Vista Redondo - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico by Michael Umphrey on November 4, 2009 Vista Redondo - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico This week let's  ease into a gentle stream of traffic and in just 12 minutes emerge onto a majestic New Mexico landscape and a neighborhood called Vista Redonda. It's perched upon four mesas above the Village of Tesuque with spellbinding vistas of the snow capped mountains and staggeringly brilliant sunsets.  Home to movie stars and captains of industry, the upscale, water-wise community totals almost 700 acres and 82 luxury homes.  There is also easy access to the adjacent National Forest. My wife doesn't know it yet but I'll be taking her to the fabulous Terra Restaurant for our 14th wedding anniversary next week.  Located next to V... 11/04/2009

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, and he is sometimes otherwise known as Closings.  I was fortunate enough to close two deals in the last two weeks, and also a referral closing.  I have another tied up with a few lender issues but that too should be closing within the next two weeks.  So have a few checks in hand has been a wonderful thing, and I can tell you my credit card companies were very happy about this as well.  So here's to all of you my fellow brokers - I wish you well and may the blue ink soon be dotting your offers.  I wish all of you very quick and successful closings!   10/20/2009

You know the old saying it comes in threes?  And when you hear it you know it isn't good.  It would be great if it applied to winning the lottery or any other great and exciting thing I can't even phathom at this moment.  So what were my 3's?  First my home office computer crashed.  Thank goodness my brother has a local computer repair company called Gremlin Computers (little plug for the brother).  He was able to save my hard drive. My office computer caught a virus and I don't thing it was the Swine Flu - so little brother to the rescue again.  He scrubbed my hard drive and got rid of the virus.  Did I mention my little brother has a local company by the name of Gremlin Computers?  Sorry - had to plug the bro again. My Blackberry Storm decided not to let the phone button work any long... 10/14/2009

Michael Umphrey - Santa Fe Fine Homes - Santa Fe Real Estate Market Expert Luxury Homes in Santa Fe by Michael Umphrey   Saveur Restaurant - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe,New Mexico by Michael Umphrey on October 7, 2009 Saveur  Restaurant - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico Today I decided drive through the web of streets to breakfast at one of my favorite French restaurants, Saveur.  I've known the proprietaires, Dee and Bernie Rusanowski, for many years and I was delighted to learn that they are returning tomorrow from a trip to the French countryside where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  With innovative hospitality they serve chef specials of gourmet soup (today is Seafood Chowder, Cream of Asparagus or Vegan Garden Vegetables).  For a real flavor of French c... 10/07/2009

Michael Umphrey - Santa Fe Fine Homes - Santa Fe Real Estate Market Expert Luxury Homes in Santa Fe by Michael Umphrey Oshara Village - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico by Michael Umphrey on September 29, 2009 Oshara Village - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico This morning, I toured the new, energy efficient homes in Oshara Village. This neighborhood is located next to the Santa Fe Community College and close to the mall we call Santa Fe Place, the rodeo grounds and the Genoveva Chavez Community Center.  It is a 470 acre mixed-use, "walk able" community and a template of New Urbanism for "green and sustainable" living. The Oshara Flea Market is every Sunday from 9:00-2:00, weather permitting, and it rivals the old Tesuque Flea Market in its size and offerings and fun.  ... 10/01/2009

Today is the start of the Santa Fe 400th and the official beginning of Santa Fe, New Mexico's 400th year! The celebration begins with VIVA Santa Fe this weekend and the party continues for the next 16 months commemorating the lives, stories and diverse cultures that make Santa Fe the oldest capital city in the country. I am certain Don Pedro de Peralta would be amazed and proud at how the "villa" he began in 1610 looks 400 years later. More on what happened to Santa Fe real estate during the past 400 years. Now it is time to party! 09/05/2009

On Friday I will be staying with my mother at her home and I thought I would make one of her favorite dishes - Trenette con Pesce Spada E Spinach - otherwise known to my mother as the Pasta, Fish and Nuts dish.  So since I have pulled out the recipe which has begun to yellow in my collection of recipes to copy it - I thought I would pass it along because it really is truly delicious.  The recipe originally came from Cucina Italiana but I have modified to to our tastes. 3/4 of a can of anchovies fillets, drained and patted dry 2 large garlic cloves 3 cups Swiss chard, stems removed and roughly cut leaves 3/4 pound of firm white fish, swordfish, mahi mahi, halibut 4 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup pine nuts, roasted to golden brown 1/2 cup of slivered almonds, roasted to... 08/27/2009

