To qualify for Tree City USA, a town or city must meet the following four standards which were established by The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. A City must have:

1. A Tree Board or Department.
2. A Tree Care Ordinance.
3. A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita.
4. An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

These standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree management plan and program.

"The City of Santa Fe is proud to have achieved this milestone during the same year the city celebrates the Santa Fe 400th Anniversary," commented Fabian Chavez, Parks Division Director.

"A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks," said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and they also provide environmental and economical benefits. Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest."

More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental, an education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.

Source: City of Santa Fe

There were 64 homes sold in January 2010. That's down 18% from the 78 sold the previous month. It's an increase of 36% from January 2009, but down 20% from January 2008.

There were 1286 homes on the market for sale in January 2010. That's down 3% from the previous month, down 4% from one year ago, and down 9% from the same month two years ago.
Source: Based on reported sales from the Santa Fe Association of Realtors® MLS as of 2-11-10. Santa Fe Association of Realtors® MLS does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy.

View my most recent report on Santa Fe home prices January 2008 through January 2010.

© 2010 Martin Wright, CRS^®, e-PRO^®, Realtor^®

Sales increased from the third quarter in 48 states and the District of Columbia; 32 states even saw double-digit gains. 

Year-over-year sales were higher in 49 states and D.C.; all but three states had double-digit annual increases. 

Total state existing-home sales, including single-family and condo, jumped 13.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.03 million in the fourth quarter from 5.29 million in the third quarter, and are 27.2 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level in the fourth quarter of 2008. 

Distressed property accounted for 32 percent of fourth quarter transactions, down from 37 percent a year earlier. 

The Tax Credit Affect

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the first-time home buyer tax credit was the dominant factor. 

"The surge in home sales was driven by buyers responding strongly to the tax credit combined with record low mortgage interest rates," he said. "With inventory levels trending down over the past 18 months, we expect broadly balanced housing market conditions in much of the country by late spring with more areas showing higher prices."

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate on a 30-year conventional fixed-rate mortgage fell to a record low 4.92 percent in the fourth quarter from 5.16 percent in the third quarter. It was 5.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008.

NAR President Vicki Cox Golder said near-term market conditions will remain favorable. 

"Mortgage interest rates are expected to trend up later this year, but right now we have very good conditions with steadying home prices and favorable inventory in most areas, especially in the higher price ranges," she said. 

Golder said one of the biggest issues now is for repeat buyer who will have to accelerate their buying plans if they want the expanded tax credit. They have to have a contract by the end of April. 

Repeat buyers do not have to sell their existing home, but all buyers must occupy the property they purchase as a primary residence to qualify for the tax credit. Buyers who have a contract in place by April 30, 2010, have until June 30, 2010, to finalize the transaction to get a credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers. 

Single-Family Home Prices

In the fourth quarter, 67 out of 151 metropolitan statistical areas reported higher median existing single-family home prices in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2008, including 16 with double-digit increases; one was unchanged and 84 metros had price declines. In the third quarter, only 30 MSAs showed annual price increases and 123 areas were down. 

The national median existing single-family price was $172,900, which is 4.1 percent below the fourth quarter of 2008; the median is where half sold for more and half sold for less. 

"This is the smallest price decline in over two years, with the most recent monthly data showing a broad stabilization in home prices," Yun said. "Because buyers are taking on long-term fixed rate mortgages, avoiding adjustable-rate products, and trying to stay well within their budgets, the price recovery process appears durable."

Markets by Region

Northwest: Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 11.1 percent in the fourth quarter to a pace of 1.03 million and are 33.6 percent higher than a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Northeast declined 5.6 percent to $234,900 in the fourth quarter from the same quarter in 2008, but with widely varying conditions. 

"In the Northeast, markets with lower median prices that have avoided wide swings, such as Buffalo, are generally showing consistent price gains," Yun said. "Even so, some of the higher cost areas are showing signs of stabilization, such as Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y., and Boston."

Midwest: In the Midwest, existing-home sales jumped 14.5 percent in the fourth quarter to a pace of 1.38 million and are 29.9 percent above a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the Midwest rose 1.1 percent to $141,100 in the fourth quarter from the same period in 2008, with the region accounting for the majority of metro areas experiencing double-digit gains. 

Yun said markets with high unemployment rates in Ohio and Michigan experienced large price swings. "Big price gains in many Midwestern areas are due to a more normal range of home sales in contrast with predominately foreclosed sales a year ago," he said.

South: In the South, existing-home sales rose 13.8 percent in the fourth quarter to an annual rate of 2.23 million and are 28.2 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2008. The median existing single-family home price in the South was $153,000 in the fourth quarter, down 2.4 percent from a year earlier. 

