How to check a family member and a home for lead

Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard.

To reduce a child's exposure to lead, have the child checked, have the home tested (especially if the home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards it may have.

• The family
  • Children's blood lead levels tend to increase rapidly from 6 to 12 months of age, and tend to peak at 18 to 24 months of age.
  • Consult a doctor for advice on testing the children. A simple blood test can detect high levels of lead. Blood tests are important for:
    • Children at ages one and two.
    • Children and other family members who have been exposed to high levels of lead.
    • Children who should be tested under your state or local health screening plan.
  • A doctor can explain what the test results mean and if more testing will be needed.

 The home

• • A home can get checked in one of two ways, or both
    • A paint inspection reveals if the lead content of every different type of painted surface in a home. It won't tell whether the paint is a hazard or how you should deal with it.
    • A risk assessment tells if there are any sources of serious lead exposure (such as peeling paint and lead dust). It also tells what actions to take to address these hazards.
  • Have qualified professionals do the work. There are standards in place for certifying lead-based paint professionals to ensure the work is done safely, reliably, and effectively. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for a list of contacts in the local area.
  • Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home, including:
    • Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
    • A portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
    • Lab tests of paint samples.
    • Surface dust tests.

Note: Home test kits for lead are available, but studies suggest that they are not always accurate. Consumers should not rely on these tests before doing renovations or to assure safety.

Contact Lead Paint Safe Environmental Resources at 575 522-3088 or see our website at lpsnm.com.

What you can do to protect your family

• If you suspect that your house has lead hazards, you can take some immediate steps to reduce your family's risk:
  • If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
  • Clean up paint chips immediately.
  • Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead. REMEMBER: NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND BLEACH PRODUCTS TOGETHER SINCE THEY CAN FORM A DANGEROUS GAS.
  • Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
  • Wash children's hands often, especially before they eat and before nap time and bed time.
  • Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
  • Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
  • Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
  • Make sure children eat healthy and nutritious meals as recommended by the National Dietary Guidelines. Children with good diets absorb less lead. 

Additional steps:

• • You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. These actions are not permanent solutions and will need ongoing attention.
  • To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead "abatement" contractor. Abatement (or permanent hazard elimination) methods include removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials. Just painting over the hazard with regular paint is not enough.
  • Always hire a person with special training for correcting lead problems -- someone who knows how to do this work safely and has the proper equipment to clean up thoroughly. Certified contractors will employ qualified workers and follow strict safety rules set by their state or the federal government.
  • Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) for help with locating certified contractors in your area and to see if financial assistance is available.

Contact Lead Paint Safe Environmental Resources at 575 522-3088 or see our website at lpsnm.com.

Tortugas Mountain has several trails that circle around it for hiking or mountain biking. One leads to the top where the elevation reaches 4,931 feet. From the top of this mountain you can see just about everything! There are some amazing views of the growth on the east, the space between the mountains and the development, the lush Rio Grande Valley and everything in between.

While you can easily drive to this great spot, if you live in the right place you can hike or bike to it. One of the newer subdivisions in Las Cruces close to A Mountain is La Tierra Escondida. Click here to read more about A Mountain, La Tierra Escondida Subdivision and a fabulous home for sale at 6015 Lazo del Norte.

Del Rey Boulevard is finally getting a bridge over the Sandhill Arroyo. Home owners who live off Del Rey have been requesting this improvement for years and their persistence has finally paid off.

The $2 million project, funded by the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be completed in early 2011.

The Sandhill Arroyo is one of the largest arroyos in Las Cruces. It carries water from the Organ Mountains to the Rio Grande. As you can imagine, along the way it picks up a lot of water. Del Rey is about half way down its path and never had adequate improvements for crossing the arroyo.

Click here to read more about the improvements to the East Mesa.

Living near the base of the mountains gives you views, privacy and easy access to the natural surroundings. One of the best access points to the mountains is Dripping Springs Natural Area.

Dripping Springs is an easy hike through nature and history. If you haven't made your way up this trail before then you haven't seen the variety of nature that we have at our fingertips, or if you live in Talavera, your doorstep.

Wildlife, trees and wild flowers, this hike has it all. At the top of the hike rests several historic buildings known originally as Van Patten's Mountain Camp or later as Dripping Spring's Resort. Each of these buildings have their own history and today you can still find the natural springs that provided them with fresh water..

We are truly blessed to have these treasures and if you are looking to live close to them then Talavera in one of your best options.

