So are people taking advantage of these low rates? Based on our obeservations……not really.  Buying activity is currently down, as is applications for loans. There are probably many factors involved here (which could take up another 40 or so blog posts), but the fact remains that rates are historically low.  However, we have witnessed an extreme tightening of funds.  Basically, even though rates are low, it’s hard to get financing.

Our advise…….if you can, refinance on your current loan. If you’ve been waiting, wait no longer.  In our opinion, rates just aren’t going to get much lower. Or if you are in the market to buy, get to the bank, get prequalified, and look for a great deal. As we all know, there are many great deals out there.

For mortagage information in Santa Fe you can contact the following people.  These are people we know and trust.

Superior Mortgage (Nancy Armstrong and Jim Gay)

Wells Fargo Mortage in Santa Fe (Sherry Finney)

Cheers,

Matt and Ryan

Contact Matt Desmond and Ryan Bolton

ARTICLE:

Mountain Man Trade Fair offers trip back in time

Twenty-first century getting you down? Step back to the 19th at the 26th annual Santa Fe Mountain Man Trade Fair that continues through the weekend in the Palace of the Governors courtyard.

You’ll find buffalo, elk and cow pelts, beaded leatherwork, moccasins, antique guns, knives in leather scabbards, tomahawks, hand-forged ironwork, Hudson Bay-style blankets, period campware and cups made of animal horns.

Mark and Sandi Wilkie’s hobby for the last seven years has been trading such merchandise at the Santa Fe rendezvous — one of several mountain-man events around the West.

The rest of the time, they run a cattle ranch near Carlsbad.

Among the items they laid out on a blanket in the far corner of the Palace courtyard Thursday was a tri-cornered hat that seemed oddly out of sync with typical mountain-man attire.

“You’ve got to realize Lewis and Clark went west in 1804,” said Mark Wilkie. “That’s still right on the tail end of the Revolutionary War. That was a common headwear. In fact, you can see a lot of them, even up to the War of 1812, when you start looking at pencil sketches from that time.”

Prices range from $25 for the hat to $800 for a buffalo robe to $1,600 for an antique rifle to $7,000 for a “smoked brain tanned” buckskin gun case with fringe and four beaded U.S. flags with 13 stars in a circle.

But the highest asking price of any item at the fair was $500,000 for a knife that its owner, W. Smith of Polvodero, near Socorro, says once belonged to Kit Carson.

“We’ve been able to trace it all the way back to Kit Carson’s daughter,” he said. “This is the knife he carried when he was guiding the Army here in New Mexico.”

Just out of Smith’s hearing range, Jack Hill of Richmond, Calif., joked that he wouldn’t consider paying “a half million dollars for a rusty old iron knife.”

“Dear, you shouldn’t say so loud ‘rusty old knife,’ ” said his wife, Jean Marie Hill. “These people really honor what they have.”

Kathy Kershaw and Gary Schluter of Madison, Wis., have been coming to the Santa Fe rendezvous since 1990 to show their wares — Kershaw’s beaded, painted leatherwork and Schluter’s decorative, functional ironwork.

The beads sewn onto the hand-painted horses represents hailstones “so they’re blessed by the thunder beings,” Kershaw said. “Crazy Horse used to paint hail on his horse when he went into battle because the thunder beings are thought to be very, very powerful.”

By: Tom Sharpe for The New Mexican

Link to Original Article Here

Contact Ryan Bolton and Matt Desmond

A  private master bedroom, graced with a large fireplace, continues the theme of  stunning mountain views. His and Hers closets, a master bathroom with an infinity tub, dual sinks, and stand alone shower complete the master suite. The remaining two guest/kids bedrooms and bathroom are located in their own wing, adjacent to the large laundry room. 

Every detail of this home has been perfectly and beautifully planned, and every finish is of only the highest quality.

Located only 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, but with a distinctly rural feel, this home could make a great equestrian estate, family home, or New Mexico retreat!

Direct Link to the Youtube Video

Contact Matt Desmond and Ryan Bolton

This top ten list is as follows:

1)  Bend, Oregon: Once a destination town, now a highly sought after place to live, Bend represents a great place to find retirment real estate.

