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Weather Is As Weather Does

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:11:00 GMT

Weather Is As Weather Does

If you read my last blog about La Nina, you will have found lots of scientific data about different types of weather patterns such as El Nino, La Nina, ENSO, and a few other natural weather phenomenon . In 2009 the great Southwest experienced an El Nino which caused the Snow Gods to dump loads of the white stuff all winter long. It was not a record year for annual snow fall here in Taos but it was certainly memorable and powder days were in the double digits.

In 2010, as normally happens, El Nino is typically followed by a La Nina. True to form, it was a year filled with wind and little precipitation. Taos Ski Valley was blessed to have enough snow fall to support the busy seasons during Christmas, President's weekend and then a major snow fall came right before the masses showed up for spring break.

For 2011 the forecasters predicted another La Nina. What does that mean for the winter of 2011/2012? Good question but usually it means the northwest should have an abundance of snow, the central Rockies should have a better than usual winter and the great southern Rockies will have a lower than average amount of the fluffy stuff.

With only two weeks left in 2011, Taos Ski Valley enjoyed a better than normal opening. Then an early December storm left a thick blanket of the powdery white stuff over the early wet snow accumulations that October and November brought. In fact for this early three day storm, Taos reported over 24 inches and the snow. Then it was followed by another early season storm that left all of the powder hounds getting their Christmas wish by insulating the early snows with another 20 plus inches. In fact so much snow fell that many of the steeps at Taos have provided locals with face shots and loads of whooping and hollering. I skied on December 4^th and had some of the most memorable early season runs down Als, Inferno, Spencers, Jean's Glade, West Blitz, and Reforma. In fact I had so much fun I researched conditions across the western ski areas from New Mexico to Canada to see if everyone else was partaking in this abundance.

I found that TSV is showing about the best conditions that any ski area has to offer right now.

So skiers and boarders, my conclusion is that weather is as weather does. These early December storms have caused closures along I-40 from Albuquerque east to the NM border for over 24 hours, parts of I-40 west and I-25 north of Albuquerque had been closed intermittently.

Wax em if you've got em and don't forget to bundle up cuz it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW1Ii2emRL4

What Is La Nina

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:12:00 GMT

What is La Niña and Has She Arrived?

According to all of the weather experts, we are facing another La Nina for the 2011/2012 winter weather pattern. La Nina is essentially the opposite of El Nino. La Nina exists when cooler than usual ocean temperatures occur on the equator between South America and the Date Line. The name La Nina ("the girl child") or more affectionately called the “bratty little sister” was coined to deliberately represent the opposite of El Nino ("the boy child"). The terms El Viejo and anti-El Nino are also sometimes used. La Nina occurs almost as often as El Nino, but has been lesser known. La Nina and El Nino are but two faces of the same larger phenomenon.

Stronger than usual trade winds accompany La Nina. These winds, from the east, push the ocean water away from the equator in each hemisphere. (This is caused by the rotation of the earth.) Cold water from below rises to replace the warm surface water which has moved away from the equator.

The cool water acts as an impediment to the formation of clouds and tropical thunderstorms in the overlying air. This suppression of rain-producing clouds leads to dry conditions on the equator in the Pacific Ocean from the Date Line east to South America. For a more in depth definition go to; http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/enso/ensofaq.html

So what does this all mean as far as skiing/boarding at Taos Ski Valley for 2011/2012? Well you have lots of options to try to figure it out. Talk to some of the old timers and they will tell you that La Nina means it is typically a dryer than normal season. That must be why TSV received over three feet of snow in October this year. You can also look at the Farmers Almanac, which has been keeping weather stats as long as any of us can remember and is predicting more precipitation in the dessert southwest in November 2011 and January 2012 than normal;

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/long-range-weather-forecast/southwest-us/

You can take a scientific approach and look at the National Weather Service (NOAA) predictions; http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

There are many other fine sources of useful information. The question is what do you use to plan your next ski trip, whether you should tune/wax your skis, or pack up your swim suit and sandals and go to some tropical location? If you are like me, you will just listen to your spouse, in my case my wife, and go where ever she says we are going. That way you don't have to worry about making any decisions based on something like the weather that is beyond your control.

Have a great La Nina, I know I will.

