| | Taos County Association of Realtors Top Producer, 1999, 2001 | | | Prudential Legend Award, 2003, 2004 | | | Prudential Chairman Circle 1999-2004 | | | Prudential President's Circle, 1998, 1994-1995 | | | Taos County Association of Realtors Realtor of the Year, 1997 | | | Past President Taos County Association of Realtors | | | Member Taos Multiple Listing Service | | | Buyer's Brokerage Available |
See Taos through 33 years of experience in the area.
Let Me Work For You!!  |  | | Taos, 1997 |
First there's the local jargon. I will help you differentiate between vigas and vegas, nichos and nachos, brai and brie, corbels and Korbel, lentels and lentils, and then there's kiva fireplaces and Indian kivas... You can be talking like a native in no time. (Don't forget, Taos rhymes with mouse.) More importantly, I am a real estate professional who knows Taos, who knows the real estate market in Taos, and who knows real estate practices in Taos. I specialize in vacation homes, second homes, and investment property. ( Ask about 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges) I promise to be sensitive to your needs, especially for those of you making the "BIG CHANGE." It is possible. You can do what you want to do and be who you want to be in this lifetime... I will listen carefully to what you say, do my best to find what you want, negotiate the best price for you, then work with title companies ,lenders, inspectors, surveyors, appraisers, etc. to make sure that you get what you want.. 
A brief little history on me...
 |  | | Texas, 1972 |
 I moved to Taos from Big "D" in l972 with BIG hair intact and two daughters in-tow. Searching for a place with SMALL town values and people with BIG ideas, I found that Taos had both. I also found that the sky had lots of stars, the air was crisp, and the views were unending Texas, 1972 and ever changing.. There were seasons - you know, like winter and spring and summer and fall. There was powder for skiing and rivers for rafting. Taos, 1997 The Carson National Forest with 1,500,000 acres and hundreds of miles for hiking and biking was at my backdoor. And although I never saw a trout in those beaver ponds, let alone caught any, I knew they were there... And there was sunshine, lots of it. After 25 years, these very same things hold me here. My daughters, Elise and Shannon, were raised and schooled in Taos and grew up to be beautiful, productive adults. I spent a few years in the food and beverage business, then a few years running a SMALL B&B, The Suite Retreat, with my life partner, Greg Payton. I’ve been a full time Realtor since l987. I enjoy the complexities and challenges that real estate in Taos entails, and have met many terrific people through my business. I also enjoy the simple things in life; like family, good friends, good food. good art, and a good book now and then. If I need a comeuppitance, I play golf. I love to travel and am always awed by that view of the Rio Grande Gorge and Taos Mountain coming up into town from the south when I return home. It’s a very welcoming sight and makes me feel downright lucky to be able to call Taos my home. 
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First Time Buyers >Your Principal Residence
The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.
Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.
Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.
Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.
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| Q |
Where would you go to visit the largest ancient castle in the world?
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| A |
You would travel to Prague, Czech Republic, to see the Prague Castle, built in the 9th century, with a total surface area of 18 acres. |
See More Real Estate Trivia > |
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