Real Estate Information Archive

If there's one thing that's always true about moving, is that it's expensive. You can easily rack up thousands of dollars of costs along the way. But it doesn't need to cost as much if you plan ahead and follow these simple suggestions.

1. Timing Your Move

The timing of your move can really affect how much you spend. You can save more by moving during the months between October and April, as this is a less busy time for moving companies. Moving companies also usually charge less during weekdays. If you have flexibility, try to schedule your move during these times.

2. Lighten Your Load

It should come as no surprise that the less items you have to move, the less you'll pay. This applies to either hiring a moving company or renting a truck.

Moving is a perfect time to purge the extra clutter from your life. You can start with the larger items, then work your way to the smaller things. You can have a moving sale to make some extra cash, or donate your items to charity. Some charities will even pick up larger items. You can also write off donations from your taxes.

Reducing the amount of items you move reduces effort and stress as well. And if you have friends and family helping, they'll appreciate that you've done what you can to lighten their load as well.

3. Save on Boxes

If you use boxes from a moving company, they will cost more, as they're sturdier and offer more protection. But you can reduce this cost by buying used boxes sold by many moving companies. They offer the same protection as new boxes.

You can also check post on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, along with local stores. Try to find liquor boxes, as they're more sturdy. Just make sure the boxes are in good shape and can be sealed properly.

4. Pack It Yourself

If you use a moving company, you can pack your own boxes to save money. But you should check with them to make sure of their policies on packing your won boxes. They have safety concerns and may make you repack them if not done correctly.

5. Save Your Receipts

Make sure to save all of your receipts of your company or military is reimbursing you.

6. Shop Around

Don;t just go with the first moving company you find. Check around and compare prices. Also make sure to check out ratings on Google. along with the Better Business Bureau.

You can also check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which receives over 4,000 fraud complaints each year related to interstate moves, primarily related to lost items, damage to property, or overcharges. Doing your homework will help you find the best price and select a reputable company.

Moving doesn't have to cost as much if you follow these basic tips.

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!

8309 Rancho Paraiso NW, Albuquerque, NM  $269,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2276 Square Feet

 You don't want to miss this picturesque almost 1/4 acre with backyard access. This is a fabulous 4 bedrooms home. Master is on the first floor. Spacious, well appointed kitchen. Light, bright wonderful family home. Pride of ownership is apparent. Balcony with fantastic views upstairs. Sought after neighborhood with easy access to all amenities. Don't wait to see this sensational home! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

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You did it! After all those years of renting and paying someone else's mortgage, you've purchased your own home at last. Now it's time to get ready to move out of your rental and into your dream home. 

But if you've never moved from a rental before, or if it's been a few years, you may have forgot all the things you need to do in order to properly leave your rental so that you get as much back from your deposit as you can. You'll certainly need that money for your new home, so it's a good idea to cover all of your bases when moving out of your rental.

Here's a checklist of the tasks to prioritize so that you can get back your deposit.

Two Months Before the Move: 

Examine Your Lease

As soon as you decide to move, you need to ask your landlord or leasing company about the move-out guidelines in your lease. Check your copy of the lease and go over specifics about how much notice is needed, cleaning responsibility, and other essential items.

Asses Damage 

Check the areas of your rental to see what needs repair before the final inspection. Go over the list with your landlord to see what items they will fix, and what you are responsible for.

One Month Before the Move:

Give written notice.

Write a letter to your landlord or leasing company with the exact date of your move. Make sure to give notice according to their rules or you may lose your deposit

Cancel or Change Your Renter’s Insurance.

Contact your insurance company to advise them of your move date.

Gather Supplies

Get together all the supplies you'll need, such as boxes, tape, and packing materials.

Three Weeks Before the Move:

Start Decluttering and Packing.

Start organizing and getting rid of things you won't need to move. Sell them, donate them, or give them to other tenants in your complex.

Tie Up Loose Ends

Make sure you get time off work, check into boarding pets, and changing utilities such as phone and internet, electricity, gas, and water to your new home. That will make sure you're not moving in the dark in your new home.

