Real Estate Information Archive

Even as hot as the home selling market is in Albuquerque, you still want your home to look fantastic so that you can get as much from the sale as possible. There are a number of important facets to staging a home. How you arrange your furniture is one of those. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to arranging your furnishings when you sell your home.

Dos

Plush Pillows

The pillows are a great place to start. Look for decorative pillows that are soft and plush. Down filled pillows will add a wow factor to any room. You can figure out how your pillows will shape by giving them a karate chop to the top edge.

Space Around Your Furniture

Leave space around your furniture to make your room more inviting. It can be helpful to create more conversational space by placing your furniture farther from the wall, if possible. The best placement for this is between 4-8 feet from the wall.

The Right Light

Lights should be purchased that are appropriately sized for a particular room. A light should complement the décor, much like a fine piece of jewelry will complement a dress. Investing in the right lighting will enhance a room’s ambiance.

Paint Colors Enhance the Look of a Room

Choosing the best color paint for your room can make or break it. A professional can help you determine the perfect shade that brings out the best features in your room.

An Appropriately-Sized Area Rug

The right area rug can bring your furniture together in a cohesive group. You should make sure your rug is at least large enough for the front legs of each piece of furniture in the grouping.

Don’ts

Over-Matching Furniture and Textiles

You should avoid over-matching furniture and textiles. Instead, try to make them relate. Choose pieces that have something in common, such as mood, material, history, color, motif or style.

Skimping on Drapery

When it comes to drapes, less is not more. It's recommended you should use fabric that's up to 3 times the width of your window. If you have fixed side panels, use fabric that's twice as wide as the window.

Isolate Rooms

Rooms should flow together. You can get this effect by linking adjacent spaces. Once way to do this is by carrying over an accent color or repeat a pattern from room to room.

Stopping Before the Layering Phase

This is another area where you can go overboard with matching. For example, if you have a patterned headboard in your room, you can repeat the pattern or color, but not both. Keep it subtle.

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9519 OAKLAND Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122

5 Bedrooms / 5 Bathrooms (3 full, 2 half) / 3631 Square Feet

Welcome home to this Custom John Mark home built in 2019 with all the bells and whistles. Nestled into 0.73 acres in this prime location, walk in to soaring ceilings & a magnificent floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace as the centerpiece to this open floorplan with bright, LED lighting. The gourmet kitchen features top-of-the-line Jenn-Air appliances, gorgeous granite countertops & a cleverly concealed oversized pantry. From the living room, slide open the 3 glass doors to enjoy the INCREDIBLE backyard. This property features: a heated pool with electric cover, separate spa/hot tub, outdoor kitchen, gas fire pit with circular seating, basketball court, soccer field, meticulously planned landscaping, an outdoor accessible 3/4 bath, and electric gate entry.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

You need to be aware of contingency clauses when buying a home in Albuquerque. These clauses bind the contract by requiring certain requirements to be met prior to closing. If they aren’t met, then the contract can be terminated.

Some people describe these as if-then scenarios. For instance, if you sell your home you’ll buy someone else’s.

The buying process begins with a purchase offer you make to a seller. Your contingencies may be included in the purchase contract once your offer is accepted. 

Among the most common contingencies are the following.

Selling Your Current Home

The chain of sale clause is the most common contingency where your offer might be contingent on the sale of your current home.

If your home's not sold after a certain period of time, usually 30 to 60 days, your contract will end.

As long as you are buying your home during a down market, this strategy might work for you. However, if you're trying to purchase a home during a hot or competitive market, such as is occurring now, this might not be as feasible.

Appraisals

The appraisal contingency is a way for you as a buyer to be sure the property appraises for a minimum amount. If the property does not appraise for that amount, you can terminate the contract. The earnest money can be returned in most cases.

Inspections

There’s always a good reason for having a professional inspector examine a property before you move in. An appraisal, on the other hand, is required by lenders. An appraisal doesn’t look at the physical condition of a home as much as specific factors that affect its value.

