Pricing your home right is, as we have emphasized many times before, one of the most crucial aspects of successfully selling a home.Whether you're a buyer or a seller, it's very important to consider what makes the home you want to buy/sell stand out from the crowd, when evaluating its true market value.Remember that savvy buyers know it's wiser to focus on value over price. A home with a high-class feature specification throughout will naturally merit higher pricing than a similarly sized home without these benefits. A quiet, fashionable or well-served location may also factor into this mix. Buying such a home can save potential upgrading/moving in future. When you also factor in that a big difference in price can actually mean little difference in monthly payments over the life of a h... 02/10/2016

When setting out financial plans for your future, it makes huge sense to consider options that will allow you to earn passive income - in other words sources of regular personal income that require little effort to maintain them. This naturally becomes even more important as the retirement years loom even closer.If you're considering the development of a passive income stream, there's one really powerful essential truth you need to be considering.Whereas mortgage rates can remain fixed for the entire period of a home loan, rentals are subject to increase every year. This means that your monthly costs can remain the same while, over time, your passive income continually goes up.​Remember, too, that mortgage interest rates are still extremely attractive and at the moment they are actually... 02/09/2016

As we have often demonstrated in these blogs, not all REALTORS® are cut from the same cloth and you really do need to closely examine what they can actually offer you in your home sale and/or purchase. Click here for a list of what a top class realtor will do for you.A recurring theme in our articles centers around the willingness of your realtor to go the extra mile for you, in an effort to ensure you achieve your property goals, whether you're looking for the perfect home or the ideal investment.For example, as a Keller Williams agent we have priority access to an elite group of agents who are presenting Albuquerque area properties in your price range.You may be very surprised to learn that these homes are often not even found in the multiple listing service (MLS). Work with us and we... 02/09/2016

 Since 2009, the average monthly mortgage principal and interest costs have fallen below average rental rates.Indeed the gap today is wider than it has been at any time in the past 22 years.This means it's probably a better time than ever to consider stop working so hard for your money and to begin making your money work for you by investing in property for rent.With mortgage rates remaining low and defying the predictions of seasoned financial experts, there's arguably not a moment to waste if you have your eye on starting or expanding your own portfolio.Whatever your ultimate investment goals may be, you simply cannot ignore the fact that home prices in the Albuquerque area are on the increase - see here - so you can reasonably expect to see your equity grow almost as soon as you purc... 02/08/2016

With energy bills becoming even more expensive, the importance of energy efficiency has grown exponentially, as a key component of many home buyer's wish lists.​This is indeed part of a global trend. In Britain, for example, every home that comes onto the market is required to have its "carbon footprint" measured, as part of the UK's strategy of cutting carbon dioxide emissions.Although there are no signs of the same idea being adopted here, Americans are fast becoming more environmentally aware, especially in terms of how energy saving measures can significantly lower monthly household expenditures.The top three most requested green features buyers are now looking for are:- Double pane windows- Insulation- Efficient heating and cooling systems Clearly if you plan to update your home be... 02/08/2016

Click the link to catch up with our latest real estate blog posts.  02/06/2016

​If there is one single piece of advice we always like to give to all prospective buyers it is, quite simply, to get pre-approved for home finance.There are so many benefits to this approach.Crucially, you are going to be very taken seriously by any seller as you are demonstrating your ability to purchase the home in question. Indeed if, as is increasingly happening in the Albuquerque area, you are in competition with other buyers, having pre-approval in your pocket can give you a vital edge.  You will also benefit from a potentially more focused home search. Indeed, in many ways pre-approval defines your search criteria for you, as you know with far more accuracy what is affordable and, therefore realistic to view.Perhaps we should emphasize at this point that there is a fundamental co... 02/05/2016

