Interest rates for home loans increased slightly during this week.  According to an article in Market Watch, 30-year fixed rate loans averaged 4.12%, up from 4.08%.  The 15-year fixed rate loan was 3.60%, up from 3.56%.  The the complete article at https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mortgage-rates-tick-up-as-the-spring-selling-season-hangs-in-the-balance-2019-04-11. The article contains a useful chart that illustrates the interest rate on 30-year…

Note:   The data in The Lora Company report do not include Angel Fire, Black Lake, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Miami, Mora, San Miguel, Vallecitos, and “Other” areas that are included in the Taos County Association of Realtors MLS but that are not part of the main Taos market.  Those areas do not…

Loans for home buyers without standard proof of income, such as pay stubs and W-2 forms from employers, are returning to the mortgage industry.  These “stated income” loans were in disfavor after the subprime lending debacle, but these loans for self-emplyed and retired people are regaining a place in the lending marketplace.  Read the full…

Since bottoming out in 2011, the total market (all categories of property) through 2018 has gained 117% in unit sales, and 164% in dollar sales. Single-family home unit sales are now 20% below the level recorded in 2005. Inadequate inventory of homes for sale is limiting sales. Prices are rising, and homes are selling faster than they used to.

2018 sales are tracking about equal to 2017’s. The main factors that have been affecting the market for the past two years remain in place: a strong national economy, rising demand for single-family homes, and an inventory shortage of good homes available for purchase.

Single-family home sales are still tracking slightly below last year’s pace, while condo, land and commercial sales are ahead. There were 3 homes sold over $1 million last month. And there may be a huge sale in December: the 190-acre Blackstone Ranch is going to be auctioned on Dec. 6, with a minimum bid of $19 million (see the related article posted on our web site).

Taos Ranch Goes to the Auction Block Known as Blackstone Ranch, the New Mexico property is heading to auction with a reserve price of $19 million—a 65% reduction from its original asking price. By Katherine Clarke Sept. 6, 2018 10:48 a.m. ET A sprawling 190-acre ranch near Taos, N.M., is slated to go on the…

BIG NEWS! New air service this winter between Dallas DFW airport and Taos. See related post in our website. This should have a major positive impact on the Taos economy–and on Taos real estate–over time. Meanwhile, this weekend is the annual Taos Balloon Rally–another way to travel!

By Conor Shine in “Dallas News” website of The Dallas Morning News, October 13, 2018   North Texans looking to hit the ski slopes near Taos, N.M., will have a new, convenient option to get there this winter with the introduction of nonstop charter service from Dallas Love Field. It’s the latest step to revitalize the…

  Mortgage Rates Fast Approaching 5%, a Fresh Blow to Housing Market Cost of borrowing, highest in over 7 years, could deter buyers and signal hazard for greater economy By Laura Kusisto and Christina Rexrode in The Wall Street Journal Updated Oct. 11, 2018 12:35 p.m. ET   Mortgage rates hit their highest level in…

Single-family home sales are pacing about equal to last year. Condo, land and commercial sales are all ahead of last year.

Sales of single-family homes and condos were up in July 2018 compared to July 2017. Land sales were down slightly. Through the first seven months of this year, sales of homes are about 1% below last; condos are up 25%; land is up 12%.

Monthly single-family home unit sales were down for the second month in a row. June 2018 unit sales were below June of last year by 7 units (23%). The ongoing problem of low inventory of homes available for purchase is limiting sales. Buyer interest continues to increase while the supply of good homes for sale isn’t adequate to satisfy the demand. Homes in preferred locations are selling faster, and prices are rising!

Note:   The data herein do not include Angel Fire, Black Lake, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Miami, Mora, San Miguel, Vallecitos, and “Other” areas that are in the Taos MLS.  For the most part, buyers looking for property in Taos are not looking in those areas, and vice versa.  Those areas do not…

Note:   The data herein do not include Angel Fire, Black Lake, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel, and “Other” areas that are in the Taos MLS.  For the most part, buyers looking for property in Taos are not looking in those areas, and vice versa.  Those areas do not have their…

March 2018 single-family home unit sales were the same as March last year; however, dollar sales were up 3%. Buyer interest continues to increase while inventory remains very limited. March condo sales were up; land sales were down; there were no commercial sales.

Buyer interest in single-family homes continues to increase while inventory remains very limited.  The supply of good homes isn’t adequate to satisfy the demand.  Homes in preferred locations are selling faster, and prices are rising. 

2018 started with gains in all categories of property.  Single-family homes are the largest component of the market.  January unit sales were up 33.3% over last year.  Buyer interest continues to grow while inventory remains very limited.  There isn’t enough supply to satisfy the increasing demand.   Good homes in good locations are selling faster, and prices are rising. 

