Kendra Ruminer's Two Cents of Real Estate

Take A Peek At Los Alamos, New Mexico

Author: Kendra (Page 17 of 18)

Holidays in Los Alamos

September 30, 2020 /

I know. You’re thinking to yourself that it’s ONLY the very beginning of October. You don’t want to think about how many shopping days are left before Christmas and you REALLY don’t want to think about the kids being off school for the holidays either.

But come on. Let’s be real. We are ALL looking forward to the end of 2020. Why not focus on one of the seasons that is by far a GREAT thing about living in our community. If there’s something that Los Alamos does well, it’s the holiday season. And I’m here to tell you that Covid hasn’t changed that. Promise.

Monster Madness and Big Time Munchies!

Oh yes. Los Alamos Halloweekend is ON! Scheduled for October 29th through the 31st, the Arts Council has us covered, Los Alamos. Get the full schedule of events HERE. But what I can promise you is that while things are going to look a little different than they have in past years, we are still going to have a Pumpkin Glow, a Scarecrow Contest, and of course, Trick or Treating in the Main Street District. This year will be Monster Munchies to avoid the crush of humanity that we’ve all become accustomed to for Trick or Treat Main Street. Grab a hanging bag or two of goodies from an obliging tree on Friday or Saturday all day long.

Now. I think we’re all waiting to see what traditional Halloween trick or treating is going to be like in this Covid world. So, I cannot promise that the neighborhoods of Loma Linda in Los Alamos or Brighton Drive in White Rock will be offering their usual mega candy treats. But if you’ve never truly experienced Halloweekend in Los Alamos, check out this wonderful article by Kate Nelson of NM Magazine that describes just how awesome it is to celebrate Halloween in “the city on the hill”.

A Place to be Thankful

As the season of thankfulness approaches, it’s a perfect time to be grateful for what we have here in Los Alamos. As of September, our community was ranked the No. 1 Healthiest Community in America. You can read the article HERE, but I’m sure as you look over the criteria and read the testimonials from residents of our beautiful town, you won’t be surprised by what they’ve got to say. We are truly blessed to call this home. Sure. It’s not all wine and roses, but it’s pretty darn awesome.

With this in mind, and also given that it might not be the greatest plan to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. It might be time to focus on what we have and do some donating or some volunteer work with one of the many organizations here in our community.

Stuck at home? Why not organize the family and put together a Thanksgiving Purge Project? Local Charity Shop Casa Mesita has just moved to a new storefront near the Bradbury Science Museum, which means they have more space for your unwanted stuff. Or, maybe its time to pass on some of the items you might have over purchased during the initial pandemic. CALL LA Cares and check with them about donating paper or canned goods.

This is a chance to come together as a family and talk about priorities and necessities and maybe even have a chat about accumulating too much stuff. Period. Goodness knows we’ve all been stuck at home with our stuff for long enough now that we might have some really new ideas about what’s important and what isn’t. If you want to know my thoughts on stuff, check this blog post from back on August 20, 2020. But seriously, at the end of it all, let’s take a moment to be grateful for our homes and the opportunity to live our lives in this beautiful community.

Winterfest Los Alamos

Never fear, Covid didn’t kill off our beautiful holiday lights parade or Winterfest Los Alamos. Some of the events are still up in the air, but one thing is certainly scheduled. Winterfest has been officially scheduled for December 4-6 with the Holiday Lights Parade on Saturday December 5. The theme this year is Toyland on the Mesa and there’s no doubt that a chance to get outside and celebrate will be more welcome than ever as 2020 draws to a close. Check out the details of Winterfest HERE.

The Holiday Lights Parade, the tree lighting at Ashley Pond, ballets, concerts, and the annual Creche Show at the Church of Latter Day Saints are all part of the Christmas Season in Los Alamos. While it’s uncertain whether or not all of these events will go on or be unchanged by this new Covid reality, there are a few things I think we can probably count on.

Over on Garver in White Rock, there will be a Santa peeking through the attic window in the garage. North Mesa will be lit by the glow of Luminarias on Christmas Eve. And we might even have another bonfire and lights set to music over on Brighton Dr. As we all contemplate the upcoming Holiday Season, I encourage all of you, friends, neighbors, and fellow residents of Los Alamos County, go all out this holiday season. Decorate your homes and businesses, your barns, your cars, and maybe even yourselves (if you’re inclined to wear an elf hat). This will be a year to climb in the family car or SUV and enjoy some hot cocoa as you cruise through the neighborhoods enjoying the displays and feeling warm and cozy as we bid farewell to the Year 2020.

Some Thoughts About Relo Companies

September 24, 2020 /

There is no doubt about it. Moving is stressful. Whether you’re hung up on the current home you’re trying to sell, the one you’re trying to move into, or the temporary housing situation between the two. Add in a job change and you’re probably ready to throw up your hands!

This is why the “Relocation Package” is such a thing. Not just a thing, but a thing that is spoken about in an almost hushed tone of reverence when people talk about job changes or moving from city to city.

“What’s that? Your company offered a… (wait for it) RELOCATION PACKAGE?”

A relocation package can be a wonderful and helpful opportunity for anyone who is moving. Moving is a stressful time. If you’re moving to Los Alamos to work for LANL, you will typically find that LANL relocation has one of the most competitive packages out there. Depending upon the package, it can include closing costs, moving costs, two months of temporary housing, and sometimes it includes a reimbursement of closing costs on your previous home. Typically, you do have the responsibility of selling your previous house and depending upon your employment situation (LANL employee or contractor) these offerings can vary widely and might even include the cost of storing the bulk of your household goods while you find a new home.

