Real Estate Information Archive

Every year, US News & World Report comes out with their list of 100 Best Places to Live in America, and Albuquerque made the cut at #74! They base their ranking on quality of life, job market, and people's desire to live here. So it's really no surprise Albuquerque made the list, considering all that this great city has to offer. It's an area rich in culture and natural beauty. Albuquerque's economy and artistic community attracts new residents from all over.

There's so much to do in Albuquerque - art galleries, historic sites, the Albuquerque BioPark's zoo, museums. And don't forget the food! There is an enormous array of food to suit any taste. The wineries and breweries of Albuquerque are also known around the country.

And if you want to enjoy the great outdoors, no problem! Albuquerque Parks & Recreation has a whole host of great parks to keep you busy. There's a neverending list of things to do, such as golfing, swimming, walk through stunning open spaces, playing with your kids in the playground, ride a hot air balloon, shoot some targets, kayaking on the Rio Grande, you name it!

Learn more about what makes Albuquerque one of the best cities in America to live on our Albuquerque New Mexico Real Estate & Information page, as well as search for your dream home.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

12105 Pocono Road SE, Albuquerque   $239,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms/ 1790 Square Feet

Exceptional single story home built in 2013!  Light, bright & open great room w/fireplace, beautiful tile flooring thru out.  Spaciously designed kitchen complete w/stunning countertops/backsplash.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

These Hot Properties in Albuquerque offer an amazing amount of bang for the buck! Whether you want tons of space or amazing views, either one of these homes is exactly what you’re looking for.  Take a look at all they have waiting for you.

5013 LA BAJADA ROAD NW, ALBUQUERQUE

When they say “location, location, location”, they’re talking about this contemporary stunner with amazing views of the Sandia Mountains, Bosque and City Lights! This bright and open home features a huge living room where you can enjoy the amazing views from the balcony. Or you can relax in the oversized back yard with covered patio – a perfect area for entertaining guests.

There’s so much more to see! Check out the property detail page for more info and photos!

8409 MESA TOP ROAD NW, ALBUQUERQUE

If you’re looking for a home with plenty of space, then this is the ideal solution.  With 4 beds and 3 baths spread over 3025 sq feet, you’ll have plenty of room for the whole family to sprawl out. And there’s a huge kitchen with center island just waiting to be used to entertain guests.  And you’ll be close to schools, parks, and a community pool.

And that’s not all! Check out the property detail page for more info and photos!

Check back on our blog every week for more hot properties!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

One of the many things that make Albuquerque such a great place to live is certainly the outstanding parks.  Albuquerque Parks & Recreation manages a wide array of parks for the benefit of Albuquerque residents.  You can do so many things such as golfing, swimming, playing with your kids in the playground, walk through stunning open spaces, shoot some targets, ride a hot air balloon, you name it!

If you’re up for a round of golf, there’s four public courses - Los Altos, Arroyo del Oso, Puerto del Sol, and Ladera. All of the courses have amenities such as a pro shop with rental equipment, along with a snack bar or café.

And if you want to go to a park, you have 288 parks to choose from! Of course one of the best parks has to be Balloon Fiesta Park, home of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. The park also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year.

So if you’re looking for an excuse to get out and enjoy the beauty of Albuquerque, you just found almost 300 reasons, so get outside and enjoy this wonderful city!

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9519 Iron Rock Drive NW, Albuquerque   $350,000

5 Bedrooms/ 3.5 Bathrooms/ 3020 Square Feet

This amazing home is only 3 years old, so you get a virtually new home without the extra building costs.  Features a modern plan and energy efficient.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If you’re looking for the ideal southwest city to buy a home, then Albuquerque, New Mexico is the place you’ve been looking for.  There’s so many things that make Albuquerque the perfect place to buy your dream home.

If you’re moving from a colder environment and looking for warm and dry weather, then you’ve found the right place.  Albuquerque boasts 310 days of sunshine on average per year, with high temperatures ranging around 77 deg, so it doesn’t get too hot.  And this is perfect for exploring the great outdoors that this city is famous for.

Albuquerque has a vibrant economy fueled by institutions such as Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base,  Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute,  the University of New Mexico (UNM),  and Petroglyph National Monument. It’s also an award winning city that has received endless accolades from magazines and organizations all over the US.

And don’t forget the great shopping and dining opportunities in Albuquerque!

Want to learn more and search for your dream home?  Visit our Albuquerque, New Mexico real estate for sale page and find out all the excelling reasons you should move to Albuquerque!

