Eco Lifestyle And Home News – May 2019
Dear Friends, Clients, Business Associates and Neighbors,
May 2019 marks the twenty-ninth edition of Eco Lifestyle and Home Newsletter produced by Kachina Mountain Realty. 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: Forgiveness
- Real Estate Market Update
- Money Matters
- Santa Fe Real Estate News
- Taos County Real Estate News
- Home Decor Insights
- Aeowyn’s Remembrance
- Calendar of Event Links for Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Taos County & all around New Mexico
- Entertainment Links for Santa Fe, Taos County & around New Mexico
Lifestyle
Forgiveness
~ Jack Kornfield
Writing an editorial is a challenging responsibility. The monthly themes are planned for an entire year in the last part of the previous year. So when the month’s editorial theme is due, it always seems like it is a direct link to whatever is going on in my personal/professional life. So here we are with another topic that beckons me to follow the advice and wisdom of those that are more enlightened than I. I turned for inspiration to a former teacher, Jack Kornfield. Below are excerpts from an article he wrote in 2011 for the Greater Good:
“Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.”
“Forgiveness shifts us from the small separate sense of ourselves to a capacity to renew, to let go, to live in love. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “If you want to see the brave, look to those who can return love for hatred. If you want to see the heroic, look to those who can forgive.”
“With forgiveness we are unwilling to attack or wish harm on anyone, including ourselves. And without forgiveness, life would be unbearable. It’s hard to imagine a world without forgiveness, because we would be chained to the suffering of the past and have only to repeat it over and over again. There would be no release.”
“Forgiveness is a deep process of the heart. And in the process, you need to honor the betrayal of yourself or others—the grief, the anger, the hurt, the fear. It can take a long time.”
“Forgiveness is a process. Be willing to grieve, and then to let go. Grief consists of bargaining, loss, fear, and anger.”
“Forgiveness involves a shift of identity. There is in us an undying capacity for love and freedom that is untouched by what happens to you. To come back to this true nature is the work of forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness includes all the dimensions of our life. Forgiveness is work of the body. It’s work of the emotions. It’s work of the mind.”
“Forgiveness involves perspective. We are in this drama in life that is so much bigger than our ‘little stories.’ When we can open this perspective, we see it is not just your hurt, but the hurt of humanity. Everyone who loves is hurt in some way. Everyone who enters the marketplace gets betrayed. The loss is not just your pain, it is the pain of being alive. Then you feel connected to everyone in this vastness.”
Thank you for reading our newsletter & feel free to pass it on to other kindred spirits. ~ Dianne McKenzie
Real Estate Market Update
NAR: Sustainability Sells
Inman News
59% of respondents to a survey among members of the National Association of Realtors said clients were interested in energy efficiency and sustainable housing features.
“Green houses” are not just a niche fad.
Eco-friendly home features have broad appeal among consumers and can play a valuable role in real estate marketing, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest real estate trade group in the United States with over 1.3 million members.
The report, published on Friday, is based on survey responses from 6,047 NAR members. Of the respondents, 59 percent said their clients were “at least somewhat interested in sustainability.” Moreover, 69 percent said that promoting energy efficiency in their listings “was very or somewhat valuable.”
Money Matters
Buyer Traffic Improves, Builders Still Leery of New Home Market
by: Jann Swanson
Builder confidence levels as reported by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) remained in the low 60s in April, a space it has now occupied for three months. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) a measure of confidence in the market for new homes, rose 1 point to 63, continuing to slowly recover from the three year low of 56 it reached in December.
“Builders report solid demand for new single-family homes but they are also grappling with affordability concerns stemming from a chronic shortage of construction workers and buildable lots,” said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde.
“Ongoing job growth, favorable demographics and a low-interest rate environment will help to modestly spark sales growth in the near term,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, supply-side headwinds that are putting upward pressure on housing costs will limit more robust growth in the housing market.”
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Just recently in Santa Fe, a few builders are buying up many of the available lots on the west side of Santa Fe. This indicates that builders have confidence in the upcoming market for new home construction! This is very exciting, as so many builders left the area during the housing crisis. The lot I represent had an offer in just 24 days on the market. ~Dianne
Santa Fe Real Estate News
New Listing
SOLD 9 Days on the Market!!!