"Affordable markets in the South that have relatively better local economies are seeing healthy price gains, such as Houston, Oklahoma City and Shreveport, La.," Yun said. 

West: Existing-home sales in the West jumped 16.2 percent in the fourth quarter to an annual rate of 1.38 million and are 18.2 percent above a year ago. The median existing single-family home price in the West was $227,200 in the fourth quarter, which is 8.9 percent below the fourth quarter of 2008, but with many areas showing notable gains.

"Markets in the West such as San Francisco, San Jose, and Denver are showing double-digit price increases, and other markets like San Diego and Anaheim have begun to firm up," Yun said.

A Closer Look at the Condo Market

Metro area condominium and cooperative prices, covering changes in 54 metro areas, showed the national median existing condo price was $177,300 in the fourth quarter, down 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2008. 

Eleven metros showed increases in the median condo price from a year earlier and 43 areas had declines. In the third quarter, only four metros experienced annual price gains. 

Source: NAR

The top places listed by AARP and explored on the show are:

1. Loveland/Fort Collins, CO
2. Las Cruces, NM
3. Rehoboth Beach, DE
4. Portland, OR
5. Greenville, SC
6. Sarasota, FL
7. Ann Arbor, MI
8. Tucson, AZ
9. Montpelier, VT
10. Honolulu. HI
11. Santa Fe, NM
12. Atlanta. GA
13. Charleston, SC
14. Northampton, MA
15. San Diego, CA

Source: CNBC, Paul Toscano (02/05/2010)

Wednesday, February 10 - Organization of workshops and discussion on Chapter 1:  Vision and introduction to Chapter 2: Land Use Element 

Thursday, February 11 - Discussion on Chapter 2: Land Use Element and introduction to Chapter 14:  Governance Element

Wednesday, February 17 - Continued discussion on Chapter 2: Land Use Element and introduction to Chapters 3 and 4: Agriculture and Ranch and Economic Development Elements 

Thursday, February 18 - Discussion on Chapter 14: Governance (Includes Community Planning) and introduction to Chapters 5 and 6:  Resource Conservation and Open Space Elements

Wednesday, February 24 - Discussion on Chapter 3 and 4: Agriculture and Ranch and Economic Development Elements also introduction to Chapters 7 and 8: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Design and Development Elements

Thursday, February 25 - Discussion on Chapters 5 and 6: Resource Conservation & Open Space, Trails, Parks Areas and introduction to Chapter 13:  Housing

Wednesday, March 3 - Discussion on Chapters 7 and 8: Renewable Energy & Sustainable Green Design and Development Elements and introduction to Chapter 11: Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Management Element

Thursday, March 4 - Discussion on Chapter 13: Housing Element and introduction to Chapter 12:  Adequate Public Facilities and Finance 
(Please Note March 4 meeting will be in the Legal Conference Room, 102 Grant Ave.)

Wednesday, March 10 - Discussion on Chapter 11: Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Management Element and introduction to Chapters 9 and 10: Public Safety and Transportation Elements 

Thursday, March 11 - Discussion on Chapter 12: Adequate Public Facilities and Finance Element 

Wednesday, March 17 - Discussion on Chapters 9 and 10: Public Safety and Transportation Elements

Additional Meetings will be scheduled as necessary.  If you would like to participate in these workshops, receive the entire document electronically, or receive an individual chapter electronically, contact Melissa Holmes, 995-2717.  For more information about the Sustainable Land Development Plan process, contact Robert Griego, 986-6215.

The Consumer Price Index average for the calendar year 2009 was -.4%. Many of the months in 2009 showed price declines with November and December showing increases of +1.2% and +2.2% respectively.

The Living Wage ordinance was adopted by the City Council to establish minimum hourly wage rates. All for-profit and non-profit businesses in the City are required to pay all employees, including part-time and temporary employees as well as city contractors, at least $9.85 per hour in 2010.

The change is among a number of major changes the FHA is making to ensure its long-term financial soundness. 

Borrowers with credit-rating scores below 580 will be required to put down at least 10 percent. Those with a credit score above 580 will be able to continue to put down only 3.5 percent. The changes are intended to shore up the agency's finances.

The FHA also will increase its upfront mortgage insurance premium from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent. The agency is expected to seek congressional approval to raise annual mortgage insurance premiums, paid by borrowers over the life of the loan, above the current 0.55 percent maximum. The amount it will seek has yet to be announced.

For more information, read the National Association of Realtors Summary of FHA Changes.

Source: Reuters News, Corbett B. Daly (01/19/2010)

The legislation, which is part of a larger bill that also extends unemployment benefits, was signed into law by President Obama today. 

More people are now eligible to take advantage of the law, which includes a $6,500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years. 