Douglas Bachtel

Foreclosure Market in Taos

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:14:00 GMT

November 8, 2011

Things have slowed a little in the Taos real estate market in the past 3 years. This slow down has continually prompted me to contemplate what is going on out there in the world of real estate locally and nationally. Foreclosure, short sales, and other types of distressed properties piqued my interest so I decided to see just how many of these took place in the last year in our local market.

I just did a search for all sales in the general Taos market. My criteria for this data search included areas south to Pilar, north to Arroyo Hondo, west to the Rio Grande gorge bridge, and east to Valle Escondido and all areas in between. I also included Taos Ski Valley, Valdez, Arroyo Seco, etc. This is what I consider to be Taos proper. I did not include Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Penasco, Questa, or other outer lying areas.

What I found was comforting compared to a similar search in the beginning of the year. From November 1, 2010 to November 7, 2011, there was a total of 172 residential sales in these areas. That is about even with the previous year. What was different was the number of distressed sales. My data search showed only 36 sales were foreclosure, bank owned, or short sale properties. That is only 21% of all of the sales in the target area. I guess one can conclude that distressed sales have dropped from a high of around 35% not very long ago.

Now I am not an economist or anything of the like but my conclusion is that the market appears to be stabilizing. This certainly is good news if you are a seller, it means that prices will not continue to drop, maybe just maybe the price your home at today is close to the price at which it will sell. If you are a buyer, the good news is that interest rates are at all time historic lows. I have heard of buyers with good credit ratings, closing on 30 year fixed loans at 3.75%.

Contrary to popular belief, lenders are loaning. the trick is to be patient because the process will take double the time it used to. Lenders now want a lot more information from their borrowers. If you have been on the fence about purchasing, now just might be the time to start looking at getting back in.

Douglas Bachtel
ABI Real Estate Investments

Summer Of Love

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:04:00 GMT

SUMMER OF LOVE

1969, Taos was hopping with the release of Easy Rider starring Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. It was also alive with love, flowers, communes, tranquility, and peace. Where ever you went you would encounter young women with flowers in their hair wearing long flowing sundresses, bearded long haired men wearing tie died shirts and torn faded jeans, kids with nothing on but a smile, old school buses painted with peace signs and multi colored flowers. That was what the summer of love was all about. While war was raging in Viet Nam, love was showering our little community.

This summer Taos is celebrating those times, times when people cared more about what to plant in their communal gardens than how much their 401K’s have tanked. They found life to be filled with peace, joy, love, and sharing much unlike the greed, corruption, and terrorism we see today. It was a time when America’s youth was protesting an unpopular war by engaging in love. Dodging the draft and moving to Canada was made much simpler by moving to Taos and becoming incommunicado. A simpler time yes, but my how things have changed in forty years.

Check out this website, http://www.taossummeroflove.com/calendar/ to see all the events that are coming to Taos over the course of the Summer of Love. Make your plans now to visit during this fun filled time. Together we might be able to bring a little joy and love to all of our lives.

~douglas bachtel

AFFECTING CHANGE: Bailout Effect

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:51:00 GMT

Times may be a changing and “We the People” can drive this bus if we choose to do so.
With the elections over and the uncertainty resolved, we as a nation may see some changes in our future. The democratic process indeed seemed to work in this election. However our president elect has his work cut out for him, yet we can affect change if each and every one of us gets involved.

President Bush has an all time low for approval ratings. In fact if what I read is true, no president of the US has ever had a lower one. However I read somewhere recently that the House and the Senate’s approval ratings are even lower. With that said, now is the time to email, call, or write your senators and congressmen and women and tell them what you think. We need to be relentless with our emails and phone calls. Tell them you are tired of them playing politics and bowing to the special interests. We need bipartisan decisions to act on behalf “of the people and for the people”. We need Washington to stop rewarding grossly high paid CEO’s while their companies are going down the tubes.

There are many ideas on what needs to happen. Personally, I was not a big fan of the $800 billion bail out package that was passed in October. I think it had many flaws not to mention the pork that was thrown in at the eleventh hour. It was rushed to pass and poorly thought out. Everyone is against bonuses paid to CEOs of these troubled companies. I think that these CEO’s should get paid minimum wage until they can get their companies back on track and pay the tax payers back for the favorable terms and conditions that have been offered them. We need to demand complete transparency on how the money will be used, how it is paid out, and the terms and conditions of how it will be paid back. Any prudent lender would require this and not make any loans without it. The financial institutions that are still standing are doing so because of these simple and prudent loan practices. We need to demand nothing less of our government.