No matter if you’re getting one or all of these incentives, it can amount to thousands of dollars in assistance with your move. For families coming into the Los Alamos County housing market, this can be especially helpful. Navigating the housing market here in Los Alamos can be tricky. A relocation package can help mitigate some of the financial burden while you’re doing your best to settle into temporary housing, get the kids into a new routine with schools, and maybe even search for a new home into the bargain.

When You’re Leaving Los Alamos

Whether you’re a contractor or a LANL employee going elsewhere, there is one really important thing to think about if you’re considering the perks of a relocation package. First of all, while LANL typically handles their own relocations, many companies contract those services through a third party. A Relo Company. Make sure you are fully aware of who is going to be handling your move when you negotiate your relocation package with your employer. The services can vary, but you don’t always have a choice when it comes to who is calling the shots. Sure. Packing, moving, travel, and temporary housing reimbursement are never a bad idea, but you might want to rethink that “buy out” option when you’re leaving Los Alamos. Because?

Houses in Los Alamos County are selling quickly.

Now. This is RIGHT NOW. In our current market as things stand right now, it doesn’t take a long time for a home for sale to go under contract. This means you might want to hold off on the buy out offer. There is a good chance that you will get more cash in your pocket from selling your current Los Alamos home the old fashioned way. In my more recent experience, I’ve had homes go under contract before the relo company can even get the paperwork completed. In a few cases, the relo package was changed mid stream and my clients would have had less hassle just selling their home in the traditional way and letting the company pay for the move.

The truth is that a relocation home buy out is really designed for a sluggish market and not an active one. If the market in our community changes, (as it has been known to do in the past), then the buy out might once again become a really great opportunity for those leaving the community.

Still like the idea of a buyout? There are likely a few paragraphs worth of small print you should really pay attention to before agreeing to a buy out. Make certain you fully understand what your responsibility is as far as repairs to your home prior to the buy out. Even newer homes will have a surprising number of small repairs crop up on an inspection. It’s likely that you’ll be expected to fix that list before the deal can close and you can move on. This can affect the amount of money in your pocket. Sometimes your company will offer to reimburse you for these expenses, but that can also take time. Know exactly what you’re responsible for and what perks you’ll be getting in return.

How do Realtors Feel About Relo Companies?

I love anything that helps my clients. But I will tell you that from a Realtor’s perspective, a relocation company isn’t necessarily our best friend. For one thing, they require a Realtor to pay 35%-42% of our commission to them as a fee. And that doesn’t guarantee that they hold up their end of the bargain either. In some cases, this doesn’t mean that we do less work. In many cases, it can means we do more. Beyond that, when dealing with a relocation company moving you to other areas, be aware that a relocation company will often contract with brokers or agents who aren’t necessarily familiar with an area or neighborhood where you’re looking. Sometimes they’re semi-retired or brand new and in either case it can result in a less than stellar customer service experience.

When considering a moving or relocation package as a whole, you might want to look at the projected expenses of your move and ask your company for a lump sum option. This can be a great way to come out ahead while also making sure that you choose your travel methods, your Realtor, your packing and moving company, and might even save you some cash.

At the end of the day, I want what’s best for my clients. Buying and selling a home, and then moving, is a big event! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out and call! If you’re considering a relo package or if you’re trying to do it on your own, I’d be happy to talk resources, logistics, and of course, property!

Make Your Home Improvements Count!

September 16, 2020 /

The subject of home improvement is always a tough one. After all, a home is one of the largest investments we can ever expect to make in our lives. Our home is our castle. And if you’re living in Los Alamos County, chances are you waited, watched, and eventually were so thrilled to move into your home, that the space itself has become nearly sacrosanct. Of course, there’s also a chance that you’re itching to get started on modernizing your house! If that sounds familiar, then let’s discuss a few important points when it comes to recouping cost on a few common home improvement projects.

Data is one of those valuable tools we’ve all become accustomed to looking at when we talk about anything these days. It may (or may not) surprise you to know that there are entities out there collecting data on remodeling projects. One of the most comprehensive reports out there is the Cost vs. Value report. The data is collected by Remodeling Weekly, a publication that caters to contractors and other construction professionals. But the data itself is compiled by surveying Realtors, lenders, appraisers, and other real estate professionals. The purpose, of course, is to help contractors tailor their advertising in a way that helps them push the kinds of projects that homeowners might be more interested in paying for.

That said, we can also spin that report. It’s based on geographical information. And while Albuquerque is the closest metropolitan city that they take into consideration, that still makes it very useful to us here in Los Alamos County. So, the question still remains. What ARE the kind of home improvements that really pay off by increasing your home’s eventual price point in the market?

The Projects That Count

  1. Manufactured Stone Veneer
  2. Garage Door Replacement
  3. Minor Kitchen Remodel
  4. Siding Replacement (fiber cement)
  5. Siding Replacement (vinyl)

It’s not surprising to find things like a kitchen remodel or adding a bathroom or even remodeling a bathroom further on down the list. In fact, you can see that the minor kitchen remodel is number three . According to the “Remodeling” website, if you spend $23K and change on the job, you’re likely to get as much as 78% of that cost back in added value to your home. This is the way the list works, by the way. It speaks in terms of percentage of dollar spent that you might be likely to see added to the value of your home at resale.

“But Kendra, I don’t even HAVE a garage!”

Let’s look at this list in terms of our community, shall we? While adding a manufactured stone veneer to the area around your front door or garage might look fantastic and dramatically increase your curb appeal, that kind of project, along with replacement of garage doors, isn’t always right for homes here in our area.

Reading Between the Lines

Updating is important. That’s a common theme demonstrated by the data trends. Buyers care about updated windows and exterior features like steel entry doors. There is also an element of energy efficiency here. We all know that the old windows in those quads and duplexes in Western Area are paper thin and don’t do much of anything to mitigate heating and cooling costs. If you’re considering doing any of those home improvement projects for yourself, then the good news is that they’ll pay off in the future when you go to sell your home!

