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The Evelyn Bruder Las Cruces Real Estate Dream Team is extremely happy to report that Single Family Home Sales have increased significantly versus this same period last year.

This has been the best First Quarter for home sales since 2008.

The number of Las Cruces homes sold each of the 3- months of this 1st Quarter of 2012 is up an average of 10% versus the same month in 2011. Not only are number of sales up versus 2011, but the number of homes sold has steadily increased each month during this 1st Q. February’s home sales were up 29% over the number sold in January, and the trend continued with March’s home sales up another 22% over February.

These Statistics give us every reason to believe that the Las Cruces Real Estate Market may be well on its way to recovery.

These statistics for Las Cruces Homes Sold are even more impressive when we consider that we have not yet entered our Spring Selling Season. The Spring Months of April, May, and June are the peak months for Las Cruces Home Sales.

We are not alone in our optimism…

An extensive article on Forbes.com on March 27th lead with the headline: "This Spring Could Be The Best Home-Buying Season In Years"

And USATODAY.com on April 1st quoted a number of Economists, Realtors, and Wall Street Analysts as saying that they have ”Great Expectations for the housing market's spring season."

IN CONCLUSION

HOME BUYERS: Need to be aware that the current “Buyer’s Market” presents them with a great opportunity to buy a home while there are still a lot of homes available at very affordable low prices. Now is the right time to buy a Las Cruces Home. This buyer's market may not last past this Spring’s Buying Season. With increased demand, the Market will be much more competitive.

HOME OWNERS / HOME SELLERS: Anyone that is even thinking about selling a home in Las Cruces needs to know that: NOW!!! IS THE TIME TO SELL The rise in Demand expected during this Spring Buying Season, should result in Higher Home Values for Sellers.

For those with homes already listed for sale, and for those that want to sell their home this spring, you can use this link for 2 additional videos and accompanying Articles.

• The Top 10 things to do to sell your home this Spring

• 7- home-selling blunders to avoid to get your home sold this spring

If you want to know more about selling your home visit our dedicated Seller’s Website: http://www.SellingAHomeInLasCruces.com

Average Days on Market

Average days on market is a number almost every real estate agent knows by heart. If your agent can't give you that number, you might want to think about hiring an agent who can. To determine the average number days on market yourself, figure out the day each home in any given month goes on the market and count the days to pending. Add those days together and divide by the number of homes.

What Makes a House Sell Quickly?

Sometimes there is no logical reason for the length of time it takes to sell a house. It could be luck. Your house could come on the market on the very day a specific buyer is looking to buy such a house. But more likely, how long it takes to sell a house depends on the following 3 factors:

Price

A smart strategy some agents use to entice multiple offers, which tend to push the price higher, is to price the house a little bit under market value. Price range makes a difference, too. Often, lower price ranges sell faster than higher price ranges simply because there are more buyers who can afford lower-priced homes.

Location

The adage: location, location, location is true. If the home is located in a highly desirable neighborhood near excellent schools, there will be more demand for the home. If it's located on the wrong side of the tracks near a toxic dump, it might never sell.

Condition

Homes in tip-top shape that sparkle and shine sell much faster than homes that need repairs or are cluttered. Home buyers need to imagine how they will live in that house, and they can't do that if the home looks like it belongs to you or is a mess.

Market Temperature Determines How Long it Takes a House to Sell
In seller's markets, homes tend to sell faster because there are fewer sellers and more buyers. When more than one buyer is trying to buy the same home, that can result in a bidding war with offers above list price. It's not unusual for a home to sell in a seller's market in less than a week.

In buyer's markets, buyers have more choices and can take their time. If the home isn't exactly what a buyer wants, a buyer will pass it over and keep looking. If you are a seller in a buyer's market, patience is key.

We here at the Evelyn Bruder Dream Team would love to work with you to achive your goals! We have a Unique Strategy when it comes to selling your home.  Our philosophy for selling your home is based upon Positioning.  We put your home at the top of every buyers wish list.  We make sure you home is seen!  Please visit our website and learn more about the oportunities we provide for home sellers.

www.sellingahomeinlascruces.com

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.

Buyers begin judging your home the moment they see it.
Which house says "keep on driving" vs. " Show me this house"?

A home's curb appeal is one of the most important factors when it comes to selling your home. Think of it as window shopping. You're not going to buy a sweater in a shop's window if it is dirty, faded and has holes on it. Well, the same goes for a home's attractiveness from the exterior that is visible from the street.

Increasing a home's curb appeal
can make the difference in whether your home sits or sells.

