Real Estate Information

Buying a home comes with a huge financial stake, a lot of responsibility, and even more fine print. While investing in this aspect of the American dream is exciting, it’s important to reflect on your current and future plans before buying. Here are five questions to consider:

What Are Your Goals for the Next 5 to 7 Years?

Are you happy with your job and feeling content with how your life is going? Do you anticipate any career, family, or financial changes in the next few years?

If you’re considering growing your family or changing careers, factor into your budget any anticipated changes, such as extra room for a baby or an income cut. That’s better than taking a financial loss by having to turn around and sell your new property. 

What Will It Cost to Both Purchase and Own Your New Property?

A general rule of thumb is to keep your PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) costs below 28% of your gross monthly income, while your overall debt-to-income ratio should be no more than 36%.

Are you buying a bigger space than what you currently have? Don’t forget to factor in increased heating and cooling costs. Also, plan for homeowner’s association dues if applicable. 

In addition to the funds you have for your down payment, don’t overlook the following expenses you’ll incur once you purchase your home: 

• Moving costs 
• Closing costs 
• Home repairs 
• Painting 
• New appliances 
• Fixtures
• Furniture 

It is recommend to open a separate savings account in addition to your down payment fund to save for these expenses.

What’s Your Credit Score?

Your credit score is your financial report card, except it will follow you long after college. This number can either save or cost you thousands of dollars when it comes to locking in an interest rate on your mortgage. The lower your score, the higher your interest rate and the more you’ll pay to borrow from a lender. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest and the more money you’ll keep in your pocket.

If you have any issues on your credit report, tackle them as soon as possible. 

How Will You Handle Home Repairs and Maintenance?

Is there a lawn to mow or a pool to clean? Do you enjoy the idea of tinkering with appliances and fixing things around the house? Consider if you’ll DIY or delegate. If you’re a delegator, price services ahead of time to ensure there’s room in your budget. 

How Will Your Ideal Location Affect Your Monthly Nut?

It’s important to consider more than just the home price in your desired community. Will you be farther from or closer to work? How will your home’s location affect your commuting costs?

In addition to transportation costs, consider whether your food and utility costs will increase or decrease, and whether you’ll enroll kids in the local school district or opt for private schooling. 

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more 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!

1517 Eagle Ridge Terrace Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $950,000

5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 4750 Square Feet

Incredible VIEWS & casual elegance abound in this one-of-a-kind home! Nestled into the Sandia Mtns enjoy resort style outdoor living with multiple patios, private courtyard & balcony with mtn views & city lights! Versatile floor plan with stunning views from the great room, sep family room, formal dining, office/study, addtl flex room plus a guest room w/full bath on the main level. Show stopping kitchen has beautiful cabinetry, granite, wood beam ceiling, bkfst bar, island, walk-in pantry. Large secondary bdrs w/ walk-in closets. Gorgeous Master Suite has a balcony w/spectacular views, kiva frplc, jetted tub, double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Desirable cul-de-sac location, beautiful landscaping, private outdoor courtyard & patios w/fireplaces makes for true resort style living!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Do you need a break from all the summer excitement? Albuquerque spas have just what you need to unwind the cares of the day, with some of the best spa and wellness centers in New Mexico. Here's a list of some of the best spas in Albuquerque to help take away your stress.

Betty's Bath and Day Spa

Offering refuge since 2000, Betty's Bath and Day Spa offers two outdoor hot tubs and saunas, massages, facials, restorative spa treatments, lounge and relaxation areas in a xeriscaped garden setting. They also feature a specialty boutique with natural and scintillating bath & body products as well as affordable accessories. You can also stay for a relaxing getaway in a private getaway for individuals, couples or small groups.

Rio Grande Body Works

Whether you want an individual or couple's session, Rio Grande offers a range of bodywork services. They work with youth as well as adults. You can find treatments such as Swedish massage, Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage, reflexology, couple’s sessions, and more. Rio Grande also offers skincare services such as custom facials, express or in-depth peels, men’s facials, and acne facials.

