Sandia Heights' Record Home Sale: How Luxury Agent Steffan Walters Brought the Buyer to 48 Rock Ridge Dr NE
By New Mexico Home Group Realty · November 2026
On May 22, 2026, 48 Rock Ridge Drive NE closed at $2,000,000. According to Southwest MLS records, that is the highest recorded price for a home ever sold in Sandia Heights. Steffan Walters represented the buyer for New Mexico Home Group Realty, to welcome some incredible new home owners to Albuquerque!
Sandia Heights has been one of Albuquerque area's most desirable foothills communities for decades. Setting its all-time record took the right home, the right elevated updates and features, the right views, the right buyer, and careful work on both value and terms. Here's how it came together.
At a glance
Detail | 48 Rock Ridge Dr NE |
|---|---|
Sale price | $2,000,000, the Sandia Heights record (SWMLS) |
Closed | May 22, 2026 |
Living area | 7,555 sq ft |
Bedrooms / baths | 5 / 7 (4 full, 2 three-quarter, 1 half) |
Lot | 0.73 acres |
Built / remodeled | Built 1972, extensively remodeled 2025 with Ultra High End Luxury Finishes |
Neighborhood | Sandia Heights North, 87122 |
Buyer's agent | Steffan Walters, New Mexico Home Group Realty |
About Sandia Heights
Sandia Heights sits on the west face of the Sandia Mountains, at the far northeast edge of the Albuquerque area. Elevations run from roughly 6,200 to 6,500 feet. Tramway Road divides the community into Sandia Heights North and Sandia Heights South. One of the best parts about Sandia Heights is being able to see the incredible view of the Sandia Mountains and the famous Tram, right from your home!
History. Sandia Heights was platted beginning in 1965 across about 1,600 acres of foothills. It filled in gradually over the next two decades rather than all at once. In 1966, the Sandia Peak Tramway opened from its base terminal here. Founded by Robert Nordhaus and Ben Abruzzo, the tram climbs 2.7 miles to the crest and remains the longest aerial tramway in the Americas. The Sandia Heights Homeowners Association formed in the early 1970s and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1975.
Key features:
- Views: Sandia Mountain views to the east, and city lights and West Mesa sunsets to the west
- Outdoors: Foothills trails at your door, with Elena Gallegos Open Space and the tramway close by. TONS of trails to hike and mountain bike right in your backyard. You Can leave your home in Sandia Heights and INSTANTLY be taking advantage of all of the trails in the foothills.
- Homes: Larger lots, mostly custom Southwestern and Pueblo-style homes built in the 1970s and 1980s, some more recent newer custom builds in the 90's to 2000's. You Can always count on the homes in Sandia Heights being custom builds. Enjoy everything for corky homes & designs like no others, to SW style homes, and some with revamped modern architect and feels.
- Covenants: An association focused on architectural review and covenant enforcement, with dues around $15 a month
- Schools (Sandia Heights North): Double Eagle Elementary, Desert Ridge Middle, and La Cueva High School for school districts in Sandia Heights.
Good to know. Homes carry Albuquerque 87122 addresses, but the community is in unincorporated Bernalillo County. Water and trash service come from Sandia Heights Services, a private company, and many homes use propane and septic. An optional subscription security patrol serves the neighborhood.
The home on Rock Ridge..
The home was fully remodeled, with some of the best city and Sandia Mountain views. It has two primary suites at opposite ends, each with a soaking tub and heated floors. Multiple En-suites throughout the house. The home also featured a theatre room, separate bar and game room, boasting 7700 Square ft, with an incredible pool & hot tub combo setup, & unbeatable views of both the Sandia's, and the city lights. The kitchen features Dekton counters and walls, and four fireplaces anchor the living spaces. Completely paid off Solar to run the entire house, new TPO Roof, stucco, and a tru entertainers dream.. This house has it all.
Nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains and minutes from the Tram and trails, sits this comprehensively remodeled 7,700+ sq/ft, 5 bedroom, 7 bathroom home with BOTH city and mountain views. The unique nature of this lot gives you seclusion and privacy. With a warm-modern aesthetic you'll feel right at home. The kitchen features counters and walls clad in Dekton. With 2 Primary Suites at opposite ends of the home, privacy is easily achieved. Both primary suites have spa-like en-suites with 2-person soaking tubs, heated floors and custom tile. The backyard features covered patios, deck, putting green and pergola. The heated pool has an automatic cover, jacuzzi and Baja shelf. Multi-zone refrigerated air and solar.
Outside, a heated gunite pool with an automatic cover, a spa, and a Baja shelf sits beside covered patios, a deck, a pergola, and a putting green. Solar heat and multi-zone cooling round it out.
Finding the right buyer
- Our client was looking for something special. Something with views of both the mountains and city lights, trail access, in an established neighborhood, and something with an elevated luxury experience that offered it all. They were also looking for two primary suites, a pool, a separate area for the kids to play games, in a safe location.