  These simple steps can make all the difference
and still keep you within a $1,000 budget.

Assess the Situation
When working on any home improvement project on a budget, you should always come up with a plan to help you stay within your means. For your curb appeal project, start by assessing the home's current appearance from the street. Stand directly across the street from the property and take note of any areas you find unappealing. Better yet, take a picture of it all. Next, walk a few houses down and assess the home's appearance from an angle, then do the same on the opposite side. If a portion of the side or backyard is visible from the street, you might need to perform some improvements for those areas as well. Take as many pictures as possible to help you with your planning.

Fix the Front Yard
Estimated Cost: $200 to $300
If you've decided that the front yard has room from improvement, start with the small stuff that will hardly cost you a thing. Make sure the lawn is mowed and any weeds are pulled. Prune any trees, shrubs or bushes that have grown to unsightly proportions, and don't hesitate to remove or uproot anything. Plant-life should help frame the home, not completely cover it. Removing excess shrubbery can breathe new life into an aged front yard.

The next stage of front yard work should be repairing any patchy areas. Check your lawn for bald spots or dead grass, and repair these areas with a bag of lawn patch. To replace any plant-life you've removed or to fill a slope or bald area of your yard, consider planting fast-growing groundcover like vinca minor.

Some mulch and garden bed edging can make your front yard look brand new. Look for discarded rocks, stones and cement blocks at rock quarries or construction sites for affordable edging. Another edging idea that is eco-friendly, but a little out of the ordinary, is to bury wine bottles into your soil, neck down. Bury the bottles as far as you can, exposing only a small portion of the bottle.

Refresh the Front of Your Home
Estimated Cost: $400 to $500
Now that your front yard is taken care of, you can move on to the actual house. A good place to start is your front door. Worn and weathered front doors are off-putting, but a newly painted front door can be a great focal point for the front of the home. Make sure to also polish the door fixtures, and even consider installing a new door knocker. Finally, hang a wreath around the door for a finishing touch. You can do all of this for under $50.
If your home features a front porch, think about adding potted containers that can be hung or placed around your frond steps. If you have any porch furniture, consider giving it a face lift with new fabrics and paint rather than replacing anything. The key to curb appeal is to make your home appealing to the eye. You can accomplish this by creating symmetry with potted plants, furniture and other items on your porch.

For the next part of your project, you'll need to rent a pressure washer. These can be rented from most major home improvement stores, and typically cost $50 to $75 for the day. You can use the pressure washer to clean the exterior of your home, which is a cheaper and quicker alternative to painting it. Pressure wash your garage doors, driveway and walkway to make everything look new. Just be sure to avoid windows because the water pressure can damage or break them.

If you still think a new paint job is necessary, even after the pressure wash, consider painting accents. The front door, columns, window sills and the garage door can all be matching colors and used as accents to enhance the curb appeal of the entire home. Take things a step further by adding matching shutters to your windows, or even a matching arbor and fence panel as long as you can afford it.

Minor Improvements
Estimated Cost: $100 to $200
With what is left of your $1,000 budget, you can finish your curb appeal project with minor improvements to refresh your home. Even the little things can make a difference, so be sure not to overlook anything you can upgrade or improve. Start by either repainting or replacing your mailbox. Then, replace your home's house numbers if they are worn or are barely visible from the street. Update any outdoor lighting fixtures by either replacing or repainting them if they are old and rusted. Finally, make sure to clean any cluttered areas, rake any fallen leaves, wash your windows and clear your gutters of debris.

The Bottom Line
Giving your home more curb appeal can be accomplished on a limited budget. Make sure you spend time examining your home from every angle to see what minor improvements you can make to enhance its appearance. All it takes is a little creativity and patience. Buyers want homes that are well-maintained, clean, and clutter-free. That's why the improvements that you will make during the staging process, are all designed to anticipate the wants and needs of buyers, and why staging sells homes faster and can boost your selling price.

It's a tough market. You want YOUR Home to be the one that will sell!
Staging is positioning your home to be at the top of the buyer's list.
Properly staged homes outshine the competition every time!

A wealth of information about staging your home to sell, including articles, pictures and reference materials, is available for you all online with no obligation or agents to hassle you.  visit: Staging Your Home To Sell

Thank you for reading my blog! If you like my blog check out our website we have so many resources for you, local news, real estate tips, things to do around town, and so much more!

www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

Think back, or read a history book, about how families in the '40s and '50s used to buy homes. Young couples lived with Mom and Dad during the "courtship" prior to getting married, until they had saved 20% to put down on their "dream home". They made an investment in America, (i.e. the American dream). In the years that followed we have devalued that investment in lieu of credit and the easy access to it. Property values rose artificially and our nation became addicted to credit.

