought new homes for the first time, downsized, or upgraded. In all, 731 detached single family homes sold, compared to 678 in April. This was the highest sales record for the month of May since 2007. (You may remember, that was the year of the start of market decline in our area.) Home sales in May, when broken down, also reflect sales increase of 28.09 percent for the city of Albuquerque over May 2009 and similarly for Rio Rancho, an increase of 37.08 percent .
The median sale price for single-family detached homes remained $175,000 for the third consecutive month. Average price, however, continued to show decline. In 2008, the average sales price for single-family detached homes was $210,406; in 2009 it was $247, 795, and May2010,, $210,406. Both median and average prices, however are still above the averages for 2005 when the annual average sale price was $205,731 and the median $166,500. In analyzing the figures, however, it helps to bear in mind that the highest selling price currently ranges between $160,000 and $179,000 for single-family detached homes. (Single-family detached home listings and sales are approximately nine times those of attached home listings for our market area)
What drives our Market?
Seemingly, continued low interest rates, declining home prices, and FHA loans are currently having the greatest influence on our market. According to several reliable sources, in recent weeks, contrary to what many expected, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained comparatively, low averaging 4.72% - 4.79%, down from 5.59% a year ago. Also, average rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages were 4.17%, falling from 4.2% to 5.06% in previous weeks and 15-year rates set a new low in recent weeks. First-time homebuyers still have a resource in FHA loans.
The Most Frequently Asked Question
How's the market? In one form or another, that’s the question I get most often. My answer is that our market did not fall as much as it could have. Our average and median prices are still better than they were in 2005. The market is on the threshold of recovery. If buyers sitting on the fence, were to get off, that act alone might provide just that little extra to push the market into the realm of indisputable recovery.
Note that this information is outdated.
Rio Rancho Northwest NAACP sponsors Junteenth celebration, June 19 at 11:00 AM., All are invited
When/Where: Roskos Field, Haynes Park, June 19, 11:00 AM.
Sundance subdivision is just one of many small neighborhoods that make up the Ladera Heights Community, an interesting blend of old and new subdivisions west of Coors stretching across Unser onto the Mesa from Taylor Ranch south, past Interstate 40. That's where you will find 8620 Hatteras Place, Built in 2004, it is a little bit more than your basic home since it has four bedrooms and three baths. It is well-cared-for, still looks new, and is for sale.
Kirtland Air Force Base employees, Downtown, and even airport workers like this area because of accessibility by way of two major north-south arteries - Coors and Unser - and I-40. Apart from ease of coming and going from work, these roads lalso quick access to a variety of recreational choices that include golfing, the Petroglyph National Monmuent, the Maloof Air Park, bosque trails, and shopping and dining up and down Coors.
Like 8620 Hatteras, all the homes in Sundance are part of a newer Ladera Heights community. Built by KB Homes in 2004, they tend to have open floor plans and higher ceilings than older homes. The gardens, generally smaller, are low-maintenance southwestern or xeriscape. The 8620 Hatteras home, like many others on the Mesa, has mountain views.