Eco Lifestyle And Home News – October 2017
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
October 2017 marks tenth edition of Eco Lifestyle and Home Newsletter in its new email only format for 2017. We offer Real Estate & Lifestyle news in the email newsletter covering Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County and beyond.
In this edition, we offer the following:
- Lifestyle: Harvest
- Real Estate Market Update
- Money Matters
- Santa Fe Real Estate News
- Taos County Real Estate News
- Taos Ski Valley Real Estate News
- Home Decor Insights
- Calendar of Event Links for Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County & all around New Mexico
- Entertainment Links for Santa Fe & Taos County
Lifestyle
Harvest
Harvest time is a time of gathering, coming together, the reaping of the results of what we have sown.
Harvest, representing the culmination of the ongoing cultivation, is the final stage of accomplishment. During the harvest we gather up what we have cultivated and assess what has been actualized.
What have we accomplished this year, what has become of the seeds we sowed back in January when we were embracing our renewal, setting a path of awakening?
Harvest marks the end of the growing season and the social importance of this event makes it the focus of seasonal celebrations. Harvest time is a time of gathering, coming together, the reaping of the results of what we have sown.
What are the consequences of our monthly quests during this past 10 months?
For some of us, we set goals to loose weight, eat more healthy foods, exercise more frequently, spend quality time with family, friends and our animal companions. We might have vowed to explore more metaphysical, philosophical or spiritual paths. We may have planned to spend more creative time, self nurture time or volunteer time.
Whatever the seeds we planted earlier this year, how have we tended those seeds?
Are we ready to harvest the fruits of our labor or did we forget to tend our gardens of desire?
Cultivating a life of abundance, creativity, happiness, joy, ease of well-being will serve us all year long, if we tend to our thoughts and actions daily. It is often suggested that all we need to do is cultivate mental happiness, physical happiness and ease of well-being. If we tended this garden daily, we would reap the rewards at harvest time, celebrating the autumn harvest with abundance.
Harvest time for me is the start of the holiday season. Enjoy your autumn harvest!
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
Housing Predictions for 2018
Daily Real Estate News | Friday, September 30, 2017
New homes are expected to be a “primary driver of sales in 2018,” as 1.33 million housing starts are predicted next year—up from 1.22 million in 2017, according to Freddie Mac’s September Outlook report, which gauges future real estate activity. Total home sales are expected to increase about 2 percent from 2017 to 2018, according to the report.
Economists also predict that the uptick in housing starts, coupled with a moderate increase in mortgage rates, will help slow the run-up in home prices next year. Freddie Mac forecasts a 4.9 percent increase in home prices in 2018, lower than the 6.3 percent growth seen so far this year. Mortgage rates also are up from near-record lows in 2016, prompting predictions that refinancings will fall to 25 percent of mortgage activity in 2018—the lowest share since 1990, according to Fannie Mae.
Still, homeowners likely will continue building equity next year. In the second quarter of 2017, the dollar volume of equity cashed out was $15 million, up $1.2 million from the first quarter. As home prices rise, cash-out activity has been rising, too.
“The economic environment remains favorable for housing and mortgage markets,” says Freddie Mac chief economist Sean Becketti. “For several years, we have had moderate economic growth of about two percent a year, solid job gains, and low mortgage interest rates. We forecast those conditions to persist into next year.”
Source: “Looking Ahead to 2018,” Freddie Mac Outlook (Sept. 21, 2018)
In the coming months, here at Kachina Mountain Realty, we will be announcing a new housing development that will be in the forefront of sustainable building & lifestyle.
We have several projects that will be unveiled in the coming months.
Money Matters
Mortgage Daily News Reports:
Hard to believe it’s already that time again, but Freddie Mac’s Economic and Housing Research Group are out with their forecast for 2018. The headline is that they expect the economic environment to remain favorable for housing and mortgage markets, with moderate economic growth of about two percent, solid job gains, and low mortgage interest rates. In other words, Deja vu all over again.
There will be, they say, three trends driving the 2018 mortgage market: an increase in purchase mortgage volume; cooling of rate refinance activity, and more borrowers tapping their home equity. They put forward specific expectations for each.
