Real Estate Information

Springtime is the most common time sellers decide to put their homes on the market. Many assume spring and summer are the best sales seasons. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception and often, sellers miss out on valuable listing time because of it. Typically, you'll see more homes listed for sale during spring and summer. The amazing weather we have here in Albuquerque also makes this a great time to list. However, don't rule out the fall and winter months just yet! Here are some points to consider about listing during fall and winter:

• There is less competition during these months as most sellers prefer to list in spring and summer
• Less families are on vacation during fall and winter
• Buyers looking during these times might be more serious about purchasing since this is considered the off season

If you're considering listing your home, don't wait for spring. Contact The Sandi Pressley Team today for a no-obligation market analysis. Our listing specialist can help you decide if this is the right time to list your home.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

9312 Nationwide St. NW, Albuquerque

Price: $210,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 2+ Square Feet: 2,270

Beautiful 4 Bedroom/2.5 Baths w/open and functional floor plan*Home features comfortable great room with cozy fireplace, arched accents, lovely wood laminate flooring thru out the lower level. Sunny spacious kitchen overlooks the family dining area & showcases plenty of counter & cabinet space

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Thinking about selling your home? Here are some tips for home selling success.

Get a CMA

The Competitive Market Analysis is a great tool to show you what the market looks like in your immediate area. Knowing what the local market is doing is essential to being able to accurately price your home for a quick sale without sacrificing a fair market price.

Remember, a CMA should only include homes in your immediate area and that are similar in size, amenities and features to your home. A home that sold with more or less upgrades won't be an accurate indicator of your home's potential buyers, days on market or how it should be priced.

You may not be in a hurry to sell but you might not be thinking about how longer days on market can affect your price and the impression of your home. If you overprice, buyers may assume you're making room for negotiation and make a low-ball offer to counter that. Underprice and buyers may jump to the conclusion that there is something wrong with the house.

A Buyer's Market

In a buyer's market you can expect:

• More days on market
• Dropping prices
• More seller incentives
• Higher inventories

A Seller's Market

In a typical seller's market you'll often see:

• Less inventory
• Rising prices
• Multiple offers

The type of market you're in will determine whether you can ask a little more for your home or if you need to price aggressively. It's important to pay attention to market conditions and understand how they affect your listing. Your real estate broker should be able to offer you guidance in this area. Ignoring market trends is a great way to have a long term listing with few showings and no offers.

When you're ready to look at a CMA for your home, call The Sandi Pressley Team. You can also visit our website for a no-obligation market analysis. Just complete the form and a member of our team will contact you with more information.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

827 Affirmed St NW, Albuquerque

Price: $145,000 Beds:3 Baths: 2 Square Feet: 1,400

This immaculate & stylish home is a gem! Features: Designer paint throughout, spacious family room and separate dining room, large country kitchen, new H20 Heater, Master bedroom with walk in closet separate from the other 2 bedrooms and a BEAUTIFUL, Terraced back yard with grass, shrubs, trees and flowers

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

What is universal design? In the past it was focused on mobility issues for an aging population. Today, it makes sense to include these features not just for the elderly. Creating a more safe and practical environment for all families is becoming the new norm. If you're planning a major remodel or just upgrading your existing home, there are some easy features you can add that will incorporate universal design into your home. The internet has suggestions for many such features. Here are a few of our favorites.

Get rid of doorknobs

Knobs require more dexterity and strength to open. Lever-style handles are simple to use, inexpensive and easy to install. It's an easy job and replacing a house full of knobs can be a quick, weekend project.

Replace light switches

Rocker plates have a large surface area making them ideal for use in any situation. Rocker plates are easier to clean, can be flipped with hands, fingers, knuckles or even an elbow if your hands are full. These plates can be installed easily and replacing a house full of toggle switches can be done in just a few hours.

Add motion sensing lights

Motion sensor lights come in a variety of options. You've probably seen them installed in public restrooms and in the form of night lights that plug in to wall sockets. Now there's even an option to use lamps and lights with a device that plugs into the wall. When the device senses movement, the light comes on. Not only is this a great option for night time wake ups, but it can add security to your home as well. Adding a few motion sending lights can be done in just a few minutes and save can also help save on your electric bill, turning off lights in rooms where no activity is happening. If you’re ready to find a home that already has these features, call The Sandi Pressley Team today. Our team of buyer specialists will go to work to help you find your dream home.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

1733 Black River Dr NE, Albuquerque

Price: $379,000 Beds:4 Baths: 3 Square Feet: 3,010

BOSQUE TRAILS! Master suite on the main floor! Backyard access!! Custom Elegance! Beautiful wood floors in the main floor office/den, two secondary bdrs upstairs with Jack & Jill bath, adjoining huge loft, and balcony. Stacked stone accents, custom fireplace, raised ceilings, refrig air, water softener, security system, upgrades hardware & lighting, tile flooring.

