If you are having a problem getting a mortgage with a bank or any other type of financial institution, you may be thinking about getting a private lender in Santa Fe. In a few cases this can work out, but for the most part you are better off waiting to improve your financial situation before going ahead with a private lender.If you have been given a definite no from a bank regarding a mortgage, the first thing you need to do is find out why. Usually the answer will be given in a sentence or two such as “Your income doesn’t qualify you for a mortgage loan” or “You already have too much debt to handle”. These sentences, and ones like them, need to be qualified. You need to know exactly why you were turned down for this loan so that you can correct it.If you aren’t making enough money to g... 12/12/2011

The doorbell rings, you are selling your Santa Fe and you know that there are prospective buyers behind the door. You have 15 minutes to get your house ready. Are you prepared? If not, read through these tips for the next time this happens to you.1. Put on a timerTime is of the essence. It's you against the clock. Put the timer on for 5 minutes at a time: 5 minutes per section of the house. You'll need to do a partial job throughout the house instead of spending too much time in one area. The timer will get you zipping across the house in lightning speed and will help keep you focused. 2. Take a few seconds to plan your strategyIf you have any other people in the house, round them up to help. Explain the situation to them and let them know just how important it is to help you sell your ... 12/11/2011

There are certainly times when you may need to leave your home empty when it is for sale but you will have to do everything you can to prevent empty house vandalism in Santa Fe. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that your house stays safe and sound when you're not around to look after it.Talk to your real estate broker and asked for suggestions. He has had to deal with a lot of empty houses that have been put on the market and can let you know what the most successful ways are to deal with empty house vandalism in Santa Fe. He probably knows some property managers that can look in on your house while you are gone if you don't have any friends or relatives that are willing to do so.You'll also have to call your homeowners insurance company to find out whether your home will b... 12/11/2011

And the most artistic community goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico according to a news story by Atlantic Monthly's AtlanticCities.com answer to which U.S. cities and metros have the most extensive artistic communities? Richard Florida, Senior Editor of The Atlantic decided to find out. Santa Fe, New Mexico is number one! If you have ever been to Santa Fe, New Mexico, you would know in a nanosecond just be looking around we are an artistic and art driven community. Yet, The Atlantic team wanted to look deeper. They wanted to know which communities in the USA had the largest concentration of artists relative to their population. They created an interesting measurement called "location quotient" or LQ which is simply a mathematic ratio comparing a region's share of artists to the total number o... 12/11/2011

If you are about to purchase a new home in Santa Fe you're going to have to understand house insurance and how it works. Far too many times we hear stories about people that have lost everything from a fire and were not insured. Don't think that this can't happen to you. It can and you need to be prepared for the worst so that you can relax and know that if something terrible were to happen you would be covered.How much house insurance do I need?One fatal mistake that a lot of people make is ensuring the house according to how much the possessions inside are worth, as well as the house. You need to understand that if something were to happen you would have to replace all of these items. The cost of replacement is what needs to be determined when you take out house insurance, not just th... 12/10/2011

Some homes have a bedroom that doesn't seem much larger than a closet. You may be thinking that it will be difficult to sell your Santa Fe home with a small bedroom, but you can.  Very easily. You just need to work with it to make it special!A super office Take out the bedroom furniture and move in a desk. Not an overbearing piece of furniture, mind you, but a small elegant desk that sits well in the space. Add an office chair, a lamp and a small plant and the room will evolve into a spacious area for the potential buyers to view.GreenroomMake the space into a greenroom full of plants and life. A comfy chair and a bookshelf surrounded by greenery is enough to make any executive want this home that has a place to unwind after a long day at the office.Achievement roomHave you ever seen a ... 12/10/2011

     Game Day: Albuquerque Academy versus St. Michael’s High School   As I sit here in the confines of my home, I wonder how the Chargers are doing.  Today, I missed the game because it was in conflict with an important event that I had to tend to…that’s another blog post.    This is the Quarter-Finals of the 2011 New Mexico State Football Championship Playoffs.  Just received a call from Mary Lynn Rattey, that the Chargers are down 21 – 14 at the half.  I have every confidence that the Chargers can defeat the Horsemen.  It is my hope that each player can muster up the strength and demolish them.  I BELIEVE IN THE CHARGERS!  GO CHARGERS!!   11/19/2011

