White Christmas at Ute Lake and Dos Rios

We're less than 36 hours from Santa's arrival in Quay County, and we're being blessed with an amazingly beautiful snowstorm. Thinking you might like to see how gorgeous Ute Lake is during the holidays, I took my camera (and my coat and my gloves and my hiking boots and a warm cap) and went out to Dos Rios.

The team at Ute Lake Premier Properties wants to take this opportunity to wish all of you and your's the very Merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Buddy's Fishing Guide - This Week

Our friend Buddy brought in a new fishing guide for this week - as you might imagine, the water temp at Ute Lake is considerably colder than when you were here in July or September, but we still have some activity. We're all looking forward to the holidays, and hoping you and your's are keeping warm and healthy.

Here's Buddy's report and advice this week:

Constant cold weather for the last two weeks has dropped water temperatures on Ute Reservior into the high to mid 40 degree range. The general trend is for the fish to move deeper as water temps continue to drop, although some good fish are still being caught at mid depths. You must be persistent in looking for fish and trust your electronics!

Largemouth Bass: deeper trees (25 - 40') at the mouth of covers near the main river channel. Cast large chrome spoons and count down to the tops of the trees or vertical jig large spoons or blade baits over the tops of trees. The bite will just feel heavy on the line. Set the hook - it might be a fish or a snag. One note: I did catch two largemouths in 5' of water on broken rock near deep water very late in the sunny afternoon. The rock warms a few degrees to attract the bass. lure was a 1/8 ounce white Marabou jig. fishing like tihs can be very hit and miss now.

Walleye, White Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Channel Catfish: These can all be found together or in close proximity of each other now. I caught Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Channel Cat at 26' in one area and I caught the same plus White Bass at 54' in another area. Try white or chartreuse slab spoons or bladebaits. The bite will just be a heavy feeling on the line.

Thanks Buddy for updating us on what's happening on and under the water this week! We always appreciate the info you bring us.

Let It Snow!!!

Despite the fact that we're all lovers of Ute Lake and water sports, we certainly enjoy seeing snow. We're lucky to live in a place where we get all four seasons, and we definitely got WINTER today. Nice, slow, big-flaked snow. Take a look!

It's All About the Kitchen!

On occasion, we want to take the time to pass along homeowner/seller advice we find elsewhere. We’re continually studying the best ways to increase the value of your home so that you'll experience optimal returns in any future sale. Over the next two or three posts, we’ll explore some of the most efficient strategies for a home remodel, and what types of remodeling jobs translate into the highest returns for your money when you sell.
The looming question of, “When will we began to see a rise in prices on home sales, and have we hit the bottom?”, is what we all ask as homeowners, and those of us that are trying to sell want to know how we can distinguish our homes from others, and how large of an investment is worth sinking into a home in a buyer’s market.
When we ask what homeowners who are looking to sell their homes can do to maximize their selling prices in this down economy, the experts all seem to have the same answer, “It's all about the kitchen!”
In today’s markets, kitchens and master bathrooms are the big selling points in any house. An updated kitchen will separate your home from others on the market that haven't been remodeled.
But how profitable is it to update your kitchen in this market? A kitchen remodel can be expensive and is almost always a major inconvenience for a home owner. However, it can also be very rewarding with a great return on the homeowner’s investment. If your home is up against comparable homes and their kitchen has all of the bells and whistles, you home will suffer by comparison, and you’re likely to lose a sale.
Typically, kitchen remodeling will give you one of the highest home remodeling returns, at about 80-100% return on your investment. When weighing options for a remodel, the kitchen is always a good place to start to aid with the sell of your home.
There’s the possibility that a major remodel is not necessary. Minor changes can be just as effective and small enhancements can play upon some of the already positive features in your existing kitchen. If you have solid countertops, think about adding a backslash. If your linoleum is dated and scuffed, consider changing it to wood laminate. Are your appliances unmatched and older models? Are the hinges and knobs on your cabinets unattractive and out of date? Making even these small modifications will make your kitchen more appealing to buyers in today’s competitive market.
If you’re in the market for a small or large remodel, e-mail or give us a call. We have the names of several reputable contractors, and would be happy to discuss with you our thoughts on making your house as marketable as possible.
More later!

New Listing at Ute Lake!

