Now that we are in fall season, with some days feeling like winter, I am amazed at how much color still exists on in my mostly drought tolerant landscaped yard.  This was the first year that I spent a lot of time planting, seeding, and gardening my yard and the aesthetic payoff has lasted months beyond expectation.  So I thought I'd post a bit about the "wonders" of gardening a Southwest-inspired-by nature-landscape.    Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, anyone will tell you how dry it can get.  And although it is imperative that we drink enough water everyday to keep our bodies healthy and hydrated, it does not have to be the case for our outdoor landscape.  It only makes sense to plant trees and other vegetation that are native to the desert Southwest.  Here are some things to keep in... 11/22/2008

These days when anytime a person hears the word "economy" it is never followed with a feel-good response.  Growth and economy are never heard in the same sentence (unless it is something like "the US (or global) economy is experiencing fast, negative, rock bottom declining growth."  So I was happy to open up an email sent out by  the Realtors Association of New Mexico Online News this morning to read that Housing Predictor forcasts the Albuquerque real estate housing market shows promise of stabilty, dependabilty, and maybe? even slight growth!  The city of Albuquerque has avoided the subprime crisis and our economy is marked with healthy growth potential.  News like this is like taking a shot of coffee or wheat grass (for the truly smart health-inclined), to get one's energy, hope, and... 11/19/2008

For most people, it comes as a suprise to learn that a home's interior exposes us to 2-5 times more pollution than we are exoposed to outdoors.  Given that most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, and that many buildings are tightly sealed for energy efficiency, creating healthy indoor air is an important step toward "greening" our homes.  Simple ways to improve indoor air quality are: 1) Increase air filtration and ventilation in your home.  Just open up a window and let the air in. 2) Change your air filters in your heating and cooling duct systems often. 3) Grow houseplants.  Plants not only consume carbon dioxide, they also filter out other pollutants.  4) Test for radon, the second leading source of lung cancer.  Remediate with radon-filtering/ventilation system if radon ... 11/17/2008

Does anyone out there (in New Mexico) know of an appraiser that specializes (or at least has a wide knowledge base) in green home appraisals?  Green built homes -should- carry a higher value per foot than do "non-eco" homes but there are so few green homes out there to compare.  In fact, The National Association of Realtors reports that Congress is actually considering legislation, HR 6078, which would require energy efficient, energy-conserving, and renewable energy sources be considered as improvements in an appraisal.  The house I am building right now is located in Albuquerque's North Valley, which anyone who knows, is itself a very diverse real estate market community.  You can easily find a 70 year old 800 square foot house located next to a newly built one million dollar home.  T... 11/11/2008

Monday, November 10, 2008 My Very Own First Podcast!!! Current mood: giddy Category: Jobs, Work, Careers   OMG I am so excited and wanted to share with you my first ever produced PodCast. Let me know what you think!   BNI Powercast: Melinda Potcher http://www.smallbizamerica.com/sbb/detail/bni-powercast-melinda-potcher/   [OMG! I have a podcast to my name]       Currently listening : Got to Be Real: The Best of Cheryl Lynn By Cheryl Lynn Release date: 1996-06-04 11/10/2008

Enthusiasm spreads at the thought of finding more water to tap into for Albuquerque Westside developers. The find in Sandoval County helps these developers with the possibility of moving forward in drilling in the Rio Puerco Valley. Even though brackish water drilling and filtering is a particularly expensive process, just the thought of plentiful water supply for future Albuquerque homes and developmentis very appealing.  This is controversial because once this water is gone, it's gone... We will see how it plays out. ABQJOURNAL WEST: Aquifer Find Spreads Hope Elsewhere: Visit our supersite for more information on Albuquerque homes for saleand to search for homes or land in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. 11/06/2008

Searching for homes on the internet is now the most popular way for people to find their new home. In fact studies show that 80% or more of home buyers first find their new home on the net. We have created a user friendly website that uses a unique map based Albuquerque MLS search. And with the Personal Listing Organizer feature, you are able to save the properties you find that are of interest. The Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors site (abqrealtors .com) also offers a full MLS search as well. The GAAR site also has Albuquerque Real Estate Market Statistics and consumer information. Of course, don’t forget about your local Realtor as a resource to find the perfect home… 11/06/2008