The value of the dollar has been demolished due to the same principle. When we place value in assets based on their ability to be easily bought and sold versus the value that has been invested in the asset, we devalue its worth. For example, two years ago I could have bought an $800,000 house (and I assure you that I cannot afford a house that expensive). The owner of that asset (the $800k house) placed value on his asset based on the availability of buyers like me who could buy the home. The problem is, this homeowner probably had less than 5% invested in the home. Where do you think that homeowner is today?

Had he put 20% down on his home, he would then own a valuable asset in which he has a real investment. This outlay of cash forces him to buy and sell his home in the same manner he would move an $800k investment around in the stock market - very carefully. Thus, the home has REAL value. However, having bought the home with little or no money down, the asset became disposable and so follows the real estate market.

So, as I said earlier, I cannot predict when the real estate market will bounce back, but I can tell you what needs to happen before it does. America needs to reinvest in herself by getting back to solid buying and selling principles. This strengthens home values, which encourages investors who employ builders who employ carpenters, painters, real estate agents, loan officers and so on. America was built on the "American Dream" which has turned into the "American Nightmare"; she can only be rebuilt by hard working Americans, not by Wall Street.

We here at The Evelyn Bruder Dream team want to help you acomplish your dream, and we work hard to keep you informed and up to date with all the latest Real Estate news and pracitices.  We pride ourselves in educating our clients so they make informed decisions.  Our goal is to make the home buying or selling process a smooth and empowering experience.  We know buying a home can seem overwhelming and with diffrent sources saying diffrent things about the market it can be confusing.  Let us take the work out of it, we give you solid information and are always avaliable to answer any questions you may have.

Please visit our website and if you have any questions click the image below to take you to our contact form.  Thank you for visiting our blog!

There are some fantastic real estate deals on the market right now. From properties in various stages of foreclosure to already foreclosed -bank-owned properties. You have a great opportunity to get the home you want at a bargain price. But what about those holes in the wall and that pet stained carpet? Looking past these stressful items can help you reap huge benefits financially.

Over the past several years we have seen huge numbers of distressed sales. According to RealtyTrac, 23% of all U.S. home sales in 2011 were in some stage of foreclosure. So nearly one in every four homes sold in 2011 was a distress sale. Couple this with the fact that these distressed homes sell at a significant discount to the non-distress sales (up to 40% discount for some bank-owned homes), there is a huge opportunity for buyers.

When considering buying a Foreclosure Property, look Past the Cosmetic Items: The paint may be ugly or the carpet may have spots. Or the kitchen may not be as clean as you like. None of these items should ever be a deal breaker in that they are easy and relatively inexpensive to remedy.

Focus on the Space: If you fall in love with a place that meets all of your other needs but it really requires some minor renovation, repairs or new carpet and paint that's ok too. Just make sure you estimate the cost into the overall price of the home.

Be Aware of "Too Much Work" Syndrome: When many buyers look at properties, they will often say that there's just too much work with that property. Sometimes you get that lazy feeling...or your human nature takes over and you want it to be perfect right now! Don't let this keep you from getting the best property at the lowest price. If you do find a screaming deal in a great location but it needs a new kitchen, bathroom...etc., don't hesitate to go for it.

These foreclosure properties are often the best deals in today's real estate market.  Once you've gone through the "minor" items above and have decided that this property has big potential, go ahead and hire a qualified individual to review the home for any major defects including a review of the structure, mechanical systems, roof,...etc.

Once you have a list of items to be completed, create an estimate for each item to determine your total investment required and be sure you are still getting a good deal on the home.

When comparing the cost to update and purchase a foreclosure property with a regular re-sale home, it can be difficult to stay focused on what's important. Keep in mind, if you end up adding a new kitchen or bathroom, and doing the repairs and renovations to the foreclosure property, you will get exactly what you want, and at a great price.

GET A FREE LIST OF ALL LAS CRUCES FORECLOSURES BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW

Take 1-Minute to watch the Video below, and you'll find out that...

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING A HOME, WITHOUT A DOUBT,
THE BEST DEALS ARE THE FORECLOSURE PROPERTIES.

Having a Buyer's Agent - especially one with Foreclosure Expertise -
assures that you will have a Personal, Trusted Advisor to guide you
so you end up buying the best home available for the best price.

