Real Estate Information

August is coming to a close and September is just around the corner, but there's atill plenty of fun in store in Albuquerque. Whether you love a good baseball game, want to go to the fair, get a taste of the grape, or enjoy fine art, there's something to keep just about anyone busy for the next month in Albuquerque. Here's what we can look forward to:

EXHIBIT: DA VINCI, THE GENIUS

New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Through August 29, 2018

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosts the extraordinary Da Vinci, The Genius exhibition created by Grande Exhibitions of Victoria, Australia in collaboration with the Museo Leonardo da Vinci, Rome, and the French scientific engineer Pascal Cotte.

This is the most comprehensive Leonardo da Vinci traveling exhibition ever assembled and is designed to be accessible to all ages.

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES BASEBALL
Isotopes Park

Through October 31, 2018

"The 2018 season is shaping up to be yet another special year at Isotopes Park. The schedule is very favorable relative to the summer months and weekends. We are already planning some very big promotions and exciting things for our 16th season." - General Manager John Traub.

HARVEST WINE FESTIVAL

Balloon Fiesta Park

September 1, 2018 - September 3, 2018

Sample wines from 20 of the state's top wineries as we celebrate the New Mexico grape harvest. Enjoy dueling pianos along with fine food and art in the shade. Tickets include a wine glass, wine sampling, and $5 off any bottle of wine. Free parking.

80TH ANNUAL NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR

EXPO New Mexico
September 6, 2018 - September 16, 2018

One of the top 10 state fairs in the US returns to the EXPO New Mexico for another year of fun. Enjoy PRCA rodeo and performances by nationally-known country recording stars, plus Indian and Spanish villages. Explore art, agriculture, animals, entertainment, food, carnival rides, exhibits and shopping at one of the largest state fairs in the country.

Have a great time in Albuquerque over the next month!

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2228 Cebolla Creek Way NW, Albuquerque, NM  $397,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 2345 Square Feet

Fantastic Del Webb gated community! Premium lot, wood tile flooring, plantation shutters, garage door screens, artistic landscaping, upgraded light fixtures & appliances, private courtyard w/OJstom gate & stucco wall are just a few!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

It's no secret that it can get fairly hot during the summers here in Albuquerque. It's not like we can just run to a nearby beach to cool off. Most people who live in Albuquerque stay cool with the air from their AC. If you plan to move to the area, you probably know that air conditioning is especially desirable during the summer.

But the problem with leaving your AC running all summer is the high energy costs. In fact, AC units account for around 12% of home energy expenses, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Yet that doesn't mean you can't find ways to keep these costs lower.

What are some ways to reduce your energy costs?

Lessen direct sunlight.

Albuquerque can get plenty of sunlight during the summer months. And the hotter your home gets, the harder your AC has to work, raising your energy costs.

The easiest way to keep the sun out of the house is to close your drapes and blinds on all the windows during the day, and close the windows to keep out the warm air. You might also plant trees and shrubs on the west and east sides of the house.

And since nights are fairly cool in Albuquerque, take advantage of that cool air by opening windows at night and directing air in with fans in the windows. Fans take up much less energy and will bring the core temperature of the home down.

Let your AC unit rest.

Not every day is a scorcher. When the temperature get low enough to be comfortable, turn off the AC completely. This will give your unit a break and lower your energy costs.

Don’t touch the thermostat.

You might be tempted to set your thermostat to it's lowest level when temps go up. But that can make a huge increase in your bill. Try setting your thermostat to a consistent level of 78 degrees. This should be enough to keep both you and your energy bill cool.

Use ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans can be your AC unit's best friends. If you run your ceiling fans when you run the AC, you can even adjust the thermostats to 80 degrees, reducing your energy costs by 15-25%!

Keep the air filter clean.

Dirty air filters can affect the airflow in your AC, which makes it work even harder. And of course, this increases energy costs. Air filters need to be replaced or cleaned regularly every 90 days for optimal AC performance.

Keep cool for the rest of the summer in Albuquerque and save money!