2017 was a good year for the Taos real estate market. The overall market was up 13% over 2016 in terms of the number of transactions, and it was up 21% in dollar sales. A major theme was the lack of adequate inventory of single-family homes. The imbalance between supply and demand was a limiting constraint on sales; and it is causing house prices to rise. The trend will probably continue in 2018.

November 2017 was another “up” month, although not by much.

October 2017 was up over October of last year, despite the ongoing lack of inventory of single-family homes. Year-to-date, unit sales of homes are up 15% over last year’s pace, but the gain would be even greater if the inventory were better.

If you have been thinking of selling your home, call us for a free consultation and market analysis!

The lack of inventory of single-family homes is definitely hampering sales. September was the second month this year that single-family home unit sales did not exceed the same month in 2016.

August was the first month this year that single-family home unit sales did not exceed the same month in 2016.

July unit sales exceeded last July’s by 1 unit: 23 vs. 22 (+4.5%). Dollar sales were down 5.4%, from $7,251,000 to $6,859,600.
Year-to-date, the positive variance for houses sold 2017 vs. 2016 has decreased from 34% to 29% (151 houses sold through this July vs.117 for the same period last year. Dollar sales are up 28%, from $37.8 million to $48.5 million.

June was another strong month. Year-to-date, the Taos real estate market is up 26% versus the same time period last year.

May 2017 single-family home sales were UP STRONGLY over May 2016. Every month so far this year has been up, and the market seems to be gathering momentum!

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. The market was UP again in April.  Total closed transactions were UP 8%; dollar sales were UP 17%.  For the year to…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. The market was UP in the first quarter:  Total closed transactions were UP 14.7%; dollar sales were UP 12.6%. Single-family homes are…

From Realtor Magazine:  April 2017 | By Barbara Ballinger Staging for a Cozy, Minimalist Look Real estate agents often have to work with either barren rooms or sloppy, overstuffed spaces. But what’s truly attracting the most buyers right now is a deft balance of tidy austerity and a comfortable, lived-in feel. While decluttering a listing…

The market was UP again in December for the third month in a row, narrowing the negative variance to 2015: Total closed transactions were down 3.5%; dollar sales were down 5.8%.

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. November was another UP month.  Single-family home and condo sales were both up; land was the same; commercial was down.  This marks…

By Nick Timiraos in The Wall Street Journal,  Dec. 4, 2016 1:03 p.m. ET After prices and rates dropped, regulators and lenders made it harder for borrowers to get loans Sean Dobson wanted to start a mortgage bank four years ago to serve borrowers with middling credit or irregular income. He eventually decided that growing regulatory hurdles…

ByLaura Kusisto in The Wall Street Journal Updated Nov. 29, 2016 9:42 p.m. ET U.S. home prices have climbed back above the record reached more than a decade ago, bringing to a close the worst period for the housing market since the Great Depression and stoking optimism for a more sustainable expansion. The average home…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. October 2016 single-family home sales were UP slightly from October 2015.   This marks the only the fourth month this year with a…

 by Ashlea Ebeling ,Forbes Staff This story appears in the November 8, 2016 issue of Forbes.  A record $7.5 trillion is sitting in individual retirement accounts, the bull market is looking tired, and the Internal Revenue Service’s army of auditors has been shrinking. So the temptation to get creative with IRA money has never been…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. September 2016 sales were down slightly from September 2015.   The positive variance registered in August did not continue this past month, and…

Here is a link to an article about fixing credit report errors: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fixing-your-error-ridden-credit-report-2013-02-11

Here is  a link to an Energy Star overview of federal tax credits for home improvements that increase energy efficiency: https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. August was the first month this year since March in which sales exceeded the same month in 2015.  Single-family homes — by…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. Through the first seven months of 2016, compared to the same period last year the total market (all categories of property)  is down 12% in…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. Through the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year, the total market (all categories of property)  is down 11%…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market.   Through the first five months of 2016, the total market (all categories of property) compared to the same period last year…

You may want to make sure your home buyers know their credit score before they begin their house hunt. A new survey finds that house hunters who know their credit scores feel significantly more prepared to buy a home. Learning Your Score 5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score What You Can Do to Improve…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. Through the first four months of 2016, the total market (all categories of property) is down 1% in terms of the number of…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. SUMMARY Through the first quarter of 2016, the market is up 4% in terms of the number of transactions; it is up…

The new year has started off with mixed signals. However, it is too early to see a trend. The market certainly seems fairly busy for this time of year, and we expect 2016 to register moderate gains over last year in all categories of property.

