Eco Lifestyle And Home News – June 2018
Eco Lifestyle And Home News – June 2018
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
June 2018 marks the eighteenth edition of Eco Lifestyle and Home Newsletter produced by Kachina Mountain Realty. 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: Service
- Real Estate Market Update
- Money Matters
- Santa Fe Real Estate News
- Taos County Real Estate News
- Home Decor Insights
- Aeowyn’s Dog Treats
- Calendar of Event Links for Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County & all around New Mexico
- Entertainment Links for Santa Fe, Taos County & around New Mexico
Lifestyle
Service
“Being of service teaches you to develop empathy, non-judgment, compassion, un-conditional love, un-conditional forgiveness, trust, consideration, patience, cooperation, higher wisdom and improved over-all understanding of life in general.”
~ Margaret Jang
The desire to serve comes from a sense of responsibility.
We all must take responsibility for what is happening in the world at large and within our sphere of influence and take action to apply that responsibility.
To serve, one must be both loving and wise. Service must always be unselfish. Being of service is about being benevolent toward a greater cause. Acts of kindness, being polite, cultivating generosity are the stepping stones to living a life of service.
In order to be of service one must establish one’s own reasons, guidelines and parameters for how they wish to be of service. To be of service does not mean one has to give oneself away, free of charge. Being of service does not mean one must be self-sacrificial. Being of service requires a deeper sense of consciousness.
There are some people who have not yet awakened to a higher state of consciousness. Those that participate in unskillful actions, operate from greed, ignorance and fear. Nasty gossip, harmful thoughts or words about another, defamation of character, the imputation of evil motives, the desire to shine at someone else’s expense, silence that may hurt another’s character, the feeling of superiority over others, digging up someone’s unfortunate past, are all methods of the ego and impede being of service.
To be of service comes from an innate desire to cultivate loving kindness for oneself as well as for others.
Recently a real estate client expressed their longing to be able to purchase a specific home and remarked: “If you could help me get this home, you will have made my whole life.” This comment touched me deeply as I realized that my ability to help facilitate this transaction had long-range consequences. My role as a real estate broker directly relates to the role of service provider where I 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”. A home then takes on more meaning than just being shelter from the elements.
Being of service, means I take responsibility for the transaction for sellers and buyers. I put my clients interest above my own. I must provide my service with honesty and reasonable care, comply with local, state and federal laws, suggest options for seeking advise from experts, provide prompt accounting of all monies received, and disclose of any adverse material facts or potential conflict of interest while maintaining confidential information.
Being of service in a real estate transaction is extremely rewarding. I know I am helping manifest dreams, helping create the stage set to my clients’ lives.
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
As home values continue to increase at levels greater than historic norms, some are concerned that we are heading for another crash like the one we experienced ten years ago. We recently explained that the lenient lending standards of the previous decade (which created false demand) no longer exist. But what about prices?
Are prices appreciating at the same rate that they were prior to the crash of 2006-2008? Let’s look at the numbers as reported by Freddie Mac:
The levels of appreciation we have experienced over the last four years aren’t anywhere near the levels that were reached in the four years prior to last decade’s crash.
We must also realize that, to a degree, the current run-up in prices is the market trying to catch up after a crash that dramatically dropped prices for five years.
Bottom Line
Prices are appreciating at levels greater than historic norms. However, we are not at the levels that led to the housing bubble and bust.
Francis Phillips
Senior Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS 193642
(912) 961-2757
francis.phillips@fcloans.com
www.fcloans.com/fphillips
Money Matters
Housing boom is back… but without the bubble
http://www.mpamag.com/n/84804
What a great article about the housing boom – worth sharing!
by Francis Phillips
America’s housing market is booming with home prices nationwide now back to where they were a decade ago, just before the financial crisis.
But that rise in prices does not mean we’re about to repeat the devastating slump because a lot has changed in the 10 years since the market crashed and the world was rocked.
A new report from realtor.com highlights the stronger conditions of the market today.
Although prices and buyer demand stir memories of a decade ago; the low inventory, tighter mortgage underwriting, job and wage growth, and economic fundamentals, make this time very different.
“As we compare today’s market dynamics to those of a decade ago, it’s important to remember rising prices didn’t cause the housing crash,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com®. “It was rising prices stoked by subprime and low documentation mortgages, as well as people looking for short term gains — versus today’s truer market vitality — that created the environment for the crash.”
Prices are certainly up with a median sales price in 2016 of $236,000, up 2% from a decade earlier, while realtor.com says listing prices for 2017 have increased in double-digits.
Mortgage lending conditions have improved with even the bottom 10% of borrowers in 2017 having FICO scores of 649 compared to 602 in 2006.
“Lending standards are critical to the health of the market,” added Hale. “Unlike today, the boom’s under-regulated lending environment allowed borrowing beyond repayable amounts and atypical mortgage products, which pushed up home prices without the backing of income and equity.”
