About Rio Rancho, New Mexico

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Rio Rancho was developed as Rio Rancho Estates by developer AMREP in the 60’s and 70’s. AMREP developed 91,000+ acres of New Mexico Land northwest of Albuquerque and marketed it as a retirement community to people mainly in the eastern US. Rio Rancho Land is platted into approximately 112,000 home sites and commercial lots. Rio Rancho offered large (usually 1/2 acre) Lots at reasonable prices. During the 60’s and 70’s AMREP sold more than 75,000 lots in “Rio Rancho Estates” to thousands of individuals throughout the country.

Rio Rancho is now the fastest growing city in New Mexico and has come a long way from the early days. Dubbed the "City of Vision", Rio Rancho now has a population of over 70,000… and growing fast. The City of Rio Rancho planners made a decision a few years ago to build a new "Downtown" and chose a parcel of Real Estate in the middle of Rio Rancho. The new Rio Rancho “City Center” will be a modern and dynamic downtown and already has a state of the art Arena (Santa Ana Star Center), the new Rio Rancho City Hall, and will soon have the CNM (Community College) and UNM Campus.

The Rio Rancho Real Estate market is dynamic and complex. Land in Rio Rancho can range in price from $5,000 to $150,000 for a ½ acre lot and depends greatly on location. Rio Rancho is a young and growing community that is moving toward being the most visionary city in New Mexico, and with Rio Rancho Land being plentiful; I expect the growth to continue for many years.
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Rio Rancho Real Estate News

News Postings and Links

Monday, July 21, 2008

Mayor Swisstack To Hold Public Meetings

The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM - Public Meeting Schedule: "Mayor of Rio Rancho Thomas E. Swisstack will be conducting six 'Community Conversations' throughout the city in August.
'I am eager to follow-up with residents who attended my April and May meetings,' said Mayor Swisstack. 'My intent with these next series of meetings is to provide updates on the topics we previously discussed and continue dialogue on how we can collectively work together to enhance our community.'
One meeting will take place within the boundaries of each of the six City Council Districts."

Visit our supersite for more information on Rio Rancho Homes for sale and to search for homes and land in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

Rio Rancho Music in the Park

The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM: "The city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services proudly announces the start of its “Music in the Park” series. Each Sunday night from June 29 to August 17 Haynes Park will be the site for free musical entertainment from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m."

July 27: Plat Eye Prowl (blues, rock and soul music)

August 3: Donohoe & Grimes (rock and pop music)

August 10: John Emory (symphonic music)

August 17: Hungry Mungry (a variety of music)

Haynes Park is located at 2006 Grande Blvd. across the street from Intel on NM 528 / Pat D’Arco Highway. For additional information please call 505-891-5015.



Visit our Rio Rancho Real Estate website for Albuquerque area homes search and listings.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Rio Rancho - The Cuesta Al Este Plan Gets Approved


A 115 acre area of Unit 13 has received approval of a residential neighborhood plan called Cuesta Al Este. The site is south of the Rio Rancho City Centre in an area that has many development projects in the works.

The plan consists of 491 home sites surrounding centralized neighborhood park and a network of walking trails. The plan also shows a neighborhood clubhouse, open space set asides, and a dog park. There is no indication of the timeframe for the build out of this project.


News : Cuesta Al Este Master Plan approved by city council - Rio Rancho Observer: "The Rio Rancho city council approved the Cuesta Al Este Master Plan and amended the Preferred Growth Scenario Map, which is under the umbrella of the City of Rio Rancho’s Vision 2020 Integrated Comprehensive Plan."

Visit our Rio Rancho Real Estate website for Rio Rancho area homes search and listings.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

La Plazuela de Sandoval

We recently listed a home in the Vista Entrada Neighborhood of Rio Rancho. The Vista Entrada Subdivision is adjacent to a 69 Acre site that is being developed as a mixed use complex named La Plazuela de Sandoval. Since some of the details are hard to find I have put together the following summary of the Master Plan (based on all the information I have).