LUMEN: Mind Body Float

At LUMEN : Mind Body Float, you'll receive transformative physical and mental experiences through Next-level flotation therapy and NeurOptimal brain training methodologies, along with ARX adaptive resistance exercise, Infrared Sauna, and Massage Therapy. Their center is a product of continual research and top-of-the-line technology.

Albuquerque Baths

Unwind with therapeutic services like salt glows and body scrubs,  traditional message, deep tissue message, foot treatments, hot stone message, and more.  Albuquerque baths is a spa designed for relaxation with a beautiful, comfortable and communal setting, where you'll find influences from many cultures that have a history of communal bathing, such as Japanese bathhouses, Russian banyas, Scandinavian saunas, as well as local hot spring resorts.

Essential Therapy Massage by Sara

Rated one of the best message therapists in Albuquerque, Sarah McDonald offers therapeutic messages that are tailored to your individual needs, making her an ideal choice for ongoing sessions. Her affordable pricing is helpful for those needing more frequent treatments. Sarah is a master at finding your tough spots and providing relief that lasts well after your session. Her personal service is second to none in Albuquerque.

Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more 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!

1517 Eagle Ridge Terrace Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $950,000

5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 4750 Square Feet

Incredible VIEWS & casual elegance abound in this one-of-a-kind home! Nestled into the Sandia Mtns enjoy resort style outdoor living with multiple patios, private courtyard & balcony with mtn views & city lights! Versatile floor plan with stunning views from the great room, sep family room, formal dining, office/study, addtl flex room plus a guest room w/full bath on the main level. Show stopping kitchen has beautiful cabinetry, granite, wood beam ceiling, bkfst bar, island, walk-in pantry. Large secondary bdrs w/ walk-in closets. Gorgeous Master Suite has a balcony w/spectacular views, kiva frplc, jetted tub, double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Desirable cul-de-sac location, beautiful landscaping, private outdoor courtyard & patios w/fireplaces makes for true resort style living!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Are you selling your home in Albuquerque and have dogs? Of course you love your canine friends. But we have to face the fact that it can be harder to sell a house that smells like dogs or looks like pets have lived in them. You may have got used to the odors your dogs leave behind, but potential buyers will notice them right away.

How can you keep your house free of the smells from pets before you put it on the market?

Steam Clean Everything Fabric

Soft surfaces soak up the most odors. That means you need to steam clean everything that's fabric in the house.

Those silly dogs love to rub on everything, getting oils, odors, and fur on the fabric. So you need to clean carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and even the drapes. This may sound extreme, but it could mean the difference between selling or not selling your home.

Grooming

No doubt you groom your dog regularly, so now is as good a time as any to get them groomed. But make sure you have it done professionally. That way it's a more thorough cleaning, and it will go down their drain instead of yours.

While your home is listed, regularly brush your dog outside to keep hair off the sofa or rugs.

Clean Tile-Floor Grout

Tile grout also sucks up pet stains and smells. You can steam clean grout to lift those stains and smells. If the grout is really looking bad, hire a pro to chip it out and put in new grout.

Get an Air Purifier

You may not notice pet odors since you've been used to them. Adding an air purifier with a HEPA filter will pull hair and dander out of the air and reduce that smell.

Most air ducts don’t need to be cleaned, especially if you change filters regularly. But if dander and fur seem to be taking over, hire a duct-cleaning company before putting your home on the market.

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

Pet toenails leave telltale marks on doors and walls. For walls and doors made of synthetic materials, you’ll just need to paint over the marks. If you have a wooden door, use wood-filler pen can fill in the scratches. On hardwood floors, rub out small scratches with steel wool or fine sandpaper followed by mineral spirits, wood filler, and polyurethane. For major damage, refinishing the hardwood is a good investment.

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.

Selling your home in Albuquerque? Get a FREE home valuation of your home today. Looking for the perfect home in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more 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!

