Real Estate Information Archive

If you plan to sell your home in Albuquerque, there's good news. Home prices are increasing, not only in Albuquerque, but in 94% of the major metro areas in America. Here in Albuquerque in the fourth quarter, appreciation climbed by 11%. This was higher than the average gain of 6.6% for the rest of the nation during that same period.

According to a report by the NAR, home buyers in general could more easily afford a mortgage due to lower mortgage rates, which on average was 3.76% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. When you combine those two factors, that means that more home buyers can afford to buy a home, even though prices are appreciating. That's a great combination for home sellers in Albuquerque!

First-time home buyers also have good news, as they also saw an expansion in affordability last quarter, according to the same report. The average monthly mortgage payment for first time buyers went down to $1,006, provided they had a 10% down payment.

The Albuquerque housing market forecast ending with the 3rd Quarter of 2021 is also positive. LittleBigHomes.com estimates that the probability for rising home prices in Albuquerque, NM is 82% during this period. If this Housing Market Forecast is correct, home values will be higher in the 3rd Quarter of 2021 than they were in the 4th Quarter of 2019.

The bottom line is that if you plan to sell your home in Albuquerque, now is as good of a time as any. But if you're not ready to sell, there's also a good chance that your home's value will continue to increase over the next couple of years, if predictions hold true. 

What about buying a home in Albuquerque? This is also a great time for Albuquerque home buyers, as this is a good time to buy a home before prices increase. Again, if prices continue to increase, that means your home equity will increase as well.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in Albuquerque, call Sandi Pressley and her team today. Their unmatched knowledge of the Albuquerque real estate market will help you benefit from this current market trend, and to make a solid investment to benefit from the growing Albuquerque real estate market.

Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

100 BROADWAY Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102  $150,000

1 Bedrooms / 1 Bathrooms (1 full, 0 half) / 730 Square Feet

Urban Living at it's finest! Loft is located in the historic Classroom Building(built in 1935) of the old Albuquerque High School. Large west facing windows flood the loft with natural sunlight. Original wood floors. Kitchen Island, all appliances convey. Open floorplan, 14 foot ceilings, original chalkboard. Full bath. 3 Lockers for storage. Laundry and elevator in building.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Selling a home in Albuquerque can be a very time-consuming and emotional process. With all that's going on in the process, it can be easy to make mistakes. But with a little preparation, you can avoid some of the pitfalls that snag many home sellers. Here are some key mistakes to avoid when selling your home in Albuquerque.

Being Emotionally Involved

Sure, this was your home that you no doubt built many memories in. But you need to think of yourself as a businessperson and a home seller, and not a homeowner. By thinking of it from a financial perspective, you'll be able to avoid the emotional aspects of the sale that could cloud your judgement.

Not Hiring an Agent

Unless you have a lot of experience selling homes, it's never a good idea to sell a home without expert help. Selling homes is what real estate agents do full-time. Sandi Pressley and her team, for example, have been helping people in Albuquerque sell their homes for decades. They've built a reputation of being the top real estate agents in New Mexico, and it shows in the amount of homes they've sold. They can help you get the best price and the fastest sale.

An experienced agent will also help you during negotiations, which can be tricky even with years of experience. They also handle all the photography, marketing, leads, and showing appointments. They work for you, not against you in the process. There's simply no reason to go it alone when selling your home.

Setting an Unrealistic Price

Setting the right price for your home is critical, and again, that's where an agent's experience can make all the difference. They will use comparable sales in your neighborhood to help set the best price. And remember that buyers also have access to the same information, so you won't be fooling anyone if you set the price too high.

Hiding Major Problems

The purpose of a home inspection conducted by the buyer is to uncover major problems with a home. So don't bother trying to hide anything. In fact, you should be proactive and take care of any major issues before putting your home on the market, if possible. If you can't afford a major repair, then you can disclose the issue and reduce the price accordingly so the buyer can fix the issue if needed.

