Real Estate Information Archive

Families in Albuquerque are becoming more health-conscious and concerned with their diet. As a hobby or as a cottage industry, city-dwellers are growing vegetables for pesticide-free produce, free of pesticides.

The ability to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home depends on three factors: climate zone, property availability, and willingness to try.

You can raise edible plants virtually anywhere if you have the right tools and are motivated. Consider the following factors:

Which crops will you grow?

It's important to check local Albuquerque zoning regulations or homeowner's association guidelines before you begin gardening outside. Next, determine the hardiness zone for your plants. Using a planting schedule, determine what plants are recommended and when they should be planted. Selecting plants is almost as much fun as growing them.

It is best to grow plants indoors by placing them near large, south-facing windows. If this is not possible, set up grow lights or find creative solutions. Avocados, carrots, microgreens, lemons, and scallions are some of the most hearty indoor crops.

How can you garden... without a garden?

When you think of a garden, you probably imagine lush rows of crops and tilled soil, crop after crop of vegetable plants. This dream isn't as unattainable as you might think. Participate in a community garden in your area, and take advantage of fertile ground you can call your own. Gardening in a community allows people to share in the work, strengthen community ties, and give them a sense of accomplishment. A community with the right equipment can turn an unproductive lot into a food-producing area with hard work.

Gardening in a small space is not impossible, though. Urban gardeners have devised innovative ways to garden in small spaces.

Make a grow tower: A 15-gallon plastic drum, a 5 inch PVC pipe, a drill, and dirt are all you need to garden vertically. 

Plant in containers: Using buckets, planter boxes, hanging baskets, pots, and wooden barrels on the porch and patio can maximize your growing space.

Create a rooftop garden: Take advantage of the space that most of us don't even think about, our rooftops. If you've got a flat area on your roof and easy access, consider growing fresh food there.

There are plenty of innovative ways to grow your own produce in a small space, so don't let your tight space discourage you. It's just a matter of getting creative and finding the best solution for you. You'll know that all your hard work was well worth it when you've harvested your first tomato or made pesto with your own basil.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

14412 OAKWOOD Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

A gem nestled in the Foothills! Built in 2000, this 4-Bedroom custom home comes with all the bells & whistles. At 4,665sqft, this home boasts incredible living space made for entertaining. Open kitchen is a chef's delight w/ great new appliances, 5-burner Gas Range, gorgeous granite, large pantry and tons of seating. Spread out w/ the lower level entertaining area, or go outside on any of the multiple balconies, or through the huge backyard with hot tub and so many great views. This smart home features lights that turn on automatically as you enter the room & is wired with surround sound. The Master Suite showcases a luxurious bathroom complete with jetted tub, oversized shower, & custom California Closet. With a water softener, humidifier, and laundry chute, this home truly has it all.

Learn More!

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

The Sandi Pressley Team would like to wish all of our family, friends, and clients the very best of times this week as we show our thanks in Albuquerque. We're especially thankful for the opportunity to work with all of our wonderful clients. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you with your real estate needs this past year.

Here are a few things in our lives we can show thanks for this week:

• Healthy Relationships
• Children
• Hugs
• Friends
• Music
• Sunshine
• Our Beautiful City of Albuquerque
• A Good Laugh
• Health

We hope you and your loved ones enjoy each other's company this week and your home is full of love and laughter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We all know the story. You hire an Albuquerque contractor who you think will do the job right and honestly, only to be slighted in the end.

Most contractors can be trusted. But as with any profession, there are definitely some who spoil the whole batch. How can you tell if your contractor is scamming you? What can you do to protect yourself?

Don't Pay For the Whole Job Up Front

Let's say your contractor asks for money up front for materials. While it's fair to pay some money to get the job going, you should beware if they ask for more than 30% up front. Some dishonest contractors may just run off on you once they get the money, or just do a sloppy job, knowing you can't fire them since they have your money.

How to protect yourself: Never prepay more than $1,000 or 10% of the job total, whichever is less. That should be enough to establish that you’re a serious customer so the contractor can work you into his schedule.  That's the only valid point of paying up front. If your contractor needs to rent equipment, they should be able to do so on credit with their suppliers, provided the contractor really is the professional they profess to be.

"Trust Me"

If your contractor agrees to do what you need exact to your specs, along with other items, make sure it's in writing. Don't just go by a verbal agreement. If you don't get it all in writing, then a dishonest contractor may just start leaving things out. And there's really nothing you can do about it legally.

How to protect yourself: There isn't much you can do legally if you signed a contract that doesn't include all the details. Make sure you get all the details in writing. And if you need to add anything, make sure you initial each addition and have the contractor initial it as well.

"I Don’t Need to Pull a Permit"

Any significant amount of construction will require a permit. This will allow building officials to visit the site on occasion to make sure the work meets code.

