Real Estate Information Archive

It's officially September in Santa Fe and that means that it's chile season! Our chile, however is not the same chile that most of you cold weather cities are experiencing this time of year. Our chile is a beautiful vibrant colored fruit that takes over Santa Fe in September. Chile roasters pop up on every corner - from parking lots to grocery stores. You can literally smell the aroma of roasting chiles in the streets. The best way to celebrate this native-grown fruit is the same way Santa Fe celebrates everything - with a festival!

Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta
The 20th Annual Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival runs from Wednesday September 22nd to Sunday September 26th. Attend seminars and tastings featuring special guest presenters like Master Chefs and Sommeliers. Learn how to pair wine with southwestern cuisine - most made with chiles of course. The 17th Annual Gruet Golf Classic has a different sparkling wine with a food from a different restaurant at every third hole. This event is simply fantastic and opens up your taste buds to the finest in Southwestern cuisine. It's so popular, in fact, that many of the events and presentations are already sold out, but it's worth a try to at least get on the waiting list and be the first in line come next year.

Hatch Chiles
Over Labor Day weekend, I attended the other notable Chile haven - Hatch, New Mexico. The annual Hatch Chile Festival is held in the tiny town of Hatch known for their incredible chile headquarters where their farmers are constantly creating new breeds and various tastes. Burritos, enchiladas, gorditas, caldillo, chile verde con carne, tacos, chiles rellenos, chile-topped burgers, chile in a sack, chile powders and chile sauces - it's like Bubba Gump's shrimp story, but with chile. Even though the festival is over, you can still order Hatch chile in every form imaginable -  seeds, dried, fresh, frozen, canned, and other specialties - straight from Hatch's New Mexico Chile website. Take a look below for pictures of my trip. I can almost smell the chiles just looking at the pictures.

Red Chile Rasberry Jam
As I said above, with Santa Fe's abundance of chiles, almost no food is safe from a chile experiment. You must make a trip to the Santa Fe Farmers Market for a jar of Heidi's rasberry jam. The most popular jam called "followed by red chile," combines molten rasberries with red chiles. Just take a look at Heidi's website to see what a runaway hit this chile concoction has become.

If you like the sounds of a city where chile fills the streets, food and culture are coveted, and taking breaks on the golf course means stopping for a wine tasting every third hole, then Santa Fe Real Estate is for you. If you are looking for a Santa Fe Home, please give me a call. I would be more than happy to introduce you into my world.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Living in Santa Fe means embracing its "market" culture.  From farmers' markets to art markets, Santa Fe was made for these kinds of cultural exchanges. The Santa Fe Farmers' Market is proud to be New Mexico's largest farmers' market and of the most widely recognized markets in the United States. With its unique offerings, community dedication and year-round availability, it is truly unlike any other farmers' market in the country.

Santa Fe holds some very high standards for its Farmers' Market, which may be what contributes to its success. Rule #1 - 100% products sold by its vendors are locally grown. Rule #2 - Craft items must use at least 80% of local ingredients and materials. Rule #3 - Only the people who grow and produce the products may sell the products.

If you're not convinced yet that Santa Fe has the very best Farmers' Market around, then maybe this will drive it home. CNN rated the Santa Fe Farmers Market in the top 10 in America's Best Farmers' Markets.

According to CNN, every region's farmers' market is known for that one distinctive food. For Santa Fe, it's our chili peppers. We boast the country's most diverse collection of chilies - which proves very important once we bring our loot from New Mexico market to New Mexico kitchen for some real southwestern cooking.

Tuesday and Saturday Farmers' Markets
Place: The Railyard
Time: 7 am - Noon

New Mexico Artisans Market
Place: The Railyard
Day: Every Sunday
Time: 10 am - 4 pm

New Thursday Farmers' Markets
Place: The Railyard
Time: 3 pm - 7 pm

New Tuesday Southside Market
Place: San Ysidro Plaza
Time: 3 pm - 6:30 pm

Also check out the Upcoming Special Event...

Cook with the Chef
Event: Area chefs feature their signature dishes, emphasizing the season and ingredients that are available locally (like at your Farmers Market!) and perform cooking demonstrations for the public.
Place: The Railyard
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm

Santa Fe Indian Market
August 21-22
This may not be a Farmers' Market, but it is the ultimate art market - not just for Santa Fe, but for the entire nation of Native artists. 80 years going strong, the Santa Fe Indian Market has become the world's largest and most highly acclaimed Native American arts show and New Mexico's largest attended annual event. These great artists come from all sides of the country to gather in Santa Fe's Plaza, which often becomes the setting for getting "discovered."