2) Las Vegas, Nevada: Into shows, gambling, and the sun.  Las Vegas has all of these.  Combine that with a giant inventory of homes, and prices 50% off what they were only a few years ago, and you’ve got a deal.

3) Phoenix, Arizona: See Las Vegas, without the gambling.

4) Napa, California: Fantastic weather, great proximity to a world class city and pristine vineyards, lower prices have made this a desirable place to find a retirement home.

5) Fayetteville, Arkansas: Home to the University of Arkansas, low home prices reign supreme for retirees.

6) Punta Gorda, Florida: If boating, fishing, and hugely discounted real estate is your thing, this place may be for you.

7) Burlington, Vermont: This beautiful Northeastern hamlet has great restaurants, outdoor activities, and the University of Vermont.

8) Ft. Meyers, Florida: See Punta Gorda, but bigger.

9) Santa Fe, New Mexico: If you’re reading this, you know why this place is so great. If you don’t, give us a call and come visit!

10) Santa Cruz, California: While still expensive, home prices have dropped. Combine that with some of the best California coastline and a laid back attitude and you possibly have retirement heaven.

Link to the U.S. News and World Report Here

Contact Matt Desmond and Ryan Bolton

Madame Butterfly: The season opens with a new production of Madame Butterfly, perhaps the most beloved of all operas, which has not been staged here in more than ten years. Kelly Kaduce returns as Puccini’s heartfelt heroine Cio-Cio-San, joined by Elizabeth DeShong as Suzuki and Brandon Jovanovich as Pinkerton. Antony Walker and Lee Blakeley make their Santa Fe debuts as conductor and stage director.

Performance dates: July 2, 7, 10, 16, 23; August 2, 9, 14, 20, 26

The Magic Flute:  The powers of music and of love unite to triumph over evil in The Magic Flute, Mozart’s ultimate opera. Director Tim Albery’s production was a sold-out sensation in 2006 and it returns under conductor Lawrence Renes to cast its radiant harmonies over Santa Fe audiences. Joshua Hopkins and Andrea Silvestrelli return as Papageno and Sarastro, joined by Ekaterina Siurina as Pamina, Erin Morley as the Queen of the Night, and Charles Castronovo as Tamino.

Performance dates: July 3, 9, 14; August 5, 10, 16, 23, 27

The Tales of Hoffmann: The Tales of Hoffmann is Offenbach’s glorious final masterpiece and it has never before been seen in Santa Fe. Tenor Paul Groves stars in the title role, the poet who duels with the unscrupulous Councilor Lindorf over the most glittering of all prizes—the opera star Stella. This new production, conducted by Stephen Lord and directed by Christopher Alden, features Erin Wall as the four heroines, Kate Lindsey as Nicklausse, and Gidon Saks as the four villains.

Performance dates: July 17, 21, 30; August 3, 7, 11, 17, 24, 28

Life is a Dream: Life is a Dream will be The Santa Fe Opera’s newest world premiere. Based on a towering masterpiece from “The Golden Age of Spanish Drama,” the opera by Lewis Spratlan explores provocative questions about the nature of perceptions and reality—and won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize in Music. Conductor Leonard Slatkin and director Kevin Newbury lead a cast that features Ellie Dehn, Roger Honeywell, James Maddalena and John Cheek in the leading roles.

Performance dates: July 24, 28; August 6, 12, 19

Albert Herring: Albert Herring proved that Benjamin Britten could create comedies that were just as successful as his dramatic masterworks such as Peter Grimes and Billy Budd. A turn-of-the-last-century English village is shocked to discover that chaste young women are in perilously short supply, so bashful Albert is crowned “King of the May Festival,” only to launch a night of revelry that leaves his elders aghast and his chums impressed. Fast-rising young tenor Alek Shrader stars in the title role, joined by Christine Brewer as the imperious Lady Billows. This new production is conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and directed by Paul Curran.

Performance dates: July 31; August 4, 13, 18, 21, 25

For schedules, tickets, info, etc. check out the opera website below. And for all of you really big planners, the 2011 season has also been announced. The 2011  line up includes; Faust, La Boheme, Griselda, The Last Savage, and Wozzeck. Have a great season at the Opera!

