When all is said and done, all of the costs of purchasing a home in Santa Fe need to be added up for a total figure. Until you do this, you cannot really estimate how much house you can afford. It is something that a lot of people don't do until the last minute, which can result in some sad moments. You certainly don't want to end up falling in love with a home only to find out that the total cost puts it completely out of your price range.Here are the costs that you're going to have to tally up before deciding on how much you can realistically spend for a home in Santa Fe.1. Getting an appraisalIn most cases you will be responsible for paying for the appraisal fee. The lender will arrange for this appraisal to be done but it will be added onto the final cost.2. Insurance costsIf you ne... 03/08/2012

If you are planning on buying or selling soon you'll have to find a Santa Fe real estate broker that works from the heart. One that is ready to give it his all for you. Settling for anything less is really settling for second best.There are a lot of Santa Fe real estate brokers out there but very few that actually put their heart and soul into making your transaction as perfect as it can possibly be. Finding an broker that will go to bat for you will get you a faster and more profitable deal every time.You see, there are a lot of Santa Fe brokers that are simply in the game for the money. Some are just part -timers that would like to give it their all but can't because they are limited by time constraints. Some brokers are just burnt out, while others, like me, love real estate and love... 03/08/2012

The time is now to buy a Santa Fe condo! The prices are only going to go up the longer you wait. Condos are becoming more popular every day and the good ones are being snatched up pretty quickly. If you are serious about purchasing a condo in the near future the time is now to do so.Santa Fe condos are the wave of the future. As home prices become out of reach for many middle-class families, condos become the perfect entrance point to real estate. It takes a lesser down payment to secure a condo and there are less maintenance costs.Perfect for singles, perfect for families and perfect for...Anyone! There are condo developments that cater to singles, adults only, families and seniors. No matter what stage you are at in your life there is a perfect Santa Fe condo out there for you.Some ar... 03/07/2012

Part of any Santa Fe homes search is going to have to take both your present and future plans into consideration. If you are still young you may not be thinking about your retirement right now, but if you are the type that is thinking of keeping your home forever, your retirement plans are going to have to be examined when you are searching for the right house for retirement in Santa Fe. Plan for your healthOf course you are expecting your health to stay perfect until you are at least 100 years old. This is a positive attitude to take and nobody can fault you for it. The fact is, however, that even if you live to a ripe old age and maintain good health, at some point you may not be as strong as you were at a young age. When you are 85 years old, for example, can you really see yourself ... 03/07/2012

Quail Run, Luxury Lifestyle By Anthony Quail Run is more than an exclusive country club providing elite memberships and luxury vacation rentals; Quail Run is also an award-winning gated community ideal for year-round or seasonal residence. A true indulgence Quail Run offers a myriad of premiere fitness, golf and dining amenities. Quail Run epitomizes gracious Southwestern living. Quail Run has achieved that delicate balance between Old World charm and contemporary amenities. Quail Run lives up to the traditions of Santa Fe art, architecture, beauty, serenity, outstanding cuisine and an unending visual feast. For once, this breathtaking splendor is not at the expense of convenience and comfort. 3101 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505   Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 3 Full, 1 Half, Square Foot... 03/01/2012

Woods Design Builders   By Anthony    An Estate with a Pedigree   In Santa Fe, the name “Sharon Woods,” (owner of Woods Design Builders), conveys the exceptional qualities that only a master designer, builder, and re-modeler can produce. Owning a Woods creation gives your residence an award-winning pedigree. Woods Design Builders have won numerous awards, including:2010 Grand Hacienda Winner in the Haciendas Parade of Homes, Best Craftsmanship award, Best Kitchen award, Best Design award, and Best Outdoor Space award. Elegant living and gracious Santa Fe Style are available across the entire spectrum of Woods Design Builders‘ homes around the city and adjoining countryside. Light and Bright Amenities include: Kiva fireplaces, antique wood doors, hand-troweled plaster walls with beeswax ... 02/29/2012

