New residential construction ended 2013 at the highest level in six years, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. An estimated 923,400 housing units were started last year, which is 18.3 percent above year-before levels and the best total since 2007. That year, housing starts came in at 1.4 million. Still, despite a strong finish year-over-year, monthly figures fell in December. Privately-owned housing starts dropped 9.8 percent, after surging to the highest pace of the year the month before. But, though starts fell nearly 10 percent, December's estimate was still the third best month of 2013. Also in the report, building permits were down 3 percent from the previous month. Permits – which are a barometer of future building activity – ended the year 17.5 percent above 2012's estimate. There were an estimated 974,700 housing units authorized in 2013.

And guess what this means . . . land sales will be coming back, too. As we run through the inventory of existing homes, buyers will more and more consider buying land and building their dream home.

We have plenty of land for sale here in the Taos and Angel Fire areas. Prices have come down from their 2008 highs. And building sites here are varied. From lots of one to two acres to your own ranch or ranchette, we have what you're looking for. Want to live in the mountains surrounded by trees, or would you rather be out on the mesa with 360-degree views, looking at the mountains? Taos and Angel Fire offer the perfect land situation for your new home.