What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
1/2 of property is built with traditional adobe brick;
Remainder is cinder block with pumice insulation;
Floors are wood, adobe, tile and brick;
concrete counter tops;
passive solar (south facing green house)Property Description
*25 minutes to downtown Taos
*5 minutes to Rio Grande River (swimming, rafting, hiking, etc.)40 minutes to Taos Ski Valley
* 25 minutes to famous mineral spring resort, Ojo Caliente Backyard is Carson National Forest with plenty of hiking at your disposal.
The main portion of this property (approx. 800 sq. ft.) was built 10 years ago of natural adobe brick, mud plaster and a unique roof line mimicking a Quonset hut (photo gallery below). Presently, this portion contains two bedrooms and the living room (with a small alcove for office). Over the last few years, we have built several additions. The new kitchen, bathroom, sun room and greenhouse are 2 X 6 frame construction with a 3′ base of pumice filled concrete block. The upstairs master bedroom is 2 X 6 frame and the 3 shops/studios are also on a 3′ base of pumice filled concrete block.
*Living Room (20′ X 22′) w/alcove presently used for office space - basefloor is adobe brick with wood covering.
*Bedroom 1 - (10′ X 16′) - carpeted floor - window view facing East
*Bedroom 2 - (10′ X 16′) - wood plank floor - window view facing West
*Upstairs Master Bedroom - (22′ X 13′) - tongue & groove floor - window view facing West - South facing door to “possible” deck
*Kitchen/Dining Room - (20′ X 15′) - tile floor, maple cabinets, black-stained concrete countertops
*Bathroom - (12′ X 9′) - tile floor, maple cabinets, black-stained concrete counter top, lo-flow toilet and larger dimension tiled shower
*Pantry/Laundry (9′ X 12′) - tile floor
*Sun Room (10′ X 32′) - red fired indoor brick floor, *Green House (10′ X 20′) - red fired indoor brick floor, sliding glass doors, skylights and 2 X 6 framing. All built to code although our “eclectic” community, as of this writing, does not warrant permits or inspections. All appliances are included with the property (gas stove/oven, propane refrigerator, washing machine & microwave).
Home dimensions:
* Outside space:
*Protected/Fenced Japanese garden with pond
Attached Studio Spaces:*
*Machine room (14′ X 20′)
*Luthier/Woodworking Main studio (14′ X 20′)
*Studio (14′ X 12′)
Solar Energy:
*1100 watts (18 photovoltaic panels)
*2400 watt Trace Inverter
*8 Long-life Surrette batteries
This system has supported a family of 3 (one of which is a teenager!), living with plenty of lights, computer system, stereo system, washing machine (Staber), Television (DISH Satellite included), microwave, expresso maker, toaster, etc. etc. AND, most importantly, a woodworking shop. This system is certainly considered large by any standards.
Heat:
The primary source of heat is propane. There are heaters in the livingroom, upstairs bedroom and two studios.
Internet/WWW Satellite service:
Starband Satellite with modem allowing for high-speed internet and web service (24/7).
Water:
We “catch” our water during the summer monsoon season and winter snow melt. In a good year, there is no need to “purhase” water, however, water can be bought and delivered. Presently, 2000 gallons of water costs $130.00. We have 5,000 gallons of storage. Our main cistern pumps the water into the pressure tank. From there it works like a conventional water system. The rain water is used for showers/washing dishes, and any boiling (i.e., rice, pasta). We buy our drinking water.
Community:
We are located West of the Gorge Bridge off the West Rim Road. This community is refererd to as either “Tres Orejas (ears)” because of the three hills to the West or “Three Peaks”. It is one of the last “antiquated subdivisions” in the country. It was a land grant offered to the Martinez family by President Harding in 1921. Since then it was sold and divided into quarter acre lots by a land development company. Many of these lots were “won” at the Worlds Fair in 1961; most were auctioned off by the county and purchased by people like us!
This community is also fortunate to have a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist Stupa (500 feet behind our home), meditation and teaching facilities with a resident Tibetan Buddhist Lama who visits most weekends.
Landscape:
We are 7100 feet above sea level, considered High Desert. The landscape is primarily sage brush and our hillsides are covered with Pinon and Juniper with a sweeping view of the Rio Grande Valley.
The spectacular Rio Grande Gorge is visible outside of our window (about 1 mile).
For those of you who are familiar with Feng Shui, this home has the Rio Grande River to the East with a view of the majestic Taos Mountain, and three hills to the west behind our home. This is
considered very auspicious by the many Lamas who have visited the area. It’s well protected.
Enjoy our photo gallery — this is just the beginning and more photos/ thumbnails will come. Thanks! Natalie and Michael Thames - 505-474-6628 or [email protected]
[email protected]
THIS HOME IS PRICED TO SELL. IT WAS OUR PRIMARY HOME UNTIL WE MOVED TO SANTA FE IN 2006. AT THAT TIME, THIS PROPERTY WAS APPRAISED AT $265,000.00; PRIOR TO AT LEAST $30,000 OF ADDITIONAL RENOVATIONS. WE HAD HOPED TO WAIT FOR THE MARKET TO RE-ADJUST BUT WE'VE DECIDED IT'S TOO DIFFICULT TO BE 'LAND LORDS'LIVING 1.5 HOURS AWAY.
Neighborhood Description
We are located West of the Gorge Bridge off the West Rim Road. This community is referred to as either “Tres Orejas (ears)” because of the three hills to the West or “Three Peaks”. It is one of the last “antiquated subdivisions” in the country. It was a land grant offered to the Martinez family by President Harding in 1921. Since then it was sold and divided into quarter acre lots by a land development company. Many of these lots were “won” at the Worlds Fair in 1961; most were auctioned off by the county and purchased by people like us!
This community is also fortunate to have a beautiful Tibetan Buddhist Stupa (500 feet behind our home), meditation and teaching facilities with a resident Tibetan Buddhist Lama who visits most weekends.Market Area
Taos is the closes "town" with all amenities: post office, natural food markets, restaurants, schools, cinema, parks. Taos is a world renowned ski destination; with lots of hiking, river rafting, etc.School District
Community
Location of Home or Land
Rural
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | no |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Solar - Passive |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Photovoltaic (PV) |
| Water System | Rain Water Collection |
| Wastewater System | Septic System |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Adobe |
| Exterior Finish | Plaster - Earth Stucco Wood |
| Interior Finish | Cement Plaster |
| Interior Paint | Other |
| Floor Material | Tile |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Vinyl or Vinyl Clad |
| Insulation Material | Cotton Batt |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Garage Area | 800 sqft |
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