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Houck: And Even More Downsizing Considerations

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By David Houck
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty

Do you have so much stuff you have forgotten what you have? A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in a year – you don’t need it. Be realistic. Take a hard look at each item in your home. Identify the things that are most useful or loved and keep those but if you haven’t used something in more than a year, give it to family / friends, sell it, donate it, or throw it away.

Gift family and friends, sell items you don’t need and donate items. Doing this helps to clear space, and there’s satisfaction in knowing that your old items will benefit others.

Be Read More

MFA Launches New Program To Rehabilitate & Resale Vacant & Abandoned Single Family Homes Across New Mexico

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MFA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Board of Directors for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) recently approved the Restoring Our Communities (ROC) Program to reduce vacant and abandoned homes in communities across New Mexico.

The program will acquire, rehabilitate, and resell single‐family properties that are vacant or abandoned, to create workforce housing units, and offer financial aid to homebuyers through down payment assistance. The program has $2,000,000 available for funding under an open Notice of Funding Availability. 

During the completion of MFA’s Housing Strategy, Read More

Houck: Downsizing At Retirement

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty

DOWNSIZING – Many older Americans are choosing to go smaller and downsize when retiring. Moving is a stressful experience, at any age, and downsizing for retirement carries unique challenges. Downsizing involves letting go of 60 to 80 percent of the belongings that took you decades to accumulate.

DOWNSIZING ADVANTAGES

Saving money is one of the primary reasons people downsize in retirement. Less expensive housing is an easy way to increase your budget and your retirement savings.

Some financial advantages of downsizing in retirement include: Read More

County To Host Public Meeting To Present Draft Of Los Alamos Short-Term Rentals Program May 17

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Community Development Department (CDD) will host a public meeting to solicit feedback on the first draft of its Short-term Rental  (STR) Program 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 at the White Rock Fire Station #3 at 129 N.M. 4.

The public is encouraged to attend a presentation by the Project Team (CDD staff, Wilson & Company consultants, and Steering Committee members) and a Q&A session planned for 6:15-6:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. 

Short-term rentals, also known as vacation rentals, are now a mainstay in most communities and Los Alamos is Read More

County: Utility Bills May Be Delayed

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COUNTY News:

The Customer Care Center (CCC) at the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is putting utility bills on hold temporarily while working on a fix to confusing data mapping of the newly adopted natural gas rate structure.

“We’ve had several customers ask us about their gas charges because the calculations didn’t print correctly on their bills,” Deputy Utility Manager Heather Garcia said. “While the totals are correct, the components of those totals are misprinting.”

Garcia said the bills are on hold while CCC works with its billing system vendor on a layout fix. In the meantime, Read More

Environment Department Testing For PFAS In Private Groundwater Wells Across New Mexico In April And May

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will test private domestic wells for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across New Mexico in April and May 2023.

One or more groundwater wells can be sampled at no cost to the well owners. Limited sampling will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those counties impacted by last summer’s fires. Private well owners in Curry, Lincoln, Mora and Roosevelt counties especially are encouraged to sign up by April 21, by completing a short survey at this link or calling 505.205.6964.

PFAS are Read More

Wildfire Preparedness Is Year-Round: Get Your Home In Condition To Resist Wildfire Ignitions

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Courtesy/FSG

Forest Stewards Guild News:

SANTA FE — It is important for residents to evaluate their homes and structures for resilience from wildfires.

The 2023 Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round campaign provides monthly wildfire preparedness tasks that follow the changing seasons. In conjunction with Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, the April message from the Forest Stewards Guild, the Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network (FACNM), partners, agencies and non-governmental organizations is, “Get Your Home in Condition to Resist Wildfire Ignitions.” 

Most homes ignited Read More

Luján Addresses 1st Year Anniversary Of Hermit’s Peak Fire

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement today to mark the one-year anniversary of the Hermit’s Peak Fire.

“Today, New Mexico marks a solemn anniversary of the Hermit’s Peak Fire that upended the lives of far too many New Mexicans. From burning family homes, disrupting small businesses, and impacting our farmers and ranchers, this fire started by the federal government, and the flooding that followed, devastated the people of New Mexico and our way of life.

“As we reflect on this challenging time, it’s clear this Read More

New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority Awards $10.5 Million In Funding For Energy Efficiency Upgrades & Repairs To Homes Across State

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MFA Executive Director/CEO Isidoro Hernandez

MFA News:

ALBUQUERQUE —The Board of Directors for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) recently approved annual Energy$mart contracts for service providers to provide $10.5 million in energy efficiency upgrades and emergency repairs for low-income households.

These improvements range from adding insulation and air sealing to major upgrades such as the repair or replacement of appliances, heating systems and cooling systems.

“Over the past 13 years, this program has helped more than 10,000 low-income families reduce their Read More