ABQ Home Sales Up in November!

Sales of single family detached homes in metro Albuquerque increased during October, defying the traditional seasonal slowdown. The 731 detached homes sold during October were an 11% increase over the 661 homes sold during September. October sales were up 43% from October 2008 and more than double the 324 homes sold in January, the period of slowest sales during the current cycle.The October sales were the second highest of 2009, behind only July, and third highest since August 2007. The average detached home sold during October remained on the market for 71 days, the shortest sales period of the year.There were 900 homes with the sale pending during October, a 56.5% increase over October 2008. This performance indicates that sales should remain strong for November, even as the seasonally cold weather slows activity from previous months.For townhouses and condominiums, October closed sales and pending sales showed an even better year over year improvement than did the detached homes, up 46% and 78% respectively.Sales of homes priced between $100,000 and $199,000 dominated the metro region during October. This price group accounted for 446 sales or 61% of the October total.The average price for a detached home was $209,614 during October, essentially unchanged from September, and up 1.7% from April. Average and median prices dropped from October 2008 for detached homes, townhouses and condominiums.During October, a total of 4,938 active listings were available around the metro Albuquerque area, down 17% from a year earlier. October was the first month since April 2007 showing active listings at fewer than 5,000. With the continued reduction in listings, metro Albuquerque is becoming less of a buyers market, especially for more affordable homes.

SUNDANCE RULES

Wouldn't you love to go to Sundance? It seems like there are more independent films with big names this year. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" with Ben Affleck and Katie Holmes. "The Runaways" portrait of rocker Joan Jett with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. How old is she now? Growing up, for sure, and one can only hope she doesn't succumb to the hazards of success like other child actors not to mention Tiger! "The Company" premieres and also stars Affleck with Keven Costner and NM's own, Tommy Lee Jones. Then "The Extra Man" with Homes and Kevin Kline and John C. Reilly ought to be really entertaining. Has Kline ever had a bad film?? Love that man. Well, I'm waiting for my invitation and in the meantime will just have to put these on my Netflex queue to see them in a year or two....

STRONGER HOUSING SALES IN ABQ

Several Reports Point to Stronger Housing:Existing home sales shot up 10.1% in October and reached the highest level in 2 ½ years, according to the National Association of Realtors. They also reported that the national median home price had the smallest decline in over a year.New home sales jump 6.2%, to reach their highest level in over one year. The U.S. Commerce Department reported that new home sales hit annual rate of 430K with the strongest sales coming from the South. I reported last week that new home starts were down. This bodes well for home prices if inventory is being reduced and demand is increasing. Call me if you'd like to buy here!!!

BACK FROM AFRICA

Sorry to have been gone abit, but I was in South Africa working on a USAID project in Zimbabwe. I have been working on it for five years and looks like it will be renewed for another three and extended into Kenya, possibly Ethiopia. Being in rural Africa is a sobering experience and makes me realize how self-indulgent and materialistic we Americans are. They have nothing and are happy and hopeful. We have everything and are neurotic and cynical.

Although I love film and television, it is disheartening to see how we have distorted values throughout the world. Our TV shows are popular there; everyone with a TV knows about Oprah and American Idol. Our movies are bootlegged on to bad DVD discs and watched there too. Our tendency for violence supports their lifestyle rather than encouraging any kind of evolution towards more peaceful conflict resolutions. We have through our films supported women in taking power in abusive relationships. I look forward to Invictus which will celebrate what Africa can do under inspired leadership and teamwork.

Filming to Ramp up in New Mexico

Filming has been rather quiet here for a couple of months but things will start up soon. Two motion picture projects and the third season of a TV series will be made soon. "Due Date" starring Robert Downey, Fr as a father-to-be will shoot in the Fall. "Passion Play" starring Mickey Rourke will also film here. One of our favorite TV series "In Plain Sight" will film starting in January. And then there is our pride and joy, "Breaking Bad." So I would love to be a fly on the wall while Robert Downey, Mickey Rourke and Cranston have a few beers downtown!!

NEW SANTA FE STUDIO

The City Different --- Santa Fe --- has allocated $6 million to the developers of a new studio in Santa Fe. The negotiations have been in the works for awhile and now has been worked out. Watch out Hollywood!!

NEW HOME SALES UP IN ABQ

This commentary by David Murphy who tracks new home sales: By now you’ve no doubt seen on the news and read reports in the media that the housing market is beginning to turn around; the last few years of decline are nearly over. (Not the first time you’ve encountered that opinion over the course of this recession either). But this time around, it seems to be for real. Pending existing home sales are up substantially, new home sales are at their highest level in a year, and mortgage interest rates remain at historic lows to attract home buyers. Indeed, even in the local Albuquerque metropolitan housing market, positive signs are evident both in new and resale data. On the new home side, an ever-growing array of smaller more affordable floor plans, coupled with government subsidies to first time homebuyers to the tune of $8,000.00, are fueling sales - especially in the below $200,000 price range. On the resale side, the local Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors’ statistics show increased sales month-over-month for all of 2009 so far, as well as lower inventory levels compared to last year. The positive data is there and cannot be denied.