Contemporary Custom Home in Aldea
24 W. Camino Esperanza
Single Family Home | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths – 2,986 sqft | Price: $750,000 | MLS #201900642
This soft contemporary custom Santa Fe style 3 bedroom/3 bath home & guesthouse, offers affordable luxury with modern architectural aesthetics, awash with natural light, located on a cul-de-sac in desirable Aldea. You enter this compound through a flagstone courtyard, featuring aspen trees, an outdoor wood burning fireplace, pergolas & water feature.
Coveted for its modern hard-edge lines & open floor plan, these sophisticated lifestyle living/entertaining/dining areas are graced with high-beamed ceilings, a double-sided gas fireplace, diamond plaster finished walls & stained/polished concrete floors throughout.
The gourmet kitchen includes: marble slab countertops, 6 burner Wolf range with pot filler, Subzero refrigerator, Asko dishwasher, Sharp microwave drawer, pantry, stained alder cabinets, eat-at bar/island & dining room.
The spacious master suite with sitting area, includes a gas burning fireplace, doors opening to the deep portal, distinctive master bath with palatial walk-in shower, travertine surround, jetted tub, double separate vanities & walk-in closet.
The guest wing’s 2nd bedroom & house bath are located on the other side of this single level home with access to the courtyard. The casita, guest suite &/or home office is fully self-contained, located across the courtyard with separate entrance, walk-in closet, full bath & wet bar.
Walking through to the oversized 2 car garage, the laundry room includes Bosch washer & dryer, sink & ample storage. All appliances & mechanical systems have been recently serviced.
Located along a greenbelt of open space with aspens & fruit trees, are several outdoor sitting/entertaining areas within the full-length portal, creating a refreshing sanctuary, with spectacular sunset mountain views, south vistas to the Ortiz & Sandia range & east views of the Santa Fe ski basin Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Contemporary Home Features:
Home:
- Single story contemporary custom home
- Gourmet kitchen
- 3 Bedrooms
- 3 Bathrooms
- Master en suite
- Walk in closet
- Plaster walls
- Guest Casita with private entrance
- 2 Car Garage
- Laundry room
- Water softener
- Security system
Yard:
- Landscaped front courtyard, wood burning fireplace, fountain
- Drip System
- Great for entertaining
- Covered portal
- Terraced fenced yard
Heating:
- Radiant floor heating
- 2 gas burning fireplaces
- New heat pump & 75 gallon water heater
Flooring:
- Polished/stained concrete
Appliances: all recently serviced
- 6 burner Wolf Gas Range, pot filler
- Subzero Refrigerator
- Asko Dish Washer
- Sharp Microwave Drawer
- Bosch Washer/ Dryer
Views:
- South, east, & west
- Green belt, open space
HOA Dues:
- $448 Quarterly
- Aldea is only 10 minutes to town
Single Story Home For Sale in Vista Primera Santa Fe, New Mexico | NOW PENDING!!!
7516 Kachina Loop – Santa Fe
Single Family Home | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths – 1,694 sqft | Price: $349,999 | MLS #201803926
Located within the private, coveted and gated family community of Vista Primera, this charming single story, 1,694 sqft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, Pueblo style home reflects the traditional Santa Fe Style. The welcoming private entry front yard offers extensive landscaping and a soothing water feature.
You enter the front door by passing under 100 stars, into a small foyer that opens to a spacious living room with a wood burning kiva fireplace, complete with beam ceilings. The bright and open living/kitchen/dining area is perfect for entertaining. The sunroom, currently used by the owner/artist as a studio, would make a great home office, crafts room or a simply an oasis in which to read and watch the local bird activity.
The entire property is lovingly maintained and landscaped with low-maintenance drip system, mature trees, perennials and water features of both pond and a fountain. The back yard is reminiscent of a secret garden with an ample patio for BBQ’s – a great place for morning coffee and to watch the birds. Southwest ambiance abounds as you dine al fresco in the garden adjacent to a water feature with the seasonal sounds of visiting birds, setting the mood in this tranquil retreat, complete with mature landscaping in a serene natural garden setting.