Flash doesn’t get much of a return. This is a REALLY important point, folks. We constantly hear and see photographs or layouts of kitchen and bathroom remodels that are out of this world! These projects can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. And yet the data suggests that buyers don’t really WANT your Tuscan Style Kitchen.

Neat. Clean. Updated. That is the rule of thumb for these projects. A modest kitchen remodel includes updated countertops, flooring, cabinets, and appliances. A bathroom needs a new vanity, sink, countertop, lighting, and paint. While that may seem like a lot, it doesn’t have to include marble tile, imported countertops, and hand hewn cabinets. Just head to your nearest DIY store and see what they have available. You’ll be comfortable in the home while you’re there, and the next potential owner will fall in love faster.

Outdoor living spaces are hot! The bottom line here is that a deck is still a great investment. Especially in our community. Patios aren’t going to net you nearly as much return on investment as a deck, but investing in your landscaping and making the exterior living spaces of your home inviting is always a good idea that gets a high return on investment.

It’s Okay To Suit Yourself

In the end, it’s really important to think about your plans for your home when you consider home improvement projects. If you’ve purchased the home as an investment property, then by all means, carefully choose the identity and scope of your projects to maximize the value. But if it’s your HOME? Don’t forget to be comfortable in your own space. It’s okay to change something to suit YOU. Whether its the gourmet Tuscan Style Kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, or a master suite that comes straight from the Royal Boudoirs Collection. Dream as big as your budget will let you. Love your home! And if you’re ready to turn that investment house into a property for sale, then give me a call. I’d love to talk to you!

Add Some Rot To Your Life

September 9, 2020 /

Oh yes. As we come to the end of a particularly hot summer here in Los Alamos County, it’s time to start getting outside again. Not that we aren’t outside nearly every month out of the year here in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. But with the uncertainty that has become a daily part of our lives, there is wisdom in the idea that new projects aren’t a bad thing at all.

With that in mind, fall might just be the perfect time to start a composting project. Yep. That’s right. Compost. And no. I’m not talking about that pile of stinky, rotting vegetables and yard waste you forgot to gather up and deposit in your brown yard waste bin either.

The truth is that compost can be “done” outdoors or indoors. So, don’t let being in an apartment, condo, or other dwelling without a lot of yard space keep you from having that compost pile. Another thing. Compost done right does NOT smell. If your compost is smelling icky, it means you’ve put something in the pile that doesn’t belong. Eggs, for example, or perhaps dog poop, meat scraps, or other taboo items.

For a full list of items that either belong or DON’T belong in your compost pile, visit the EPA’s website. There is a whole list of do’s and don’t’s for your compost project. Or, the NM Environmental Department has a handy brochure you can view HERE.

Of course, the most important thing to ask yourself when considering a compost pile is whether or not you’re ALLOWED to have a compost pile on your property.

For the most part, here in Los Alamos County, we ARE allowed to have a compost pile on our property. If you’re living in a covenant community such as Elk Ridge, or you’re renting an apartment or even renting a duplex or other single family residence, simply double check with your landlord or property management company regarding their rules for composting.

Composting Basics

There are three things you need for composting. The formula is often described as brown plus green plus water. And of course, you’ll need plenty of air. But before we start with the actual stuff, you need to have a suitable container.

If you don’t want to purchase a bin from a retailer, you can make one. I suggest picking up four wood pallets and wiring them together. You can also make a three sided enclosure using straw bales, providing they’re held together with string and not wire. Or, you could go old school and just make a heap somewhere out of the way in your yard. Make certain you have good access to your compost area since you’ll have to be out there turning it in order to help the process along.

Next Up: The Ingredients
You need four things to make your composting project a success. Brown. Green. Water. Air.
Brown = Yard Waste. Green = Food Waste.
And by the way, grass clippings are considered green and not brown. Water is pretty self-explanatory. Air is also an obvious thing, and yet it’s one of the items that so many people don’t really understand when it comes to successful composting.
Compost is basically the natural breaking down of organic material. Your yard waste brings carbon to the mix. Your food waste brings nitrogen. Water or moisture is a necessary component, and you need to turn that pile at least daily in order to allow air into the mix.

Now, you might be wondering whether composting is really the type of activity you want to be out in your yard doing. After all, composting is for gardeners, right?

Not necessarily. If you’ve spent much time at all trying to grow anything in our county, you know that our topsoil isn’t the greatest. In fact, I’m probably being generous saying it’s not great. The truth is that it isn’t suited to growing things at all.

That being said, even if you DON’T want to garden, you can take your compost and work it into your yard. The end product of the composting process is basically sweet smelling soil. Good, FERTILE soil. Adding that to your fall or spring grass seed mix could really give those green spots in your yard a helpful boost! If you’ve xeriscaped and don’t have grass, put the compost around the base of your trees. If you started a compost pile this weekend and committed to working that pile at least a few times per day, you’d have viable compost in three to four weeks. That would mean you’d have a nice mixture of soil just in time to winterize your yard.

On the subject of working that pile…

Composting can be great exercise. It gets you outside in the yard. Not only are you picking up leaves and brush, you’re carrying your kitchen scraps out to the pile several times a day. That’s an activity to add some steps to the daily total! And in order to move the compost process along, you have to be out there turning the soil. It’s like adding a little bit of cross fit to your daily routine. And I don’t know about you, but with the kiddos learning at home and most jobs involving some kind of hybrid work from home scenario, anything that involves going outside and doing something physical is a bonus for your mental and physical health.

Compost Troubleshooting

A few things to keep in mind when you’re playing in the pile.