An unlicensed contractor may try to get around this on smaller jobs by saying that the authorities won't notice. Yet on larger jobs, it's more likely that it will be noticed. So the contractor may ask you to get a a homeowner’s permit, an option available to do-it-yourselfers.

The problem with getting your own permit is that you will not only be lying to the authorities about who's doing the work, but it also makes you responsible if something goes awry. That means that you have to answer to the inspector instead of the contractor.

How to protect yourself: Always demand that the contractor get a building permit. Yes, it informs the local tax assessor about your upgrade, but it weeds out unlicensed contractors and gives you the added protection of an independent assessment of the work.

It can be daunting to begin the process of building a custom home rather than buying one of the existing ones in Albuquerque. You know what you're getting when you buy an existing home. There is a lot of uncertainty when doing a custom build.

Choosing a home builder is the first thing you need to do.

What you should know about choosing a builder and some tips to help you along the way are detailed below.

Exactly What is a Home Builder?

This may sound like an obvious question, but not so much. The term home builder has a broad definition. Builders are contractors who construct residential housing, but there are subcategories of home builders.

There are home builders available for hire. An in-house team of professionals works for the company you hire. It is a turnkey project that the team manages from start to finish.

A general contractor is another option. The general contractor will hire and manage workers. Your house will be built by this contractor. General contractors also obtain building permits and materials.

It may be that you hire your own architect to design your home, and then you hire a general contractor to build it.

An agreement with a general contractor typically includes a fee of up to 20% of the project's cost, which covers the contractor's services.

There are also the options of hiring project managers or hiring a construction management company. Subcontractors may be hired and materials may be obtained, and they may charge fees for overseeing the project.

Choosing The Right Builder in Albuquerque

Knowing the different types of homebuilders, how can you select the best one for your project?

• Identify your niche. Considering your budget, home size, and style are all important when building a house. Ensure that the company you choose specializes in the niche that your home falls under. You wouldn't hire a company specializing in luxury properties if you were building a starter home.
• Prepare a list of the most important things to you and a clear vision of what you want before you start talking to builders.
• When comparing contractors, ask to see examples of their work. Furthermore, you'll want to know how long the company has been operating.
• You can learn a lot about contractors from online reviews.
• Credentials should be checked before hiring a builder. The state license and insurance should be up-to-date.
• What kind of warranty does the builder offer?
• A builder's recently built homes should be viewed in person, and if possible, you should take a tour, although this isn't always possible.

Questions to Ask Builders

At least three builders should be interviewed. You must have a clear understanding of what your expectations and timeline are before you do this, as was discussed above.

Among the questions you should ask are whether or not they are willing to provide references and if they offer a guarantee. Once you select a builder, every detail of what you agree upon should be in writing, including how allowances are determined, the type of materials they use (such as copper or plastic plumbing), and how you will work together.

You should call references provided by potential builders. Vendors and subcontractors should also be contacted.

As a first step, you might consider contacting your local home builder's association. They can provide you with a list of local builders.

In addition to real estate agents, such as Sandi Pressley and her team, you may be able to get help from friends or relatives who have worked with a builder.

Building your own home in Albuquerque can be an exciting and life-changing experience. Make sure it’s a positive decision by following these tips above.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

14412 OAKWOOD Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

A gem nestled in the Foothills! Built in 2000, this 4-Bedroom custom home comes with all the bells & whistles. At 4,665sqft, this home boasts incredible living space made for entertaining. Open kitchen is a chef's delight w/ great new appliances, 5-burner Gas Range, gorgeous granite, large pantry and tons of seating. Spread out w/ the lower level entertaining area, or go outside on any of the multiple balconies, or through the huge backyard with hot tub and so many great views. This smart home features lights that turn on automatically as you enter the room & is wired with surround sound. The Master Suite showcases a luxurious bathroom complete with jetted tub, oversized shower, & custom California Closet. With a water softener, humidifier, and laundry chute, this home truly has it all.

Learn More!

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

Are you selling your Albuquerque home and have dogs? We know you love your dogs. Pet odors or the appearance of a house that has been occupied by pets can make selling a home difficult. The smells your dogs leave behind will be noticed right away by potential buyers.

If you are putting your house up for sale, how can you prevent the smell of pets from permeating the house?

Steam Clean All Fabrics

The best absorbent surfaces are those with a soft texture. As a result, you need to steam clean everything in the house that is fabric.

Dogs are known to stick their paws on everything and leave behind oils, odors, and fur. For this reason, you need to clean carpets, rugs, furniture, and even drapes. Even though it may seem extreme, it could make the difference between selling your home or not.

Grooming

As you likely groom your dog regularly, this is a good time to give them a grooming. But make sure you hire a professional. Therefore, the cleaner will do a better job, and their water will flow down the drain instead of yours.

