Eco Lifestyle And Home News – May 2017
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
May 2017 marks fifth edition of Eco Lifestyle and Home Newsletter in its new email only format for 2017. We offer Real Estate & Lifestyle news in the email newsletter covering Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County and beyond.
In this edition, we offer the following:
- Lifestyle: Joy
- Real Estate Market Update
- Money Matters
- Santa Fe Real Estate News
- Taos County Real Estate News
- Taos Ski Valley Real Estate News
- Home Decor Insights
- Calendar of Event Links for Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County & all around New Mexico
- Entertainment Links for Santa Fe & Taos County
Lifestyle
Joy
Joy is the feeling of great pleasure. You know when you feel it, as it is pure delight, jubilation. Joy comes from triumph, exultation, rejoicing, gladness, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss, ecstasy and rapture. Joy is the emotion of great happiness caused by something exceptionally good; keen pleasure; elation expressed physically through open posture, bright eyes, smiles and laughter.
Joy is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness. Joy is that sudden burst of emotion that goes beyond happiness. Joy can be experienced from any good activity, food or company. Joy is a spontaneous emotional expression. We don’t have to think about it — we just feel it. We feel it in our bodies, warm and light, and we can see it in the bodies and on the faces of others. We can experience joy by encountering something delightful, or we can conjure it in the mind, through memories or imagination. But we can’t fake it. Joy is visceral and spontaneous.
“The potential for joy is an intrinsic and essential part of our minds. While happiness needs to be pursued or explained, joy is already within us, ready to be stirred and released. For whatever reason, evolution found joy to be a critical mechanism for guiding us towards things that enhanced the survival of our species. Joy is the most powerful signal of our thriving, and the capacity to feel it is our birthright as humans.”
Joy is at the core of what transforms existing into living. While joy is often not a daily emotion, joy can be cultivated.
“Awakening Joy” is a 5 month internationally recognized Internet course created by noted teacher and author, James Baraz. The course is designed to awaken joy through a curriculum of principles and practices that incline the mind toward well-being, happiness and ease. Led by James, the course features a range of renowned guest speakers with talks on mindfulness, gratitude and intention with accompanying audio, video and written materials, and a series of supporting practices to deepen insight and cultivate more joy. Over 12,000 people worldwide have experienced the power of “Awakening Joy”, and the course has been celebrated in media publications such as O Magazine. Bill Gates has recommended “Awakening Joy” on his Summer Reading List. Website: Awakeningjoy.info
I have taken this course several times and while I often do not feel I am experiencing a lot of joy in my life, I experience moments of joy when I cuddle my dog with our heart-to-heart hugs, run my fingers through her long poodle locks and receive her affectionate licks. She brings me blissful joy like nothing else. When I am able to create art, I feel a deep sense of joy. So while I am choosing to awaken joy from within, I am also practicing gratitude for what I do have in my life: love, friends, family, good health, supportive business associates, and appreciative clients.
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
“Home sales inside the Santa Fe city limits surged 26 percent in the first three months of the year as inventory declined and buyers moved to lock in their purchases.”
“Real estate agents said well-priced homes inside the city are selling quickly as baby boomers look to downsize and buyers in their 20s and 30s are in better financial shape and can finally afford a house.”
Some properties are selling sight unseen, with buyers making offers based on photos and internet marketing, as well as broker recommendations. County wide sales are not keeping pace with sales within city limits, however.
“The median price of a closed sale inside Santa Fe climbed to almost $330,000 in the first quarter of 2017 compared with last year. The median price in the unincorporated area, meanwhile, was about $400,000.” Krasnow goes on to say.
Baby boomers are coming to Santa Fe and looking to be within walking distance to downtown. Walkable communities are highly sought out for the retiring generation.
The younger generation that are working at Los Alamos Labs who want to live in Santa Fe do not mind smaller homes under 1,800 square feet, but they want garages, storage space to store their recreational equipment from snow boards to bikes to tents and packs.
Krasnow reports : Highlights from the first quarter sales report:
• The total inventory of homes for sale is down 6 percent over the past 12 months.