The people have spoken and their voices are being heard. I encourage you to write or call your people in Washington and let them know your thoughts and ideas. Don’t back down until they get the message. Now is the time for your voices to be heard.

~doug

golf

Tad Bourg — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:40:00 GMT

Weather in northern New Mexico has been ever changing this 2008 spring. We are still waiting for less wind and warmer temperatures, and as a golf professional it hasn't stopped me from getting in daily practice. As one of my coaches told me relating to my possible success in competitive golf, " you have to play in all types of weather" and lucky for me Taos has had all types, as well as we continue to practice real estate positively in all types of climates. The weather has been improving along with my golf game and our real estate market continues to improve as well. Taking care of our clients to help with their real estate needs during these climate changes is something that all of us at ABI Real Estate Investments are very committed to and we are looking forward to a wonderful season here in the Taos area.

The Media's Gloom and Doom on the Housing Market: Which Came First? The media or the bad market?

Bret Helenius — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:41:00 GMT

All I've heard for the last 6-8 months from the media is how bad this housing market is and how it's just getting worse. If it's sexy and has teeth, the media will take it and run with it. Think about it. What do you see when you turn on the boob-tube? Murder, War, What teen star is in rehab and who she made her sex tape with... I'll spare you the details. Just turn on the TV and you'll see what I mean. So I guess I'm not surprised when the media started attacking the housing market and just wouldn't let it go. Even the tone of voice when they were reporting on the slump was suggestive of a murder mystery.

So my question is, which came first? The Media with all its' doom and gloom or the market's slump? You may beleive that the media only reports on factual information... (I'm sorry, I just broke out in laughter!) or you may beleive that the media sees something potentially in the near future and goes after it with such vigor that it actually effects the very topic on which it is reporting on. If you don't beleive the media effects the topics they are "reporting on", just look at the Duke Lacross scandal. If you aren't familiar, I'll give you a small synopsis. Lacross players are accused of rape, the media gets a hold of it, it turns into the biggest thing since Tuana Braley (NYC), an over zealous DA tries to make it stick and it turns out to be completely false. The lacross players lives are forever effected, but my point is, would the DA have gone after those boys if this wasn't such a highly publicized case? Good questions.

Stop Credit Card Offers and Reduce Risk of Identity Theft

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:39:00 GMT

One of my new year’s resolutions was to try to get my own identity theft house in better order. One of the biggest things you are advised to do is to shred all of these hundreds of credit card offers you get in the mail every year. Supposedly someone going thru your trash can take that info and easily steal your identity.

Over the holidays I was reading a reputable monthly publication that advised to go to optoutprescreen.com to stop receiving these nuisance credit card offers. I thought, okay I will start today. But when I googled this website I found several things that caught my eye. If you go to www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/2005/4/11/11737/1557 you will find out what I am talking about.

It appears that the opt out website is run by the four major credit card reporting agencies. The consensus is that this process does not work and may even create more unsolicited offers. After reading more I was not real impressed with their privacy agreement. I did find another solution to these unsolicited credit card offers. Since there is a return envelope with a bar code that is attached to you as a consumer, you can send the solicitor the offer back (after running thru the shredder). They will have to pay the postage only if you send it back to them. If enough people do this the solicitors might get the idea and stop sending them to you. I have been doing this now for almost a month and it appears that these solicitations have slowed a little. (wishful thinking maybe).

Identity theft is a very real threat to each and every one of us. Take the necessary precautions, and shred all documents before throwing them in the trash that have anything tying your name to a credit card, utility billing, medical receipts, etc., etc. Post office boxes on the side of the road may become obsolete in a few years and everyone will pick up mail at cluster boxes with security locks on them. However as more and more of our life is entered electronically, the risk of identity theft rises. Keep a watchful eye and be careful.

~douglas bachtel

National Real Estate Forecast

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:07:00 GMT

Sound familiar? Does a national weather forecast help you plan your day or your week? Why would you listen to

a national real estate forecast and plan your future around that? Real Estate markets are local. The national

media cannot tell you what is happening in the market you may be interested in. Which facts do you use? Don't

you ever think what they are projecting is going to be a self-full filling prophecy? Do you know that some home

prices in some markets have actually risen? Which facts matter? Most national news programs present a

gloomy outlook for the real estate market in general causing buyers to either stay out of the market or drop

deals they have under contract. The national newscasters are going out of their way to present a negative story

that actually affects the market as a whole. This is starting to put many markets into a tailspin, unnecessarily.