A wonderful sense of seclusion and privacy is in store for you, in this exceptional home that artfully engages the feeling of a sanctuary with shade trees and a bubbling fountain inviting outdoor gatherings, while upholding the Santa Fe traditions of gracious living, at an affordable price.
Santa Fe Lot with Views
New Listing is Already PENDING!
47 Tierra Grande, Lot 6
Residential Lot 2.76 acres | Price: $ 150,000 | MLS #201901056
Come build your dream home in this private idyllic enclave of exceptional homes before the opportunity is gone.
Tierra Grande is an upscale intimate 16 home community located on the west side of Santa Fe with sweeping 360˚ views. There are only 4 custom homes left-to-be built in this highly desirable neighborhood. Lot 6, 47 Tierra Grande, is a 2.76 acre site with an easy building site for a single level home. The two contiguous lots on either side are built out.
This south facing site has dramatic views to the east Sangre de Cristo mountain range & long breathtaking vistas to the Sandia & Ortiz mountains to the south. West sunset views beckons you to relax & experience the beauty of the Jemez range with the twinkling lights of Los Alamos at night. Flexible covenants allow for a variety of building architectural style options, including northern New Mexico pitched roof, contemporary & pueblo designs.
The property is allowed 2 horses, with access to miles of riding trails. This coveted location, has 2 shared community wells with generous water usage permitted. There is no timeline to build, so secure your piece of paradise now & build when you are ready! HOA dues include road maintenance. Easy access, located 6 miles/12 minutes from the Santa Fe plaza, on paved roads, Tierra Grande loop road will be chipped sealed this summer.
Download the PDF Brochure »
View the website »
Why buy an existing home with lots of compromises, when you can build your dream to suit your needs?
Incredible value & priced to sell!
PENDING!!!
Aldea Stats
2019 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed
SOLD: 5 Homes, DOM 64 | 0 Lots, DOM 0
PENDING: 6 Homes | 0 Lots
LISTED: 3 Homes, Avg $469,000 | 5 Lots, Avg $70,800
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.
Las Campanas Real Estate News
2019 Stats: Sold, Pending, Listed.
SOLD: 13 Homes, DOM 328 | 15 Lots, DOM 234
PENDING: 12 Homes | 8 Lots
LISTED: 32 Homes, Avg $1,556,749 | 55 Lots, Avg $167,106
There are currently 32 homes for sale in Las Campanas.
- 9 Homes under $1,000,000
- 23 Homes over $1,000,000
There are currently 55 Lots for sale in Las Campanas.
- 19 Lots under $100,000
- 36 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!
$1,000 Gift Card Offer
When you choose me to be your Real Estate Agent/ REALTOR®, I will give you a $1,000 Gift Card to the place of your choosing upon successful closing of your Las Campanas Developer Homesite in Las Campanas in 2018*.
A gift card allows my buyers to use it for the purchase of goods or services. It is a thank you from me to you, for trusting me with the most important transaction: the closing of a Developer Homesite in Las Campanas.
- *Offer cannot be combined with any other offers
- *Offer does not apply to past transactions
- *Offer not valid or assignable to third-parties
Pulte Homes in Las Campanas
$500 Gift Card Offer
When you choose me to be your Real Estate Agent/ REALTOR®, I will give you a $500 Gift Card to the place of your choosing upon successful closing of your Pulte home in Las Campanas in 2018.*
A gift card allows my buyers to use it for the purchase of goods or services. It is a thank you from me to you, for trusting me with the most important transaction: the successful search, negotiation and the buying of your new Pulte home in Las Campanas in 2018.
- *Offer cannot be combined with any other offers
- *Offer does not apply to past transactions
- *Offer not valid or assignable to third-parties
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
Visit the Kachina Mountain Realty company main website: KachinaMountainRealty.com
Taos Real Estate News
Experience the Quintessential Authentic Taos Adobe Compound
Main House & Casita: 4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2 Kitchens | 2,024 sq.ft. Interior living spaces | 1,107 sq.ft. exterior living spaces
TCAR MLS#: 101801 | SFAR MLS#: 201802629
Priced to Sell: $380,000
The main dwelling is a charming 1,574 sq.ft. single story territorial style home with 18” thick walls and traces its history to about 100+ years old. Well maintained and lovingly remodeled with modern conveniences, this property possess the following features: city water & sewer, natural gas, granite countertops, stacked washer/dryer, thermopane windows, multiple skylights, forced air heat, gas–log Jøtul stove for additional comfort and ambiance. Diamond plaster walls throughout, with nichos, vigas /wood ceilings, Saltillo tile, wood plank & stone floors, custom arched wood doors, antique style lighting fixtures, and eat-in country kitchen where culinary delights will create memorable experiences.
