On January 21st, the Valencia County Commission voted 3-2 to approve a zoning change on 40 acres of irrigated Rio Grande Valley farm land from A-P (Agricultural Preservation) to RR2 (residential 2.5 acre minimum), despite a unanimous recommendation against the proposal by the Valencia County Planning and Zoning Board, and despite nearly unanimous opposition from neighboring property owners.
The zoning change request came from land owners John Whisenant, an Albuquerque real estate developer, and Elias Barela, a freshman State Representative. The deciding vote came from Valencia County Commissioner Georgia Otero Kirkham, Barela's first cousin. Kirkham refused to recuse herself on the vote, despite many requests that she do so in order to avoid voting on her cousin's proposal. She allegedly voted against at least one similar proposal made by Whisenant in the past, before her cousin Elias Barela became involved.
Kirkham also runs the local Stewart Title branch in Los Lunas, NM, the Valencia County seat. Her title company may derive substantial income from the sales of the proposed 15 lots (with or without new Valencia County homes in place on the lots). This rural property, used for agricultural purposes for generations, may soon be turned into a housing development.
Listing agents marketing horse properties in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, are trying a new marketing ploy to try to get buyers out and about, falling in love with their listings. It's being billed as a "Holiday Horse Property Extravaganza," and features more than 30 listings all over the greater Albuquerque area, all with existing homes and existing barns, stalls, and other horse facilities.
The effort is structured as a two-day event, with high-end horse properties (priced over $1 million, and suitable for large-scale breeding/training operations) all open by invitation only on the afternoon of Saturday, December 3rd from noon to 4 p.m. On Sunday, dozens of properties, priced between $180,000 to $999,999 will be open to the general public from noon to 4 p.m.
For a complete list of properties, with details, pictures and maps, just visit www.ABQHorseProperty.com! You'll also be able to request an invitation to the Saturday event right there online, in case you are looking for a breeding/training facility and did not already receive your invitation!
Come on out and take a look at some of these fabulous horse properties--you and your horses will both be glad you did! Remember, just visit www.ABQHorseProperty.com. Or call tour organizer Laura Warden at 505-239-4796 for more information.
Completely turn-key, high-class horse property! Elegant home has HW floors, radiant heat, raised ceilings, hot tub, wonderful master suite, central vacuum, beautiful built-ins, Brazilian cherry-wood and rough-cut slate floors, automatic, solar-powered entry gate, industrial pro-panel roof. The entire 7.624 acres is lush and green, with abundant, huge shade tress. Block barn (approx. 40x60) has office, oversize foaling stall with camera monitor, additional 12x12 stalls, tack rm, phone, TV, power, auto-waterers, vet rack. Additional horse facilities include 6-stall shed row barn; enclosed, covered round pen; huge, 66 ton, 19' tall hay barn; 80x36 equipment barn, lighted roping arena with autmated, PRCA chutes. The entire property is pipe-fenced & cross fenced, with 8 padddock/.pasture areas and loafin' sheds. The entire property has MRGCD ditch irrigation rights plus an irrigation well, with auto-sprinklered lawn.
Every year, the village of Bosque Farms, NM, hosts an old-fashioned community fair, the likes of which you might think haven't been seen since the days of Mayberry!
Bosque Farms has perhaps the oldest annual community fair in the country--- it's been a continuous event for nearly 70 years! Every summer, Bosque Farms residents get together for fun, entertainment, and some "show-off" time: there is a huge list of competitions available in which residents can demonstrate that "they're #1!" For generations, local kids have had the opportunity to show off their rabbits, sheep, poultry, and other farm animals; to win blue ribbons for baking, canned goods, art work, garden produce, or 4H projects while Mom and Grandma collect blue ribbons for their canning, baking, and needlework, and then compete in the rolling-pin throw! There are even trophies for the family entering the most exhibits!
This old-fahioned local fair also comes complete with family-friendly activities like a greased-pole contest, toad races, and a rodeo, chili contest, and talent show. Saturday morning always starts off with a great local parade, with prizes awarded to the best floats and mounted groups. The Bosque Farms Fair is a true slice of old Americana!