Happy Holidays! We hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Take a minute to read our prior posts - we're excited to have Buddy's Fishing Report in our blog this week.

We have a new listing at Ute Lake - a nice home on a corner lot. The home has a new deck and has been beautifully maintained. With 1540 square feet, three bedrooms and two baths, as well as a storage shed and carport, you'll want to take time to take a look at this property. The sellers are even leaving most of the furnishings! Take a look at the website - located at 703 540 Loop and listed at $124,900. Give us a call if you'd like to buy a great lake home ready for your weekend retreats!

More of Buddy's Weekly Ute Lake Fishing Report

Here's yet another installment of Buddy's Fishing Report. Feel free to call us at the office with your questions.

Largemouth Bass: Are schooling right now, although some lone fish can be found. For loners cast crawdad crankbaits to areas of large broken rock and plan to cover a lot of water as quick as possible. For schooled fish, use large Spoons (chrome, white) or Blade baits (chrome, white) on points and bluffs near the main river channel.

Smallmouth Bass: Are schooled now. Use slab spoons or Blade baits (white, chartreuse, chrome) on mainlake points. Finding the fish can be difficult as they can be suspended at any level of the water column. Once found, a lot of smallmouth can be caught in a short time.

Crappie: Forget it! The fishing for this species has been poor all year. An occasional fish is caught deep fishing for other species.

White Bass: Look for these fish to be in large schools on top of and at the edge of large flats adjacent to the main river channel 25 to 40 feet deep. Use Slab spoons or Blade Baits (chrome, white, chartreuse). Jig vertical and let the lure touch the bottom.

Walleye: Look for these fish to be on top of and just off the edge of main lake flats and sloping drops near the main lake river channel. Watch your electronics closely, sometimes the walleye are scattered and hugging the bottom tight. Slab Spoons with white feathered treble hooks (white, gray), or Blade baits (chrome, white, chartreuse, orange). Be sure to bump the lure on the bottom!

Catfish: The south end of the reeds that border the old road bed has been producing well (10' to 15' deep). Also, the boat ramp at the main park entrance at night. Rogers- cheese bait and hot dogs are good bait.

More of Buddy's Ute Lake Fishing Report

We're bringing you this report directly from our friend Buddy. If you have questions, feel free to call or e-mail us at the real estate office.

Buddy's Report:

The months of October, November, thru Mid-December can provide some very good fishing on Ute Lake. The cooler air and the dropping water temperatures trigger the fish's instinct to feed and stock up on body fat for the coldest months to follow. The schooling predators hunt down schools of baitfish and crayfish often times feeding with reckless abandon.

Another plus to fishing at this time of the year is that the boat traffic is light and sports such as water skiing and jet skiing are non-existent because of the cold air and water temperature. Fishing on the lake can sometimes be almost lonely without seeing another fisherman all day. This gives the fisherman the opportunity to fish any area he chooses, but be warned this is not without some inherent danger if the fisherman is not properly equipped and prepared. Hypothermia can come quickly and is a killer!

A TIP:

ALWAYS carry a couple of Space Blankets in your boat. They are cheap to purchase and take up little space. Always wear a life jacket when on the water at this time of the year. A fall into the cold water will inhibit the ability to swim and getting back into the boat can be difficult. Always carry matches in a water proof container to build a fire on shore if need be. Always tell someone what time you will be home and what area of the lake you will be fishing. Stick to this plan. If your boat motor will not start, or there is another problem rescuers can more easily find you.

Buddy's Ute Lake Fishing Report

Most people think that fishing is only done in the spring and the summer months, but that's not true at all. If you're willing to get out there when everyone is off the lake, fishing during those off months can be very beneficial.

At Ute Lake Premier Properties, we've been lucky enough to get a good friend of ours to put together a fishing report that we can bring to you through our website. With several articles published in different outdoor magazines, Buddy is an expert in his field. These days he is usually out on the lake at least 3-4 times a week. We figured that if there is anyone who can give us a little pre-fishing info before we head out to Ute Lake in the middle of winter, he's the guy.
The fishing reports will be relayed weekly so please continue to check out our blog.

If you have any questions, email us!