Want more tips on what to do before your move? Check back on our blog later this week for part 2 of this article.

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!

2536 Sarita Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104  $169,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 partial) / 1232 Square Feet

 Convenient location near Old Town & Rio Grande! Wonderful home with tile roof, refrigerated air, great room with fireplace open to kitchen with breakfast bar & pantry. Nice layout featuring master bedroom separate from the 2 additional bedrooms, great covered patio & attached 2 car garage. All appliances stay! Don't miss this turn key property!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

The Sandi Pressley Team has taken great care in making our website, www.albuquerquehomesolutions.com, a useful and powerful tool for anyone looking to buy or sell a home in Albuquerque. Our website is full of useful features and tools that will help you start your home buying or selling journey. If you plan to buy or sell a home soon, why not a take a few moments to see how our website can be a valuable resource.

Here's a few main features to look for on our website.

For Home Buyers

Featured Properties

Our Featured Properties page showcases our own premium listings in the Albuquerque area. You can sort listings by a number of factors, such as price, type, and open houses.

Property Search

This powerful property search tool lets you find the perfect home in Albuquerque that fits your exact needs. You can refine your search using a wide range of parameters, such as price range, sq feet, construction, schools district, and much more. By clicking on the Map Search tab, you can even draw a map around the area you want to search in.  It makes find the right home in Albuquerque even easier!

There is also a list of neighborhoods in the main menu under "Search MLS" which will let you search for homes in that specific neighborhood, along with information about that neighborhood.

Property Detail Pages

Selecting any property in the Featured Properties or Property Search pages will bring you to a comprehensive detaile page for that property. In addition to detailed information about the property itself, you can also view information about local schools, walks scores, and use a convenient mortgage calculator.

Email Listing Alerts

Be the first to know of new homes that meet your search criteria as soon as they hit the Albuquerque real estate market. It's a free, no obligation service that will help you stay in tune with the local real estate market.

Community Pages

Want to learn more about the communities that make up the Albuquerque area? These community real esatet and information pages will give you the run down on each community, along with being able to search homes for sael in those communities.

Buyer's Resources

This section features a number of useful articles to help home buyers with a variety of topics.

For Home Sellers

Home Valuation

Get an instant market valuation for your Albuquerque or surrounding area home. It's free, and no obligation.

Seller Resources

Just like the Buyer's Resoruces section, this section also features a number of useful articles to help home sells with a variety of topics.

These are just a few of the helpful tools and resources avaiable to our current and future clients. If we can offer any additional help in buying or selling your home, please feel free to conatct us.  We're always happy to help.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

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

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

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

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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

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

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

Advantages of Using Storage

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

Disadvantages of Using Storage

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

Portable Storage Units

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

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

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

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

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

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

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

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Are you ready to sell your home in Albuquerque? If so, then now is the perfect time to sell. Typically, Spring is usually the best time of year to sell a home. But there are other factors taking place right now that make selling your home this Spring even more advantageous. Here are the 4 reasons you should sell your home now.

1. Strong Demand

The National Association of Realtors Buyer Traffic Report shows that buyer traffic is strong in New Mexico. Buyers are ready and able to buy right now. And the more buyers on the market means that they are competing with each other to buy homes, meaning a bidding war could happen over your home. In the end, that could mean more money in your pocket.

2. Less Competition

Housing inventory has been declining for the past 32 months, remaining under the normal 6-month supply. That means there’s not enough homes for all the buyers. That’s a good thing for you if you’ve built up equity in your home. But this situation may not last long. The average number of years that homeowners stayed in their homes has been around 9-10 years since 2011. This was due to the previous negative equity that kept many homeowners from selling. Now as values are rising, more will be enticed to sell.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

The competition among buyers has forced them to do what they can to stand out from the market, which includes getting pre-approved for their financing. This speeds up the selling process and makes it simpler, as buyers will be more likely to know how much they can spend.