An inspector evaluates structural and mechanical elements of a home and identifies anything that needs replacement or perhaps repair. These can be used in your negotiation.

There might be a clause in the contract that requires repairs be done by the seller if they are found, or you might renegotiate based on what an inspector finds.

It’s possible that you will agree not to have an inspection if you’re in a hot market.

Financing

Financing contingencies, or mortgage contingencies, can give you the time you need to get the financing you need for your home purchase. If financing cannot be obtained, then there is the possibility that you can end the contract without forfeiting your earnest money.

You may have a financial contingency in a contract, where you have a period of time to obtain financing. Then, you may have a certain amount of time to terminate or extend your contract. The contingency is automatically waived if the contingency is not met, and you have to buy the property even without financing.

It’s important to understand that contingencies can be essential when buying a home. However, you need to use them wisely because overusing them may cause your offer to be rejected. With multiple offers flying around, sellers tend to prefer buyers with less contingencies. Even if you’re not able to beat a competitor's offer, you can at least take out contingencies and make yourself a more attractive buyer.

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9519 OAKLAND Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122

5 Bedrooms / 5 Bathrooms (3 full, 2 half) / 3631 Square Feet

Welcome home to this Custom John Mark home built in 2019 with all the bells and whistles. Nestled into 0.73 acres in this prime location, walk in to soaring ceilings & a magnificent floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace as the centerpiece to this open floorplan with bright, LED lighting. The gourmet kitchen features top-of-the-line Jenn-Air appliances, gorgeous granite countertops & a cleverly concealed oversized pantry. From the living room, slide open the 3 glass doors to enjoy the INCREDIBLE backyard. This property features: a heated pool with electric cover, separate spa/hot tub, outdoor kitchen, gas fire pit with circular seating, basketball court, soccer field, meticulously planned landscaping, an outdoor accessible 3/4 bath, and electric gate entry.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If you're planning to buy a home in Albuquerque, earnest money is just one of the terms you need to be aware of. It is often overlooked by buyers, but not understanding it can cause roadblocks once you’re ready to make an offer.

The Basics of Earnest Money

Simply put, earnest money is a deposit that the buyer makes on the property to indicate that he or she is serious about buying it. The earnest money might range from 1% to 5% of the total purchase price.

After accepting the earnest money, the seller will take the home off the market. This will enable them to start getting things ready, such as inspections.

While you wait for your closing, your earnest money goes into an escrow account. The escrow account is held by either the seller's broker or title company, or by an escrow company.

The earnest money is kept securely until closing. Then, the earnest money is deducted from your total payment and applied to closing costs.

How Much Earnest Money Should You Offer?

The earnest money is typically between 1% to 5% of the total purchase price. However, there are many causes for variance. For instance, some cities might require you to pay a fixed amount while others may prefer a percentage.

It is not unusual for earnest money deposits to be very high in highly regarded housing markets. Your real estate agent will help you know what to expect in your area.

Earnest Money Is Not a Down Payment

Many buyers are confused by the idea of earnest money—it is not a down payment. Your down payment will be anywhere from 10-20% of your home's purchase price.

Think about the price of a house after adding your earnest money and down payment, and then figure out how much you need to pay for the house down payment and closing costs later. Your earnest money is usually due with your offer, while the down payment and closing costs come later.

Is It Refundable?

You should make sure your purchase agreement includes contingencies. These are situations in which you may walk away from a deal and still be able to get your earnest money back.

As an example, you might stipulate a contingency for appraisals that are lower than the sale price.

In a market that is highly competitive, you could agree to a nonrefundable earnest money deposit. That can be very risky since the seller may hold the money if your sale collapses.

The seller can keep your earnest money if you break the terms of your purchase agreement or decide that you do not want to buy a house anymore.

That is why hiring a skilled real estate agent is crucial, like the ones on the Sandi Pressley Team. They will make sure that you fully understand what is involved before you sign anything. Otherwise, you could end up forking over a lot of money you cannot afford.

