North Valley

Rio Grande Nature Center

June 14, 2018 by The Sugar Team

Rio-Grande-Albuquerque-Real-Estate-Sugar-Team A jogger trots along the River Loop Trail shielded by the shade of shimmering cottonwoods. A peloton blasts down a paved road along the Rio Grande, decked out in day glow spandex. An older lady sits at a bench on the riverbanks, meditating on the lazily moving river. A classroom of hyperactive eight-year-olds run through the fascinating exhibits at the Visitor Center, amazingly absorbing a good 30-33% of what is being explained at every station. These are some of the many scenes you will encounter at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, a wonderful destination-point for people of all ages and interests, and homage to the Southwest’s staff of life, the Rio Grande. Candelaria-Wetland-Rio-Grande-Sutter-Sugar-Albquerque

Located in Albuquerque’s North Valley on Candelaria and Rio Grande Blvd the Rio Grande Nature Center is part of a bosque, or cottonwood forest by the wetland bordering the river. It boasts some 270 acres of woods, meadows and farmland with native grasses, wildflowers, willows and of course, cottonwoods. The park’s hub consists of the Visitor Center which was designed by Albuquerque native-architect Antoine Predock, and contains many exhibits on the area’s riparian environment.

And the flora and fauna do not disappoint. The animals provide the eye candy, with a huge range of species: everything from toads to beavers and great horned owls to woodpeckers. When I stopped by the Visitor Center I had the pleasure of watching a family of turtles from the comfortable air conditioned Predock-designed Observation Room.

Albuquerque-Rio-Grande-Nature-Center-Sugar-Team If meditating on a slow-moving group of turtles (also known as a “bale”) isn’t your speed there are many other active ways at the Nature Center to enjoy the Rio Grande. The Riverwalk Trail and Bosque Loop Trail provide one-mile and 0.8 mile hikes, respectively through open meadows, heavily wooded areas and along the river. The paved road along the Rio Grande provides the perfect bicycle superhighway for those who want to go real fast.

The Nature Center realizes the vital role that the Rio Grande plays in the Southwest’s ecosystem. Since it is the fourth longest river system in North America, measuring some 1,248 miles long, it makes sense that Albuquerque holds it in such grande regard. My own video Sutter Sugar of The Sugar Team is my own tribute to the Rio Grande Nature Center and the Rio Grande, yet another example why I live to live here in Albuquerque!:

These are a Few of My Favorite Things…The Sound of Holiday Musica in Albuquerque.

December 29, 2015 by The Sugar Team

Tumbleweed snowman. Bizcochitos. Ordering your enchiladas “Christmas.” These are some of the fascinating things you will find in New Mexico during the holidays, and specifically in Albuquerque. There are many truly joyful events that happen throughout our wonderful city during the month of December that you absolutely will not find anywhere else.

Kicking off the holiday season in Albuquerque’s cultural epicenter Nob Hill, the Shop and Stroll closes the streets to vehicles in this fabulous neighborhood, giving patrons the opportunity to walk the streets and shop locally until late. During the Shop and Stroll shoppers enjoy the opportunity to ride in pedicabs, take in street performers, enjoy the excellent cuisine in Nob Hill’s restaurants and of course, shop! This year is extra-special because Nob Hill is abuzz, celebrating its one hundredth year anniversary.

While New York City has its Rockefeller Center and the Lighting of The Tree, so does Albuquerque, but in Old Town. Old Town is more steeped in history than 100 Rockefeller Center, as it dates back to 1706 when founded by the Spanish. Even today Old Town keeps its Spanish roots, preserving a central plaza and gazebo—Mariachis included of course!—, surrounded by historic golden-colored adobe buildings and the San Felipe de Neri Church. Just one day after the Shop and Stroll the mayor lights the tree in Old Town and wishes peace and joy on all observing Burqueños.

The third day of celebrations brings us back to Nob Hill to witness the Twinkle Light Parade, The Sugar Team’s all-time favorite. This year there are 96 participants floating down the street with the one requirement that every entrant—whether it be a clown, bicycle or low-rider—be bedazzled with twinkle lights. The culmination of live music, red and green flashing lights and overall kitschiness provides a scintillating experience for the senses.

However, the Twinkle Light Parade really doesn’t own the market on quirkiness in ‘Burque. Just the second year running, the Rail Yards in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood hosts their Rail Yards Holiday Market. Located in the historic Blacksmith Shop which was completed in 1917, it has often been the backdrop for many Hollywood productions. Albuquerque is pushing to convert this locale into a public market similar to what is found in cities like Barcelona and Los Angeles. It is a great place to purchase local crafts, homemade chow and unusual souvenirs.

On Christmas Eve there is a gorgeous tradition that takes place yearly here in Albuqerque and dates back more than 300 years: Luminarias. Luminarias are brown paper sacks filled with sand and a votive candle. Historically, nuevomexicanos lit the candles on December 24th to welcome the Christ child into the world. Today Albuquerque’s older neighborhoods like Old Town, North Valley, South Valley and Country Club place these ethereal decorations to adorn their walkways, churches and homes. I promise you, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate this beautiful detail.