Southwest ambiance abounds as you dine al fresco in the 563 sq.ft. 15’ deep recessed portal (covered patio with skylight) adjacent to a water feature “stream” with the seasonal sound of a flowing acequia, setting the mood in this peaceful oasis, complete with mature landscaping in a serene natural garden setting. Separate fenced outdoor spaces include an additional south facing portal with yard, a north side portal at the entrance of the home, and an east side yard with a storage shed, useful for gardening or recreational equipment and is included. There are plenty of possibilities to customize this landscape by adding a greenhouse, small orchard, vegetable/flower garden, children’s play area or simply enjoy the graciousness of this very adaptable bucolic setting.
The delightful 450 sq.ft. casita is located over part of the main home with its own private exterior stair access with a pleasant 218 sq.ft. viewing deck overlooking the treetops and the lovely Ranchos pastures, where you can peacefully enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets or a cup of coffee as the sun rises. Rent the self-contained romantic attic apartment casita or use as a personal guest space or office/studio. Amenities include: covered parking, gas-log heat stove, wood plank floors, cozy kitchen, stacked washer/dryer, large skylights, new porcelain fixtures, a sit-in tub with shower, wainscoting and plenty of charm.
This enclave is a perfect investment opportunity for full time or vacation living, excellent location for vacation rental or investment property rental. Several of the rooms in the main house open to the portals with exterior doors and would make an excellent home office or art studio. Ample parking is provided for residents and their guests. Live in one, rent the other or use as a home office, guest house or art studio, the options are flexible and endless! Property has a great rental history.
This quiet neighborhood compound is conveniently located within walking distance to Ranchos de Taos historic district, close with shops, restaurants and is rich in history. Just 4 miles north to the town of Taos, there are more restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, 15 minutes to Taos Pueblo, 25 minutes to Taos Ski Valley, 5 minutes to the Taos country club & golf course, 15 minutes to the Gorge on back roads, this enclave is also convenient to traveling south to Santa Fe & beyond.
View lots of photos: visit the property»
Selling & Buying Real Estate in Taos
If you have been thinking about selling your home, now is probably a good time. Inventory is low and the demand for quality homes is up.
Recently, I have received inquiries from out of town buyers who are researching homes in the Taos area. These buyer profiles are looking to live in a safe community, with a country atmosphere, small homes, with flexible spaces. They are wanting to move to the area, but can’t find the properties that offer amenities that don’t include huge HOA fees. They want walking trails, localized eateries, a small grocery store, community activities and a sense of neighborhood. The are either downsizing their home and retiring or wanting a second home. They are wanting to go smaller, but the quality of their lifestyle and home features are upscale. “Does such a community even exist?” they ask. In the coming months, I will be featuring such a community.
Home Decor Insights
It’s that time of year again! Spring cleaning & organizing is in full bloom, just before summer begins.
Have you been reading about, Marie Kondo’s book The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up: the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,
Kon Mari is not just a best-selling book (and now, Netflix show). It has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring people who would not normally pare down their possessions to throw away bags full of excess stuff. The book centers on Kondo’s particular method of radically decluttering a home or office, popular with her clients and the many attendees of her seminars.
What I have noticed is that my once very full drawer, has more space in the drawer by using the Marie Kondo’s folding technique, even though it holds the same number of items in the drawer. Amazing!
The below article is By Johnna Kaplan
Focused on Discarding Items
Despite the “tidying” of the book’s title, this method is not about neatly organizing your hundreds or thousands of possessions. It’s centered on getting rid of stuff. Kondo’s theory is that the more you can get rid of, the easier it is to tidy up.
A New Mindset
While Kondo describes how to declutter your house physically, she says her tidying technique enables her clients to acquire the mindset needed to stay tidy forever rather than just doing a big clutter dump once a week or once a month (or once a year).