Talavera is a small community just up the street from New Mexico State University. The homes there range from affordable to fancy. If you're looking for a home in the upper $400k price range and want to live close to nature then 4020 Quail Brush Ct. is worth your consideration.

For a great picture of Dripping Springs and to continue reading click here.

by John L. Hummer, Owner/Broker

Updated: 7/21/2010

On Monday, July 19^th, the Las Cruces Sun News ran a story that gave a very negative perspective on our current real estate market. There were quotes in the article stating that the Las Cruces real estate market is in the tank.  This is absolutely not factual. The facts provide a much different perspective. 

To emphasize my point, let me break down the most current quarter:  2^nd quarter of 2010 versus the 2^nd quarter of 2009.   

Please note the following facts for the 2^nd quarter comparison:

• Units Sold: 397 (2010) vs. 344 (2009) - increase of 15.4%

• $ Volume: $72.2 million (2010) vs. $65.9 million (2009) - increase of 9.4%

• Median Price: $159,340 (2010) vs. $159,363 (2009) - relatively no change

• Avg. Days on Market: 128 (2010) vs. 126 (2009) - relatively no change

So what happened in the second quarter of this year in Las Cruces?  We experienced strong growth in homes sold and no major price declines  in homes across the board.

Critics or skeptics will claim, without any factual data, that our growth is due to the tax credit.  Again, there is absolutely no evidence to back up this opinion.  The only recent comparison to such growth in home sales would be the craziness that occurred in communities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix in the sub-prime boom years.  

Las Cruces did not partake in the sub-prime fiasco.  This is backed up with factual data of historical mortgage loans.   So, if Las Cruces did not grow due to sub-prime loan enticement which was extremely enticing, why would anyone give such credence to the tax credit as being the main force for growth in Las Cruces during the second quarter?  How about low interest rates? Do you think that may be helping the market?  You be the judge.

Now there are legitimate examples of where the tax credit has helped; primarily in the first time / entry level homebuyer category.  Kimball Hakes, President of Hakes Brothers, whom we have the honor and privilege to represent, builds high quality homes throughout Las Cruces.  Kimball attributes the tax credit as a major contributor to his companies sales, 45 homes, in the second quarter.  Despite what may turn out to be a bit of a tax credit hangover in the third and fourth quarter, Kimball Hakes remains very bullish and optimistic about the growth of Las Cruces and his company.

But I contend that anyone who claims, as was stated in the Sun News article, that our market "as a whole" is dismal at this present time, they are simply stating an opinion.  I believe that such an opinion can only be derived from an individual's own personal experience with the market not the market as a whole.  

Case in point, in the second quarter, our company sold a $1,000,000 home and three homes between $750,000 to $850,000.  We had an assorted number of sales in the $300K and $400K range.  Our average home sale was approximately $270,000, which is above the entry level yard stick.  Our company has not seen this type of quarterly home sale prices in two years and these home prices have nothing to do with the tax credit.  Las Cruces has a  growing regional medical industry, El Paso is losing sales as more people wish to live in Las Cruces and commute to El Paso for their work.  These are just but a few of the factors that need to be blended into our current trends.

This morning, at Steinborn & Associates' weekly sales meeting, we discussed this very topic.  The discussion was excellent.   Our team is optimistic and sees any challenge as opportunities.  There were some very insightful comments and observations from several members of our team.

For example, Ron Leone, Associate Broker, made the observation that nationally it has been reported that there has been a 25% drop in qualified buyers due to stricter loan requirements by lenders.  To quote Ron, "For our community to grow 15.4% at a time that potential buyers are scarcer in other parts of the country is most impressive and positive!"

Kevin Wilson, Associate Broker, made another astute observation regarding misinformation regarding our market that is infiltrating national websites that deal with foreclosures.  Some sites claim there are close to 900 properties in Las Cruces that are in the foreclosure category.  If one reads this, they would think, " wow what a depressed market".  However, here is the fact - only 42 homes are bank owned and listed for sale in Las Cruces.  Only 42!  Why the 900 reported?  Due to 900 of our 23,000 household being "one month" late on their monthly house payment.  Have you ever been a little late, unintentionally, on a mortgage payment?  Again, only 42 bank owned homes for sale at this time.  That is only 3% of total listings in Las Cruces.  We are "not" Phoenix, Las Vegas or South Florida.  We are a vibrant and resilient market.

