A Sure-Fire Way to Combat a Cooling Market

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