Click Here - See All Of the VIP Buyer Services I Provide

The official first day of spring is March 21, but in Las Cruces, it is beginning to feel like spring is already in the air.

For some reason, outdoor jobs that must be done in the spring become enjoyable activities while they're simply chores at other times of the year. Perhaps it is the anticipation of a new season about to begin and visions of colorful, fragrant blooms that are soon to appear.

So let's get outside and see what we can do.

Look at that lawn!
It might be a bit of a sorry sight after the winter, but with a bit of TLC, you can coax it back to verdant life. If you can see a fair amount of thatch (the dead, straw-like stuff that is often tangled near the grass roots) you will need to rake it out before you attempt any other lawn care projects. The reason? Anything you add, such as new seed or fertilizer will simply sit on the thatch, rather than getting down into the soil, unless it is removed.

Once you have de-thatched your lawn, you can add a fertilizer. Most garden centers carry a variety of lawn fertilizers. If you're uncertain, describe your lawn conditions to the manager at the garden center and ask him or her to recommend a particular type of fertilizer. If that doesn't help, you can always drop an e-mail to steve@landsteward.org and I'll try to help. Above all, when using fertilizer, be sure to read the instructions thoroughly!

If you need to re-seed (sometimes called overseeding), that's the final step after any de-thatching or fertilizing that your lawn needed.

Plant and transplant
March is a good time to plant those new roses, berries, fruit trees and most deciduous plants. If you're still not sure what to plant, there's still time to go online and do some research but don't leave it too long.

As for transplanting existing plants from one spot to another, time is running out, so do it as soon as you can because many plants are already starting their annual spring growth.

Pruning
If you need to prune ornamental trees and shrubs, the best time to do so is before growth starts. The exceptions to that rule are spring-flowering shrubs. For those, you need to wait until after they finish flowering. This would be a good time to prune roses if they look like they need a trim. Again, I'm happy to advise on any specific pruning questions you might have.

Weeding
Probably everyone's least-favorite garden activity, perhaps because it feels destructive rather than constructive, and it can be backbreaking work. As I've said before, do a little at a time, interspersed with more enjoyable garden activities, and it will seem less of a pain in the, uh, knees.

If you're using a cultivator as part of your spring gardening project, don't be tempted to use it in bulb beds. Remove the weeds by hand or you'll risk injuring the delicate root systems.

Pick your perennials
Even if it is still too early to plant perennials in your area, take a look around your landscape and decide if you can brighten the place up with a few new "faces." Gardening books and magazines and online Web sites should give you plenty of ideas, once you determine the amount of sunlight and the soil conditions affecting that part of your landscape.

Buying perennials that have already experienced at least one full growing season is worth the additional cost as they will probably be sturdier and more likely to thrive than smaller, cheaper options.

I like to think of perennial plants as the backbone of the flower garden because they're the plants with staying power. Their leaves die back as winter approaches, but with luck, the following spring, they come back. Some plants are short-lived, but old favorites like daylilies, and hostas can thrive for decades.

Get outside, breathe in that fresh (almost) spring air and learn why you love your landscape all over again!

If you are thinking about selling your home curb appeal
followed by that landscaped back yard sells homes.

It's a tough market.

You want YOUR Home to be the one that will sell!
Staging is positioning your home to be at the top of the buyer's list.

Properly staged homes outshine the competition every time!
We want to help CLICK and learn all about Staging Your Home to SELL!

For more tips for your home, Real Estate News, Local Arts and Culture, Events, and much much more... Visit our website www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

• NAR's Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January.

• An index of 100 is defined as the point where a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for the purchase of a median-priced existing single-family home, assuming a 20 percent downpayment and 25 percent of gross income devoted to mortgage principal and interest payments

This is the first time the housing affordability index has broken the two hundred mark, meaning: the typical family has roughly double the income needed to purchase a median-priced home.

"For buyers who can qualify for a mortgage, now is a very good time to become a homeowner." NAR President Moe Veissi says this latest data underscores buyer opportunities in today's market.

NAR projects the affordability index for all of 2012 will remain at all time highs.

For more information, visit www.realtor.org
This portion of the blog is based on an Article printed from RISMedia: http://rismedia.com
URL to article: http://rismedia.com/2012-03-08/housing-affordability-index-hits-record-high/

So What does this mean for us here in Las Cruces?

In Las cruces, during the last 12 Months 960 single family homes sold. The median price of these Las Cruces Homes was $159,450 (This means that half of the homes sold were under $160,000). Use our affordability calculator below to see that  homes in this price range are extremely affordable. However, you will want to do a few things before starting out to buy that house.

