Living in Santa Fe Blog

Broker Spotlight: Joseph Martinez

“There hasn’t been any other place I’ve wanted to live”

Joseph’s ties to Santa Fe parallel those of Barker Realty, with long local family history and an entire life lived in our charming city. “I was born and raised in Santa Fe, in the South Capitol area, and honestly there hasn’t been any other place I’ve wanted to live,” Joseph says. “To me, a town is a living thing — it grows, changes, evolves, and reflects those things that are important to us. I still feel very connected to Santa Fe and I believe it’s held on to those aspects that make it a ‘City Different.’

My wife Laura was also born and raised in Santa Fe. When we get together with family and friends and the conversation turns toward ‘the good old days,’ a lot of the important things…

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Leader Spotlight: Gabrielle Vigil & Kyle Klain

“As our company grows and develops, so does our leadership team.” – David A. Barker, CEO / Qualifying Broker

Barker Realty’s strong standing in our community for over 50 years has resulted from a deep commitment to integrity and service. In 2016, David and Lisa Barker had the foresight to recognize an opportunity to improve various aspects of the company. Their decision was to form a Management Team utilizing the strengths and talents of Robert Romero, Kyle Klain and Gabrielle Vigil. “Yes, Gabs and I look very young and yes, we are highly involved in the management of the brokerage,” Kyle laughs. David joins in and teases he’s been licensed since before Kyle and Gabs were even born.

Q: How did you…

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Santa Fe: A Top City for Telecommuting

It’s not just us saying it—several reports have shown that Santa Fe is one of the country’s top cities for telecommuting. Especially for homebuyers looking for homes in Santa Fe, we’ve gathered some reports, statistics, and rankings that highlight Santa Fe as a telecommuter magnet. Psst—our brokers can help you find the right home for telecommuting, whether you’re looking for neighborhoods with good internet access or close to a co-working space.

Santa Fe Ranks #3 in the Country for Home-Based Workers

One report that caught our notice is from the most recent U.S. Census in 2010. Home-Based Workers in the United States: 2010 ranked Santa Fe as #3 on the list of metropolitan regions with the most…

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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home in Santa Fe

Trading up to a larger home in Santa Fe is a smart move in many ways. If you and your family live here now, you already know and appreciate our area. You know about the unparalleled recreational opportunities, the outdoor-oriented climate, the unique cultural offerings for families, and the authentic Southwestern cuisine.

If you’re considering moving to Santa Fe, no doubt you’ve done your research. And if you need help learning about The City Different, we’re a Santa Fe-grown real estate brokerage with deep roots in the community.

Plus, we’ve created resources for the Santa Fe homebuyer, like our Santa Fe New Resident’s Guide and our Millennial’s Guide to Santa Fe. For the trading-up…

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Broker Spotlight: Renata Law

“I am so enchanted with the life I have in Santa Fe!”

Renata’s exuberance for life and her grateful spirit are evident from the moment you meet. Her tricultural heritage of Spanish, Lebanese and Italian instilled in her a deep appreciation for family. She grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil and was taught a very strong work ethic from her father whose career was in corporate advertising and marketing.

Following her deep desire to learn English, Renata left Brazil when she was 18 and moved to Telluride to live with family friends for an immersive experience. “Life outside of Brazil was so amazing to me,” Renata exclaims. “I had never seen snow before, and the rugged mountains took my breath away. And the quiet! Having lived my entire life in a noisy city,…

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Five Books to Help You Downsize to a Smaller Home

With Americans living longer than past generations, many baby boomers face longer, healthier retirements along with all the decisions that go with navigating a new chapter in life’s journey.

One of those decisions may be the choice to downsize to a smaller home.

It may sound simple. Sell the family home where you raised your kids and move to a smaller home. According to the 2017 National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report, it’s a goal shared by many home sellers 61 years and old who downsize to a smaller and lower-priced home. Embracing the decision to downsize and actually doing it are two different things, however. And making the decision to downsize in…

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Seven Benefits of Telecommuting in Santa Fe

New Mexico is all about breathing room. We like to live and work at our own pace out here, so it’s no wonder 4.7% of our workforce likes to get the job done from the comfort of their own home (or wherever else the mood takes them). There are quite a few benefits to telecommuting, and we’ve got the stats to prove it.

Need help finding a Santa Fe home for telecommuting? Contact one of our agents to get started. We know Santa Fe neighborhoods and can help you find the perfect home for your needs.

1. Increased Productivity

The assumption tends to be that, if left to their own devices, employees will simply lounge around the house watching TV and never get anything done without the rigid structure…

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Broker Spotlight: Kristin Sargent

“Santa Fe stays true to our historic roots and unique architecture”

If there’s a ‘royal family’ of real estate in Santa Fe, besides the Barker’s, it would be the Sargent’s. Kristin is a fifth-generation Santa Fean whose father, Wally Sargent, has been a pillar of the community for many decades. “Growing up the daughter of someone who is so loved in Santa Fe always filled me with pride in my childhood, and I am even more appreciative today,” Kristin says fondly.

After teaching for several years, Kristin has followed in her father’s footsteps and built a successful career in real estate sales. “There is so much about this business that is rewarding on a daily basis — helping buyers make their dreams come true by finding and buying their perfect…

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How to Find the Ideal Home for Growing Family Needs

When you know, you know. Two of your kids may share a tiny room. Sports gear may block the entry to your house. Toys may live on the floor because there’s nowhere else to put them. And meal prep may take place while counter surfaces are crowded with backpacks, mail, and the latest school projects. Your family needs a larger home in Santa Fe.

If you’ve sworn that your bare foot has come into contact with a LEGO block for the last time (yeah, it hurts!), it may be time to find a larger home for your growing family. We often hear from clients who want to trade up to a larger house, so we can help. Your Barker real estate broker is a valuable resource who can help you reach your goal. Be sure to tap into…

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Broker Spotlight: Laura Lichtenstein

“I simply can’t imagine living anywhere else!”

The allure of Santa Fe is timeless. How often do we hear, “I came for a brief visit and decided this would be my home?” Laura felt the same draw towards a life in Santa Fe. “I vacationed one winter to ski. As soon as I graduated from college, I moved to Santa Fe and never left. I simply can’t imagine living anywhere else!”

Laura enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Bethesda, Maryland in a tight community where all the moms knew each other, the kids were out playing until dark every evening, and block parties were the norm. “My parents taught me the importance of having a voice and the courage to speak out. To not blindly follow others, but have your own opinion and the knowledge to back it up, no matter…

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