The Venturi Team offers our heartfelt congratulations to the Loma Colorado community by Pulte Homes in Rio Rancho for receiving the 2008 Innovation Planning Award from the New Mexico Chapter of the American Planning Association. Pulte/Loma Colorado in Rio Rancho is truly an exceptional neighborhood with reflections of thoughtful planning in regards to their meticulous inclusions of parks and trails, close proximity to schools and recreation along with access to retail facilities. We’ve represented a number of delighted home buyers who are truly thrilled to be a part of this particular Rio Rancho Community. We wish all the best for our friends at Pulte/Loma Colorado along with many more happy home buyers to come. Story from the Journal... ABQJOURNAL WEST/BIZ: Community Awarded for Its I... 11/06/2008

We have been busy assisting families transferring to KAFB.  We know that with Albuquerque military relocation, there is little time to find a home, and we are ready to help you with your Real Estate needs.  We know some of the most desirable neighborhoods for relocating military families within certain driving times to base whether you desire to be in a new home,  Sandia Heights, Four Hills, Willowwood, Mirabella or other great neighborhoods.  We are Albuquerque Realtors who will work hard for you to ensure a smooth move, answering questions and getting you up to speed on the area.  We look forward to being your Albuquerque Realtors when buying a home here. 11/06/2008

The growing community in Ventana Ranch is working on a new Middle school. Real estate and homes in Ventana Ranch are desirable due to the family atmosphere it brings. With the number of homes and families in Ventana Ranch and new Middle school is needed. An idea is being discussed about naming this new Middle school after the famous New Mexico author Tony Hillerman. For more info about this topic, preview the link below from the Albuquerque Journal. http://www.abqjournal.com/west/311220474038west10-31-08.htm Visit our Albuquerque Real Estate website for Albuquerque area homes search and listings. 11/01/2008

To build or not to build? That is the question regarding building a new downtown arena in Albuquerque. With the struggling economy, can we really afford it right now? Look to the North in Rio Rancho with its own arena issues. Here is the story from the Journal. ABQJOURNAL NEWS/METRO: Report Favorable on Arena: Also here is the info on the Arena for the city's site...  http://www.cabq.gov/council/current-projects-studies/proposed-downtown-arena Visit our supersite for more information on Albuqueque NM Homes for sale and to search for homes and land in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. 10/31/2008

From September 2005 through September 2008, like every other region in the country, the real estate market in the Greater Albuquerque area continues to favor buyers with an increased inventory of homes for sale.  For the better part of the past year that inventory has remained at over 6,000. Buyers, take note of the large number of listings and the historically low interest rates! The cataclysmic global financial events of the past few weeks actually helped trigger lower interest rates as an additional bonus to buyers. As the saying goes, it's an ill wind that blows nobody no good. We don't know how long rates will remain low. Should they go up again soon, who knows how long it may be before they should fall again. Sellers, too, take note that there might be an opportunity here for you ... 10/20/2008

Friday, October 17, 2008 From The Local Organic Farmer - Words of Wisdom Current mood: enlightened Category: Jobs, Work, Careers ..TR> ..TR> October 16th, 2008 ..TR> Los Poblanos Organics ..TABLE>..TABLE>   Our Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Ok, if I see another picture of some dude on Wall Street with his head in his hands about to cry or looking into space like he has just seen the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, I am going to scream. Enough already. We get it. The stock market is in the tanks. But here is the frustrating part.We, and I mainly point the finger at the media right now, have created a self-fulfilling prophecy. With all this attention on Wall Street, we are perpetuating its downturn. And it all boils down to one phrase, consumer confidence.Sure stocks rely on earnings and quar... 10/17/2008

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 What Affect Does the Bailout Have for You, The Consumer? Current mood: confident Category: Jobs, Work, Careers   I got a great question from a client today about what affect the announcements from the federal government agreeing to back all bank lending would have on the consumer.  Here is the question and my answer. Good Stuff!     Greetings Melinda -   What effect does today's announcements have in lending decisions? Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. were among banks that soared in New York trading after the U.S. government said it would invest in nine of the country's biggest financial firms and guarantee debt they issue. Shares of Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Corp., Merrill Lynch & Co. and Wells Fargo & Co. also climbed o... 10/14/2008

