Eco Lifestyle And Home News – July 2018
Eco Lifestyle And Home News – July 2018
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
July 2018 marks the nineteenth 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: Imagine
- 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
Imagine
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”
~ Albert Einstein
The ability to dream, take chances, and create the things we imagine… these are the skills of entrepreneurs, innovators and change makers.
The future requires people who can problem-solve, adapt and communicate in workplaces and environments that are increasingly complex. Creativity creates jobs, drives economic growth and provides answers to societal needs. And it also maximizes human potential. Research quoted in Newsweek says that people with high “creative self-efficacy” are better able to handle stress and are more “confident.”
The creative power of imagination has an important role in the achievement of success in any field. What we imagine with faith and feelings comes into being. To be able to imagine is a great power that can change ones life. Creative visualization, positive thinking and affirmations are simple tools for cultivating imagination.
A developed and strong imagination strengthens creative abilities, and is a great tool for recreating and remodeling ones world and life.
Never underestimate the value of imagination — it’s behind every great idea.
“First comes the thought; then organization of that thought into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” ~From Napoleon Hill
Visioning is about cultivating dreams into reality through vivid mental imaging. It means creating a mental movie of oneself in an ideal future and working to bring that vision into being. Vivid mental imagery activates creative centers deep within our minds that trigger ideas on how to bring our visions into reality. In essence, the destination dictates the route. Without realizing it, imagining is influencing the present vision and is forming the future.
I live with a dreamer, who envisions through his planning and design. John is a catalyst, planner, visionary, dream maker, cultural creative, architectural sculptor, real estate developer who is environmentally conscious. He sees what and how to create communities that thrive and fulfill dreams.
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.
What do you imagine for yourself? What steps are you taking to manifest your dreams? What are you imagining into your reality?
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
| Jun 25, 2018
Sales of new homes in the U.S. rose heading into the summer months, despite high selling prices and low home inventory.
Purchases of newly-built single-family homes—a relatively narrow slice of all U.S. home sales—grew 6.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 689,000 in May, the Commerce Department said Monday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected a smaller 0.9% increase.
From the prior year, sales increased 14.1% in May. The pace of new-home sales still remains well below the elevated levels seen before the 2007-09 financial crisis and recession.
New-home sales data can be volatile. May’s 6.7% gain came with a margin of error of 14.1 percentage points.
Sales in the South appeared to drive last month’s growth. New-home purchases in the region rose 17.9%, the largest gain since the end of 2014. Meanwhile, sales in the Northeast and West declined and purchases were flat in the Midwest in May.
More widely, housing market inventory has been tight, driving up home prices and pricing some potential buyers out of the market. Scarce construction labor and rising material costs and mortgage rates are also headwinds for the housing market.
The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in May was 4.59%, up more than half a point from 4.03% in January, according to Freddie Mac. Record-high lumber prices have added nearly $9,000 to the price of a new single-family home since January 2017, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
The spring home selling season appears to be stuck in neutral. Sales of previously-owned homes have declined compared with a year earlier in four out of the first five months of this year. Meanwhile, home builders’ future expectations of single-family home sales fell two points in June, according to NAHB’s recently-released housing-market index, though sentiment remains solid.
Improved economic growth, continued job creation and solid housing demand should spur additional single-family construction in the months ahead,” NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said in a statement earlier this week. “However, builders do need access to lumber and other construction materials at reasonable costs… particularly for the entry-level market where inventory is most needed.”
Money Matters
Jun 25 2018, 12:55PM
There was plenty of foreshadowing, but Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist Doug Duncan said last week that cost-cutting has risen as a priority for mortgage lenders. Both the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA’s) first quarter Quarterly Mortgage Bankers Performance Report and an earlier release from Fannie Mae regarding results from its second quarter Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey reported mortgage lender’s declining profits and gloomy outlook for improved financial results.
The MBA’s report was only the second in its 10-year history in which independent mortgage lenders and bank mortgage subsidiaries reported a loss, in this case $118 per loan. Fannie Mae’s lender survey found more than a third of the 170 institutions that responded expected net profits to decline while nearly another half expected no change. Fannie Mae said it was the seventh consecutive quarter that lenders conveyed a negative profit outlook.
Declining demand is the driver of the problem, pushing per-loan production costs higher. Duncan dug more deeply into the Fannie Mae survey results for his Perspectives blog post, and reports among the top business priorities named by respondents, cost cutting has jumped from near the bottom in May 2017 to the third most important in May of this year. “Consumer-facing technology” and “business process streamlining” were the top two priorities both this year and last, and one could argue that the seconds reflect cost concerns as well.
Mortgage rates move daily. Stay connected and informed! Visit: Mortgage News Daily »
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: 18 Homes, DOM 88 | 1 Lots, DOM 323
PENDING: 2 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 9 Homes, Avg $571,444 | 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: 18 Homes, DOM 88 | 10 Lots, DOM 18
PENDING: 9 Homes | 7 Lots
LISTED: 48 Homes, Avg $1,410,247 | 67 Lots, Avg $155,746
There are currently 48 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 19 Homes under $1,000,000
- 29 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 67 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 29 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
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»
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
Recently I found a tiny / modular home company that meets my design sense.
Wheelhaus provides an array of tiny house and modular designs. They have been building and manufacturing tiny homes since 2006 and know exactly what one wants to see in a tiny house. They prefab all their homes off site and deliver the finished cabin to the desired location.
Prices for a Modular Home range from $96,500 to $382,500 and Tiny Homes from $93,500 to $124,500.
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.
Banana Carrot Cheese Treats
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 4 grated carrots, 2 cups
- 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cups rice flour (or any flour)
- 1 cup rolled oats, uncooked
- 1 cup flax seed meal
- ½ cup wheat germ
- 1 cup flax seeds
- 1 ½ cup chicken broth
- 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: banana, grated carrots, grated cheddar cheese, chicken broth, 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. Combine all the ingredients. 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 30-35 minutes slightly brown. If you prefer a softer treat, bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. This recipe uses 4 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!