First is to check out this list of eight things you should have squared away before you consider buying a home.

Then Determine What Price Home Can YOU Afford to Buy. The amount that you are "qualified to borrow," will allow you to determine:
• What price home you can you afford.
• How much of a Mortgage you will qualify for.
• What will your Monthly Payment Be?

The amount of loan you qualify for will be based on your credit score, current salary, employment history, and current debt. You can use this "Affordability Calculator." It Will give you a good idea of what price home you are qualified to buy even before visiting Lenders, and it will enable you to see what things you need to change in your life to qualify for the home you want to buy.

Lastly, use our FREE, Online, No Obligation VIP ADVANCED MLS Search to see all of the homes available in your price range?

For more info about buying a home in Las Cruces please visit www.buyingahomeinlascruces.com

Buffett: 'I'd Buy Up a Couple Hundred Thousand' Homes

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Daily Real Estate News

Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO, said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" recently that he'd "buy up a couple hundred thousand" single-family homes if it was practical.

Buffett said that's because he believes purchasing a home with ultra-low mortgage rates and holding it for the long-term has become a better investment than stocks right now.

"Housing will come back, you can be sure of that," Buffett wrote in his annual letter to shareholders recently.
Buffett forecasts an increase in household formations, as more people who moved in with their parents or family members during the recession look to move out and get their own home soon."

Buffett said the recovery in the housing market could vary quite a bit among local housing markets.

How does this translate to Las Cruces residents?

If you are buying your family home or maybe investing in Real Estate you need to know the time to buy has never been better.  Something more to think about is these current great opportunities to buy a home may not last past this spring's buying season!  Prediction after prediciton tells us homes in 2012 will be back on the rise.

Las Cruces home sales are up. This was the best January and Febuary sales since 2009. If you are thinking about buying a home now is the time to make the most of this excellent market before it's gone. 

* January home sales were up 11% over 2011
* February home sales are up 10% over 2011
* AND...February home sales are up 27% over January's sales

Las Cruces' Real Estate Recovery is on its way!

Whether you are a buyer or seller or just want to know, you can get an Analysis of the Real Estate Market
Unlike any other report...our tables and graphs provide a current analysis of the Las Cruces Real Estate market, and market trends.

Just Click And Your Personal Snapshot will be E-mailed to you today

It is an exciting time to purchase a home in Las Cruces and we are excited to help you find exactly what you are looking for.  If you are interested in more information about Real Estate in Las Cruces or how to make the most of this opportunity contact us!

If you want to see Warren Buffett's full interview on CNBC's Squawk Box click here

Experiencing a theft, flood, fire, or other casualty loss is devastating enough. Now imagine trying to list from memory for your insurance claim every single item that was damaged or destroyed. The task becomes less daunting if you create a home inventory in advance and keep it in a safe place.

Creating a home inventory can be done with pencil and paper alone, but a digital camera and camcorder make the job easier. Set aside enough time to review your insurance policies, dig up receipts, document your possessions, and figure out where you'll store your records. One day should be sufficient.
A home inventory is essential
From appliances, plates, and glasses to collectibles, rugs, and furniture, the average home is packed with an array of items collected over the years. And while you may be able to list many of them in a pinch, chances are you'd miss some important possessions if you ever needed to reconstruct your home's contents from memory, says Mark Goldwich, founder of GoldStar Adjusters, a Jacksonville, Fla., claims adjusting firm.

"Home inventories are a must no matter what the value of the home's items are," says Goldwich. "If you're going to insure your property and pay for that insurance, you really should be able to document the ownership and the value of the items that you're insuring. If you don't have proof of the items you owned, it makes filing your claim much more difficult."

Your job doesn't end once you've compiled a home inventory, a detailed list of everything in your household. Be sure to compare estimated values to your policy's coverage to ensure that you'll be able to replace your belongings in case of damage or theft, says Goldwich, who is the author of "Uncovered: What Really Happens After the Storm, Flood, Earthquake or Fire." In some cases, he says, you can purchase additional coverage if the value of your possessions exceeds the limits on your homeowners, flood, or other disaster policy.
Take photos and video of possessions

Jack Hungelmann, author of "Insurance for Dummies," says a picture can be worth more than just a thousand words-it can add up to thousands in cash if you ever need to file an insurance claim. Hungelmann recommends using a digital camcorder or camera to take pictures of each room to document your belongings. "I recommend that people open up their cupboards and drawers. Be sure you have a record of all the things you own," he says.