Montezuma Street - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico by Michael Umphrey on August 17, 2009 Montezuma Street - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico All it takes for a little inspiration to compose my weekly blog on the neighborhoods of Santa Fe is to take a walk around the block. The district is heaving with Friday afternoon traffic as I make my way to Montezuma Street, the hub of the Rail Yard District.  Just a ½ block from my office I can stroll through Border's Books, The Cowgirl Hall of Fame Restaurant (excellent Bar-B-Q  and live music), Pranzo Italian Grill, Café Dominic, Zia Diner, and Kohnami Sushi.  The Jean Cocteau Theatre is now home to the New Mexico Film and Museum Office.  The Sambusco Center is home to 24 shops including Bohdi Bazaar, Teca Tu, Santa Fe Pens an... 08/21/2009

Imagine sitting on the front porch and listening to arias and opera rehersals in the background.  That was my wonderful experience last weekend as I held this incredible home open.  Only 10 minutes into downtown Santa Fe this 24 hour security gated community is beakoning your buyers to come and relax by the pool, listen to the various reknowned opera singers, but most of all to enjoy the home itself.  Your opportunity is this weekend with 2 open houses on Saturday and Sunday from 1 - 3 each day.  4465 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 6 fireplaces, studio, center courtyard swimming pool with mountain views, 10 minutes to downtown Santa Fe, and an oversize 2 car garage.  $1,160,000.00  The only single family home on the market in the wonderful Casas de San Juan subdivision.    08/20/2009

I recently was told about a wonderful horse/ranch property website for my horse property listing.  I was very impressed and even more impressed in dealing with the site and its owners.  They were quick to get my property up on their site, and very friendly to deal with on the phone.  If you have a ranch or horse property I recommend you give them a try - http://www.buyhorseproperties.com/     08/19/2009

I have on many occasions invited friends over for Tapas and Paella so when an invitation came a few months ago I attended an event by Melanie Milasinovich also known as the Paella Queen.  It was a fun and exciting evening with Tapas, Sangria and my favorite Paella.  I had so much fun at the event that for my birthday I decided to fix a huge, huge pan of Paella and tapas for my friends.  Paella is one of those dishes you can make simply or expand on it as one would with pizza.  I personally love a fairly simple version which I am going to share with you.  I have also been able to do it on my grill outside in the summer which adds to the party excitement.  Also here is the You-Tube presentation of Melanie's Paella evening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFS9y5vj32g.  Also if you need some ... 08/16/2009

A few years ago I wrote a letter to the editor asking the simple question - Where is the New Mexico State Capitol building?  The uniquely designed building was inspired by our state Zia symbol and is now hidden behind rambling overgrown shrubs and dying trees being choked by vines.  I remember a woman responded to my letter that it had been a previous NM employee who had all of the trees and shrubs planted to hide what he felt was an ugly building.  My thought is how dare one person makes that decision.  Like it or not this is our State Capitol Building and it should be shown and well maintained not hidden.  My husband and I have fun when we are in the vicinity the capitol by asking people if they know where the capitol is.  When they point to the building we then ask - Can you see it? ... 08/12/2009

Well I am back from my few days visiting my father's side of the family in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Growing up we would spend every summer there fishing and swimming the spring fed lake.  What a peaceful resort town it still reminds me of the play "Our Town".  You can ride your bike downtown, park it and don't worry about locking it.  Clear Lake was put on the map following the airplane crash which killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper.  They had played their last concert at the Surf Ballroom (which my uncle then bought and I worked there every summer while gowing up).  The housing market is great in Clear Lake being it is a resort town.  Wonderful homes and cabins are on the market and very reasonably priced.  Hard to describe so here are some of my photos.    08/07/2009

Turquoise Trail The Turquoise Trail (NM Hwy 14) is quite a wonderful day trip from Santa Fe or a wonderful way to head to or from Albuquerque.  The road follows the route used by the Spaniards on the route from Mexico to Santa Fe.  The trail is filled with old mines, incredible rock formations and somewhat new - western movie sets. One of the most fasinating mines is the Tiffany Turquoise mine.  These mines are all on private lands and are vey rarely open to the public.  However parts of the Tiffany mine are visible from the Bonanza Creek Road off of Hwy 14.  The best time to look at the mine from the road is late evening after a rain storm.  The hillside glisten with bits of turuqoise.  It is truely a magical site. Back to Hwy 14 head towards Albuquerque.  You will pass through the ch... 07/28/2009