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

12009 Modesto Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM  $750,000

4 Bedrooms/ 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 5000 Square Feet

Exceptional Custom Ranch Home on .89 Acre! Expansive Floorplan features both formal & informal living areas, with outdoor living that includes a newly refurbished pool w/built in hot tub, deck w/views & more! Enormous 29'x28' Den for indoor entertaining w/Wet Bar & fireplace. So much more! A MUST SEE!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Home security is an important consideration when owning or even renting a home. Many people have home security systems to help keep their home secure. But is that enough? A home security system can only do so much. There are other steps you can take to make sure your home is as secure as possible.

Here's a few important precautions you can take to firm up your home protection.

1. An old trick that still works is leaving the TV or music on when you're gone.

2. Reduce the amount of hiding places outside with motion sensor security lights.

3. All exterior doors should have 1-inch deadbolts installed.

4. Make sure to lock all doors and windows when going to bed.

5. Never open your door until you confirm who is there. Check you security camera or get a doorbell camera.

6. Thieves know all the hiding places for keys. If you must hide a key, don't hide it under a doormat or rock. Find an inconspicuous place or leave it with a neighbor.

7. Use a metal pipe or bar, or a wood plank or dowel to secure sliding doors. You can also install a glass break sensor on the door.

8. Keep your garage door closed, even when you're home. The garage leads straight into your home, giving intruders easy access. An overhead garage door contact can also provide further protection.

9. Make sure drapes or blinds are closed on rooms that have valuable items.

10. Keep expensive items that are not in use in a deposit box at your bank.

11. Don't leave notes on your door for family or service people letting them know you're not home.

12. If you plan on being gone for more than a few days, have someone you trust collect your mail and newspaper.

You can keep you home and family safe with just these few additional steps. Our world is becoming more dangerous. This isn't meant to scare you, just as a friendly warning to stay safe.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

12009 Modesto Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM  $750,000

4 Bedrooms/ 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 5000 Square Feet

Exceptional Custom Ranch Home on .89 Acre! Expansive Floorplan features both formal & informal living areas, with outdoor living that includes a newly refurbished pool w/built in hot tub, deck w/views & more! Enormous 29'x28' Den for indoor entertaining w/Wet Bar & fireplace. So much more! A MUST SEE!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Selling your home can be challenging and stressful. You're taking on two major tasks at once - getting your home to show to potential buyers and getting ready to move. Will getting a storage unit will help the process go more smoothly? Yes and no, depending on your situation.

When you move, it provides a perfect opportunity to clean the clutter from your life.  You can sell, donate, or dispose of the things you don't need, meaning you'll have less to pack and move.

But you may also not have enough time to go through everything, so you may need to do whatever it takes to get through the process. That's where storing items may be an advantage. What are some things to think about when considering if you should use storage when you move?

Advantages of Using Storage

1. Pack up all the things you don't need now.
2. Staging your home will be more simple.
3. You home will look larger, adding to selling appeal.
4. Personal items will be out of sight from buyers.
5. Out of sight, out of mind.
6. You can sort all your items later.
7. You can decide what furniture works best in your new home and decide what to keep after you move.

Disadvantages of Using Storage

1. Another expense.
2. You'll have to handle everything twice, which is more work.
3. Not all units guarantee your items will be safe, so you may need additional insurance.
4. Storing items can lead to delayed decisions about what stays and what goes.
5. You may end up storing things you don't need, and paying monthly fees for those items.
6. It's hard to reach items in the back of a full unit.

Portable Storage Units

By now, you've seen people use portable storage unites. PODS was one of the first companies to offer this service, but other companies have caught onto the trend. Portable storage units can either be used for long term storage or to store and move items to your new home. That way, you can keep the storage at your house and pack as you go.  Then the unit is delivered to your new house, or taken to a warehouse for long term storage.

The great thing about portable storage is that you can pack and unpack everything in one go. This way you don't need to haul your things to a storage facility, then back again to the new home.

