10 home trends you can count on

• From horror to haven

  When Russ Roberts closed his home's front door behind him for a trip back to Chicago one day in October 2005, little did he realize that it would be nearly four years and $1.5 million before he would be able to live in the house again. »Story,

• HOUSING CORNER: A bit of good news comes for homebuyers and sellers

  November brought great news for homebuyers and sellers with the first-time homebuyer tax credit being extended and expanded. »Story,

• 2009 Santa Fe Realtor awards: a family affair

  A father and daughter won the top 2009 honors in awards presented recently by the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. »Story,

• Tips to turn 'for sale' into 'sold'

  Selling a home today requires more effort than in recent years. Now that the nation's real estate fever has cooled, it is important for homeowners to understand what they can do to best position their home in an increasingly competitive market. »Story,

• Rental-market woes

  The wave of new homebuyers that has at least temporarily propped up sales of single-family homes not surprisingly has left area residential rental property managers scrambling to fill a growing number of vacant houses and apartment units. »Story,

• Appraisers hope rule changes ease burdens

  If a first-time buyer's home loan isn't approved, if a refinance package hits the skids or a builder's solar water-heating system fails to boost the value of a remodeled house, there is one person who seems to catch the blame — the appraiser. »Story,

• Fixer-upper fixes 'house addict'

  PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — People used to drive by the little battleship-gray bungalow with nary a glimpse. Inside, the Palm Springs home's warren of small, dark rooms with popcorn ceilings were equally unimpressive. Craig Ferree recalls other problems. »Story,

• Green Building Summit and Expo set to go

  Constructing a truly green, energy-efficient home means much more than just tacking a few solar panels on the roof and installing slow-flow shower heads in the bathrooms. »Story,

• Denman & Associates have been producing it for 28 years

  Denman & Associates, a 28-year-old Santa Fe design and construction firm, recently completed tenant improvements for the Bioneers organization in the two-story building at the north end of the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Another recent project was a stuccoed addition to a log cabin in Tesuque. "It's a very well-insulated building made with aerated concrete, and there's an organic garden and the house has a solar hot-water system, " Burke Denman said. "That's the kind of client that's just exciting to come across." »Story,

• HOME DESIGN: No more 'amen' to amenities

  Santa Fe home builders, trying to make the most of sales opportunities as first-time buyers rush to meet a tax-credit deadline, are rethinking how they design, market and price their products in the midst of a major attitude adjustment among buyers. »Story,

• Neighborhoods & Communities: On the streets of El Rito

  One of the big stories right now in any story about El Rito, New Mexico, is the closing of Martin's Store. "That just happened on Aug. 31. It was the heart of the community," said lifelong resident Carmen Campos. "It's really very, very sad. But Greg Martin, the owner, has been so good to the community and it's time for him to enjoy his life. He was putting in a lot of time. »Story,

• Report details home and commercial water use

  A city initiative going into effect next Jan. 1 is designed to save water, and it will probably tie some tongues, too. Dale Lyons, water resource coordinator with the city's Sangre de Cristo Water Department, said they're calling it the Water Budget Requirements Ordinance. »Story,