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1909 Bold Ruler Street SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123   $235,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms/ 1670 Square Feet

Beautiful Medditeranean style home with oversized master bed, professional landscaping, tiled counters, and much more!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Are planning on buying a home in Albuquerque? Then you might want to know about some of the great things to do here. Albuquerque abounds in attractions that highlight it's southwestern heritage. Here's a few to check out.

Albuquerque Biological Park

An amazing place to bring the family to experience over 250 species of animal life.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Experience the culture of Native America through it's pottery, arts & crafts, and more in this expansive museum.

Petroglyph National Monument

See real Native American engravings first hand on basalt boulders as you hike on one of the 3 trails.

Explora

Explore ideas you can touch at this tech and art museum designed for all ages. It features over 250 exhibits and a toddler area.

Part of determining where you will search for your new home depends upon the education being offered.  Albuquerque, NM is blessed to have top rated schools for your choosing.

Did you know that your homes school district also influences the value of your home?  Homes is great school districts value up to 70% more, than others!  Ninety-one percent of Home Buyers said school boundaries were important in their search, and 20% of those buyers said they would pay 6-10% more for a home in their desirable school zone!

If you're looking for a new home in Albuquerque, or are relocating to our fabulous area, take a look at these Top 5 Schools:

Desert Willow Family School 
3303 Monroe NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-888-1647

Homes for Sale in Desert Willow School district

College and Career High School 

525 Buena Vista Drive SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-224-4880

Homes for Sale in Albuquerque NM

Early College Academy I 
807 Mountain Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-247-3658

Homes for Sale in this District

North Star Elementary 
9301 Ventura NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
505-856-6578

North Star Elementary Homes for Sale

Hubert H Humphrey Elementary 
9801 Academy Hills Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111

Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary Homes for Sale

While Albuquerque has many more schools that are Top Ranked, these 5 have ranked for their Reading, Math and Science scores. Learn more about all the Albuquerque Schools by visiting our Home Buying Resources/Albuquerque Schools page.

Hot Property of the Week!

1909 Bold Ruler, Albuquerque, New Mexico $240,000.

3 Bedroom/ 2 Bathrooms/ 1,670 Square Feet

Original owner, Mediterranean Style, Vantage Home. (NO PID),Oversized master bedroom, professionally landscaped with mountain views, and free standing Pergola. Tiled counters, refrigerated air. Set up for solar panels. Walking trails, are abundant within the community, and easy access to Kirtland AFB, I-40 and shopping.

Contact the Sandi Pressley Team for more details!

Get your Morning Inspiration here!

The one question we get asked more than any other is this: When is the best time to buy a home? It most often comes from first time homebuyers who are making the change from being renters to being owners. The answer is complicated and varies depending on your individual situation but let's take a look at a common situation as an example. Your readiness to make a commitment is likely the most important factor in the timing of a home purchase. You've already looked at your budget and determined that renting is costing you more than owning would. You have a down payment saved up and you're ready to take the leap. What's next? Here are some questions to ask to determine if it's time.

• Am I willing to work with a lender to determine my price range and ONLY look at homes in that range?
• Am I willing to research neighborhoods to find one that meets my lifestyle needs?
• Am I willing to compromise my desires to find a home that suits most of my needs?
• Am I prepared to make an offer when I find a home that fits my needs and is within my budget?

If you answered no to any of these questions, you may not be ready. Finding the right home is the easy part. Being prepared to jump, not so much. Prices are still at historic lows, rates remain very affordable. Now is a great time to buy a home. The real estate market has been tumultuous for years. Being fearful of making such a large financial commitment is understandable. Buying a home is a long term investment. Like the stock market, there is risk. If the market tanks again, you may lose equity and be forced to stay in your home longer than you expected. If you can be realistic about home ownership being a long term investment, you will eventually get a return on investment. However, you must be willing to:

• Keep your home updated and do repairs on a regular basis
• Be patient, return on investment can take a decade or more
• Buy in your price range

Once you asked yourself all the right questions and decided that you're willing to do what it takes, it's time to talk to your lender and a real estate professional. The Sandi Pressley Team is here to answer your questions.

Have An Awesome Week!