The report says that flipping and overbuilding are largely in check, although it acknowledges the impact this is having on constrained construction levels.
The low inventory is exacerbated by the rise in the economy, especially the growing labor market and wages.
“The healthy economy is creating more jobs and households, but not giving these people enough places to live, added Hale.
The tight inventory will continue to hit the affordability of homes which will eventually reach the highest limit that the market can tolerate. At that point Hale says things will start to moderate rather than a crash.
“We expect a gradual tapering as buyers are priced out of the market – not a market correction, but an easing of demand and price growth as renting or adding roommates becomes a more affordable alternative,” she concluded.
Source: Mortgage Professional American http://www.mpamag.com/n/84804
Cell: 505.690.7251
Francis Phillips
Senior Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS 193642
(833) 433-7905
francis.phillips@fcloans.com
www.fcloans.com/fphillips
Mortgage rates move daily. Stay connected and informed! Visit: Mortgage News Daily »
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
Aldea Lots
According to the real estate pundits, the coming wave of residential sales in 2018, is in view lots with new construction. To prepare for this wave, it is a good time to buy a lot in anticipation of the real estate surge. There are very few and far between quality view lots for sale on the west side of Santa Fe and these the best!
Currently, I have 7 of the last and best remaining Aldea view lots. 2 lots have 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 98% built out and up until now, there have not been a lot of choices for view lots, as most have already been built on. Now you have a great selection of view lots in which to choose to build your dream home, before they are all gone! Prices will go up in Spring 2018, so buy now and save!
Builder package available for the Aldea lots, please inquire.
For more information visit the website: Aldea Lots For Sale »
7 Aldea Lot For Sale — Price Adjustment on 4 Lots!!!
The Barranca Lots: 3 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
Avenida Frijoles 2 View Lots
134 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700371 | Listing Price: $82,500
136 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.200 | MLS #201700370 | Listing Price: $77,500
Avenida Aldea View Lot
101 Avenida Aldea | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700369 | Listing Price: $82,500
Arroyo Privado View Lot
4 Arroyo Privado | Lot Size Acres 0.190 | MLS #201700368 | Listing Price: $82,500
Aldea Stats
2018 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 14 Homes, DOM 104 | 1 Lots, DOM 323
PENDING: 6 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 4 Homes, Avg $562,500 | 9 Lots, Avg $80,722
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.
Las Campanas Real Estate News
2018 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed.
SOLD: 17 Homes, DOM 129 | 8 Lots, DOM 10
PENDING: 9 Homes | 9 Lots
LISTED: 50 Homes, Avg $1,400,475 | 67 Lots, Avg $159,000
There are currently 50 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 19 Homes under $1,000,000
- 31 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 68 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 26 Lots under $100,000
- 42 Lots over $100,000
Black Mesa
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!
$1,000 Gift Card Offer
When you choose me to be your Real Estate Agent/ REALTOR®, I will give you a $1,000 Gift Card to the place of your choosing upon successful closing of your Las Campanas Developer Homesite in Las Campanas in 2018*.
A gift card allows my buyers to use it for the purchase of goods or services. It is a thank you from me to you, for trusting me with the most important transaction: the closing of a Developer Homesite in Las Campanas.
- *Offer cannot be combined with any other offers
- *Offer does not apply to past transactions
- *Offer not valid or assignable to third-parties
Pulte Homes in Las Campanas
$500 Gift Card Offer
When you choose me to be your Real Estate Agent/ REALTOR®, I will give you a $500 Gift Card to the place of your choosing upon successful closing of your Pulte home in Las Campanas in 2018.*
A gift card allows my buyers to use it for the purchase of goods or services. It is a thank you from me to you, for trusting me with the most important transaction: the successful search, negotiation and the buying of your new Pulte home in Las Campanas in 2018.
- *Offer cannot be combined with any other offers
- *Offer does not apply to past transactions
- *Offer not valid or assignable to third-parties
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
Visit the Kachina Mountain Realty company main website: KachinaMountainRealty.com
Taos Real Estate News
Real Estate Summary For Taos Area
Coming mid June, I will be announcing a new listing for sale in the Taos area. This is an investment property is a quintessential authentic Taos adobe compound with historical heritage. This enclave is a perfect investment opportunity for full time or vacation living, excellent location for vacation rental or investment property rental. Several of the rooms in the main house open to the portals with exterior doors and would make an excellent home office or art studio. Ample parking is provided for residents and their guests. Live in one, rent the other or use as a home office, guest house or art studio, the options are flexible and endless! Property has a great rental history. Watch this space for photos, videos and more!!!
If you have been thinking about selling your home, now is probably a good time. Inventory is low and the demand for quality homes is up.