MORTGAGE RATES AT 3 MONTH LOW

Long term mortgage rates dropped again this week, ending at an average of 5.12% down from 5.29%. The new rates were the lowest in nearly three months. Great time to buy. Just Call Judy.

NM TOP PLACES TO FILM

Variety magazine, which all of us from LA know intimately, hasw ranked NM the third best place to film right behing LA and New York. The survey was of film industry professionals and will published in October. It means that if a film company wants to leave Hollywood, NM is the first choice. The monetary incentives offered here have really helped plus we have new studios and lots more local resources. Of course, now other cities and countries are mimicing us and trying to get that market, but who can compete with our weather and beauty. We offer a 25% rebate while Alaska offers 44%. Big difference in environment though. Movie Maker magazine name ABQ the second-greatest city to live, work and make movies in 2008. Well, ya'all come on now, ya hear????

ABQ RATED TOP CITY -- AGAIN!

Best Towns 2009America's Best Cities: Albuquerque, New MexicoNo. 6By Justin NybergKEY STATS845,000: Population (metro)$182,000: Median home price B: Multisport grade 278: Average number of sunny daysA few cities in the Southwest enjoy their own versions of Albuquerque's main attractions: a surplus of sunshine, mild weather, and easy access to trails, rivers, and mountains—like the 10,678-foot granite escarpment above town. But what sets the Duke City apart these days is stability. Off the speculators' radar, Albuquerque was relatively unscathed by the circus-tent collapse of the housing market, even as its economy—bolstered by growth in the high-tech, film, and renewable-energy industries—has remained stable. The upshot? It now boasts the fifth-lowest unemployment rate among major U.S. cities. And when all those workers are ready to blow off some steam, the city welcomes them with more green space per capita than any on our list—including easy-access singletrack and the 38,000-acre wilderness just east of the city. Plus three ski areas (including the steeps of Taos), fly-fishing in the Jemez Mountains, and Class IV whitewater are all within day-trip range. Take that, Phoenix. It's also a good place to save: The low cost of living and reasonably high wages in professional fields put Albuquerque fifth on Salary.com's list of the best U.S. cities for building personal net worth—meaning you'll have all the more means to gear up for time off the clock.

So if you are tempted and want to buy a house here check out my listings at: http://judypierson.com/Albuquerque_NM_listings/index.shtml

Gov. Richardson in CA to pitch producers

Gov. Richardson is in Los Angeles this week to pitch the programs and incentives for the film production companies. Seems like other states are also offering incentives so the competition heats up. But no one has 253 days of sunshine. Can't beat that!

STRIKE OFF; FILMS TO MOVE AHEAD

The Screen Actors Guild and the producers union agreed on a new contract finally. For NM, this should mean several new films starting here. We knew there were several in the wings but everything was on hold. Both the ABQ and NM Film Offices report that more scouts are scouting, so to speak. Hey you scouts......"Call me. We'll do lunch."

ABQ ranks High!

US News and World Report has ranked ABQ in its top ten most liveable cities with Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine ranking it as the second best city. Both of these considered the economy, weather, natural beauty and recreational and work opportunities. ABQ is HOT!

Crewnewmexico.com Resource website

So this is a rapidly growing resource center for film in New Mexico. The founder, Daniel Taras, is smart and aggressive with over 10,000 hits monthly on his relatively new site. I just signed up to be, so far, the only realtor in ABQ and will have my listings up this week. Soon I will have film location sites up too. Nice job, Daniel.

CrewNewMexico.com Resource list

So I am now the only ABQ realtor on the crewnewmexico.com resource list for the film industry here in New Mexico. Call me or check my website for site locations or homes for rent or sale in ABQ or the surrounding are.

Cool Video on ABQ

What Albuquerque wants, Albuquerque gets -- and the city and state crave high-tech jobs, especially in the renewable-energy industry.http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271539280?bctid=23941075001

New Mexico - the New Sundance

The moviemaking industry here in New Mexico just got a huge boost with the announcement of Sundance in our State. Robert Redford who founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, has gone into partnership with the state to devel Sundance in NM at the Los Luceros Ranch north of Santa Fe. Redford plans on developing Native American and Hispanic filmmakers.

PAUL NEWMAN IN TOWN

Life has presented an almost untenable dilemma for those of us in New Mexico today. Obama is in Rio Rancho and Paul Newman is doing a joint press announcement with Gov. Richardson. He is the only one destined to be at both events. I think I will toss a coin!

Filming Season Starts in ABQ

Well, with the strike threat resolved, films are lined up to film here in Abquerque and the rest of New Mexico. The second season of "Crash" will film again in our city starting in May. The film stars Dennis Hopper who lives in Santa Fe so his commute will be short.

