Eco Lifestyle And Home News – March 2019
Eco Lifestyle And Home News – March 2019
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
March 2019 marks the twenty seventh 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: Cultivate
- 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
Cultivate
No matter what your answer is, it all comes down to 3 things: mental happiness, physical happiness, and ease of well-being. If you want financial stability, good health, love, the ability to travel, time with friends, time for making art etc… The answers revolve around happiness and ease of well-being.
But how do we succeed in reaching our goals? It starts with cultivation. It takes work, actively engaging in taking action: active learning, active thinking, active analyzing, active searching… If this all sounds like work, it is. Cultivating anything, takes ones active participation and it takes practice, tenacity, & intention.
To help one on the road to cultivate ones desires and reach ones goals, here are some steps to take, not just read, but to actively engage in discovering (cultivating) the answers.
- Visualize yourself in 5 years from now. What do you see for yourself? What do you see yourself surrounded with? What do you see yourself doing, being, feeling?
- What are you afraid of, right now?
- What are you willing to do to stay true to who you are or who you want to be?
- What areas of your life are in sync with what you want?
- What areas in your life do you wish to change?
- What do you wish you were doing that would make you happier?
- What kinds of problem solving makes you feel successful?
- What makes you unique?
- What are your values?
- Who are some of the people you admire and what are their characteristics that you admire?
- What are some of the commonalities in the people that you admire?
- What are your qualities that others would admire, if they knew you?
Creating a life worth living takes cultivation. Learning, solving problems, active participation, an eagerness to learn, to grow, to dream, to imagine, to make mistakes, and to fail. It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up. Cultivation takes nurturing, learning, growing.
I am committed to cultivating kindness, compassion, understanding, wisdom, success, prosperity, good health and above all love. It takes practice; practice over and over and over again, and again. I think by the time I really “get it”, I will be on my deathbed and see the “light”. And then it is over until it starts again. The merry-go round keeps on turning. Cultivating is an endless process.
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
Some interesting information has come across my inbox so I thought I would share it & link to where you can read more about property taxes around the country.
Here is part of the article:
Property Taxes by State – 2017
By David Logan on http://eyeonhousing.org/
“Property taxes vary widely across states both in terms of annual taxes paid as well as effective tax rates. In 2017, the difference between average real estate taxes paid by New Jersey and Alabama home owners was nearly $8,000. New Jersey continued its perennial distinction as having the highest average real estate tax bill per home owner ($8,485) as well as the highest effective tax rate (2.13%). Alabama ($684) and Hawaii (0.30%) were at the other end of the spectrum, boasting the lowest average effective tax rate and annual real estate tax bill, respectively. The difference between the highest-taxed state (New Jersey) and lowest (Alabama) grew by $100 in 2017.”
“These figures include real estate taxes levied by state and local governments, but the extent to which each level of government depends on property tax revenues is vastly different. Only two percent of state tax revenue comes from property taxes while the comparable figure for local governments is over 70%.”
“However, those property tax collections come from taxes levied on business property in addition to owner-occupied real estate taxes. The share of property tax revenue derived from these real estate taxes ranges from 16.1% in Wyoming to 60.1% in New Jersey.”
Real Estate Taxes Paid by Home Owners
“The overall distribution has remained roughly unchanged since 2016, as the order of the top five and composition of the top ten remained the same. The map below illustrates the concentration of high average property tax bills in the Northeast. In contrast, with the exception of Texas, southern states boast some of the lowest RET bills for their resident homeowners.”
One more reason to be glad to live in New Mexico!!!!
Read the complete article here»
Money Matters
There are many steps to selling your home. My experience is that sellers who fully prepare for selling their home, sell more quickly than those who are not fully prepared. Repairing your home includes some of the following:
- thorough cleaning inside & out: windows, screens, cabinets, floors, walls etc
- making repairs, including repainting, replaces old appliances, lights and outdated fixtures
- serving faucets, electrical outlets, smoke alarms, changing light bulbs
- packing up personal items such as personal photos, momentos (think about how a model home is staged)
Many people do not want the expense or want to spend the time to thoroughly prepare for selling a home, which is why homes sit on the market longer without any offers. Buyers are looking for a change and want a new home, not an old tired home that lacks updates. If you wish to be competitive in the market, sellers need to prepare for selling.
I often tell my sellers, start packing, emptying closets, bookshelves and storing away furniture. Live like you are living in a model home. When your house is on the market, it is in transition to becoming someone else’s home. Think of yourself as the custodian of the property and make your home more neutral. For many sellers this is the hardest part of selling their home.
Here are some of the most common home defects:
Santa Fe Real Estate News
Just Listed:
Contemporary Custom Home in Aldea
24 W. Camino Esperanza
Single Family Home | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths – 2,986 sqft | Price: $750,000 | MLS #201900642
This soft contemporary custom Santa Fe style 3 bedroom/3 bath home & guesthouse, offers affordable luxury with modern architectural aesthetics, awash with natural light, located on a cul-de-sac in desirable Aldea. You enter this compound through a flagstone courtyard, featuring aspen trees, an outdoor wood burning fireplace, pergolas & water feature.