NM STATE POLICE SEX TAPE GONE VIRAL Latest Update On Friday Sept 2, 2011 the NM State Police officially dismissed the State Police who was caught on tape committing a lewd act in public, while in uniform.   According to the report by KOB TV the trooper was "FIRED." Checkout the below video report.   The video has  gone Viral and is causing quite a bit of unwanted attention to the State Police Department.  At the present time the Department is trying to stem the tide of a story that has provided fodder for comedians all over the world.  It doesn't look good for NM State Police. This story brings to light some very serious questions that need to be addressed by the State Police Department.  1.  Why isn't this Trooper being charged with committing a lewd act in public? 2.  Is there a doubl... 09/06/2011

  I am currently enjoying a couple of days in one of my favorite locations, Santa Fe New Mexico. What's not to love about a town that offers gorgeous sites, art, culture, shopping, unbelievable weather and amazing mexican food?! The St Francis Basilica Cathederal which sits in the historical Santa Fe Plaza is the first church built in Santa Fe. Visit if you can or read the entire history of the St Francis Cathederal. 08/31/2011

Medal Of Honor Recipient Sergeant Leroy Petry Honored in Santa Fe, NM Today. Thousands of well wishers turned out  to honor Santa Fe's Hometown Hero, Sergeant Leroy Petry. Sergeant Petry is the second of two Living Medal Of Honor Recipients This is a great day for all New Mexicans.  He is an inspiration to all of us. Here is is special treat,courtesy of KOB TV Clich Here to See the Video 08/01/2011

The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle Posted on July 29, 2011 by Michael Umphrey The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-House Raffle WELCOME TO OUR HOUSE RAFFLE Win a Beautiful Home   or Choose $100,000.00 Cash! Only 4,500 tickets can be sold! With 10 additional prizes, your odds of winning are 1 in 450!! I’m on the Development Committee of Desert Academy, a nonprofit school in Santa Fe where our son, Nicholas is in the 10th grade.  Through a house raffle, the school is raising scholarship money for families in need of financial aid.  It’s a great prize house about 4 minutes from Old Town in Albuquerque.  For only $100 you could win a new 3 bedroom home or, choose $100,000. This southwest style home features natural pine doors, exposed wood vigas, nichos, custom kitc... 08/01/2011

New Mexico Native Son Awarded Medal Of Honor Sgt. First Class Leroy Petry a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico became only the second servicemember to be awarded the Medal Of Honor while he is alive during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.  Salvatore Giunta was the first.  In Ceremonies at the White House yesterday,  President Obama awarded Sergeant Petry the Medal of Honor for One Singular Act of Bravery. In 2008 while engaged in hostile action and after sustaining wounds in both legs, "a grenade was thrown at him and two other soldiers. He tried to throw the grenade back to save his comrades." He lost his right hand in the process.   Here is the video of the Ceremony as reported by KOB TV Click Here to View the Video of Coverage 07/13/2011

  Picnic-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-Michael’s Blog Posted on June 30, 2011 by Michael Umphrey  Picnic-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico-Michael’s Blog Here we are at the beginning of July in Santa Fe and one of our family’s favorite pastimes is a picnic.  I carry a picnic basket in my car at all times.   Mushrooming at The Santa Fe Ski Basin No matter in what neighborhood you live, a five minute drive from your house will take you to  magical spots where you can spread your blanket and relax under a cottonwood along anacequia, a wild mountain stream or the Santa Fe River. I’ll make it really easy for you now by guiding you to a couple of our gourmet food shops where you’ll find the most tantalizing cheeses, breads, olives, wines, tins of sardines, and chocolates. ... 06/30/2011