Quint Lears, Associate Broker, was the only person who offered a positive and helpful quote in the Sun News article.  He made a point to remind those reading the article that new homes are priced at an all time value.  When you combine the current value of new homes with historically low interest rates you have a "double positive opportunity" as a home buyer.  The likes that our nation has not seen since the 1950's.

And should pending home sales decrease and not pick up over the next several quarters, it is "our job" as REALTORS to market harder, recruit harder and inspire more people to move to Las Cruces and/or inspire locals to pursue the American dream of home ownership.  The loss of $8,500 tax credit is approximately $45 per month in added house payment.  Couple this with home prices at great values, it is still an opportune time to buy.  It is our job to remind everyone of this fact.  Oh and let's never forget the current interest rates.

And if there are buyers who are needing to sell their home in another community outside of Las Cruces prior to moving to Las Cruces.  We need to encourage them to do the equity trade off analysis.  By this, I mean that if one is able to drop their selling price to sell their home quicker, they may just make up or come very close to the drop in the equity of thier sold home with that of equity gained in a purchase of a home in Las Cruces that is priced at a tremendous value.

I previously mentioned our Tuesday sales meetings.  At Steinborn & Associates Real Estate, our team meets regularly to promote our listings to one another, discuss current trends, brainstorm on new and creative marketing techniques to sell our customer's homes and we engage in continuing education to increase our level of knowledge and customer service skills.  We are always pushing ourselves to continuously improve.  We never take anything or any customer for granted.

With this in mind, I want to close this article with a tribute to our entire team.   I started this article by showing the facts about our market as a whole.  Now I would like to share with the readers how our team has performed during this same time period.  Here is our performance:

Las Cruces Market Share ($) of Closed Buyer & Seller Transactions:

2009:  37% - 2^nd Quarter

2010:  43% - 2^nd Quarter

Growth:  16%  (43 - 37 divided by 6 = 16%)

I am extremely proud of our team of professional REALTORS^®   / Associate Brokers and support staff who back them up daily.  At a time when the total market was increasing, our team worked even harder, smarter and creatively to increase their share of the total market of closed transactions. 

For those that follow the market closely, it is important to point out that our market share growth is "same store" growth.  Meaning that our 2009 results included all the new agents from Emerick who merged into our company.  In fact, our total associate broker count actually decreased over the past year which even adds more credit to our hard working team of associate brokers. 

What will the future hold for Las Cruces?  It is too early to tell.  Our company thrives on challenges.  If the market should constrict, we will re-double our efforts to serve our customers with the very best in customer service and seek to create opportunities. 

If the market continues year over year growth, we will not take this for granted.  We will, as evidenced by our market share growth this past quarter, continuously focus on improving our performance with our customer's needs always in the forefront.    

Thank you to everyone who has placed your trust in our company and team members to represent one of your most prized assets - your home.

For more information on Steinborn & Associates Real Estate, please go to:  www.steinborn.com or call us at:  (575) 522-3698

On May 11th, 2010, Steinborn Inc. REALTORS announced the decision to change its residential company to Steinborn & Associates Real Estate.  To showcase and better communicate this change, we put together a 5 minute video that captures the essence of this positive change.  Enjoy!

This blog post is geared towards educating all readers on how we, Steinborn & Associates Real Estate REALTORS, calculate absorption rates in the market.  More importantly, this is one of the key tools that we utilize to facilitate and advise you on how best to price your home to sell in the most efficient time possible.  Once the "right" price is set, the marketing of your home becomes the most critical aspect. I will address Marketing of your home in a future blog, but this post is strictly geared to providing a clear understanding of how we calculate absorption rates.

Let's face it.  Having your home sit on the market beyond your own preset expectations is stressful.  I will be the first to admit that I have had difficulty in separating the emotion of sticking to my own  predetermined price on my personal home and/or investment properties despite what the logical data was telling me to do.  Eventually, once I separated the emotion and looked at the property as an asset/business decision and weighed the costs and benefits, I made the right decision to adjust the price to meet the market's demand. 

Below you will see the most recent absorption rates for "resale" and "new" homes in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  You will see that Steinborn & Associates Real Estate calculates these rates on a 3, 6, 9 and 12 month timeframe so as to determine trends.  

Even though you may be reading this blog and reside in other states, the concept still applies.

Following the tables below that show the absorption rates, you will see a very clear explanation on how such rates are calculated and how trends are identified. 

