by Michael Umphrey on July 9, 2010
Here’s a photo of Tonia, Nick and Oscar on a hike to the waterfalls in Rio En Medio, New Mexico. Our new favorite!
“A house is made of walls and beams;
a home is built with love and dreams.”
– Unknown
Even during the uncertain housing market of recent years, 90% of surveyed homeowners maintained that their house is a source of comfort in their lives. Have you ever stopped to think about why so many Americans make it a goal to buy a home one day? This month’s Item of Value explores the reasons why the idea of homeownership is important to so many people. It shows the immense impact that the home construction and sales industries have on our national and regional economies, as well as how ownership helps build strong local communities. It also discusses the personal and financial benefits for individual families.
I hope that you find this topic as interesting as I do, because in my work I get to see what owning a home really means to people every day. Feel free to call and discuss your personal home ownership goals and how I can help you reach them.
Here are the latest Absorption Rates for homes and land in Santa Fe and Santa Fe County
I’ll see you in the neighborhood,
Michael Umphrey
by Michael Umphrey on May 1, 2010
With style and flair the owner has transformed this beautifully sited home into a sexy, contemporary hideaway in the pines. Your bound to be enchanted as soon as you arrive and see the African Mahogany front doors, Maple wood floors and the exquisite landscaping. Completely remodeled in the last two years, you’ll find all new Pella windows, new Jennaire appliances, recessed lighting, Dining Room, French doors, a very open floor plan and an insulated garage. Here’s a home I can rave about.
PRICE $437,000
by Michael Umphrey on April 28, 2010
The North Hills – The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Swirled beneath a fathomless night of bright, whispering stars is an area of Santa Fe known to the folks who live here simply as the North Hills. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are part of the southern tip of the Rockies and this neighborhood is not only in that range but in the city limits. From Bishop’s Lodge Road turn right on Valley Drive and wind your way through a surprising assortment of architectural styles. Northern New Mexico pitched roofs, Mediterranean tiles, and Contemporary Pueblo all pepper the hillsides. Some of the attractions here are larger wooded parcels , the proximity to walking trails and arroyos the ease of biking and walking to town and the superb views sunset and mountain views. Driving into the hills you’ll eventually come to Hyde Park Road leading to the Santa Fe Ski basin.
Be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale In The North Hills
Oil Stains On A Garage Floor
I ran across a tip on how to remove oil stains on a garage floor. Remove the surface oil with cat litter to soak it up. Remove that and then make a paste of hot water and laundry detergent. Scrub it. If you need to, sparingly use oven cleaner. I have lots of tips for use around the house and I’d love to share them. Give me a call at 505.470.4180 if you need any.
I’ll see you in the neighborhood!
Michael
by Michael Umphrey on April 8, 2010
by Michael Umphrey on March 3, 2010
The Santa Fe River-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is still celebrating its 400th year anniversary and is the oldest capital in the United States. Here is an exuberant location where sumptuous elegance can hold the eyes of all who walk these narrow streets into Santa Fe’s little world of light, color and magic. 1500 years ago small groups of people were planting and cultivating corn in the fragility of existence along the Santa Fe River. The water’s source is the ski slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The 46 mile long river gives 40% of the city’s water supply and was a tributary of the Rio Grande until the Cochiti Dam was built. FEMA has nation-wide designations for levels of flood emergency such as areas of 100 year floodzones and 500 year flood zones. In 1767 much of the colonial portion of Santa Fe was devasted by what could be called a 500 year flood, (meaning one could expect a flood once every 500 years). Flow is now released from the McClure Reservoir and the Nichols Reservoir. The lush, natural beauty of the silver threads of water nourish not only the soul of those who come to visit the city but the abundant wildlife, flora and fauna who depend on the living river. And it’s really going to flow this spring! The Santa Fe Ski Basin will be closing for the season on the 4th of April. Click here to see The Live Web Camera at Ski Santa Fe. The packed powder base is 121 inches.
Be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale On The Santa Fe River
Let me introduce you to something extraordinary. Kitchen Angels is an organization dedicated to providing free, nutritious, hot meals to our neighbors in Santa Fe who are homebound and facing life-challenging conditions. To volunteer to cook or deliver, call Joy Martindell at 505.471.7780 and on the web at www.KitchenAngels.org. You’ll be glad you did.
