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April Is Full of Fun in Albuquerque

Thursday, March 28, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Spring fever is in the air in Albuquerque! It time to get out and experience the the great events that make Albuquerque so special. This April you can look forward to tasting fresh produce, celebrating the native cultures of the Southwest, and traveling back in time to the middle ages. Here's a few events you can look forward to this coming month in Albuquerque.

GRAND OPENING OF THE TURQUOISE MUSEUM - DOWNTOWN
April 6, 2019 - April 30, 2019
Turquoise Museum | 400 2nd St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102

Turquoise Museum
400 2nd St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102Turquoise Museum | 400 2nd St. S.W., Albuquerque, NM 87102

Celebrate the opening of the new location of the Turquoise Museum! The museum contains some of the world's rarest and most collectible pieces of turquoise and turquoise jewelry. You'll also learn about Mining, Science, Grading Turquoise, Lapidary Techniques, Turquoise Imitations, and Mystical Qualities. Don't miss this amazing castle with it's grand halls, spiral staircase, and 127 chandeliers!

DOWNTOWN GROWERS' MARKET
April 13, 2019 - November 2, 2019
Robinson Park

This family friendly market is one of the largest and longest running Markets in New Mexico. You'll find just about anything here that grows locally, along with food carts, arts and crafts, local band performances, and fun activities for friends and family to enjoy including yoga in the park.

The grower's market is a free event, and donations are welcome to keep the market running.

40TH ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN WEEK
April 22, 2019 - April 28, 2019
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Everyone can enjoy American Indian Week, with cultural Native dances several times each day, workshops led by Native art experts each afternoon, and artists offering authentic handcrafted work for sale. Pueblo Harvest will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner as usual, as well as host a special concession window in the courtyard.

American Indian Week Spring Art Market | Saturday April 27 – Sunday April 28 daily from 9 am – 5 pm

Art lovers will not want to miss the last weekend of American Indian Week. The courtyard transforms into a bustling marketplace with dozens of artist booths featuring pottery, jewelry, paintings, and more. Enjoy all the activities of our week-long cultural celebration with an extra emphasis on art.

36TH ANNUAL GATHERING OF NATIONS POWWOW
April 25, 2019 - April 27, 2019
Tingley Coliseum

The Gathering of Nations Is North America`s biggest Pow Wow.  This family friendly event has something for everyone, with the much-anticipated Grand Entry, where thousands of Native American dancers simultaneously enter the dance floor inside Tingley Coliseum dressed in colorful traditional regalia to the sounds of rhythmic drums.

2019 ALBUQUERQUE RENAISSANCE FAIRE
April 27, 2019
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Come all ye lords and ladies to the The Albuquerque Renaissance Faire! Meet royalty, learn about traditions of the past with Living History demonstrations and feast on food fit for a king. Kids can Fight a Knight, babies can Crawl to the Crown and four-legged friends can participate in the Pet Fashion Contest. Enjoy performances by local bands Le Chat Lunatique and Silver String Band. 

Search for your dream home in Albuquerque with our easy to use home search. 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!

1824 Bold Ruler Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $425,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (3 full) / 4650 Square Feet

Seller paid lot premium for over sized corner lot. Original Owner built and upgraded Raylee-Vantage home. No PID!! Fantastic 4650 sq ft 4/5 bedrooms plus huge family room upstairs perfect for home theater, pool table.1 Spacious bedroom and full bath plus office area on main level. 5th bedroom currently used as exercise room. 2 large living areas , formal living and huge formal dining room. Kitchen is a dream with beautiful sile stone counter tops, island, and sunny breakfast nook. Kitchen opens on to spacious family room with fireplace. Master suite has private balcony, double sink, jetted tub, sep shower. Beautifully landscaped front and back, bubble drip and sprinklers designed for low maintenance, wonderful covered patio. Over sized 3 Car Garage, Home is immaculate, shows like model!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

 

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Get Ready For Albuquerque's Farmer's Markets

Thursday, March 21, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Spring is here, and with it will soon come the fresh fruits and vegetables of the farmer’s and organic markets in Albuquerque. It’s that time of year that all of us who enjoy the heathy great flavors of the Southwest wait for. Here’s a list of the top farmer’s markets opening soon in the Albuquerque area, along with opening dates. Set your calendars!

Downtown Growers' Market
Opens April 14

Located in historic Robinson Park on Saturdays, April 14-November 2, 8am-noon, this large market is home to over 75 New Mexican growers. They also feature live music, yoga, bike valet, and accept EBT/SNAP (and double it for you so you can be twice as healthy)!

Rail Yards Market
Opens May – October on Sundays

This community organized grower’s market celebrates all things Albuquerque, as they provide hundreds of vendors featuring the finest food, farm fresh produce, art, and healing products. With live music and educational zones for the kids, there’s something for everyone.

Corrales Grower’s Market
Winter Market Open Through April 7 | Regular Season Opens April 28

Here’s  a great local farmer’s market where you can buy your green chilies and have them roasted while you wait. And while you wait for your chilies to roast, you can visit dozens of vendors selling local farm fresh goods, arts & crafts, and home made items, along with live music.

Moktezu Mart Market
115 Harvard Dr SE | Bldg B Retail 3 | Albuquerque, NM 87106

If you can’t wait for the outside farmer’s markets to open, then Moktezu is a great alternative to get your farm fresh produce and other natural items. You’ll also find coffee, atole, smoothies and wheatgrass shots, locally made tamales, veggie & chicken burrito, veggie & chicken tacos, quesadillas, rice, beans, tostadas and pan dulce.