Significantly reduced price on great property

Just heard from a seller who is really interested in selling his property - he's reduced the price to under $100,000. You can own a gorgeous new home with a metal deck - 1440 square feet on a large corner lot with a view of the lake for only $99,900. Don't miss this one - this truly a great deal!

Tax Credit Available to Everyone!

Good news to anyone out there who's looking for a new home, whether you're a first time homebuyer or not. The federal government continues its push to boost the housing market by extending a popular tax credit and offering new incentives. The deadline for the $8,000 first time homebuyers tax credit has been extended until April 30th. It was set to expire at the end of this month.

If you currently own a home, and have lived there for five of the last eight years, you also qualify for a credit. The government is offering a $6,500 dollar tax credit for current homeowners looking to buy or build a new home. That credit is also good until the end of April, so now is the time to find your dream home or house plan so you can receive this tax credit, as well as additional rebates and credits.

A $6,500 tax credit would be a perfect down payment on a lot at Dos Rios - all you'd have to do is purchase the lot and get your construction loan going in order to qualify for the credit. Call us for more information!

Here are some answers to common questions about the new rules.

Tax Questions Answered (From The Wall Street Journal)

Q: What has stayed the same in the new law?

1) First-time home buyers still get a credit of as much as 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum $8,000. "First-time" means people, including both partners of a married couple, who haven't owned a principal residence for three years before the purchase.

2) All taxpayers who claim a credit must use the home as a principal residence for the next three consecutive years.

3) The credits offer dollar-for-dollar reductions of tax and are refundable. This means that a taxpayer who doesn't pay enough tax to offset the credit can get a refund. For example, if you qualify for an $8,000 credit but only owe $5,000 in tax, you could receive a $3,000 check from the Internal Revenue Service.

4) Under the new law, as under the old, 2009 home buyers may claim the credit on either their 2008 or 2009 returns, and 2010 buyers may claim the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 returns.

5) Taxpayers do not qualify for a credit if they buy from a lineal ancestor or descendent, including parents or grandparents and children or grandchildren.

Q: What has changed?

Several important features took effect as of Nov. 6:

1) To take advantage of the tax credits, a buyer must have a contract in place before May 1, 2010, and the deal must close before July 1, 2010. No further extension is expected.

2) The price of the house is now capped. For purchases made after Nov. 6, no credit is available for any home costing more than $800,000.

3) There is now a tax credit for repeat buyers as well as for first-time buyers. Taxpayers who have lived in one residence for five consecutive years of the past eight can now qualify for a tax credit of as much as 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum $6,500, of a new principal residence. The new home does not have to cost more than the old one.

4) Income limits for people who qualify for a tax credit are far more generous than under the previous law. For single filers, the credits now phase out between $125,000 and $145,000 of modified adjusted gross income; for married couples, the range is $225,000 to $245,000. For most people, modified adjusted gross income will be the same as adjusted gross income.

5) The new law contains anti-abuse measures designed to stem fraud, which became a problem with the previous home-buyer tax credit. Most buyers must be 18 or older, and no taxpayer may take a credit if he or she is claimed as a dependent on someone else's return. Taxpayers taking the credit will also have to furnish proof of purchase. According to Robert Dietz of the National Association of Home Builders, this will usually be a HUD-1 form.

6) People taking the tax credit, as under the old law, aren't allowed to buy a home from a lineal ancestor or descendent. The new law, applying to purchases made after Nov. 6, also says a person may not take a credit if the home is purchased from a spouse or the spouse's lineal relatives.

Q: If I bought a house last spring or summer, can I get a tax credit?

You qualify if you are a first-time buyer and meet the other requirements, but not if you are a repeat buyer. The new credit for repeat buyers applies only to purchases made after Nov. 6.

Q: What is the definition of "principal residence"?

If you own more than one home, your principal residence is usually the one where you spend most of your time. In determining residence the IRS may also consider where your family lives and your mailing address for bills and correspondence, among other factors.

Q: Can a principal residence be something besides a conventional house?

Yes. A principal residence may also be a condominium, co-op apartment, attached or semi-attached townhouse, or even—if it has eating, sleeping and toilet facilities—a boat, motor home or trailer. Manufactured homes qualify in some states.

Q: Does the person who claims the credit have to use the home as a principal residence?

Yes.

Q: If I buy a new home and live in it, do I also have to sell my old one in order to take advantage of the credit?

