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.

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.

Professor of the Year From UNM

Congratulations to my friend Ursula Shepherd, University of New Mexico biology professor who has been named the nation’s “professor of the year” among research universities.  This is an award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.  The award is considered the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate teaching award.  At least five out of every six students who participated in Shepherd’s National Science Foundation-sponsored biology research trips between 1998 and 2006 have gone on to complete medical school, a professional school degree or a Ph.D.  All this and Ursula and her very talented husband Bill rebuilt an older home in Tunnel Springs area of  Placitas  (right on the national forest boundary) and are great gardeners.  Keep up the good work!

The Magic of Place

I’ve only “really lived” in three places: in Connecticut on Long Island Sound; in New Hampshire in a 200-year-old farmhouse on the side of Moose mountain; and in Placitas on the high desert plain. In Connecticut I know the Sound. I still have the navigational map in my head, though I haven’t been sailing or big blue fishing in years. In New Hampshire I know the land, at least the 350 acres of it that were mine to care for. I know the old stone walls, the various pastures; the hay fields; the slopes of virgin timber; the apple orchard. I knew the creatures that I lived with, side-by-side: the bear; porcupine; hedgehog; deer; fisher-cat; birds and coyotes and their habits and hangouts. In New Mexico, at last, I know the land pretty well. I know the architecture, how buildings were built and how they are built. I know what grows here -- though not all the names. I know the creatures that live here. I even know a lot of my neighbors. I know a little history. I have a history. It feels good. Maybe feeling the magic of a place is really as simple as just feeling good where you are.

Taking The Long View (And A Mountain View at That)

Statistics for House Sales in Placitas 2005 through mid-December 2011

2005    143 houses sold         Average per square foot price $196.48

2006    99   houses sold         Average per square foot price $192.46   Average price: $522,433.

2007    92   houses sold         Average per square foot price $196.00   Average price: $510,843.

2008    78   houses sold         Average per square foot price $183.02   Average price: $514,124.

2009    57   houses sold         Average per square foot price $165.24   Average price: $463,386.

2010    66   houses sold         Average per square foot price $159.98   Average price: $434,345.

2011    62   houses sold         Average per square foot price $151.88   Average price: $445,919.

2011    7     houses  under contract, for which sales have not yet closed   Average SF price $147.49

Sanctuary for the Human Spirit

According to legend, and before time, the Pueblo Indians lived protected and confined in darkness with only an occasional ray of light. Their world changed, however, when a young woman with a restless soul, called Changing Woman, was impregnated by a ray of light. She was pushed out of the darkness and forced to climb the mesas and hills to find those that could accept her. Her lonely journey ended when she met Spider Woman on the summit of the Sandia Mountains. Spider woman became godmother to Changing Woman’s children, the Twin Warrior Gods, who were born on Sandia Mountain. She and their father the sun taught them the skills they needed to rid the outer universe of its dangers. The Warrior Gods had the rainbow as their bow and lightning was their arrows. The feats of the Twin Heroes enabled the Indians to leave their dark world for the warmth and light of the outer world. The gods continue their vigilance from the mountain tops, and Sandia Mountain remains the home of gods.

In the Beginning...

Lucy and the Terrierists

My first year of practice as a real estate broker I repeatedly asked myself why I ever considered trying to make a living in such a strange business?   Now I know that besides all the wonderful people I meet and fascinating property situations I work on, the real answer is that it is so darn weird, unpredictable, challenging, and flat out funny that I just cannot resist being involved.  Real estate is about people and their circumstances in the world.  People suffer when buying and selling something of enormous expense, and often there is some kind of life change that is precipitating the action.  It could be “just an investment,” but if it is, it’s an important one.  It could be a job change, death and estate liquidation, illness, marriage, divorce, children, old age, need to care for someone or need to be cared for.  There are the people one works with for twenty years before the real estate gets straightened out. Better be capable of delayed gratification!  There are the family feuds and neighborhood disputes.  Negotiating those labyrinthine communication minefields is indeed a challenge.  There are the problems an agent has with other agents—oh my.  And through it all is the issue of responsibility and trust. 