Search for your dream home in Albuquerque with our easy to use home search. 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!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $375,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 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

 

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Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford For Your Home in Albuquerque

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Buying a home in Albuquerque should be an investment that gives you safety and security, along with financial security. Before you buy a home in Albuquerque, you should make sure you can afford the mortgage and that it fits in your budget.

Prepare a Detailed Budget

The standard rule of thumb says that you can afford a home that costs 2 to 3 times your gross income for one year. In other words, if you earn $100,000 in a year, you should be able to afford a home between $200k to $300k.

There is one problem with this rule. It doesn't factor in your monthly expenses and debts. If we use our previous example of $100k per year income, and you have $1000 monthly debt payments, this leaves you with less money to pay the mortgage.

You should prepare a family budget that takes into account your ongoing monthly bills for everything — credit cards, car and student loans, lunch at work, day care, date night, vacations, and savings.

Now you can see what's left to cover the costs of owning a home, such as your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable.

Factor in Your Down Payment

Having enough for a down payment is also an important factor to consider. It's simple: the higher the down payment, the lower your monthly mortgage costs will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home’s cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which protects the lender if you default and costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.

The lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

But, if interest rates and/or home prices are rising and you wait to buy until you accumulate a bigger down payment, you may end up paying more for your home.

Consider Your Overall Debt

Lenders generally follow the 43% rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes and insurance, plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn’t exceed 43% of your gross annual income.

Here’s an example of how the 43% calculation works for a home buyer making $100,000 a year before taxes:

  1. Your gross annual income is $100,000.
  2. Multiply $100,000 by 43% to get $43,000 in annual income.
  3. Divide $43,000 by 12 months to convert the annual 43% limit into a monthly upper limit of $3,583.
  4. All your monthly bills including your potential mortgage can’t go above $3,583 per month.

You might find a lender willing to give you a mortgage with a payment that goes above the 43% line, but consider carefully before you take it.

Use Your Rent as a Mortgage Guide

If you currently are renting, then you can use an online calculator to compare the costs of renting vs owning a home to see which makes the most sense for your financial situation.

If you’re struggling to keep up with your rent, buy a home that will give you the same payment rather than going up to a higher monthly payment. You’ll have additional costs for home ownership that your landlord now covers, like property taxes and repairs. If there’s no room in your budget for those extras, you could become financially stressed.

Also consider whether or not you’ll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can’t also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a “what if” tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

Search for your dream home in Albuquerque with our easy to use home search. 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!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $375,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 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

 

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Negotiate Your Best House Buy in Albuquerque

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Buying a home in Albuquerque can have moments that can get emotional. Yet it doesn’t need to be that way. If you stick to a plan and follow the lead of your agent, you can get through this. Although your agent may offer advice, it’s ultimately you that needs to make the final decision.

Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.

Get Prequalified for a Mortgage

Prequalifying for a mortgage does two things – it shows the seller that you’re serious about buying their home and that you can afford it. This also put you in the lead of those who don’t take this important first step.

Ask Questions

Questions are a good thing. Ask all the questions you want. You need to know many things about the home and seller you’re interested in. What's the seller's motivation for selling? What is their financial position? Are they facing foreclosure or a short sale? Have they already purchased a home or relocated, which may make them eager to accept a lower price to avoid paying two mortgages? Has the home been on the market for a long time, or was it just listed? Have there been other offers? If so, why did they fall through? The more signs that sellers are eager to sell, the lower your offer can reasonably go.

Work Back From a Final Price to Determine Your Initial Offer

Decide beforehand what you're willing to pay. Then you can work back from that number to make an initial offer. If you bid too low, you may offend the seller. If you bid too high, you may end up spending more than you need to.

You agent can work with you to compare homes in area that have sold recently to come to a fair initial offer.

Avoid Contingencies

Sellers don't like taking chances. Nobody does for that matter. So keep the bid free of complicated contingencies, such as making the purchase conditional on the sale of your current home. Try to keep contingencies for mortgage approval, home inspection, and environmental checks typical in your area, like radon.

Remain Unemotional

Remember that buying a home is a business deal. Treat it that way. Consider any movement by the sellers, however slight, a sign of interest, and keep negotiating.

Each time you make a concession, ask for one in return. If the sellers ask you to boost your price, ask them to contribute to closing costs or pay for a home warranty. If sellers won’t budge, make it clear you’re willing to walk away; they may get nervous and accept your offer.

Don't Let Competition Change Your Plan

Great homes and those competitively priced can draw multiple offers in any market. Don’t let competition propel you to go beyond your predetermined price or agree to concessions — such as waiving an inspection — that aren’t in your best interest.

Search for your dream home in Albuquerque with our easy to use home search. 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!

3504 Yipee Calle Court NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120  $259,000
$499,000
6309 Dorado Beach NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111  $349,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (1 full, 3 half) / 2281 Square Feet

Tanoan Torrey Pines! 4BDR/3.5 BATH! NEW TPO ROOF! (2018) So many updates including REFRIGERATED AIR! NEW HVAC (2016)! PELLA WINDOWS! (2013) RE-STUCCO! UPGRADED KITCHEN & MASTER BATH! NEW FRONT DOOR (2018)! Floor plan features office/study/bedroom on main level, formal dining, open living room featuring French doors to outdoor patio, wood tile flooring and cozy fireplace! Updated kitchen features granite counter tops, double oven, pantry, breakfast nook and access to the outdoor patio! Master suite features an updated over-sized shower, double sink vanity & built-in organizer walk-in closet. One bedroom suite has its own private bath! Beautiful New Orleans style back patio, perfect and private for entertaining family & friends!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729
Send an Email

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com