Winter is almost upon us and that means the weather is changing quickly. Now is the time to make sure your home is ready for the cold weather that is on its way. Here are some tips on winterizing to save money and be more comfortable when it's cold outside. El Nino is expected to be particularly strong this year. This means there could potentially be plenty of rain, snow and maybe even ice coming. Here are some cost-effective ways to get ready for the worst El Nino might throw your way.

Caulk Doors and Windows

Statistics show that a home can lose up to 33% of its energy to drafts at windows and doors. Experts recommend a gap of no more than a nickel's width to avoid heat escaping in winter. For drafty doors, consider adding weather stripping and a draft stopper for the bottom.

Reverse All Ceiling Fans

Remember that heat rises and you don't want all your heating dollars trapped near the ceiling. Reversing your ceiling fans helps push all that warm air back down into the room.

Get Your Heater Serviced

Having a repairman come out during an emergency is costly and inconvenient. Get your heating unit serviced before the cold hits to avoid most surprises that could end up costing you much more.

Clear Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are made to carry water away from your house, saving it from damage. Having clogged downspouts and blocked gutters gives water the option of backing up where it can then flow into your home causing possible water damage and worse, possibly even mold.

Watch the Weather Report and Prepare Accordingly

Know when winter weather is likely to be at its worst and prepare ahead. Stock up on essentials like water, paper products and firewood. These things are likely to go up in price when weather strikes and in a worst case scenario, you may not be able to travel out during the storm. If you're ready to sell, winter is a great time to put your home on the market. Buyers this time of year are more likely to be serious about moving and there is generally less competition in the market. Call The Sandi Pressley Team today to find out about listing your home.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

6812 Vista Del Sol Dr, Albuquerque

Price: $339,000 Beds:3 Baths: 2+ Square Feet: 2,650

This spacious & beautiful home located on a cul-de-sac lot in the highly sought after NE Heights Neighborhood. This spacious open concept home showcases a formal dining room, 2 living areas w/fireplace, raised ceilings, plant ledges to name a few!

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Buying a home is more than just finding the right home and going to the title company to sign documents. Unless you have cash to make the purchase, you'll need to obtain a home loan or mortgage. This can be an intimidating process. We hear every day about new predatory lending practices and mortgage scams. So how do you protect yourself and get the best loan available for your situation? Here are some tips to help protect you when the time to buy a home comes along.

Ask for referrals

You're likely to have family, friends or coworkers who have recently been through the process of obtaining a home loan. Ask around and find out where they had the best experience. Your real estate broker is also likely to have a preferred lender they like to use. Word of mouth is a great way to find a reputable lender.

If it seems too good to be true...

If it sees too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of rates far below what the market shows. There are plenty of programs available that help with down payment, closings costs and other parts of buying a home. Try not to be wowed by companies offering miracle deals.

Do your homework

Taking the time to research rates, companies and programs, can save you thousands of dollars out of pocket and even more over the term of a conventional mortgage. Being uneducated can cost you the same. Start by:

• Understanding your credit score and how it relates to interest rate
• Understanding mortgage terms like amortization, APR and compounding interest
• Understanding payment and prepayment options

Be careful who you trust

The internet is a smorgasbord of information when it comes to mortgage lending. You have to be careful though as there is a ton of outdated information, deceptive advertising and just plain bad advice.

There are ways to protect yourself and even learn from other peoples’ mistakes. Consumer websites like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are a great place to start. Here you can learn about known scams and read personal experiences from people who have been there already.

When you're ready to buy a home, contact us for a referral to our preferred lender, Legacy Mortgage. The Sandi Pressley team is here to help you have a great experience!

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

6812 Vista Del Sol Dr, Albuquerque

Price: $375,000 Beds:4 Baths: 2+ Square Feet: 3,755

Exquisitely Appointed Home in desired Montecito Estates!With over 3700SF, this open floorplan shows like a model-featuring cozy living area w/fireplace, 4 BDRMS/3BA+loft & computer area!

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Often, when meeting with prospective sellers, I hear the question, "Should I sell my home or remodel it and stay?" There's even a show on the home and garden channel called Love it or List it where a broker shops for new homes for a couple while a contractor remodels their existing home. At the end of the show, the couple must decide if they love it enough to stay or want to take one of the new homes found by the broker. Most of us don't have access to a TV show who will offer us this option so we have to decide if it is a better investment to remodel and stay in the home or just move out and buy what we want. Here are some tips to help you decide.

Look at Market Conditions in your area

Market statistics, the ones that really matter, should be hyper-local. Numbers in your county or city can vary greatly from the national ones put out by NAR and other organizations. Home prices can even vary from one neighborhood to another, depending on amenities, condition and crime in the area.