No one would say that the current turbulence in stock markets is a good thing, however this has given rise to a fresh wave of risk aversion that is undeniably benefiting home buyers and sellers right now.This is the fifth straight week that we have seen falls in mortgage rates, which are now near to 3 year lows for a 30 year home loan (currently around 3.5% according to Zillow).All the turmoil in markets has provoked investors to once more seek safe haven investments with minimal risks. This has made bonds an increasingly popular choice of late and seeing as increases in bond prices typically result in falling mortgage rates, we've been tracking a progressive decline in rates from around 4% at the start of 2016 to the current very low levels. Not even increasingly encouraging jobs data,... 02/05/2016

 When buyers search for homes online, they typically type in a few criteria such as the required number of bedrooms and bathrooms.The resulting search results are invariably grouped in price brackets, often displayed in $10,000 or $25,000 increments.What's crucial to understand here is that these brackets drive what buyers actually see.If your home is priced out of its optimal price bracket, the optimum potential buyer could miss your home among hundreds of others that may be larger, newer and have more features and amenities in comparison to yours.Bottom line: By pricing your home in the next price bracket it could be eliminated without ever being seen by the right buyer.These simple facts certainly account for thousands upon thousands of disappointed sellers, baffled as to why their s... 02/04/2016

 Perception and reality can often be very different.This is especially true in the homes market with a commonly held expectation that first time buyers need to find 20% of the value of their desired residence.Well if that's been your perception, we're so happy to kindly suggest that you think again!A recent survey unveiled that two thirds of first time buyers paid 5% or less!!!As the housing market steadily improves, low down payment mortgages are making a comeback, through a wide range of innovative finance products and well established Government backed programs. Indeed, in certain individual situations it's even possible that you won't need to put any money down at all!And when you factor in that mortgages are still near to historic lows, you might well be asking yourself what is sto... 02/03/2016

 At Everest Peak Realty @ Keller Williams, we'd be the first to agree that technology is a wonderful thing for the real estate business.We have a very strong internet presence (this website and blog being a prime example), we send out electronic property flyers and carry out highly targeted email campaigns, in addition to a wide range of other premium marketing activities.Hopefully your current agent will also be doing at least some of the above. Chances are, however, that he or she may not be going that extra mile for you in other ways.We do something most agents don't!While we totally embrace technology, we also believe that some core real estate selling principles never change. Every day we are on the phone for hours, calling people on our database and your neighbors to see if someon... 02/02/2016

It's February already and doubtless many of you are now more seriously considering either buying a home for the first time, upgrading or even downsizing.Wherever you stand in that equation, today we'd like to make five suggestions that will help you make the best decisions when it comes to defining your choice of where next to reside:Research possible home locations - Knowing where you'd like to live is a great start to looking for a home. The internet is a huge, almost infinite resource in this regard and you can find out almost anything about an area, even down to important considerations like reported criminal activity. It also makes total sense to travel around and get a feel for the areas you are considering. Talk to the locals about what's good, and not so good, about the location... 02/02/2016

A lot is always made of how things seem to be more expensive than ever. Well, it's true that the cost of so many of life's essentials has gone up in recent years, but is this a completely true perspective?In 1991 it took almost 60% of the average family's budget to buy a home. Fast forward to today and that figure is just 40%! An interesting statistic, to say the least.So if you're interested in buying a home, there's definitely a strong argument that history is on your side, and that's before you've taken into account what is actually happening right at this minute in the Albuquerque area homes market.This week mortgage interest rates took yet another dip and they are now the lowest they have been all year, and that's near to historic lows. If you'd like another historic perspective, b... 02/02/2016

Despite the FED raising its interest rates for the first time in many years... They are still at near historic lows and it's worth bearing in mind they are currently less half what they were in 1990!Despite many predictions to the contrary, the diminution in Federal support for the housing market just hasn't resulted in the anticipated big hike in interest rates. A cocktail of variable economic indicators and uncertain international affairs have certainly contributed to keeping rates at such affordable levels.This is a continuing feel good news story for both buyers and sellers.Home seekers are still finding that the cost of financing is very, very attractive, making this an excellent time to have your home on the market.Of course there is always the standard proviso that rates can very... 02/01/2016