This is unclear. The law appears to allow repeat buyers to retain their old home, for which no tax credit was given, while claiming a credit for the new one. What is clear is that if you buy a new home using the credit, you must use it as your principal residence.

Q: How may the credits be allocated among two or more unmarried buyers?

This also is unclear. But if the IRS adopts the rules that applied to the previous tax credit, which are detailed in IRS Notice 2009-12, there is room for planning. The notice says that taxpayers may use "any reasonable manner" to allocate the credit. It even provides an example in which two unmarried buyers allocate the credit to the lower earner in order to qualify for it.

Q: I need the credit refund to help make the down payment. What can I do?

There's no rushing the IRS. But one option is to adjust your current withholding from your paychecks to reflect the fact that you will be taking the credit later. But be careful: If you don't make the purchase, then you may owe interest and penalties. Consult a tax adviser.

Q: Is it possible to qualify for a credit if I am building a home on a lot I already own?

Yes, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The purchase date is usually considered to be the date of first occupancy, so you would need to move in before July 1, 2010.

Q: May I take a credit if I am building a large addition to my home?

No; these credits apply only to the purchase of a home.

Q: Are there special rules for the military?

Yes. In general, members of the military and foreign service and intelligence communities who are serving overseas on "official extended duty" for at least 90 days during 2009 and the first four months of 2010 have an extra year to take advantage of these credits. Consult a tax adviser who specializes in this area.

Q: Where can I get more information?

Go to federalhousingtaxcredit.com, a Web site sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders. You can also look for links from the IRS's home page, www.irs.gov, or search for Homebuyer Credit. Another option is to consult a professional tax adviser.

Spectacular Views AND 40 acres overlooking Ute Lake

We consider ourselves, as the name implies, the purveyors of PREMIER properties at Ute Lake, and the listing I'm about to describe for you absolutely falls into that category. It has it all - amazing views of the lake, a gorgeous home with lots of room and amenities, a two-level deck that overlooks the lake and forty acres surrounding the home. The quality of the home and the views, together with the land, make this the buy of a lifetime. And when you compare the listing price with that of homes on lots less than an acre in size, the price is quite reasonable. If you're considering green living - if you want space for wind energy, solar panels, even organic gardening, this has it all!

If you don't want a home, but want the same views, we have separate forth acre tracts that would serve well as homesites, or even for developers. The subdivision laws in New Mexico require sale of at least 40 acres in order to subdivide property - these tracts would perfectly fit those requirements.

Call us today for a chance to see this amazing piece of property.

Rentals - long and short term

On occasion, it doesn't fit your needs to purchase a home. Maybe you're just going to be here working on a project for six to eight months. Maybe you're socking away cash for a down payment. Maybe you just want to try out a location to see if that's where you want to land permanently. Whatever the case, we offer rentals. In addition to selling homes, we are property manager for several landlords.

Currently we have two 2 bedroom, 2 bath homes for rent at $550 per month (see photo). Both are located near the lake. Or we have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a great lake view for the same price. The 3 bedroom 2 bath is also available for weekend rentals, at least until we have a long-term tenant.

Give us a call if you think this might be a better option than buying. And for all you property owners out there - if you're tired of being the person in charge of screening tenants or collecting that rent check, let us take care of that for you!

Land Anyone?

We seldom talk about land on this blog, but if you're looking for a piece of property for farming, ranching, alternative energy, or just the opportunity to live off the grid and grow your own organic vegetables and fruit, we have land. Several parcels in fact.

For instance, we've listed 160 Acres located near the Porter community, southeast of Logan.
The land is approximately 18 miles from Ute Lake and would be perfect for wind farm, row crops or organic vegetable gardening. With annual taxes below $150 per YEAR (yeah, those are crazy low numbers, arent' they?) over 340 days of sunshine annually, and our nearly perfect climate, this a very desirable area. this 1/4 section is listed at only $85,600 and the owner will carry for reliable buyer with 10 to 20% down.

Sound great? Give us a call. You don't want to miss your chance for a slice of the new American Dream. . .

