Frequently Asked Questions

RESIDENTIAL
When will the first homes at Mesa del Sol be available for occupancy?
How many houses do you plan to build in the first neighborhood?
What types of residents will Mesa del Sol attract?
How will Mesa del Sol residents save money and conserve energy on utilities?
Will Mesa del Sol residences be ENERGY STAR qualified homes?
Will unimproved lots be sold at Mesa del Sol?
Who are the homebuilders selected for Mesa del Sol?
Can I buy a lot and select my own builder to construct a custom home at Mesa del Sol?
Will oversized lots be available to accommodate trailers, fifth wheels or boats?
Are there any model homes to tour at Mesa del Sol?
Will aircraft noise from the Sunport be a problem for residents?
What style of homes will there be at Mesa del Sol?
What size homes will there be at Mesa del Sol?
What price ranges will there be for homes at Mesa del Sol?
Will there be condominiums at Mesa del Sol?
What type of landscaping will be featured at Mesa del Sol?
Will homes have backyards?
Will homes have front porches?
Will Mesa del Sol have a homeowners association? Will there be covenants?
Will Mesa del Sol have homeowners association fees?

COMMUNITY
Will there be parks and other outdoor venues for residents?
What community amenities will there be at Mesa del Sol?
Where will students who live at Mesa del Sol go to school?
What are the plans for public safety?
Are there plans for retail businesses at Mesa del Sol?
Will there be grocery stores, banks and health centers at Mesa del Sol?
What about the water issues at Mesa del Sol?
What is New Urbanism?
What does sustainability mean?
Will there be churches located at Mesa del Sol?
What type of Internet connections will be available at Mesa del Sol?
What types of educational options are being explored at Mesa del Sol?

Residential

Q1. When will the first homes at Mesa del Sol be available for occupancy?

A. Model homes are scheduled for touring in Spring 2009, with homebuyers moving in Fall 2009.

Q2. How many houses do you plan to build in the first neighborhood?

A. During the first year of residential development, Mesa del Sol plans to build approximately 400 housing units. Plans are to build 400-500 units in each subsequent year.

Q3. What types of residents will Mesa del Sol attract?

A. Mesa del Sol will appeal to a diversity of people – singles, families, first-time homebuyers, empty nesters and retirees – essentially, people who want to live in a vibrant, walkable and sustainable community.

Q4. How will Mesa del Sol residents save money and conserve energy on utilities?

A. Mesa del Sol homes will include a variety of energy-efficient features to improve home quality and homeowner comfort, lower energy demand, reduce air pollution and conserve water. The homes’ design, construction materials, landscaping, and appliances will reflect and enable Mesa del Sol’s commitment to quality living and support of our natural environment.

Q5. Will Mesa del Sol residences be ENERGY STAR qualified homes?

A. Yes. Homes at Mesa del Sol will include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high performance windows, efficient heating and cooling equipmentand ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances. These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, lower energy demand and reduced air pollution.

Q6. Will unimproved lots be sold at Mesa del Sol?

A. Lots will only be sold to qualified homebuilders. Each of these selected homebuilders will be charged with the development of homes of a certain type and size.

Q7. Who are the homebuilders selected for Mesa del Sol?

A. Qualified homebuilders will be selected by fall 2008. Information about the homebuilders who are selected will be available on our website and announced in our newsletter.

Q8. Can I buy a lot and select my own builder to construct a custom home at Mesa del Sol?

A. Homes that are semi customized will be offered for sale. Lots will be sold to selected builders.

Q9. Will oversized lots be available to accommodate trailers, fifth wheels or boats?

A. While some of the larger home lots will accommodate three car garages, they will not, however, allow for recreational vehicles or accessory sports equipment storage.

Q10. Are there any model homes to tour at Mesa del Sol now?

A. Model homes are scheduled to be available for viewing and sales in early 2009.

Q11. Will aircraft noise from the Sunport be a problem for residents?

A. While we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case, Mesa del Sol is not within any Sunport Flight Plans. For comparison’s sake, Mesa del Sol is approximately the same distance from the airport as is the University of New Mexico and adjacent neighborhoods.

Q12. What style of homes will there be at Mesa del Sol?

A. Mesa del Sol will offer homes in a variety of architectural styles. Conceptual drawings of the various styles will soon be available on the website.

Q13. What size homes will there be at Mesa del Sol?

A. Housing units are expected to range in size from 900 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet.

Q14. What price ranges will there be for homes at Mesa del Sol?

