Housing

Houck: The Process of Selling – Part 1 of 3 Preparing to Sell Some Key Considerations

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty, LLC

Before putting your home on the market, there are many important decisions and preparations to consider.

Step 1 – Decide How You Want to Sell. Will you:

  • Hire a broker to handle all marketing and full transaction management?
  • Hire a broker for transaction paperwork only, but handle marketing yourself?
  • or sell entirely on your own?

Ask yourself:

  • Are you willing to take time away from work and family?
  • Do you have time to find and hire a professional photographer?
  • Do you know where and how to market your home effectively?
  • Does time permit you to maintain
Read More

Houck: Your Real Estate Contracts … The Purchase Agreement – Part 3 Of 3

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty, LLC

Generally, there are three primary contracts used in a real estate transaction:

          • Listing Agreement
          • Buyer’s Brokerage Agreement
          • Purchase Agreement – This contract establishes the agreed-upon price and terms of sale between the Buyer and the Seller. 

All terms in these contracts are negotiable, and both buyers and sellers should carefully review and negotiate them before signing.

The Purchase Agreement

The purchase agreement is a legally binding contract between the Buyer and the Seller. It begins as an offer and becomes a fully executed Read More

Houck: Your Real Estate Contracts … The Buyer Brokerage Agreement (Part 2 Of 3)

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty, LLC

Editor’s note: This is the second column in a three-part series on the contracts one may see in the process of buying or selling a home here in Los Alamos or White Rock.

Generally, there are three primary contracts used in a real estate transaction:

  1. Listing Agreement
  2. Buyer’s Brokerage Agreement – an agreement between the buyer and their broker that outlines how much the buyer agrees to pay the broker and how long the buyer is committed to working with that brokerage.
  3. Purchase Agreement

All terms in these contracts are negotiable, and both buyers Read More

New Mexico Department Of Workforce Solutions Launches Statewide Leadership Training To Address Homelessness

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NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair

NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A new statewide leadership training series launched today as the state aims to strengthen New Mexico’s response to homelessness and housing instability.

The five-session series will cover leadership, data storytelling, equitable staffing, financial stewardship, and trauma-informed critical incident debriefing. The initiative combines expert-led training with facilitated peer conversations, creating space for leaders to share proven strategies, align efforts and address real-time challenges facing communities Read More

House Republicans Roll Out ‘Fair Shot’ Housing Affordability Package, Request Message From Governor

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — House Republicans have introduced a two-bill housing affordability package focused on helping New Mexico families buy homes and protecting the state’s single-family housing market. Because current law limits what legislation can be considered during the session, House Republicans were required to formally request a message from the Governor to allow these proposals to move forward.

The package includes legislation (HB 176) sponsored by Rep. Alan Martinez creating an Affordable Housing Fund that would provide zero-percent down payment loans to qualified first-time Read More

Laurent Outlines Priorities In State Of The County Address

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Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presents her annual State of the County report during the Chamber Business Breakfast Jan. 15 at SALA Event Center. Photo by Marlene Wilden/ladailypost.com

By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presented her annual State of the County address Thursday during the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast, reviewing the past year and outlining priorities for 2026 while portraying a busy but financially cautious government.

She told business leaders the County is balancing multiple priorities, Read More

Social Services In-Person Office Hours Jan. 21 In White Rock

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Social Services Division is offering convenient evening hours at the White Rock Branch Library to better assist people who may not be able to meet during regular business hours.

Community members who need assistance with housing services, utility payments, food instability, or connections to other resources in the county are encouraged to stop by for a one-on-one meeting to learn how Social Services may be able to help.

No appointment is necessary.

The Social Services staff will be available monthly at the White Rock Public Library in a study room on the third Read More

Houck: Your Real Estate Contracts … The Listing Agreement (Part 1 Of 3)

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By DAVID HOUCK
Qualifying Broker
Atomic Realty, LLC

Generally, there are three main contracts a buyer and seller may use during a real estate transaction:

  1. Listing Agreement – the contract between the seller and the listing brokerage to market and manage the sale
  2. Buyer’s Brokerage Agreement
  3. Purchase Agreement

All terms in these contracts are negotiable, and buyers and sellers should carefully review and negotiate them before signing.

The Listing Agreement

The listing agreement outlines the services the broker will provide, the commission the seller agrees to pay the listing brokerage, Read More

New Mexico Association Of REALTORS® Announces Lois Sury As 2026 President

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Lois Sury

NMAR News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Association of REALTORS® (NMAR) is proud to announce Lois Sury as its 2026 President. A respected leader, educator, and dedicated advocate for real estate professionals and property owners across New Mexico, Sury brings more than three decades of industry experience and service to the role.

A native New Mexican, Sury has built her career on deep local knowledge, exceptional professionalism, and a passion for helping clients achieve their real estate goals. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern New Mexico University with degrees in sociology Read More

Española Pathways Shelter Gets Recommendation To Continue Overnight Operations

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Courtesy photo

NMPL News:

ESPAÑOLA — Jan. 12, an independent hearing officer appointed by the Española City Council recommended approval of Española Pathways Shelter’s (“EPS”) application for a special use permit to continue providing overnight shelter, concluding that the shelter meets the City’s zoning requirements and does not pose a risk to public health or safety. The recommendation follows 16 months of review and comes at a critical time as winter conditions intensify. Advocates and community leaders are now urging the City Council to adopt the recommendation so the shelter, its Read More