Where could you go to build your ultimate dream home? The islands are nice, but Taos real estate is better. Do you like mountains? Taos real estate has them. What about high-mountain deserts? Taos real estate mesas are at about 7000 feet. Did you mention a river, by chance? What about the Rio Grande River that takes up a big chunk of Taos real estate? Do you like huge, blue skies with dramatic sunrises and sunsets? Again, Taos real estate . . .

But where could you go to get everything you want in a big, huge package? Sure, Taos real estate, but where in the Taos real estate market would you find everything you want: a long ancient river with 360-degree mountain views, a high desert mesa for viewing spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and dark, starry skies beneath the Milky Way?

Here's a hint: About 25 minutes from the historic Taos Plaza sits a wide swath of mesa, hills, gorge and sky. It's divided into 2.5-acre to 6-acre and up lots with underground utilities for the 360-degree unobstructed views, well shares are in place, and you are literally steps down an ancient stagecoach trail that takes you to the Rio Grande River and the historic Manby Hot Springs alongside the river.

Gorge View Estates is the most romantic, historic, view-filled wonder you could ever hope to find, and we're lucky to have it here, included in our Taos real estate offerings. Gorge View Estates is the essence of Taos real estate, and it's here waiting for you and your architect.

Come experience Taos real estate and Gorge View Estates today. 2.5-acre homesites begin at $100,000.

Remember, Taos real estate has never been as accessible as it is today. Taos real estate sellers often offer seller financing, and mortgage rates are at an all-time low. Come experience Taos real estate now, before everyone else in the world gets tuned in to this magical place. Taos real estate . . . it's a dream.

Taos and Angel Fire, New Mexico are still largely undiscovered. Although many folks from around the country have visited here, and bought Angel Fire and Taos real estate, there is still a huge group of people who think our beautiful area, is not in New Mexico, but Old Mexico! Go figure! That, I guess, speaks volumes about how secret and secluded Angel Fire and Taos real estate is.

The Angel Fire and Taos real estate markets seem to be weathering the real estate storm well. Angel Fire and Taos real estate sales in our area are off a bit, but compared to the rest of the country, we're doing darn well.

Now is the time to buy Angel Fire and Taos real estate. Mortgage rates are at near historic lows, sellers are budging a bit on prices, housing and land inventory is growing, and there are some real bargains out there.

And remember, this is the best time to visit Taos and Angel Fire. The sun is warm, the air is dry, and we get the most refreshing afternoon showers, cooling things off quite nicely, thank you. The weather couldn't be better for looking for that perfect piece of Angel Fire or Taos real estate. And the real estate climate couldn't be better, either. Come out and visit Taos and Angel Fire and let New Mexico Mountain Properties help you find your piece of paradise.

Angel Fire Ski and Golf Resort opened the new $16-million country club just in time for the summer golf season. The brand new clubhouse has a broad floor plan offering spectacular views of Wheeler Peak from the spacious deck and patio as well as many interior rooms.

The club features a 5200 square-foot grand hall which serves as the dining room and seats 250 people. The dining room will also be used as an auditorium for concerts and other special events. A massive stone fireplace rises to the top of the vaulted aspen ceilings with large white spruce beams. The northern wall is almost entirely windows with the awesome view of Angel Fire and the surrounding mountains.

Putting and chipping greens are located on the front lawn of the country club. Golfers can pick up necessities at the Pro Shop or grab a bite to eat at the Par and Grill Café.

On the upper level, the Stonewood Bar includes comfortable furnishings and an outdoor deck taking advantage of the panoramic vista. The wine cellar has room for over 2,200 vintages.

The club offers a variety of exercise and recreational opportunities. The fitness center will offer free weights and exercise machines. Space is also reserved for yoga and Pilates classes. Men's and women's locker rooms are adjacent to the fitness center, and on the other side the swimming pool overlooks the first tee.

Now is the time to plan a golf trip. While you are in the area, take time to look at Angel Fire homes for sale or property for sale to build your dream mountain home. Perhaps your tastes lean toward townhomes or purchasing an Angel Fire ski condo to put in the rental pool. If your tastes lean toward the Taos real estate market or land for sale in Taos, we have a team of Taos specialists ready to assist you.

Golf today and stay forever. Angel Fire mountain vacation homes for sale or Taos properties for sale are to be enjoyed in every season of the year.

Having a home inspection as a contingency in a purchase agreement can not only provide you with a great knowledge about the home and how it functions, but can also be a crucial tool in negotiating the most equitable price for the home.

Most homes, even new homes, have at least one defect that can cost a home buyer a minimum of $500 to repair. Therefore, a home inspection by a qualified professional home inspector can be an excellent tool to encourage homes sellers to make repairs or make further adjustments to the price of the home as a result of conditions noted in the inspection report..