If you’re buying in a market that’s not very competitive, earnest money isn’t a requirement. It is however a good way to beef up an offer, especially if you expect there will be multiple offers on the house you want.

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1004 NOVAK Lane NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114  $898,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (3 full, 1 half) / 4235 Square Feet

North Valley Renaissance Custom Masterpiece! Situated in a gated community close to Rio Grande/Alameda. Highlights include a well thought out floorplan with both formal & casual living spaces. Exceptional features include wood beam raised ceilings; travertine floors; quality wood doors; wood trimmed windows; custom paint; floor to ceiling fireplace; & more! Well appointed Kitchen w/Wolf & Subzero appliances; Alderwood cabinets; gorgeous granite counters; kitchen island; large walk-in pantry; kitchen nook; & eat at bar. Privately located Master Suite offers portal access, luxurious en suite w/snail shower, jetted tub, ample walk-in closet w/built-ins. Three additional bedrooms-one could be In-law Suite. Large covered portal w/relaxing spa & cozy fireplace. See Feature Page for more details!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

The Sandi Pressley Team has just listed several fine homes for sale in Albuquerque, which is a breath fo fresh air in this tight market. But you need to act fast, as homes are selling at record pace. These homes offer plenty for both first time home buyers or those looking to step up into a home with more features and space. And make sure you check out other blog for even more newly listed homes for sale in Albuquerque!

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.

6917 LAS ANIMAS Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

$310,000

Lovely Meticulously Maintained Home! Move in ready! Located in the highly sought after Sandia High School District, beautifully established NE Heights neighborhood. This brick, single level ranch features a half circle drive at front of home, with garage on side; two living areas for both formal & informal gatherings; cozy stacked brick fireplace & wet bar in family room; bright sunny eat in kitchen w/breakfast nook, plus formal dining room; large laundry/mud room that includes a half bath; oversized garage w/workshop space; and so much more! Water Heater & Evap Cooler approximately 2 years old; 2017 Roof Shingles replaced! Pride of ownership prevails. Convenient to shopping, parks, and schools.

Learn More!

9104 SURREY Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

$549,000

This elegant 4-bedroom home, located in highly coveted Heritage East and La Cueva School District boast many great features including a gorgeous finished basement and a light bright floor plan!! Enjoy entertaining in the updated kitchen complete with granite counters, SS appliances and plenty of cabinet space. Owners Suite and bath is well equipped. Relax and enjoy outdoor living in your backyard oasis, lush green lawn, mature trees and covered patio. To many features to list. Move in ready!! This home is a must see!!

Learn More!

8716 GREENARBOR Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122

$425,000

Location! Location! This Beautiful Home with room to grow, is situated in the highly sought after NE Heights/Desert Ridge & La Cueva school district. Featuring five bedrooms plus study; two living areas for formal and informal gatherings; built ins; & more! The open & bright kitchen features gorgeous granite countertops; lots of cabinets & storage; & high ceilings; & sunny nook with built in seating. Master suite on main level with access to backyard, a full en suite w/jetted tub & separate shower. Lush landscaping front & back. No HOA fees & move in ready!!

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.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Albuquerque it’s good to know what to expect in real estate trends. The spring months are always exciting and interesting in the real estate industry, so what are analysts expecting us to see in the near future?

Increasing Mortgage Rates

It appears that mortgage rates could continue to rise, depending on how well the economy recovers. Rates have been rising for weeks, whereas earlier in the year, they were holding under 3%. With the expectation that rates will continue to tick upward throughout the year, borrowers are advised to lock in low rates now. 

According to Fannie Mae, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are expected to average 3.1% through the spring months, while they were averaging 2.9% in the first quarter of the year.

Many economists agree that as more Americans are immunized, there will be a larger economic recovery, thus a rise in mortgage rates.

Even with the slowdown compared to the hot market that has combusted the past year, there’s no major crash forecast. Prices could slow down a bit, and new homes might get built a bit more.

So that means if you plan to buy a home in Albuquerque, now is the time to act, despite stiff buyer competition.