Goldwich says that creating such a home inventory might seem daunting, but digital video-you can pick up a decent camcorder for about $150-can make the task much easier.
Homeowners can literally walk from room to room and record narrative descriptions of items. You should note whether something is an antique, for example, or if it has other qualities that make it especially valuable such as the size of a television screen or the type of stones in a piece of jewelry. Get close-up shots of serial numbers on electronics, power tools, and the like.

Filling in a printed checklist with serial numbers, brands, quantities, and estimated values will prove indispensible if an insurance claim ever needs to be filed. The adjuster will likely ask for such a list, and you can use the video or photos as proof of ownership. Download our free home inventory checklist to create your own.
Keep your home inventory safe
Of course, such documentation is useless if it's destroyed in a natural disaster, consumed by fire, or stolen along with your personal computer. Hungelmann says that using digital media allows you to store the files on online backup services like Carbonite.com or iBackup.com in case your home is destroyed.
If you'd like to save the $10 or more per month these services typically cost, you could also save the files on a USB drive that's kept in a safe-deposit box, at a relative's home, or in your emergency bag. The bag should include essentials your family needs in case you're forced to flee on short notice.

It's also a good idea to keep a file with receipts and any appraisals of valuable items you own. Store these documents off-site as well. Goldwich says that the more documentation you have to prove what you owned and what it was worth, the easier the claims process will be.

If you are looking to gain wealth, boost your credit, and start enjoying all the benefits of owning your own home. but think you can't afford it this information may surprise you.

Over the past year rent has increased and continues to rise. "Last year rents hit their highest level since 2007, reaching $1,009 a month average rental price. Fewer places to rent means landlords have the upper hand when it comes to what they can ask, and that will probably be the case for the next few years."- Eve Tahmincioglu MSNBC

Are you paying too much?

Here is a video explaining the science behind your high rent, and why it may be a better idea for you and your bank account to buy a home now.

One study by Trulia.com, a real estate research firm, found that "based on current market conditions, buying a home is cheaper than renting in 74 percent of major U.S. cities." What does that mean for you? If you are like many renters with the dream of owning your own home, now might be the best time to strike. Saving money is not the only perk of owning your own home, there is other benefits such as

1. An Improved Living Environment for You and Your Family.
2. Financial benefits to homeownership
3. Home ownership is a great invesment and it builds wealth
4. Special & Specific financial implications of home ownership
5. Apppreciation
6. Equity Creation & Forced Savings
7. Tax Benefits

This is great information about why we believe that right now is a great time to buy a home vs. continuing to rent, but not everybody should own a home! Some people aren't cut out for home ownership, for a variety of reasons.

• Can you afford to be a Homeowner?
• Have you really considered the Pros and Cons of Home Ownership.?
  
• And, you need to calculate whether renting is significantly cheaper than all of the costs incurred by homeowners.

Just click for a more detailed information to held determine if YOU are ready.

We have a free Homebuyer's Toolkit with information with everything you need to know about buying your first home. Get your Toolkit here. Right now and online.

Buying a home can be really scary, you want to make the best decision, you want to make sure the commitment you make is a smart one, and you want to have the confidence that your realtor has your best interests in mind. The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team wants to extend their skillful hands to you.

Feel free to Contact Us at any time with questions or requests for more information about any of your real estate needs.

You can "click" the image below for more information about buying your first home.

There are plenty of ways to improve the value of your home whether you want to sell up or just invest some money into the place that you live.

Of course building an extension is one strategy, but that isn't exactly practical or affordable for the majority of people. So here are 5 alternatives which won't cost quite as much and can quickly add a little bit of value whilst at the same time making your home a little bit nicer to live in.

1. Redecorate

This is one of the simplest ways to quickly reinvigorate your home if it is looking a little bit shabby. You are never going to make a fortune just by painting a few walls of course, but if your decor is looking a little shabby, a fresh lick of paint can make your house a whole lot more salable and it will certainly pay for itself in terms of the cost.

2. Update the Exterior

Curb appeal really does matter and if the outside of the building is out of date or run down it could knock significant value off of your house, so consider putting right what you can, make sure your windows look solid, clean and are in fitting with the type of home (sash and case windows go great with cottage style homes) - replacing them if needed, make sure your guttering is all in place and consider re-painting your front door if needed.

3. Redo the Garden

Just as can the outside of your house, having a shabby and unkempt garden can cost your house a significant amount of money. Tidying up your garden doesn't have to be expensive, just having a well kept lawn and keeping it free from weeds might be all you need - but a nicely landscaped garden certainly wouldn't hurt.