1517 Eagle Ridge Terrace Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $950,000

5 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 4750 Square Feet

Incredible VIEWS & casual elegance abound in this one-of-a-kind home! Nestled into the Sandia Mtns enjoy resort style outdoor living with multiple patios, private courtyard & balcony with mtn views & city lights! Versatile floor plan with stunning views from the great room, sep family room, formal dining, office/study, addtl flex room plus a guest room w/full bath on the main level. Show stopping kitchen has beautiful cabinetry, granite, wood beam ceiling, bkfst bar, island, walk-in pantry. Large secondary bdrs w/ walk-in closets. Gorgeous Master Suite has a balcony w/spectacular views, kiva frplc, jetted tub, double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Desirable cul-de-sac location, beautiful landscaping, private outdoor courtyard & patios w/fireplaces makes for true resort style living!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

The lifespan of a roof is affected by the workmanship and materials, along with weather conditions. But there are steps you can take to keep your rood in good condition longer. The roof is a major part of your home, and keeping it in good shape will save money in more ways than just the roof itself.

Avoiding Common Maintenance Issues

Small problems left unchecked can threaten the lifespan of a roof.

Here are some of the most common issues:

• Sagging or overloaded gutters. Leaves and debris build up over time and can cause them to sag. Clean them to avoid water damage to the deck board and the boards under the gutter line.
• Unattended roof debris. Branches and debris can especially build up during storms. Clean these regularly to prevent rot and other damage.
• Unknown rot or weak spots. Every few years, get up on the roof or hire a professional to check the roof's condition up close and fix any issues.

Good Ventilation

Your attic can also affect the life of a roof. Poor ventilation can lead to many problems.

During the summer, a poorly ventilated attic can reach up to 160 degrees. This hot air can get through your insulation and heat up the rest of the home. This also affects the shingles, effectively frying them and leading to decay.

Insulating the Attic

Good insulation in your attic is also important to prolonging your roof's life. Insulating your attic properly will reduce the heat transfer and reflect the radiant heat away from your roof and adding to it's lifespan.

Mold and Moss

If you find mold on your roof, you can easily clean it with a diluted bleach solution. But if you don't, it won't affect the life of your roof. On the other hand, moss can trap moisture and lead to rot, so make sure you remove moss as soon as possible.

Preparing For Damage

No matter what you do, any roof will be damaged over time. Damage can really add up during storms. If you keep on top of the smaller issues as they happen, it can lead to better protection during inclement weather.

You also don't need a ladder to inspect your roof, just a pair of binoculars. If you notice anything amiss like missing, curling, or buckling shingles, arrange for a professional once-over.

Maintaining your roof is easy with a proactive approach. With proper attention, you can enjoy your roof for years to come.

Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our powerful home search feature will help you find the home of your dreams. Join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. And follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11701 Coyote Run Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $748,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 3271 Square Feet

Fabulous Home nestled in an idyllic, peaceful, gated community. Positioned to take advantage of exceptional mountain and city views! Open, light filled spaces capture you the minute you walk in this home!! This well thought out Lee Michael Multi-generational home can accommodate everyone!! The details and quality are evident! This home you must see!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

When it comes to selling a home, curb appeal is everything. So if your driveway is showing its age, it can deal a fairly big blow to that appeal. Driveways can technically be functional for decades, but eventually need to be replaced. Your driveway is a major feature of your home that you should look at when selling a home and deciding what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Cracks

Cracks always form in a driveway over the years. A number of factors can make them worse, such as leaking gas, oil, or other chemicals.

Small cracks can be repaired as they appear. Yet larger cracks that are long or wide may show signs of more serious damage. If you have a tree near the driveway, the roots may be growing underneath and compromising the pavement. In this case you may even need to remove the tree to prevent further damage.

If you decide to make your own repairs, bear in mind that the repairs will be darker than the surrounding driveway, which also will take away from the curb appeal.

Potholes

Potholes are the next level of driveway damage to deal with. Potholes can do more damage than cracks, taking a toll on your cars.

Potholes can form when the ground beneath the drive expands and contracts. Over time, the driveway material starts to weaken and give way, forming a pothole.

Potholes can be repaired, but it won't solve the problem long term of the ground underneath contracting and expanding and making the pothole appear again.

Replacing your driveway is really the best solution in this case, especially for an older driveway. Newer materials are made to withstand these issues better than the driveway materials that were used decades ago.

Rough Appearance

The weather will always take its toll on the appearance of a driveway. Both the rain and the sun can cause damage, oxidize the surface, causing the color to fade.