When meeting with a REALTOR for a listing appointment, this type of data should be presented.  If not, there is a very high probability that your REALTOR has no idea on how your market is performing nor how best to advise you on pricing in relation to the competition of other homes being listed in the market.   Make sure your REALTOR provides this data!  If not, choose a REALTOR who will provide this data.   Not only market wide data but also your REALTOR should be able to drill down even deeper into your section of the community (i.e. Sonoma Ranch, Unversity Hills, South Valley, Picacho Hills, High Range, etc..) for that quadrant's absorption rate. 

The following is a "generic", not tied to any one particular city, overview of how to calculate and, more importantly, understand what you should be seeing and hearing from your chosen REALTOR: 

Absorption Rate Pricing 

"There are only a certain number of houses that will sell in any market
in any given period of time.
Let's see if your house will be one of them." 

If 12 homes sold in the last 12 months in a given market that means that the market will absorb 1 house per month on average.  If there are 10 homes currently on the market there is a 10 month supply.  A 6 month supply is a balanced market, less is a sellers market and more is a buyers market. 

How to Calculate Absorption Rate: 

• 1. Find your search area, criteria, price range, target market segment, time for analysis
• a. The longer the time the better the overall average
• b. Shorter times give the latest trends
• c. Detailed searches give more accurate results
• 2. How many closed transactions occurred in last 12/6/3 months?
• a. You find this in the MLS
• b. Houses not sides of transactions
• 3. Divide the total closed by the time period.
• a. # homes closed in the last 12 months
• # / 12 = # homes closing on average every month
• # homes closed in the last 6 months
• # / 6 = # per month on the last 6 months
• 4. How many active homes are on the market at this time?
• 5. Divide the number of active listings by the average sold per month
• a. # active for sale / # average closed per month = # month supply of houses
• 6. 6 month supply is a balanced market,
• a. less than 6 month supply is not enough houses to fill demand
• b. more than 6 months supply is not enough buyers to purchase the supply 

Absorption Rate Models and Trends Analysis

Example City:

• Sold homes in last 12 months 10,938
• Monthly Absorption Rate 911
• Number of homes on the market 8,326
• Months Supply on the market is: 9 

Is it a Buyers or Sellers Market?       

Your City - 6 Month Market Trend 

• Sold homes in last 6 months 5,891
• Monthly Absorption Rate 981
• Number of homes on the market 8,326 
• Months Supply on the market is: 8.5

   Your City - 3 Month Market Trend 

• Sold homes in last 3 months 3,286
• Monthly Absorption Rate 1,095
• Number of homes on the market 8,326 
• Months Supply on the market is: 7.6

 What is the market doing?  The market velocity, absorption rate of sales is increasing from  9 months over the last 12 months to 8.5 over 6 months to the most recent of 3 months of 7.6 months.

Six months (6) is a balanced market.  Greater than 6 is a buyers market and below six is typically a sellers market.

Pricing Questions you should ask your REALTOR: 

What advice can you offer me on my best pricing strategy? 

• What is the best price range for this house?
• Where should this house be priced?
• Where will we be "in line" to get this house sold in the time frame needed?
• What are the potential pricing objections the buyers may have?

Did your REALTOR Drive the Neighborhood?  Did he or she: 

• Check out similar actives/solds
• Evaluate condition/open space/busy streets
• Evaluate For Sale by Owners (FSBO's) - Call and get their information
• Look for changes in the Neighborhood (+/-)
• Become the neighborhood expert 

Did your REALTOR: 

• Go from "Big Picture" (Citywide Rates) to "Small Picture" (Your neighborhood or quadrant of town).
• Encourage you to pretend to be a buyer
• Show you "How many houses are on the market that the buyer can look at?" 

"Front of the Store" Pricing Approach 

Did your REALTORS sow you a Net Proceeds Sheet - Showing you the impact of a less than full price offer? 

• "Is that enough to get you to where you want to go on time?"
• "What will it take to get you where you want to go on time?"
• "Based on the Supply and Demand (Absorption Rate Model), how long will it take to sell your house?"
• "Will that work for you?"
• "How much time do you have?"
• "Based on the Supply and Demand (Absorption Rate Model), where do you think we should price your house?"
• "Do you think that price will get you there on time?"
• "If your house doesn't sell, what is you plan B?" 

Would you like to see the odds of your house selling? 

"Oh...By the way..."

"Of the 23,562 Houses that entered the market in the last 12 months...only 10,938 SOLD! 