Last but not least, we have the River of Lights. The River of Lights is an exhibit of visual light sculptures throughout the ABQ BioPark Botanical Garden running from the end of November through the beginning of January. Although many other cities host a similar event, Albuquerque’s has been running strong for 19 years and simply is the best. Where else can you find gorgeous light representations of a barrel of 14 monkeys, a butterfly bush, eight dragonflies, three cow skulls and a hot air balloon? The River of Lights is the perfect holiday conclusion following the excess of egg nog, spicy tamales and ugly Christmas sweaters. And it really is a pleasure to meander along the illuminated botanical garden paths, delightfully discovering what new “creature” has been rendered in lights.

So there you have it…Albuquerque during the holidays. From the unique shopping opportunities of Nob Hill’s Shop and Stroll, historic Old Town’s Lighting of the Tree, the scintillating Twinkle Light Parade, quirky Holiday Market at the Rail Yards, ethereal Luminarias, to the River of Lights, Albuquerque has something for everyone at this time of year. And that is why The Sugar Team is so proud to call “The Duke City” home. Call us today (505) 850-9977 if you would like to work with a Realtor® that loves Albuquerque as much as we do!

Albuquerque Real Estate June 2015 Market Watch

July 31, 2015 by The Sugar Team

MARKET WATCH! In the month of June 2015 the Median Sale Price for single-family, detached homes was up 5.99% from last year to $190,788 and the Average Sale Price was up 6.01% to $226,337. Closed Sales was 984, up 23%. The Absorption Rate (number of months it would take to sell the current housing inventory) still shows a slight seller’s market of 5.44 and the Average Days on the Market was 56. (GAAR)

However, the number of Active Listings (homes on the market) was 4,089 down 17.18% from last year. If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, now is the time before the school year starts. Contact The Sugar Team for a free Comparative Market Analysis and find out how much you could make from selling your home!

Linda and Sutter

Hap Crawford: an Albuquerque Builder with Root in Adobe

March 20, 2015 by The Sugar Team

Southwest style is one of the more distinctive forms of architecture. Everything from its rustic feel in the interior to its exterior clean, unobtrusive lines and colors designed to blend in with our golden-brown landscape makes it a true romantic gem within our 50 states. Two local Albuquerque builders Antoine Predock and Hap Crawford both scream Southwest style in their finished work, and each provides his own twist. Predock whimsically combines modern features with a creative reimagining of the Southwest tradition while Hap Crawford remains closer to the root both in form and materials.

Hap Crawford’s more traditional style may be traced to his background. An Albuquerque native born in Old Town, Crawford purchased his first home (an adobe of course!) for only $600 when he was only a teenager while working, delivering telegrams for Western Union. Since then he has built homes up and down the Rio Grande for the last half century.

For most Burqueños “Hap Crawford” is synonymous with “adobe.” This is because Crawford is a “true believer in the aesthetic appeal and durability of adobe.”¹ Crawford, like any Albuquerque native, appreciates natural adobe’s insulative characteristics while enjoying the look of a wall showcasing these massive 35-pound bricks.

Adobe isn’t the only architectural trope found in Crawford’s work. He’s also known for incorporating courtyards, soaring living room ceilings, open floor plans, counter tops with glazed Mexican tile, viga beams traverse ceilings and kiva fireplaces. These are all gorgeous “details that impart an uncontrived Southwest flavor.”¹

As luck would have it, there is a cul-de-sac nestled in Albuquerque’s Near North Valley with only 14 homes, all of which have been designed and built by Hap Crawford: El Nido Court. As the El Nido Court neighbors proudly tell it, Hap Crawford would build one home, live in it while finishing the interior details, and then move on to the next one once the home was completed. This anecdote appears to be accurate, because you’ll notice that the wood carving details in the homes at the end of El Nido Court appear to be more ornate than in the ones closer to Rio Grande Boulevard.

1“Master Works” by John Kent Albuquerque Journal December 28, 1997Sources:

“Each N. Valley Condo Has Living Quarters, Business Space and Warehouse” by Jane Mahoney Albuquerque Journal January 2, 2005

8301 4th ST NW #12 Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87114–South West Romance in Los Ranchos

April 24, 2014 by The Sugar Team

Romance in the North Valley. Nestled in the Don Diego Compound in the Village of Los Ranchos, this lovely Pueblo style home replete with South West accents will absolutely captivate you from beamed ceilings to brick floors. Stroll through the xeriscaped courtyard and open the front door framed by two gorgeous stained glass windows. Your heart will sing when taking in the soaring ceilings, sumptuous corbels, exposed adobe walls, wood-burning kiva fireplace and rouge-colored brick floors, all in absolutely exquisite condition. The talavera tiled kitchen island provides the perfect focal point for the home’s open floor plan design. Green features include thermal windows and passive solar adobe trombe walls. And the peaceful backyard with coyote fencing adds the perfect touch of privacy. ¡Viva Los Ranchos!

8301 4th ST NW Exquisite Features:

Approximately 2,076 square feet of gorgeous South West space
3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Bathrooms
Located in the Peaceful Don Diego Compound in the Village of Los Ranchos in the North Valley
Wood-burning Kiva Fireplace
Modified Trombe Walls producing passive solar heat
Lovely South West features throughout

Contact The Sugar Team or check out the virtual tour to truly get a feel for its delight: