Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team December 18th, 2010
People who do not live in New Mexico often have expectations of an environment replete with cacti, sand dunes, camels and extreme heat. The fact is, although there is a wide variety of terrain and conditions in the state, Rio Rancho is located at around a mile in altitude, and the weather is pretty moderate. We do get snow, usually a couple to three times a year, but it most often disappears within hours to a day or so.
The storm that we filmed just a week before Christmas left about 8 inches of the white stuff on the ground. Because schools do not always have plows and other snow removal equipment, this little bit shut down schools for the day. Since there was no school, local kids did what kids do in snow – made snowmen, forts, and threw snowballs at each other. The next day the sun was out, the roads were dry, and there was still snow in the shadows, but very little elsewhere.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team December 9th, 2010
5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Approximately 2976 Sq Ft, 3 Car Garage
Beautiful and practical! 5 bedroom home with 4 bedrooms up and 1 large bedroom and bath downstairs. The back yard is just MADE for entertaining, with an in-ground pool, a large flagstone patio, and super views of the Sandia Mountains. There are granite kitchen counters, and LOTS of cabinets. You will LOVE the 180 degree view from the upstairs deck, or from several upstairs bedrooms. A great price for a lot of house!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team November 11th, 2010
3 Bedrooms, Office, 3 Baths, Approximately 1850 Sq Ft, 2 Car Garage
A full remodel has already been completed! Included were New Stainless Steel Appliances, New Countertops, Sinks and Plumbing Fixtures, Brushed Nickel Light Fixtures, New Carpet and Tile, New Decorator Stair Banister and more! You will enjoy the Private Office adjoining the master bedroom. The back yard is set up for entertaining, with a Huge Covered Deck. Easy care landscaping front and back. Great west side location near Paseo del Norte, for an easy commute to work or play.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 27th, 2010
How could shark’s teeth be just lying around on the ground just a few miles west of Rio Rancho, NM? Well it seems that many, many years ago this area was covered by ocean. If you know where to look, and what you are looking for, it’s relatively easy to find ancient shark’s teeth, the remnants of shellfish and petrified wood on or near the surface.
Last week, members of the League of Exceptional Gentlemen and their families went on a hunt for “Teeth and Bones” in the Rio Puerco Valley. The Rio Puerco Valley is primarily known for the nearly 50 volcanic necks in the area and for its rugged beauty.
In areas where hills have been pushed up from the plains, we easily found ancient clam shells, and the remains of other, larger shellfish. Wherever there were clam shells, chances were good that you would also find shark’s teeth – sometimes small, pointed or serrated teeth, sometime larger teeth, and sometimes more blunt molar-like grinding teeth for crushing shells. Often the teeth were encased in stone. Also lying on the surface were various types of volcanic rock and lots of gypsum crystals. The crystals looked like pieces of flat 1/4 inch thick, clear glass. The sand dunes of White Sands, NM are made of gypsum crystals. In the space of a couple hours, the group located at least a dozen shark teeth and many more artifacts.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 15th, 2010
4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths, Approximately 4341 Sq Ft, 3 Car Garage, Pool
Your castle awaits – with Granite, Marble, Stacked Stone, Stainless Steel, New Carpet and Polished Wood – all used in the proper proportions… You’ll love the Refreshing Swimming Pool, the Full Outdoor Kitchen, the Glorious Master Suite, the Sumptuous Office and Four Different Living Areas! There’s a room for just about everything you might have. The upper deck overlooks a pond on Chamisa Hills Golf Course. (The office is in addition to the 4 bedrooms. ) This is one spectacular home!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team October 11th, 2010
For those outside of New Mexico that think the whole state is a vast sand dune filled desert, here’s another shocker – a mountain forest filled with gold, red and yellow autumn colors only 45 minutes from Albuquerque in the Manzano Mountains. Fourth of July Canyon contains an unusual concentration of big tooth maple trees, which for a few weeks in September or October turn parts of the green forest to crimson. Starting with a trailhead in Fourth of July Campground, several well marked trails head up the canyon . Near the top, (about 1000 ft up) a crest trail to the left gives a one way view from the ridge. Go to the right, and after a relatively steep and narrow half mile hike, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of both the Estancia and Rio Grande Valleys. The hike is rated a 5 on a 10 scale, except for the crest trail, which is more challenging.
Surprisingly, the canyon is not named for the brilliant annual fall display of color, but for the date it was recorded as being found by an explorer in 1906.