You have a 46% chance of your house selling with the average agent.

If your house does not sell by January 1...What is your plan B?" 

"Oh, you mean your neighborhood..." 

"Of the 31 houses that came on the market in your neighborhood in the last 6 months only 21 SOLD!  You have a 68% chance of your house selling with the average agent. 

 If your house does not sell by January 1...

 What is your Plan B?" 

"Now...let me show you the odds of selling your house with me!"  This is where your REALTOR should show you the power of his/her individual and their company's marketing strength and results (market share of sales) in your city.

At Steinborn & Associates Real Estate, we invest time and resources to collect, study and train our team on the utilization of this data.  Please let us know if we can assist you in getting your home priced right and sold. 

By:  Susan Kane, Associate Broker

When good news seems hard to come by, it is nice to know that one thing is currently true...it really is an opportune time to buy a home.  If you have been on the fence about home ownership, keep in mind that low interest rates and an abundance of inventory have created an environment where dream homes are affordable. 

Here are a few important things to consider about the current market.  Rates are historically low right now, which means a substantial savings for you not only in your monthly payment, but also in the overall life of the loan. Credit is available through Conventional, VA, and FHA loans.  There are even special programs that assist buyers in purchasing Fannie Mae owned properties and that help first time buyers with down payment assistance.

If you find that you are credit challenged, a lease purchase or real estate contract might be a good option for you.  Buyers with less than perfect credit often just need time to work through credit issues with the assistance of their lender.  If the seller is will to carry the financing or allow you to lease for a certain amount of time, you will have the time needed to improve your credit score.

The inventory of homes available remains strong.  Re-sale homes on the market are likely to be well maintained and priced well in order to remain competitive.  In new construction, builders have upped their amenities considerably the last few years.  Features such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, upgraded cabinets with crown molding, hand troweled walls, and more extensive use of tile are now standard features with many builders.  "Upgrades" that used to add a substantial amount to the purchase price are now "free", which is great news for home buyers.  Look for more new homes being built with  "green features" such as improved insulation "R" values, energy efficient windows, and more.

Foreclosures and short sales are another area of opportunity for buyers today.  Generally speaking, bank owned properties or homes in a short sale status can be purchased lower than market value, which provides the possibility for the buyer to go to closing with equity.  Because you will be negotiating with the bank, closing on these properties can take several months. If you have the time, a foreclosure or short sale might be an option for you.

Lastly, find a good realtor.  A real estate professional can provide you with an immense amount of information and guidance, as well as save you a lot of time in your home search.  As a buyer, it makes good sense to be represented by a realtor because the seller pays the commission in real estate transactions.  Choose a realtor who listens to your needs and who will work hard to accomplish your goal.  An informed realtor makes the home buying process easy for you by handling all of the details, negotiating well, and guiding you through each step in the process. 

I hope that you take advantage of the many opportunities available in this real estate market.  Best wishes in your home search! 

 You can contact Susan Kane at:  susank@steinborn.com 

Whether it is your first Home, you are moving up, or you are downsizing, we want you to know that it is an exciting time for home buyers in Las Cruces. If you have a home to sell, the Market activity is peaking, and homes under $250,000 are selling quickly. If you are even considering buying a home, you need to read on and take 90 Seconds to watch this video…

This video perfectly sums up why the Current Market conditions are perfect for a Home Buyer

WHY NOW

This video was produced by Lennar Construction. They are New Home builders. They do not build in the New Mexico market, but the information is appropriate anywhere.

On behalf of the Evelyn Bruder Dream Team and Steinborn and Associates Real Estate, Just click on the “BUYER” tab on our Website http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com and you will find a wealth of information to be successful in reaching your home buying goals. We want you to avoid all of the problems, pitfalls, and hassles that have plagued many buyers.

We are solely committed to preparing you to buy your home lending you support every step of the way. We will not let you stumble and fall.

For the latest Las Cruces Real Estate Information go through the posts on this Blog: http://www.steinborn.com/blog then continue on to our Blog: http://www.lcrealestateblog.com

For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact:
Evelyn Bruder, Associate Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO
Las Cruces' Only Cyberstar
CALL 575-650-7224 or TOLL FREE: 888-532-9069
EMAIL: evelyn@homeslascruces.com

Steinborn & Associates Real Estate
141 Roadrunner Parkway, Suite 141
Las Cruces, NM 88011
575-522-3698

Tips for a Successful Garage Sale                                 by Carla L. Davis   

Whether you are jump-starting a move, decluttering for a showing, or looking to make some extra cash, a garage sale can be a great way for a homeowner to declutter. Here are some helpful tips to make your next garage sale a success.