Photos of new listing

I promised photos of the listing I told you about yesterday, and here they are. It's a golden Autumn day at the lake today, and the view from the deck on this house is amazing. I know it's a bit of a cliche to talk about the sunlight glittering off the water, but truly, today the water is doing just that, glittering. I've included a photo of the front of the house (remember, it sits on an acre - plenty of room for boat barns and garages and gazebos and firepits - all the trappings of a lake house), the kitching and dining room, and best of all, the view from the deck.

Come on over and take a look. This would be a great place to own, and you've got plenty of time before Spring to get that barn built!

New Listing - View of the Lake under $100K

Just a few words to whet your appetite until I get some photos on the website and a formal entry under "Search for Houses." I just listed a 3 bedroom 2 bath almost brand new double wide on an acre. Deck with a lake view, lots a space for your boat barn, nice neighborhood. I'll post pictures tomorrow, but for now, just know that this is a motivated seller - he's being transferred out of the southwest and won't be able to enjoy his lake house. His loss is your gain!

It's priced to sell at $99,900. More later!

Dos Rios - Beautiful

I went out to Dos Rios last week and took several photos. Just wanted to whet everyone's appetite, remind you that Summer 2010 is just around the corner~! You could start building tomorrow and have your home ready when Memorial Day rolls around!

LAKE HOUSE ON TWO ACRES FOR LESS THAN $500,000 - ARE WE CRAZY???

I put that heading in all caps - any of you who are accustomed to shopping the real estate market at Ute Lake have to know that lakefront property with a structure sells at well over a half million dollars. It's just that desirable, and that difficult to come by, and we all want to be right on the water. But right now, through the end of February, we have a beautiful site-built house on two acres ON THE WATER!!!! The sellers are interested in relocating their second home to Florida where their extended family has resort property, and they're going to formally list and aggressively market this home in Spring 2010. However, if they get a buyer before then, they're willing to take less than $500,000 - in fact, you could buy this home for $465,000 today.

I'm posting a photo of the exterior, and will post interior photos in the future. This is a true adobe home with three bedrooms and two baths, an open living area with 12 foot coved ceilings, saltillo tile flooring, and a bar into the kitchen fitted with Mexican Talavera tile. A patio running the length of the back of the house overlooks a quiet cove and there's even an enclosed outdoor hot tub. The two acres are subdivided into two lots - if you didn't want all the land, you could easily sell the south one acre. The Sellers just had a private well drilled, so although you're on city water, you can use your well for watering the landscape if you want. Of course the owners have been very environmentally conscious and only have xeriscape plants, so the majority of the lush mature plants are drought tolerant.

Give us a call to see this gorgeous place. If you're interested in waterfront property, you won't find anything more desirable, well-maintained or private than this luxury home in South Shores I.

Home with Apartment - Let the Property Pay Part of Your Mortgage

We had a call from one of our sellers yesterday - she asked us to lower the price on her listing from $110,000 to $104,900. She's motivated, and this is a great deal for anyone who's looking for a home in town. On a corner lot only a block from the school, this site built house has an unexpected extra - a one bedroom, one bath apartment that currently rents for $350 per month. If any of you are familiar with the rental market in Logan, you know that this rental will stay occupied. In fact, she could probably keep a waiting list if she were interested in keeping up with it. And with the tiniest of upgrades, the rent could be increased to $400. So if you purchased this home with a 15% down payment and a 6% mortgage (which is a little high, given the low rates available on 30 year mortgages), the rental would pay all but approximately $185 of your monthly mortgage payment.

And if you're a first time homebuyer, the feds will give you a tax credit of $8,500 through December 31 this year. New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority will let you take $6,500 of that money and use it toward a down payment. With less then $10,000 out of your pocket, you could be living in this great home with most of your mortgage taken care of by your rental!

Sound like a great deal? When you consider that the home itself has endless potential - hardwood floors, a full basement with one fully finished room (and the basement has a separate entrance, so it could conceivably be a separate rental with some work), lots of open space. And finally, a fully motivated seller who will certainly deal on the price!

Call us. This house is a great deal and someone should take advantage of it before it gets away.

Dos Rios Rock Work

Thought you might like to see some of the rock work that we're doing out at Dos Rios - it's really going to be nice when it's all completed, together with the extensive xeriscape landscaping we put in. This picture was taken during a quick shower we had a couple of weeks ago. . .