4. Time to Move Up

If you plan on moving into a more premium or luxury home, now is the ideal time. Higher priced homes are actually selling for less due to a higher inventory at this price range. So if you’re selling a starter home, your home will sell more quickly and you’ll be more likely to find a premium home.Don’t wait to let the best time for the year slip by to sell your home in Albuquerque. Sell now while the time is ripe. Sandi Pressley and her expert team can help you sell your home in record time and find the home of your dreams in Albuquerque. Find out what your home is worth now with our free instant Market Valuation. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate news.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

5243 Foothills Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM  $798,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3156 Square Feet

Gated community of the Wilderness! Casual elegance abounds in this Scott Patrick Gold Package custom home. Tons of features include Oversized great room w/stacked stone fireplace, wall of windows! Gourmet kitchen has custom island, pantry, gas cooktop, custom cabinetry, Sub Zero fridge, Wolfe double oven. Private Master Suite on its own wing! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If you plan on selling your home in Albuquerque, one important question to ask is if your home is up to date or needs repairs.  A dated or worn down appearance can take away from the resale value.  However, the balance is that you want to avoid spending tons of money that won’t be recouped in the sale.  How do you decide what repairs or improvements are worth the investment? I f you come to the conclusion that your home needs improvements, then you need to pin down which ones will yield the highest returns.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking every improvement will increase the value of your home. Many projects will simply preserve the value, while others will help increase it.  So if you do those projects, the value won't be as adversely affected when you sell your home.

So to get down to it, what are the projects that get the highest ROI?

Outside Projects

Think about curb appeal. First impressions are lasting impressions as they say.  Basically any project that boosts curb appeal is worth the investment. Outside projects that can recoup the most money are garage door replacements, replacing a steel door entry, adding a wood deck, and siding and facade projects. Even if you just focus on the siding, it can improve the value of your home with minimal investment.

Kitchens and Baths

Potential buyers can spend the most time inspecting a kitchen and we all know why.  Many lives center around the kitchen and rely on its appliances. If your kitchen has the old yellow fridge and oven, they need to go. And don’t forget about the bathrooms.   They send a powerful message about your home, so you can expect a high ROI on a bathroom remodel.

The Little Things

Don’t have a lot of money to invest in a major remodel?  No problem. Focusing on the little things can also have a big impact on the resale value of your home. You can give your home a fresh coat of paint, trim trees and bushes, plant new bushes and landscaping. De-cluttering and cleaning your home only costs time. If you have an unfinished basement, you can put gray epoxy on the floor and paint the walls white. Never underestimate the power of improving the little things.

Every home is different, and so is every Albuquerque neighborhood. If you're not sure what improvements would be best to sell your home in Albuquerque, feel free to ask us. We know what sells a home in Albuquerque and what buyers are looking for.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

5243 Foothills Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM  $798,000

3 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3156 Square Feet

Gated community of the Wilderness! Casual elegance abounds in this Scott Patrick Gold Package custom home. Tons of features include Oversized great room w/stacked stone fireplace, wall of windows! Gourmet kitchen has custom island, pantry, gas cooktop, custom cabinetry, Sub Zero fridge, Wolfe double oven. Private Master Suite on its own wing! 

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Everyone knows that the best time to sell anything is when demand is high and supply is low.  The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released two major reports showing that now continues to be an ideal to sell your home.

REALTORS® CONFIDENCE INDEX

Every month, NAR surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions.” In May the index continued to show that demand for homes outpaced supply.

The map below illustrates buyer demand broken down by state (the darker your state, the stronger the demand is there). As you can in New Mexico, buyer traffic remains strong.

Takeaway: Demand for housing continues to be strong throughout 2017, but supply is struggling to keep up, and this trend is likely to continue into 2018.

If you are going to sell, now may be the time to take advantage of the ready, willing, and able buyers that are still out searching for your house.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

10 Caminito Trail, Placitas   $395,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2 Bathrooms/ 2580 Square Feet

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

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team