Looking to sell your home for the right price in Albuquerque? Let us help you sell your home in Albuquerque and get the best price. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2612 Espanola Street, Albuquerque, NM 87110  $165,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 half) / 1140 Square Feet

HUGE LOT with BACKYARD ACCESS and custom gate in the NE Heights! Conveniently located close to Uptown, Trader Joe's, shopping, restaurants & parks! 3BDR/1.5BA/1CG featuring a large open great room with huge picture window and tile flooring! Remodeled kitchen with new soft-close cabinetry & crown molding, Quartz countertops! Beautiful shade tree in the front yard and oversized backyard with plenty of room for pets, backyard access, custom metal gate and covered patio for Summer BBQs!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Having your home on the market in Albuquqerque during the autumn selling season can be a great thing. There are fewer homes on the market, which means you will be in an ideal position to market your home. Here's a few staging tips to help you close the sale by the holidays.

1. Brighten Up

Days are getting shorter, and that can be a good thing for sellers. When you have a well-lit room, it looks larger and more inviting. Turn on all of your lights before the showing, and make sure they can be seen from the steet so that they welcome buyers as they drive up. 

2. Light Your Buyer’s Fire (with Fire)

Buyers want to see themselves relaxing in front of a warm fire. You can help them envision the warmth of thier new home by building a fire if you have fireplace, along with lighting some well-placed candles.

3. Use Seasonal Scents

Normally you would use unscented candles when showing a home, as you don't want to alienate buyers. But the fall season may be a time to bend that rule and light a few candles that have an autmn scent.

Because smell is so intricately tied to emotion, harnessing the aroma of fall will evoke memories of apple picking, pumpkin carving, leaf raking and other family-friendly activities.

4. Get Cozy

A few throw pillows and soft blankets will make your home feel more cozy. This will help buyers feel more relaxed and ready to curl up with a good book.

5. Make Your Curb Appealing

The approach of fall heralds crisp breezes and brightly colored leaves. Embrace the natural hues of the season by adding fall-hued foliage and flowers to your outdoor landscape — mums, goldenrods, Aster, smoke bush, Heleniums, burning bush, Virginia Sweetspire, witch-hazels and Viburnum are all plants that thrive in colder temperatures and produce gorgeous, seasonal color.

6. A Little Goes a Long Way

As with any seasonal decor, it’s important to make sure you don’t overdo your decorating efforts.

Good: a fall-hued wreath on the front door and a few cheeky-looking pumpkins.
Bad: a pumpkin-patch themed front yard, including hay bales and a scarecrow.

Good: bringing seasonal color inside via candles, pillows and fall foliage.
Bad: a home cluttered with Halloween knick knacks and an excess of fall accessories.

Remember that when it comes to decorating your Albuquqerque home for a showing or open house, it’s always better to keep it sweet and simple.

Looking to sell your home for the right price in Albuquerque? Let us help you sell your home in Albuquerque and get the right price. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2612 Espanola Street, Albuquerque, NM 87110  $170,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 half) / 1140 Square Feet

HUGE LOT with BACKYARD ACCESS and custom gate in the NE Heights! Conveniently located close to Uptown, Trader Joe's, shopping, restaurants & parks! 3BDR/1.5BA/1CG featuring a large open great room with huge picture window and tile flooring! Remodeled kitchen with new soft-close cabinetry & crown molding, Quartz countertops! Beautiful shade tree in the front yard and oversized backyard with plenty of room for pets, backyard access, custom metal gate and covered patio for Summer BBQs!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

You love your home in Albuquerque, but it's time to sell it. And of course you want the next owner to love it as well. But in the end, you want to get the right price for your home.

Selling a home in Albuquerque takes time and work. It's not the easiest journey, but in the end you'll come out on top if you know what to do.

Here are some of the steps of that journey. You need to understand the market and make a plan, as well as create partnerships with experts in the Albuquerque real estate market who will help you sell your home.

Know What You Want

Here's the big question: what do you want? Why are you moving? What do you expect from the process? When, exactly, should you put that For Sale sign in the yard?

Do Your Research

The Albuquerque real estate market is always changing. Mortgage rates change as well. Make sure you stay on top of the market and educate yourself.

Select an Agent

The right agent makes all the difference. And of course you would expect that we suggest you rely on Sandi Pressley to sell your home in Albuquerque. Sandi and her team are the top real estate agents in New Mexico, so you can count on them to sell your home for the best price.

Price Your Home

We can help you find out how much your home is worth and get the right offers to sell your home for what it's worth.

Prep Your Home for Sale

Staging your home and getting rid of all the stuff you don't need makes a huge difference when you present your home to buyers. And make sure you take care of any needed repairs. You need to make buyers say “Wow!”