Increases in the volume of purchase mortgages will be the result of modest gains in both home sales and home price growth. Thus far in 2017, home sales are the highest in a decade, but are unlikely to grow by much going forward. Inventory problems will continue to limit sales in the short term and longer-term trends like the aging of the population and declining mobility across all age groups will hold down existing home sales. New home sales will become a more important force once single-family construction picks up. Freddie Mac forecasts home sales, both new and existing, will increase by about 2 percent next year.
Home price growth has been strong. FHFA reports growth in its House Price Index (which includes Freddie Mac’s purchase mortgage price data) at 6.6 percent from the second quarter of 2016 to the same period in 2017 and, in some markets, prices are up 10 percent on an annual basis. Freddie Mac sees gradual gains for residential construction and moderate increases in mortgage interest rates reducing price growth next year to an average of 4.9 percent.
Recommended Mortgage Lender
Francis Phillips, NMLS #193642, is Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with First Choice Loan Services Inc. in Santa Fe. He has served as director of business development for national mortgage companies. He and his mortgage partners have funded and built three homes for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. Contact him at francis.phillips@fcloans.com or 505.982.3400.
First Choice Loan Services Inc. (NMLS# 210764), a Berkshire Bank Company (NMLS# 506896 / Member FDIC), is located at One Tower Center, Floor #18 East Brunswick, NJ 08816. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is registered or exempt from state licensing in the states it originates mortgage loans. Licensed by the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. AZ BK #0918586. First Choice Loan Services Inc. is not an agency of the federal government and is not affiliated with your current lender. All loans are subject to credit approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are current, but are subject to change and may expire without notice. Other restrictions may apply. All applications must be submitted in writing. This advertisement is not a loan disclosure and all disclosures provided after applying should be reviewed carefully. This is not a commitment to provide a loan approval or a specific interest rate.
Santa Fe Real Estate News
With Aldea build-out almost complete, the inventory of lots has dwindled to about 9 lots that are currently for sale. Homewise is almost complete with the construction of their homes on the lots they bought a few years back.
Resale of homes in the higher price range of $600,000 to $849,000 is dominating the market, yet sales are sluggish in this range, topping out at $625,000. With these 13 homes listed, 8 of the homes have been on the market for more than 90 days. Watch this higher end market as this sales trend will determine much of the future sales in Aldea in this higher price range.
Currently, I have 7 of the last and best remaining Aldea view lots. 2 lots have already SOLD!!! If you have ever considered building your Santa Fe dream home, now you have some amazing view lots in which to choose. Aldea is 98% built out and up until now, there have not been a lot of choices for view lots, as most have already been built on. Now you have a great selection of view lots in which to choose to build your dream home, before they are all gone!
For more information visit the website: Aldea Lots For Sale »
Location Map of the Aldea Lots
7 Aldea Lot For Sale – 2 SOLD
The Barranca Lots: 4 Amazing View Lots!
9 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700363 | Listing Price: $100,000
7 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700364 | Listing Price: $110,000
5 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.180 | MLS #201700365 | Listing Price: $110,000
3 Camino Barranca | Lot Size Acres 0.210 | MLS #201700366 | Listing Price: $95,000
Avenida Frijoles 2 View Lots
134 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700371 | Listing Price: $85,000
136 Avenida Frijoles | Lot Size Acres 0.200 | MLS #201700370 | Listing Price: $80,000
Avenida Aldea View Lot
101 Avenida Aldea | Lot Size Acres 0.230 | MLS #201700369 | Listing Price: $85,000
Arroyo Privado View Lot
4 Arroyo Privado | Lot Size Acres 0.190 | MLS #201700368 | Listing Price: $85,000
Arroyo Privado Patio Home Lot
9 Arroyo Privado | Lot Size Acres 0.093 | MLS #201700367 | Listing Price: $57,500
Aldea Stats
2017 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 13 Homes, DOM 114 | 2 Lots, DOM 122
PENDING: 0 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 16 Homes, Avg $609,7507 | 9 Lots, Avg $88,888
Aldea de Santa Fe consists of 345 acres, with 205 acres of perpetual open space with 13 miles of walking trails, basketball & tennis courts, community center, (which offers yoga classes, exercise equipment & gathering space for events), a local cafe, superbly located in the high-value northwest corridor of Santa Fe County, with easy access to Highway 599, all just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe.