One fun one is "Did you Hear about the Morgans?" which stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. I bet she has a great time shopping in and around our non-assuming city. Can't wait to see her return to New York sporting some wonderful heavy torquoise jewelry.

An "In Plain Sight" is still around as well as the second season of "Breaking Bad". I watched it and found it quite disturbing. Well acted and intense but what pathetic characters and situations. Seemed to much like ABQ to be entertaining for me.

The big one for fans, is the TV show "Stargate: Universe" which will shoot in Alamogordo. Just in time to resolve the withdrawal anxiety of Stargate fans!

Then, "The Book of Eli" is still here shooting with Denzel Washington at the ABQ studios. I guess Denzel didn't end up renting in my "hood" of High Desert which is where lots of the stars end up. Too bad because I really wanted to re-connect ---- our kids went to the same elementary school in Los Angeles. "Denzel, if you read this, call me. We'll do lunch."

Want Your Home as Movie Site?

Not much happening now in the city. So if you think you might like to have your home available for a movie set, let me know. It usually means you would move out for five days or so and make maybe $5000 or so. Not bad. I just need some inside and ouside shots of your home and a description. Give me a call and I can give you the details.

Judy Pierson
220-9193

"Breading Bad" Starts Sunday

Well, we love our "bad boys" here in ABQ and I am excited that the second year series will be available here and starts this Sunday night. It was filmed in ABQ and hopefully the third year will be as well. Good Luck, Bad Boys.

NEW MEXICO FILM INCENTIVES STAYS!

A proposal by some Republican jerks to repeal the state's film incentive program ran into opposition and failed to pass. There were lots of supporters for continuing the incentive program that brings not only films but lots of ancillary revenue. With that the MovieMaker Magazine released it's 2009 ranking and Albuquerque dropped to 5th. Well, we will keep working to gain a Numero Uno position.

CHRISTAIN BALE SHAME ON YOU!

Well, Christain laid in to one of the photographers on the Terminator set while he was here. You know, I have known many stars and I just don't think there is any excuse for abusive behavior. The good ones, Denzel for example, would never do that! Shame on you, Christain.

LOCATION LOCATOR SERVICE

Yesterday I met with one of the two film teams working on "In Plain Sight" to help them find a location for their next shoot. Call me if you need help finding a location......

"Hotel For Dogs" Has ABQ Roots

Joline Krueger had an interesting article about the new movie "Hotel For Dogs". It was written by Lois Duncan who was a favorite author of my daughter's when she was growing up. She did scary mystery books for kids. Apparently, Lois wrote the book which is now a movie when she was living in ABQ and pregnant with her fifth child, Kaitlyn. The movie is a Dreamworks production set to open today. Another connection is that Emma Roberts, Julia's neice, stars in it and Julia, of course, lives here in New Mexico. But the more interesting piece is that Duncan no longer lives in NM because when Kaitlyn was an 18-year old student at UNM she was shot to death. The death was classified as a random shooting but there were complaints of poor police work. Who knows. The fact is that the story had it's roots here when the author was pregnant with child and a rare warm fuzzy story, for her. We regret that her tragedy happened here and wish her much success on this film. Thank you, Lois.

DENZEL AND JOHNNY??

We are in star overload here in anticipation of both Johnny Depp and Denzel Washington being here. They are looking for places to stay so call me if you have a home you think they may be able to rent for a while.

Thousands for 100 Jobs

So yesterday 2000 people reportedly showed up for the 100 jobs being offerred by ReelZNetwork. Welcome to ABQ!

ReelZChannel Hiring Today

The ReelzChannel which is a cable/satellite network about Movies is holding a job fair today from 10 am to 8 pm for it's new corporate headquarters. Interviews are at the Embassy Suites Hotel at 1000 Woodward Pl NE.

W8HH

WINNERS IN NEW MEXICO

"Breaking Bad" continues to win prizes. We are so proud here in Albuquerque even though we can't see it at least I haven't been able to find it. Hoping we will get it here locally.

So the old Phillips building is now another studio. The momentum is building and we just may end up a real movie capital. How fun! I'll have to move back to Hollywood so that I can drive around and not be detoured because of a filming on some street. I love it. Happened to me downtown last week and it was just a thrill. What is it?? Just is.....

Saw "Pineapple Express" and what a loser of a film Tired theme of the nice guy dope smoker who ends up a hero. Enough already.

But hey, how about those Oscar contenders???? finally a year when we have some terrific films and performances. Personally, I'm off to see Gran Torino tomorrow.

BIG STARS' HOMES FOR SALE

So if you have $8-11 million to buy a home, well, really a ranch, then check out what Marsha Mason and Val Kilmer are selling in Northern NM. Or call me and I'll find you something more reasonable.