Moving is hard work for sure.  But with careful planning and good use of storage, you can make the process go more smoothly.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

5007 Ensenada Place NW, Albuquerque, NM  $325,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2338 Square Feet

CASUAL ELEGANCE in this newly built custom home in the North Valley!! Close to Rio Grande Nature Center, Farmer's Market, shopping, restaurants and boutiques in the North Valley! Guest BDR with its own full bath! Landscaped yard, large covered patio, walled for privacy and hard to find oversized 3CG!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Have you checked your credit score lately? Having good credit is important in this world, particularly if you plan on buying a home. Even though there are mortgages available to those with lower credit scores, it's always a good idea to raise your score as high as you can before you apply for a mortgage. A higher score will yield a lower interest rate and less money you have to put down.

What are some basic ways to get your score higher?

1. Pay Bills on Time

Of course we always hear this. But it can't be stressed enough how critical it is to you overall score. In fact, it makes up 35% of your score. If you have trouble remembering due dates, try setting up automatic payment, or use a bill pay service from your bank.

2. Correct Errors on the Credit Report

Check your credit reports for errors, even minor ones. You may be surprised how many can slip through. If you find any, call the creditor that's reporting the error and follow up with a letter with the same request. Then notify all of the credit bureaus of the changes and let the creditors know you've done so. This will help motivate them to make the needed corrections.

3. Raise Your Available Credit

If you ask an existing creditor for a higher limit, this can help raise your score.

4. Keep Old Credit Cards Open

Do you have an older card that you're thinking of closing? Keeping the card open can help your score. 10% of credit scores are based on history.

5. Consolidate Cards

Try not to have smaller debts spread among several cards. This will not help your score. Try to consolidate smaller balances onto one card, or at least fewer cards.

6. Don't Rack Up Balances

Keeping a lower credit utilization ratio will also help your score. 30% of your limit is a good goal. That means, for example, if you have a $1000 limit, then you would keep your balance below $300.

7. Negotiate

A defaulted card can cause a lot of damage to your credit score. Try to work with the creditor to accept a partial payment for a debt in collections in exchange of reclassifying the debt as paid.

8. Don't Keep Applying for New Credit

10% of your score is affected by new credit applications. Don't apply for a new card unless you absolutely have to.

Of course there are other ways to maintain a great credit score. But if you start with these points, you will be on your way to a better score in no time.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

3620 Monte Vista Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM  $330,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 partial) / 1590 Square Feet

Vintage beauty in the heart of NOB HILL!! Vintage feel in harmony with modern elements. This updated and remodeled classic home features a versatile floor plan with 3BDRs/2BAs plus two living areas, an office/study, second kitchenette and second entrance. Desirable URBAN location is close to shopping, restaurants, parks, Nob Hill, UNM and transportation!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

My how the time flies! It's already time to start thinking about where your children are going to school, especially if you're moving into the Albuquerque area. To help you find the best schools in Albuquerque, Niche.com has rated thousands of schools across America. The good news is that they gave an “A” grade to 17 schools in the Albuquerque Public Schools district. They base these ratings on a number of factors such as test scores, reviews, and other criteria.

One school in the district that shines is North Star Elementary School. Niche.com says “North Star Elementary School is a highly rated, public school located in Albuquerque, NM. It has 604 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. According to state test scores, 70% of students are at least proficient in math and 63% in reading.” Those are outstanding marks for sure!

What are people saying about Albuquerque Public Schools? One reviewer said “Most of the teachers are very caring and thoughtful throughout the Albuquerque Public School system.” Another reviewer notes “Albuquerque has a great diversity which allows a better sense of community.” In regards to offering a safe learning environment, one student says “They are alert when there are serious issues going on and they try their best to resolve the problem by taking care of the students and keeping them safe.”

Some of the top rated schools in Albuquerque Public Schools that received at least an “A” grade are:

North Star Elementary School
Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary School
San Antonito Elementary School
Dennis Chavez Elementary School
Double Eagle Elementary School
Desert Ridge Middle School
The Family School
La Cueva High School
Early College Academy
Eldorado High School
College & Career High School
Sandia High School

You can read the full reviews on Niche.com. You can also search homes for sale in the Albuquerque Public Schools area with our powerful home search tool.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11716 Easy Goer Road SE, Albuquerque, NM  $289,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2600 Square Feet

Beautiful Southwest style home in Volterra. Light, bright and open floorplan with plenty of entertaining space!  Mountain views! The secondary bedrooms are large plus a loft and the utility room is upstairs for convenience! Mountain views! Beautifully maintained landscaped front and backyards!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Buying a home is likely the biggest decision you’ll make in your life. It’s a decision that you will likely be living with for years. Everyone dreams of finding the perfect home. What is the perfect home, and how can you find it?

