Eco Lifestyle And Home News – October 2022
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
October 2022, marks the 78th 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 County and beyond.
In this edition, we offer the following:
- Lifestyle: Bountiful
- Real Estate Market Update
- Santa Fe Real Estate News
- Taos County Real Estate News
- Home Decor Insights
- Sierra Updates!
- 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
Bountiful
Autumn is finally here. I long for autumn all year long. I love the colors, the crispness in the air, the quality of the light. I love the abundance of fruits and vegetables, gourds, and of course pumpkins. It is the start of the preparations for winter and all the celebrations that come in the next few months.
There is something about the magic of the autumn season, where it feels like new beginnings, lots of possibilities, as the days become shorter. I feel happier this time of year. I long for walks in the forest, the crackling of the fire and the smell of fresh baked goods, soups and casseroles. The smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, apples & bread, are comforting this time of year. The leaves blowing in the wind, dancing in swirling circles, moving about so free, capture my attention.
The bountiful nature of this season is evident all around in the grocery stores, shops and in the magazines. I love the clothes in fall: sweaters, jackets, boots, and scarves. I am compelled to prepare for winter, getting the clothes ready for the new season, putting away the light clothes of summer, changing the home & office decorations to reflect the season. I gather leaves, acorns, gourds & squashes to fill baskets on the counters.
I feel more grateful, peaceful, content and at home with myself as autumn descends across the land. I feel full of hope and ease knowing that the colors are changing with the flutter of the leaves. I can’t imagine a better time than right now, with the most vibrant of colors of the aspens turning their bright yellow.
The autumn season always seem too short, so I look for the first signs of autumn starting in mid August. I want to see the first light and feel the first crisp air at the start of the season. As the season slips into the month of October, it is finally the time of year to celebrate the harvest.
Reflecting on the previous years gone by with all the sorrows, disappointments, losses, triumphs and accomplishments, I am reminded in autumn of all that is good and beautiful. I am reminded of change, and while change can trigger doubts and fears, it also sends out sparks of adventure, new beginnings and new chapters in my life, yet to unfold.
This time of year I long to be home, to settle in for the winter. I know that while I have not found “home” yet, the desire to find it remains strong. I feel closer and more connected in autumn and hope to be home soon.
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie & Sierra
Real Estate Market
Written by Erik J. Martin
After a tumultuous summer for real estate, autumn is nearly here. As of mid-September, the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage average is hovering just north of 6 percent, and skyrocketing home prices are finally starting to drop, albeit slowly. Housing inventory remains tight, too. These indicators spell both good and bad news for fall homebuyers and sellers.
Wondering which directions the housing market will head in as the leaves start to change? Curious where interest rates will land? Worried about a potential crash? Read on for fall housing predictions from the pros.
Will the housing market stay hot?
The market seems to be cooling dramatically, and Rick Sharga, executive vice president of market intelligence for ATTOM Data Solutions, says the signs are undeniable. Case in point: July marked the seventh consecutive month in which existing home sales were lower than the month prior — down 20.2 percent year-over-year and 5.9 percent from the previous month, according to the most recent National Association of Realtors data.
“In July, the annualized rate of home sales dropped below 5 million homes, which represents a decline of over 1 million home sales compared to 2021,” Sharga says. “I expect both new and existing home sales will probably continue to decelerate through the fall and winter months, with home price appreciation likely to end 2022 in the low single digits — likely in the 2 to 3 percent range.”
He notes that this decline is almost entirely due to the impact that increased mortgage rates have had on affordability. Purchase loan applications are running about 23 percent lower than they were at this time a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Are we headed toward a housing bubble?
A housing bubble is often described as an unsustainable span of home price growth caused by factors like speculative buying and loose underwriting. Of course, the word “bubble” suggests an inevitable “pop.” Is that what the current market is destined for?
“The housing market today is not driven by loose lending standards, sub-prime mortgages or homeowners who are highly leveraged,” says Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American. “The house price appreciation in today’s housing market is supported by the fundamentals and characterized by a shortage of supply relative to demand. That demand has primarily been driven by millennial first-time buyers aging into their prime home-buying years, rather than fix-and-flip investors.”
In other words, there is no housing bubble.
Ralph DiBugnara, president of Home Qualified, echoes those thoughts. “This is not a housing bubble,” he says. “Yes, there has been a huge demand, but banking regulations post-market-crash are much more restrictive, and have stayed that way. So today’s buyers are more qualified to purchase and sustain their investment, which means fewer foreclosures. Also, the supply of homes for sale could take years to get to normal levels. So even if there is a selloff, it won’t be a fire sale at discount prices.”
Count Chen among the doubtful, too. “At a fundamental level, the labor market remains strong, loan delinquency is historically low and supply is only 57 percent of where we were at the beginning of 2019 — without a major economic shock, a bubble still seems unlikely,” he says.
Bottom line
Taking a big-picture look, this autumn is fairly easy to predict, with no radical changes expected or alarming market indicators present. “The fall will likely bring with it more moderation, with house prices adjusting to the not-so-new reality of higher mortgage rates,” says Kushi.
Schmidt believes the market will continue to lean toward sellers this season, although it won’t be as hot as what we’ve experienced over the last two years. “With interest rates going up, we have fewer buyers in the market, which will cause the market to cool slightly,” he says.