In 2016, 46 homes sold. As of September 2017, only 13 homes have sold in Aldea. Prices show a listing increase for homes and lots available. Currently there are 16 homes on the market, 0 pending. Out of the 16 listings, 2 are townhouses both below $380,000. One home is listed at $495,000, 5 homes listed in the $500,000 + range, 5 in the $600,000+ range, 2 in the $700,000+ range and 1 in the $800,000 range. Days on the market range from a high of 264 to a low of 25 DOM. Price per square foot for single family homes ranges from a high of $265 to a low of $180 per square foot. Out of the 13 homes that sold, only 2 were in the $600,000+ range, and 2 in the $500,000+ range, 3 in the $400,000+ range and 6 in the $300,000+ range. Clearly the popular price point is in the $400,000+ and below.
Las Campanas Real Estate News
2017 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 63 Homes, DOM 173 | 8 Lots, DOM 56
PENDING: 13 Homes | 9 Lots
LISTED: 64 Homes, Avg $1,407,475 | 85 Lots, Avg $138,740
There are currently 64 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 21 Homes under $1,000,000
- 43 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 85 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 35 Lots under $100,000
- 50 Lots over $100,000
Las Campanas recently announced the release of the first new custom home neighborhood in over 10 years! Black Mesa, is their new 44 acre neighborhood consisting of 25 larger, estate sized mountain and golf view properties. The minimum size home in this section will be 2,500 sqft, with lots ranging from 1.02-2.58 acres. The property contains a centerline crest that rolls down in both directions off the roadway, creating dramatic unobstructed views.
Overlooking the sweeping mountain vistas of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains, Las Campanas’ new Black Mesa neighborhood offers a unique collection of homesites boasting the largest lot sizes in the best section of the Las Campanas property with awe-inspiring mountain views and centrally located to their finest amenities: golfing and the Hacienda Clubhouse.
Let me take you on a tour and arrange a stay at Las Campanas!
Marketing Properties, Not Just Listing Properties
If you are thinking of selling your property, why not list it with a realtor who will market the property, not just list it in the MLS? By actively marketing your property, the property gets the most exposure to other realtors and to the general public through online blogging, email campaigns & the typical MLS exposure.
Call me, Dianne, 505.603.9300, to discuss your property needs, or for a tour of Lots & Homes in Aldea, Las Campanas and the Santa Fe region.
Visit the website for Santa Fe information: RealEstatePropertiesSantaFe.com
Taos Real Estate News
Real Estate Summary For Taos Area
Sales are slowing down for the main real estate season along with the summer tourist season ending.
Winter ski months brings a whole new group of tourists to the area with its increase of real estate sales. The in-between season is in full swing as the area gets ready for the winter 2017-2018 sales.
Here are some stats to consider:
Total Number of listings sold to date:
August – September Sales:
Price Comparion: Listing Price to Sold Price & Days on the Market Stats:
** Greater Taos Valley including Taos Ski Valley (excluding Angel Fire, Black Lake, Chama and Red River).
** Greater Taos Valley including Taos Ski Valley (excluding Angel Fire, Black Lake, Chama and Red River).
Taos Ski Valley Real Estate News
Featured Listing
Homesites Available
The Kachina Mountain Lodge (KML) project has been thoughtfully master planned to include five Euro-alpine Wilderness Eco-Homes, a three-unit Eco-Townhome Lodge and unique regenerative Permaculture Landscaping that includes demonstration greenhouses for growing food year-round.
Each wilderness Eco-Home possesses a distinct character that welcomes the natural warmth of a sunny south exposure and breathtaking mountain views through generous passive solar curtain wall glass. Architecturally designed with a Permatecture philosophy to be environmentally conscious, hand-hewn and sturdy, KML’s authentic euro-alpine wilderness residences contain many sustainability features, fire-wise details and the timeless qualities of whimsy, elegance and permanence.
Conceived as the first sustainable development project in Taos Ski Valley, KML homes will be heated by active and passive solar sources, including regenerative annualized geo-solar. All KML homes also offer easy ski-in/ski-out access.
