El Dorado, a community eight miles southeast of Santa Fe, was a working ranch of 26,000 acres before it became a housing development in 1972. Currently, there are more than 2,700 homesites and 7,000 residents with a community center, swimming pool, tennis courts, recreation fields, stables, greenbelt areas, and a 4,000-acre hiking preserve. There is a shopping complex with grocery store, coffee shop, restaurants, beauty salon, drug store, gas station, and home furnishings. Plans are in the works for a movie theater, enlarged grocery store, and other retail outlets. The community also has its own private library.
The El Dorado Elementary School is consistently named among the top in the state. In addition, there is a private Montessori school within the community. Students from 7th grade and up are served by Capshaw Junior High or Capital High School.
 Many who live here are artists, and the community holds an annual arts tour.
Fire protection is provided by a volunteer fire and rescue department. Most water comes from the community-owned company. There are a few private wells. Natural gas and electricity is provided by the Public Service Company of New Mexico. Some lots have propane.
Law enforcement is provided by the county. The El Dorado Community Improvement Association provides additional security.
Covenants maintain the integrity of the area. Homeowners dues are nominal, and paid annually. The diverse neighborhood with its mountain vistas appeals to those who enjoy the privacy of country-style living, close to town.
 
Pricing >Competitive Pricing
You have seen it all over the years--interest rates rise and fall, sales prices escalate and decline. No matter what phase the market is in, it is always important to price your home in your area competitively. How can you price your home with confidence?
The first step is to contact a professional real estate agent for a comparative market analysis. The agent will look at recent sales of comparable homes in your area and give you information about other properties that are currently on the market. By comparing the size, location and condition of your home to the competition, your agent can help you determine how much to ask for your home. Even in an active market, an inflated price may frighten prospective buyers away. A house that is over-priced can take additional weeks or months to sell, and the final sale price may even be lower than if the sellers had started out more realistically. The price is based on market conditions, comparable sales, and your agents years of experience in the marketplace.
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Where would you go if you wished to stay in the world's most expensive hotel room?
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The Imperial Suite at the President Wilson Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, which can be reserved for $33,000 per night. |
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