Tidy All at Once
The KonMari method stresses tidying everything at once instead of in small steps. Decluttering your entire space in one fell swoop, Kondo claims, means you will never revert to your old, cluttered ways. She says tidying should be a “special event,” not a regular chore you do each day.
Not About Storage
Tidy by Category, Not Location
One Size Fits All
The KonMari method, when done by the book, cannot be changed to suit your personality. Regardless of the various personal, psychological reasons people accumulate clutter, Kondo says, the solution to it is the same.
A Two-Part System
The KonMari method has two parts: discarding and organizing. Discarding must be done first, in order for the organization to take shape.
Visualization Is Key
Kondo’s clients are asked to imagine the life they want to live and break down each wish (to do yoga every day) by evaluating why they want that particular thing (to relax.)
Choose What to Keep
The KonMari method asks you to choose what to keep, not what to throw away. Holding each item you possess in your hands, ask yourself if it “sparks joy.” Yes? Keep it. No? Discard it.
Work in a Specific Order
When discarding, Kondo says, you must begin with clothes, followed by books, papers, miscellany, and mementos. Within those categories, there’s a further breakdown, for example, in the clothing category you move from tops to bottoms, jackets, socks and so on.
Forever Folding
Kondo’s technique is big on folding. Clothing must not only “spark joy,” but be folded in a specific manner.
Private and Personal
Kondo says you should tidy without letting your family see you, and you should not discard anyone else’s belongings without their permission.
Extreme Solutions
It can sound extreme, especially in the realm of books, papers, and photos. Kondo advocates disposing of almost all papers and documents and keeping only the smallest collection of books and photographs.
Storage Rules
Kondo favors “ultimate simplicity” in storage. These include the guideline that like items should be stored together, storage areas should not be scattered, and stacks (of anything) are to be avoided.
Mystical or Spiritual Component
Kondo believes not only that decluttering can change your life, but that it can result in clearer skin or weight loss. She also says items you are discarding should be “launched” on a “new journey” with a parting ceremony, and that you should “carry on a dialogue with your home while tidying.”
My Thoughts:
I personally like Marie Kondos approach to clutter & her folding technique. I understand that piles of papers make an impossible mess and is not an efficient way to stay organized. At the end of each day I put my files away in a standing position so that when I enter the office in the morning I can see an uncluttered desk…~Dianne
For ideas on decorating with spring in mind, check out Pinterest and explore a whole new way to spend your time online and check out my Pinterest page: KachinaRealty Happy pinning!
While you are surfing the “net” check out Flipboard for a variety of news and lifestyle reading.Aeowyn’s Remembrance
Aeowyn
December 27, 2003 – April 5, 2019
15 years, 3 months old
Dogs
Dedication…
“For all they bring to our partnerships, we want to acknowledge the beloved dogs who have become to so many of us, our families, our friends, our teachers and our healers. We honor them; for their playfulness and joy, for their nurturing and devotion, for their patience and forgiveness, for the opportunity to step outside ourselves and explore through their eyes all that the world has to offer, from a perspective of living in the simple, but perfect present moment. We give our deepest gratitude.”
“Striving to come closer to our common ground with all animals, we commit ourselves to rise above our own self-interest. Recognizing who these precious beings are, shifts our perception from that of having dominion or control over our kin, to that of having the privilege of being entrusted with serving and revering them through the everyday action of our lives, with respect and responsibility, with justice and protection, with balance and attention, with light hearts and deep love. In short, we celebrate these relationships for the love we bring into each others lives, which generates the healing we bestow upon one another, as we walk together on the path toward wholeness.” – BodyWork for dogs Lynn Vaughan & Deborah Jones
We set Aeowyn’s spirit free from all pain and suffering with a celebration of her transition at a sunrise ceremony on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Aeowyn is our best fuzzy pal, our guardian spirit, an amazing service dog and the best part of our life. We are deeply grateful for the love we have shared. Aeowyn is greatly missed.~Dianne & John
“It is with dogs that we permit ourselves feelings
of the deepest joy and the deepest sorrow.
Dogs are not our whole lives,
but they make our lives whole.”
To see pictures of Aeowyn’s life visit the memorial »
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 thirty 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!