Coveted for its modern hard-edge lines & open floor plan, these sophisticated lifestyle living/entertaining/dining areas are graced with high-beamed ceilings, a double-sided gas fireplace, diamond plaster finished walls & stained/polished concrete floors throughout.
The gourmet kitchen includes: marble slab countertops, 6 burner Wolf range with pot filler, Subzero refrigerator, Asko dishwasher, Sharp microwave drawer, pantry, stained alder cabinets, eat-at bar/island & dining room.
The spacious master suite with sitting area, includes a gas burning fireplace, doors opening to the deep portal, distinctive master bath with palatial walk-in shower, travertine surround, jetted tub, double separate vanities & walk-in closet.
The guest wing’s 2nd bedroom & house bath are located on the other side of this single level home with access to the courtyard. The casita, guest suite &/or home office is fully self-contained, located across the courtyard with separate entrance, walk-in closet, full bath & wet bar.
Walking through to the oversized 2 car garage, the laundry room includes Bosch washer & dryer, sink & ample storage. All appliances & mechanical systems have been recently serviced.
Located along a greenbelt of open space with aspens & fruit trees, are several outdoor sitting/entertaining areas within the full-length portal, creating a refreshing sanctuary, with spectacular sunset mountain views, south vistas to the Ortiz & Sandia range & east views of the Santa Fe ski basin Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Contemporary Home Features:
- Single story contemporary custom home
- Gourmet kitchen
- 3 Bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- Master en suite
- Walk in closet
- Plaster walls
- Guest Casita with private entrance
- 2 Car Garage
- Laundry room
- Water softener
- Security system
- Landscaped front courtyard, wood burning fireplace, fountain
- Drip System
- Great for entertaining
- Covered portal
- Terraced fenced yard
Heating:
- Radiant floor heating
- 2 gas burning fireplaces
- New heat pump & 75 gallon water heater
- Polished/stained concrete
Appliances: all recently serviced
- 6 burner Wolf Gas Range, pot filler
- Subzero Refrigerator
- Asko Dish Washer
- Sharp Microwave Drawer
- Bosch Washer/ Dryer
- South, east, & west
- Green belt, open space
HOA Dues:
- $448 Quarterly
- Aldea is only 10 minutes to town
Single Story Home For Sale in Vista Primera Santa Fe, New Mexico
7516 Kachina Loop
Single Family Home | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths – 1,694 sqft | Price: $349,999 | MLS #201803926
Located within the private, coveted and gated family community of Vista Primera, this charming single story, 1,694 sqft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, Pueblo style home reflects the traditional Santa Fe Style. The welcoming private entry front yard offers extensive landscaping and a soothing water feature.
You enter the front door by passing under 100 stars, into a small foyer that opens to a spacious living room with a wood burning kiva fireplace, complete with beam ceilings. The bright and open living/kitchen/dining area is perfect for entertaining. The sunroom, currently used by the owner/artist as a studio, would make a great home office, crafts room or a simply an oasis in which to read and watch the local bird activity.
The entire property is lovingly maintained and landscaped with low-maintenance drip system, mature trees, perennials and water features of both pond and a fountain. The back yard is reminiscent of a secret garden with an ample patio for BBQ’s – a great place for morning coffee and to watch the birds. Southwest ambiance abounds as you dine al fresco in the garden adjacent to a water feature with the seasonal sounds of visiting birds, setting the mood in this tranquil retreat, complete with mature landscaping in a serene natural garden setting.
A wonderful sense of seclusion and privacy is in store for you, in this exceptional home that artfully engages the feeling of a sanctuary with shade trees and a bubbling fountain inviting outdoor gatherings, while upholding the Santa Fe traditions of gracious living, at an affordable price.
Aldea Stats
2019 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 2 Homes, DOM 50 | 0 Lots, DOM 0
PENDING: 1 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 4 Homes, Avg $644,975 | 5 Lots, Avg $70,800
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.
Aldea listings are very limited due to low inventory.
Las Campanas Real Estate News
2019 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 3 Homes, DOM 331 | 7 Lots, DOM 277
PENDING: 8 Homes | 5 Lots
LISTED: 39 Homes, Avg $1,463,663 | 58 Lots, Avg $145,786
Las Campanas is the only luxury master-planned community in Santa Fe. Stretching across 4,700 acres surrounded by pristine high desert, the community is comprised of exclusive neighborhoods. Las Campanas is also home to The Club at Las Campanas, where members can enjoy two award-winning Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, the 46,000 square foot Hacienda Clubhouse, a peerless Equestrian Center and the Fitness & Tennis Center, which includes a luxurious spa.