What it boils down to is the media hype and not actual market conditions are keeping buyers fearful and,

therefor, out of the market.

What do you believe? What will help you make a good decision about purchasing real estate in the coming

months? History may help – housing and real estate in general have historically been a good value and a good

investment at the same time it is a place to call home and has tax advantages. None of that has changed. There

are definitely bargains in many markets right now. Another fact is that interest rates are at historic lows and

housing choices have increased. Another fact you can use is there will be approximately 35 trillion dollars

changing hands from one generation to another in the next 10-15 years. The baby boomers parents are dying.

This older generation lived through the depression and as a result became big savers – that savings will get

passed on to another generation. What will Sally and Bob do with their inheritance? They may buy a new car,

they may pay off their mortgage or they may just buy a great second home in a resort market now – while all

conditions are favorable for that purchase. Why would you wait for the rest of the market to react? There may be

no better time than now to purchase the home or second home you have always wanted.

Don't let the media influence what may be the best time in a long time to make your real estate purchase. Savvy

buyers will be making purchases. Why shouldn't you be one of them? Don't let the media sensationalism affect

what you know to be a good decision.

Nancy Bachtel

Will Snowboarding in Taos Increase Property Value

Bret Helenius — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:37:00 GMT

Taos Ski Valley recently announced that they would allow snowboarding as of March 19, 2008 and many people in and out of the real estate community have said they beleive it will increase property value. For those of you not familiar with the subject, Taos was one of only four resorts in the country that still banned snowboarding on the slopes. The remaining three resorts are Alta and Deer Valley in Utah, and Mad River Glenn, Vt. The Snowboarding has been a bit controversial in recent years due to the popularity of the sport increasing. Needless to say, the announcement has made big news all over the ski world. There are people who beleive it will save the dwindling Taos tourist economy and others that are upset they have to share their mountain with boarders. The question on the mind of realtors in the area is what is this going to do to ski area (and surrounding areas) property value and will it kick off a mini boom?

Well I hate to be the bearer of news, but I don't think it is the silver bullet that fixes everything. Yes, anytime you restrict a segment of the market, you are decreasing your number of potential buyers and most likely the end result is less home sales. But can you really say that home sales are going to increase just because of an announcement? Right now people are a little hesitant to spend their savings on second homes because of the market, war, gas prices... I think it will take a little more than allowing snowboards to swing the momentum. I do however, beleive it is the perfect time to buy a house or condo in this area because prices are low with potentially more visitors coming to the area because of the new snowboarding non-policy. I still think Taos Ski Valley is a great value compared to most other resorts, where it is virtually untouchable for less than $500,000. I just listed a ski valley condo for $199,500 and no, it's not the size of a shoe box!

Comical and somewhat politically incorrect explanation of how the sub-prime lending practices evolved.

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:56:00 GMT

Get a laugh from the Long Johns in this video on our financial markets and sub-prime loans. This is a tongue and cheek explanation of how financial markets work. If you do not like politically incorrectness then skip link and read on. youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_qK4g6ntM

I laughed at this video but had to stop laughing after reading the National Realty News reports today. There are several people in California currently being indicted on mortgage fraud. Two former Prudential Real Estate Brokers in Los Angeles and several others from a Century 21 Firm in San Diego have plead guilty to mortgage fraud that resulted in over $100 million in losses and collected commissions. What irks me is that in one of the cases, the defendants in their plea agreement promised to pay back $1,070,000 in commissions they collected. Nothing was said about prison time with hardened criminals. Nothing was said about the victims and the wrongs they have suffered.

Who are the victims? You and I are. These criminals have done much more than steal from the lending institutions that entrusted them. These criminals and thousands like them have, thru fraudulent acts, inflated prices and set the stage for the housing slump we are currently experiencing across the country today.

As reported in National Realty News Friday November 30, 2007: According to court records, Alejandro and Emilio Lopez were two of the owners of “Century 21 El Dorado,” a San Marcos, California firm that offered real estate and home financing services targeting mostly Hispanic clientele. The Lopez Team obtained funding for financially unqualified clients from several sub-prime lenders who offered “stated” or “no income verification” loans at higher interest rates than conventional loans. To secure the loans, they submitted false information on loan applications and false supporting documents to lenders. During the conspiracy, they brokered fraudulent loans (including first and second mortgages), averaging approximately $400,000, for over 200 unqualified clients.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Two former Prudential real estate agents, as well as two California state-licensed real estate appraisers, were indicted recently by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a massive mortgage fraud scam that caused more than $40 million in losses to federally insured banks.