To fix this, you could try applying concrete or asphalt sealant, which can help to restore the original look. But if the durability of the driveway has been affected, it’s best to go with a total replacement.

Lack of Resealing

If you have an asphalt or concrete driveway, it should be resealed every two or three years to prevent if from breaking and cracking. If this hasn't been done, you may need to replace your driveway if too many cracks have formed.

Past its Prime

Most driveways are past their prime after about 15-20 years. After that much time, your driveway may be suffering from all of these problems mentioned. At this point, repairs are also less likely to be effective.

Find the home of your dreams in Albuquerque with our powerful home search feature. Join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. And follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

11701 Coyote Run Road NE, Albuquerque, NM  $748,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 half) / 3271 Square Feet

Fabulous Home nestled in an idyllic, peaceful, gated community. Positioned to take advantage of exceptional mountain and city views! Open, light filled spaces capture you the minute you walk in this home!! This well thought out Lee Michael Multi-generational home can accommodate everyone!! The details and quality are evident! This home you must see!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

If you plan on buying a home in Albuquerque, or you already live here, you don’t need to worry about where to find fresh, healthy local produce.  Albuquerque is bursting with markets featuring the best local produce and natural grocery items. And you can eat fresh and healthy in Albuquerque no matter what season it is, as there’s both indoor and outdoor markets to choose from. So get ready for an explosion of healthy fresh flavors, local crafts, and entertainment. Here’s some of the farmer’s markets you can enjoy in Albuquerque.

Rail Yards Market

Open May – October, this Sunday market is organized by the community and features local food, art, and music. You can explore hundreds of the finest food, farm fresh produce, arts, and healing vendors. Enjoy love music and learn with the whole family in the educational zones.  Located in the historic Blacksmith Shop in the heart of Albuquerque, it’ w here the whole community comes together to enjoy the fun and creative atmosphere.

Downtown Growers' Market

Running from April 15 – November 4 every Saturday in historic Robinson Park in downtown Albuquerque, this market has been a tradition since 1996.  Over 60 growers from the New Mexico area present the highest quality produce you can find anywhere. They also feature live music and yoga. And for those in need, they double EBT/SNAP benefits! And to further their contribution to the environment, they’re solar powered. Plus you can bike to the market and let Raynold’s Neighborhood Association provide Bike Valet Service for your convenience.

Los Ranchos Growers' Market

Located in nearby Los Ranchos, they feature both a Winter and regular farmer’s market.  The Winter Market runs from December – April and the regular market runs from May 5.  Each weekend the market has a special theme, such as Mothers Day Specials, Canine Celebration, Old Vehicle Day, and Solar / Sustainability Celebration.

Other place you can find fresh produce and natural items in Albuquerque include Sichler Farms, El Mezquite Market, The Fruit Basket of Albuquerque, and the Sprouts Farmers Market chain.

Join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. And follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $350,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 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

On our other website, we listed the best schools in Albuquerque according to Niche.com. That list showed the best schools on all grade levels. But there are so many outstanding schools in Albuquerque that we just can't contain them to one list. So here's a list of the top elementary schools in Albuquerque for your review, along with links to search for homes near each school.

Southwest Primary Learning Center
#1 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#1 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#2 Best Public Elementary School Teachers in New Mexico

Southwest Primary Learning Center has 102 students in grades 4-6 with a student-teacher ratio of 21 to 1. According to state test scores, 42% of students are at least proficient in math and 37% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Southwest Primary Learning Center

Coral Community Charter School
#3 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#3 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico
#8 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Coral Community Charter School has 195 students in grades PK, K-6 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 32% of students are at least proficient in math and 42% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Coral Community Charter School

Montessori Elementary School
#5 Best Charter Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Montessori Elementary School has 420 students in grades K-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1. According to state test scores, 31% of students are at least proficient in math and 46% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Montessori Elementary School

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
#1 Best Public Elementary Schools in Sandoval County
#14 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Mexico

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School has 883 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 44% of students are at least proficient in math and 51% in reading.

Find Homes For Sale Near Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School