Keep in mind that you can own a 3/4 acre lot at Dos Rios and start building today! With 10% down on a $65,000 lot, you could be on your way to owning a home at Ute Lake's newest luxury subdivision.

Fall's Officially Here!

Imagine a perfectly still, cool, crisp morning on the lake. That's what we've been enjoying here in Logan since the weekend. It's almost as if the calendar sent out a signal - the fall weather appeared exactly in tandem with the first day of fall. We had a storm front move through on Monday evening - no moisture, but wind, and a drop of at least 25 degrees in temperature in an hour.

And while the end of summer may make some of you lake afficionados out there truly sad, it's a great time to enjoy Ute Lake. It's quiet, calm, and gorgeous. The wildlife down at Dos Rios are out in force - the deer come up out of the draw every evening and if you go out for a drive right at dusk, you might see a fox crossing the road. Obviously we love it here, and part of the charm is that even when we're not wakeboarding or sunbathing, Ute Lake is still a perfect place to live.

New listing this week - a house only a block from the school with four bedrooms AND a study. Fenced backyard, fireplace, large master bathroom with garden tub. And it's priced to see at $84,900. Take a look at the website. And I'll post a photo in the next day or two.

Come up to the lake this weekend if you're looking for a relaxing getaway. Keep in mind that we have weekend rentals - a couple of three bedroom homes that are fully furnished, down to the towels in the bathroom. Reasonable rates, cozy surroundings. Don't miss this chance to enjoy Logan and Ute Lake without the crowds.

New Listings!

We've got several new listings this week - if you've been watching our website, waiting for the perfect home or land, this may be exactly what you're looking for. We listed a gorgeous home (2128 square feet) with a front deck that has a great lake view. Four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, new laminate flooring, privacy fence on three sides of the lot, and the one thing that every potential buyer seems to be looking for - a two car garage with storage that will easily hold your boat. If that's not enough, there's a two car carport on the east end of the house. This is a great lake house. And the owner is motivated to move it. Take a look at the website to get more info, and we'll post a picture here to whet your appetite. It's listed at $169,000, and given the amenities, this listing probably won't last long.

If you're in the market for land instead, there's a large 2/3 acre lot just off 550 loop, zoned commercial, listed for $39,000. It's close to the marina and boat ramps and has village water and electricity in the street. This nice level lot is ready for you to build on immediately.

Now that Labor Day is over, life will be slowing down every so slightly at Ute Lake. This is a great time to look for your lake place - the owners are motivated to move their properties before winter, and the pace for looking is more relaxed. Why not drive up for a weekend and look around? We just received the mortgage rate sheet from First National Bank of New Mexico, and with 30 years mortgage rates at 5%, there's never been a more practical time to buy your home.

Labor Day Weekend

It's starting out as a hazy day at Ute Lake, but the weather says it will burn off and be a really nice, slightly cloudy, little wind and high 80's kind of gorgeous day on the water. And that's exactly where I'm going. I have a great friend who rented a pontoon from Ute Lake Marina (call us if you're interested. we have the scoop) and we're going to take the kids and the cooler and the floaties and get lost somewhere in a cove for a couple of days. Can't wait.

While you're out there enjoying the water, don't forget what a treat it would be to have your own place on the lakefront, maybe even a home with a dock already in place. We have a modified a-frame that would sleep Cox's army that has a dock on the water. With just a little wrangling and an outside agreement to partner on the dock with the owner, you could own a place to which you could pull up your boat and leave it. This house and dock is in a protected deep-water cove, and the southern side of the house has a large sunroom lined with windows overlooking a deck - the location is a dream. And its the only site built home for sale on the water - and most definitely the only property with a dock. Take a look on our website - it's worth the time to consider this one. Especially since Interstate Streams Commission isn't currently allowing anyone to install more personal docks.

We get that question all the time - can I have a dock? The current answer is "no." We've all got our fingers crossed and hope that eventually ISC will decide to expand the number of personal docks from 20 to a larger number, but we're not going to mislead you and tell you that you can have a dock. If you get a realtor who states that it won't be a problem, that you just have to wait a while, be suspicious. Until ISC makes a definite ruling, additional docks aren't in the picture. Maybe someday. . .