Recently, I have received inquiries from out of town buyers who are researching homes in the Taos area. These buyer profiles are looking to live in a safe community, with a country atmosphere, small homes, with flexible spaces. They are wanting to move to the area, but can’t find the properties that offer amenities that don’t include huge HOA fees. They want walking trails, localized eateries, a small grocery store, community activities and a sense of neighborhood. The are either downsizing their home and retiring or wanting a second home. They are wanting to go smaller, but the quality of their lifestyle and home features are upscale. “Does such a community even exist?” they ask. In the coming months, I will be featuring such a community.
Home Decor Insights
Creating the Perfect Outdoor Room for Summer
Get ready to explore creating the prefect summer home decor for active people with many friends and family visitors. It is time to get the barbecue ready, spruce up your outdoor furniture, and add outdoor lighting for entertaining during the cooler summer nights.
Summer nights in New Mexico almost always cool down from the warmer days, making it so relaxing and enjoyable to spend hours around the outside dining table. Because of the higher elevations in the Taos/Santa Fe region, the nights are heavenly cooler than the warmer day temperatures.
Adding a water feature to your garden can add atmosphere as well as comforting sounds and a drinking ground for birds and wildlife. Do you want to create a breathtakingly beautiful custom pool, custom spa or other custom water feature? There are many ways to approach adding such a feature. You can research online design ideas, plans, supplies and design and build your own. You can also hire some experts: Natures Creations in Santa Fe is a good resource for residential to commercial water feature design and installation: https://naturescreationsinc.com. I recommend them highly. Check out their website for inspiration and advise.
With over 35 years of residential and commercial experience designing, building and maintaining luxury water environments, Natures Creations is New Mexico’s leader in blending form, function, innovation and state-of-the-art “green” technology.
Dramatic custom pools… welcoming custom spas… dazzling custom fountains… lovely natural ponds… serene koi environments… magnificent water features… picturesque water gardens. Whatever it is that you desire, Natures Creations tackles all the details to bring your vision to life.
For ideas on decorating with spring in mind, check out Pinterest and explore a whole new way to spend your time online and check out my Pinterest page: KachinaRealty Happy pinning!
While you are surfing the “net” check out Flipboard for a variety of news and lifestyle reading.
Aeowyn’s Dog Treats
Aeowyn is our 14 year old apricot standard poodle, retired service dog, Comet Studios visionary, Kachina Mountain Realty office receptionist and CFO (Chief Fun Officer).
Aeowyn is the inspiration for this dog treat recipe book. Her enthusiasm and her keen intense interest while we cook, has greatly encouraged our recipe development. While she loves to watch us cook, she prefers to taste test everything. We have confined her taste testing to vegetables, fruits and dog treats. She prefers not to share her treats or her toys, being that she is our “only” dog.
However, if you would like to receive Aeowyn’s Dog Treat Recipe e-booklet, please send me an email for your free copy.
Pumpkin, Banana, Apple Sauce Treats
Ingredients:
1 can (15oz) pumpkin (not pie filling)- 1 cup of apple sauce
- 1 medium size ripe banana
- 2 cups rice flour (or any flour)
- 1 cup rolled oats, uncooked
- 1 cup flax seed meal
- 1 cup flax seeds
- 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
*Parchment paper for rolling out the dough, pizza cutter, ruler for cutting straight lines & a dog to snoopervise.
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Mix the wet ingredients: pumpkin, apple sauce, apple cider vinegar & coconut oil in a bowl.
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: rice flour, flax seed meal, wheat germ, rolled oats, flax seeds & cinnamon. Stir in the wet ingredient mix. Divide into 6 balls. This recipe is very moist and makes a larger quantity than other recipes.
- Roll out dough ball between parchment paper, 1/8” consistent thickness in rectangular shape to fit baking sheet. Discard top parchment paper, use for next baking tray. Transfer rectangular shaped dough with the bottom parchment paper to baking sheet. Use pizza cuter to cut dough in parallel strips to create a checkerboard of 1” squares. Use a ruler to help cut straight lines.
- Bake 20-25 minutes slightly brown. If you prefer a softer treat, bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. This recipe uses 6 baking sheet/trays.
These treats are soft & are very tasty. Recipe makes enough treats to fill a little more than 3 quart storage container with some to share with dog friends & keep in tins around the house. You can keep the dog treat crisps up to 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container or in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 weeks.
Aeowyn sits waiting to taste test her dog treats. She “snoopervises” the whole process from start to finish. She tests every batch after the treats are removed from the oven and cooled.
Posing with her treats is the least favorite part of the process, as she is anticipating eating all of them at once. She can get rather bored with the photo shoots unless she is rewarded for her patience.
So far she has never rejected a recipe. Her favorite treat is the one she just ate!
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 thirty 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!
