Highland Estates

No. This entire area was subdivided over sixty years ago into quarter acre lots. There is nothing larger, and the only way to get something larger is to purchase adjacent lots. 

Only where listed. If we have two quarter acre lots that are adjacent and could equal one half acre lot, we will sell them that way. 

If you look at the property list on this page, you’ll see the Legal Descriptions of the properties. These are written logically. Unit 1, Block 1, Lot A would be adjacent to Unit 1, Block 1, Lot B. So on and so forth. If you’re looking at two properties wondering if they’re adjacent, simply review the legal descriptions.

Yes.

The roads in this area are quite good.

Mind you, the subdivision is small and is divided evenly by Route 285, which means you're never far from a paved and county-maintained road. In addition, many people live in this small subdivision which means even the dirt roads gets trafficked often enough to be easy to drive on. 

In general, you'll find everything from paved to gravel to dirt roads here but all are in good condition and can be navigated in any vehicle type.

No.

This is a topic of some debate.

According to both Taos and Rio Arriba County governments there are no recorded covenants for this subdivision. There is, however, a sign at the entrance to Highland Estates West which enumerates some "restrictive covenants" about camping and RV use. 

In our experience buying and selling land we would imagine something had to be written down at some point. That said, it probably wasn't very detailed or strict and like most of those types of documents the conditions enumerated were probably all fairly reasonable. 

Anyone buying land in developed regions like this should expect there to be some rules, written or unwritten about the way the community likes its residents to conduct themselves. In situations like this, a little bit of common sense goes a long way. Additionally, as long as you have the proper permits and are in compliance with building regulations you'll probably be fine.

No. This region is zoned County Rural Area by both Taos and Rio Arriba Counties. This is a fairly permissive zoning designation which will allow for a lot more freedom in how you develop the land.

Yes.

According to both the Taos and Rio Arriba County zoning ordinances, people are allowed to park/live/camp in their RV for up to 180 Days.

That’s the conventional wisdom, yes, but the reality is there are numerous “work-arounds” when it comes to getting permits to build. Most of the “¾ acre restrictions”, particularly in regards to septic installation, have to do with New Mexico Environmental Law. Numerous “green” alternatives, however, have been created in recent years which may make it easier or more affordable to circumvent the traditional septic system regulations. For further questions about this, we recommend you explore the NM EPA’s website here or contact their offices at (505) 827-2855.

Our understanding is that for lots under ¾ of an acre, septic options may include Advanced Treatment Units, Split Flow Systems and ET Beds. All buyers, however, are strongly encouraged to contact the NM EPA with specific questions about septic systems, septic installation, proper permitting, etc. Additionally, if your intention is to build on the land, you may want to address your questions to vendors in the local Taos County region.

Probably, but questions like this are best addressed to the Taos County Planning & Zoning office, whose number is (575) 737-6440.

Yes.

The Kit Carson Electric Cooperative services this region and residential power lines can be found snaking up and down most of the roads in the community. 

The Tres Piedras Water Association is a small local utility company which brings water service to homes in the community, including the Highland Estates subdivision.

Having no first-hand experience with it ourselves, we can’t speak to this issue directly. That being said, we’ve had a number of people scout properties in this region and no one has ever reported any problems using their smart phones to locate the lots. Additionally, it’s our understanding a cell tower exists very close by and that wi-fi out here is surprisingly reliable. 

Yes. Please do. We encourage anyone who’s going to buy from us to view the land they’re interested in prior to purchase.

No. We’re investors, not realtors. Additionally, we have no office in New Mexico nor staff on standby waiting to give people guided tours.

It’s easy. Each listing page will have an interactive map you can study to locate both the property as well as the best route to take to access it. In addition, there are a number of mapping apps which can help with locating vacant land or land which doesn't have a formal address. Land ID (formerly MapRight) is one our photographers use all the time and recommend highly. 

In addition, anyone purchasing from us will be provided with GPS coordinates for the four corner points and center of the parcel. While these are not a substitute for having the land professionally surveyed, they can provide a reasonable sense of the property's location.

No.

Not recently and not by us, no.

This entire region was platted out years ago. Stakes or pins may have been used to mark property boundaries but it’s questionable whether they still exist or can be found. While they may be there, we’re not making that guarantee to our buyers.

The GPS coordinates we give you to locate the lots are fairly accurate and should get you to a location that will give you an excellent sense of precisely what chunk of land it is that you’d be buying. For a specific sense of where the lot begins and ends, it is ultimately best to hire a local surveyor.

Three reasons:

1 - For our purposes of creating listings, we have software that tells us everything we need to know about the property’s size, shape and location.

2 - We never know if our end buyer will want or require a survey.

3 - If the survey costs us $1,000 we’re simply going to increase the price of the land $2,000. Hence, it’s ultimately cheaper for the buyer to pay for the survey themselves.

Plat Maps are available on each individual listing page for properties within this region.

Simply click the ‘Buy Now’ button at the top of the listing page of the property that interests you most. 

Yes. We are currently offering affordable financing options on all of our Highland Estate properties.

1/4 Acre Lots are $600 Down + $150/Month x 16 Months with 90 Days Same As Cash.

1/2 Acre Lots are $750 Down + $150/Month x 24 Months with 90 Days Same As Cash.

Only if you pay it off as slowly as humanly possible.

When financing is offered, our contracts contain only pre-payment incentives and no pre-payment penalties.

Additionally, every contract will come with a 90-Days-Same-As-Cash clause.

To see an example of one of our generic land contracts, click here.

If you pay us all the money at once, it will be deeded into your name immediately. If you elect to finance the land, we will not deed it into your name until such a time as all the payments have been made. Until that time, the land contract will be the document that demonstrates your equitable interest in the property.

As soon as you give us money, it’s yours to do with as you please.