Income limits for eligible home buyers were also expanded to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. Qualifying home prices are capped at $800,000.

NAR economists estimate that approximately 2 million people will take advantage of the tax credit this year. 

Sources: NAR and The Associated Press, Julie Hirschfeld Davis (11/06/2009)

Source: Santa Fe County

Comment is still being heard at sross@santafecounty.org or 986.6279.  The public hearing followed several public workshops and hearings regarding the draft.  During the meeting, the CDRC heard comment from members of the public and development community regarding the draft and process used to vet those chapters.  The unanimous feedback was that the process has been a success and the CDRC should request that the Board of County Commissioners authorize publication of title and general summary of the first five chapters of the draft code.

A copy of the draft code is available at www.santafecounty.org.

Source: Santa Fe County

After January 1, 2010 all delinquent property discovered, valued and assessed by the Office of the Santa Fe County Assessor will be reported to the First Judicial District Attorney for possible prosecution under the Property Tax Code.  It is a fourth degree felony (7-38-92) to willfully attempt to evade the payment of any property tax and shall be fined $5,000.00 or imprisoned for 18 months or both.

Source: Santa Fe County

David Groenfeldt, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Watershed Association, welcomes this new policy.  "A flowing river provides priceless benefits to plants, wildlife, and people, and by releasing water into the river our community is starting to receive these benefits. It's a stimulus package for the river, which ultimately helps all of us," he said.

Source: City of Santa Fe

Home sales in the County were down 20%, from 103 down to 82, with the median price falling 8%.

The biggest shake-up last quarter was in the townhome and condo market. Sales in the city plunged by 58%, from 60 in the first quarter last year down to only 25 this past quarter.

I have prepared a detailed quarterly report of Santa Fe real estate prices for my customers, available to view, download, share and print.

A close inspection of my report reveals that the numbers for individual areas within the city show declines in the median price for all four of the areas in town. Yet the Realtors headline reads that median price is up 2%. The headline is a true statement, but it does not tell the whole story. The results of the statistical analysis are skewed because the number of sales in different areas changed at different rates. The volume of sales in the Southwest portion of town took a nosedive, down 48%. Thus, far fewer of the relatively-lower-priced houses in that area sold, and the sales of relatively-higher-priced houses in other areas pulled the median price up.

For the first time, the Santa Fe Association of Realtors this quarter is publicly disclosing land sales statistics. They show number of sales down 76% in the City and down 47% in the County, compared to first quarter 2008. In a recent meeting at Santa Fe Association of Realtors, the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper cited loan officer Leroy Baca as saying that the reason for the decline in land sales is that under current conditions, with a glut of homes on the market, "it's cheaper to buy an existing home." In addition, "people are expecting to see values on lots drop" as the recession lingers.

Yet, the newspaper article also points to encouraging signs in the market. In January and February, the selling price was only 80% of the asking price. In March, however, the selling price rebounded to 89% of the asking price. The President of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors remarked, "this gives me hope," and Santa Fe appraiser Don Hall agreed that sellers are finally beginning to realize their homes are not necessarily worth today what they were a few years ago. "It's finally dawning on people they have to be realistic," he said.

On an optimistic note, the Santa Fe Association of Realtors President was quoted as saying that sales "really struggled in January and February. March was looking much better. Prices were up 12% in March. And we're also finding that April is looking much the same way. We appear to be gaining recently."

My interpretation of the current market is that it looks like an exceptionally good time to buy. And the hardest hit subset of the market, townhomes/condos which plunged 58% in sales volume over the year, provide the most obvious opportunity to buy a residence at a great value. However, I understand that this is a generalization, and that a property is only a good value if it's a good property for you. But whatever you buy in Santa Fe right now, inventory is high, interest rates are low, and Sellers are more motivated.

© 2009 Martin Wright, CRS^®, e-PRO^®, Realtor^®

The following question appeared on the ballot: "Shall the City of Santa Fe impose on purchasers an excise tax on the use by purchasers of transfer services to effectuate and facilitate the transfer of certain real property in the amount of one percent (1%) of the portion of the purchase price in excess of $750,000 to be used exclusively for affordable workforce housing?"

Opponents of the home tax had argued that it was illegal and inequitable tax, pointing out that it would not apply to all areas equally, because some areas of the city with newer homes were exempted. In a statement from the Santa Fe Association of Realtors last Friday, the President said "the election proved that the people of Santa Fe were listening, and were not willing to accept a poorly conceived Ordinance."

Sperling's Best Places and Businessweek.com in a 2007 Survey named Santa Fe the second best place in the United States for artists and creatives. View the slide show of the top cities. Read why Business Week calls Santa Fe a great place to invest in real estate right now.