Look at your purchasing options

Living in an area where you can fetch a good price for your home might also mean it will be difficult to find a new home that is affordable. Look at your purchase options before making a decision to list. If you sell, will you have enough for a down payment? Will your payments go up in your new home?

Consider the costs

Statistics show that an average home renovation is less expensive now, around $4,000 down from over $6,000 in 2010. Looking at the cost, it's obviously less expensive to renovate than to move. However, most average families don't have that kind of money lying around and would need to take out a loan to cover the costs. This additional debt may offset the expense of moving in the long run.

Make the upgrades count

Unless you're in Arizona or a few other US locations, you probably got up today and set your clocks back one hour. We may get an extra hour of daylight in the morning but the sun is still setting around dinner time in most places. So how do you keep the darkness from wearing down your spirits? Here are some tips to help you let the sunshine in when fall and winter arrive.

• Change your dark curtains out for lighter colors or even better, throw them open during the day, especially in the morning.
• Add more lighting. This can add brightness to your home but the heat from the lights can also add warmth and mean savings on your heating bill
• Max out the watts. Don't use bulbs not intended for your light fixtures. That can cause higher fire risk. Just put in the highest wattage allowable in your lamps. Again, this adds warmth and can help with those winter heating bills. The new bulbs allow for more light without the increase in electricity usage.
• Consider adding skylights to your home. Solatubes and other skylight options can add a lot of natural light to your home.
• Lighter surfaces reflect light. You might consider painting rooms with lighter paint colors during the fall and winter months. Don't feel like repainting that often? Think about changing out dark colored decorations for lighter colored ones.
• Mirrors are another great option for reflecting light in an otherwise darker room. Hang your mirror on a wall across the room from a window and double the light.
• Clean the windows. That's right, just cleaning the windows can allow more light to enter the room.

Need a home with more light? Call The Sandi Pressley Team today and let us help you find the home of your dreams.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

13201 Canyon Edge Trail, Albuquerque

Price: $680,000 Beds:5 Baths: 4 Square Feet: 3,265

A Rare find - Oversized Lot at the Canyons featuring two homes and a 3 Car Garage.Perfect Multigenerational Home- Numerous recent upgrades to main home- Beautiful New Kitchen, New Wood Floors, Heating System Upgrade, Living Room Remodel. Open and Bright- High Ceilings.

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Deferred maintenance is a huge concern for buyers. If they find small things left undone in a listing, they're likely to walk away without giving the home a second thought. Here are a few home maintenance tips to make your home stand out when you're listed for sale.

You should be replacing your air filter and dusting the return vents at least once every 3 months. More often if you live in a dusty area, have pets or suffer from allergies. This will help your AC system last longer and nothing turns off a buyer like looking up and seeing a filter covered in dust and hair.  

Grout, in areas of your home that get wet, need to be cleaned and resealed about once per year. If you notice an area that needs it more often, add it to your calendar. Buyers may not notice your efforts but I guarantee they will notice if it's not done.

Look for leaky faucets and toilets. Run faucets for a minute or two and check under the sinks for water leaking. If you think you might have a leak, turn off all water sources and check your meter. Still moving? You may have a leak. The ABQ Water Authority can help you with a water audit to help detect those leaks and refer a licensed plumber to get repairs done.

Finally, dust ceiling corners and remove cobwebs from the front porch area. While cobwebs and dust may not be indicators of damage, it can give a buyer the wrong impression about your home. Best to clear them out before your first showing.

If you're ready to put your Albuquerque home on the market, call The Sandi Pressley team today. We'll help you get your home ready to sell fast and for the best possible price.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

1015 C De Baca Lane, Bernalillo

Price: $550,000 Beds:4 Baths: 3 Square Feet: 3,664

Welcome to this Exquisite Custom home in the sought after gated community of C de Baca Casitas. Upon entering this home, you’ll notice sweeping views of the Sandias! Built by Su Casa, this home features Diamond Finish Plaster, arches, pillars, beamed/raised ceilings, custom lighting, hardwood & travertine flooring.

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Few things in life are certain. One thing that is certain is the ever-changing real estate market. The market we see today will not be the same a year or even a month from now. The market for 1st time buyers hasn't changed much in recent time but it looks like that might be changing soon. If you're a first time buyer, now is the time to act. Here are a few reasons why.

Historically Low Rates

Many experts predicted a rise in real estate rates over last summer. That didn’t happen. It could come at any time but for now, it looks like rates are holding at near historic lows. A rise in rates can have a significant impact on your monthly payment so if the stars are aligned for you to purchase, don’t wait. "If mortgage rates hit 6%, a third of millennials (people younger than 35 years old) wouldn't be able to afford homes as they're currently listed, according to an analysis by HouseCanary, a housing-data analytics company," said Money magazine. A $215,000 loan at 80% LTV over 30 years climbs just over $100 a month with just a 1% increase in interest rate.