Link to the Santa Fe Opera Website

Contact Matt Desmond and Ryan Bolton

one of those is the Dale Ball trail system. In Santa Fe, unlike the other fitness “meccas”, you can access the trails within five minutes of downtown. The Dale Ball Trails are 17 miles worth of city own and maintained trails in the foothills of the rockies. This trail system also provides access to the Santa Fe National forest, and endless miles of  hiking, biking, running, snowshoeing, etc.

So please, join us in celebrating and personally thanking Dale, for the gift he has given Santa Fe.

Perfectly sited on almost 3 acres, this impeccably built Tesque estate is certainly worthy of a magazine cover! As you enter the home  you are immediately drawn to the unobstructed Jemez Mountain views framed by the formal living and dining rooms. Just beyond the dining room is the gorgeously appointed kitchen (as profiled in the magazine), and the adjacent large walk in pantry. Open to the kitchen is the family room, which serves as the media center of the home and a great family gathering area. The picture window in the family room also offers expansive views of the Jemez mountains in the distance. A spacious room on this side of the home works well as an office or 4th bedroom- as it is complete with  its own  3/4 bath and walk-in closet.

A  private master bedroom, graced with a large fireplace, continues the  with theme of  stunning mountain views. His and Hers closets, a master bathroom with an infinity tub, dual sinks, and stand alone shower complete the master suite. The remaining two guest/kids bedrooms and bathroom are located in their own wing, adjacent to the large laundry room. 

Every detail of this home has been perfectly and beautifully planned, and every finish is of only the highest quality. The Su Casa article profiles the kitchen nicely, but the entire house deserves it own book!

Check out the Su Casa video of the kitchen below.

Link to Article in Su Casa Magazine

Contact Ryan Bolton and Matt Desmond

The article features many of Santa Fe’s cultural events and spaces, restaurants, and going ons about town.

ARTICLE

36 Hours in Santa Fe
By Fred Bernstein

The Plaza, the heart of old Santa Fe, hasn’t changed much since the Spanish settled here 400 years ago. But surrounding the Plaza is an increasingly cosmopolitan city. Sure, it’s possible to focus entirely just on the historic center, where Native American handicrafts are for sale on every corner.

A Weekend in Santa Fe But the rest of Santa Fe now offers groovy contemporary art spaces, hot Asian restaurants and a park by a pair of trailblazing architects. Accept that Santa Fe isn’t just tacos and turquoise anymore, and you’ll find yourself loving the New Mexico capital not for what it was, but what it is.

Friday

5 p.m.
1) PUBLIC SPACE

For a beautifully curated introduction to Santa Fe, visit the New Mexico History Museum (113 Lincoln Avenue; 505-476-5200; nmhistorymuseum.org), which opened in 2009 and includes a gripping display about Los Alamos, where the Manhattan Project was conducted in secret during World War II. A large courtyard with ancient walls and shady trees separates the museum from the Palace of the Governors (palaceofthegovernors.org), the Spanish seat of government in the early 1600s and now a small museum of Colonial and Native American history. The two-museum complex is free on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.

7 p.m.
2) WHITE WALLS AND WINE

You’d have to be crazy to pay for a glass of white wine on Fridays. Canyon Road, which angles up from the center of town, has more than 100 galleries, and there are openings every Friday night. According to canyonroadarts.com, the largest category is contemporary representational (think brightly colored paintings of the desert). Check out Eight Modern (231 Delgado Street; 505-995-0231; eightmodern.net), where you’ll find the geometric scrap-metal constructions of the Santa Fe artist Ted Larsen. The backyard sculpture garden is a great place to marvel at New Mexico’s amazingly clear sky and savor its piñon-infused air before heading to dinner.

9 p.m.
3) AHI MOMENT

Martín Rios is a hometown boy made good: Born in Mexico and raised in Santa Fe, he apprenticed at the Eldorado Hotel and the Inn of the Anasazi — two local stalwarts — and made a brief appearance on “Iron Chef” before opening his own place, Restaurant Martín (526 Galisteo Street; 505-820-0919; restaurantmartinsantafe.com), in 2009. The main draw is the food — dishes like ahi tuna tartare ($14) and duck breast with smoked bacon polenta and Marcona almonds ($25) offer hints of the Southwest, with a dash of global aspiration. But the homey décor makes you want to stick around even after finishing the bittersweet chocolate truffle cake ($8).

