San Pedro Creek ESTATES  & Overlook

February 8, 2014

Announcing NEW LISTING:

25 Punta Linda (10.25-acres) 3155 sqft, 4-5 Bedrooms, 5 bath, Guest House

Located on one of best streets in the prestigious San Pedro Creek Estates. Perched on the high portion of the massive 10-acres for maximum view. Pure Pueblo style home with Viga ceilings overlooking the red rock canyon vistas and 100 mile view to Santa Fe and Jemez. Large but cozy guest home with kitchen. Enjoy hiking nearby in over 2000-acres combined unspoiled natural open space. Six luscious fruit trees: 2 Cherries, Antique Apple from Maine, Pear Tree, Peach Tree & Plum Tree. Once you walk into the great room and see the view you will be home at last... Welcome to 25 Punta Linda    

May 8, 2013

Time to revisit underappreciated Albuquerque

George Hobica, special for USA TODAY9:54 p.m. EDT May 8, 2013

The historic city of Santa Fe and the artist — and ski bum — haven of Taos get all the love when New Mexico is mentioned. But Albuquerque? Until the hit TV show Breaking Bad came along, I'm guessing most travelers didn't even give the state's largest city a second thought, and those who did were just trying to figure out how to get from the airport to some place else. Too bad they didn't know: Albuquerque is one of the West's most unique cities, a relaxed but interesting town that deserves a lot more attention. If you haven't visited lately, or ever, please do stop by. Here's what I like best about this city on Route 66.

 Multi-cultural before it was hip

 There are precious few places in the United States that remain almost completely true to their heritage; New Orleans is a famous example, but New Mexico's up there, too. Officially founded in 1706, Albuquerque is the newbie around these parts. Matter-of-factly multicultural, the city got its start in what's now known (appropriately) as Old Town; at the neighborhood's center stands the church of San Felipe de Neri. Join the faithful at morning mass - at 7:00 a.m., every day except Thursdays and Saturdays - and soak up the seriously old-school vibe. You don't have to be Catholic to be impressed.

Pending Sales at 2 year peak

July 23, 2012 

Detached pending home sales in the Greater Albuquerque real estate market exceeded 1,000 for the 3rd time this year with an increase of 12% from the previous year, according to the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS®.    Closed sales for detached single-family homes also fared better than the previous year by 4.10%.

June was the 3rd month in a row with year-over-year increases in the average and median sale prices.  The median sale price for June 2012 was $172,700 and the average was $207,679.

"It’s exciting to see this many pending sales", said Marc Guggino, 2012 GAAR President, "and with improved sale prices this may turn out to be a really great year for real estate."

The Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® is the largest local professional trade association in Central New Mexico with nearly 3000 members pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Established in 1921, GAAR is recognized as a leading provider of real estate information services, data and education in New Mexico.

April 23, 2012 

Albuquerque 

1^st Quarter 2012 single-family home sales increased 11.75% from 1^st Quarter 2012, also making it the highest year over year 1^st Quarter gain in home sales since 2008.   Average sale prices saw a 6.26% reduction from 1^st Quarter 2011 while the median price saw a 3.61% drop from the same period.

"The real estate market is ready for good news," said Marc Guggino, President of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS^®, "and this is the third consecutive quarter that sales have improved over the same quarter the prior year" "Supply and demand economics is starting to work," said Guggino. "Inventories are low, interest rates are low and the consumer is anticipating that prices will soon stabilize, all factors that encourage them to get back into the market," he continued.

The Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS^® is the largest local professional trade association in Central New Mexico with nearly 3000 members pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Established in 1921, GAAR is recognized as a leading provider of real estate information services, data and education in New Mexico.

2/21/2012

As of February 2012, Mr. Will Beecher earned membership of the two highest regarded Realtor Groups in the Greater albuquerque Area: Elite 25 Realtors  &  New Mexico Select. These special invitation only memberships is attained by having multiple transactions within the luxury real estate home market.  