This year's Bosque Farms Fair will be held Thursday through Sunday, July 31 - August 3, 2008. Thursday evening includes registration, with events held Friday through Sunday. Most of the judging occurs on Friday, along with the talent contest. Saturday events include the community parade, and a long list of events and competitions, culminating in a family dance in the evening. The Bosque Farms 4H Horse show takes place on Sunday.
You can view the complete schedule of events online, or just find out more information about Bosque Farms, New Mexico. Check it out and you'll see why we love living in Bosque Farms!
Here in Albuquerque, utility companies are encouraging consumers to go green in the most powerful way: by talking directly to our wallets! Yep, there are utility-sponsored cash incentives for doing things that are green and eco0friendly, at least in Albuquerque, NM!
Here are some examples:
PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) wants to help keep those old refrigerators out of the landfills, while simultaneously encouraging the use of more energy-efficient models. Their plan? a $30 rebate plus the free removal of the old refrigerator to PNM's state-of -the-art recycling facility, where almost everything can be recycled and kept out of the landfill.
PNM's natural gas customers can get a 25% rebate (up to a maximum of $500) for participating in the Insulation and Weatherization program. And, of course, the more efficient insulation will also save $$ in energy costs!
There's also a Home Lighting Discount Program that lowers the price of purchasing compact fluorescent bulbs, which use much less electricity than standard bulbs.
Participants in PNM's "Power Saver Program" for refrigerated air conditioners get an initial $25 check, and another $25 tahkn you check in the fall, all for allowing PNM to install an energy-saving device on the outdoor compressor of their air conditioner.
PNM has other offers in place, too. Just go to www.pnm.com/rebates for the complete list!
And it's not just PNM that's in eco-friendly mode these days. The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Water Authority is offering rebates to customers for purchasing water-saving appliances, or for converting their yard to xeriscaping. For example, customers can get a $125 rebate for the installation of a 1.6 galon flush toilet to replace an older, less efficient model, and there are $100 rebates offered for purchasing wasing machines from a specified list, or for purchasing a new hot wwater recirculation pump. There are also rebates for installing multi-stream rotor heads for sprinklers, rain sensors, and rainwwater harvesting barrels. You can see a full list of the Water Authority's rebate offers at www.abcwua.org.
So, be good to the earth and to your pocketbook at the same time! Check out these rebates, and find ways to conserve.
Price reduced on this beautiful Northern NM style home that is bright, airy and open, with spacious rooms, soaring ceilings, and too many upgrades to list! Huge great room with cozy wood stove, spacious master suite with french doors to peaceful and charming courtyard. Formal dining room would accommodate a big holiday meal, and there's a multi-purpose 20x20 family room/game room with a stunning bay window overlooking lush pastures kept green by a powerful irrigation well, and a custom-built barn; an ideal setup for horses or other livestock.
This beautiful D. R. Horton home is within walking/biking distance from 3 new schools. (It's one of just a few with a 3 car garage. The high vaulted ceilings make this home feel larger than it is. The large greatroom opens to a large kitchen with lots of cupboard and counter space. The bright,open master bedroom is separate from the other two and has built-in bookshelves, a walk-in closet and a full bath. The second bedroom is large, with a bay window. All neutral decor throughout, and in good condition.
Average home sales prices in Valencia County, NM, appreciated quite a bit in 2007 over 2006. Statistics from the Albuquerque Metropolitan Board of Realtors indicate that average sales prices in Valencia County were up nearly $10,000 for single-family, detached homes, compared to the figures from the previous year.
As the chart indicates, the average sales price for 2007 was $184,803 in 2007, vs. $175,068 for 2006. The average listing price for these properties was $190,485, compared to an average list price of $178,499 in 2006.