  1. If your compost pile stinks, you’ve either put in some no no items, or you’ve got too much moisture. Try adding dry material like leaves or dry grass clippings to get your moisture a little more balanced. If that doesn’t do the trick, check the EPA’s list HERE.
  2. If your compost pile is dry and flaky in the middle, you need more water. Try watering each layer of the pile as you turn it, and then cover it with a plastic sheet or a scrap of carpet to increase the moisture content. (Think greenhouse).
  3. If it’s taking too long to get from your compost starter to a usable product, increase the number of times you’re turning that pile. This is a way of getting air into the mix. More turning=more air=equals faster composting.

All right. I’ve given you resources and information. It’s time for you to add the rot and get composting! As always, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just looking for Tips to enjoy life in Los Alamos. I’m here for you!

Those Big Ticket Items

September 2, 2020 /

The words “Big Ticket Item” can be applied in so many ways. But they do seem to have a rather broad application when it comes to home ownership. A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. The amount of planning that goes into the initial purchase of your home is nothing compared to the satisfaction you get from walking through the door at the end of each day and just knowing you’re HOME.

But as with any investment, you might want to keep a few things in mind when it comes to maintaining and protecting your home. Whether you’re considering the purchase of a new or new to you home, or trying to make some vital decisions about necessary maintenance on your current home, these are some things to keep in mind.

The Roof

Architectural shingling is the most common roofing material used in the United States. However, here in Los Alamos County and in the Southwest in general, we see a lot of flat roofs on adobe style homes as well as metal roofing options.

Asphalt shingling comes in 20, 30, 40, and 50 year ratings. These ratings are established by the manufacturer, but they don’t necessarily take into account the brutal UV rays experienced here in our community. Lighter colored shingle roofs will last longer than darker colors, and choosing a lighter color for your shingles can also cut down on cooling costs in the summer.

Flat roofs tend to need repair or even replacement in 10-15 years. They require frequent inspecting to make certain that puddling of water doesn’t occur. In some cases, older flat roofs need a buildup of fiberglass or other material to create a slope to encourage appropriate draining.

A metal roof such as Pro Panel roofing can last from 40 to 70 years. Though some homeowners mention that metal roofing can be “louder” during rain or hail storms, proper insulation in your ceiling can eliminate this issue. Metal roofing also comes in a variety of colors and has a better fire rating than other roofing options, which sometimes makes it attractive in communities like ours.

Now. When considering your roofing options, whether the roof is on a house you want to purchase, or your current home, think about age. Age of the home. And how long are you planning to stay in that house? Metal roofing is more expensive than shingles. Sure. You might get 70 years out of the roof, but if you’re only planning to be there for ten years, you’re not going to be the one truly benefitting from that large investment. When pondering the options for replacing your roof, really be honest with yourself about your budget, your expectations, and how long you intend to be in this home. You’ll be glad that you did.

Siding

Saying that our town is filled with an eclectic collection of colorful dwellings isn’t just talk. A strong part of our town’s identity is in our individuality and sometimes that comes out in the paint choices. Even if it means that one half of a duplex is blue and the other is brown.

Some of these color choices come down to what sort of siding is covering the exterior of a home. We have brick, vinyl and hardboard siding, and also plenty of stucco. The durability of these choices is largely affected by whether or not they were properly installed to begin with. Vinyl siding has a 60 year lifespan, hardboard siding tends to be less, 40 years or so, and stucco will last you approximately 50 years. All of these estimates are affected by weather and climate. Replacement costs have more to do with your home’s size, construction, and whether or not the current exterior material must be removed. If you ask Google, the average cost of replacing your siding falls somewhere between $8K and 12K$. Truthfully, this number is generally higher here in our zip code, sometimes because we are located in a remote area, other times because of our tax rate.

In the end, what you choose to put on the exterior of your home should be influenced by your personal preferences and your budget. It’s also drastically affected by how long you intend to be in your home. Be aware if it isn’t your direct concern, it could be a concern for the individual who purchases your home from you down the line.

HVAC – The hot and cold in YOUR life

Air conditioning was not part of the original equipment in a good number of Los Alamos homes. If you’re considering the purchase of a home without A/C, don’t make the assumption you can just add that in later. Ask your Realtor or consult with your building inspector and get all the facts. If that home doesn’t have a central heating system, adding “aftermarket” A/C can be problematic. Ventilation systems and ductwork can be costly or impossible to install if there’s no place for them to go.

Many homes in Los Alamos have hot water baseboard heating. This tends to be a very effective heating solution for many homeowners. Combined with a wood stove or the use of a fireplace, it can be cost effective and cozy. Many homes in our area have passive solar features as well thanks to the brilliant sun that shines an average of more than three hundred days a year.

If your home DOES have A/C, you can expect that system to last 10-15 years. Your furnace and A/C do need regular inspections. Inspections for gas furnaces can be free, so take advantage of this service to avoid costly repairs down the road. If you do need to replace a unit, you can expect to spend between $5K and $10K depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs. When purchasing a home, make sure to ask when the system was last serviced and if the A/C unit has needed “recharging” (a refill of the system refrigerant). Then begin budgeting for any repairs or replacement well in advance. This is one situation where a little bit of planning can avoid some uncomfortable days and nights waiting for emergency service.

Appliances

When it comes to a modern home, there are a LOT of appliances! Here are some basic stats regarding how long those suckers are likely to last.

Hot Water Heater – 6-13 years

Stove 13-15 years (gas stoves tend to last longer)

Refrigerator 10-18 years (the larger the longer lived)

Dishwasher – 10 years

Microwave – 7 years

Some things to think about when it comes to replacing appliances.

First? NOBODY wants to be without hot water. Know how old your hot water heater is and what kind of shape it is in. The water in Los Alamos has a lot of minerals that tend to collect inside a hot water heater reservoir. While these don’t necessarily kill the hot water heater, they can diminish the amount of space inside the tank and effectively create situations where you simply don’t have enough hot water to handle more than one shower in an hour. This could shorten the number of years your hot water heater can handle your family’s needs.