When you're unsure about issues like this one, give us a call. We're all natives, we know how things work at Ute Lake, and we're lucky enough to have the ISC Dam Manager as one of our partners. If he doesn't know the answer to a question, the answer just doesn't exist.

Happy Labor Day. Don't forget the sunscreen!!

Great Deals for Labor Day

It's a busy week in Logan - the new Subway restaurant opened yesterday, and a couple of the partners had breakfast sandwiches. Great stuff. The kids are back in school - there's a football game here on Friday night, our volleyball girls are traveling this afternoon, and the 4-H and FFA students are gearing up for showing their animals at the State Fair next week.



People tend to think that Logan, pop.1100, is a sleepy little place during the week, but there's always something going on. It's a small town, but we're all involved in making things work. If you have the resources, Logan is a great place to live permanently. Great school system (the only school in the County that made AYP throughout the system), perfect weather (except for those weeks in spring when the wind makes your hair stand on end, and that doesn't last very long) and friendly people (except for a couple of old soreheads, and we just refuse to pay attention to that). And it rained again last night - we had .7 inches on Monday night, and maybe .3 of an inch last night. Looking for more through Saturday, but it still promises to be a nice Labor Day weekend on the lake.



People are always stopping me and asking me about amazing deals. "What's a steal this week?" Now that we've been discovered by the Albuquerque and Denver crowd, property is in higher demand and the steals have mostly disappeared. But we have a couple of houses that you'd hate to let slip by-100 Cactus for sure, which is a 2007 18' Solitaire in immaculate condition and full of new furniture. Metal deck, large corner lot, and this house started off at $139,000. Our seller is crazy motivated - he's lowered the price to $114,900, which is just about what it would cost you to buy the lot, put in a septic system and electric and water, buy the home, build the deck and then furnish. But the best part about this house is that it's ready for you to move in tomorrow. Great view of the lake - I keep wondering who will be the lucky person who snatches this one up.

And we have a house that sits right next to the Minnow Ranch - two bedroom, two bath on corner lot - standard description, but now the price has been lowered to $59,900, and this seller is also really motivated. It's zoned commercial or residential and has a nice new privacy fence on the north and east sides - now that the new sewer system is coming in, this would be a great location for eventually putting in some multi-family duplexes or even a small apt/weekend rental complex. The lot alone is almost worth the asking price.

Saturday before Labor Day at Ute Lake

It's a gorgeous day at Ute Lake - 90 degrees at the hottest point in the day, and hardly a breeze on the water when I drove out to the Marina a while ago. And it looks like we might get a light shower later in the day. I walked earlier on Dos Rios, our gorgeous new luxury subdivision, and went down a path to the rock ledge that sits on the water on Lot 2. If you haven't driven around at Dos Rios to see the views, take a minute to do just that. The views are amazing, the infrastructure is in (including village sewer-ready hookups) and it's only a matter of time before someone snatches up the lot you're most interested in.

This is probably a perfect time to dispell those rumors that we still hear from time to time about Dos Rios buyers having to wait on the village sewer project before they can build. That simply isn't true - you could start on your new home tomorrow. The subdivision was designed with minimum 3/4 acre lots, which size meets the requirements of New Mexico EID for traditional septic systems. If you didn't want to go to the expense of a traditional septic system while we wait a year or so on village sewer, you have the option of putting in a holding tank, which is a much less expensive option.

Dos Rios lots are ready for your purchase. And we're offering owner financing at great rates. Lakefront lots start at $175,000, with a 10% discount through the end of summer, and off the water lots start at $65,000. This is a great chance to get in on the ground floor in the nicest subdivision on the north shores of Ute Lake.

Getting Started

The partners at Ute Lake Premier Properties decided that it was time to start posting a blog for all you Ute Lake and Logan, New Mexico afficionados out there. We'll be talking about real estate in general, our listed properties specifically, local events, and special stuff going on at the lake. Shoot, we'll probably talk about such mundane stuff as how much rain we've gotten this week. However, if you're a New Mexico resident, you konw that rain is never mundane.

So, we're going to spend the rest of the day adding photos (we can do that here, right?) and dolling up our presence on the Web. If you have feedback that might be helpful to everyone out there in cyberspace, or if you have events that you'd like us to discuss, send them our way. We're excited about providing this new service to everyone interested in what's going on at Ute Lake.