A. Home prices will reflect a wide range, from $150,000 to more than $700,000.

Q15. Will there be condominiums at Mesa del Sol?

A. Yes. Mesa del Sol will feature many housing styles including condominiums.

Q16. What type of landscaping will be featured at Mesa del Sol?

A. There will be a full spectrum of landscaping styles, with an emphasis on native plants and water harvesting.

Q17. Will homes have backyards?

A. Yes, homes will have backyards and many will have alley access.

Q18. Will homes have front porches?

A. Many homes will have front porches.

Q19. Will Mesa del Sol have a homeowners association? Will there be covenants?

A. Yes, there will be a community association that all residential owners may join. The association will operate and maintain common areas, including neighborhood parks and pools. There will be some neighborhood covenants, which will be enforced by the community association. Individual builders may create sub-associations, which will apply only to the homes that they build and sell. The decision whether to create a sub-association will be left to the individual builder. There will also be a community council which will fund or sponsor community events and activities such as farmers markets, parades, or other charitable events which benefit Mesa del Sol and its residents.

Q20. Will Mesa del Sol have homeowner association fees?

A. Mesa del Sol will have a master community association. Fees will be determined by an annual budget, which will cover the costs of community amenities and programs. The association fee charged to each homeowner has not been set yet, however, it will be competitive with other associations in the area and will not exceed the amount necessary to cover costs.

Community

Q1. Will there be parks and other outdoor venues for residents?

A. Yes, approximately 3,200 acres are dedicated to parks and open spaces at Mesa del Sol.

Q2. What community amenities will there be at Mesa del Sol?

A. Mesa del Sol plans on constructing and maintaining a mix of public spaces to enhance every day life. This plan includes community centers, biking and hiking trails, parks and swimming pools. Retail services and jobs will be within walking and biking distance.

Q3. Where will students who live at Mesa del Sol go to school?

A. There will be schools at Mesa del Sol. Research of the education options for Mesa del Sol is now in progress. An educational master plan for Mesa del Sol is currently in development.

Q4. What are the plans for public safety?

A. A police substation and fire station will be located at Innovation Park, Mesa del Sol’s commercial center.

Q5. Are there plans for retail businesses at Mesa del Sol?

A. A variety of shopping options will be offered at Mesa del Sol. These include restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques, among other retail businesses.

Q6. Will there be grocery stores, banks and health centers at Mesa del Sol?

A. Yes, they will be available at various times during the growth of the community. Openings of these businesses will be announced as soon as they become available.

Q7. What about the water issues at Mesa del Sol?

A. Mesa del Sol is part of the City of Albuquerque and will receive its water from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. Mesa del Sol is among the most water-wise, large-scale developments in the U.S., with one of the most conservative water use plans of any area of Albuquerque. Mesa del Sol has adopted a strategy of sustainable water practices, including implementing the latest innovations in water conservation, planning for the first large-scale storm water harvesting project and high desert landscaping design and wastewater use.

Q8. What is New Urbanism?

A. New Urbanism is the term used to describe a planning and design philosophy intended to create a strong sense of community by incorporating features of traditional cities, towns and neighborhoods. Elements of New Urbanism, which will be incorporated at Mesa del Sol, include walkability, a balance of jobs and housing and compact mixed-use neighborhoods.

Q9. What does sustainability mean?

A. At its most basic level, Sustainability means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Mesa del Sol is committed to making energy efficiency, water conservation and green building standards an integral part of the community. A sustainable community brings people out of their homes and cars, encouraging them to be active, healthy and connected to their environment and each other.

Q10. Will there be churches located at Mesa del Sol?

A. Yes, land will be available for purchase by religious organizations interested in locating at Mesa del Sol.

Q11. What type of Internet connections will be available at Mesa del Sol?

A. Mesa del Sol will offer state-of-the-art Internet connectivity most likely including high speed connectivity with broad bandwidth, fiber to the home connections, and Wi-Fi and Wi-Max.

Q12. What types of educational options are being explored at Mesa del Sol?

A. Mesa del Sol is a unique community that incorporates a host of innovations and choices that embrace 21st century living, including early childhood education, home schooling, charter schools, public, private schools, online learning and lifelong learning opportunities.

Q13. Will charter schools be the only option offered at Mesa del Sol?

A. No, the first school at Mesa del Sol will be a charter school. However, Mesa del Sol will offer and support an array of options for parents and students. Options currently being examined are public, charter, private schools, home schooling, early childhood education, pre-K and opportunities for online learning, post secondary and lifelong learning.