It’s also important to consider the new options for hot water that don’t even require a tank. On demand tankless hot water systems can be a viable option here in Los Alamos. Many of our homes already have gas powered hot water heaters and that can decrease the cost of installation on a tankless system. In the end, it comes down to your family’s needs and your budget. While a tankless system can cost a lot less per year, they tend to cost three times as much up front. That means you need to be in your home for a number of years to break even on that expenditure. Talk to a qualified dealer or a highly rated plumber to find out if this option is the right one for you.

We’ve all seen those older refrigerators, stoves, ovens, etc. that seem indestructible. They’re ancient, and they’re some bizarre color like bright red, golden yellow, or avocado green. Remind yourself that all of those colors were popular at one time. When choosing your new appliances, try to go with a color and finish that is easy to clean, light, bright, and appealing. Even if you’re only replacing appliances one at a time as they need it, plan ahead and think timeless and not trendy.

I hope this information has given you some ideas about your home ownership journey. As always, if you have more questions or any comments, please feel free to Contact Kendra. I’d love to hear from you!

The House of Tomorrow Here in LA

August 26, 2020 /

The residents of Los Alamos County are used to the concept of housing shortages, creative solutions, and making do with what we have. After all, our surroundings boast some of the most incredible views the world has to offer. You can certainly embrace an eclectic house when you’re looking at panoramic views. But you might be interested to know that housing shortages aren’t a new thing here in Los Alamos. As early as the 1940s Los Alamos was looking for solutions to the lack of housing. In 1949 we were eager enough to jump onto a rather unique, quick, mass produced housing bandwagon called Lustron Homes.

Barely visible in this picture is the trademark zigzag trellis that was a Lustron Home signature feature.

Yes. Lustron Homes. The name today (if you’ve never heard it before) has a cult following not unlike the Airstream RV crowd. People are fascinated by the story, the space age style product, and of course, by the same “house of tomorrow” fever that probably has us moving toward a life straight out of “The Jetsons”. Although, this particular house of tomorrow is rather retro.

It all started with the return of GIs after WWII. The economy was recovering. Factories were booming. The middle class was a growing section of the population. And there was nowhere to live.

Enter Carl G. Strandlund. He pitched an idea to the government funded Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to build prefabricated homes. A $9000 home that could be manufactured in one place and shipped anywhere. These homes would be available in several model styles boasting either two or three bedrooms. They could be assembled by a team of six men using an assembly manual in only a few days!

The RSC granted Strandlund $34 million dollars in loans and set aside a good chunk of steel for his project. Lustron Homes are made of porcelain enameled steel. All of it. Interior, exterior, ceiling, roof, and some models even boasted ivory colored steel venetian blinds! They included bizarre built ins like radiant ceiling heat, a bedroom vanity, china cabinets, and even a clothes washer/dishwasher.

By 1949, Los Alamos jumped on the wagon and 6 of these homes were ordered and constructed on Fairway and 44th Street in the Western Area. The home in the picture above is Dove Gray. Other available colors included Surf Blue, Desert Tan, and Maize Yellow. The homes are made entirely of enameled steel. The company even had to come up with an upbeat decorating guide that included a picture hanging kit. Let’s just say that when decorating your Lustron, magnets are your friends.

Okay. So Lustron Homes never achieved their 100 homes/day goal. Their production line never managed to exceed 27/day. By 1950 they were bankrupt. They’d managed to crank out just under 2500 homes and had defaulted on orders for 8000 more. At the height of their production, the Columbus, OH factory was using more electricity than the rest of the entire city combined. It was a modern factory experiment that completely underestimated the cost of actually shipping these mass produced houses all over the US.

The Lustron Homes story is typically seen as a bit of a failure. The homes had limited decorating options. You can’t even repaint the interior walls. The steel plates are rather susceptible to rust. And it’s not like you can do much in the way of expansion or renovation.

However, 5 of the original 6 Lustron homes are still standing here in Los Alamos. And honestly, for our climate and the reality of living here they’re not such a bad investment. Instead of exterior paint, you just pull out the hose to refresh your look. The roof of a Lustron is totally maintenance free. The desert climate doesn’t exactly promote rusting so our Lustrons don’t have this issue. And on top of other considerations, they’re essentially fireproof.

Besides, they fit perfectly into our Los Alamos landscape. They are a piece of Post World War II history and that is very much a part of the identity of Los Alamos. Many of the Lustrons still standing around the US have been placed on the historic register. Wikipedia has a list of Lustrons HERE. You’ll notice that all of ours are conspicuously absent from that list. Go ahead and have a chuckle. After all, being absent from any list is such a vintage part of life in Los Alamos. There are so many old school examples of building and architecture here in our town. The quads and duplexes. The entire Denver Steel area, Fuller Lodge, Bathtub Row, and countless other examples of American culture frozen in time. Viewed through that lens, it seems rather fitting that we have some Lustron Homes on that list.

I’ll leave you today with a YouTube video courtesy of the Ohio Historical Society. Take a peek and enjoy a look back at what life used to be like. Sometimes as we talk amongst ourselves about spotty Internet service, online school, and work at home, it feels as though a return to a simpler time wouldn’t be so bad.

A Snapshot of Life in the 50’s.

See you soon! Keep looking for more blog posts featuring local real estate tips and ideas for Living in Los Alamos. And as always, Call or Email Kendra anytime!

What’s A Little Stuff?

August 20, 2020 /

If there’s something we see a lot of in Real Estate, it’s stuff. Yep. LOTS of stuff. It doesn’t really matter who you are or where you’ve lived, where you’re moving, or where you’re from. People accumulate stuff. We find it. We buy it. We inherit it. Other people give us THEIR stuff. And the cycle continues.