Inventories Could Increase

The past year has been frustrating for home buyers and would-be homebuyers. It has been near impossible to find homes available, and when something comes on the market, it will often sell within just a few days or just an hour.

Today, however, more people have been vaccinated, so there will be less fear of catching COVID-19 from people coming into their home.

Although inventory levels are expected to rise, there could remain a shortage of options, particularly in some markets.

Millennial Movement

More than five million millennials will turn 30 on this year, and they are now the biggest segment of buyers in the real estate market. In 2018, millennial homeownership was at record lows, but that looks like it may be changing.

Around 86% of younger millennials and 52% of older ones are buying first homes, and some are buying luxury properties that are well beyond what you think of as a starter home.

Millennials will likely continue to dominate the market in 2021. According to a survey from the National Association of Homebuilders in the fourth quarter of 2020, 27% of millennial respondents intend to buy a home in the next 12 months, a significant jump from only 19% previously.

The Online Trends Are Growing

The popularity of real estate services online continues to grow, and that will probably not change regardless of the pandemic's state.

It has become increasingly possible to buy or sell a home without leaving the comfort of your current location. Virtual showings, the use of fully virtual agents, or mobile or online closings are just a few ways technology made real estate easier this past year.

What does all this mean for home buyers and sellers in Albuquerque? Whether you plan to buy or sell your home, now is the time to act. For home buyers, you’ll want to get your mortgage rates locked in before they rise any further. For home sellers, there’s never been a better time to sell your home, with stiff buyer demand raising prices and making homes sell fast. Talk to Sandi Pressley and her team soon to buy or sell a home in Albuquerque today!

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1004 NOVAK Lane NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114  $898,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (3 full, 1 half) / 4235 Square Feet

North Valley Renaissance Custom Masterpiece! Situated in a gated community close to Rio Grande/Alameda. Highlights include a well thought out floorplan with both formal & casual living spaces. Exceptional features include wood beam raised ceilings; travertine floors; quality wood doors; wood trimmed windows; custom paint; floor to ceiling fireplace; & more! Well appointed Kitchen w/Wolf & Subzero appliances; Alderwood cabinets; gorgeous granite counters; kitchen island; large walk-in pantry; kitchen nook; & eat at bar. Privately located Master Suite offers portal access, luxurious en suite w/snail shower, jetted tub, ample walk-in closet w/built-ins. Three additional bedrooms-one could be In-law Suite. Large covered portal w/relaxing spa & cozy fireplace. See Feature Page for more details!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

It is early spring and already temperatures are rising here in Albuquerque. No doubt you need to get some fresh air and stretch your legs, and there is no better way to accomplish that than walking or running through some of Albuquerque's beautiful hiking trails. It's much more than good exercise. You'll discover the wonder of volcanic terrain, a trail system suited for all abilities in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, and trails built on volcanic soil in the Cibola National Forest.

Here's a few of the top places to hike in the Albuquerque area:

The Sandia Mountain Foothills

It's easy to get to the Sandia Mountains from Albuquerque. There are 2650 acres of open space available. These are all the trail access points. Some of the trails include the following:

• Foothills Trail 365
• Embudito Trail 192
• Lower La Luz Trail
• Grassy Hills Loop

The Sandia Mountains / Cibola National Forest

Cibola National Forest in the Sandia Foothills boasts clear marked trails that are suitable for hikers of all skill levels. You can find a full list of trails at SandiaHiking.com/trailguide and fs.usda.gov. All of these trail-heads are accessible from the Sandia Peak Scenic Byway (Highway 528).

Some of the best trails in the Cibola National Forest are:

• Cienega Canyon Picnic Site & Interpretive Trail
• La Luz Trail
• The Sandia Crest Trail
• North Crest Trail
• 10k Trailhead
• Tree Springs Trailhead

The Rio Grande Bosque Trails

There are approximately 16 miles of paved paths in Rio Grande Bosque Trails. If you prefer a trail a little more off the beaten path, you can venture off on one of the dirt trails that connect to the paved pathways. A number of dirt trails connect with each other to offer a different adventure each time you visit.