Market Your Home

Sandi and her team will market your home to the maximum amount of buyers possible. That's why we have such a great track record of selling homes in Albuquerque.

Close the Sale

Settlement, or closing, is the last step in the home selling process. This is where you sign the final paperwork, make this whole thing official, and collect your check. Before that can happen though, you’ll have to prepare your home for the buyer’s final walk-through and troubleshoot any last-minute issues.

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8320 Calle Petirrojo NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120  $750,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 4844 Square Feet

Beautifully maintained and lovingly upgraded single level custom home close to the Bosque on 1 acre lot. Kitchen is well appointed with island,granite counters,dbl oven, Wolf gas cook top & sub zero fridge. Wide open floorplan, light, bright and cheery, perfect for entertaining. Stunning maple flooring, breakfast nook and formal dining room. Large master suite w/ sittingarea & luxurious bath w/jetted tub & sep. shower. Immaculate grounds w/covered patios, lush grass, 2 storage sheds & fountain to enjoy outdoor living. Newer appliances,hot water heater, water softener and so much more.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Millions of Americans will remember to do their taxes just in time to sprint to the April 15 finish, fists stuffed with W2s and receipts. But if you're a homeowner, wrangling income tax paperwork, or other home records is a marathon, not a sprint. Even more than repainting your house's facade or mowing your lawn, keeping important docs organized year round is a crucial part of home maintenance — it can save you $ and protect you from the Tax Man.

Here's what could happen if you don't keep accurate records and back them up.

You'll Pay More Taxes Than You Should

Homeowners get access to various deductions and credits based on payments for owning, financing, and maintaining a home. If you don't maintain your records, you may miss out on some of these major tax benefits:

1. Real Estate Tax and Mortgage Interest Deductions. "A homeowner's biggest tax break generally comes from his or their monthly mortgage payments since, for most folks, the bulk of that check goes toward interest, and all that interest is fully deductible on Schedule A," says Kay Bell, tax analyst at Bankrate.com. Property taxes are also deductible.

What You Need: Your annual statement from your mortgage company, which usually includes property taxes. If you pay your real estate taxes directly, the bill from your local unit of government.

2. Home Improvement Deductions: Improvements made for purpose of accommodating disabled residents can be included in medical expense deductions. Energy costs for certain medical-related improvements may also be partially deductible. 

What You Need: Receipts and a letter from a doctor.

3. Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Installing new energy-efficient systems (that meet Energy Star guidelines) like insulation, a roof, windows, water heater, or furnace can earn you a credit to offset your tax liability. 

What You Need: Receipts and certification from product manufacturers.

4. Home Office Deductions: If you can deduct the costs of a home office , you will need to prove you paid those expenses. For example, if your home office takes up 10% of your home's square footage, you can deduct 10% of your home insurance and utility costs. But you need proof you paid those bills. 

What You Need: Bank statements, bill receipts, insurance receipts, your mortgage documents, and any other documents of related expenses. If you're self-employed, you'll be taking this deduction on Schedule C.

You May Have Trouble Selling Your Home

It's not just the IRS that requires paperwork. Ryan Fitzgerald, a REALTOR® in Raleigh, N.C., and owner of Raleigh Realty, recently ran into proof of ownership issues when a seller hadn't backed up his paperwork, nearly causing a delay in the sale of his property.

"The original deed was filed with the wrong county in North Carolina. The original bank was sold to another bank, and there were several refinances in between that caused confusion as well. The original paperwork could not be located by the purchasing bank, and since the original bank was no longer in business, the seller was freaking out about the sale not being able to go through," recalls Fitzgerald.

"The buyer's attorney needed to prove that my seller did indeed own the property outright, and could not do so without the original deed," he says. "This all could have been avoided if there were duplicate documents backed up."

What You Need: Your home's deed, or deed of trust if you have a mortgage that needs to be paid off.

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

326 Atrisco Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105  $189,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 0 half) / 1570 Square Feet

Check out this incredible opportunity! Precious 2 BR Adobe with separate Casita! Lovingly restored, the main house boasts wood floors, newer water heater, newer metal roof and refrigerated air. With beautiful landscaping surrounding, the separate casita has a kitchen, full bath & combo sleeping/living area. This oversized lot - greater than a 1/2 acre - also boasts irrigiation from the Atrisco Ditch and great open space!! Both the main house & casita have a solid Air BnB rental history. Don't miss this one!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

The way your home exterior looks makes a huge difference when you sell it. First impressions can make or break a sale.