Santa Fe is the perfect place for a Market of any kind - food, craft or otherwise. When one thinks of a market, they envision an open atmosphere, neighbors conversing, fresh local produce, and an inviting environment. This is essentially what Santa Fe is all about. If you are interested in Santa Fe Real Estate, please give me a call today. I would love help you discover what life could be like.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Santa Fe, New Mexico proudly ranked in the top ten most popular and affordable places in America to retire!  Climate, recreation and hobbies, cost of living, and convenience strongly influence the decisions of most later-life moves.  So what are the most popular locations?

     1. Bend, Ore.
     2. Napa, Calif.
     3. Fort Meyers, Fla.
     4. Fayetteville, Ark.
     5. Las Vegas
     6. Sante Fe, N.M.**
     7. Punta Gorda, Fla.
     8. Phoenix
     9. Santa Cruz, Calif.
     10.Burlington, Vt.

The best place for you to retire, however, and the order of priorities will completely unique.  While this list provides an idea of where the greater retirement population is settling, you’ll want to evaluate your own personal preferences and rank each item’s importance level. Coming in at number 6 on the list with 20% growth in the 50+ population is our own Sante Fe!

So why are retirees choosing the Land of Enchantment?  Artistic foundations, world-class dining, shopping, high air quality, gorgeous views, and warm temperatures are strong enough arguments to entice anyone!  Santa Fe is very popular among active members of the retirement community, with vibrant culture, friendly people, and outdoor activities year-round. In addition to the quality of life, the average list price range is an affordable $350,000- $415,000.  

Safely in the middle, Sante Fe may not be the most affordable, but gladly it has so much more to offer!  Justified by sunshine, recreation, art, fine Santa Fe real estate, and an overall fine quality of life, more and more retirees are finding Sante Fe worth the move!  If you’re thinking of relocating to Santa Fe, contact me today for more information on the ‘City Different’ and Santa Fe real estate!

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

The beauty of living in a city like Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the availability of arts, theater, and culture right at your fingertips. While most people would die for a trip to a world-class opera house, Santa Fe has one right in their backyard.

The Santa Fe Opera is recognized as one of the world's leading cultural festivals. Imagine a state-of-the-art adobe theater set against a backdrop of the high desert landscape - a beautiful fusion of nature and art - and you have the Santa Fe Opera House. Located just five minutes north of downtown Santa Fe, the Opera is housed on a 99 acre property with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains.

More than 1,600 performances of nearly 140 different operas, 9 world premiers and 40 American premieres - all held at this one-of-a-kind theater. Conductor John Crosby's vision was to provide American singers with an opportunity to perform in a setting that allowed ample time to prepare each and every production. With its laid back personality, tranquil setting and passion for the arts, Santa Fe was the perfect city for such a novel concept.

Open for the months of July and August, it is one of the best places to spend your time in Santa Fe. Here are a few more things to add to your list of things to do this summer in Santa Fe…

The Santa Fe Opera Backstage Tours
Available: May 31-August 28
When: 9 a.m., Monday - Saturday
A docent-led, hour long sneak peak of what goes on behind the scenes of one or Santa Fe's world-class productions. Its open air stage requires hundreds of behind-the-scenes visionaries and stage hands to create the magic of the opera. Along with that, there are no curtains on the stage, so all scenery and cast changes must be built in to the production. Find out all the little secrets of the Santa Fe Opera, which is sure to lead you to an even greater appreciation for this theater.

The Tales of Hoffman
An Offenback masterpiece and never before seen in Santa Fe, this production is a must see. A poet duels with the deceitful Councilor Lindorf over the opera star Stella. Starring Tenor Paul Groves, conducted by Stephen Lord, and directed by Chirtopher Alden.

Madame Butterfly
Even the most unseasoned Opera-goer has heard of the highly regarded Madame Butterfly. There is no better time to catch this classic than at the Santa Fe Opera. Kelly Kaduce stars as Puccini's heroine Cio-Cio-San, while Antony Walker and Lee Blakely debut as conductor and stage director.

The Magic Flute
The romantic story of how the powers of music and love trump evil, this is Mozart's ultimate opera. Enough said. Sold out in 2006, you will want to get your tickets for this one now. Joshua Hopkins and Andrea Silvestrelli star as Papgeno and Sarastro, while Lawrence Renes serves as the valiant conductor.

An avid Opera-goer myself, I look forward to the opera season in Santa Fe.  Did I mention tailgating?  You need to get there early for a spot in the upper parking lot.  Fine food, wine, champagne and watch as the sun sets in the gorgeous skies.   With Madame Butterfly checked off my list, my next stop is the Magic Flute.   I can't help but appreciate living in Santa Fe when I attend productions at this fantastic opera house. You too can live in such a place. Just give me a call if you'd like to look at some Santa Fe real estate. Always happy to answer any questions, even if it's just  my review of the Opera.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Aldea, New Mexico is a special community that deserves to be called to attention. For those of you thinking about Santa Fe Real Estate, a home in Aldea may be just what you are looking for…

Aldea translates to "small village" and, in the truest sense of the word, it is. A village is defined as a small group of dwellings in a rural area, and is often thought of as an older, historical town. When people think "village" they think community, pedestrian, natural environment. In all actuality, it is a modern residential community that took strategic planning to create the rustic exterior that it emits, but the result was something incredible.

