Thanks!

Many thanks to all who were able to stop by my client appreciation party this past weekend -- and those who could not make it were missed! My success depends completely upon all of you, and I'm grateful every day for your business, support and referrals!

P.S. -- if you ever want to hire your very own ice cream man, I highly recommend Jeff at http://www.cruisincow.com/!

July 4th

In case you haven't made your plans for next weekend yet, I'm here to help!

From personal experience, I can tell you the City of Albuquerque's Park & Ride is the way to go. It would have been REALLY successful last year if it hadn't starting HAILING and POURING RAIN the second we got off the bus. We all huddled under a tarp for about 3 minutes, freezing to death, until a brief lull in the pelting hail against our bare legs allowed us all to make a run for it back onto the bus. My husband and I got hamburgers and rented movies when we returned home. But we'll try again this year!

So here's the scoop:

Albuquerque's Freedom Fourth will be at the Balloon Fiesta Park (north of Alameda between Edith and Jefferson) 4 to 10 p.m. (gates open at 3). The event will feature a wide variety of fireworks choreographed to patriotic music, food vendors, a beer garden, and live entertainment. South by Southwest will perform at 4:30 p.m., Savour will take the stage at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Blues Brother's Review at 7:30 p.m. Families can enjoy free activities that include multiple inflatable jumpers, face painting, a climbing wall, juggling, and more. For more information, visit the City of Albuquerque's Web site. Admission is $2 per person, parking is free. The free Park & Ride buses will depart from St. Pius High School and from Coronado Center (NW corner of the parking lot) until 8 pm. Last return trip will be 11 p.m.


Rio Rancho will celebrate with a Parade, Bike-Decorating Contest and Fireworks. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and will head east from Country Club Dr. down Southern Blvd and end on Pinetree Rd near the Ester Bone Memorial Library. Children and parents are encouraged to participate by riding bicycles. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated (patriotic and original) bike. Registration for the bike contest will be in the Albertson's parking lot on Southern Boulevard starting at 9 a.m. You must be registered and have a parade number issued to participate in the contest.

Immediately following the parade, a ceremony marking the 233 anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence will take place at the Veterans Monument Park. The ceremony will begin at approximately 11 a.m. and will consist of several guest speakers including Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack. Bike-decorating prizes will be awarded at the end of the ceremony.

Fireworks Extravaganza Rio Rancho will be held at Loma Colorado Park, 555 Loma Colorado Drive NE, beginning at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at Rio Rancho High School – adjacent to the park - for a fee of $5 per car or van load with proceeds benefiting the Rio Rancho High School Booster Club. Live music begins at 4 with The Brahma Band, followed by The Hit Squad from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and The StingRays 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Activities for children also available, as well as food for purchase. Lastly, an amateur pie baking and salsa contest will take place as part of the Fireworks Extravaganza. Judging and the awarding of ribbons for best pie and salsa will start at 5 p.m. Those wishing to participate in these contests must register before July 1 by calling (505) 891-5015. The registration fee is $2 per entry.

Wishing You a Peaceful Moonwalk Home...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MmEMrCRfc&NR=1

Get the Popcorn Popping...

Awesome Albuquerque (why haven't city officials contacted me yet to use this phase??) is presenting a lineup of classic movies for the next two months. Friday night, under the stars, movies will show at Civic Plaza starting at 9 PM.

Bring a picnic, but you can't bring any alcoholic beverages or glass containers. Seating and tables will be provided, but you can bring your own blankets and chairs as well. Pets must be on a leash. All films will be open-captioned for the hearing impaired.


June 19 – War of the Worlds 1953 – The film adaptation of the H.G.Wells story told on radio of the invasion of Earth by Martians. (Darn - I missed this one! Luckily I just saw it on TV a couple of months ago.)

June 26 – West Side Story 1961 – Musical about two youngsters from rival NYC gangs who fall in love.

July 17 – The Outsiders 1983 - When two poor greasers, Johnny, and Ponyboy are assaulted by a vicious gang, the socs, and Johnny kills one of the attackers, tension begins to mount between the two rival gangs, setting off a turbulent chain of events.

July 24 – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 1982 – A group of Earth children help a stranded alien botanist return home.

July 31 - Grease 1978 – Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they're now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?


See you there!

Is Fido Keeping Your Home from Selling?

We know you love your dog or cat. I do too -- most of the time, anyway. But someone who won't is the homebuyer viewing your property.

Consider that some people have allergies or are nervous around animals, that your pet may be unpredictable when you are not at home, or that your animals may make a mess, especially to punish you for letting these strangers in his/her home!

I know you won't like this, but is there any chance Fido could have a little vacation at grandma's while your home is on the market? Putting your cat or dog in the garage is not truly sufficient to appease the Nervous Nelly who once got growled at by a dog that looks just like your dog. I once had a buyer -- a big, strapping man, mind you -- who absolutely refused to go into any home if there was the slightest sign of a dog (even a tiny one) in the vicinity. He'd make me go in the house to make sure the dog was TRULY tied up/kenneled/securely behind a locked door!

If a pet vacation is not an option, then at least take care to minimize pet products around the home that buyers may object to, such as litter boxes (make sure it's CLEAN and in a hidden spot!), stains and odors (try Nature's Miracle). And do not advertise with photos showing your cat asleep on the bed, put away food and water bowls when not in use, vacuum often, put up pet toys, put away cat condos or scratchers, remove photos of pets from refrigerator, walls and table tops, and remove any cages, carriers or other tell-tale signs. You may be required to disclose that pets have lived in your home, but you don't need to advertise it!

During showings, put your pets into a carrier and attach a note warning buyers not to disturb them. The last thing you need is somebody sticking their hand inside the carrier and getting bit or scratched. You can't predict how your pet will react when locked up and alone.

Interested in XeriScaping Your Yard?

Take part in a Free Xeriscape and Landscape Conversion Seminar at the Cherry Hills Library (6910 Barstow NE). The seminars are offered once each month on Saturdays from 10 am - noon. Upcoming dates include: June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, and October 17.

The workshop will feature speaker Claude Ceniceros, Xeriscape Incentive Inspector and will include xeriscaping principles, plant selection, design strategies, drip irrigation, and how to get a water authority rebate.

What is the MLS?

As a buyer, you want access to listings of every home for sale in your area. What you may not realize is that all real estate agents use the same list of homes, called the MLS, or multiple listing service.

Because of this service, calling multiple agents and requesting a list of homes with certain qualities will likely get you the same list! You would be better served in interviewing agents and selecting your representation prior to beginning your search.

The MLS software contains all the specifics about a home, from the address, age, square footage, number of bedrooms, baths, upgrades and schools districts to types of financing the seller will consider, and more. There are generally photographs of the home, plus a link to a virtual tour, if one exists.

Unfortunately, the MLS is not searchable by individuals. However, if you work with your agent (me, of course) to set up the necessary criteria you are looking for in a home, the system will automatically send emails to you when new homes come on the market, prices change, or other changes in status occur.

While there is no separate category for a For Sale by Owner listing, the MLS can contain listings from sellers who are unrepresented. The way FSBOs circumvent some MLS restrictions is to pay a flat fee to a discount real estate broker to enter the information, but the seller is not really represented.