This project is fully approved and entitled for construction. One KML homesite is already reserved. And only Four competitively priced to-be-built homes remain available for sale to investors who would like to get involved with Taos Ski Valley’s exciting development opportunities. All homesites include creative flexible designs that are already approved by the Village of Taos Ski Valley!
Visit the website for floor plans and detailed information. Kachina Mountain Lodge »
Home Decor Insights
Celebrating Autumn
It’s harvest season where all things related to autumn are celebrated. Get into the mood by taking action with the following steps:
1. Decorate your home. Collect autumn leaves and pumpkins, then use them to decorate your dinner table, windowsills or any surfaces. Buy a horn or plenty, a woven horned basket, and fill it with autumn produce such as apples, grapes, barely, wheat and baked bread. You could pick wild grass such as wild barley, tie it up in bunches and use it to decorate your rooms.
2. Have traditional autumn meals. Have warming autumn soup for a healthy lunch or dinner, bake bread, muffins and casseroles for dinner and apple or pumpkin pie for dessert. Serve meals with seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, leeks and spinach.
3. Consider what autumn means to you. Research what autumn and harvest means to different cultures and find one which suits you best so you can direct your feelings towards this season and learn more about it. Take a drive in the countryside to experience autumn season. Have a day out there. Check out if there are any harvest festivals in your local area such as the Albuquerque balloon festival October 7-15.
4. Take an Autumn nature walk. Plan a picnic in nature. Make a hot cider to to drink at your picnic and bring home some leaves from your days outing.
5. Make a bonfire and spend time outdoors,. Dress in warm clothes and find a place where you can make a bonfire and hang out as the sunsets.
Check out Pinterest and explore a whole new way to spend your time online and check out my Pinterest page: KachinaRealty Happy pinning!
Calendar of Events
New Mexico has long been a center for arts, culture, classes and gourmet food. With such a strong art market, there are hundreds galleries to explore and experience, along with a wide selection of thriving restaurants. Our Museums feature culture, history and traditions of the region and the world. Santa Fe, Taos County and beyond have something scheduled every day & night of the week, all year long.
Santa Fe »
Entertainment
If there’s one thing you can count on when spending time in New Mexico, it’s the treasured experiences and wide selection of entertainment: music venues, great sporting events, theatrical and musical entertainment as well as year-round festivals.
From festivals, music concerts and dance performances to theatrical offerings by local and touring groups, the performing artists work hard to keep its locals and visitors entertained by both New Mexico performers and acclaimed stars from around the world.
Santa Fe »
About Kachina Mountain Realty
I am passionate about real estate development. I consider myself a “Dream Maker”, and strive to help my clients manifest their dreams and lifestyle goals.
I believe that, “…the dreams which accompany all human actions should be nurtured by the places in which people live and work”.
To promote this possibility, I encourages my clients to develop and share their dreams and lifestyle goals as part of the process of selling, buying or investing in property.
I have over twenty-nine years of business experience as an executive producer, web architect, social media marketer, business developer, architecture assistant, real estate marketing developer and real estate consultant.
I am a licensed real estate qualifying broker for Kachina Mountain Realty & an accredited ACRE® real estate consultant. I have worked in the Santa Fe & Taos real estate market for years. I specialize in working with buyers and sellers who are looking for a solid real estate investment.
Contact me, Dianne McKenzie, for your real estate transactions & let me help you manifest your dreams!
I am readily available by cell phone, text, (505.603.9300) & email. I return calls promptly, seven days a week!
Top Producer for the 2016 year!
I received an award for “Top Producer” for 2016 from Chris Landers of Equity New Mexico. I am very grateful to all my clients who trusted me with their business.
While the Equity New Mexico real estate office on Aldea Plaza has closed, Kachina Mountain Realty is ready and available for tours and information. KMR will be opening an office later this year. In the meantime, as always, all real estate information and printouts of listings for Aldea, Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County and beyond are still available, just free for the asking. I can email you PDF listings per area, any time, once requested. Even better, I can take you on a tour of the properties you would like to visit. I represent Buyers and Sellers. Call me for a consultation today.