Click on the logos below to learn more about these organizations:

1/11/12

by Will Beecher

An Interesting statistic about Sandia Park is the average home price. The 87047 (Sandia Park) Zip Code is the highest valued zip code in all of the East Mountains. Home prices average nearly $500,000. This is important to recognize when looking for property in the mountains just 20 minutes outside of Albuquerque. "Location, Location, Location" is an old saying to never forget when shopping for real estate in the Mountains.  Protecting your investment is important by selecting the established valuable areas to maintain a sound long term investment.

The last home I sold in Sandia Park sold quite a bit below the $500,000 median average and I believe that is why it appraised for 10% higher than the purchase price.  

Feel free to consult me about which areas in the East Mountains to buy and protect your long term stake. With 14 years experience in this specific market, I am a true expert of Sandia Park and the surrounding areas.

More Sales, Less Money, Bottom?

September 30, 2011

By: Will Beecher

The Greater Albuquerque Area Sales in Quarter 3 increased by +15%.  However prices still declined  more than -9%.

The good news is that we are seeing more sales; the bad news is sellers are getting less money for their property.  Even in the East Mountains, which in more of micro-market, closed sales increased by 10%, but prices fell almost -10%.

However, this is interesting data because could this a sign of a bottom?  If people are buying more property but prices declined again even from 2009 levels.  The conclusion is we have finally reached price levels where buyers are willing to buy more property.

This is why 2012 is going to be a crucial year to gauge the market direction.  We need to see stabilization in prices with an increase in closed sales.

Next Stimulus Must Be for the Housing Market

August 23, 2011 

 As investors anxiously wait to see whether or not Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has another rabbit up his sleeve, at least one pro is calling for the next round of stimulus to come from the government rather than the Federal Reserve. "If you look at the economy, it is slowly coming back, but there is one area - a massive area - that has hit this economy for the last two years, and its housing," says Don Hays, President and Chief Investment Strategist of Hays Advisory. He wants policymakers to try something new and different that will jump-start the entire economy, not just the banking sector. As much as stimulus has become a much harder sell in Washington, D.C. these days, I think a populist pitch to prop up housing might just catch on. Hays is particularly fond of a proposal that is being circulated by Ed Yardeni that would make rental income tax-free for a decade to encourage investment into vacant homes. Given the dubious benefits derived from the first few rounds of stimulus and easing, a handout to housing seems at least worth a try. "We have 2.2 million people in the housing construction industry that are still out of work and cannot get a job so that is the place that has to be stimulated," Hays says. "We think that is the one area that has not had the same long term encouragement." Normally, when economies are rebounding, housing is a locomotive. But this time Hays says it has been a "terrible laggard" that has been left behind. Whether you agree or disagree, the reality is that housing plays an outsized role in our economy and to attempt to repair one without the other just doesn't make sense. As Hays sees it, a shot-in-the-arm for housing would lead to knock-on effect for the broader economy, a spiral-effect that would feed on itself for the better. "People feel more optimistic. Banks start lending. Companies start hiring more and it sort of feeds on itself and that's what we have to have, that stimulus, that fuel, to kick-start the economy." Hays is clear in pointing out that this is not an investment idea, but something for Washington, D.C. to consider as a starting pointing at a time of great hunger for fresh solutions. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Why It's Time To Buy

6/11/11

Wall Street Journal

The Clouds Haven't Quite Parted, But the Long-Term Case for Home Ownership Is Looking Stronger

By RUTH SIMON 

Back in June 2006, when the housing market peaked, the prospect of a five-year national housing bust seemed unimaginable to most people. And yet here we are, with the latest Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller index showing that prices hit new bear-market lows, falling back to 2002 levels nationally and to 1990s levels in some battered regions.

Despite all the gloom, however, there are growing indications that it is a good time to buy. Mortgage rates, which fell to 4.55% for the week ending June 2, according to Freddie Mac, are near 50-year lows. Homes have become more affordable than they have been in years: According to Moody's Analytics, the ratio of home prices to income is now 20.9% lower than the 15-year average through 2010, and 12.5% lower than the 1989-2004 average. A historic glut of homes, meanwhile, has created a buyer's market: There were about 15 million vacant homes in the U.S. last year, according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting Inc.—some 3.1 million more than normal.

San Park Real Estate – Su Casa

6/18/11

San Pedro Creek – 3 Punta Linda, Sandia Park, NM 87047

We are proud to announce that 3 Punta Linda made the cover of Su Casa Magazine!