Here are some home maintenance mistakes to avoid to keep your home looking fresh.

Stop Using the Pressure Washer at Full Force

When you pressure wash your home, the goal is to remove the dirt, not the paint. You can do this without setting the pressure washer to full force. If you don't, you could end up making your home look worse by damaging the paint or wood, along with forcing the water under the siding where it can cause rot.

Instead, turn the spray as low as it can go to still get the job done. Then angle the washer down, and clean with gentle, side-to-side motions.

Stop Putting Mulch Against the House

Lining your home with mulch may look great, but it can increase the risk of bugs and mold. Instead, you can keep that great look by placing a layer of brick or stone between your house and the mulch.

Stop Storing Produce on the Counter

There's nothing more appetizing than bowls full of garden-fresh goods on the counter. But it comes at a price: bugs.

While fruit flies are annoying, ants and roaches are full-on worrisome once they're in your home. And they are TOUGH to get rid of. Refrigerate all the produce you can — and if you must keep it out to ripen, pop it in the fridge as soon as it peaks.

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

326 Atrisco Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105  $189,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 0 half) / 1570 Square Feet

Check out this incredible opportunity! Precious 2 BR Adobe with separate Casita! Lovingly restored, the main house boasts wood floors, newer water heater, newer metal roof and refrigerated air. With beautiful landscaping surrounding, the separate casita has a kitchen, full bath & combo sleeping/living area. This oversized lot - greater than a 1/2 acre - also boasts irrigiation from the Atrisco Ditch and great open space!! Both the main house & casita have a solid Air BnB rental history. Don't miss this one!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

When it comes to selling a home, curb appeal is everything. So if your driveway is showing its age, it can deal a fairly big blow to that appeal. Driveways can technically be functional for decades, but eventually need to be replaced. Your driveway is a major feature of your home that you should look at when selling a home and deciding what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Cracks

Cracks always form in a driveway over the years. A number of factors can make them worse, such as leaking gas, oil, or other chemicals.

Small cracks can be repaired as they appear. Yet larger cracks that are long or wide may show signs of more serious damage. If you have a tree near the driveway, the roots may be growing underneath and compromising the pavement. In this case you may even need to remove the tree to prevent further damage.

If you decide to make your own repairs, bear in mind that the repairs will be darker than the surrounding driveway, which also will take away from the curb appeal.

Potholes

Potholes are the next level of driveway damage to deal with. Potholes can do more damage than cracks, taking a toll on your cars.

Potholes can form when the ground beneath the drive expands and contracts. Over time, the driveway material starts to weaken and give way, forming a pothole.

Potholes can be repaired, but it won't solve the problem long term of the ground underneath contracting and expanding and making the pothole appear again.

Replacing your driveway is really the best solution in this case, especially for an older driveway. Newer materials are made to withstand these issues better than the driveway materials that were used decades ago.

Rough Appearance

The weather will always take its toll on the appearance of a driveway. Both the rain and the sun can cause damage, oxidize the surface, causing the color to fade.

To fix this, you could try applying concrete or asphalt sealant, which can help to restore the original look. But if the durability of the driveway has been affected, it’s best to go with a total replacement.

Lack of Resealing

If you have an asphalt or concrete driveway, it should be resealed every two or three years to prevent if from breaking and cracking. If this hasn't been done, you may need to replace your driveway if too many cracks have formed.

Past its Prime

Most driveways are past their prime after about 15-20 years. After that much time, your driveway may be suffering from all of these problems mentioned. At this point, repairs are also less likely to be effective.

Find the home of your dreams in Albuquerque with our powerful home search feature. Join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. And follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11701 Coyote Run Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $748,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 3271 Square Feet

Fabulous Home nestled in an idyllic, peaceful, gated community. Positioned to take advantage of exceptional mountain and city views! Open, light filled spaces capture you the minute you walk in this home!! This well thought out Lee Michael Multi-generational home can accommodate everyone!! The details and quality are evident! This home you must see!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team