1. Plan Ahead: Some cities require that you have a permit or a license to hold a garage sale. These may be free, or they may cost a small fee. After you've gotten a permit, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to organize in preparation for the event. It can take more time than you'd expect to select items, price them, and then move them to your sale area.

2. Group Effort: Ask neighbors in your community if they'd be interested in having a sale the same day! This can be quit a draw to the garage sale crowd. Can't get the neighbors interested? Ask if any friends or family want to bring items over to have a combined sale. Simply use different colored price stickers to keep the profits separate. A block or "multi-family" sale is a great way to draw a crowd.

3. Advertise: There are a ton of great, and free, places to advertise your sale. Most of these are online. Be sure to mention in your add the following items: the neighborhood or area of town you are located in, especially if in a big city; your address; the date and run time; some of the items you are offering (appliances, women's clothing, baby items, etc.) The day of the sale be sure your home is easy to find. Use signs and balloons to direct traffic off of main roadways.

4. Price Items: When you price items, keep in mind that you are marketing to a customer that wants a deal. Be realistic about what an item is worth. Pricing items ahead of time can speed up the buying process.

5. Set Up Shop: Arrange items by type. Put furniture together, glassware on a table, and have clothes hanging. Also provide access to an electrical outlet for customers who want to turn on appliances and electronics to verify their condition.

6. Plenty of Change: Visit the bank the day before the sale to have lots of change. There will be buyers who use twenties, and will use of lots of your smaller bills. Stock up on ones, fives, tens, and lots of small change.

7. Take Care: If you have extra newspapers and plastic bags on hand, then keep them by your cash desk during the sale. Use the newspaper to wrap breakables. And use the plastic bags to help customer get small items conveniently to their car.

8. Eagle Eye. Be sure to keep an eye on your cash box! Never leave the box unattended.

9. Salvation Army: There will be items that don't sell. To expediate your clutter cleanse, look up local donation centers ahead of time to find out about donation pickup and drop-offs.

10. Free box: For items that need cleansed, but you aren't worry about making any money on, consider setting up a free box. You'll be surprised what other people will consider "treasure"!

11. Emily Post Touches: If morning weather is chilly, consider having small cups of coffee for sale. In summertime, have the kids set up a cookie and lemonade stand!

12. Have fun. A garage sale can be a stressful event, but if you stay committed to making it a positive and fun experience, it will be just that.

Good luck with your sale!

Published: June 21, 2010

The Corner on Tradition, Creativity and Trends

     In the flooring industry as with many other industries, green products lead the way with updated looks and sophistication that might surprise you. Casa Mexicana, New Mexicos largest in-stock tile distributor, is dedicated to providing eco-friendly materials and products customers will love. They currently carry over 13 lines of tile made from post consumer recycled content that come in a large variety of colors and styles.

    With increasing interest in green building programs such as Build Green New Mexico and LEED, we have expanded our selection of tiles to incorporate design and finishes that are not only beautiful but are also made from environmentally responsible products, shared Martha Orta.

    Green tile goes way beyond the standard thinking and way beyond green in color: Everything from intricate patterns with rich metal finishes like satin bronze and aged iron to glass tiles found in every color you can imagine to glazed porcelain tile that youd swear came straight from the greatest of Renaissance artisans.    Top designers and producers like Mediterranea and Crossville are on the cutting edge of the green movement. They are creating tile that has less impact on the environment and their factories are using the latest technology to reduce environmental stress during the tile creation and production. The end result is tile that promotes healthy indoor air while being a quality product that lasts for decades.

    Selecting one of their eco-friendly tile lines doesnt have to increase your budget. You will find 12 x 12 tile starting at $1.05 per square foot and 18 x 18 tile starting at $1.19 per square foot. So not only are these tiles affordable, they are also a gorgeous option for any flooring project you might have.

    By offering everything from a huge in-stock selection of tile and grout, to professional installers, to tile care and removal, Casa Mexicana is the one-stop-shop for all your needs. Since the late 1970s, the strong work ethic, determination and resilience of Isidro Pe񡬠founder of Casa Mexicana, and his family have taken them from manufacturing 150 tiles a day to maintaining an inventory of over 1 million square feet of tile. The Casa Mexicana team, with more than 125 combined years of experience, has seen all the trends and they pride themselves in offering the latest tile designs from around the world.

