“LEGEND” TO FILM IN NM IN APRIL

You hated him as Silas the albino in “The Da Vinci Code” but this time Paul Brittany is the archangel Michael in the film “Legend.” The movie is about the last days when God loses faith in humanity and decides to end things. Michael tries to save the earth. Most of it will be filmed in Santa Fe, but I am really hoping to run into his wife, Jennifer Connelly, of “A Beautiful Mind”, at Buffalo Exchange or Chez Nous!

JACK BLACK BRINGS IT TO NEW MEXICO!

The "Year One" staring Jack Black will be filmed in New Mexico. The ABQ Journal describes the role as a "neolithic road tripper" and I am not sure what that is. Maybe I am dating myself, but I do like Jack Black. The film is described as a road trip through ancient times which is a genre we haven't seen for awhile. More details are not available except that it will be filming in ABQ for three weeks. Wonder where he will hang out.

Well, give me a call if you are with the film and need anything of a real estate nature.
Judy

CRYSTAL DARKNESS FILMED IN NEW MEXICO

Not that we want to be associated with the whole meth addiction problem, but a documentary on the ravages of meth will air April 10th in ABQ. It features interviews with NM health and law officials and it's aim is to warn young people about the addictiveness of meth. I work with kids who are custody of the courts and so many are in foster homes because their parents, usually young, are addicts. The cost to all of us is incredible. I hope this film resonates with young people.

As a realtor, we have to be on the look out for homes that have been used as meth labs. These homes have to be almost gutted to get the chemicals out of the rugs, floors and walls. Usually we see it in rental homes. It's a nightmare. That's why I would rather get a good movie related tenant in my client's homes. Give me a call if you want to buy or lease a home or are looking for a location site.

Judy Pierson
NM's Hollywood Realtor

MIKE TODD DIED IN NM 50 YEARS AGO

The headline of the Journal on March 22,1958 was “Air Crash Near Grants Kills Mike Todd.” He and Elizabeth Taylor married less than a year earlier and I remember being so sad for her. Todd was purported to be the love of her life… how sad for her. Mike Todd was known for his award winning “Around the World in 80 Days”. Todd was flying from Burbank, CA to New York City in a leased aircraft. Elizabeth stayed home with a cold and begged him not to go. The plane crashed over Zuni after the pilot moderate icing and was reportedly heavily overloaded. The plane slammed into a pasture. Three days earlier he had flown into ABQ for a premiere of the film at the Hiland Theatre. There is no marker at the site which is so respectful. That kind of respect instead of capitalizing on a tragedy which is what happens in Hollywood is one of the things I just love about New Mexico!

NM Filmakers Conference

The New Mexico Filmakers Conference and First Vision Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency March 27-29, 2008. There will be workshops and networking opportunties for New Mexico talent. On Thursday night there will be a screening of films by New Mexicans to include winners of Govenrnor's Cup competitions. For more information on the entire conference go to http://www.nmfilm.com/.

Remember if you want to buy or lease property in New Mexico, give me a call.

Terminator & Indiana Jones Coming to NM

The latest Indiana Jones film is in Southern New Mexico near Roswell. Harrison Ford is said to look terrific. Nice to see a man age well!



"Love Ranch" has finished filming. Many New Mexicans were able to be extras when they filled the Tingley Auditorium for a seventies event. No shortage of old hippie and 70's outfits here!!



And the house just behind mine in High Desert that Kevin Costner just left reportedly now has Christain Bale here to make the latest installment of the "Terminator" film. He plays John Connor. This film will be called "Terminator Salvation: the Future" and will be the first of a trilogy. The filming begins in May and goes through August here in ABQ and up in Santa Fe. Production will be at our new ABQ Studios at Mesa Del Sol. The film is expected to employ more people than any other previously made in the state, according to Lisa Strout, the director of the NM Film Office. Warner Bros will release it in May, 2009. In the press release, the director, Joseph McGinty said NM has an arid look perfect for the American Gothic look or a post-nuclear dead world. What? Our enchanted state?? We beat out Budapest, Hungary!