The Station-The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Michael’s Blog Posted on June 9, 2011 by Michael Umphrey I am delighted to be able to say, “Welcome!” to all of my new readers. Besides being able to post my observations and videos on the neighborhoods and happenings in Santa Fe, I want to let everyone know about my Client Appreciation Program. It includes a bi-monthly e-zine with valuable information ranging from topics on “How to Keep Your Identity Safe From Theft” to “How To Shop For The Holiday Season”. They are free “items of value” that you can even pass on to your neighbors and friends. Included, on the 15th of each month, is the latest market data and absorption rates for Santa Fe and Santa Fe County. This month’s topic is “Hazardous Materials In Your Home”. Did you know th... 06/22/2011

A Moment at Farmer’s Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico Posted on May 30, 2011 by Michael Umphrey I’m waiting for my pruning sheers to be sharpened by a vendor at Farmer’s Market so I came to my office next door to post this video I shot there this morning of Rich Hardy and Janice Mohr-Nelson playing “Sweet Wyoming Home”. Take a look……I’ll see you in the neighborhood. 06/07/2011

New Nextage Realty Office Announced in Sante Fe, New Mexico Real Estate Careers - Become A Real Estate Agent What do Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico, and Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico have in common? BOTH are homes to brand new Nextage Realty offices! Congratulations to Thomas Mestas, former Casa Latino franchisee, who is the proud owner of Nextage Preferred Properties and Nextage Preferred Properties of Santa Fe. When asked about the conversion to the Nextage brand, Mestas said, "We are very excited about joining the Nextage Realty family and about being able to provide all of our agents the same opportunity that we have as owners.” Well, we’re just as excited to have you on board, Thomas. We wish you the best of luck! The Nextage Preferred Properties office will... 06/02/2011

The Santa Fe Plaza and its infamous Plaza Cafe in the same spot since 1904 changed its name this week to the Pico Mundo Grill and moved without moving to the fictional town of Pico Mundo, California. This can only happen in the movies and that was exactly what was happening as the filming for Odd Thomas took our historic Santa Fe Plaza. By simply turning a corner, I was in a imaginary town. The movie stars in this Dean Kootz story keeps growing beyond Anton Yelchin to now include Willem DeFoe and 50 Cent. If you were on the Plaza yesterday, you may have ended up in the movie because by being there you were consenting to be filmed. This is why I love Santa Fe! There is something new happening around every corner. If you love movies, come and visit. Who knows, you might want to be here a... 05/25/2011

Do you love movies and Santa Fe? Did you know that Santa Fe is becoming a very busy location and film destination? Here is what is happening tomorrow on the new movie streets of Santa Fe, New Mexico. "Odd Thomas" a Dean Koontz novel, about a Millennial short order cook who talks to dead people is being transformed into a movie.  Santa Fe is somehow transformed in typical Hollywood style into the California desert town for a slice of the movie location.  Stephen Sommers is directing Anton Yechin from St. Petersburg, Russia has the starring role in the drama thriller. The cast includes Addison Timlin, Patton Oswalt, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The movie release date is still 2011. The official movie site is in progress. Here is Dean Koontz take on Odd Thomas - the movie. If you are in Santa Fe, New ... 05/22/2011

Now that my family and I have settled into Santa Fe as full-time residents I see why it has a long-standing reputation as a great place to retire. While my husband and I aren’t quite at the retirement stage yet, we definitely plan on staying in Santa Fe for our golden years! We’re originally from Rhode Island so we’re especially enjoying the 310 days of sunshine! We’ve found that Santa Fe truly combines small town charm, with a population of approximately 68,000, with world-class sophistication. If you love the arts and cultural activities, you’ll enjoy your retirement years in a stimulating cultural environment. If you’re more interested in the outdoors, you’ll never be bored with Santa Fe’s golf courses, skiing, hiking, white water rafting and fishing. I’m not the only one that feels... 05/18/2011

This image is one of the reasons why I never seem to leave Santa Fe anymore. I could be saying, I do not have the time, after all I work in this ever changing landscape of real estate. The truth is I love this community for all the gifts of just being here brings every day. This image happened at one of the traditional summer dances at the Santa Clara Pueblo, the home of extraordinary Native American creators of pottery. Now if you love pottery and Santa Fe and just happen to be here over Memorial Day, you might consider attending the Native Treasures: Indian Arts Festival on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, 2011 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The Center is located near the Historic Santa Fe Plaza. All 200 artists participating in this event have ... 05/17/2011