So, let’s talk about stuff for a minute. Can we? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to visit with a new client and come face to face with their stuff. This can happen in any number of ways too. Maybe I’m going to their home because they’re ready to list it for sale. Perhaps I’m meeting with them because they’re in the market for another house. They need to downsize. Or they need more space. Like I said, this can happen any number of ways. Because we don’t have oodles of time and space, let’s focus on three situations that probably apply to most people in the Los Alamos area.

“Help! My new house has NO storage!”

There is always variety within a real estate market. But when Los Alamos boasts diversity in housing options, we aren’t kidding around. There are some homes that have enormous amounts of storage (yes, they DO exist!) But if your new home isn’t one of those, you might be looking for creative ways to maximize your storage.

First of all, does this picture apply to you? Do you have boxes and boxes of possessions that you’ve been carting all over the country as you move from one phase of your life to the next?

Step One: Go through your stuff. If you haven’t used it in five years, you probably never will.

There are a library’s worth of books written on the relationship between humans and their possessions. Hoarding is a word we don’t like to hear applied to us. But please go easy on yourself. Hoarding doesn’t always end in one of those homes featured on reality television. People hoard for a variety of reasons, but there is always an emotional element to it. The truth is that you’re likely to be much happier without a life filled with excess baggage. And yes, you can make an emotional parallel there if you choose.

Step Two: Identify storage areas in your home.

This isn’t just about saying, “oh yeah, there’s a closet here.” It’s about taking a critical look at the space you have and matching it with practical uses. This is also where you make an investment in organizers. The thought might seem irritating or overwhelming, but when you have a large rectangular empty space because of duct work or the chimney, an organizer solution can make that into a viable place to store books, toys, clothing, or just about anything you like. And if you’re looking for real space saving tips, I highly recommend Kendra Henning of Stuff Happens. Kendra has an absolute knack for knowing which organizer will fit what where!

Step Three: Be creative!

No room for cleaning supplies because the kitchen is full and there isn’t a proper laundry room? Do you actually USE all of your coat closet space in the front hallway? Why not store paper products and cleaning products there? Perhaps the kids need new beds anyway. Why not get a pedestal bed with storage drawers underneath? This might even be a solution for sports equipment like skis if you’ve got space beneath the bed in your master. Think outside the box and the box will suddenly seem a lot bigger!

“I’m trying to move into a larger home, but I have to sell my smaller one first!”

This sounds like a fantastic problem to have, but trying to sell a house you’ve outgrown can be tricky. First of all, see the steps above. If you’ve got unused stuff it might be time to donate or sell it. After all, you don’t want to move into a larger house and just swallow it up with a bunch of things you don’t even need!

Moving is the perfect time to purge. Get started as soon as you make the decision to put your house on the market. Perhaps even before. People need to be able to see your home. You might have outgrown it, but it may be just what they need. Unfortunately, if it is jam packed with boxes and boxes of your stuff, they can’t see just how perfect a fit it would be for them.

Don’t be afraid to start packing. In fact, DO pack. You. Are. Moving. Yes. If you pack the entire kitchen, you might have an issue making dinner, but you can pack most of the kitchen and be just fine. Moving is a mindset. Your house WILL sell. It might not sell tomorrow, but it will sell. Sure, in the interim you might experience a bit of inconvenience. Those are growing pains. They’re a natural part of this process. After all, you’re moving and eventually you will be settled in your beautiful new home! So get your stuff into boxes and tuck it into your best friend’s garage. Or your garage, if you have one. Even a month or two lease on a storage unit might be a good plan. Not to mention, paying for storage could REALLY motivate you to purge.

Once again, it’s not a bad idea to call a professional. Kendra Henning at Stuff Happens has a pretty spectacular track record with getting growing families from House A to House B with minimal fuss and stress.

“I’m downsizing after 30 years of living in the same house and I think my cat is lost in my office.”

Yes. This happens in Los Alamos more than you might think. In fact, I would bump that number up to perhaps forty plus years. This situation can also apply when an elderly parent has either passed away, or has decided to enter an assisted care facility or a smaller, senior living apartment.

This is when it can feel as though you are drowning in stuff. Paper can be one of the most prominent items to dispose of. Just because things are often all electronic now, that doesn’t mean the first thirty years of credit card statements and magazines aren’t still covering every surface in that home office. Before you get overwhelmed, ask yourself if you’re really ready to take on this task. It isn’t worth damaging yourself, your physical health, or your relationship with your elderly parent or relative when hiring a professional may be the better answer.

If that’s not an option you can choose, then I highly suggest making a plan BEFORE you attempt to sort anything. This plan should involve a realistic list of what will be useful in your/your relative’s next living situation, and then locating those items and setting them aside before you begin sorting the rest. It does no good to purge and purge and then realize you have to go and buy something you need because you already donated the one you had.

When it comes to a huge project that involves condensing decades worth of stuff accumulation, it pays to understand the ins and outs of estate sales, donations, and who to call when you need heavy lifting help. Even deciding what to keep and what to part with can be a difficult task. Remember, your unwanted junk might be someone else’s treasure, but finding that person takes industry know how and contacts.

The emotional impact of necessary purging can be paralyzing. I highly recommend calling Stuff Happens if you are facing this daunting task. Kendra Henning is a former project manager and Realtor with a deep understanding of what it takes to make an organized move happen. She is also a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. There are plenty of ways to make a move less stressful for your senior if you know how to work the logistics in their favor. Take advantage of Kendra’s industry knowledge to minimize the impact of this life changing event.

Whatever your issue with STUFF, remember that there are industry professionals out there who want to help. Whether you need a professional organizer or a Realtor, don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are only a phone call away!

