Blog
Apr 18, 2006
Lots of exciting news!
Guess I totally missed a March update! I have been so busy uploading pictures of the progress on my home building project on our photo tour page, that I feel like I'm working on the website all the time! You can find the photo tour link on our Home page and then choose the "Constructing Bonnie's EcoNest" category to check out all of the photos.
The question I get asked most frequently is "how many homes do you have in the community"? People always seem surprised when my reply is "none" because I have been working on making this community a reality for so long. Now, I can finally say that we broke ground on my house last December and will have two more EcoNests and a few casitas being built this summer!
Michael & David (lot 11) called me last week to tell me that they have put their Las Vegas (NV) house under contract and if all goes well, expect to close in mid-May and move to Pecos. They will begin construction of their casita this summer. Mary (lot 10) is seriously considering building her casita at the same time, as are the four casita owners across the meadow! I'm in the process of getting construction drawings for the casitas prepared and then bids from a few of our preferred builders. Current pricing should be available by June 1st.
Catherine & Jan (lot 5) and Ellen & Susan (lot 18) have custom designed EcoNests and will begin ground-breaking in the next few weeks. And, if you are interested in learning how to build your own EcoNest, each home built in our community is a workshop. For more information about EcoNests and the cost and dates of our workshops, please visit www.econest.com
We have been continuing the work of thinning our forest and creating hiking trails throughout the property. I've got the main trail around the entire property roughed out and it is about 2 miles long. I will also start adding benches along the way so hikers can sit and take in the incredible expansive views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and acres and acres of National Forest Land surrounding the property! There will also be smaller trails developed off of the main trail for the more adventurous hikers! I can't wait for my house to be finished at Birds, so that I can start hiking out there on a daily basis.
I still have four lots left in Phase I of our community, but I will be surprised if they don't sell in the next few months. Please let me know if you are interested in visiting our community!
Good news to report... solar energy tax incentives are back in New Mexico!! The Solar Market Development Act was recently passed by the Legislature and creates an income tax credit for homeowners and businesses that install solar electric and solar heating systems (for more information, see www.NMCCAE.org) There is also a Federal Tax Credit available in 2006 & 2007 for solar installations.
I have made the decision recently to make my home heating system solar. I made the decision before the tax credit passed in New Mexico, so I was thrilled to hear that the credit is now available.
Another little tid-bit of information for those considering re-locating to New Mexico... the Washington, D.C. nonprofit Tax Foundation recently reported that the per-capita property tax burdens in New Mexico are the lowest of any state except Alaska, making the state one of the best places in the nation to "nurse a retirement nest egg through the golden years". Santa Fe has a worldwide reputation as an ideal retirement town for many reasons. In 2000, Santa Fe was listed as the sixth top retirement city in the nation by Money Magazine. Unfortunately, real estate prices keep climbing in Santa Fe, with the median home price reaching $470,000 in the final quarter of 2005. For those of you considering a move to the Santa Fe (or Pecos) area, the sooner you buy, the better.
My EcoNest construction is progressing on schedule! They poured my slabs this week and will begin framing my garage and guest house on Monday. There will be no more work done on my home until the EcoNest workshop in May. If you're interested in more information about the workshop, please visit www.econest.com
I only have 3 single-family lots and 1 casita lot left. If you're interested in getting in on the "ground-floor" of our community, please call or write to schedule a visit. I already have showings scheduled into May!