Defining the "Perfect Home"

The perfect home, as it were, is a home that fits your needs the best. You define what you want or need in a home. To that end, you should make a list of what’s important to you in a home. Separate what you want and what isn't important. If you have a partner buying with you, compare your lists and compare them to see what you can compromise on and what you can't.

Also think about the homes you lived in before and what you did and didn’t like. Keep those things in mind when searching for a home.

How Much Can You Afford?

Getting in over your head with payments can really ruin the experience of a new home. Determining how much you can afford really the first thing you should do. Don't make the mistake of basing it on the maximum amount you can borrow. You should set a budget so that you can comfortably handle the monthly payments.  And if this is your first home, you need to keep in mind other expenses such as taxes, repairs, appliances, furniture, and so forth. Try to save money aside for unexpected expenses. It would be a shame to find a beautiful home and then have to struggle financially to live there.

Get the Right Help

Finding the right agent makes all the difference. And don’t be tempted to go it alone either. Working with a real estate professional can make the difference between a smooth experience and complete disaster. Real estate agents can find properties you may not be able to.  They can also negotiate the best price and recommend the best lenders.

Location, Location, Location

Location makes all the difference when buying a home. Bad neighbors can ruin even the most desirable home. Test out the community and compare it to what you like or don’t like about your current neighborhood. Drive around the area at different times of the day and ask yourself how safe you would feel living there.  Also test your commute during rush hour to the neighborhood.

Do Your Homework

This takes some time and money, but is well worth it. Compare property values around the home and look at trends. What are homes selling for in the area? This information can help you negotiate a better price. Also make sure to hire your own home inspector to find potential issues.  Finding these up front can help you as well in negotiations with the seller.

Finding the perfect home is not impossible if you follow these basic steps.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11716 Easy Goer Road SE, Albuquerque, NM  $289,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2600 Square Feet

Beautiful Southwest style home in Volterra. Light, bright and open floorplan with plenty of entertaining space!  Mountain views! The secondary bedrooms are large plus a loft and the utility room is upstairs for convenience! Mountain views! Beautifully maintained landscaped front and backyards!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Granite countertops are an ideal choice for bath and kitchen remodels.  They’re always in style, durable, and take less maintenance. You may think that installing a granite countertop will be too expensive. Yes, the can be.  But you don’t actually need to buy the most expensive granite to get amazing results. Here’s what you should know about granite counters and how you can cut back the cost of installing one.

Costs

A granite countertop will cost between $2000 - $4500, which includes materials and installation. Typically granite is priced by the square foot, which can include delivery, installation, and simple edge finishes.  Extra costs will be incurred with further features such as decorative edge treatments and cutouts for sinks or stove tops. You also need to take into account plumbing hookups and disposal of your old countertop.

The grade of the countertop will affect the price as well. The grade is based on the availability of the stone, color, shipping and distinctiveness.  This doesn’t, however, always reveal the granite’s overall quality.

Saving Money

1. Shop around

Check big box stores, design studios, granite fabricators, and companies that specialize in prefabricated granite counters. Hiring an established company will yield the best results. Check online reviews and talk to family or friends who have had granite installed. When you have two or three companies selected, visit each one to talk about the project and see examples of their work. You can save hundreds of dollars just by carefully comparing and shopping around.

2. Buy the sink and faucet separately

Try to buy the sink, faucet and any plumbing separately so you can get the lowest prices on each item.

3. Use a remnant

Granite companies may offer discounts on smaller pieces of stone left over from other projects.

4. Go prefab

Prefabricated counters are already cut and polished, and are great for simple counters that don’t need many cuts.

5. Have the installer do final measurements

Have the installer take the final measurements and make a template which the final estimate will be based on. This will avoid making expensive mistakes.