This fabulous kitchen was designed by the homeowner Dee Madura with Dees Designs.

In addition, this home was my listing, which I recently sold.

Santa Fe County (Sandia Park) Approves Acquisition of Key Open Space and Trail Property in San Pedro Mountains

June 2, 2011

Public and Sandia Park will benefit from new trail opportunities

Sandia Park, N.M. — The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners approved the acquisition of 160 acres of land in southern Santa Fe County at their April 26th Board meeting. This is a major step in plans by Santa Fe County, Campbell Ranch Corporation, the Turquoise Trail Preservation Trust and the East Mountain Regional Trail Council to permanently protect this land located just south of Golden and next to Highway 14, which is designated as the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. The San Pedro property in the East Mountains lies in the foothills of the San Pedro Mountains, containing a mix of pinyon pine, juniper and open meadows and with outstanding views of the nearby mountains, the valley and the Sandia Mountains.

The property is immediately adjacent to 2,200 acres of existing public land in the San Pedro Mountains that is owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The acquisition of the San Pedro property by the County will provide for a public regional trailhead to allow for access to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on the 160 acre parcel, and ultimately, with the collaboration of other land owners, to connecting trails. BLM and the East Mountain Regional Trail Council are currently working together to create a trail plan for this adjacent federal land.

May 07, 2011

$10.5 million signal of real-estate recovery?

Tesuque estate transaction believed to be among most expensive ever in county

Bruce Krasnow | The New Mexican

In a year when Santa Fe home sales are treading water, there are some signs that the high-end market might be in the early stage of a recovery. 

The freshest evidence comes in the sale of a $10.5 million Tesuque estate that had been owned by developer Jay Ross and his wife, Marcia. The couple built the house with designers and materials from all over the world, and it includes an outdoor pool, waterfall, seven-stall horse barn, tack room and horse arena. The sale covered the 10,930-square-foot main residence, a 2,500-square-foot guesthouse, 14 acres of property and a 40-acre conservation easement around the land, as well as an adjacent 2.6-acre parcel. 

The transaction is believed to be among the most expensive residential sales ever in Santa Fe County — perhaps surpassed only by the 20-acre Sol y Sombra property once owned by Georgia O'Keeffe and where she spent the last year of her life. Charles and Beth Miller bought that residence in 1987 from the artist's estate and developed it as a wildlife habitat. 

The Best Retirement Places - Albuquerque 

March 27, 2011

by William P. Barrett

Lists of best places to retire are a popular mainstay of personal finance journalism. Here at Forbes we've published our share, producing rosters focusing on favored locations for retirees seeking an active lifestyle, a foreign residence and even, in the U.S., an urban neighborhood.

More from Forbes.com:

• The Best Retirement Places

• The Best Cities for an Active Retirement

• 10 Steps to Get All the Pension You Earned

As part of the new Forbes 2011 Retirement Guide, our latest offering -- The Best Retirement Places -- considers a wide range of factors but focuses especially on two bottom-line issues: tax burden and cost of living. That's why you won't see any locations in the highest-tax, highest-cost states like California, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Eleven states give special tax breaks to retirees, and we weigh that in our evaluations. This helps to earn spots for Lexington, Pittsburgh and Charleston, S.C. As we see it, the states with the best tax climates for retirees are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

March 3, 2011

There is a glimmer of hope with community sales as of recently. Two spectacular home site lots (land only) recently sold: Lot 40 Phase 1 and lot 39 phase 1 both sold for $240K!  This was far above previous sales, which makes me very optimistic about the 2011 spring/summer/fall season ahead.

Another sale worth mentioning was a home that sold for 775K:  7 Calle Lomita:  Prior to that home sales were coming in bit lower on average.

Please feel free to contact Will Beecher 505-918-5730 or beecha@gmail.com for market updates or a free comparable analysis of your own property.

7 Calle Lomita:

12/29/2010

Elaine's Bed and Breakfast offers charm, elegance, and gracious hospitality in a beautiful three-story log home nestled in the evergreen forests of the Sandia Peaks. The breathtaking Alpine views make this a storybook getaway-ideal for a romantic rendezvous.