If You’ve Got a Stuff Issue, Visit Stuff Happens ONLINE or CALL KENDRA HENNING today!

PID – Truth or Dare?

August 13, 2020 /

Los Alamos is a small town with a rich history of ingenuity and can do attitude. This is never more evident than when we’re talking about the housing market. You don’t have to be a part of this community for very long to realize that you need to be creative when it comes to living arrangements. Whether we’re talking about renovating a post World War II relic like a Lustron Home (Don’t worry. If you have no idea what this is, keep watching the blog and I’ll happily explain in a future post) or subdividing a particularly large lot to make room for a new neighbor perched on the edge of a canyon. We know how to think outside the box!

Sometimes, the need for housing pushes us into completely new territory. At least for Los Alamos. A good example of this is the Mirador subdivision currently being built in White Rock. It sits on NM State Road 4 between the White Rock Visitor’s center and the stoplight at Grand Canyon. If you’ve been to White Rock lately, you’ve no doubt noticed the rows of houses being built at what almost seems a frantic pace. You’ve probably also noticed that the land itself seemed to go through endless rounds of grading and preparation before the first houses went up and became habitable toward the end of last year.

Why did it take so long for the builder to start building actual houses?

A good portion of White Rock sits on a bed of basalt. This had to be blasted and removed before building crews could lay a foundation for the houses to be built.

“Gosh, that sounds expensive!”

It is. Or was. Or rather, it WILL be. But that’s why we’re talking about PIDs. Public Improvement Districts. You might have heard the term either in the Los Alamos Daily Post or the Los Alamos Monitor or maybe in a council meeting. Or, you might have heard about public improvement districts in relation to several of them in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. This concept is widely used in other larger metropolitan areas. But Mirador is the first public improvement district in Los Alamos County.

How does this work? Here is a quote directly from the November 4, 2018 Los Alamos Daily Post Article by Carol Clark.

“So how will the PID generate money in order to cover costs for administration and infrastructure? According to agenda documents, a special levy will be assessed on property in the development. Homeowners in the Mirador development will pay this levy in addition all other taxes and charges. The levy is only collected by the County and no homeowner, property owner or commercial property owner outside the development will pay it. In an earlier article published in the Los Alamos Daily Post, Community Development Department Director Paul Andrus said the cost to the homeowner will average about $200/month under the PID.”

Hmm. Let’s relate that back to the idea of buying power. I talked about buying power back on July 29, 2020. You can see that blog post here. The face value of $200/month when you’re talking about a big ticket item like a house might not sound like a lot. But when you add that $200 as a line item to your monthly house payment, it can feel enormous.

In my previous post about buying power and low interest rates, I discussed the impact of lowering interest rates because a percentage point or two, even half a point, can be the difference between making a house affordable or not. Most home buyers come into the transaction with a comfortable number in mind. They know what they can afford each month to pay for principal, interest, insurance, and taxes. They’ve done their research. They know that they need to leave room in the budget for things like utilities and maintenance costs. There are the cost of living necessities too. And that’s when $200 can be the difference between a house with a PID levy associated with it being a good idea or not.

Here’s another thing. That levy associated with the PID sticks with the house for 30 years. Sure. Homeowner A who initially moves into this lovely, brand new house might be willing to pay that extra chunk of change each month. But when they go to sell the house, they’re going to have to find the next homeowner willing to take over payments. Depending on the future of PIDs in Los Alamos County, this could affect how future buyers view that house and what they might or might not be willing to pay for it.

Whatever the future may hold for our county and our real estate market, there is no denying that PIDs offer a lot of good incentives for development. In theory, they can keep prices down and incentivize the development of difficult property by spreading out the cost of infrastructure over time and making sure only those benefitting from the development pay for it. But there are other questions that will only be answered as time goes on.

Until we have all the answers, I suggest getting as much information as possible if you’re considering the purchase of a property with a PID attached. Find out how this affects your monthly payment and ask plenty of questions about exactly what you’re paying for. Don’t be afraid to satisfy every bit of your curiosity and get as much information as you possibly can about this new and unusual obligation you’re considering. Information is always power. And don’t forget. You can always call your Realtor with any questions or concerns about your real estate transaction.

Call Kendra Now!

Let’s Get Real: Wire Fraud is a Thing

August 5, 2020 /

You’ve found the house of your dreams. You’ve made your offer. The offer has been accepted and you’ve been working with the lender who did the pre-approval on your loan. Now it’s down to the homestretch and you’re so excited you’re on edge just waiting for that closing date. Then you get an email from the title company telling you that you need to wire them your down payment and closing costs RIGHT NOW! If you wait even a millisecond, you’re going to lose this house!

What next? I’ll tell you what next. STOP! Seriously. Put the brakes on and just wait a second. Take a deep breath and call your Realtor! That’s right. Get on the phone and talk to the person who has been walking you through this entire process from the beginning. I can promise your real estate agent absolutely knows whether or not the title company has an urgent need to have your down payment and/or closing costs in hand right this second. Whatever you do, DO NOT wire a single penny without having an in person chat, Zoom call, or phone conversation with your agent, your lender, or your title company representative. Because let me tell you right now, if it feels fishy? It’s totally fishy!

Cases of Wire Fraud in Real Estate Are On the Rise!

I know, you’re probably thinking to yourself that this is Los Alamos. But I can assure you that I have had clients here in town who have been victims of wire fraud. In the case of my clients, they had enough savvy to question some of the information in the email. Once we realized what was happening, the phishers were denied their loot. But there have been other buyers who were not so fortunate. Imagine losing over a hundred thousand dollars with no way to get it back because your money just took a trip to Sri Lanka. Not cool!