- 48 Rock Ridge stood out above all of the other homes for a reason, because it truly had everything a buyer could ask for. There was only one problem, and that was the price tag.. It was first listed at $3,300,000, so the price tag was a bit high and overall, overpriced for the area. Unfortunately this is a mistake that a lot of sellers make, but listing the house too high to begin with, in result racking up lots of days on market, effecting the marketability and desirability in a negative way, to where you end up chasing the price down as a seller and end up selling it for even less than you could have if you had priced it correctly from the beginning. This is why it is very important to be strategic when pricing your luxury home for sale in Albuquerque and working with a true expert... But as a home owner, I get it..What do you expect when you have a home that offers everything?
- What made this difficult - Sandia Heights does not have a surplus of these types of homes, and if they do, they are at a PREMIUM price. But at the end of the day, Neighborhoods only have a supporting price floor and ceiling, depending on the buyer pool and market conditions. Steffan negotiated over $400k off of the last list price to get the buyers the best price possible.
Negotiating a record price
The home first came to market in 2024 at $3,300,000. It went pending in March 2026 at $2,399,000 and closed at $2,000,000. For my buyer, that history mattered. What allowed Steffan to negotiate the best possible deal was the multiple price reductions, and almost a year plus of Days on Market (DOM). As we mentioned before, pricing your luxury home is CRUCIAL. Most sellers think you can list the home as high as you want, so that you can reduce later on and expect low ball offers.. This is not the way to present a luxury home to the market, especially when you are attempting to set a record sales price. You need to be strategic in marketing, pricing, and make sure to strike while the iron is hot, because if you let your home sit on the market too long, it no longer is a hot commodity, and buyers see lots of Days On Market as a sign of weakness, and strong agents like Steffan will negotiate hard on there clients behalf to get the client the best price for the home. But if you work with a true pro like Steffan Walters when selling your Luxury Home in Sandia Heights or anywhere in Albuquerque, and strategically present the home to the market, you will absolutely bring top dollar to your home as long as you are realistic and don't overshoot the price. Pricing your luxury home is Crucial when going to market and you want to keep days on market minimal to make sure you are working from a position of strength and can negotiate the highest price as a seller. It is all about leverage, and if you give up to many days on the market, you lose that leverage as seller.
The outcome: my client bought a one-of-a-kind foothills home, and Sandia Heights set a new benchmark.
Sandia Heights real estate FAQ
What is the highest-priced home ever sold in Sandia Heights? 48 Rock Ridge Dr NE closed on May 22, 2026, at $2,000,000. Per Southwest MLS records, it is the highest recorded sale in Sandia Heights history.
Who represented the buyer in the Sandia Heights record sale? Steffan Walters, luxury real estate agent and owner of New Mexico Home Group Realty, represented the buyer.
Who is a luxury real estate agent for Sandia Heights? Steffan Walters of New Mexico Home Group Realty works with luxury buyers and sellers in Sandia Heights. He represented the buyer in the neighborhood's record $2,000,000 sale.
Who is a the best luxury real estate agent for Sandia Heights? Steffan Walters of New Mexico Home Group Realty works with luxury buyers and sellers in Sandia Heights. He represented the buyer in the neighborhood's record $2,000,000 sale and has sold multiple homes in Sandia Heights throughout the years.
Is Sandia Heights part of the City of Albuquerque? No. Sandia Heights homes have Albuquerque 87122 addresses, but the community is in unincorporated Bernalillo County.
What are HOA dues in Sandia Heights? Sandia Heights Homeowners Association dues are about $15 a month. The association handles architectural review and covenant enforcement.
What schools serve Sandia Heights North? Double Eagle Elementary, Desert Ridge Middle School, and La Cueva High School. Confirm a specific address with Albuquerque Public Schools.
Your Sandia Heights Luxury Real Estate Agent
If you're buying or selling a luxury home in Sandia Heights, work with the agent who handled the neighborhood's record sale. I know how Sandia Heights homes are valued, where buyers are coming from, and how to negotiate when there are few true comparables. I also serve the surrounding foothills, North Albuquerque Acres, High Desert, Tanoan, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Corrales, and Santa Fe.
Let's talk about your next move 505-304-9773 · [email protected] · newmexicohomegroup.com
About the author - Born and Raised In Albuquerque - Qualifying Broker of NMHGR - Sold over $850,000,000 in volume
- Steffan Walters is the Best Realtor In Albuquerque - Top 3 Team in New Mexico Year After Year. B
Steffan Walters is a luxury real estate agent and the owner of New Mexico Home Group Realty in Albuquerque. He represented the buyer in the highest recorded sale in Sandia Heights history: 48 Rock Ridge Dr NE, $2,000,000 (SWMLS, May 2026). Steffan works with luxury buyers and sellers in Sandia Heights, the Albuquerque foothills, and Santa Fe.
NM License #2022-0706 · 505-304-9773 · [email protected] · NewMexicoHomeGroup.com
Steffan Walters 2022-0706 , New Mexico Home Group Realty, 505-808-9940.Sale data per Southwest MLS as of 2026. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