Santa Fe Real Estate News
Aldea Real Estate Stats
SOLD: 20 Homes, DOM 19 | 1 Lots, DOM 193
PENDING: 1 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 3 Homes, Avg $931,333 | 3 Lots, Avg $90,000
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:
Sold 15 Calle Amistosa in Aldea | Santa Fe, New Mexico
Las Campanas Real Estate Stats
2022 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 37 Homes, DOM 53 | 15 Lots, DOM 334
PENDING: 26 Homes | 1 Lots
LISTED: 26 Homes, Avg $2,552,654 | 33 Lots, Avg $281,238
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 26 homes for sale in Las Campanas
- 0 Homes under $1,000,000
- 26 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 33 Lots for sale in Las Campanas
- 1 Lots under $100,000
- 32 Lots over $100,000
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. Taos Office: 575.776.7576
Visit the website for Santa Fe information: RealEstatePropertiesSantaFe.com
Visit the Kachina Mountain Realty company main website: KachinaMountainRealty.com
Taos Real Estate News
2022 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
*SOLD: 149 Homes, DOM 141 | 77 Lots, DOM 314
*PENDING: 68 Homes | 44 Lots
*LISTED: 58 Homes, Avg $754,327 | 161 Lots, Avg $196,042
* Areas tracked:
Lower North, Upper North, West North, Town of Taos, Taos Ski Valley, South West, South East
See map for areas » 
Taos is very different than Santa Fe in many ways. With a population of 5,763 people and many surrounding neighborhoods, Taos is the 39th largest community in New Mexico. The greater Taos area is made up of several unincorporated areas and neighborhoods that separates out as if they were their own destinations or towns. Unincorporated areas around Taos have distinctive names that represent the ancient traditions of naming a place for a stream or topographic feature. Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco and El Prado are all such places. These are not towns and have no political jurisdiction, they are simply places that help folks zero in on a very specific neighborhood. Within Taos itself are many such neighborhoods that may comprise no more than six “blocks.”
Selling real estate in Taos county is challenging for sellers, buyers and realtors, as the typical closing time for a property averages 90+ days, compared to under 30 days in Santa Fe. I have closed properties in Santa Fe under 20 days. There is a shortage of title companies which the realtors can work with in Taos. The back log of properties waiting to close often creates buyers to back out and leave the sellers in the same cycle for closing when the next offer comes in. Many buyers become frustrated as their lenders charge additional hold fees or back out all together. Below are some statistics that highlight the problem.
Pioneer Title
As of August 26, 2022, Pioneer Title has opened an office in Taos at 204 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Suite A, Taos NM 87571, telephone: 866-294-4100. It remains to be seen if closing times will shorten in the coming months, but it is progress for realtors as well as sellers and buyers in Taos County.
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. They 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.
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.
Call our Taos Office: 575.776.7576
Home Decor Insights
Autumn is Upon Us
My favorite time of year has finally arrived and I am excited as ever for the shorter days, cooler temperatures and the autumn light. I love everything autumn: the smells, the temperatures, the changing skies, and most of all the autumn colors. Last month the pastures in New Mexico were full of bright yellow sunflowers and now they are just starting to fade while the purple sage is at its peek bloom. Is there any other colors so lovely as yellow & purple together?
I have already bought my first pumpkins of the season, with more to come. It is time to start adding warmer quilts to the bed and put away the air conditioning for the next 9 months. While I embark on the autumn decorations, the field mice are trying to move inside for the winter. It is time to update the weather striping to keep unwanted “guests” out. I am excited about using the insta pot for cooking soups & stews, yes with Hatch chile. I spent 2 days cleaning and packing a large bushel of green chile for the freezer, so that we can have Hatch chile for the next 6 months. We have lit our bare cottonwood trees with orange fairy lights, anticipating the longer evenings.
For ideas on decorating with autumn 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.Sierra
CFO, (Chief Fun Officer)
Our 3.6 year old female silver standard poodle
September 1-30, 2022
The summer has been wonderfully cooler than previous summers with rain almost every day. The pasture & fields are bursting with yellow New Mexican sunflowers. It is breathtakingly beautiful and perfect for picnics on the ranch with Sierra.
Sierra is outstanding in her field!
I weigh & measure Sierra once a month, so here are her stats as of June 2022: 14″ collar, girth: 24″, height to shoulder: 25″ weight: 33.5 lbs.
You really need to watch Sierra’s videos as they capture her spirit!
Here is the link to Sierra’s Videos »
Sierra’s 1st video explains who she is and her new role at Kachina Mountain Realty. In Sierra’s 2nd video she talks about Dianne’s role at Kachina Mountain Realty in the era of COVID-19. In Sierra’s 3rd video, Sierra talks about selling and buying real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sierra’s 4th video she talks about how staying safe in the era of COVID-19.
As you probably already know, Sierra is the CFO (chief fun officer) at Kachina Mountain Realty. Sierra talks to you today about using your imagination in Sierra’s 5th video. When Sierra turned 2 years old on March 18, 2021, people asked what she sounded like now that she was older. While she does not have a lot to say right now, she is quick and to the point, as she starts her 2nd year as CFO, in Sierra’s 6th video. Currently Sierra is not recording videos at this time.
Sierra’s web page: www.diannemckenzie.com/sierra
More photos will be continually posted on her own web page, so check back monthly, as we chronicle her life with us!
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!
Taos Office: 575.776.7576
Go Green:
Dianne & Sierra