Ski Santa Fe   By Anthony   Most days at Ski Santa Fe are sunny and mild. You can see hundreds of miles on a clear day. Best of all,  Ski Santa Fe is only a 20 minute drive from downtown Santa Fe.     02/29/2012

Medium Cost GREEN Upgrades By Anthony  Save yourself money and energy in your home. Also save the earth from your carbon footprint and more global warming by improving your home with the projects below.   - Conduct a home and office energy audit - Tune up HVAC - Replace carpet wit no VOC carpet - Replace hardwood flooring with bamboo or cork floors - Install tank-less hot water heater - Insulate attic and other areas - Consider drought-resistant landscaping - Install engineered window shading to reduce heat loss or gain - Buy recycled office products and equipment - Hire a consultant to conduct an assessment of lighting and heating and cooling systems for potential building upgrades and retrofits. - Provide an on-site bike room to encourage environmentally friendly commuting. 02/25/2012

State of Lending 2012   By Anthony    The Lending/Borrowing Equation for 2012   When financial experts speak: it is time to listen. We’re listening, and what we’re hearing is that although the  state of lending has undergone a major transition, the savvy borrower tunes the media out.  Instead,  listen to a financial expert. By collecting advice specific to your situation and to the deal at hand, you will save money, save time, and be ready to jump into the market  at the most opportune moment. We would love to connect you with the right advisor for you. For one expert’s voice, we are excerpting a financial advisor’s comments right here:     Conventional –Of course we still do the standard 80% conventional loans, but we also have low down programs – Fannie Homepath and Freddie Home Possi... 02/25/2012

Santa Fe Architectural Terms   By Anthony    Four hundred years of history in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has led to a evolution of architecture and style. Santa Feans call it “Santa Fe Style”, and below are some of the terms which define our aesthetic:   Pueblo Revival Style – homes with earth colored or adobe walls, flat roof with canales, vigas inside and outside home. Territorial Revival Style – pueblo style home modified with brick coping around roof-line, milled woodwork on window frames, wrap around porch, pitched tin roof. Acequia – irrigation ditch   Alacena – cupboard in adobe wall   Adobe – sun dried earthen bricks   Arroyo – natural watercourse   Banco – adobe bench built to adobe wall   Canales – drain-spouts for flat roofs Casita – small house   Cedros -split juniper for ceiling... 02/24/2012

Consider the 15 year Fixed  by Anthony Financing your home is a strategic decision. Do you go for the 30 year amortization or the 15 year amortization?   Sure the interest on your primary home is tax deductible, but are you building equity and full ownership in short order? A 15 year note will cost you less in interest and build your home equity twice as fast. Ask for financial references and your free financial analysis for your Santa Fe Home.       02/24/2012

Affordable Retirement in Santa Fe by Anthony Most popular retirement locations are now real bargains. To determine where the prices are most attractive, U.S. News & World Report examined price-to-income data for 384 metropolitan statistical areas. This expresses the relationship between owner income and home values. Here are 10 retirement havens where homes are most affordable by this measure: 1. Bend, Ore. 2. Napa, Calif. 3. Fort Meyers, Fla. 4. Fayetteville, Ark. 5. Las Vegas 6. Sante Fe, N.M. 7. Punta Gorda, Fla. 8. Phoenix 9. Santa Cruz, Calif. 10. Burlington, Vt. For more information on Santa Fe properties and relocation package, contact Anthony Atwell. 02/23/2012

Low Cost Green Upgrades July 20th, 2010 by Anthony It is time for everyone to save energy, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint. Start with the items below and stay tuned for more GREEN tips. - Use CFC or LED light bulbs - Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators - Start a compost pile - Plant trees - Insulate hot water heater - Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows - Collect Rainwater to water plants - Paint with low or no VOC paint - Replace filters - Install programmable thermostat - Plant a rain garden - Plant native plants - Place appliances or office equipment on power strip to reduce “phantom” load - Install motion sensors in offices and other common area conference rooms to turn off lights when not in use. - Install water efficient restroom fixtures - Take ad... 02/23/2012