The "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" pilot was shot here in ABQ too.



But, the real point is that my 'hood seems to be the place to be if you are here on location for the film. In addition to the house Christain will move into which was purportedly purchased by the studio, there are three other houses, beautiful houses, in the same area that are up for lease for housing of film bigwigs. Give me a call and I will arrange showings.

HOUSING RECOVERY LATE 2009

Forecast Positive for Second Half of 2008Thursday, March 06, 2008 National Realty News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The volume of existing-home sales is expected to hold steady through late spring, with a gradual recovery during the second half of the year as the mortgage situation improves in high-cost areas, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said many buyers have been waiting for higher mortgage loan limits. “The higher loan limits for both FHA and conventional loans will increase consumer choice and provide greater access to lower interest rate mortgages in high-cost regions,” he said. “Therefore, a notable rise in home sales can be anticipated in the second half of the year." Realtors locally report that calls off of signs and activity has picked up in since the start of March.
In ABQ, the number of sales is off by 35% from last year this month, but the average sales price has increase about 1% a month so far this year. A pattern of disparate price performance continues around the country with a roughly even split between up and down markets. Many areas that have lost jobs are showing price declines which might be why ABQ looks good. We are gaining jobs.
“New-home sales nationally should decline 23.7 percent to 590,000 this year before rising 7.2 percent to 633,000 in 2009. Locally, KB Homes has announced that they are leaving ABQ. For years they successfully built for starter-homes at the low end, but their last move to higher priced homes here has proven to be a poor strategic move.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which has moved erratically in recent weeks, is expected to hover around 5.8 percent most of the year, and then rise to an average of 6.3 percent in 2009. Growth in the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) should be 1.5 percent this year and 2.4 percent in 2009. The unemployment rate is projected to average 5.4 percent in 2008 and 5.5 percent next year. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, will probably be 3.2 percent this year and 1.5 percent in 2009. Inflation-adjusted disposable personal income is expected to grow 1.4 percent in 2008 and 3.1 percent next year.

If you are looking for homes to rent, buy or for location shots, give me a call at 505-220-9193.

Judy Pierson, CB Legacy
New Mexico's Hollywood Realtor

HOMES TO BUY OR FOR LOCATION

There are just great deals here in ABQ to buy second homes with sellers eager to make a deal, any deal. Some are willing to rent or generate revenue by having them be used as a location set. There are some million dollar beauties in the High Desert area and just about any age, type or model of home. I just listed a terrific townhome owned by an artist which would be a great second home here in ABQ. Check out Eastridge on my website www.JudyPierson.com. Call me.

This Week's Real Estate Update

Here is a link to my weekly "REAL ESTATE NEWS CHANNEL":Click Here This week's segments are full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.Some of the topics covered this week are:Real Estate Outlook - Every week, it seems, there's a battle of conflicting numbers when it comes to housing. The latest existing home sales survey from the National Association of Realtors is a perfect example.Mortgage Moment - Jan Demas discusses "Stated Income Loans"Market Condition - Local market expert Realtor Craig Martin, reports Greenville, South Carolina, is one of the few cities bucking the national trends.Ask the Expert - "Can anyone steer me to a report that will tell me the U.S Real Estate Appreciation Rates by state for the last 15 to 20 years?" Video of the Week - This week's amazing video.You can also tour my latest listing as well as view some of my personal favorites.I hope you enjoy this week's show. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me.If you do not wish to receive this each week, please reply to this e-mail with the word 'REMOVE' in the subject line.Sincerely,Judy Pierson

REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER

Here is a link to my "March Real Estate Update":http://realtytimes.com/112/JudyPiersonThis Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.This month's issue includes topics such as: "When Selling Your Home, Using Scents Makes Sense!";"Condos Pay Off As Second Homes";"Timing Is Everything: When And How To Move"; "How To Stop ID Theft Cold";"Use Home Equity Protection"; Plus a roundup of February real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too! If you do not wish to receive this Newsletter each month, please reply to this e-mail with the word 'REMOVE' in the subject line.Sincerely,Judy Pierson