There are currently 39 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 10 Homes under $1,000,000
- 29 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 58 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 27 Lots under $100,000
- 31 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
Experience the Quintessential Authentic Taos Adobe Compound
Main House & Casita: 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2 Kitchens | 2,024 sq.ft. Interior living spaces | 1,107 sq.ft. exterior living spaces
TCAR MLS#: 101801 | SFAR MLS#: 201802629
Priced to Sell: $380,000
The main dwelling is a charming 1,574 sq.ft. single story territorial style home with 18” thick walls and traces its history to about 100+ years old. Well maintained and lovingly remodeled with modern conveniences, this property possess the following features: city water & sewer, natural gas, granite countertops, stacked washer/dryer, thermopane windows, multiple skylights, forced air heat, gas–log Jøtul stove for additional comfort and ambiance. Diamond plaster walls throughout, with nichos, vigas /wood ceilings, Saltillo tile, wood plank & stone floors, custom arched wood doors, antique style lighting fixtures, and eat-in country kitchen where culinary delights will create memorable experiences.
Southwest ambiance abounds as you dine al fresco in the 563 sq.ft. 15’ deep recessed portal (covered patio with skylight) adjacent to a water feature “stream” with the seasonal sound of a flowing acequia, setting the mood in this peaceful oasis, complete with mature landscaping in a serene natural garden setting. Separate fenced outdoor spaces include an additional south facing portal with yard, a north side portal at the entrance of the home, and an east side yard with a storage shed, useful for gardening or recreational equipment and is included. There are plenty of possibilities to customize this landscape by adding a greenhouse, small orchard, vegetable/flower garden, children’s play area or simply enjoy the graciousness of this very adaptable bucolic setting.
The delightful 450 sq.ft. casita is located over part of the main home with its own private exterior stair access with a pleasant 218 sq.ft. viewing deck overlooking the treetops and the lovely Ranchos pastures, where you can peacefully enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets or a cup of coffee as the sun rises. Rent the self-contained romantic attic apartment casita or use as a personal guest space or office/studio. Amenities include: covered parking, gas-log heat stove, wood plank floors, cozy kitchen, stacked washer/dryer, large skylights, new porcelain fixtures, a sit-in tub with shower, wainscoting and plenty of charm.
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.
This quiet neighborhood compound is conveniently located within walking distance to Ranchos de Taos historic district, close with shops, restaurants and is rich in history. Just 4 miles north to the town of Taos, there are more restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, 15 minutes to Taos Pueblo, 25 minutes to Taos Ski Valley, 5 minutes to the Taos country club & golf course, 15 minutes to the Gorge on back roads, this enclave is also convenient to traveling south to Santa Fe & beyond.
View lots of photos: visit the property»
Selling & Buying Real Estate in Taos
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.
If you been looking to buy a home, you are probably frustrated with the lack of quality homes on the market at any price point.
I receive inquiries almost daily 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
Spring – Summer: Bold & Vibrant
2019 will be the year to see sustainability and natural materials taking root, offset with bold vibrant colors and dark grey to black accents. The emphasis is on choosing designs that are classic and longer lasting, rather than something trendy.
Here is a list of 11 trends that will dominate the spring & summer:
1. Less Is More…
2. Recycled Materials
3. Mixture of Textures
4. Mix & Match Patterns
5. Mustard & Vibrant Deep Tones
6. Mid Century is Still Hot
7. Ceramics
8. Open Shelving
9. Raw, Unfinished Woods
10. Scalloped Shapes
11. Coral as Dominating Color
Aeowyn’s Dog Treats
Aeowyn is our 15.3 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 Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Blueberry Treats
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pie filing)
- 1 cup of peanut butter
- 2 cups of rolled oats
- 2 cup rice flour (or any flour)
- ½ cup flax seed meal
- 1 cup (4 oz) dried blueberries
- ½ wheat germ
- ½ cup blueberry flax seeds
- ½ cup of chicken broth (low sodium) or water as needed
- 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- *Parchment paper for rolling out the dough, pizza cutter, ruler for cutting straight lines & a dog to snoopervise.
*Equipment needed:
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Pizza cutter & ruler
- A dog to “snoopervise”
Method:
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Mix the wet ingredients: pumpkin, peanut butter, apple cider vinegar & coconut oil in a bowl. Wait to add the chicken broth or water.
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: rolled oats, flour, flax seed meal, dried blueberries, wheat germ, flax seeds & cinnamon. Stir in the wet ingredient mix & add in small amount of the liquid, as needed. Divide into 4 balls.
- 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 25-35 minutes slightly brown. If you prefer a softer treat, bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. This recipe uses 4 baking sheet/trays.
These treats are a soft thin treat & 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.
This recipe uses 4 baking sheet/trays.
*“The parchment paper makes the rolling easy, with no mess & cutting the crisps with the pizza cutter is super fast. I eat the whole batch within a month in time for the next issue’s new recipe. I love these crisps because they are thin & I get to eat more. More is always better than less. After all, more is more!!!!” ~ Aeowyn
Aeowyn loves watching me make 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!