Adding a granite countertop is a great way to make your home look better and raise the resale value of your home.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11716 Easy Goer Road SE, Albuquerque, NM  $289,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2600 Square Feet

Beautiful Southwest style home in Volterra. Light, bright and open floorplan with plenty of entertaining space!  Mountain views! The secondary bedrooms are large plus a loft and the utility room is upstairs for convenience! Mountain views! Beautifully maintained landscaped front and backyards!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Moving into a new home is an exciting time.  But it can be frustrating.  As you're getting to know your new place, you're going to be running into things that you didn't know about before you moved in.  But many surprises can be avoided if you ask the right questions of the seller. Sure, you may get details from the home inspection and disclosure, but why not talk to the people who have lived there already? Just make sure to ask these questions at the end of the selling process, as the seller might think their answers would make the sale not go through.

What Are Past Problems That Were Fixed?

Even though existing problems are disclosed in the seller's statement, it doesn't reveal what past problems may have been fixed.  Use the disclosure as a place to start when asking to learn what wasn't listed.

Switch and Valve Locations

The home inspector may not always show you where all the valves and circuit breakers are.  Especially if it's an older or larger home, just ask the seller where everything is and if there's anything special about their operation.

Ask About the Neighborhood

This may be a loaded question, but you'll usually get the best of both worlds and everything in between.  That's OK, because it can help you keep your move-in experience more enjoyable.  You'll know what to expect and hopefully help make new friends with your neighbors. 

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

10 Caminito Trail, Placitas   $395,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms/ 2580 Square Feet

This amazing culdesac property features unobstructed views of the mountains and open floorplans with stunning raised ceilings.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Installing a new garage door isn’t probably the first thing that comes to mind, not until it gets damaged or fails to work. But even if your garage door works fine, it’s probably time to update it, especially if your home is a few decades old. Replacing a garage door, including the opener, can run around $2300.  Of course that number will vary depending on size and who installs it.

Here are some factors that will affect cost and what options are available.

Size

Standard garage doors are 8-10 ft wide, and 2-car garage doors are 12-18 feet wide. You will find garage doors in different heights and thicknesses. Of course, the bigger it is, the higher the cost.

Type

The more affordable doors include sectional or roll-up doors. One-piece or swing up doors, along with swing out and sliding doors will cost more.

Materials

Steel: Steel doors are durable and low maintenance, making them a popular option. Yet they are also heavy, hard on the opener opener and easily dented. Steel is one of the most affordable garage door materials, with two-car garage doors ranging from $750 to $3,500 depending on style and construction.

Aluminum: Lighter than steel, rust-resistant and ideal for wider doors. Aluminum is also affordable like steel, but is a poor insulator and easily bends. Aluminum two-car garage doors typically range from $1,500 to $2,000.

Wood and composite wood: Solid wood garage doors are heavier than steel and aluminum doors, require upkeep and are more expensive. Composite doors are lighter and less expensive than solid wood, but not as durable as metal or synthetic materials. Wood or composite wood two-car garage doors range from $1,200 to $4,000.

Fiberglass: Fiberglass doors are light and available in many styles, along with being resistant to rot. Fiberglass is affordable, but can yellow with age and sometimes cracks in extreme temperatures, making them a less desirable option in climates such as in Albuquerque. These garage doors typically range from $1,500 to $2,000 for a two-car garage.

Vinyl: Vinyl garage doors are lightweight, low-maintenance and can take a beating, which makes them great for high-traffic homes. The down side is that vinyl can fade, and style options are limited. These range from $900 to $1,500.

Professional installation

In most cases, you should have your garage door professionally installed, as most homeowners don’t have the right equipment to install a door, and doors can be dangerous if installed incorrectly. Hiring a professional may cost up to $500, but is well worth the price.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9400 Bear Mountain Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM  $689,900

4 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (3 full, 0 partial) / 3451 Square Feet

Custom elegance abounds in this beautiful Tuscan style home with views of the Sandia Mountains! Oversized lot in gated community. Guest suite/office w/full bath on the main level. Gourmet kitchen featuring Subzero fridge, two ovens, gas cooktop, granite countertops, large island & bkfst nook and walk-in pantry. 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team