  The thought of the long term commitment of a mortgage can of course be frightening, but if you're renting, in many ways you're already paying what amounts to a mortgage.Problem is, you are building the equity of your landlord every time you pay your rent.And consider this - if you stay in the home you buy for more than ten years, you could literally save yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars, bearing in mind current interest rates and property value appreciation levels.Still need to be convinced? Well click here and punch in some likely figures into Trulia's Rent vs. Buy calculator and you'll very graphically see how, in most situations, renting is definitely not the option of choice.Remember also that the general trend for shrinking rental inventory means that landlords can be mo... 02/01/2016

 Albuquerque Realtor John McCormack Knows Desert Ridge Place Real Estate Market. YouTube with sound featuring a home in the Desert Ridge Place  Albuquerque Homes Realty and Realtor John McCormack have another home in the gated community of Desert Ridge Place listed, sold and closed.  This particular home that is now closed is located at 8204 Moon Ridge NE Albuquerque NM 87122. No worries others are for sale simply contact us for more details.   Some of the homes in the quiet and gated community of Desert Ridge Place have amazing Sandia Mountains views.  Which is always a huge plus to many.  The homes are well maintained and the curb appeal is outstanding in this NE Albuquerque gated subdivision.  The residents in the Desert Ridge Place gated community take pride in their homes and it sh... 02/01/2016

 We won't paper over the cracks, choosing a home can be a nightmare - if the process is not handled in an organized and thorough manner.Everest Peak Realty @ Keller Williams exists to make the path to home ownership as smooth as possible, turning a nightmare into a pleasant dream.We're experts in knowing what's available in the Albuquerque area - even if it's unlisted. We also know if the home you're considering is incorrectly priced. We can also guide you through the maze of financing options that may be open to you and negotiate the price and terms you want.At the end of the process, we know the in's and out's of what's in the plethora of documents required at closing.So, our first tip is to choose your realtor wisely. Naturally we'd be delighted to assist.There are also some other ke... 01/31/2016

I wasn’t sure I would catch up with any Rainers today to finish up with Debbie’s Ringing and Singing in the Rain Contest. But, I was fortunate to reach John McCormack from Albuquerque, New Mexico this afternoon while he was catching up on some down time. I had noticed that John hadn’t posted anything recently in the Rain, and this was a good opportunity to visit with him to see how things were going.  I had known John and Debbie since 2011 when I joined Active Rain, since they were very active in posting content for their blog on a daily basis, and commenting on other Rainer's posts. He was and still is the person I would recommend for anyone looking for a real estate professional in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. John has been a broker for some 10 years, and he and Debbie opened and... 01/31/2016

 Every month, we devote a whole blog to the latest monthly real estate statistics published by the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors (click here for the most recent post).Today we'd like to take a somewhbat wider angle view by looking at the findings of the GAAR's recent review of the 4th Quarter of 2015. This has the benefit of smoothing out some of the peaks and troughs of the monthly reports, so we can see key sustaining trends more vividly.There were two distinct highlights of the figures. Detached home sales rose by 12.72% in comparison with Q4 of 2014, while the median sale price rose by 2.86%, compared with the same period. A very creditable performance and justification of what we've been saying for some time about right now being such a great time for sellers.Very muc... 01/29/2016

The majority of home buyers are first time purchasers.This means that if your home fits the likely profile of a rookie home owner's needs, you really should ensure that it is being effectively marketed to this crucial sector.Two thirds of first timers choose a home between 1000 and 2000 square feet, so if your home is in that range we trust that we have your attention.At Everest Peak Realty our standard modus operandi very much lends itself to helping the first time buyer. We forensically examine the buyer's needs and match those to available properties within the appropriate price range.Moreover, by definition a first time buyer is going to need more hand holding through the purchasing process than a seasoned purchaser. Because we take the time to really get to know buyers and discover... 01/28/2016