A professional home inspection done as part of the purchase agreement can minimize costly surprises down the road.

Here are a few tips to follow when engaging a home inspector: 1. Hire only a home inspector with a good reputation and credentials. Ask how long the company has been in business, ask about specific formal training and most importantly, ask if the inspector carries "Errors and Omissions" (E&O) insurance

2. Ask for a sample report – the quality of the inspection report will be important. A clear, concise report addressing all the various systems of the home will be taken more seriously by a home seller.

3. Additional inspections – most home inspectors will offer additional services such as mold. radon, and termite inspections – ask which ones he can do if problems are noted.

4. Accompany the inspector – if possible go along with the home inspector so that you can see first hand any problems and decide which issues you want to address prior to closing. He can also show you how to operate the various systems in the home and provide tips on how to improve energy efficiency and maintaining the home in general.

Our knowledgeable agents at New Mexico Mountain Properties are here to assist you in finding the right home inspector once you have found that Taos home or home in Angel Fire that you want to purchase. There are some great deals on the market in Taos Real Estate and real estate in Angel Fire so give us a call today to see if we can assist you .

Remember, you can access all Taos Real Estate and Angel Fire Real Estate listings through the "fast search" feature on our website. So go back to the home page and begin to search for that fabulous Taos home or Angel Fire home and give us a call!

Thanks for visiting my blog and hope to see you soon in the Land of Enchantment!

The short answer is that conservation easements began as an effort to keep natural or agricultural landscapes open and undeveloped. They are voluntary legal agreements between landowners and a land trust that allow landowners to determine the future of their land by giving up some or all of their development rights. Each conservation easement is individually tailored to the particular landowner.

The landowner still owns the land, and does not have to open the property up to public use. They can still sell the property or pass it down to heirs. The owner can even continue to ranch, farm, harvest a sustainable amount of timber, or even continue to build barns or home sites within reason. The restrictions the landowner places on the land at the time they enter in to the easement stay with the land forever, no matter who owns the land.

Another legal requirement is that the land should meet at least one of the following conservation purposes: protect natural wildlife habitat; preserve open space visible to the public or according to public policy; preserve a historically important land area or structure; or preserve land tfor use by the public for outdoor recreation or education.

The role of the land trust is to take on a public trust responsibility and to enforce the agreement. The land trust has the right to check on the property on a yearly basis, but stay out of the day-to-day affairs of the landowner.

Conservation easements also have a huge tax benefit. The tax benefit is even transferrable to a third party.

Give our agents at New Mexico Mountain Properties a call today to discuss how a conservation easement could make owning property in Taos or a ranch in Angel Fire affordable? !

Whether you are looking for a log home on mountain acreage or a horse property in Taos, a conservation easement may help make your dream of owning valuable Taos real estate or real estate in Angel Fire a reality.

Just a reminder that the Federal Homebuyer's Tax credit is set to expire on April 30th and it is unknown at this time if it will be extended.

So if you are looking to buy a home in Taos or Angel Fire and would like to take advantage of the $8000 for first time home buyers and $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers, you must get it under contract by April 30th and it must close by June 30, 2010.

There are some great deals out there for Taos real estate and real estate in Angel Fire, so give us a call today and one of our knowledgeable agents at New Mexico Mountain Properties will be happy to assist you in finding a perfect Taos home or home in Angel Fire. It's not too late...call today!

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Many people are hearing that buying property through a "short sale" is a bargain way to buy real estate. Although it is true that "short sales" can be an excellent bargain, they can also be uncertain and frustrating.

A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan. It often occurs when a borrower cannot pay the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a moderate loss is better than pressing the borrower. Both parties consent to the short sale process, because it allows them to avoid forecloser, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers.

However, buying a "short sale" property can take up to 4-6 months to get lender approval and up to 1 year to actually close. In addition, when you buy a short sale property or REO (bank owned property) you are generally buying the property "as is".

Unless you are a contractor or handyman or have had a home inspection on the property and know exactly what you are getting into, you may be getting into s property that will cost you more than you bargained for in repair costs. Often people who are faced with possible foreclosure or are unable to keep up with their payments also do not have the finacial ability to maintain their homes and the home is allowed to deteriorate.

When it comes to a "short sale" you must weigh the consequences of wiating for lender approval or buying in today's market and taking advantage if the tax credits, low interst rates, FHA loans, etc. While you wait....you may miss out on some great deals.