I Love Sign Calls.  It shows me there are buyers out there.  I shows me that their are buyers interested enough in my listing to stop and take down my information or pick a brochure out of the box.  It tells me that very soon I may sell this listing. But do I really love sign calls?  Sign calls are potentially dangerous especially if the home is vacant as mine is.  We have to remember to play is safely Have the person meet you in your office and make a copy of their drivers license.  Put the persons cell number on it and hand it someone in your office. Have someone in your office phone you shortly after the appointment time to check in on you. If you do meet them at the home.  First call them back to verify the phone number is actually theirs. Give their name and number to an associate ... 07/28/2009

by Michael Umphrey on July 24, 2009 Have you seen the film, Red Sky at Morning?  Richard Crenna starred in this story of a boy's life in Santa Fe during World War II. It was filmed here in the neighborhood of the historic East side. Walking the street of Cerro Gordo (Fat Hill) you will find that not much has changed.  The Santa Fe River slips through the sleeping city as the tones of St. Francis Cathedral hover in the air. One can take the short 2 mile trek along the river from the Plaza toward the lower slopes of the Santa Fe National Forest to the end of  Cerro Gordo Road.  The 20 mile long Dale Ball Hiking Trail begins there. My family and I always look forward to visiting Upaya Zen Center for the seasonal celebrations of the equinox.  The area is heavily wooded and the lush, arborea... 07/24/2009

Do you or your clients need that little bit of information and aren't sure where to go?  Well here are some wonderful websites for local and real estate information: The Santa Fe New Mexican   www.santafenewmexican.com Santa Fe Visitor's Bureau    www.santafe.org Santa Fe Reporter             www.sfreporter.com Santa Fe Online                 www.santafe.com Trend Magazine                www.santafetrend.com Journal North                    www.journalnorth.com The Wall Street Journal      www.online.wsj.com/public/page/news-real-estate-homes.html Luxist - aol luxury blog      www.luxist.com CNN Money                       www.money.cnn.com/real_estate .... and Santa Fe Properties          www.SantaFeProperties.com and for me                     www.VictoriaSantaFe.com 07/23/2009

I just had the most stimulating meeting at our local Christie's Great Estates office.  Wonderful information pointing out what a terriffic company I am with and everything they can do for my clients, and to help me grow my business.  Today we discussed the international market, the top selling homes including some very fine ones here in the United States.  Our company - SANTA FE PROPERTIES - has some truely incredible properties listed (including mine of course) but here is a link to a stunning property http://www.christiesgreatestates.com/properties/video/mason.htm You will be very thrilled you visited the site - believe me. 07/23/2009

Ride your horses in your own indoor arena or into the Pecos wilderness.  Extraordinary Property! Spectacular 360 degree views, this 30 acre facility has everything a discerning horse owner, trainer or breeder could want. 2 metal barns totaling 10 stalls with mats, auto/heated waterers, and attached large turnouts, 2 tack rooms, wash bay, 1/4 bath and caretaker apt. Full size Dressage arena, round pen, 72 x 210 indoor arena, large pastures, hay storage, 2 good wells, riding trails and more. Build your dream home and use the high end modular for a guest house. 07/20/2009

If you grew up in Santa Fe you grew up on Frito Pies from the local Woolworth's on the Plaza.  They were made by slicing open a Small Fritos bag along the side, adding a wonderfully spicy mixture of ground beef, chile and pinto beans, sprinkle on some onions and some grated mild cheddar cheese.  Mmmmm those were the days.  Well Frito Pies are still popular in Santa Fe and they are sold at games, school fundraisers and they are served in quantities at some of our local MLS tours.  I have had great success when I advertise them - lots of hungry realtors coming to see the home. Frito Pie by the dozens 2 Large bags of Original Fritos, 2 Lbs ground beef, 2 Lbs of canned Pinto Beans (NOT refried), 3 Tablespoons of flour, 1/4 cup Red Chile Powder (less or more depending on how spicy you wnat i... 07/20/2009