Real Estate Information

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 Labor Day weekend is almost here, and it's time to bring an unofficial end to summer. But first, we need to have some more fun. There's plenty of great ways to spend the Labor day weekend in the Albuquerque area. Here's a few upcoming events to put on your calendar.

Star Party
Aug 30th 2019, 06:00pm

Join Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and TAAS August 30th 6-10 pm for a free night of stargazing and guided constellation tours. View equipment provided, no experience necessary. Free hot cocoa, tea and snacks.

Red, White, Blues, and Brews
Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 12 PM – 8 PM
New Mexico Veterans Memorial

The second annual Red, White, Blues, & Brews is Chapter 1201's biggest event of the year, and it's FREE. The New Mexico Desert Kings are collaborating on our car show and The 377 Brewery will bring the drinks. Bring the family for a day of fun with bounce houses, food trucks, live music, a corn-hole tournament, and a raffle.

ABQ BioPark Aquarium: Shark Tank Tour
Aug 31st 2019, 01:30pm

Explore the top side of the tanks at the Aquarium. Your tour is led by an aquarist who will answer all your “biting” questions.

Labor Day Picnic
Sep 2nd 2019, 11:00am

Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo County Fire Department, New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association & Central New Mexico Labor Council are hosting the 11th Annual Labor Day Picnic. Serving hot dogs, hamburgers and non-alcoholic drinks. Entertainment provided by local bands.

Have a Fun and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

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

Buying a home in Albuquerque is a huge financial responsibility. Sure, buying a home is very exciting, but you need to also need to look carefully at your current and future plans before you take this important step in your life.

Here are five questions to consider:

Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?

How do you feel about your career? What about your family situation? So you see any of these things changing dramatically in the next few years?

If you plan on starting or growing your family in Albuquerqueor starting a new career, try your best to factor in those changes before you buy. You can't predict everything, but you can make good guesses that can help guide your decision.

What Will It Cost to Both Purchase and Own Your New Property?

There's more to the price of a home than just the initial purchase price.

A general rule of thumb is to keep your PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) costs below 28% of your gross monthly income, while your overall debt-to-income ratio should be no more than 36%.

If you are buying a bigger space than what you currently have, then you need to factor in increased heating and cooling costs. Also, plan for homeowner’s association dues if applicable. 

In addition to the funds you have for your down payment, don’t overlook the following expenses you’ll incur once you purchase your home: 

• Moving costs 

• Closing costs 

• Home repairs 

• Painting 

• New appliances 

• Fixtures

• Furniture 

It is recommend to open a separate savings account in addition to your down payment fund to save for these expenses.

What’s Your Credit Score?

Your credit score will make a huge difference in the overall cost of your home over the years. A higher score can save thousands of dollars over the course of your mortgage. And of course, a lower score can cost you a higher interest rate.

If you have any issues on your credit report, tackle them as soon as possible.

What About Home Repairs and Maintenance?

How much property in Albuquerque can you handle? Does the home have a pool or huge lawn, or landscaping? Will you maintain these elements, or will you hire them out to be maintained. Try to price all of this out before you buy to make sure you can afford it.

Location, Location, Location

Where you live can be just as important as what you live in. How far away is work, shopping, or other services you regularly use?

In addition to transportation costs, consider whether your food and utility costs will increase or decrease, and whether you’ll enroll kids in the local school district or opt for private schooling.

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

Do you need a break from all the summer excitement? Albuquerque spas have just what you need to unwind the cares of the day, with some of the best spa and wellness centers in New Mexico. Here's a list of some of the best spas in Albuquerque to help take away your stress.

Betty's Bath and Day Spa

Offering refuge since 2000, Betty's Bath and Day Spa offers two outdoor hot tubs and saunas, massages, facials, restorative spa treatments, lounge and relaxation areas in a xeriscaped garden setting. They also feature a specialty boutique with natural and scintillating bath & body products as well as affordable accessories. You can also stay for a relaxing getaway in a private getaway for individuals, couples or small groups.

Rio Grande Body Works

Whether you want an individual or couple's session, Rio Grande offers a range of bodywork services. They work with youth as well as adults. You can find treatments such as Swedish massage, Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage, reflexology, couple’s sessions, and more. Rio Grande also offers skincare services such as custom facials, express or in-depth peels, men’s facials, and acne facials.

LUMEN: Mind Body Float

At LUMEN : Mind Body Float, you'll receive transformative physical and mental experiences through Next-level flotation therapy and NeurOptimal brain training methodologies, along with ARX adaptive resistance exercise, Infrared Sauna, and Massage Therapy. Their center is a product of continual research and top-of-the-line technology.

Albuquerque Baths

Unwind with therapeutic services like salt glows and body scrubs,  traditional message, deep tissue message, foot treatments, hot stone message, and more.  Albuquerque baths is a spa designed for relaxation with a beautiful, comfortable and communal setting, where you'll find influences from many cultures that have a history of communal bathing, such as Japanese bathhouses, Russian banyas, Scandinavian saunas, as well as local hot spring resorts.