The community layout was based on traditional Colonial towns. Designed by world renowned architect, Andres Duany, Aldea was inspired by a movement called New Urbanism. The intention of New Urbanism is to create communities that are designed to encourage human interaction in an inviting public realm, all while incorporating the traditions and habits of communities throughout history that have proven successful in the past.

Living in Aldea means not being dependent on automobiles, and instead depending on your bicycle or your feet to get you from home to store to work - which are never too far apart. It is located within close enough reach of the amenities and city life of Santa Fe, but far enough so that when you are there, its as though you are miles from civilization. The landscape is rugged, the air is fresh, and the signs of nature are all around.

Living in Aldea means not keeping your neighbors at a distance, but easily within reach, to encourage a closer knit community. Community meetings, neighborhood gatherings, exercise classes and conferences are all held at the Community Building.

Living in Aldea means not calling attention to trophy houses, but instead to the breathtaking streetscapes, open spaces, numerous pocket parks, and rolling foothills. Homes surround a central commercial and civic plaza, and the town itself was built on a series of dramatic ridges. This gives way for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Living in Aldea may not be for everybody. But I can guarantee you that if you desire to live a stress-free lifestyle, where mountain views and rugged landscape are not just something that you see on a postcard, but a scene regularly available from your backyard, then Aldea is for you. If I have piqued your interest in Aldea New Mexico Real Estate, then give me a call. Even if it's just to see for yourself this seemingly imaginary village that is fast becoming one of Santa Fe's hidden gems.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

NEWS RELEASE 4th QUARTER 2008 Santa Fe CITY OVERALL MEDIAN PRICE REMAINS STEADY AT $350,000 WHILE SALES DROP IN BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTYth Quarter of 2008 compared to similar 2007 home sales data. Sales in the City for the 4th Quarter 2008 decreased from 141 sold during the 4th Quarter in 2007 to 131 this Quarter - a 7% decrease. Condo sales in the City slowed from 89 in the 4th quarter of 2007 to 75 in the current 4th Quarter but values also remained strong.th Quarter of 2008 compared to $549,125 in the 4th Quarter of 2007.th Quarter at 106 compared to 132 in the 4th Quarter of 2007.510 North Guadalupe Sireet, SUite E • Santo Fe, New Mexico 87501 • (505) 982-8385 FAX (505) 982-3764

EMBARGOED UNTIL: 11 :00 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contact: Lois Sury, 2009 President-Elect (505) 984-5156 Donna Reynolds, CEO (505) 982-8385

4

(Santa Fe, NM - January 14, 2009) The overall median price of a home in the City of Santa Fe held steady at $350,000 in the 4

In the County of Santa Fe, price reductions occurred in all by one market area resulting in a median price of $427,500 in the 4

County home sales also remained sluggish in the most recent 4

"Home values are remaining steady compared to last year during the same period for City homes and condos with sales off only modestly," stated Lois Sury, 2009 President-Elect of the Santa Fe Association of REALTORS®. "However, the County is still experiencing slower sales and more price adjustments during this same period. The current national economic slowdown may be depressing sales in certain markets," she added.

"Overall inventories are dropping as buyers are snapping up bargains as well as some buyers deciding to take homes off the market due to the economic uncertainty. Yet, inventories remain higher at the end of 2008 than reported at the end of 2007," shared Ms. Sury.

The median sales price is determined from only those sales listed on the Santa Fe Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service, which does not include every sale in the area but has been used historically to track trends in the home buying market.

ABC News Story; New Mexico Economy Expanding and NOT In Recession!

Majority of States Now in Recession

In March, 5 States Were in Recession; Now There are 27 With 14 More at Risk

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
ABC NEWS Business Unit
Oct. 21, 2008

What started out as a housing problem in a few states has now exploded into a full-fledged recession with a majority of states now in or dangerously close to recession.

What started as a recession in just a few states has now spread to 27 with another 14 states near recession, according to Mark Zandi,

chief economist and co-founder of Moody's Economy.com.

(ABC News Photo Illustration)

Just this weekend, President Bush's top economic advisor used the much-avoided word "recession" to describe the economies in some states.

"We are seeing what I think anyone would characterize as a recession in certain parts of the country," Edward P. Lazear,

chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Back in March, Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of Moody's Economy.com, said that only five states were in recession: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Nevada.