I urge you to demand stiffer penalties for these types of criminals. I also urge you to do due diligence in all of your real estate transactions. Demand to see the most current comparables. Get a list of inspectors, appraisers, mortgage lenders, surveyors, attorneys, and even title companies from your realtor. A one stop shop might not be in your best interests.

Although the Taos market has not suffered from foreclosure woes, things have been a little slower than past months. There are some great deals out there so now is the time to start looking.

~Douglas Bachtel

H.R. 3609 - the Proverbial Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Bill introduced in October of 2007

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:40:00 GMT

This house bill introduced by Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC), a member of the House Financial Services Committee and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Judiciary Subcommittee Chairwoman on Commercial and Administrative Law have introduced legislation that will prevent hundreds of thousands of Americans from losing their homes by allowing them access to bankruptcy relief.

H.R. 3609, the Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007. H.R. 3609 would allow judges under Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings to unilaterally mark down the value of a primary mortgage from its full amount down to the fair market value of the home. The bill would also give judges free reign to change the other terms of the loan, including the interest rate or the length of the loan.

So what does this mean to the millions of Mr. and Mrs. Babyboomers with lots of equity in their homes, great credit history, possibly looking at retiring and pulling out some equity to purchase a well deserved quality of life in their upcoming retirement? Well read on!!

David G. Kittle, CMB, Chairman-elect of the Mortgage Bankers Association testified this week before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. In his testimony, Kittle told the committee that proposed legislation to reform the bankruptcy code and allow judges to "cramdown" debt on primary residential mortgages will impose significant costs on consumers by restricting the flow of capital into the mortgage market and increasing the price tag on all mortgages.

"If you chip away at the security created on home mortgages-and this bill is not a small chip, it is a sledgehammer attack-you chip away at the entire core of the mortgage finance system," said Kittle. "In order to account for the added risk you will add significant costs to obtaining a mortgage. If this bill becomes law, we believe mortgage rates would jump significantly, going up 1½ to 2 points for everyone taking out a loan."

Mr. Miller is encouraging his constituents to reach out and support the passing of this bill. He goes on to say, "in fact, if Congress fails to take action to help reduce foreclosures, American families not facing foreclosure will lose up to $265 billion in wealth." I am not sure who or where he got these numbers from but if you ask me, if passed it will prohibit all the hard working Americans the ability to make more wealth. We are all adults here and at some point we have to take responsibility for our actions.

I feel for these people who are facing foreclosure. However what about the millions of prudent and patient Americans who actually put money down on their home, have paid interest for years and years at rates higher than the adjustable rates that are cause for all of these foreclosures. These hard working Americans did not create this problem and should not take the brunt of fixing it.

Send us your thoughts on this issue! We enjoy a good debate.

Hike & Bike Taos

Tom McCampbell — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 19:42:00 GMT

Hiking and mountain bike riding the trails of New Mexico’s high country is always a beautiful experience, but it is especially gorgeous right now. The wildflowers in the high country are in full bloom.

Venture out and you are in for a colorful treat. Sunny mountain meadows are filled with brilliant yellows of Alpine Sunflowers and a dozen varieties of Daisies. Wild Blue Flag Irises, coneflowers, and Astors dot the hillsides. Indian Paint Brush blossoms stand out like day-glo red surveyors tape. Along cool, shady streamsides you are likely to spy a variety of delicate Columbine and Clematis and pink Cardinal Flowers.

If you are hiking or bike riding in New Mexico’s mountains at this time of year, use caution! Begin your trek early in the day so you are off the high peaks by midday. Be mindful of changing weather conditions – storms form quickly and can bring sudden temperature changes, strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Always bring an extra layer of clothing and a rain jacket.

For more information on hiking, mountain biking and wildflower viewing in New Mexico’s mountains go to www.newmexico.org. Thanks for visiting! Hope to see you on the trail.

What's the Forecast?