Fourth of July Canyon is just west of the town of Tajique. Take the Hwy 337 exit (Tijeras/Cedar Crest) off I-40. Go south on 337 to Hwy 55 west and then turn right on to Forest Rd 55. Follow the signs to the campground.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 27th, 2010
I hear it all the time around this time of year – “Fall is the best time to be in New Mexico.” It’s hard to disagree. By early October the weather has usually cooled off, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is in full swing, and the trees in the Rio Grande River Bosque are golden.
Because of the Albuquerque “Box”, (a set of local wind patterns that allow hot air balloons to fly to the south at low altitude, and to the north up high) a lot of balloons often end up flying over the Rio Grande River within sight of the Rivers Edge Subdivision of Rio Rancho.
There’s a walking path along the cliffs overlooking the west side of the river. If you haven’t ever walked there, October would be a great time to do so. You’ll get a view of the bosque which only lasts a few weeks each year, but which is worth the wait!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 11th, 2010
2 BR 2 BA Approx 1072 Sq Ft 2 Car Garage
Super Pueblo-Style 2 BR townhome near UNM, Downtown, Old Town, the North Valley and Freeways. Beautifully decorated, with Wood Laminate Flooring in the living room and dining room. Easy-care, walled front and back yards.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team September 7th, 2010
Much time is spent on analyzing and trying to predict the housing market. Below are some home sales statistics for the Rio Rancho, NM housing market compiled by Al-tos Research, a California firm that specializes in housing research for cities all across the U.S. As you see, the median sale price in the Rio Rancho, NM market has been dropping pretty consistently over the last 12 months. Their proprietary Market Activity Index, which combines inventory levels, absorbtion rates, changes in median sale prices and other factors gives a snapshot as to whether the market indicates a “buyer’s market” or a “sellers market’. A number near 30 on their scale, would indicate a market in balance. A lower number, as is currently displayed indicates a definite buyer’s market right now.
The Days on Market chart can actually be deceiving, as it only tracks the time that homes which have sold are staying on the market. Hundreds of homes which never sell at all, are not factored into this statistic. The Price per Square Foot chart is useful, as it mirrors the overall price movement in the market. As you can see in the last chart, the inventory of Rio Rancho, NM homes has moved up since January. Of course, this change influences all of the other graphs, as a higher inventory most often causes downward pressure on prices, and increases the buyer’s market condition.
Al-tos Research offers their statistical services to home buyers and sellers nationwide.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team August 6th, 2010
3 BR 3 BA Approx 2415 Sq Ft 3 Car Garage
You’ll find this Gorgeous Crest-Built home to be a cut above, with its Soaring Living Room, including an Architecturally Unique Wall of Windows. Enjoy the Warm Wood Laminate Flooring, Custom Paint, Solid Surface Kitchen Counters and Newer Stainless Steel Appliances. The 3 Car Garage is Heated and Cooled, with Insulated Doors (great for a workshop). Out back are Large, Mature Trees shading the Lush Green Lawn. Got wheeled toys? Then you will enjoy the Gated Back Yard Access.
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team July 29th, 2010
4 BR 4 BA Approx 3700 Sq Ft 3 Car Garage Built 2007
This is probably the nicest home currently for sale in Rio Rancho! Everything in this home says luxury and quality. You’ll love the gleaming cherry wood floor in the unique octagonal living room; the way the chocolate chip granite contrasts with the dark knotty wood; The high end Jenn Aire appliances; the soaring family room with the granite fireplace surround; and the walls of windows with the best Sandia Mtn view in town. The huge Master Bedroom Suite is downstairs. You’ll love it!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team July 16th, 2010
3 BR 2 BA 1700 Sq Ft
This was already the nicest home in the neighborhood when the Sellers bought it a few years ago…. Since then they have added Gorgeous Crown Molding, Wood Laminate Flooring in the main living area, New French Doors, New Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans. Out back they built a Beautiful Wood Pergula over the patio. Do you have more than a couple cars? They also poured a 3rd Car Pad on the driveway. With quick access to Hwy 550, you can be in Albuquerque or Santa Fe in minutes. Come take a look!
Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team May 4th, 2010
We came across this video today and just had to share… In May of 2007, Sony opened its Imageworks Animation Studio in Albuquerque to take advantage of state offered tax incentives and to participate in the burgeoning local film production industry. (Probably as a recruiting tool), this video was created to tell the story of the first 40 employees, who for the most part were moving to an unknown community. The sentiments shared by the relocated animators, production staff and technicians mirror those of most people I meet who have moved here from out of state – they are pleasantly surprised and newly enthusiastic about their new home once they experience it.
The film is 25 minutes long, but if you are considering relocating to the Albuquerque area, what’s 25 minutes of research vs the good information to be received?
(To play the clip full screen, click on the icon just to the right of the volume control.)
