Real Estate Information Archive

When you buy or sell a home in Albuquerque, the home inspection is a critical part of the process. A home inspection benefits all parties involved in the transaction, as it reveals what the condition of the home is and what needs work.

How can you get the most from your home inspection?  Here’s the steps of the process and how you can maximize the results.

Why Have Your Home Inspected?

If you’re selling a home in Albuquerque, the home inspection gives you the opportunity to make needed repairs, and as such, list your home for a higher value. Your home will also sell faster with fewer issues. Most people in Albuquerque want to buy a turn-key home rather than a fixer-upper.

Make sure you do your research when you hire a home inspector. The internet is a powerful way to look at reviews and work history. If you find a home inspector with a good track record, but they cost more, it’s worth it.

During the Home Inspection

Make sure you’re there during the inspection. This way, the inspector can show you the issues in person and explain options for repair. You can also ask questions and take photos. This will also help you learn about what to look for when you buy a home in Albuquerque.

Recheck and Take Notes

After your home is inspected, go back over the issues for a closer look. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, this will help with negotiations. Then you can increase or lower the asking price depending on the repairs needed.

Discuss and Negotiate Repairs

For home sellers, you can either do the repairs before the home is listed and ask for a higher price, or you can skip the repairs and lower the price. It all depends on how much time you have to put into it.

If you’re the buyer, you can ask for an asking price deduction that is equal to the estimated cost of repairs if you’re buying the home as-is. Another option is to suggest that the current owner get repairs done and then you buy it after a re-inspection following the repairs. This would be best for very expensive repairs such as for changing the entire roof or re-plumbing the entire home.

A good home inspection can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a disaster.  Make sure you find the right inspector and be involved in the process.

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.

Owning a home in Albuquerque can bring some anxiety when it comes to dealing with unexpected repairs. According to a recent report, most homeowners say that home repairs and maintenance top the list of worries when it comes to owning a home.

According to Holden Lewis, NerdWallet’s home analyst, “When you buy a home, you take a leap into the unknown. So it’s no wonder that homeowners say they’re anxious in our survey. Don’t spend your last dime on the down payment. Instead, set aside a few thousand dollars to take care of unexpected maintenance and repairs. Having an emergency stash will help you sleep better.”

You certainly can't plan for every contingency, but there are a few ways to reduce the stress of unexpected home repairs. Here's a few tips that can help.

Regular Maintenance

One sure way to reduce the chances of major repairs in the future is regular maintenance.  If you fix small problems right away, like a leaky pipe, it can prevent having to make more major repairs that could cost thousands of dollars. An annual maintenance budget that is around 2% of your home's value is an ideal goal. This budget could cover small repairs and regular servicing of HVAC and cleaning gutters and your chimney.  Basically, anything you can do to prevent accidents and problems is money well spent.

Save For Emergencies

Your parents probably taught you to save for a rainy day, and when it comes to owning a home, there can be some very raining days. Saving for unexpected damage from weather or other emergency repairs can keep you from going into further debt.  If you don't have an emergency fund, then you can try to build one by setting attainable goals. In the end, your goal should be to have several months worth of living expenses set aside.

Plan For the Worst

After buying a home, you may later realize you have larger problems to deal with, such as bad roofing or a sinking foundation. These could end up costing more than you have saved.  Before this happens, you may want to look into financing options for big ticket repairs.  This way you wan't be scrambling to finance anything beyond your savings.

Lewis says, “If savings and insurance don’t cover these high costs, your best bet might be to finance the repairs with a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. A HELOC acts like a credit card and is backed by your home’s equity. We’ve found that many homeowners get HELOCs just so they’ll have a readily available source of money in case of emergency.”

Unexpected home repairs don't need to keep you up at night. Make sure to plan now to save yourself heartache in the future.

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.

Are you thinking about adding a deck to your home in Albuquerque?  It’s certainly a tempting idea, as it’s the ideal way to enjoy summer with family BBQs and enjoying the beauty of the Southwest scenery. The big question though is how much you want to spend and what type of deck is right for your home. On average, a wood deck can cost around $10,000, while a composite deck can set you back almost $18,000, according to Remodeling magazine’s “2018 Cost vs. Value Report.” The report was based on a national review of costs based on a 16x20 deck with pressure-treated joists, a built-in bench and planter.

When it comes down to it, the cost for your deck will vary based on size, style, and the contractor.  But you can get an idea of costs in advance so that you can keep the total price under control.

