AMEX By the Numbers

Sandia Mt views from 46 Camino Barranca

Echo Research has just completed its random samples of 2000 adults for American Express.  It looks like the discretionary income of Americans will be spent in much the same way but perhaps a little more spending in 2012 than in 2011.  56% expect to spend more on in-home decorating, travel, remodeling/home improvement, health and fitness.  Among the affluent (those making $100.000 or more) and young professionals (those who have had a college education, are less than 30 years old, and make a minimum of $50,000 per year) both groups prioritize travel/vacation spending first.

Home buying will be about equal to renting in 2012;  Open House “crashing” will be popular to the curious who seek design inspiration; and consumers still don’t feel they would get the asking price for their home  in today’s housing market.  Many are thinking: fix it up, sell it and reinvest.

Put Your Pets On the Stage?

I just read an article titled Can You Stage the Household Dog? By Melissa Tracey in Realtor Magazine. I had to laugh when I read about arriving at a listing to be greeted by a slobbering German Shepherd. Have you ever noticed that at most home viewings, there’s not even a hint that a pet lives there? The chew toys are out of sight, along with the dog bed, and certainly there’s no sign of a litter box. Where is the cat? Where is the dog? What is that scented candle trying to cover up?

The author’s solution? Don’t hide the pets --- stage them! Make sure they are well groomed and contained in the laundry room with a sign letting prospective buyers know that they were in residence. Sounds like a great idea until I imagine my terrierists cooperating at a viewing.

Anyway, it’s worth thinking about as a strategy to deal with the pet issue in a straightforward way. Some realtors in New York City use “designer dogs” to help sell properties to prospective buyers who own their own pets. So maybe your pet is a plus in the home selling process – not a negative. And there’s a good chance that a pet owner will be the buyer for your home.

Temperature's Risin'

46 Camino Barranca has a fabulous pool!

Spring temperatures are not the only thing that's heating up around Placitas. Yesterday the thermometer reached 74 degrees, but the real news is the way the real estate market is heating up. Fifteen properties have gone into pending sales since January 1, 2012 and 12 properties have closed in the same time period. Considering that Spring has barely sprung, it looks like we will be keeping very busy. If you're looking to get into the real estate market or to sell, now is a great time to come talk to us at La Puerta Real Estate, LLC. Happy Spring everyone!

Top Ten Home Improvements

It may not be David Letterman worthy, but if you're considering improvements/changes in order to sell your home, the following improvements are considered the most beneficial in their rate of return.

1) Lighten and brighten -- 769% return

2) Clean and de-clutter -- 594% return

3) Fix plumbing/electrical -- 196% return

4) Landscape and trim -- 266% return

5) Staging -- 169% return

6) Paint interior walls -- 63% return

7) Kitchen/bath upgrades -- 138% return

8) Repair flooring -- 50% return

9) Paint exterior walls -- 34% return

10) Replace carpeting -- 39% return

25 Tierra Madre Court

Placitas at its best, private location, huge mountain views, sweet,charming classic southwest style convenient location. No wonder there's already a contract pending. Only 2 miles to I25! Portals in the front, rear and a deck on the side capturing the views all around. Courtyard, vigas, brick floors, kiva fireplace, intimate and open spaces with large windows, and glass patio doors bring the outdoors in. Handcarved front door welcomes you to the many treasures waiting inside, built in display shelves, nichos oversized master bath + office. See this link for all the pictures.

Behind the Scenes

You need to sell your house. You want to see your property in print everywhere. Then you’ll know the real estate company and agent you have chosen really are doing something for all that money you’re going to have to pay them. "Hey, that agent of mine better bring me some prospects every day, and she darn well better hold my house open frequently. I don’t see her. What is she doing anyway?" 

Selling your property is a team effort—that is, you and your resources and I and mine. Your job is to get your house ready for sale. Just forget about the fact that the purchase agreement says that your house is being sold in "as is" condition because right here and right now "as is" better be the best you can make it or it will be passed over. Fix it up; I’ll help you. The house must look both like you live there and love it and at the same time be spotlessly clean and without clutter. Once you’ve done everything and try to live like you don’t really live there, you’re on to the hardest part—having a little trust in a complex process you can’t always see. You will see ads and flyers. You’ll see your property in multiple places on the Internet. You’ll see mistakes. Ouch. Your sign will blow down; your flyer box will blow away and get replaced. Someone’s finger will slip entering data and some detail will be wrong and have to be fixed. You’ll have lookers that you may not see. Their Realtor may or may not give us feedback. Mostly you won’t see what is going on unless you have nothing to do and want to work for me. Let me bear the frustration, if you can. That’s my job.

Lower Prices Bring Out More Buyers

8 Calle Lagartijas

President of the Greater Albuquerque Board of Realtors, Peter Parnegg, was interviewed by the Albuquerque Journal on Dec. 22 about the state of real estate in our area. Homes that sold in the Albuquerque area this last November sold at 2005 prices.  Median prices fell.  The good news is that more houses went under contract.  Not all will close, but it does indicate that more people are interested in buying. 

Guide to Going Wild!

Check out marvelous adventures you might have in 2012 in the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s “Wild Guide 2012.”  There are numerous guided hikes, workshops and volunteer service projects and many suggestions for self-guided hikes.  The guide includes pieces on New Mexico’s history of land preservation (not so good), an assessment for the state’s centennial of where we are after a century , on protecting  the Mexican gray wolf, our water supply and bits of random history and personal essays.  There are quirky bits in the Scenic Byways and Attractions section including places to eat and to stay.  You can find this book at Bookworks, La Montanita Coop and Hey Johnny in Albuquerque.  There is an online calendar  for events at www.nmwild.org.