World AIDS Day at Anasazi Winery -- Dec. 1, 6-9 pm

To benefit the Zulu Orphan Alliance, a Placitas nonprofit serving children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, The Alliance provides shelter, nutrition, safey, medical care, educational opportunities, and acess to counseling and expressive therapies essential to their survival and healing. The Anasazi Winery event will feature wine tastings, food, and a silent auction. A $10 donation is suggested. For more info, call Nancy at 505-867-1382. Visit their website at https://zuluorphans.org.

Building Green

Many Americans are looking more seriously at green construction and/or adding new energy-efficient upgrades while determining value versus cost. Pike Research in Boulder, CO believes that expenditures on energy-efficient home improvements are going to see big growth in 2014. High-efficiency insulation and windows, tankless water heaters, and renewable flooring products are going to be on many buyers' must have lists.

30 Years and Counting!

The Placitas Holiday Arts and Crafts Sale is coming up on Nov. 19-20th. This is the 30th year for the sale -- you read that right -- 30 years!! The juried show will showcase dozens of artisans at 3 venues. Get all your holiday shopping done in one place on one day. Can't beat that. Visit www.placitasholidaysale.com for more information.

Cheap and Easy Makes Us Smart and Happy

John Davis, Harry Guffee, and John Bullock

I can't tell you how much fun it is to have talented musicians playing at the local cafe. And the fact that they are all our neighbors makes it even more entertaining. The third Tuesday of the month, our local band, Cheap and Easy, regales us all from 6 to 8 pm at the Placitas Cafe. There's John Bullock, songwriter and guitarist; Harry Guffee, songwriter and bass guitar; and John Davis, songwriter and dobro. It's the kind of evening where everyone can say, "I'm with the band." But that's Placitas for you!

Gardening is Me

Just got the geraniums indoors moments before the freeze. Now the sunroom is full of geraniums in transition and green tomatoes and the refrigerator is full of zucchini. Various chards and herbs are doing fine. A gorgeous chile ristra is hanging in the kitchen.  Beloved Eva gave it to me!  Love that gal!

Another Fine Home Sold in Placitas

With its Top of the World location in the prestigious Overlook subdivision, 8 Six Range Point has that quintessential Santa Fe style that attracts buyers who appreciate this distinctive architecture. The 360 degree views of the Sandias and the Jemez, along with far away mesas, will never get old. A discerning buyer purchased this fabulous home, but there are still many more properties in this place we love.

Recent Sales In Placitas Reflect Uptick in Closings

154 Windmill Trail  is located off of Camino de las Huertas and sold this month. The  custom built home has 3 bedrooms,3 baths, a greatt room, media room, home office, dining room, and gourmet kitchen with granite counters and island, cherry cabinets, stainless appliances,and walk in pantry. The mountain views from this property will surely bring loads of pleasure to the new owners.

The Rains Came

The rains finally arrived at Guillermo's ranch out in Cabezon country.  Year after year, he would hope for rain, but none came. It may be true what they say...be careful what you wish for. It rained a lot in September, and more in early October. The otherwise arid land suddenly got wet and look what happened.  A field filled with glorious golden sunflowers. Of course, it also meant flooded irrigation ponds and lots of soil erosion that left big holes in the ground, but you can't always get what you want.

Gad Zucchs!

How on earth  does one keep up  with the zucchini? We have it for dinner every single night these days  Sauteed, in ratatouille with eggplants tomatoes and herbs, fried, baked stuffed, zucchini bread, zucchini cake, zucchini with collards, chard and meat in a stir fry. Zucchini soup--yum. The pile of uneaten zucchini is just too big right now; our neighbors have had enough. I guess I'll have to compost it. If that doesn't work then I'll have ten times more zucchini in the garden next year.