Low Down Payment Programs

New loan programs from Fannie Mae and existing loans from FHA make buying a home even easier. With down payments as low as 3% in some cases, homes become more affordable for first time buyers. Pair that with lower MIP and you’ve got a great reason to buy now.

Rent is Going Up

In most markets around the nation, rental payments have been climbing steadily in recent years. When you look at rising rental payments and the tax benefits of home ownership, the decision becomes much clearer. In many markets, it is less expensive to make a house payment, usually on a larger residence, than to pay rent.

Tax Benefits

When you own a home, especially the first year, the tax benefits can easily outweigh the costs. Here are just a few things that may reduce your tax burden when you own a home:

• Interest payments
• Interest buy downs
• Points
• Property Taxes

PMI Went Down

The going rate for PMI in recent years was 1.35% of the balance of the loan. The feds recently made a change that lowered this rate to /85 meaning huge savings for buyers with lower down payments. The change can mean a savings of around $900 each year. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why now is a GREAT time to buy your first home. If you’re ready to start your search, contact the Sandi Pressley Team today!

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

24 Plaza De Sonadores, Placitas

Price: $300,000 Beds:3 Baths: 2 Square Feet: 2,170

Immaculate single story home nestled on 2.1AC showcasing breathtaking 360 degree views~Pride of ownership! This open concept floorplan showcases 2 Heated Sunrooms-North & South side of home, 2 living areas w/3 fireplaces, raised ceilings, family dining room. Gourmet Kitchen features stunning upgraded granite countertops & backsplash (2015), lovely cabinetry+ sunny breakfast nook-Chefs Dream!

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Making a home purchase on your own has become increasingly difficult. New regulations, an increase in the amount of paperwork required and negotiation requirements means it's even more important to find a qualified real estate professional. In addition to a real estate license you should seek a broker who is a negotiation specialist for repairs and inspections, someone who is very familiar with the area you're shopping in and a broker who knows a lot about the mortgage industry.

The process of getting a real estate deal from contract to close is a complicated one. The number of obstacles a buyer may face is ever increasing and always changing. Financing standards have tightened, supply of homes has changed dramatically and prices and interest rates are always on the rise.

Your Sandi Pressley team buyer specialist will have access to all homes listed for sale in the Albuquerque Metro Area through the local MLS. They can set you up with email alerts so know immediately when a new listing goes on the market or if a listing you're looking at changes status or price.

Brokers also share new listings with each other, sometimes before they even hit the market. This means having a well-connected real estate broker will benefit you even more. If your broker isn’t contacting you with new home prospects on a regular basis, it’s time to shop for a new broker.

Your broker should also be poised and ready to help you make an offer as soon as you decide on a home. If your broker isn’t available by phone text or email, or fails to return your calls in a timely manner, this is a sign they aren’t invested in your situation. Sadly, this lack of attention could end up costing you the home you want.

Your broker should also have strong negotiating skills. Since buyers and sellers have competing interests, it’s important that your buyer specialist be able to negotiate with the sellers and be able to work through problems that arise along the way.

While all of these things are important when you’re looking for an agent, you aren’t without responsibility in the deal. Here are a few things you should do:

• Be Loyal
Working with more than one broker is not kind. Brokers work solely on commission and if you spend their time to find your dream home, then give them the commission they deserve for their hard work.
• Communicate
You may hear a lot of stories about brokers who never call back or don’t communicate as much as you’d like. This is a two way street. If your needs change or you aren’t happy with the level of service you receive, tell your broker and give them an opportunity to remedy the situation. If they fail to do so, move on.
• Don't Go Alone
If you're going to look at a home, tell your broker first. They may have inside information about the home. It’s also good because having them with you can rule out any possibility of a seller trying to take advantage of your lack of representation.

If you want the best service during your home purchase, hire a real estate professional with a proven track record. If you’re ready to work with the best, call the Sandi Pressley Team today.

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Sandi's Hot Home Listing

604 Autumnwood Pl, Albuquerque

Price: $389,000 Beds:3 Baths: 3 Square Feet: 2,900

SLICE OF HEAVEN-CULDESAC Hillside Home w/Private Pool, Lush landscaping & breathtaking city & mountain views. This stunning home shows like a MODEL w/upgrades galore-showcasing 3 BDRMS/3 BATHS/2 CAR GARAGE/UPSTAIRS LOFT/BALCONY OFFERING MAJESTIC VIEWS-3 decks for views overlooking Tijeras Canyon. This open concept floorplan includes 2 living areas w/fireplace, spacious remodeled Kitchen w/granite counters S/S appliances -chefs dream!

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!