Economic times are changing and along with it are Santa Fe housing needs. More and more people are being let go from their current employment and choosing self – employment as an option. Others head back to school for upgrading or to change careers altogether. This is why Santa Fe homes with offices are needed and wanted by many buyers.Do you have a home with an office on the market?If you do, capitalize on it. Make sure that your advertising shows images of the office space and mentions that one of the bedrooms is being used for this purpose. It is sure to spark some interest from potential buyers that need a room that can be devoted towards study or work.Don’t have an office?Well, if you are selling a 3 or 4 bedroom house you should indicate to buyers that one of these rooms would be ... 02/22/2012

When some people think about the great income opportunities that are available with Santa Fe property investments they are not fully aware of the incredible responsibilities that go along with it. Basically, property management should be viewed as a full time job. You'll either have to prepare to take the time necessary to fill these job shoes or hand over the work to a company.Here are just a few of the many responsibilities a property manager has to deal with.Papers, papers and more papersThat's right, the paperwork is virtually endless. There are documents for basically everything! If a tap is leaking and a plumber need to be called in, for instance, there will be papers that need to be signed by the plumber, the tenant and the landlord. These documents need to be then filed properly... 02/22/2012

Fine Dining   By Anthony    Marching on My Stomach   Santa Fe’s cuisine is world-class, offering everything from continental fare to our own regional inventions that have withstood both the tests of time (400 years and counting) and legions of jet-setting Gordon Ramsays of the culinary world. The beauty of the area’s blend of cooking styles is that the diner can spend a day moving expertly from a hearty sopaipilla stuffed with succulent carne adovada to rainbow sushi and homemade pasta, with a delectable profiterole for dessert.   Each year I conduct a non-scientific “grub crawl” (something akin to a London pub crawl) and try my best to sample all of Santa Fe’s many culinary delights. I know, I know, it is a terrible chore, but someone has to do it! What I find every year is that Santa ... 02/22/2012

Santa Fe History in Photo Archives By Anthony  The Palace of the Governors and the New Mexico History Museum have archived historical photographs of New Mexico and Santa Fe.         Visit econtent.unm.edu and click photo archives.             02/22/2012

Santa Fe Land – Screaming Deals   By Anthony    Building an Estate   Would of…could of…should of…there is no time like the present to make an offer on the most eternal form an investment can take: land. We all know that land in Santa Fe has that special allure that makes its value as an investment so compelling. And the timing could not be better: land prices are down 20-40% over the past three years, with sales volume remaining very low. So if you have been looking for a way to build your portfolio, create your legacy, or just insure a secure future “getaway” location, let me help you scour the majestic hilltops and secluded valleys of the Land of Enchantment to find a place to call your own. 02/22/2012

Every now and then, something wild crosses my path and I stop whatever I am doing even when there are home buyers in my car. The truth is I brake for wildlife. And if I am lucky they have enough patience to wait until I can find my camera and make their image to tell you a story about them. These two failed to look both ways when they crossed the road. Fortunately, I saw them first. Yes, they are deer and very dear to me.These two deer are New Mexico mule deer who live in the northern part of our state, mostly in rural areas. They were very close to town in a pinon covered hilly neighborhood just north of our historic Plaza. Fortunately, they have keen eyesight and good hearing as they paused on the edge of the road when they heard my car. After I stopped, they knew immediately to care... 02/20/2012

15 Best Housing Markets for next 5 years   By Anthony    Santa Fe is included in the 15 best housing markets for next 5 years.     When you take stock of your investments, it is easy to calculate your net worth and track your success over time. But when it comes down to identifying your surefire strategies, you can’t always repeat the “winners” unless your gut tells you that you are on to something. Santa Fe has that “it” factor…that certain “something”…that quality that the French call “je ne sais quoi” (“that the indefinable something”). And the statistics back this up: investing in Santa Fe is a solid strategy that includes rewards both tangible and intangible.         02/20/2012