Taylor Ranch is a vibrant Albuquerque Westside Community bordered by Paseo del Norte on the north, the Rio Grande River on the east, Western Trail and Namaste on the south, and on the west, the Volcano Mesa with the sleeping sisters - extinct volcanic reminders of violent upheavals of a distant pass. Taylor Ranch is a cohesive community made up of a number of small neighborhoods built at different times since the development of the area started.  Homes vary in prices from under $200,000 to over $1,000,000. The neighborhood is still being developed with high end single and multifamily homes and shopping areas along both sides of Coors Boulevard with spaces left over for enjoyment and recreation. The Open Space Museum is in the Taylor Ranch Community. Also accessible are the parks, paths ... 10/12/2008

Hot Air Balloons Fly in Fair Weather The morning was perfect for balloon launching. The predawn hours were not as biting cold as they can be. The wind was down and dawn broke perfectly, soft and meltingly rosy as the sun glided above the peak of the Sandia Mountains. But I barely noticed. It was too tempting to keep my ringside seat at the Don Chalmers hospitality. I had to be on the field in the middle of the hubub of hundreds of balloons in traditional and non traditional shapes firing up at all once and waiting their turn for take off. The sensation is indescribable and I could only capture it in parts in pictures. But if, as they say, one picture is worth a thousand words, these put together should do a better job of telling the story than words could.        Firing up and Breaking ... 10/10/2008

Don't believe or buy in to the hype when the media says that there isn't any credit available out there!  It's just not true! I have 5 loans I am working on presently, including; an $800k refi 4 homebuyers looking for properties that are preapproved for loans ranging from $142,000 to $270,000. Everybody wants a "smokin deal", and believe me they are out there! Rates are currently holding at 6% on a 30 day fixed conventional or government loan (FHA/VA). 3% down is all you need.  A family member, employer or friend can also gift you down payment or closing costs.  A seller can contribute 6% (STILL) to your closing costs. Additionally, for entrepreneurs and small business owners, I have been visiting the local banks this week to confirm that they have money to lend to startup businesses an... 10/07/2008

Well, it's balloon fiesta time again in New Mexico! Yes, the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta wafts into Albuquerque this weekend, as it does every October. Visitors and residents are treated to morning mass ascensions of hundreds of colorful balloons, including many "special shapes," while evenings bring "balloon glows,"  fireworks, and even a "Special Shapes Glow-deo!" There are flying competitions, and even special events for gas balloons. October 3-12 are the days set aside this year for the Balloon Fiesta. Each morning, hundreds of balloonists assemble at the 78-acre balloon fiesta park in the pre-dawn hours, and soon are filling ALbuquerque's azure skies with an astounding spectacle. Check out this year's schedule, and come on out and experience the wonder! Friday, October 3 7... 10/02/2008

Category: News and Politics Subject: FW: Worth reading!   Mortgage Crisis:  The REAL Blame By Drew Zahn© 2008 World Net Daily Stan J. Liebowitz While many pundits are pointing to corporate greed and a lack of government regulation as the cause for the American mortgage and financial crisis, some analysts are saying it wasn't too little government intervention that cased the mortgage meltdown, but too much, in the form of activists compelling the government to pressure Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae into unsound - though politically correct - lending practices. "Home mortgages have been a political piñata for many decades," writes Stan J. Liebowitz, economics professor at the University of Texas atDallas, in a chapter of his forth coming book, Housing America: Building out of a Crisis. Liebo... 09/29/2008

Eucalyptus leaves have several useful functions for your home and I always keep some handy. I personally like having it around for the nice clean smell but there are several other uses for it. Eucalyptus is great for aromatherapy which can be a great little touch for those selling there homes. Also, did you know that Eucalyptus is a great bug repellent.  In a New England Journal of medicine report, Eucalyptus oil repelled mosquito bites for 120.1 minutes. You can also hang Eucalyptus leaves next to windows for a great fly repellent. Do you have any pets? You can place Eucalyptus leaves under your dog or cat beds as both a insect repellent and a also to keep their beds smelling great. Go to your fresh flower shops and buy it on its own. It's a great way to add some green, keep those litt... 09/28/2008