The site is located at the Northwest corner of NM 528 and Idalia Roads. The site will have a new North South route off Idalia that will serve as an additional entry/exit to the Enchanted Hills Neighborhood to the north. Also Oersted Road will extend to the east into the plan area.

Currently the site is home of the $9.3 million Sandoval County Judicial Complex that opened in August 2005. The 45,699 sq/ft complex is home to the Sandoval County District Court, the Sandoval County Sheriff's Department, and the District Attorney's office. Just north of the Judicial Complex is the Health Commons. This houses Family Services, Community Health, and Sandoval County’s Medical Assistance Program. A 60,000 sq/ft County Administrative Center is also planned for this area. North of this is the Transportation Center with Park-n-Ride and shuttle but to the RailRunner Station in Bernalillo.

Future development plans include the Cielo Azul Retirement Community. This is a planned to contain 257 apartments and assisted living units. The La Plazuela master plan includes a site for High Density Housing. This would be in accordance with Rio Rancho’s R-6 zoning that allows up to 32 dwelling units per acre. I have not seen any plans for what this could look like. The site also includes areas set aside for Office Space and Commercial Uses such as retail shops, restaurants, bank, church and such. No industrial or manufacturing type operations would be allowed.
The layout looks to be pedestrian friendly and has some open space areas and has large set aside for flood control.

This plan has had its share of controversy. Some neighbors are concerned that their property values will be hurt and the “estate home” feel of the area will be lost. The jury will be out on that until the project is complete. From my point of view it’s positive (overall) for the area, but some property owners will be negatively affected, and that’s unfortunate.

Tego



Visit our supersite for more information on Rio Rancho Homes for sale and to search for homes and land in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Amrep 4Q profit plunges as Rio Rancho Land sales plummet

This story just came out about AMREP (the largest land owner and developer of Rio rancho) and how their sales are down. This is no surprise to anyone trying to sell vacant land in Rio Rancho lately. We have seen substantial declines in the rate of closed sales. Bad news for sellers but great news for buyers.

Amrep 4Q profit plunges as N.M. land sales plummet: "Amrep Corp. on Monday posted a 92-percent drop in fiscal fourth-quarter profit, reflecting plummeting land sales at its Rio Rancho development in New Mexico."  More... http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apamrep07-15-08.htm?jsbottom

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and to search for homes and land for sale.

Movie Studio Production Complex in Rio Rancho Moves Forward.

A movie production complex planed for Rio Rancho has passed another hurdle with some promised help from the Rio Rancho City Council.

Full Story... ABQJOURNAL WEST: Studio Complex Advances: "Hollywood movie producer Steve Perry, the man behind Masque Entertainment, has set an aggressive schedule to break ground on movie production and sound stage complex in Rio Rancho by late September."

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and to search for homes and land for sale.

Friday, July 11, 2008

It's Official! Rio Rancho 3rd largest City in New Mexico

The Albuquerque Journal today published data from July 2007 showing that Rio Rancho had surpassed Santa Fe as the third largest city in New Mexico. While we knew Rio Rancho has been growing steadily, it is official. With the relocation of Hewlett Packard from Colorado Springs next year, it should continue to grow steadily. Rio Rancho had 75,978 people at the time of the census in July 2007. Las Cruces has 89,722 and Albuquerque 518,271.
All the best, Tracy

Visit our supersite for more information on Rio Rancho Real Estate and to search for homes and land.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Great Rio Rancho Home for Sale.

We just listed a wonderful home in Rio Rancho. Wow, what a great house! Views, high quality construction, custom features, 2522/sf, 4bdrms, and a lot of almost one acre. Priced at $354900.00.