Elaine's B&B is tastefully furnished with European antiques. Choose from five distinctive room styles, all beautifully decorated, with just the right combination of comfort and style.

Though the setting seems remote, Elaine's BnB is only minutes from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Located on the historic Turquoise Trail, it's perfect for the vacationer or the business traveler. If you must work bring your laptop and take advantage of our free wireless internet access.

Vacationers can enjoy all the attractions of Santa Fe and Albuquerque plus the historic sites, galleries, and shops along the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway.

Read Reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g46973-d79637-Reviews-Elaine_s_Bed_and_Breakfast-Cedar_Crest_New_Mexico.html

August 21, 2010

Santa Fe Indian Market - World’s Largest – August 21-22, 2010

The Santa Fe Plaza plays host to the most prestigious Native American arts show in the world – the annual Santa Fe Indian Market – Aug. 21-22, 2010. The one-of-a-kind event provides a unique opportunity to buy directly from Native American artists from across the country.

“Santa Fe Indian Market gives New Mexicans and their visitors a genuine cultural experience,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, “and is an integral part of life in the Land of Enchantment. I encourage everyone to experience its wonder and enjoy the beauty of the arts created by this state’s premier residents. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is to be commended for its continued sponsorship.”

The Santa Fe Indian Market has long been the place where Native American art meets the world. Join thousands of collectors, artists, volunteers and visitors who return from across the United States and the world to join in the festivities that celebrate American Indian culture and artistry.

The Housing Market ISN'T Rolling Over

June 25, 2010 

by Aaron Task

Fears of a double-dip in housing took on renewed urgency Wednesday after the government reported May new home sales plummeted 33% to a record low.

"That new home sales would decline in May following the expiration of the home buyers [tax] credit is not at all surprising," commented Dan Greenhaus. chief economic strategist at Miller Tabak. "However, we would be lying if we said the size of the drop was not shocking."

Coupled with Tuesday's disappointing report on existing home sales - down 2.2% in May vs. expectations for a 6% rise - the new home sales report confirmed, for many, that the government-sponsored housing recovery has run its course.

Not so, says Jim Gillespie, CEO of Parsippany, NJ-based Coldwell Banker, the nation's oldest real estate company.

"No, the housing market isn't rolling over," Gillespie says.

While you'd expect a real estate executive to be bullish on housing (now and forever), Gillespie provided a rational for his optimism:

March 19, 2010

HGTV's Dream Home Winner 2010

She lost her home during Hurricane Katrina.  But 63-year-old Myra Lewis refused to give up.  She's used to fighting the odds.   As the mother of a special needs kid, Lewis was told when her autistic son was just five, that he wouldn't be able to learn.  He's a gifted artist now, and finishing up his Associates Degree in Fine Arts.  Despite the hardships that the New Orleans native has had to deal with, Lewis, a self-described homebody, thinks she is one of the luckiest people alive.   She's the winner of this year's HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, worth $2 million.  Along with the beautiful, Pueblo-style home near Santa Fe, New Mexico, the prize package includes a new GMC Terrain, and $500,00.

Lewis, is a former science teacher and Peace Corps volunteer.

The 10 Must-Have Features in Today's New Homes

by Steve Kerch

Monday, February 1, 2010

The kitchen is still king.

Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday's most popular rooms -- such as home theaters -- from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show here this week.

"This is a traumatic time in this country and the future isn't something we're 100% sure about now either. What's left? The answer for most home buyers is authenticity," said Heather McCune, director of marketing for Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Ill.

Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces and not rooms and homes that are designed 'green' from the outset," she said. The key for home builders is "finding the balance between what buyers want and the price point."

For many buyers, their next house will be smaller than their current one, said Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio, Texas. Large kitchens that are open to the main family living area, old-fashioned bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and small spaces such as wine grottos are design features that will resonate today, she said.