Saturday

10 a.m.
4) SPICE MARKET

The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market (1607 Paseo de Peralta; 505-983-4098; santafefarmersmarket.com) dates back a half-century, but it stepped up a notch when it moved to a permanent building in 2008. Everything sold here, including dried chilies, yogurt and grass-fed meats, is produced in northern New Mexico. The market is part of a bustling district that includes the new Railyard Park by the architect Frederic Schwartz and the landscape architect Ken Smith, both Manhattanites whose taste is anything but quaint. As you wander around, be on the lookout for the Rail Runner, a gleaming new passenger train scheduled to pull in from Albuquerque at 11:08 a.m.

Noon
5) SUSTAINABLE SALADS

Santa Fe residents — as you learned roaming the Farmers’ Market — care where their food comes from. No wonder Vinaigrette (709 Don Cubero Alley; 505-820-9205; vinaigretteonline .com) was an immediate hit when it opened in 2008. The brightly colored cafe has a menu based on organic greens grown in the nearby town of Nambé. Choose a base — Caesar, Cobb and Greek are possibilities (around $10) — then add diver scallops or hibiscus-cured duck confit ($7) for a satisfying meal. Wines by the glass start at a very friendly $6.

2 p.m.
6) RIDING THE SPUR

Thanks to Santa Fe’s sometimes depressing sprawl, it’s getting harder and harder to find wide-open spaces. But drive (or bike) to the corner of Galisteo Street and West Rodeo Road, where there’s a small parking lot — then begin pedaling due south, in the direction of Lamy (about 12 miles away). What starts as an asphalt path morphs into a dirt bike trail that swerves around a 19th-century rail spur. There are some pretty steep hills, but they’re short, and the momentum from a downhill is usually enough to handle the next uphill. (If only life were like that!) The scenery is always gorgeous, especially in late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky. Mellow Velo (638 Old Santa Fe Trail; 505-995-8356; mellowvelo.com) rents mountain bikes starting at $35 a day.

7 p.m.
7) TAPAS WITH STRANGERS

La Boca (72 West Marcy Street; 505-982-3433; labocasf.com) is one of downtown Santa Fe’s most popular new restaurants — thanks to its contemporary tapas, plus larger dishes like cannelloni filled with crab, scallop and Manchego ($11). You’ll find yourself sharing tips on what to order — and even forkfuls of delicious eats — with strangers.

10 p.m.
8 ) REGGAE FOR ALL AGES

Santa Fe isn’t a night-life town, but Milagro 139 (139 West San Francisco Street; 505-995-0139; milagro139.com) is helping to change that. A building that had housed a coffee shop was recently converted to a restaurant that becomes a club on Friday and Saturday nights. There’s no cover, and the drinks, including a house margarita called Beginner’s Luck ($5), are delicious. A recent visit coincided with performances by Rubixzu, a local band that performed a blend of reggae and Latin hip-hop to a diverse crowd, aged 9 to 90. For a trendier vibe, head to Meow Wolf (1800 Second Street; 505-204-4651; meowwolf.com), an alternative art space, or check its Web site for other parties hosted by Meow Wolf artists.

Sunday

10 a.m.
9) FREE-RANGE PEACOCKS

For a big breakfast and an early start, drive south on Cerrillos Road about 10 miles past the Interstate, until you see a handwritten cardboard sign that reads, “Pine wood stove pellets sold here.” You’ve arrived at the San Marcos Café (3877 State Road 14; 505-471-9298). Dozens of peacocks, turkeys and hens roam the property (which also houses a feed store), providing an Old McDonald-like backdrop for crowd-pleasers like eggs San Marcos, a cheese omelet in a bath of guacamole, beans and salsa ($12).

Noon
10) KITSCH TO CONTEMPORARY

If you ever thought that item you found at a roadside stand was one of a kind, Jackalope (2820 Cerrillos Road; 505-471-8539; jackalope.com), a sprawling, indoor-outdoor flea market, will disabuse you of that notion. There are hundreds of everything, including punched-copper switch plates and tote bags that depict Michelle Obama smiling on a swing. If you need to shake off the kitsch, head to SITE Santa Fe (1606 Paseo De Peralta; 505-989-1199; sitesantafe.org), a contemporary art space where the 2010 biennale, focused on moving image technologies in contemporary art, will run from June 20 to Jan. 2, 2011.