• New listings in the first quarter reached 859, an increase of 2.8 percent from a year ago.
• The average number of days a home is on the market until a first offer is accepted dropped 10 percent in the quarter to 142 days.
• The average percent of the original sales price received in a real estate deal climbed to 94 percent in the quarter, up from 93 percent a year ago.
That’s all the news for now in this Sellers market!
Money Matters
Lenders Speed Up Loan Processing
– Ellie Mae
The share of purchase loans originated in March climbed to 63 percent of all originations from 57 percent in February. Ellie Mae’s Origination Insight Report for the month noted that this was the highest share for purchase mortgages since July 2016 when they made up 65 percent of the total.
The average time to close all loans decreased to 43 days in March, down from 46 days in February, the shortest time to close since February of 2015. Similarly, the time to close a refinance dropped to 43 days from 47 days and the timeline for a purchase mortgage was 43 days, down from 45 days in February. All types of loans had shorter timelines.
Closing or pull-through rates were lower for all loan types except FHA refinances. The rate for all loans fell from 70.6 percent in February to 67.9 percent. The pull-through rate for refinances was down 1 percentage point to 65.4 percent and the purchase rate was 74.8 percent compared to 75.9 percent the previous month. Ellie Mae basis closing rates on a sampling of loan applications initiated 90 days earlier, in this case December 2016 applications.
The real estate market is gearing up for summer purchases in a tightening inventory, which should result in more closings in a shorter amount of time.
Recommended Mortgage Lender
Francis Phillips, NMLS #193642, is Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with First Choice Loan Services Inc. in Santa Fe. He has served as director of business development for national mortgage companies. He and his mortgage partners have funded and built three homes for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. Contact him at francis.phillips@fcloans.com or 505.982.3400.
First Choice Loan Services Inc. (NMLS# 210764), a Berkshire Bank Company (NMLS# 506896 / Member FDIC), is located at One Tower Center, Floor #18 East Brunswick, NJ 08816. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is registered or exempt from state licensing in the states it originates mortgage loans. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. AZ BK #0918586. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is not an agency of the federal government and is not affiliated with your current lender. All loans are subject to credit approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are current, but are subject to change and may expire without notice. Other restrictions may apply. All applications must be submitted in writing. This advertisement is not a loan disclosure and all disclosures provided after applying should be reviewed carefully. This is not a commitment to provide a loan approval or a specific interest rate.
Santa Fe Real Estate News
Rather exciting news at the end of April, as I have received more interest in the available Lots in Aldea and in Las Campanas. This maybe a good time to buy a lot and build your home!
The real estate market is bouncing back with more interest and sales in Santa Fe. Listing activity has increased as well as inquiries from sellers and buyers.
I listed 9 of the last and best remaining Aldea view lots and 1 is already SOLD!!!
If you have ever considered building your Santa Fe dream home, now you have some amazing view lots in which to choose. Aldea is 90% built out and up until now, there have not been a lot of choices for view lots, as most have already been built on. I have a seller who bought up 9 lots some years back and has been waiting to release them when the market bounced back and buyers were willing to build again. Now you have a great selection of view lots in which to choose to build your dream home, before they are all gone!
For more information visit the website: Aldea Lots For Sale »
8 Aldea Lot For Sale – 1 SOLD!
The Barranca Lots: 4 Amazing View Lots!
9 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700363 | Listing Price: $100,000
7 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700364 | Listing Price: $110,000
5 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700365 | Listing Price: $110,000
3 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.210 | MLS #201700366 | Listing Price: $95,000
Avenida Frijoles 2 View Lots
134 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700371 | Listing Price: $85,000
136 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.200 | MLS #201700370 | Listing Price: $80,000
Avenida Aldea View Lot
101 Avenida Aldea | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700369 | Listing Price: $85,000
Arroyo Privado View Lot
4 Arroyo Privado | Lot Size Acres 0.190 | MLS #201700368 | Listing Price: $85,000
Arroyo Privado Patio Home Lot
9 Arroyo Privado | Lot Size Acres 0.093 | MLS #201700367 | Listing Price: $57,500
Aldea Stats
2017 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 4 Homes, DOM 92 | 1 Lots, DOM 95
PENDING: 5 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 13 Homes, Avg $638,453 | 10 Lots Avg $85,150
Aldea de Santa Fe consists of 345 acres, with 205 acres of perpetual open space with 13 miles of walking trails, basketball & tennis courts, community center, (which offers yoga classes, exercise equipment & gathering space for events), a local cafe, superbly located in the high-value northwest corridor of Santa Fe County, with easy access to Highway 599, all just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe.