Your home buyers have gotten approved for a mortgage and now they’re just waiting to make it to the closing table. Make sure they don’t throw their loan approval into jeopardy by making one of these common mistakes: Making a big purchase: Tell your buyers to avoid making major purchases, like buying a new car…

By Daniel Goldstein From Market Watch, published: Jan 9, 2015 If you’ve fallen behind on your condo or homeowner association (HOA) fees, this might be a shocker for you: Your HOA or condo association might have the right to foreclose on your property. And even for the vast majority of homeowners who never face foreclosure,…

Note:  Our data exclude some areas of the Taos MLS (Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, Raton, Chama, Mora, San Miguel County, “Other”) which we do not consider relevant to the main Taos market. SUMMARY January 2016 sales were down compared to January 2015.  However, January — and winter in general — is the slow season in the…

By Online staff, Herald-Tribune Saturday, June 22, 2013 By CYNTHIA ANDERSON, Correspondent Elizabeth Rose remembers the home as attractive and well maintained. The only obvious problem was the roof, which needed repair and which, for the couple to whom Rose was showing the property, signaled red alert. “The husband was actually a roofer himself, so…

By Liz Alterman in realtor.com You like being under a microscope? Whatever your answer to that question may be, you’d better get used to being scrutinized when you’re trying to buy a home. Your behavior can sway sellers to bestow their precious home on you—or pass you up for someone nicer or way less annoying. Naturally,…

By Liz Alterman in realtor.com, Jan. 26, 2016 If you’re trying to sell your home, you’ve probably scrutinized it, staged it, and scrubbed it down from floorboards to rooftop as if the folks from Architectural Digest were stopping by for a cover shoot. OK, so it’s in immaculate shape—but your home isn’t the only thing…

For the fifth consecutive week, mortgage rates trended down, surprising even forecasters. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now at its lowest average since April 30, 2015. “Market volatility — and the associated flight to quality — continued unabated this week,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped another…

24/7 Wall St. recently asked experts and several real estate organizations to weigh in on how sellers can get their house sold at the best price and in the shortest amount of time.   Here’s what they had to say as some of the best ways to get the “sold” sign out this spring: Pay attention…

In some states, all it takes is just one claim to a home owner’s property insurance to see premiums soar by hundreds of dollars. Filing a single claim can result in a monthly premium increase of 9 percent, according to a study by InsuranceQuotes.com. A second claim? Premiums climb an average of 20 percent. The…

We are pleased to report that 2015 ended with solid gains over 2014 in every category: Single-family homes sales — the most important segment of the market, accounting for 59% of all transactions and 70% of total dollar sales — were up 13.5% in units sold, and 23.7% in dollar sales.

The year is on track to finish with moderate to strong gains over last year. Although November 2015 sales of single-family homes were below last year’s, and December sales look as if they will maybe just equal last December’s, the activity we have been seeing during the past several months has been more than what we typically see at this time of year.

Single-family home sales closed in October 2015 were one unit fewer than last October. Dollar sales were slightly higher than last year.

Single-family home sales came roaring back in September! The market seems to have overcome the July-August lull. At this point, it looks as if the year will end with a pretty solid gain over last year. Condos were down, Land was up. These two categories will probably end the year slightly down from 2014. Multi-family and Commercial were the same as September last year. Both these categories are on track to end the year with large increases over last year. Click the “September and Year to Date 2015” title above to read the entire report.

Is there anything sellers can do to get the best price for their house and in the shortest amount of time?

For the first time in four weeks, fixed-rate mortgages reversed course this week and began to edge higher. “Headed into the fall, we’ll likely see continued interest rate tension, with dollar appreciation weighing against possible Fed rate hikes leaving the rate outlook clouded,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. Freddie Mac showed the following…

It’s common knowledge that before selling, it’s important to spruce up the outside of the home to give a good first-impression to potential buyers. Small upgrades to a home’s exterior like adding a fresh coat of paint to a front door, installing new landscaping, and adding a new deck easy are ways to increase a…

Real estate is Americans’ top investment choice, according to a new Bankrate survey. The survey asks Americans what kind of investments made the most sense and 27 percent said they’d invest in property if they had a pool of spare cash. Read more: Investment Allure: Get Buyers on the Gravy Train CDs and other cash…

The residential real estate market, now at its midpoint in 2015, is on track for its best year since the peak of the housing bubble in 2006, notes realtor.com® chief economist Jonathan Smoke. But as Smoke is quick to point out, this time it’s not a housing bubble. The buyer rush: Loan Demand Surges on…

Home owners tend to overestimate the value of their properties by about eight percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Housing Economics.

If you’re considering giving your home an upgrade this year, it can be overwhelming to choose what home features need an overhaul. Trends seem to change all the time, and the last thing you want is to spend money on costly improvements that will soon be out of date. What’s Hot In Design? 21 Hot…

Upgrading a home’s landscape from average to excellent can raise its overall value by 10 percent to 12 percent, according to research from Virginia Tech.