Longtime Santa Fean Karen Walker, who knows as much as anyone about buying and selling real estate in the City Different, has come out with a book on the subject -- her third.

In Santa Fe Real Estate: Good Things to Know, the Realtor writes clearly, obviously in charge of her subject and willing to discuss at any level what she calls "the peculiarities of the Santa Fe area."

As a deal gets closer to completion, Walker tells readers in one chapter, they should know that "an offer to purchase" is likely to bring with it anxiety and excitement.

"This is a time to contain your emotions with a measure of caution," Walker writes. "Consider carefully which safeguards and disclosures should be contained in your offer to purchase."

In other words, hold off on the carpe diem -- there's work yet to do.

Walker mentions one final caution, and that has to do with the fact that New Mexico is one of the few states where if your purchase requires funds from a lender, that lender may not fund immediately but require inspection of all the documents signed at closing.

Oh well ... you're almost there.

As for observations on the current Santa Fe market, Walker says most of the action has been in the $700,000 to $2 million range, and almost all of that activity has been in cash.

For more information, call 982-0118 or visit karenwalkerrealestate.com. Walker's book is available at Collected Works or at her office.


China Star at 3795 Cerrillos Road has been replaced by a glitzier restaurant, Fusion Fire Buffet and Grill.

In addition to a Chinese buffet, there's also a teppan grill, a salad bar, a dessert bar and a barbecue table.

Manager Andy Hua said about 20 people work in the restaurant, which is not connected to the former business.

One Santa Fe Googler, Eric McKay, said he and his wife had eaten at Fusion Fire and had been impressed with the cuisine they found.

"My wife generally dislikes Asian food, but after five minutes at this new establishment, we will be returning soon and often," McKay said.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, half an hour later on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 438-0033.


NAI Maestas & Ward has expanded into Northern New Mexico with a merger with Commercial Properties, a 38-year-old Santa Fe commercial real estate firm owned by James Wheeler.

The merger "solidifies our presence along the Rio Grande corridor from Taos to Las Cruces and provides clients with local market experts in each community," said Steve Maestas, NAI Maestas & Ward managing partner. The merger adds more than 70 new brokerage and property management assignments to NAI Maestas & Ward's inventory.

Commercial Properties brokers James Wheeler and George Jimenez and property manager Patrick Gallagher will be joined by Christian Sanchez, a Maestas & Ward adviser specializing in Northern New Mexican properties, and by Carlos Garcia, a longtime Santa Fe businessman and commercial real-estate broker, who will oversee Santa Fe operations.