Bret Helenius — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:32:00 GMT

Home > Press Room > News Releases
For more information, contact:
Walt Molony, 202/383-1177, wmolony@realtors.org

Weather Hits March Existing-Home Sales After Three Monthly Gains
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2007 - Unusually bad winter weather in February curtailed home shopping, slowing sales that closed in March, which may have been dampened further by a decrease in subprime lending volume, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

After rising for three consecutive months, total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes,condominiums and co-ops – fell 8.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 6.12 million units in March from a pace of 6.68 million in February, and are 11.3 percent below the 6.90 million-unit level in March 2006.

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, expected the drop. “For the last couple months we’ve been expecting a weather ‘hit’ on home sales finalized in March, but looking at overall activity in the first quarter we see that existing home sales averaged 6.41 million – a figure that is moderately higher than the sales pace during the second half of 2006,” he said. “We also may be seeing some losses as a result of the subprime fallout. However, this is masking improved fundamentals in the housing market, with lower mortgage interest rates and motivated sellers.

“It’s too early to measure a significant impact from tighter lending standards, which should moderately dampen activity, but we’re still looking for existing-home sales to gradually improve during the last half of 2007,” Lereah said.

CHILDRITE AUCTION- It's People Like This That Make Taos So Special

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:28:00 GMT

My wife and I just attended the 17th annual Childrite Auction. All I can say is "wow"! It is events like this make me proud of living here! For those of you who don't know about Childrite, well let me tell you a little about it. It was co-founded in 1986 by Larry Schreiber, a local doctor who decided that special needs children should all have a home. Dr, Schreiber not only is a fine doctor, (he delivered both of our children over two decades ago), he is one of Taos' Unsung Heroes, and was voted one of the most admired people in the County. Childrite has grown to be what I feel is the largest fund raiser in Taos County. You can read all about it on the website which is Childrite.org.

In order to hold this auction, it takes volunteers and donors. (a donor is a very generous soul who donates art, services, or merchandise for auction) There are over 100 volunteers who not only work the day of the auction but work tirelessly throughout the year collecting items for the auction and all the other tasks that are required to stage this fabulous event. There are over 300 donors. And the items are not small in value, they are services from doctors like a $2,400 colonoscopy, a basket filled with over $500 in gift certificates at some of Taos' favorite restaurants, a $2,500 vacation rental in Hawaii, and some of Taos' best pieces of art worth $100 to $25,000. Last year some overworked grandfather bid and won a vasectomy which he gave to his son-in-law.

There is a 2 hour preview period ending with a silent auction that covers over 800 items. The live auction follows and covers over 100 items. The art is absolutely amazing. The auction is entertaining! If you are looking to buy some art for your own collection, or looking to find a special gift for someone, no matter what your budget is, the Childrite Auction is the place to go. We have purchased some really nice things for as little as $20. We ave also found some special pieces that went below and above their appraised value. However "scoring" on a piece of fine art is not what this event is about. It is about people opening up their hearts, their wallets, and doing what is right. This year there were more than a few super hot deals to be had. Some went lower than 10% of their appraised value. And there were a few that went hundreds over the appraised value. Dr. Larry Schreiber not only works and sponsors the event, he participates as a buyer and as a donor. This year he donated a framed photo of "Ama Dablam", a twenty thousand plus foot peak in Nepal. Larry not only donated this amazing photo, but he also photographed it. The appraised value was $900. It sold in a heated auction at $4000. I have to tell you this was a seriously emotional part of the evening. It is the only time I have been to an auction when the winning bidder was given a standing ovation.

Getting in to the event is free. It is suggested to make a donation at the door and most people are very generous. For their donation, they are treated to some fine food prepared by the gifted staff of Bent Street Deli. There is a cash bar to keep hydrated. Door prizes are given throughout the silent auction and your odds of winning are better than getting audited by the IRS. The people, well they are what makes this community so great, so diverse. There are people from many different cultures. They are young, they are old, and they come from different eco and socio backgrounds. They do share something in common and that is that they are here to help the kids.

There is so much more about this event. Some of the artists donating their own works, include Walt Gonske, Bill Acheff, Monika Steinhoff, Pat Woodall, Mary Dolph Wood, Ouray Meyers, Jamie A. Jasen, Kenny Bracken, Amado Pena Jr., Ed Sandoval & Ann Huston, Larry & Miguel Martinez, David Leffel, Laura Robb, Thom Wheeler, KC Benson, Doug West, Carol Savid, and countless other generous and wonderful people. Many local businesses help out including several art Galleries. If you would like to view some of the art or learn more about it please visit the website. If you want to get involved, start now. Definitely put it on your calender for next year. It is a great place to shop for Christmas. And if you can't make it you can view the art on line and bid by phone. Last year I only remeber one phone bidder. This year there were several. Good luck, God bless and good bidding! Rember, the website is Childrite.org.

