Food, Wine and Culture in the 505

This wonderful Spring morning I spent looking through "Albuquerque The Magazine" for May. It's the annual Food & Wine issue so a keeper, for sure. I was reminded of what I love about ABQ. Surprisingly, this is a city fullof "foodies." We eat out more than at home, in part because of all our really good restaurants. Yes, we have everything. Most are owned locally by chefs who have a passion for their style of cooking. Most of them we know personally because they greet you at the door and check on you while you it. You get a hug when you return. Yes, we all hug here. On June 3rd there is a Chef KnockOut event at the Convention Center pitting some of our stars against each other and I for one will be there. $25! You can't beat that.

And we love wine and locally brewed beer here in ABQ. We have a few terrific wineries that offer sampling with brunch and music. The City has a Wine Trail and Ale Trail event during the summer where you can take the ABQ Trolley around town for sampling. Tons of fun and no driving! And then there is the art. Francisco Goya's work is showing at The ABQ Museum in May for a taste of the classics. But our local artist talent is
stunning. Most weekends feature a gallery tour in the region to see artist's works in their own studios. Last week we went to a show of 200 entries by women photographers in NM and I was blown away. I didn't even know you could be so creative with photography.

Recently, I learned that ABQ has more theatre productions than most cities our size and I know we have more music here due in part to the talent the casinos bring in. I'd like a little more jazz but it's coming.  Everyone knows that if you love the outdoors, this is the place. We live outside here and throw our doors open since we don't have flies. Yes, no flies or mosquitoes. That should convince you right there to move here. In three hours in any direction you can be transported to beautiful sights or taken back to an historic time when cowboys and Indians ruled with the Santa Fe Trail and then Route 66 defining our development. A weekend getaway feels
like you've gone a million miles away and back in time.

Lots of people ask why I don't visit Los Angeles more often having moved here 13 years ago. Why would I? Except for the ocean and friends who love to come here anyway, there is nothing there I miss. I love it here and would be happy to convince anyone that this is the place to move to. The life is great!

For local real estate trend information, go to my website at www.judypierson.com. I have information about ABQ and surrounding areas. And if you want to check homes values in an area, click on Market Snapshot for
current and trended sales activity. Then use the map search to find some homes you might like to see, and call me. "Just Call Judy" if you want more information or a consultation about buying or selling here.Give me a call at (505) 220-9193 or email me at Judy@JudyPierson.com.

Time to Challenge Assessed Home Values in ABQ

Bernalillo County Assessor Karen Montoya will mail out Notice of Valuations for Real Property and Mobile Homes on Thursday, March 1, 2012.The Assessor’s Office will also begin its annual protest period for Real Property and Mobile Homes on March 1st. Subsequent to the mail out of the Notices of Values, property owners will have the opportunity to file a valuation protest within 30 days of the actual date of mailing.
How do you know if you should file a protest? I can check for you or you can estimate based on market value trends. The statistics for yearend show that the values went down about 6% last year. It varies by area but that is a rule of thumb you can use to compare last year's assessment with the one you get for 2011.
If you want me to help you decide give me a call and I will do a free market analysis for you. Also, you can go to my website and click on Market Snapshot to see what the values were for similar homes sold in 2011. If you decide to protest, I can provide you with three comparable homes that have sold which you will need for the protest. If that doesn't work, a good friend of mine is an attorney who specializes in protests. Give me a call and let me know how I can help you save money on taxes.

ABQ Loft For Sale in Downtown

Want a place to stay while filming in New Mexico? Or a great investment property to lease to film production people here for only a few weeks or months? Have I got a place for you!! In the middle of downtown (so convenient to studios or locations), I have two lofts listed a fire-sale prices. Both are in the Gold Ave Loft buildings across from the train station. The new Jazbah club in right across the street and downtown hangouts are a couple blocks away.

The lofts are new, modern with killer views of the city. One is the corner penthouse loft with two bedrooms and two baths currently rented to a Very Important Person on the "Lone Ranger" set. The other is on the third floor and is an open flexible design. All appliances included. Bamboo floors and huge window walls with patio.

Want to spend a mere $200,000? Call me.

Johnny Depp Coming to Town!

Well, the women of ABQ are a buzz looking for this iconic actor. Women of all ages are keeping their eyes open for spotting him around town. Little do they know he is not here yet as production of the "Lone Ranger" gets ready for shooting. Hold on, Ladies!