How It Works

The entire scam is based upon a method you’re probably already familiar with. Phishing. A process that hackers use to snag personal information from the inboxes of professionals like real estate agents, lenders, and title company representatives. This information usually includes a buyer’s name, address, pertinent financial info, and even some pretty accurate numbers from their anticipated closing costs. It could even include the down payment amount they’re supposed to bring to the closing table.

Once the hacker has this important and personal information, they use “spoofing” techniques to build an email or even a phone number that looks absolutely legit. They pose as your lender or your agent, even going so far as to get a semi accurate signature to convince the buyer that this is a legitimate request.

In the case of wire fraud, an ounce of prevention is worth thousands of your hard earned dollars. Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

If you have already initiated a wire transfer, then time is running out. Contact your financial institution immediately. Generally speaking, there is a very small window of time when the transfer can be recalled. Don’t forget to tell your bank that you’ve been a victim of wire fraud. It may encourage them to do everything they can to recall that transaction.

Contact the FBI’s cyber crimes department and give them the details of your situation. Be aware though, these transactions are not insured. There is really no way to get your money back. It is simply gone. That is why it is SO important to prevent this from happening to you!

Prevent Wire Fraud by putting as little financial information into an email as possible. Talk in person (masked of course!). Use the phone. Use Zoom if you’re purchasing a home and you’re not already in the local area. Be free with your questions. Never be afraid to call your lender, your title company representative, and especially your Realtor! If something feels wrong, it probably is!

If you do get a request from someone claiming to be one of your trusted professionals, don’t click on anything in that email. If it’s a strange phone call, hang up. Then initiate contact from your end on purpose! Call your Realtor. Call your lender. Speak to a legitimate source and explain what’s happening. These are the same things that you should already be doing if you get a message from Paypal telling you that your account has been locked and please enter your personal information to unlock it. If the problem or the request really exists, then it will STILL exist when YOU contact them to discuss or resolve it!

Take your future by the horns and don’t let anyone try to snatch it from you. And as always, if you have questions or concerns, CALL ME! I’d love to give you more information.

Interest Rates & Buying Power

July 29, 2020 /

We all hear the talk. It’s impossible to miss. It might only be a snippet of conversation between some financial analyst and an economist discussing strategies employed by the feds to help boost the economy. But we hear an awful lot about interest rates. What do low interest rates really mean for home buyers and sellers? Let’s take a look.

Now. I’m not going to take you through all of the pieces of the financial puzzle that actually affect mortgage rates. Let’s keep it simple by saying that both banks and the federal government have an interest in how many people are purchasing a home. The bottom line is that in the beginning of 2020, we have seen record lows for interest rates on home mortgages. Yes. Coronavirus has had a negative impact on the economy, but even though interest rates have come up just a bit since the spring, they are STILL lower than they ever have been before.

What does this mean? It means your hard earned dollar can now get you a LOT more house for the money. And here in Los Alamos, this is great news! The basic laws of supply and demand mean our home prices tend to carry a higher than average median value than other areas of New Mexico. But when you have the increased buying power of a record low interest rate, this can go a long way toward bridging the gap.

If you were ever considering the purchase of a home, now is the time!

Remember that your actual mortgage payment includes more than one line item. You are likely paying $ toward your principal balance and another sum for taxes and insurance to an escrow account. You might pay mortgage insurance, and of course, you pay interest. By far the largest piece of your monthly payment is very likely the interest payment. That means, if you’ve set your heart on a house just above your initial budget, you might actually find that your budget is bigger than you thought because a very low interest rate will mean that interest portion each month is much less!

When we talk about interest rates for big ticket items like homes, a single percentage point can make a huge difference to your monthly payment. This is why pre-qualifying and getting a pre-approval from a reputable lender for your new home purchase is such a vital part of the process. Once you have started working with a lender, you will have a better picture of just how much buying power you have. Once you have this information in hand, it’s time to go shopping for that fantastic new home.

Nope. It’s almost never too late to take advantage of record low interest rates!

Don’t worry. If you bought a house in the last ten years or even the last five. Heck, even if you purchased one only a few years back, there are ways that you might be able to benefit from the current low interest rates.

“I love my house! But my interest rate wasn’t nearly as good as I could get now!”

If this is you, then maybe it’s time to refinance. There are several factors that should affect your decision to refinance, but if you love your home and plan to remain in it until you retire from the National Laboratory and head to Florida (or wherever you prefer) it might benefit you to refinance.

Remember that your home has likely appreciated this last year. Homeowners in Los Alamos County are enjoying more equity than ever. And while banks aren’t too keen to do cash out refinancing like they did a decade ago, you might still qualify for a better interest rate. You’ve been a homeowner for awhile now, right? That likely means your credit score has been improving. And now your initial down payment has been supplemented by the market value increase of your home! Equity means a bank might look even more favorably on a loan for your home. Imagine that! More buying power while buying something you already own. You might even look into a fifteen year mortgage and discover a way to pay off your big ticket investment even sooner than anticipated!

“We’ve only been in our house for a short while, but we need something else!”

Low interest rates are great news for you if you fall into this category. And don’t worry. That’s why so many homes fall into what real estate professionals sometimes call “starter homes”. They’re meant to be a start. A place to get your feet wet as a homeowner. Maybe that two bedroom quad was a snug hideaway for you and your spouse a few years ago. But now you have a toddler and another baby on the way and you’re busting at the seams.

Well, this is the perfect time to sell and move into something bigger. Remember, low interest rates mean other people looking for “starter homes” will have the buying power to do just that. Buy your home! Then you’ll be able to turn around and use your equity and that lower interest rate mortgage to purchase a home that better fits your changing needs.

So, don’t wait another minute if you’ve been thinking you can’t possibly afford the home you want. You will never know until you try. Give me a call today and let’s chat about ways to exercise YOUR buying power!

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Kendra Ruminer's Two Cents of Real Estate

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