West Mesa Hiking

Explore the volcanic features of the west side of Albuquerque that are home to the ancient Petroglyph National Monument. Access the ancient region while also getting a view of the modern city that lies below. It is estimated that 24,000 images were carved into these rocks, so you'll have a vast journey of exploration in the monument area. You can view these drawings from 3 of 4 trails.

With panoramic views of Albuquerque and four miles of paved trails, the Paseo De Las Mesa Trail offers a variety of hiking options, including trails that branch from one another and intersect one another to offer different levels of hiking experience.

There's a ton of hiking adventures awaiting you in the Albuquerque area, so get out there and enjoy the view!

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1261 MONTERREY Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144  $539,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (3 full, 0 half) / 3007 Square Feet

Stunning custom Tuscan style home in a highly sought-after Rio Rancho location. With beautiful Mountain and City views!! This luxurious home has a fantastic layout perfect for entertaining. Grand iron Double Entry Doors. Beautiful beamed ceiling also boasts gorgeous marbled tiled barreled ceilings. Kitchen is a chefs dream with granite counter tops, pantry, SS appliances and huge island. Large Owners suite has balcony access, fireplace and a spa like bath equipped with a jetted tub. This home has to many amenities to list, come see for yourself!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If you want to buy a home in Albuquerque, one of the options you might come across is rent-to-own. It may sound like a great deal at first, but as with anything, there are pros and cons. The real question boils down to if it’s the best way for you to go in order to own a home.

Here are some important things you should know before you get into a rent-to-own agreement.

The Basics

While rent-to-own properties can be appealing, there are also risks involved.

This type of agreement basically tells you that you’re going to rent a house for a certain amount of time until you gain ownership. The time you rent can range from a couple of months to a few years, depending on your contract.

A company or an individual can be the owner of a property.

A predetermined amount of each rent payment is retained by the seller. That money will go toward the equity at the time of sale.

A lease-purchase agreement and a lease-option agreement are both categorized as rent-to-own agreements. When you follow the lease option agreement, you can opt to buy the home after the time you agree upon. On the other hand, with a lease-purchase agreement, you have a legal obligation to buy the house.

The Process

While every process might have its own unique elements, some of the things to anticipate in a rent-to-own transaction include:

• An agreement will first specify a purchase price, which may be based on the current value of the home, or perhaps on the estimated future value. Perhaps a buyer and seller agree to a price during negotiations, while the purchase price is decided when a lease expires.
• Your monthly rent payment then becomes a part of your contract. Since a portion is being set aside toward your future purchase, the rent payment will likely be more than comparable rent prices in the neighborhood.
• The seller can require you to cover the entire cost of maintenance, so when you enter into one of these agreements, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to.
• The seller usually collects a one-time fee that isn't refundable, and some sellers will apply it to the equity balance. The fee is usually calculated based on a percentage of the sales price of the house.
• Your contract will dictate a specific lease term.
• At the end of your lease term, if you intend to purchase a house, you’ll have to obtain financing. So there will be a closing date.

The Pros of Rent-to-Own

For buyers, the upsides of rent-to-own agreements include:

• By progressively accumulating your down payment, you’re avoiding having to come up with a large sum upfront.
• There will be no competition from other buyers when you are ready to buy.
• It is not necessary to qualify for a mortgage right away, so you can build your credit score over a period of time.

The Cons of Rent-to-Own

Rent-to-own deals might sound great, but there are a lot of downsides to them.

• Because you are being forced to set aside a down payment, you will pay more rent than you would for a comparable home. On the other hand, you could rent a home at a lower price and then put a portion of your own income into a savings account.
• If your deal doesn’t work out, you still have to pay the option money, which is not refundable.
• There is a good chance that you will be forced to pay all the maintenance and repairs on a home that you do not yet own.
• You might end up with a purchase price in your agreement that is much too high if the home’s value goes down.
• A foreclosure is one example of situations beyond your control that could cause you to lose your equity in the home.