How much does it cost to build a deck?

There are quite a few factors that affect how much a deck will cost. The biggest factor will end up being professional installation. Getting a bead on this cost alone will help you avoid unpleasant surprises. According to Andrew Wormer, editor of Professional Deck Builder magazine: “For every dollar spent on materials and supplies, expect to spend another dollar to have it installed.” Some contractors will quote per square foot, and this usually covers both labor and materials.

Planning Your Deck Installation

Set Limits: Keep in mind that this is a permanent addition just like any room. You’ll need to follow local building and zoning codes for Albuquerque which may affect the size of the project. Also think about upkeep. It may cost more up front to use synthetic materials, but they don’t need as much maintenance, which will cost less in the long run.

Budget: Just like when buying a home, it helps to have a list of “wants” and “must haves.” And of course the most important question is how much you’re willing to spend on the entire project. Think about the size of your home as well. The deck should be proportional to the size of your home.  A small deck on a large home might look a bit silly. And if your home is smaller, an elaborate deck might not make sense either. Insurance costs may be a consideration, so check with your homeowner’s insurance to make sure.

Find the Right Contractor:  Finding the right contractor will take some research, but it will definitely be worth it. To get a fair price, try to get quotes from at least 3 contractors.  If you can find reviews of these contractors, that will help as well. Ask potential contractors for photos of past projects.  You should also check with your local building department to make sure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.

Reducing Costs

You can reduce costs in a number of ways. Staying away from fancy design features, along with reducing the overall size can help reduce costs. Selecting the right wood is also important. Untreated decks cost less to install, but more to maintain. The reverse is true for composite decks. Also, if you build during the fall or winter, it could save you more, as contractors have fewer jobs and may be inclined to reduce their costs.

Building a deck is a great way to increase the value of your home, both in how you enjoy living in it now and in the future when you decide to sell it.

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.

Indoor evenings on the couch are so last season. Relaxing around a fire and under the Albuquerque night sky is about to be the place for a perfect night. But a built-in fire pit can cost as much as $4,500 installed. That’s a pricey upgrade.

If you build a fire pit in Albuquerque, there is an Outdoor Burn Program that you should check first.

With these money-saving tips, you can build a fire pit for your Albuquerque home for less than a grand, and still have a fabulous one:

Choose Wood Instead of Gas

Gas fire pits are more expensive because you’ll have to hire a plumber to run the gas line and an electrician to power the pit.

A wood fire pit has none of that cost, which will run at least several hundred dollars. Besides, who doesn’t love the smokey ambiance of a wood fire?

If You Want Gas, Put It Close to Your House

OK, not everyone loves an ashy, smoky fire pit. If you do want the simplicity of gas, you can get it most cheaply by keeping that gas line as short as possible.

The farther from your house that plumber has to run the gas line, the longer he’ll be there. And the longer he’s there, the more it will cost. And remember the electrician you’re going to pay to run wires to power the automatic starter? Same thing.

Skip the Built-In Seating

Those stone benches in a semicircle around a flaming fire pit look like money. That’s because they’re made of it.

Built-in benches that will seat six people with a comfortable amount of personal space can cost as much — or more — as the fire pit itself.

Six resin Adirondack chairs can cost as little as $120. Plus, chairs are easier on your butt as well as your wallet.

Don't Do Custom Anything

You can have a fire pit designed just for you. But unless you’re a trust-funder or just like spending money like one, stick with a contractor’s standard build. Most offer prefab, modular units that cost at least half as much as a custom build.

Go With a Paver Patio

Flagstone gives you the natural beauty of real stone, but it costs $15 to $20 per square foot. Unless you’re making a one-person pit, that will add up. A paver patio looks manufactured, but it costs $6 to $10 per square foot.

Choose a Decomposed Granite Patio (It's the Cheapest!) It looks like sand. It isn’t fancy. But it’s cheap. A pro can lay this stuff for as little as $2 a square foot.

Very important: Heavy rainfall can wash away a decomposed granite patio. If you live in Albuquerque, decomposed granite is a great option.

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.

Spring is coming up soon, and so are the spring cleaning projects. One of the tough spots can be the kitchen, especially if you cook regularly.

Even if you don't clean the whole house, it can feel like you did after tackling the tough spots in the kitchen. That can definitely be the case if you love to cook and bake.