If you need anything at all, feel feel free to call me at 505.470.4180
I’ll see you in the neighborhood,
Michael
by Michael Umphrey on February 16, 2010
Bishop’s Lodge Road-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Heading north from the plaza of downtown Santa Fe is the old stagecoach road to Tesuque. It’s only 5 miles to the village of but the scenic drive is well worth your time. In that hidden, quiet corridor you’ll soon be in a lush valley where you’ll find luxury home sites and Santa Fe style homes peppering the hillsides. If you’re looking for something along the lines of a luxury New Mexico “dude ranch”, Bishop’s Lodge Resort retains the feel of the old west. The Hills at Bishop’s Lodge is the newest 45 acre residential luxury home and condominium development with amenities that include swimming, tennis and riding trails. To build your home here, I can also refer you to J.M. Evans, Inc., the finest custom home builder in Santa Fe. Jim Evans can be reached at (505) 984-1638 and on the Web at www.jmevansinc.com.
Be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale On Bishop’s Lodge Road
As always, if you need anything at all please feel free to call me at 505.470.4180
I’ll see you in the neighborhood,
Michael
by Michael Umphrey on December 12, 2009
Don Cubero Avenue-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico
As the snow spreads over the city of Santa Fe I walk Oscar, our Pug, through our South Capitol neighborhood and along Don Cubero Avenue. The avenue is aglow in a lustrous morning light that paints the elms and sidewalks an amber color. Like something out of a Frank Capra film, the homes here have the flavor of old Santa Fe. Folks are on evening strolls, saying hello from their front porch swings. The smoky scent of Pinon pine fills the air. Doctors, lawyers, artists, call this neighborhood home. Within walking distance are Body, The Railyard, the Plaza and fabulous restaurants. Vinaigrette is a new, chic little dining spot specializing in salads. It’s located at 709 Don Cubero Alley. There are luxury homes in the area too so be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale On Don Cubero Avenue
Michael’s Bit of Real Estate
It’s never too late to start over. Is it time to re-invent yourself? For those of you who like market data, the latest absorption rates for Santa Fe and Santa Fe County are posted and I’d love to discuss them with you. Sales are up and inventory is down. There are higher sales numbers and buyers understand the value of living in the Land of Enchantment. Interest rates are at 40 year low.
My Business-To-Business Referral
This is a part of my work that I really love and that is to be able to refer the best of the best to my clients and friends. This week, let me introduce you to John Salvatierra and his Sustainable Landscape Company. He offers snow removal, stonework lighting, walls and everything in-between for residential and commercial projects. My friends and clients are delighted with him and John is a person I can put my name to. John can be reached at 505.699.0069. Be sure to let him know I referred you and he’ll take extra special care of you. As always, if you need anything please be sure to give me a call on my cell at 505.470.4180.
I’ll see you in the neighborhood,
Michael
by Michael Umphrey on November 21, 2009
Camino De Las Animas – The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico
The smell of the sleeping streets calms me on my morning walk through Camino De Las Animas. Birds sing and the dogs bark. It’s a short lane near downtown Santa Fe with a gorgeous abundance of Victorian, Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture. No less prominent is the home of one of our most famous artists, Gustav Baumann, now owned and preserved by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation. Several homes on this street are included in the National Register of Historic Places. When you come to visit Santa Fe, be sure to take a stroll on this magical street to see why life in this city is so enchanting. While you’re here, be sure to take a look at Homes For Sale In The Neighborhood
Michael’s Minute of Real The President signed an extension and expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit through April 30, 2010. As long as the home is under contract by that date and closing occurs by June 30, 2010 an $8,000 tax credit is available for first-time homebuyers (those who have not purchased a home within the last three years). A credit if $6,500 is available for homeowners who have lived in the home they are selling, or have sold, as a principle residence for five consecutive years of the past eight. These credits are available to buyers with incomes below $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples. Homes valued at more than $800,000 are not eligible. Please feel free to call me for more details at 505.470.4180
My Business –To –Business Referral
Each week I let you know about an outstanding business in Santa Fe. Let me introduce Dr. Chris Fuller of High Country Macula, Retina and Vitreous. Chris is a surgeon most capable for any type of ocular trauma, having travelled the world with ORBIS International, a non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to improving eye care in some of the world’s most remote, impoverished and underserved areas. Let him know I referred you and he’ll take extra special care of you. He can be reached at 505.982.5716. If you need anything, please feel free to call me at 505.470.4180
I’m hoping to see you in the neighborhood. Let me be the first to say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Michael Umphrey
by Michael Umphrey on November 1, 2009
Price: 279,000
Lot 143 Broken Sherd Trail, Monte Sereno, Santa Fe, New Mexico
You’ve just found your luxury home site in Santa Fe. There is a gorgeous abundance of views, light and color, miles of walking trails, paved roads, city water and sewer, cable with high speed internet, buried natural gas and electricity and paved roads. There are architectural plans also available in a separate package. Michael is happy to walk the lot with you.