Sandi's Hot Home Listing

12105 Signal Ave NE, Albuquerque

Price: $945,000 Beds: 5 Baths: 4 Square Feet: 4,495

Sophisticated custom home with casita; Nestled in desired Primrose Pointe, showcases breathtaking MTN & City views!Built with Elegance & Luxury, the 4495 SF Award winning home offers the finest quality craftsmanship 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 fireplaces, a 3 car garage and 2 spacious living areas, with wet-bar, travertine flooring and alder wood throughout! Gourmet kitchen with custom Alderwood cabinets, granite counters, island, stainless steel Subzero and WOLF appliances!  Tranquil Master suite with fireplace, sitting room and private patio.

View This Listing

AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

At this time of year it's not uncommon for homeowners to list their homes for sale. Competition can be steep so preparing your home to stand out among the rest is the key to getting it sold quickly and for top dollar. Here are 5 tips to help you do just that.

Your broker has added your home for sale to the local multiple listing service or MLS. The field services agent has put up a sign on your lawn. You have beautiful marketing flyers ready to go and you've scheduled an open house. What's next? v

You might think you're part of the work is done but you'd be wrong. A lot of what draws buyers, and hopefully THE buyer, to your home, happens before it even goes on the market.

1. Decide on repairs - Unless you are selling as-is, you'll want to make a list of repairs needed on your home and prioritize which ones you can afford to do and which ones you can't. Consider also the opportunity cost you might lose if you don't do some repairs. Heavily stained carpets can set the tone for the buyer leaving them feeling like the home hasn't been cared for. If you're not sure which repairs are worthwhile, ask a real estate professional. They can help you sort your list and get the most bang for your buck.

2. Make way - Clutter sends a similar message to deferred maintenance. In addition to not caring for your home, clutter says the home lacks storage space. Pack away all your knick knacks, clear the kid's art off the fridge and take down personal photos. This also allows the buyer to see themselves in your home.

3. Keep things clear - covering up windows or blocking views to areas of your home or property may give the buyer the impression that you've got something to hide. Not to mention it could minimize the light that comes into your home making it look dark and dirty.

4. Maximize the space to let in the most light. You can accomplish this by packing away extra furniture, opening blinds and curtains during showings and taking extra boxes of personal items to a storage facility or stacking them neatly in the garage.

5. To compete in a tough market, you must be prepared to stand out. This means your home must be cleaner and nicer than competing similar homes in the neighborhood. It also means your home must be priced competitively. Ask your broker for a competitive market analysis to see what other homes like yours are selling for in the area.

Small efforts, big rewards. Working on these small things can mean a quicker sale and more money in your pocket. If you're ready to get started on the process, call the Sandi Pressley Team today!

Have An Awesome Week!

Sandi's Hot Home Listing

6427 Lagunitas Rd SW, Albuquerque

Price: $535,000 Beds:5 Baths: 4 Square Feet: 3,900

Welcome to this meticulous SV Farms home on 1.54 AC fenced lot. Northern New Mexico meets contemporary offers multigenerational living-main home built-in 2004 approx. 2650sf, 3BDRM+OFC(closet.2BDRM,3CG w/WKSHP. Custom finishes thru-out. Gourmet kitchen features a quartz counters, kraftmade cabinets, copper backsplash & S/S appliances w/5 burner gas cooktop.

The Albuquerque real estate market is HOT! This means the market for selling is good but if you're thinking about selling, there are some things you'll need to consider before you list your home. To sell quickly and for top dollar, you won't want to get caught with these issues dragging your listing down.

Problem #1 - Repair Damage Whether it's tenant damage or deferred maintenance on your part, repairing damage to your home is a great way to increase its value. Walls with holes, floors with scratches and the yard filled with weeds taller than your toddler are a sure way to scare off buyers or receive low ball offers on your home.

Problem #2 - Outdated Features Outdated features like carpeted bathrooms should be updated before you list. Issues like this speak volumes to buyers about the care and effort you've put into your home.

Problem #3 - Dirty Carpet Large stains in carpet will surely scare off potential buyers who may not understand if said stain came from a recent encounter with a spilled drink or a dog that's been using the area for a potty box long term. Shampoo the carpets and if the stain doesn't come out, consider replacing the carpet with wood, tile or new carpet. If replacement isn't an option, be ready to offer a discount so the buyers can do it themselves.

Problem #4 - Pet Smells Since we're on the topic of pets, you may not notice pet smells in your home because you live there. Buyers on the other hand will know right away if you have pets in your home. If you can't find a place for your pets to go while your home is listed, make sure the litter box is ALWAYS clean, clean up Fido's mess from the yard and use air fresheners where needed. Also, consider the options mentioned in #3.

