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!

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

"NIGHT AND DAY" FILMING IN NEW MEXICO

"Night and Day" will be shot in Albuquerque in October-November. This is a Mue Entertainment Enterprise/TNT pilot starring William Fichtner from Crash and Dark Knight. Its a drama about an agent with the Bureau of alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Should be a fun one!

'BREAKING BAD" IN MY BACKYARD!

For those of us living High Desert area of Albuquerque or users of the Emory Trailhead, know that there will be filming next week in the Trailhead area.

"Breaking Bad" Emmy for Cranston Good for NM

Congratulations to Bryan Cranston who won an Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Drama last week for his performances in "Breaking Bad". We know him as the nicest guy in TV and nothing has changed. He doesn't gloat but will reportedly pull out his Emmy for all to view. And why not?!? I do that with my new car and that just shows how much I am in denial about the economy; his pride is well earned. He was nominated three times for playing the dad in "Malcolm in the Middle". The award is good for New Mexico because it mean the show is likely to stay on the air longer. Shooting can be seen all over Albuquerque. They were up in my High Desert neighborhood not long ago. We love the excitement and hope for more of the same. Way to go, Bryan!

GEORGE CLOONEY COMES TO NEW MEXICO!

Yeah, Baby!! George is coming in November with none other than Ewan McGregor starring in the big screen adaptation of "Men Who Stare at Goats." The film will shoot in northern New Mexico starting in November. Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey will also be in the film. Written by Jon Ronson, the film is about the US Army's attempts at psychological warefare techniques like using brain waves to kill goats and Fleetwood Mac records to torture suspects. The book is funny so hopefully this is a comedy. Hats off to New Mexico!

Breaking Bad Filming

Breaking Bad film crews seem to show up all over the city. Everyone here likes the series and there is a rush still when one drives by all the trucks associated with a shoot. The novelty hasn't worn off for us here so bring on some more films Hollywood......

DON'T MESS WITH OUR TOMMY LEE

Well, Tommy Lee Jones starred in that great movie "No Country for Old Men" and now claims the studio owes him $10 million. The film was made here in New Mexico and I am sorry I didn't see him when he was here. Apparently he was promised box office business which was $160 million. Not insignificant. Hope he gets it as he was terrific and of course the film one best film.

If you are here now filming and are interested in real estate or leasing, give me a call. Judy Pierson 220-9193, Coldwell Banker Legacy

"Swing Vote" Out in Theatres

Well, our own Kevin Costner who hung around ABQ for several months filming, can now be seen in "Swing Vote". Look for scenes filmed here locally! Annette Johnson is one of the adorable little girls in the film. Annette's father flies back and forth with my husband each week to work in LA. A proud father, indeed.

"GAS HOLE" in NM

Oh, I just got the title! "Gas Hole" as in a__hole. Get it? anyway apparently this aspiring Michael Moore producer showed this film in ABQ yesterday at the Guild Cinema. It's neither conservative or liberal but factual. Okay, well I'll go see it on DVD in the Fall. Did anyone see it?

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

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.

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

NM IS A WINNER AT OSCARS!

Who by now doesn't know that No Country for Old Men won the Oscar as best picture and several other awards to boot. What may not be known is that it was filmed here in New Mexico in one of our proud historic towns called Las Vegas. Las Vegas was on the original Santa Fe trail and like Pasadena, CA had rich families from the mid-west settle there at the turn of the century. There are wonderful grand old homes that are being updated and attracting buyers from out-of-state who want to retire in NM but live in elegance. Charming town! I just sold a fast food drive-in to a Taco Bell franchise so even the food is getting upgraded!!

OLD RAIL YARD TO BE FILM COMPLEX

One of the most intriquing historic areas of ABQ is the old railroad yard in the Barleas District just east of downtown. Over the last few years many ideas have been proposed for it's restoration and use, but today the announcement was made that ABQ Studios rent the area from the city indefinitely to develop it as a film complex. ABQ Studios now has it's new sound stages at the Mesa Del Sol area south of the airport. Nick Smerigan, COO of the Studios, is effusive in his excitement about the possibilities at this 27-acre sute. "It's one of the coolest things I saw when I got off the plane. It's beautiful and can be used for so much." His studio recently filmed major movies including "Game", "The Spirit" and the pilot for the new "Terminator" series.