    We have something for every taste and budget, says Martha. Design makes all the difference. Our team is skilled in creating the look you want at a price you can afford. We work with manufacturers that have the same high standards of quality that we have so you can have peace of mind with your purchase.

    Want to see for yourself? Check out the Casa Mexicana showroom at 5603 South Main, 3 miles south of Las Cruces in the Mesilla Park area. There you will find a variety of architectural illustrations available for consideration.

    You will also want to visit the semi-annual sidewalk sale held April 15th through April 17th when everything in stock is on sale. (Remember, they have over 1 million square feet of tile from which to choose.) The inventory includes ceramics, porcelain, saltillo, glass, metal, stone, decorative pieces and more priced so low you cant afford not to buy.

    Since we have so many tile varieties in stock, you are sure to find many pieces youll love. Even our tiles made with recycled content will be on sale. If it is in stock, it is on sale!

    Stop by and check out the best selection and the best pricing around. Casa Mexicana is ready to offer their expertise and products to make your home uniquely you.

If the trend that we are seeing in these first 5-months of 2010 continues, this indicates that we are well on our way back to a balanced / normal Las Cruces Real Estate Market (neither a Buyer's or Seller's  Market).

 82% of homes sold are under $250,000. Sales are brisk in this portion of the Market as reflected in the May sales, as well as the increase in sales for YTD 2010 vs. 2009.

Anyone considering buying a home in this price range should be buying NOW. Interest Rates are low, and your dream home is still available at a great price.

Our analysis indicates that buyers and sellers will soon be on equal footing. Quite possibly, if optimistic projections for the 2010 sales and listings are accurate, we could see a Seller's Market in this price range in 2011.

The Market for homes selling for over $250,000 is an extremely strong Buyer's Market.

If you currently are looking to move up to a larger home, and own a home in the under $250,000 price range, you will never find a better time to do this.Your current home should sell quickly, and you will be in a strong negotiating position to buy your new home at a great price, and even better, you will benefit from significant appreciation when this portion of the Market fully recovers.

The complete Current Market Analysis and Trends Report is available at:
http://www.HomesForSaleInLasCruces.com

For the latest Las Cruces news and Real Estate Information visit our Blog:
http://www.lcrealestateblog.com

For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact:
Evelyn Bruder, Associate Broker, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO
Las Cruces' Only Cyberstar
CALL 575-650-7224 or TOLL FREE: 888-532-9069
EMAIL: evelyn@homeslascruces.com

 To learn more, visit the area's best Real Estate Guide: www.REGuideLC.com    

 You've heard the saying,"The best defense is a good offense." Well, when it comes to your home, the best offensive move a family can make is installing a home burglar alarm system. Home and family safety is a top priority, and finding the right home security system for your needs is important. You will undoubtedly want to go with a company you can trust, a company that has a proven track record, a company that offers options customizable to your specific needs.   

    Recognized by the New Mexico Business Journal as the fastest-growing burglar alarm and monitoring company in southern New Mexico, Central Alarm is the company for all your security needs. Central Alarm is a highly reputable company operated by intelligent, friendly, and highly trained individuals dedicated to the families and the businesses they protect through state-of-the-art security systems.    

    "There is nothing more important than a satisfied customer. We have a loyal customer base due to our fundamental customer service principals. Simply put, 'we say what we do and do what we say.' We adapt our products and services to best meet our customers' needs." shared Tony Pryor, owner.    

    Locally owned and operated since 1995, Central's customer base has continued to grow. They also service commercial businesses such as MountainView Regional and Memorial Medical Center, the Las Cruces Public School District, Shorty's convenience stores, and many more reputable business throughout the area.   

    In addition to complete home security systems with 24-hour monitoring throughout New Mexico, the team at Central Alarm also offers central vacuum systems, whole-house audio, smart wiring, high-speed internet networks, HD television distribution, security cameras and recording, as well as lighting control. Above all, Central Alarm offers the solutions you need, and the service you expect.

    "Proven statistics show that alarm systems reduce the risk of burglary and provide risk management for business owners. Our alarm systems and monitoring give customers confidence their home or office is protected." offered Tony. 

    The professional team at Central Alarm will be glad to help you find the perfect solution to all your home security needs. A monitored alarm system is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. Not only does it provide security, it provides peace of mind. Don't wait, protect your home today!