Enchanting Contemporary New Mexican Home Awaits Winner of HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2010

December 15, 2009 5:09 PM ET

All Business Wire news

A new, contemporary Pueblo-style home, as enchanting as its southwestern location near Santa Fe, New Mexico, awaits the winner of the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway 2010. The home is part of a $2 million grand-prize package that includes a 2010 GMC Terrain and $500,000 that will be awarded to one lucky viewer in March. Until then, online users can see a photo gallery and a 360-degree virtual tour of the 14th annual HGTV Dream Home at HGTV.com/dreamhome.

Located in Sandia Park along the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, the custom-designed 3,900 square-foot home mixes southwestern architecture with modern design. Created with the bold, innovative ideas, architecture, art and design that make HGTV Dream Homes so exciting and unique, the newest home includes hardwood flooring, a state-of-the-art kitchen, designer furnishings, outdoor entertaining space, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a home office, home theater and a guest casita. In addition, the entire house is solar-powered, taking advantage of the abundance of New Mexico sunlight.

FULL STORY LINK: Albuquerque's Isleta Casino To Become Hard Rock

Hotels, 10/14/2009 12:26:00 PM

Isleta Casino and Resort in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is being rebranded as a Hard Rock, Isleta officials have announced.

The change to Hard Rock Albuquerque will become official in the spring. It will be the only Hard Rock-branded property in New Mexico.

>Watch Video

Outside Magazine, August 2009

Best Towns 2009

America's Best Cities: Albuquerque, New Mexico

No. 6

By Justin Nyberg

KEY STATS 

845,000: Population (metro)

$182,000: Median home price 

B: Multisport grade 

278: Average number of sunny days

A few cities in the Southwest enjoy their own versions of Albuquerque's main attractions: a surplus of sunshine, mild weather, and easy access to trails, rivers, and mountains—like the 10,678-foot granite escarpment above town. But what sets the Duke City apart these days is stability. Off the speculators' radar, Albuquerque was relatively unscathed by the circus-tent collapse of the housing market, even as its economy—bolstered by growth in the high-tech, film, and renewable-energy industries—has remained stable. The upshot? It now boasts the fifth-lowest unemployment rate among major U.S. cities. And when all those workers are ready to blow off some steam, the city welcomes them with more green space per capita than any on our list—including easy-access singletrack and the 38,000-acre wilderness just east of the city. Plus three ski areas (including the steeps of Taos), fly-fishing in the Jemez Mountains, and Class IV whitewater are all within day-trip range. Take that, Phoenix. It's also a good place to save: The low cost of living and reasonably high wages in professional fields put Albuquerque fifth on Salary.com's list of the best U.S. cities for building personal net worth—meaning you'll have all the more means to gear up for time off the clock. 

Best Places to Live 2009

U.S. News looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do

By Luke Mullins 

Posted June 8, 2009

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. But it's not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.

Albuquerque's clear skies, calm winds, and abundant sunshine present plenty of opportunities to explore its natural splendor. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with more than 700 colorful hot-air balloons. Fourteen area golf courses are open year-round and allow duffers to tee off against spectacular backdrops of volcanoes and mountain peaks. Meanwhile, Albuquerque's foothills and network of trails make the area a wonderful destination for biking. Still, "it's kind of undiscovered at the same time," says Will McConnell of the Albuquerque Bicycle Center.

Friday, May 22, 2009  

New Mexico Business Weekly

Construction is starting on the 2010 HGTV Dream Home give away at San Pedro Overlook, the upscale gated community along the Turquoise Trail north of Sandia Park. The 3,900-square-foot home will be featured on the popular cable television show starting in January and will be featured until it is given away late next spring to a winner who has signed up through the Internet.

The site is in the second phase of San Pedro Overlook, which is part of the sprawling Campbell Ranch development east of the Sandia Mountains. Campbell’s developers aggressively sought to be part of the Dream Home show that has a viewship of 97 million U.S. homes. The Dream Homes are given away annually, but some winners didn’t take them because of tax consequences.

Campbell Ranch has guaranteed to HGTV that it will buy back the home from the Home and Garden network if the winner does not want the $1.5 million home.

Some in the region’s housing industry say the show can throw a national spotlight on the local housing industry and promote higher-end homes that have suffered in the current downturn. San Pedro Overlook is embarking on a third phase of 70 lots, but many of its second phase lots have not been built yet because of the sluggish economy.