Visit our supersite for more information on Rio Rancho NM Real Estate and to search for homes and land.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

HP in Rio Rancho

For the last few weeks there has been big news here in New Mexico.  The Colorado Springs Hewlett Packard plant is going to be relocating to Rio Rancho.  While many employees are expected to transfer to the new facility, there's also going to be hiring opportunities to get to full staffing.
We have already had inquiries from current HP employees planning ahead for their relocation.  It's a great time to get Rio Rancho Real Estate, both homes and land.  In addition, with some of the incentives currently being offered by builders, buying now and having a home built could be an excellent option. 
With the addition of HP, the new Rio Rancho City Center should really pop.  There is already quite a bit going on there with the Arena, the New Mexico Scorpions Professional Hockey, City Hall, the impending construction of CNM & UNM, plus the beautiful new V. Sue Cleveland High School opening in 2009.
We have mapped out land near these areas which is for sale, so if anyone is thinking beyond buying a home, this is a great area to consider buying investment land.  We have worked with many buyers who are investing in the future of Rio Rancho.  As one of the fastest growing Cities in the Country, it sure seems like a good place to invest. 
For homes, there are opportunities to buy in established neighborhoods, customs homes on larger lots, and also new homes.

All the best,  Tracy Venturi


Rio Rancho NM Real Estate
Albuquerque Real Estate News

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Welcome to Rioranchowood... ??

There is Hollywood and there is Bollywood, how about Rioranchowood or Riowood? No I guess not, it sounds kind of funny... anyway, another filmmaker group is looking at the Rio Rancho City Centre area as a possible location for a studio. We have been hearing about Lionsgate for a few years now (hopefully that will get going soon) but now there is this story about a studio wanting to be in the Rio Rancho city center area with them. It's great to be getting these type of announcements (like the Hewlett-Packard deal announced last week) to jumpstart slow home and land sales in Rio Rancho.

Here is the story from the Rio Rancho Journal...
ABQJOURNAL WEST: Filmmakers Have Eye on Downtown RR: "Filmmakers are again looking at building a high-tech studio in Rio Rancho's new downtown."

Visit our websites: Rio Rancho NM Real Estate and Rio Rancho Real Estate News

Friday, June 20, 2008

HP Coming to Rio Rancho!

In case you have not heard, Hewlett-Packard announced Wednesday that they will be building a "Customer Service and Technical Support Center" in Rio Rancho. We understand that the building will be in the City Centre area not too far from the Santa Ana Star Center and the City Hall. This is also in the area that Lionsgate Entertainment is planning to build a movie studio. We are thrilled about this announcement look forward having HP as a member of the community.

Here is a roundup of stories...
HP Expected To Bring RR 'Huge Boost'
HP plans NM support center with 1,300 jobs by 2012 (AP)
Most HP jobs in Rio Rancho will pay at least $45,000 (New Mexico Business Weekly)
Springs jittery over HP announcement (Denver Post)
Hewlett-Packard plans service and support centers in Arkansas and New Mexico (Business Times)
HP plans N.M. support center with 1,300 jobs (AP)
Arkansas News Bureau Story


Visit our websites: Rio Rancho NM Real Estate and Rio Rancho Real Estate News

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Rio Rancho 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza

The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM - 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza: "The City of Rio Rancho will once again have one of the state's biggest and best fireworks shows on our country’s Independence Day, Friday, July 4...

Rio Rancho NM Real Estate

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Economic development in Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho Observer Online: "The city has 150,000 economic base jobs and 63 economic based companies in Sandoval County. A job earns the economic base label if the majority of the company’s products or services are exported from the community. Examples include Intel, Victoria Secret Direct and U.S. Cotton.

Visit our websites: Rio Rancho NM Real Estate and Rio Rancho Real Estate News

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Rio Rancho Planning For New Retail

Rio Rancho Planning For New Retail - Albuquerque News Story - KOAT Albuquerque: "Rio Rancho mayor Tom Swisstack is set to make some big announcements before the city's governing body.

Rio Rancho NM Real Estate

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Westside Boulevard Isn't Quite Done

ABQjournal West_News: Westside Boulevard Isn't Quite Done


Rio Rancho Real Estate