Brush your dog outside regularly while your house is on the market to prevent hair from falling onto your sofa or rugs.

Clean Tile-Floor Grout

Tile grout absorbs pet stains and smells as well. Stains and odors can be removed by steam cleaning the grout. If the old grout looks bad, hire a professional to remove it and replace it.

Get an Air Purifier

Since you've grown accustomed to pet odors, you might not even notice them. An air purifier with a HEPA filter will remove hair and dander from the air.

When your air filters are changed regularly, most air ducts do not need to be cleaned. If, however, dander and fur seem to be taking over your home, you may need to hire a company to clean your air ducts.

Use Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners are specially made to remove pet odors. They're made from beneficial bacteria that eat stains and odors.

They’re formulated to get rid of a specific type of stain, so a cleanser that targets urine won’t be the same as one for vomit. Apply them liberally to stains regardless of how old they are.

Get Rid of Scratches

The toenails of pets leave recognizable marks on walls and doors. If your walls and doors are made of synthetic materials, you can just paint over the marks. To fill in scratches on wooden doors, use a wood-filling pen. Steel wool or fine sandpaper should be used to remove small scratches, followed by mineral spirits, wood filler, and polyurethane. Refinishing hardwood is a good investment when there is major damage.

Absorb Odors With Charcoal

Charcoal is great for pulling moisture and odors out of the air. Place inconspicuous little bags of it in places your pets love most. Or, just strategically stash some charcoal briquettes around the house.

Spot Clean Furniture Daily

Keeping your dog off the couch isn't always possible, so cover your freshly-cleaned furniture with throws or pet covers, and wash them at least once a week. Vacuum rugs and carpets every day. Pet smells sink in fast.

Get a Sniff Test

You’ve scrubbed everything, and you think your house smells like a dog has never set foot in the door. Get a second opinion as to whether the odors are gone. You may be nose-blind. Ask your agent to walk through and give you an honest opinion.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

9905 DENALI Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP! Great opportunity to make this immaculate & lovingly cared for home your own! Situated in the highly desirable Far Northeast Heights Academy Hills subdivision, this gem will not disappoint. Featuring a light, bright open floorplan with impressive high-end finishes throughout. Main level includes an inviting great room appointed with a vaulted beamed ceiling; wood burning fireplace with blower & built-ins; French doors with side panels to invite in the natural light & opening to the view deck overlooking the backyard & Sandia Mountains. Wood floors grace the formal dining room & eat in kitchen with high-end appliances & fixtures; pot filler; separate coffee bar; enjoy the views from the large window next to the eat at bar; ample pantry & more.....

Learn More!

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

If you're ready to enter the luxury home market in Albuquerque, there's no better place to start than with our latest featured luxury listings. Whether you're looking for extra room for your family, meticulous contruction and features, or a spectacular view, these homes are sure to please.

Feel free to contact Sandi Pressley and her team at 505-263-2173 to get more information and schedule a viewing of these fine homes. You can also check out all of our listings on our Featured Listings page.

14412 OAKWOOD Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

A gem nestled in the Foothills! Built in 2000, this 4-Bedroom custom home comes with all the bells & whistles. At 4,665sqft, this home boasts incredible living space made for entertaining. Open kitchen is a chef's delight w/ great new appliances, 5-burner Gas Range, gorgeous granite, large pantry and tons of seating. Spread out w/ the lower level entertaining area, or go outside on any of the multiple balconies, or through the huge backyard with hot tub and so many great views. This smart home features lights that turn on automatically as you enter the room & is wired with surround sound. The Master Suite showcases a luxurious bathroom complete with jetted tub, oversized shower, & custom California Closet. With a water softener, humidifier, and laundry chute, this home truly has it all.

Learn More!

315 LAGUNA SECA Lane NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Private gated community of The Gardens on the Rio Grande! Minutes to Old Town, downtown, parks, shopping, restaurants! Incredible outdoor living & entertaining space with 3 sets of patio doors to the lush interior courtyard, rose bushes, shrubs, trees & beautiful serene fountain! Relax & unwind in the custom spa with waterfall! 3BDR Plus OFFICE/STUDY/3BA/3CG! Formal dining! Oversized great room with soaring ceilings and Kiva fireplace. REFRIGERATED AIR & FURNACES! RADIANT HEAT! Skylights! Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, island w/wine rack, SubZero fridge, gas cooktop & convection oven! Large secondary bdrs with Jack-N-Jill bath! Elegant mst suite looks onto courtyard & features Kiva fireplace, sitting area, jetted tub, sep shower, dual sink granite vanity & two closets!

Learn More!

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

This is the year the find truly unique and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. And what better place to find those perfect gifts than at Albuquerque's holiday markets. There are a number of outstanding markets this year offering every kind of handmade and custom gifts imaginable. And it's a greta way to support local Albuquerque artists. Here are a few to check out.