~doug

Interest Rates, Why Are They Still Dropping?

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:24:00 GMT

According to Freddie Mac, interest rates as of November 2006, are about one tenth of a percentage point lower than this same time last year. There is a lot of speculation as to why. Even the guru of economics, Mr. Greenspan, called it a conundrum last February after rates failed to rise (that is long term bonds failing to rise after the Feds have put pressure to raise the rates). The theory was that the long term rates should have been rising slowly over the last 12 months, but they haven't. One of the theories is that there is so much foreign investment in US treasury bonds. Less than 30 years ago, foreigners held only 12% of all treasury bonds. Now Asian countries alone hold over 52% of them. Whoa baby!!! Talk about a conundrum!

US Foreign Policy has not been real popular around the world the last 3 years. So why is Asia so zealous about our economy? That spawns another theory. It might be because of our confidence in our economy and in ourselves. Or maybe it is our ability to just move on. Consider the earth shattering affects of 9/11. Instead of dwelling on it, we have picked ourselves up out of the ashes and rubble and dusted ourselves off. We continue to mourn, we continue to remember, but we keep moving on. We believe in ourselves and we believe in mankind. Hey we're Americans! Our economy has been in unchartered waters since 9/11. Each and every month, we are making new history, creating new economic ideas and setting new economic trends. Other countries have taken notice.

Maybe it is my patriotic nature but I am a believer too. Sure there is a lot of negative press about the national housing market coming to a standstill and doom-sayers saying that the real estate market is dead. However we are still going to need housing, and we are still going to shop for the best location, the best price, and the best rates. We also have learned from our mistakes and more notably we want a good return on our investment dollars. So if you ask me, real estate investments, whether you are buying a home, land, or income producing property, is alive and well. Just ask our foreign neighbors. In Taos it certainly is!

First Big Snow Brings Smiles

Doug and Nancy Bachtel — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 22:35:00 GMT

Yes it snowed in October and early November but this one is a real blessing. It comes after all the Thanksgiving travel is over and everyone is home all snug in their beds. There have been years when relatives were stuck on a wind and snow packed Interstate in a futile attempt to make Taos by Thanksgiving eve. Of course everyone here huddled around their cozy kiva fireplaces and were worried sick wondering if their family and friends are gonna make it. So this year we give thanks for waiting a week for the skies to let loose.

With this much white stuff on the ground, the kids are excited because the superintendent of schools has been pressured to call it a SNOW DAY and cancel school. Everyone is breaking their dusty snow shovels out with smiles and even humming Christmas carols as they clear their neighbors walk ways. The ski report line has been busy all day (I know cuz I tried calling it a few times). People in the office were hustling to get stuff done today so that tomorrow they can call it a "powder day". Today is one of those days like the day you pick up your IRS refund from the Post Office. Lets all give thanks!

I feel I am somewhat responsible for this snow storm. I made the big sacrifice and finally succumbed to my wife begging me to sell my plow-truck. You know how the song goes "oh what fun it is to ride in a one plow Chevrolet". Those were the days. But hopefully we will have tons of snow this year and I will find myself regretting selling that beast.

A Sure-Fire Way to Combat a Cooling Market

Bret Helenius — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 02:29:00 GMT

Following are quotes out of National Realty News 11/13/06

David Lereah, NAR’s chief economist, said the number of homes on the market has been improving nicely. “The cooling from overheated sales conditions in recent months is helping to bring inventory levels up to the point where buyers have more choices than they’ve seen in the last five years,” Lereah said. “Annual price appreciation is still running at double-digit rates, but the cause of those sharp increases is going away. As the market readjusts, price appreciation should return to more normal rates of growth this year.”.

According to tradition, burying a statue of St. Joseph in the lawn - and praying to the patron saint of house sellers - will help a real-estate deal. (some people in our market swear by it) But here is my take on it. If you cant beat em join em, besides the worst case scenario is that all you have to do is disclose it and then the question becomes how will St. Joseph treat the new home owners? - Doug Bachtel, Owner/Broker of ABI Real Estate Investments