For more information, you can reach Central Alarm by calling 575-521-7212, or visit their website: www.CentralAlarmInc.com.

You deserve the best exposure when listing your home so that you may get the most money in the least amount of time. It only makes sense that your home should be found on HGTV's FrontDoor.com.  

FrontDoor.com provides a gateway to the HGTV community of highly desirable home enthusiasts.  FrontDoor.com gets 20.5 Million Monthly Unique Real Estate and lifestyle visitors, 416 Monthly Page views, and 7.5 Million HGTV viewers and users per month who plan to buy real estate in the next 12 months.

Connie and Zane continue to explore every avenue to ensure the best results for every single listing.  This attention to detail and our relentless marketing efforts resonate with their promise to provide the very best real estate services.  FrontDoor.com is just one more tool in a marketing arsenal not seen anywhere else.  When you are ready to sell your home in Las Cruces or around the world, give Zane and Connie a call and get the Old Fashioned Service that every home owner deserves.

For information on Las Cruces Real Estate and acess to Las Cruces and Mesilla Valley MLS: www.LasCrucesNMProperties.com

Authors Zane Fikany and Connie Hettinga have a combined 18 Years of helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals.  Hettinga currently presides as President of the Realtors Association of New Mexico.  Among other awards the duo received "Readers Choice Award" for Best Realtors by the Las Cruces Sun News in 2008.  Zane and Connie have become known for providing "Old Fashioned Service with Today's Technology" as well as their newsletter www.RealEstateGazetteLC.com .

Zane Fikany & Connie Hettinga

Zane 575.640.4374

Connie 575.640.7279

Steinborn & Associates Real Estate

575.523 2850

Depending upon the size and location, the system should pay for itself in 6-10 years, sometimes less. Most solar panels are certified and warranted to still function at 80-92% efficiency after 20 to 25 years. The state of New Mexico offers a 10% tax credit not to exceed $9000 or $7,000 if you take the Federal Credit. The Federal Government offers a 30% tax credit. 

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ecmd/cleanenergytaxincentives/solartaxcredit.htm

  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index 

Solar power is also good for Retirement Planning. Wouldn't it be nice to reduce your monthly overhead for your "Golden Years"? Through a contractual program with the electric utility called "Net Metering", the electric company has to either credit or pay YOU for the unused power you generate! 

If you are interested in solar power or real estate, you can find me online at http://www.CarlTopley.com

Submitted by Tobe Turpen, Associate Broker, Steinborn & Associates Real Estate.  To contact Tobe:  tobe@steinborn.com

Housing prices are expected to increase 12.4 percent between 2010 and the end of 2014, predicts MacroMarkets, which surveyed more than 100 analysts and market strategists.
Those interviewed didn't all see the housing market in the same light. Joseph LaVorgna, a economist at Deutsche Bank predicts that home prices will rise 37 percent by the end of 2014.  See full article by clicking link below: 

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2010051901?OpenDocument

"MULTI-FAMILY" The Bright Spot for Commercial Real Estate.

Posted by Tom Whatley, Associate Broker, Steinborn TCN Commercial Real Estate.  Contact Tom:  tom@steinborn.com  

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there is one bright spot in commercial real estate. "The multifamily sector can expect increased demand as the economy creates jobs and new households are formed, likely in the second half of this year," he said. 

Multifamily Market
The apartment rental market - multifamily housing - is expected to benefit from an improving economy and job market. Multifamily vacancy rates are forecast to decline from 7.3 percent in the first quarter of this year to 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2011.

With recent additions to supply, average rent is likely to slip 1.5 percent this year, and then rise 1.2 percent in 2011. Multifamily net absorption should be 145,700 units in 59 tracked metro areas this year, and another 214,500 in 2011.

According to Where to Retire editor, Mary Lu Abbott, Las Cruces, New Mexico has many of the qualities that are important in a top place to retire. "Las Cruces has a sunny climate that's dry and not too hot, and it's a comfortably sized city with educational and medical facilities. There's a rich multicultural heritage with fun celebrations and a fiery cuisine, and it's all topped off with a spectacular setting against a mountain backdrop," Abbott said.

Each year, 700,000 Americans move to new places to retire. Generally healthier, better educated and more affluent than retirees who stay put, relocating retirees bring significant economic benefits to their new states and hometowns. Nationally, two dozen states and hundreds of towns seek to attract retirees as a source of economic development.