1 p.m.
11) YOUR OWN ADOBE

It’s difficult to spend time in Santa Fe without thinking about buying a home (or second home) here. So check out Zocalo (Avenida Rincon; 505-986-0667; zocalosantafe.com), a striking development by the Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. He is known for crisp geometry and super-bright colors — a welcome sight in this city of browns and terra cottas. Consider it real estate voyeurism, combined with a crash course in contemporary architecture.

IF YOU GO

Santa Fe has a tiny airport, which offers nonstop service to and from Dallas and Los Angeles on American Eagle. Most visitors fly into the larger Albuquerque airport, about an hour south. A recent Web search found round-trip fares from Kennedy Airport on Delta, from about $260 for travel in June. Sadly, the Rail Runner doesn’t run to the Albuquerque airport.

The Hotel St. Francis (210 Don Gaspar Avenue; 505-983-5700; hotelstfrancis.com), billed as the oldest hotel in Santa Fe, completed a top-to-bottom renovation in 2009, and it looks spectacular. Doubles from $120.

The El Rey Inn (1862 Cerrillos Road, 505-982-1931; elreyinnsantafe.com) is a retro-chic 1930s-style motel, with nicely furnished rooms and beautifully landscaped grounds to go along with the kitschy Native American-themed architecture. Doubles from $99.

Hilton Santa Fe Golf Resort & Spa (30 Buffalo Thunder Trail; 505-455-5555, buffalothunderresort.com) is part of a new casino complex, about 15 minutes north of town. Doubles from $159. Hilton also built a less-expensive Homewood Suites nearby (10 Buffalo Thunder Trail; 505-455-9100, with doubles from $109.

Link to Original Article In The New York Times Here

Contact Ryan Bolton and Matt Desmond

So, now what happens?

With the tax factor/incentive out of play, many predict that the market will see a bit of a hiccup.  In fact, only two weeks after the expiration, national home sales have shown significant declines.  While it’s still to early to look at the entire month of  May statistics, we’re pretty sure there are going to be down ticks across the board.  Showings and pendings have also slowed a bit, both good indicators of what if going on.

These happenings are topped with the highly tumultuous mortgage market.  With the big crashes on Wall Street last week, (and, wow, I just looked at today’s Dow and it’s down at least 100 points) mortgage rates are a 2010 lows again.  However, we also just read that mortgage applications have dropped off 27% since April.  Thus, even though rates are low, not many people are applying. Interesting signs indeed.

In summary, the tax credit has passed but home prices remain incredibly low, which still makes this a great time to buy. If you can lock in a great rate and find a nice place, you just may find yourself a fabulous deal. 

Link the AP Article on April Home Sales Here

Contact Ryan Bolton and Matt Desmond

And according to the American Lung Association, all of these things have an extra level of richness due to the cleanliness of the air.  Currently, Santa Fe is ranked 2nd in the country for cleanest cities in regard to year round particle pollution. This surely won’t come as a surprise to most Santa Fe residents, most of whom bask in the clean, fresh, mountain air daily.

Admittedly, at times during the windy spring months when dust fills the air this may be a bit hard to believe. And like today, when there is a fire in the bosque of Albuquerque, the air quality doesn’t seem all that pristine.  But in Santa Fe we are spoiled.  Most days are crystal clear, and the hues of the sky are unlike anywhere else.

Other cities on the top 25 list include: #1: Cheyenne, WY (not shocking as the population of the entire State of Wyoming hovers around 500,000), #3: Honolulu, HI (ahhhh, Hawaii), #4 Anchorage, AL ( a bit like Wyoming),  #7: Tuscon, Arizona, and #8: Albuquerque, NM (our neighbor to the south).

The cities on the other side of this list include: #1 Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ (interestingly only a couple hours from Tuscon, #7 on the cleanest list), #3: L.A., CA (really, is anyone surprised?), and #5 Pittsburgh, PA. 

Just another reason to love living in the City Different!

Link to the American Lung Association rankings

Contact Ryan Bolton and Matt Desmond