These are not bad figures at all for home sellers in such Valencia County towns as Bosque Farms, Peralta, Los Lunas, and Belen! These rural homes and small town properties are continuing to have excellent appreciation! The figures also indicate that sellers are not having to negotiate down very much from their list prices, either. In fact, the average home sold for 97% of asking price!
A little less positive note is struck by the figures for days on the market, and number of actual homes sold, though. The average days on the market for homes closed in 2006 was 64, but in 2007 that figure went up to an average of 70 days on the market. Similarly, 2006 saw 834 closings of single-family residential properties in the area, but there were only 630 such sales in 2007. So there are fewer buyers out there, and it is taking longer to sell a home. It is increasingly important that sellers
All four of Valencia County's municipalities will be holding local elections in March.
The Valencia County News Bulletin reports that candidates for all offices must file declarations of candidacy on January 8th, with elections held on March 4th. Voters wishing to use absentee ballots for the election must complete absentee ballot applications and file them with the city clerk prior to 5 p.m. on February 29th. Completed absentee ballots will be accepted until 7 p.m. on March 4th. ANyone needing to register to vote must do wo with the county clerk by February 5th at 5 o'clock p.m.
Bosque Farms will be electing a mayor, two councilors, and a municipal judge. Current Judge Richard Wilke has announced that he will not seek re-election, but Mayor Wayne Ake and frist-term councilors Dolly Wallace and Robert Knowlton will all run for re-election. All Bosque Farms voters can cast their ballots at the Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena.
In Peralta, also, seats for the mayor, a municipal judge, and two councilors will also need to be filled. Current Judge Louis Burkhard has stated his intention to run, as has Councilor Nancy Burge.
In Los Lunas, NM, voters will be selecting councilors for District 1 and District 3. The existing District 3 Councilor, Cecilia Castillo, has announced her intention to seek re-election, as has District 3 Councilor Gerald Saiz.
Belen, New Mexico voters will also need to select two councilors. Current Councilor Rudy Jaramillo has stated that he has not yet decided whether he will run for a third term, while Councilor Jeff Trembly plans to seek re-election.
Finally, a horse property where the people live well, and so do the horses! Under 20 minutes to downtown Albuquerque, too! This terrific family home features new laminate floors, carpet, paint, completely new baths, and minor kitchen redo. There are two large living areas, three generous bedrooms, and a small office. And for the horses, we offer a nice 3-stall barn with pipe-fenced runs, large tack room, and huge covered hay storage, all on a lush, green, Bosque Farms acre!
Our Choices Real Estate blog informs you about the Greater Albuquerque, NM area and our local real estate market, so that you can make the choices!
Look here for real estate and community hints, updates and general information for New Mexico communities like Bosque Farms, Los Lunas, Belen, in Valencia County, Cedar Crest, Tijeras, Sandia Park, Edgewood, and Moriarty, in the East Mountains and Corrales and Placitas, north of Albuquerque.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
On January 21st, the 
Listing agents marketing 
For a complete list of properties, with details, pictures and maps, just visit 
The event has gotten some great support from local media, with feature articles in both the 
PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) wants to help keep those old refrigerators out of the landfills, while simultaneously encouraging the use of more energy-efficient models. Their plan? a $30 rebate plus the free removal of the old refrigerator to PNM's state-of -the-art recycling facility, where almost everything can be recycled and kept out of the landfill.
And it's not just PNM that's in eco-friendly mode these days. The Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Water Authority is offering rebates to customers for purchasing water-saving appliances, or for converting their yard to xeriscaping. For example, customers can get a $125 rebate for the installation of a 1.6 galon flush toilet to replace an older, less efficient model, and there are $100 rebates offered for purchasing wasing machines from a specified list, or for purchasing a new hot wwater recirculation pump. There are also rebates for installing multi-stream rotor heads for sprinklers, rain sensors, and rainwwater harvesting barrels. You can see a full list of the Water Authority's rebate offers at 
As the chart indicates, the average sales price for 2007 was $184,803 in 2007, vs. $175,068 for 2006. The average listing price for these properties was $190,485, compared to an average list price of $178,499 in 2006.
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