While the inventory is increasing in Aldea right now, there are 1 homes pending. Prices show an increase for homes and lots listed. Sales are up this year from last year in Aldea with 44 homes sold in 2016 vs 35 homes sold in 2015. 5 Lots sold in 2016 vs 4 lots sold in 2015.
Las Campanas Real Estate News
2017 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 24 Homes, DOM 210 | 1 Lots, DOM 22
PENDING: 17 Homes | 2 Lots
LISTED: 53 Homes, Avg $1,301,588 | 100 Lots, Avg $132,646
There are currently 56 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 27 Homes under $1,000,000
- 29 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 100 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 38 Lots under $100,000
- 62 Lots over $100,000
Las Campanas recently announced the release of the first new custom home neighborhood in over 10 years! Black Mesa, is their new 44 acre neighborhood consisting of 25 larger, estate sized mountain and golf view properties. The minimum size home in this section will be 2,500 sqft, with lots ranging from 1.02-2.58 acres. The property contains a centerline crest that rolls down in both directions off the roadway, creating dramatic unobstructed views.
Overlooking the sweeping mountain vistas of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains, Las Campanas’ new Black Mesa neighborhood offers a unique collection of homesites boasting the largest lot sizes in the best section of the Las Campanas property with awe-inspiring mountain views and centrally located to their finest amenities: golfing and the Hacienda Clubhouse.
Let me take you on a tour and arrange a stay at Las Campanas!
Marketing Properties, Not Just Listing Properties
If you are thinking of selling your property, why not list it with a realtor who will market the property, not just list it in the MLS? By actively marketing your property, the property gets the most exposure to other realtors and to the general public through online blogging, email campaigns & the typical MLS exposure.
Call me, Dianne, 505.603.9300, to discuss your property needs, or for a tour of Lots & Homes in Aldea, Las Campanas and the Santa Fe region.
Visit the website for Santa Fe information: RealEstatePropertiesSantaFe.com
Taos Real Estate News
The *Taos County region is a completely different real estate market than Santa Fe. Here are some stats that really show a totally different economy, sales volume and market conditions:
Total Market:
Sales Volume: Down 6%
Home Sales: Down 3%
Pending: Down 20%
Inventory: Down 7%
Residential Single Family Homes:
- Average Sales Price is $317,600, 231 homes sold
- Price is Up 4% over 2015
- Price is Down 29% from the height of the market in 2008
- Price is Up 19% from the low of the market in 2012
- 46% of the listings sold are between $201,000 – $400,000
- Increase in sales between $701,000 – $800,000
- Bank Owned Properties: 30 units sold with 20% increase over 2015
- Average sold price was $195,035 (88% increase over the average price in 2015 $103,718)
- Absorption Rate: The % of inventory (active listings) to sold listings by price.
- <$100,000 has the least amount of inventory with big activity and has only a 2 month housing supply
- >$201,000 – $500,000 has an average of 8 month inventory
- >$501,000 days on the market increase with the absorption rate that is nearly 2 years
- >$801,000: 36 current listings with only 1 sale in 2016
Residential Condominiums:
- Activity has remained steady for the past 3 years
- Average sales price is $212,864
- Units sold : 67
- Greatest activity is between $200,000 – $300,000
- Inventory Down
Land <5 acres: Residential Sites
• Average DOM (days on market): 456
• Average sales price is $63,176
* Greater Taos Valley including Taos Ski Valley (excluding Angel Fire, Black Lake, Chama and Red River).