Holiday Market at the Rail Yards

Dec 11th-12th, 2021 10a-4p
777 1st Street SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

The event brings food, art, and music together for the Holidays. Sample New Mexico's finest cuisine, peruse all the local gifts, and give back to your community at our Donation Station.

Holiday Craft Fair

Sat Nov 13 2021 | 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
11800 Princess Jeanne Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

No Admission. Come for one of a kind gifts for your holiday gifts this season.
The PAPA student council is hosting this craft fair. Fair Booth cost is $35 email [email protected] for an application.

Seasons Greetings A Holiday Market

Sun Nov 14 2021 | 09:00 am to 3:00 pm
9577 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

40+ local vendors, food trucks, car show, and raffles! All ages welcome.

Sandia Band Craft Fair

Sat Nov 20 2021 | 08:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sandia High School, 7801 Candelaria Road Northeast, Albuquerque

It’s time for the OUTDOOR Sandia Band Craft Fair-a 25-year tradition with hundreds of vendors. Unique gifts, treats for yourself.

Craft Fair

Sat Nov 20 2021 | 08:00 am to 2:00 pm
6600 Zuni Rd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Troop 7080 is hosting a Craft Fair at the Shrine Center to help raise money for their Trip to Europe. If you are interested in participating in the fair, tables can be purchased for $20 for Girl Scout Members or $25 for Non-Girl Scout Members.

April's Arts and Craft Fair

Sat Nov 20 2021 | 08:00 am to 4:00 pm
Hampton Inn & Suites - Albuquerque, Coors Road, 6150 Iliff Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121

Support Local Artists and Crafters, and get some Christmas gifts for your friends and family!

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

6424 PRAIRIE Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Welcome to this well maintained 2 bd | 2 ba Townhouse in the sought after NE Heights. Master bedroom has his/hers separate bathrooms and walk-in closets. NEW CARPETS, FRESH PAINT (10/2021), NEW WATER HEATER (2021), NEW A/C (REF AIR), NEW HEATER (6/2021), NEW TPO ROOF (2016), NEW SKYLIGHTS (2020). The Murphy bed in 2nd bedroom makes space for a great office. Home also has a detached hobby room. Low-maintenance, private backyard with access to a roof deck! Schedule a showing today!

Learn More!

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

More and more Albuquerque home buyers are working remotely, which has changed what they want in a home. Businesses are choosing to delay reopenings or go remote full-time, and buyers are looking for homes with more space to accommodate their work needs.

It is assured that you will find a buyer for the extra room you have in your home if you no longer need it.

Working Remotely is Here to Stay

There are still many Americans who work remotely. According to a recent Garter, Inc. poll, many organizations haven't yet returned to their offices: “. . . 66% of organizations are delaying reopening their offices due to new COVID-19 variants.”

Remote working is not just a trend among companies - workers are also seeking more flexibility. A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that nearly one in five employees would prefer to work remotely in the future. Many people are leaving jobs to pursue remote work opportunities, according to the study: “Among employees looking for new jobs, almost one in ten say it’s because they moved away from the office while working remotely and don’t want to go back on-site.”

More Remote Work Means a Greater Need for Home Offices

Today's buyers prioritize finding homes with more space so they can work from home comfortably. According to the American Institute of Architects survey of 2021, 69% of respondents still wish to have an office at home. The study also shows that more people are looking for multiple spaces in their home to conduct remote work and virtual meetings.

How Does This Affect You?

In case you have extra space in your house and are no longer using it, buyers are interested, so now may be a good time to sell.

Sandi Pressley and her expert team will help make sure your listing highlights many of the most sought-after features, such as a home office. However, if you have an unused room, consider staging it as a location where remote work can be accomplished. You can enlist the help of your agent to evaluate and prepare your space for potential buyers, as well. You'll get recommendations for how to stage a room, where to draw attention, and what other sellers are doing to make their houses stand out.

Due to the continued rise of remote work, more buyers are looking for homes that can accommodate multiple home offices. If you have extra room you’re no longer using, consider selling. Discuss the unique features of your home with us and how you can utilize any extra space to appeal to today's buyers.

HOT PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

6424 PRAIRIE Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

Welcome to this well maintained 2 bd | 2 ba Townhouse in the sought after NE Heights. Master bedroom has his/hers separate bathrooms and walk-in closets. NEW CARPETS, FRESH PAINT (10/2021), NEW WATER HEATER (2021), NEW A/C (REF AIR), NEW HEATER (6/2021), NEW TPO ROOF (2016), NEW SKYLIGHTS (2020). The Murphy bed in 2nd bedroom makes space for a great office. Home also has a detached hobby room. Low-maintenance, private backyard with access to a roof deck! Schedule a showing today!

Learn More!

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