So why buy as "short sale" proeprty or an REO when you can purchase a ready to move into home in a great neighborhood for the same money?? Many sellers in today's market have lowered their prices and some even offer owner financing. This can be a great plus when faced with some of the more rigid lender requirements making it dificult to qualify for a loan in today's market. (see my blog on seller financing)

Give us a call today to see what great baragins are available in Taos real estate or homes for sale in Angel Fire. We are here to find you the best deals in Taos homes for sale or condos and homes for sale in Angel Fire.

However, if you have the time and the patience necessary to buy a "short sale" proeprty, we will be happy to assist you through the process.

This is a great time to buy Taos Real Estate or Real Estate in Angel Fire so give our agents at New Mexcio Mountain Properties a call today. With offices in Taos and in Angel Fire, we are here to serve all your real estate needs.

With the ski season in full gear, you may be thinking about purchasing a condo in Angel Fire or a Taos Ski Valley condo. If so, there are several things you should know prior to purchasing property in Angel Fire or a Taos condo or townhome.

When you buy a condo you become an owner of the common areas as well as a member of a homeowners association (HOA). Evaluating the HOA is as important as having the condo inspected or any other due diligence you would perform prior to making a purchase.

The following are several questions you should ask regarding the HOA.

1. How large is the HOA?

A small HOA offers owners the opportunity to get involved in the management whereas a larger HOA may hire a professional management team which would mean that you would not have as much input.

2. What are the Rules and Regulations of the HOA and how do they work for you? 3. Is the HOA financially stable?

Go over the budget to make sure that dues are kept current and that there is sufficient reserve money to meet maintenance expenses without having to charge special assessments.

4. Are there any hidden problems?

Go over the minutes of the HOA meetings to determine if there were any problems with property management, member disputes, structural, financial and legal issues.

5. Will you require additional insurance?

HOA insurance policies cover many structural aspects, but check with your lender about additional coverage you may need.

6. What type of loan do you need?

Review the project with your lender to determine whether you will qualify for a traditional loan. Some determining factors include the percentage of the condo property used for commercial purposes and the percentage of units rented.

Ski today and stay forever. Our Taos property or Angel Fire real estate specialists can assist you in finding your dream home or condo in Angel Fire, Red River or the Taos Ski Valley. Come visit us for the Best in Taos Real Estate or Real Estate in Angel Fire. We have offices in both Taos and Angel Fire for your convenience. Allow us to assist you in making your dream of vacation, retirement or investment property come true.

You may wonder if Now is a good time to sell your Taos home or home in Angel Fire. Below are 4 reasons why you may want to consider selling NOW! I have taken these from one of our professional real estate sites and they seem to make good sense.

"Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.

• Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he'll be in better shape.

• Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for "down-payment assistance programs" and the name of your region.

• Your uncle has money to share. Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.

• Good help is available. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business."

Yes, here at New Mexico Mountain Properties we have very talented real estate agents VERY EAGER to assist you in selling your Taos home or home in Angel Fire.

With offices in both Taos and Angel Fire we are here to serve you.

Now is the perfect time to sell your Taos real estate or real estate in Angel Fire so give us a call today.

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Now could be the perfect time to make some necessary improvements to you home to get it ready to put on the market. Some simple improvements can go a long way to adding value to your home and getting your home to show in its best light.

Listed below are a few improvements that don't cost a lot and can give you a good return on investment, ROI (these are ONLY estimates).

Landscaping: You know the saying "you never have a second chance to make a good first impression" $320 cost / $1,500 price increase

Cleaning and de-cluttering: $200 cost / $1,600 price increase

Lighting: "Make it bright" $220 cost / $1,275 price increase

Home Staging: Not the same as decorating $315 cost / $1,785 price increase

Repair Plumbing: $375 cost / $1,220 price increase Deck: Midrange wood 82% ROI

Roofing: Midrange 66% ROI

Siding: Midrange vinyl: 81% ROI, Upscale foam-backed vinyl 80% ROI, Upscale fiber cement 87% ROI

Windows: Upscale vinyl 79% ROI, Midrange vinyl 77% ROI, Midrange wood 78% ROI, Upscale wood 77% Kitchen: Midrange minor remodel 80% ROI, Midrange major remodel 76% ROI

Bathroom: Midrange 63% ROI

These are just a few examples. Our professional team at New Mexico Mountain Properties will be happy to assist you by coming to view your home and making any other suggestions that we feel would add value to your Angel Fire or Taos Real Estate.

We have offices in Taos and in Angel Fire so if you have a Taos home or a home in Angel Fire that requires a bit of sprucing up before putting it on the market, just give up a call. We will also be happy to do a free comparative analysis of the present market so that you can get your Taos real estate or real estate in Angel Fire to sell as quickly as possible.

Give us a call today – we are here to serve you. Thank you for visiting my blog