Taos Ski Valley Real Estate News
Featured Listing
Homesites Available
The Kachina Mountain Lodge (KML) project has been thoughtfully master planned to include five Euro-alpine Wilderness Eco-Homes, a three-unit Eco-Townhome Lodge and unique regenerative Permaculture Landscaping that includes demonstration greenhouses for growing food year-round.
Each wilderness Eco-Home possesses a distinct character that welcomes the natural warmth of a sunny south exposure and breathtaking mountain views through generous passive solar curtain wall glass. Architecturally designed with a Permatecture philosophy to be environmentally conscious, hand-hewn and sturdy, KML’s authentic euro-alpine wilderness residences contain many sustainability features, fire-wise details and the timeless qualities of whimsy, elegance and permanence.
Conceived as the first sustainable development project in Taos Ski Valley, KML homes will be heated by active and passive solar sources, including regenerative annualized geo-solar. All KML homes also offer easy ski-in/ski-out access.
This project is fully approved and entitled for construction. Two KML homesites are already reserved. And only five competitively priced to-be-built homes remain available for sale to investors who would like to get involved with Taos Ski Valley’s exciting development opportunities. All homesites include creative flexible designs that are already approved by the Village of Taos Ski Valley!
Visit the website for floor plans and detailed information. Kachina Mountain Lodge »
Home Decor Insights
“Bathtubs, while a common bathroom feature, don’t always get a lot of use. Fifty-six percent of respondents to a Houzz survey say they never use their tub for taking a bath. So it’s no surprise that some people are opting to take out the tub altogether when they remodel their bathroom.” so reports Brenna Malmberg of Houzz.
Check out the Before and After photos and view the complete article »:
Before:
After:
Check out Pinterest and explore a whole new way to spend your time online and check out my Pinterest page: KachinaRealty Happy pinning!
Calendar of Events
New Mexico has long been a center for arts, culture, classes and gourmet food. With such a strong art market, there are hundreds galleries to explore and experience, along with a wide selection of thriving restaurants. Our Museums feature culture, history and traditions of the region and the world. Santa Fe, Taos County and beyond have something scheduled every day & night of the week, all year long.
Santa Fe »
Entertainment
If there’s one thing you can count on when spending time in New Mexico, it’s the treasured experiences and wide selection of entertainment: music venues, great sporting events, theatrical and musical entertainment as well as year-round festivals.
From festivals, music concerts and dance performances to theatrical offerings by local and touring groups, the performing artists work hard to keep its locals and visitors entertained by both New Mexico performers and acclaimed stars from around the world.
Santa Fe »
About Kachina Mountain Realty
I am passionate about real estate development. I consider myself a “Dream Maker”, and strive to help my clients manifest their dreams and lifestyle goals.
I believe that, “…the dreams which accompany all human actions should be nurtured by the places in which people live and work”.
To promote this possibility, I encourages my clients to develop and share their dreams and lifestyle goals as part of the process of selling, buying or investing in property.
I have over twenty-nine years of business experience as an executive producer, web architect, social media marketer, business developer, architecture assistant, real estate marketing developer and real estate consultant.
I am a licensed real estate qualifying broker for Kachina Mountain Realty & an accredited ACRE® real estate consultant. I have worked in the Santa Fe & Taos real estate market for years. I specialize in working with buyers and sellers who are looking for a solid real estate investment.
Contact me, Dianne McKenzie, for your real estate transactions & let me help you manifest your dreams!
I am readily available by cell phone, text, (505.603.9300) & email. I return calls promptly, seven days a week!
Top Producer for the 2016 year!
I received an award for “Top Producer” for 2016 from Chris Landers of Equity New Mexico. I am very grateful to all my clients who trusted me with their business.
While the Equity New Mexico real estate office on Aldea Plaza has closed, Kachina Mountain Realty is ready and available for tours and information. KMR will be opening an office later in this new year. In the meantime, as always, all real estate information and printouts of listings for Aldea, Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County and beyond are still available, just free for the asking. I can email you PDF listings per area, any time, once requested. Even better, I can take you on a tour of the properties you would like to visit. I represent Buyers and Sellers. Call me for a consultation today.