It is important to weigh the pros and cons of your personal financial situation and determine what is best for you.

The traditional route rather than rent-to-own can be more advantageous as a home buyer in Albuquerque, especially if you have good credit.

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1261 MONTERREY Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144  $539,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (3 full, 0 half) / 3007 Square Feet

Stunning custom Tuscan style home in a highly sought-after Rio Rancho location. With beautiful Mountain and City views!! This luxurious home has a fantastic layout perfect for entertaining. Grand iron Double Entry Doors. Beautiful beamed ceiling also boasts gorgeous marbled tiled barreled ceilings. Kitchen is a chefs dream with granite counter tops, pantry, SS appliances and huge island. Large Owners suite has balcony access, fireplace and a spa like bath equipped with a jetted tub. This home has to many amenities to list, come see for yourself!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

As they say, your home is your castle. It’s a place where you feel safe and secure. As such, homeowners tend to overlook the very things that can make their home unsafe. Many accidents occur in the home that can seriously injure or even kill people. And it’s not just children or the elderly. Accidents in the home claim 18,000 lives each year in America alone, accounting for 21 million medical visits annually. Many of these accidents are preventable.

Here are some trouble areas to keep an eye on in your Albuquerque home to make your life safer.

Dryer vents

Thousands of house fires start each year because of neglected dryer maintenance. You may clean out the lint screen, but the lint that accumulates in the vent is more dangerous. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends cleaning or having a professional inspect your dryer vent's lint every two to three years. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher near your dryer in case a fire breaks out.

Falls

A third of all fatalities that occur in the home are from falls. Old age plays a large role in many of them, but people of all ages are also affected. Safety gates are an obvious safety precaution with little ones, and grab bars will provide a safety boost for older individuals. Keeping an eye on wet areas, such as the shower and bath, and particularly in front of the sink, can help with slips. Installing non-slip rug pads under area rugs to keep them in place is key to preventing falls.

Blinds

It is horrifying to think that a young child could be strangled due to blind cords. But it happens. By choosing cordless blinds, you can eliminate the worries without having to give up the look and room-darkening features you want.

Fire alarms

When was the last time you changed your fire alarm batteries? If you can't recall, it's time to do it. Make sure every level of your home has smoke alarms, and check and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider a smart smoke detector such as Nest Protect, which uses Wi-Fi to provide real-time updates and remote monitoring right on a smartphone or other mobile device.

A dirty oven

Most ovens nowadays have a self-cleaning feature. While it is not pleasant to endure the smell as it works, it far outweighs the alternative given that 40 percent of fires begin in the kitchen.

Make sure to clean your oven regularly and always watch what you're cooking. Always check to make sure burners are turned off after cooking on the stove top.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it can cause serious health problems if not recognized until symptoms occur. It is an odorless, tasteless, colourless gas. You cannot see it or smell it.

Smoke detectors are prevalent in homes, but even though a carbon monoxide alarm can assist in the prevention of death, owners are often left to purchase and install them. Each year in the United States, more than 200 accidental deaths are caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. It is considered the leading cause of death from poisoning in the United States.

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.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

13516 Deer Trail Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111  $895,000

6 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (3 full, 1 half) / 5893 Square Feet

Perfectly situated with 180 degree views in Glenwood Hills. The frosted glass accented front door greets you and beyond is a wide, open floorplan, with tons of natural light, gas fireplace and wet bar making this home perfect for entertaining. Main level boasts a master suite, 2 spacious bedrooms, formaldining and well-appointed kitchen with breakfast nook and access to one of many patios. Upstairs is another master suite with jetted tub and double sinks, privatebalcony and a fantastic walk-in closet. The garden level is open to the patios and is perfect for rec room/office/gym. Want city AND mountain views this uniqueproperty offers panoramic, breathtaking city views with Mount Taylor in the distance! Hiking, biking and walking trails are just minutes away.

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team