For centuries, Santa Fe has been an important desitination and crossroads in the history of the southwest.  Our history spans from the indigenous Pueblo Indians, the Spainards, to the migration of merchants, treasure seekers, and homesteaders from back east.  Throughout this period, as Santa Fe has grown, its changes have been reflected in its housing and architecture which are truly unique in the United States.   As an example of how lucky we are, I wanted to share with you a blog post on historic homes that our Sotheby’s team put together for us. Just click on this link to read:  http://santafesir.com/featured-properties/10-historic-homes-in-one-of-the-nations-oldest-cities.   Enjoy!

Santa Fe, New Mexico -  A Retirement Haven  -  As Reported in Smart Money Magazine

In a recent Smart Money article by Cathy Hill, Santa Fe, New Mexico was chosen as an underrated retirement jewel that is “relatively affordable, delightful, and full or opportunities to work and play.”   Of course, those of us that live here already know the secret and are delighted the word is getting out!    As for relatively affordable, Santa Fe real estate is full of  amazing values with prices down to levels not seen since the late 1990′s in many cases.  From vacation condominiums to historic Santa Fe style estates, this is a great time to buy!

To read the Smart Money article click here

If faith is defined as “something believed with strong conviction” and hope is “to value a wish with expectation of fulfillment,” then I suspect most of you will join me in seeking a big helping of both in the New Year. Combined with hard work, a bit of luck  and the view that embracing pessimism is simply not an alternative, then I think the stage is set for 2011 to be a better year than the one to which we have just said a fond farewell.

You’ll note that we have a new look to our monthly newsletter. On November 30, 2010 Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) acquired Santa Fe Realty Partners (SFRP), bringing together the established local presence, global reach and brand recognition of SIR and the well known performance and perspective in Santa Fe of SFRP. Under the Sotheby’s International Realty banner, our combined team of brokers share considerable optimism about the future of the real estate market in 2011.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Its been a hot summer in Santa Fe and our dog Ellie knows how to handle the heat!   Click here to see how a heeler cools her heels!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ulC2PCb6wc.   Have a great weekend!

Santa Fe Real Estate Market Update

August 4th, 2010

Bloomberg reported today that Fiserv and Moody’s Economy.com expect Santa Fe prices to increase 25.8% by 2014!    Click on the link below for more…….

http://tinyurl.com/2do94mw

Around the turn of the century, artists, attracted by the climate and the beauty of the area, moved to Santa Fe, and the city soon became popular as an art colony. When New Mexico attained statehood in 1912, Santa Fe, as the capital, entered a period of prosperity; government workers arrived to live in the city and federal and state buildings were constructed around the Plaza. By 1920 the population had grown from 5,000 to more than 7,000 people, and by the 1940s it was over 20,000 people.

In 1957 the city established zoning codes designed to maintain a uniform architectural style. Two types of architecture are permitted: Pueblo, characterized by rounded parapets and rough-hewn woodwork, and Territorial, featuring brick coping and milled, often decorative woodworking.

Santa Fe is rich in its art history, another of the fantastic benefits for living here. Frank Applegate, in the early 20th century, was one of the most influential artists in the area. He came to prominence in New Mexico after 1921, as a painter, sculptor and ceramist.

In 1921, Applegate came to Santa Fe, devoting himself to painting. His house was on Camino del Monte Sol, in line with the adobe huts built by Los Cinto Pintores, Mruk, Bakos, Nash, Ellis, and Shuster. His home is one of the historic highlights of the area. He was actually close friends with the designers and architects and sometime financial helper, whatever that means. His home is a historic treasure.

He became a member of the New Mexico Painters society in 1923, exhibiting extensively. He wrote “Indian Stories from the Pueblos” in 1929.

Santa Fe New Mexico
I’m often asked why I live in Santa Fe. I find this a visually spectacular city with surrounding outdoor landscape. Since I am active, I can work hard and then play and relax in a number of areas that Santa Fe provides with its unique location and terrific climate.

Actually, one of the biggest reasons I live and work in Santa Fe is the climate. I just love it. Santa Fe has cool winters and warm summers. The average temperature can get as low as 14°F and as high of 40°F in winter. Snow is possible in the winter, too, but not overwhelming. In the summer temperatures range from a low of 55°F to a high of 86°F. Rain is moderate.

The surrounds are visually spectacular, too. Bright, sunny days characterize most of the year because Santa Fe is around7,000 feet above sea level. Still considered a desert city, nights are cool year round. This means my family and I spend a lot of time outdoors and this is a terrific place for people as active as we are. Santa Fe, New Mexico has it all for us and I recommend it for everyone!