The Taos real estate market can be both interesting and difficult at times. Vacation homes, as well as land parcels for them, and purchases for future retirement, all involve buyers that do not necessarily need to purchase immediately. Likewise, Taos real estate sellers are not relocating, and thus do not need to sell in a hurry. These characteristics can lead to more difficulty with price and terms negotiations.

There is also an ongoing struggle between those who want more development, and those who wish to see Taos remain the same. Those in the middle are trying to develop better rules and policies for the development of Taos County. Land use codes and building codes are becoming more strict. Those who wish to purchase raw land and build should be particularly careful to gain an understanding of land-use codes, building codes, and planning and zoning.

Taos is also home to many who wish to protect the environment in every way they can. Recent new laws enacted in the state of New Mexico with regards to septic systems are quite strict. A large percentage of current septic systems will not meet the current regulations requirements, and cannot be legally transferred without expensive upgrades. Though the laws require the seller to correct problems found during the mandatory septic inspection, they do not mandate who should pay for them. As are other inspection repairs, septic inspection corrective actions are negotiated item.

There are two types of water rights in the state of New Mexico. These are surface rights and subsurface rights. Water wells, the most common source of domestic water, are regulated by the state engineer's office, and a current permit must be transferred from seller to buyer after closing. These involve subsurface rights. As far as surface rights, those to use water from streams lakes and rivers, there are a myriad of laws, customs, and acequia rules.

When it comes to buying or selling Taos real estate, an experienced buyer's agent is of immense value. Besides the issues discussed in this article, survey errors, encroachments, and property line disputes, can become issues in a Taos real estate transaction. Do not become a seller of real estate with a problem related to an issue missed when you purchase the property.