Here are four things all home chefs should focus on for a cleaner, more organized kitchen:

Cleaning the Cracks and Crevices of Appliances

The devil is in the details they say, and that is certainly true for appliances. The nooks and crannies of your appliances can be tough to keep free of grime, even if you do wipe them down regularly.

These spots include knobs, grills, exhaust filter on the range, door crevices and rubber linings on the dishwasher and fridge, and the individual parts of small appliances.

You can usually put range grills and filters in the dishwasher. But if you can't, then good old elbow grease and a cleaning brush, baking soda, and soap do the trick. If you have a really grimy range hood filter, you might try boiling it in water with 1/2 cup baking soda. Your appliance knobs could also do well with a soapy soaking, then scrubbing with a brush and baking soda.

Organizing by Zones

You're no doubt used to the way your kitchen is organized. Maybe it's been the same way since you moved in. But have you thought about reorganizing your kitchen according to tasks? Think about what you do in your kitchen every day, from brewing coffee to food prep to washing dishes.

Once you do this, then unload, wipe down, and reload your cabinets, placing items that are used for a similar purpose together (French press and coffee mugs; knives and cutting boards, etc.) in the area where they will be needed.

Eliminating Outdated Staples

Now it's time to check expiration dates. You may be surprised how long that bottle of soy sauce has been in the fridge. Check all the staples in the fridge and cupboard to see if any are expired.

This also applies to dried spices. Spices lose their effectiveness after about a year. Having a fresh supply of spices will make your recipes zing, and will make more room in the cupboard.

To avoid waste in the future and save money now, buy small amounts where bulk spices are sold.

Washing Grocery Totes

Speaking of rancid, when was the last time you cleaned your reusable grocery bags? Studies have found bacteria easily transports from bag-to-food-to-refrigerator, increasing the chances of food poisoning and cross-contamination.

Throw them in the washer or wash by hand with hot soapy water.

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.

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.

Back in the "old days", all you could do to turn on a light was flip a switch or turn the dimmer knob.

Well, this is 2019 and times are changing. Now you can just tell the lights to come on, like on Star Trek. (Before you know it, we'll be able to tell our microwaves to heat up our Earl Grey tea.)

Smart lighting is becoming more a part of our lives, as it's increasingly more affordable. It's a household features that will let us use lighting to alter our moods, protect ourselves, and save a ton of energy and money.

Lighting Our Homes With a Purpose

Today's lighting designs are more about being a partner in your lifestyle than just turning on the lights. All of the lighting in your home can be on a single system that can be programmed in zones, each with it's own mood.  All of these zones can be controlled by wall units, a master panel, or an app.

So in addition to “Cooking” and “Romance” zones, you might have buttons for:

• Outdoor Entertaining – patio and walkway lights illuminate.
• Coming Home – triggered by a timer or a smart phone, the porch, entry hall, and kitchen lights come on.
• Nighty-Night – lights in kids’ rooms slowly fade out as they fall asleep.
• Vacation – lights turn on and off in random patterns.
• Panic Mode – all lights in the house flash on and off.

All you need to do at the end of a long day is just call up an app, or talk to your smart home speaker, and change the mood. You don't even have to lift a finger.

Easing the Fear of Lighting Technology

"Oh no, not another hi-tech gadget in my life", some may say. Don't worry, smart zone lighting is easy to install. If you hire a pro, your home can be retrofitted in about a half day for around $1500.

You’ll get an easy-to-understand central control unit that “talks” with new switches, light fixtures, and bulbs that are specially made to receive wireless signals. You decide on your zones and, once everything’s set up, have the light throughout your house change intensity and color on command.

DIYers Can Zone Out, Too

Relatively low-cost mini-systems are coming to market that’ll let you install your own zones, even if your geekability quotient is near zero.

The Hue is a $199 do-it-yourself starter kit from electronic manufacturer Philips. It includes a wireless hub that plugs into your home router, and three LED bulbs that respond to wireless signals.

Once the hub and bulbs are installed, you control everything from your smartphone, setting up zones (called “scenes” by Hue), and choosing color combos from millions of possible hues. You can even add tricks, such as having your lights flash when one of your tweets is re-tweeted.

If you get hooked on your Hue, you can expand — additional bulbs are $60 each. And because it’s linked to your internet router, your hub can be accessed from virtually anywhere using your smart phone, tablet, or laptop. Working late? Delay your “Coming Home” mode for an hour — and save energy.

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.