Welcome to 2020

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My first impression was to tag this year as the year we are all going to have perfect vision. Then I got to thinking maybe I should just hope that we keep our eyes open and woke to what is happening around us everyday. Not a day goes by that I don’t think we could be doing a better job of caring for our sick and homeless, providing equal opportunity for all people to achieve the level of actualization they strive for and doing something major and fast about the collapsing climate and ecosystems we have abused for a few centuries.

Buying a car this year? Make it a hybrid if not an electric vehicle. I don’t happen to own a Tesla, but there is an owners group and they seem quite happy with their electric vehicles. (No, I don’t own stock or promote you buying a Tesla – just an observation). In my personal life I have been driving a hybrid for almost 11 years and the gas savings is real, getting between 37 and 39 mpg for that many years has saved a few dollars and lowered my carbon footprint. I am not bragging or looking for praise. I am just saying we all need to do our part, whether its using your own bag into the grocery store or choosing not to select overnight shipping for that furnace filter that you could pick up on your next round of local errands.

What about in your home? Using less fuel to heat is common sense. Maximizing your solar gain (free heat!) and cutting heat loss at night with insulated window coverings makes a difference. So does selective planting to create shade so outdoor living in the hotter months is more pleasant; or build a pergola or shade structure with renewable materials.

What does this have to do with residential real estate in Santa Fe, NM? One of the things we are known for is quality of life. Extending our futures by using less fossil fuel might be a good move. Wait, don’t tell me you are a climate denier? Sorry, you may not pass GO and collect $200 from this game. Maybe your financial situation is such that you don’t feel you need to be frugal about non-renewable energy use. Do it anyway, for others. Maybe you take separate car trips several times a day because you can and you want to. Try combining those trips into one. Yes, it takes a bit of planning. Park once and walk between stores and offices you intend to visit. It will look good on your step tracker and your attitude will improve.

About the 10th of January we plan to publish year end numbers for 2019 in both housing unit sales and inventory, giving you an up-to-date look at the state of the market in Santa Fe. Be prepared. The market is strong and sales are robust. If only we had more inventory to sell we would have even better numbers!

Enjoy the winter festivities. Try to get out on the snow and don’t forget those who are missing the pleasure of being in Santa Fe this time of year.

Posted in Santa Fe area real estate.

The writer is a 68 year-old young man engaged as an active REALTOR (associate broker) with Keller Williams, in real estate sales and management in the Santa Fe NM market area. My career has been in and around the real estate industry for more than 35 years, ranging from mortgage lending (interim, commercial, residential); residential property management and leasing; shopping center development and leasing; real estate sales; sales training; title insurance as an executive and an escrow officer; various management positions; consulting and other related activities. That plus a bunch of banking experience including our family-owned Bank of Santa Fe in the 1980s. Where has the time gone?
My background means you have my working knowledge of the entire transaction process at your disposal. That comes with honesty and no bullshit.