Essential Therapy Massage by Sara

Rated one of the best message therapists in Albuquerque, Sarah McDonald offers therapeutic messages that are tailored to your individual needs, making her an ideal choice for ongoing sessions. Her affordable pricing is helpful for those needing more frequent treatments. Sarah is a master at finding your tough spots and providing relief that lasts well after your session. Her personal service is second to none in Albuquerque.

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!

1517 Eagle Ridge Terrace Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $950,000

5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 4750 Square Feet

Incredible VIEWS & casual elegance abound in this one-of-a-kind home! Nestled into the Sandia Mtns enjoy resort style outdoor living with multiple patios, private courtyard & balcony with mtn views & city lights! Versatile floor plan with stunning views from the great room, sep family room, formal dining, office/study, addtl flex room plus a guest room w/full bath on the main level. Show stopping kitchen has beautiful cabinetry, granite, wood beam ceiling, bkfst bar, island, walk-in pantry. Large secondary bdrs w/ walk-in closets. Gorgeous Master Suite has a balcony w/spectacular views, kiva frplc, jetted tub, double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Desirable cul-de-sac location, beautiful landscaping, private outdoor courtyard & patios w/fireplaces makes for true resort style living!

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

If you plan on buying a home in Albuquerque, or you already live here, you don’t need to worry about where to find fresh, healthy local produce.  Albuquerque is bursting with markets featuring the best local produce and natural grocery items. And you can eat fresh and healthy in Albuquerque no matter what season it is, as there’s both indoor and outdoor markets to choose from. So get ready for an explosion of healthy fresh flavors, local crafts, and entertainment. Here’s some of the farmer’s markets you can enjoy in Albuquerque.

Rail Yards Market

Open May – October, this Sunday market is organized by the community and features local food, art, and music. You can explore hundreds of the finest food, farm fresh produce, arts, and healing vendors. Enjoy love music and learn with the whole family in the educational zones.  Located in the historic Blacksmith Shop in the heart of Albuquerque, it’ w here the whole community comes together to enjoy the fun and creative atmosphere.

Downtown Growers' Market

Running from April 15 – November 4 every Saturday in historic Robinson Park in downtown Albuquerque, this market has been a tradition since 1996.  Over 60 growers from the New Mexico area present the highest quality produce you can find anywhere. They also feature live music and yoga. And for those in need, they double EBT/SNAP benefits! And to further their contribution to the environment, they’re solar powered. Plus you can bike to the market and let Raynold’s Neighborhood Association provide Bike Valet Service for your convenience.

Los Ranchos Growers' Market

Located in nearby Los Ranchos, they feature both a Winter and regular farmer’s market.  The Winter Market runs from December – April and the regular market runs from May 5.  Each weekend the market has a special theme, such as Mothers Day Specials, Canine Celebration, Old Vehicle Day, and Solar / Sustainability Celebration.

Other place you can find fresh produce and natural items in Albuquerque include Sichler Farms, El Mezquite Market, The Fruit Basket of Albuquerque, and the Sprouts Farmers Market chain.

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!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $350,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2828 Square Feet

NEW ROOF! (2018) NEWER CARPET & PAINT! (2017) Single story 4BDR/3BA/2G with TWO LIVING AREAS, formal dining, oversized eat-in kitchen plus sunroom! .25 ACRE LOT! REFRIGERATED AIR! Skylights! Wet bar and wood burning fireplace in the oversized family room! Large secondary bedrooms, walk-in closets! Master bath has updated wood tile flooring, double sink vanity and sep vanity! Spacious eat-in kitchen features lots of cabinets, newer oven and dishwasher (2017 & 2018). Beautifully landscaped yard with mature trees, grass and shrubs! Conveniently located in Academy Estates neighborhood, close to shopping, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Alb Academy, parks, schools & restaurants! Sandia High School district.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

On our other website, we listed the best schools in Albuquerque according to Niche.com. That list showed the best schools on all grade levels. But there are so many outstanding schools in Albuquerque that we just can't contain them to one list. So here's a list of the top elementary schools in Albuquerque for your review, along with links to search for homes near each school.

Southwest Primary Learning Center
#1 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#1 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#2 Best Public Elementary School Teachers in New Mexico

Southwest Primary Learning Center has 102 students in grades 4-6 with a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1. According to state test scores, 42% of students are at least proficient in math and 37% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Southwest Primary Learning Center

Coral Community Charter School
#3 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#3 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#8 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Coral Community Charter School has 195 students in grades PK, K-6 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 32% of students are at least proficient in math and 42% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Coral Community Charter School

Montessori Elementary School
#5 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Montessori Elementary School has 420 students in grades K-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1. According to state test scores, 31% of students are at least proficient in math and 46% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Montessori Elementary School

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
#1 Best Public Elementary Schools in Sandoval County
#14 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School has 883 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 44% of students are at least proficient in math and 51% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School