Problem #5 - Barking If you have a dog who barks when someone comes in, it's imperative the dog is kenneled away from the areas buyers will be viewing. Ideally, you'll have a different home where Fifi can stay until your home goes under contract or at least during showings. If not, get a kennel and ask your agent to build in enough time before showings to put the dog in the kennel.

Problem #6 - Bad Curb Appeal If your lawn is dead, your trees are overgrown and your shrubs are hiding your home from the street view, you probably need to do a little work in the yard. Curb appeal is your home's first impression. Getting buyers in the door is the first step toward getting an offer.

Problem #7 - Bad Marketing If your real estate broker is lazy, mean, inattentive, doesn't communicate or isn't marketing your home, fire them. If they aren't giving you the attention you desire, they probably aren't giving it to your listing either. A bad agent can definitely have a negative impact on days on market and final sales price.

Problem #8 - Junk Like it or not, buyers are going to open drawers, cabinets and closets when they view your home. If you crammed all your junk into those drawers, cabinets and closets, your secret will be revealed during a showing. Declutter, clean and clear these areas so buyers can picture their stuff in your home.

Problem #9 - Poor Choices That matching pink toilet and vanity may have seemed like a great idea when you put it in back in the 80s but outdated decor can be a real turn off for buyers. While you're not expected to update kitchens and bathrooms in most price ranges, do what you can to bring your home's decorative items into the current decade. Window coverings, wallpaper and furniture can go a long way toward improving the appearance of your home to buyers.

Problem #10 - Controlling Sellers Yes, it is reasonable to ask brokers to give you notice before showing your home. You probably want to lock up that barking dog, empty the litter box and pick up toys in the kids' rooms. Asking for more than a small amount of notice however may be unreasonable. Some buyers may find your home online and call their broker to see it right away. Another piece of advice, NEVER be home during showings. It makes buyers uncomfortable. Let the broker do their job and get out of the way.

If you're ready to list your home for sale, this is a great time to get started. When you're ready to put that sign in your yard, call the Sandi Pressley Team. We're here to help. 

Have An Awesome Week!

Sandi's Hot Home Listing

10528 Crestridge Ct, Albuquerque

Price: $275,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 2+ Square Feet: 2,603

AMAZING home on Cul-de-Sac Lot! Dramatic Great Rm w/Soaring Tongue&Groove Beamed Ceilings, Latillas, custom fireplace w/picture windows and access to balcony/patio to take in Scenic views! Gorgeous Kitchen features: lovely Counters w/Beautiful Tiled Backsplash/Custom Cabinetry with S/S appliances w/breakfast bar Seating that opens to the family dining.

View This Listing

If you're considering selling in 2016, it's important to be priced competitively to avoid certain challenges. Historically, overpriced homes stay on the market longer, often sell for less than market value and sometimes don't sell at all. You may see a listing in your neighborhood that seems to be for sale forever, with a different broker every few months. If there are no major defects in the home itself, it's likely overpriced. This stigma can stay with your home and is a great reason to avoid overpricing in the first place.

A great way to avoid overpricing is to get a home valuation from a reputable source. Not only can overpricing give your home a bad reputation on the market, it can also cost you, big time, in the long run. Not only can overpricing scare off potential buyers, but over time, you'll actually end up reducing your price more than if you had just listed it at market value to begin with. Overpricing is often the most costly mistake a seller can make.

When you're ready to list your home, and 2016 is looking like a great time to do so, start with a home valuation from a specialist who knows your area well. A licensed real estate broker should be willing to provide this information free of charge. Relying on sites like Zillow and their zestimates is risky business when you're ready to list as they've never seen your home, nor do they know what features your home has to offer, or the amenities in the neighborhood.

Put your trust in The Sandi Pressley team; a listing specialist from The Sandi Pressley team can give you a free, no-obligation home valuation during a 20-30 minute in-person consultation. Call us today for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Have An Awesome Week!

Sandi's Hot Home Listing

528 Brianna Loop, Albuquerque

Price: $315,000 Beds:4 Baths: 2+ Square Feet: 2,260

North Valley Beauty! Built in 2013 sleek and contemporary design two story with 1BDR/office on the main floor! Upgraded kitchen with 42’ cabinets, granite countertops, tile backsplash and breakfast nook! Security system, refrig air, raised ceilings, ceramic tile flooring in kitchen and great room, ceilings fans, window coverings.

View This Listing