4. Loft Extension

This is a slightly more expensive job, but it is certainly cheaper than a full extension and if you happen to have a good sized loft an extra bedroom can actually add significant value onto your home. The key is to use the space effectively, don't leave yourself with a house that doesn't make much sense - like having 4 bedrooms and only 1 rest room.

5. New Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house in terms of value, and if your kitchen is looking a bit old or un-inspiring, getting a new one can often add significant value. If you are able to fit the kitchen yourself you can potentially make a profit, but even if you have to pay someone else, you will probably add enough value to offset the cost of the investment.

This is the final blog in a series on financing your home. Before we get to the final step, let's review the first 5. 

Step 1: How Much Can You Afford?

Step 2: Selecting a Lender

Step 3: Selecting a Loan

Step 4: Shop. Compare. Negotiate

Step 5: Loan Pre-Qualification & Pre Approval

And Finally, Step 6: Loan Approval

Processing and Underwriting - Expect a time delay in getting final loan
Avoid the most common problems with these worksheets:
Mortgage Application Checklist
Mortgage Loan Flow Sheet

Neither pre-qualification nor pre-approval nor a means you are guaranteed a mortgage. In order to get final loan approval and money delivered to the title company at closing, the loan must be processed and then be underwritten.

The processing department must order appraisals, title work, and verify employment and credit report. The underwriter must make sure that your loan meets the requirements for the particular loan program you are using. Problems with these final steps can often be traced to buyers not having submitted the necessary financial items and paperwork in a timely manner, and the fact that Processing and Underwriting are separate departments within the lending institution which can create a bureaucratic delay in completing this process.

For more information on Financing Your Home, visit our Buying a Home Website. 

For the past few weeks we've been discussing financing. Last week we covered Selecting a Lender and Selecting a Loan. 

This week we want to talk about the next two steps in the process. 

Step 4) Shop! Compare! Negotiate!

In "Step 3) Selecting A Loan," we provided the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet so that you could compare the loans being offered by different lenders.

Now that you know about rates, points and fees, and different types of mortgages, we want to provide you with 2-calculators
•Which loan is better?
•Which lender has the better loan?

These will help you when you are using your work sheets to compare products and making your final decisions. Remember Mortgage Loans are a commodity! Use your "Worksheet and Questions" to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business. Let each lender know that you are shopping for the best deal.

You are the Buyer; the Lender wants your business Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate until you get to the best possible Rate and Terms.

Step 5. Loan Pre-Qualification & Pre Approval

In "Step 1) Determine How Much Can You Afford," we emphasized the need to meet with a loan officer and get a Pre-Qualification Letter listing an estimated amount that you qualify to borrow.This was based on your credit report and information you provided about your income and debt payments. Your qualification amount was based on this information, and the affordability calculator we provided.

Now that you have determined the Lender and the Type of Mortgage that you are going to use to finance your home purchase, it is time to go to the next level - Pre-Approval.

What's the difference? Pre-qualification is an estimate based upon your credit report and the income and debt information you provided. The Pre-Approval process now requires you to provide all the documentation required in a full Loan Application, and the lender will now verify all of that information. This Loan Application Checklist will help you have all the documentation the lender needs.

A Pre-approval Letter is a firmer commitment on behalf of the lender as to the amount they will loan you.

The lender has now done all the verification work required for a full approval except for a final repeat credit report, verification of income, the home purchase agreement, appraisal, title search, and finally underwriting.

Last week we started talking about our 6 Step Process to Financing Your Home. We covered the first step: Determining How Much You Can Afford. This week we want to cover selecting a lender and selecting a loan. 

Step 2) Selecting A Lender

While there are many people who prefer to deal only with their regular banking institution, as your REALTOR advisors, we will probably suggest you SHOP around to find both a lender and a loan that are most suited to your needs.

Home Financing is a competitive market. Visiting with Banks is OK, but you should consider contacting more than one Lender and lending institution (Banks, Credit Unions, Private Mortgage Lenders, Mortgage Brokers, as well as a host of reputable Online Lenders).

You need to interview and evaluate each individual lender personally as well as rate their company, and the products they offer. Be prepared with a questionnaire and compare them side by side. We will provide a Mortgage Shopping Worksheet to assist you.

Whomever you choose to represent you, make sure that you have selected the Lender that you trust, and who you believe has expertise, and will provide you with the service and results that you expect and deserve.

Step 3) Selecting A Loan

A mortgage is a product! There are many different models and prices.

Each mortgage / home loan product has a different price, different terms, with different benefits and drawbacks. You have a variety of financing options available to you, each one is designed to meet different goals and financial situations. You'll want to compare all of these factors.

Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Two tools that will be particularly useful for you are this chart comparing the pros and cons of the most common types of Home Loans and who may find them most useful, and this Mortgage Shopping Worksheet with questions you should ask each lender about each type of Mortgage that they offer so that you can compare them side by side to help decide which lender and which loan is best for your needs.

Next week we'll talk about steps 4 and 5. To read all 6 steps visit our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website. 

We've outlined a 6 Step Process to Financing your new home on our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website. 

This morning we want to talk about Step 1 in that process: Determine How Much You Can Afford

You should not even begin the Home Buying Process until you determine
•Is it better for YOU to Rent or Buy?
•Have you considered the Pros vs. the Cons of Homeownership?
•Can you afford to be a Homeowner?

If being a Home Owner is still right for you, now, you can you take the first step in the Financing Process:

Determine What Price Home Can You Afford to Buy?

Knowing what you can afford will save you a lot of time and frustration because you can limit your search to homes thatare appropriate for you, and then and then when you make an offer you know that you probably qualify to buy that home.

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team Buyer's Agent will assist you in setting up meeting with lenders, in person or online. We will do this as soon as possible.

The amount that you are "qualified to borrow," or getting Pre- Qualified does not obligate you to any particular lender, but it will allow you to determine:

•What price home you can you afford.
•How much of a Mortgage you will qualify for.
•What will your Monthly Payment Be?

The Evelyn Bruder Buyer's Agent knows the main factors that determine the amout of loan you qualify for are your credit score, current salary, employment history, and current debt. We will provide you with an "Affordability Calculator." Using this, you can get an idea of what price home you are qualified to buy even before visiting Lenders .

Your Lender will do similar calculations base on the information you provide, and then give you a "Pre-Qualification Letter" stating that you should qualify to borrow this amount of money for your home purchase.

Your Buyer's Agent Realtor, as your trusted advisor and counselor will tell you that Lenders often qualify a homebuyer for a loan amount that exceeds what you really can afford. Together you should determine if you really should borrow that much. Willyou have extra money left, or will you be "house poor"? You and your Realtor can decide the actual amount you want to borrow. Remember that you can always borrow less than you qualify for.

Congratulations! You have completed Step 1 of the Financing Process

Next week we will continue our introduction of these remaining steps in the financing process. If you'd like to read all 6 steps right now, visit our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website.

It is important to note that the financing process is an essential part of the home buying process and you should be following these steps at the same time that you are home hunting. It is only when these two come together at the end that your home purchase is successful and hassle free

A friend asked me the other day what will happen to the Las Cruces real estate market in 2012. 

Not being Nostradamus I hesitated to give a prediction, but the truth is that the real estate market is pretty good for certain people, especially buyers. Plus mortgage rates remain at their lowest point in nearly 60 years, and prices are settling. 

And people still move up and still move down -- buying and selling homes to meet those ends. Here are 5 tips for you looking to engage in real estate next year.

1. Buyers - Redefine Value

If your home has been on the market far too long, there's a good chance you're not facing market realities. The value of your home isn't what the tax assessor says it is, or the sum on that two-year-old appraisal you have filed away. It's not what a similar-size home that sold across town. It's what a buyer is willing to pay today.

To arrive at that sum, the sales prices of foreclosures and short sales must be factored into the equation, along with the average value of seller concessions in your submarket. These factors are advanced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, in its appraiser code-of-conduct revisions to ensure more accurate documentation of market conditions. If your agent tells you that you're overpricing your house, he or she may not just be trying to grease the wheels for a quick commish, as you might suspect.

2. Hire Professionals

As tempting as it is to share the seller's agent to save a couple grand, don't.

The same goes for using the other party's inspector and appraiser. They were hired by the seller and have a fiduciary allegiance to the person who's paying them.

Don't automatically opt for real estate professionals referred to you by your agent either. A huge capital purchase is not the time for such friendly accommodations.

Briefly interview three of each by phone. Make sure your appraiser and your inspector (and perhaps a separate termite inspector) are appropriately state-licensed or state-certified and, ideally, have been practicing for at least five years and have done more than 200 inspections or appraisals. Compare the results of your inspector's findings with the inspection findings of the other party, and you're likely to stumble on disparities or omissions.

3. Sellers - Think Like a Buyer

Put your ego aside, sellers. Your for-sale home is no longer about you -- it's about the buyer. So be empathic.

What would you expect to see on a tour of a for-sale home? Even though you're essentially marketing brick, mortar and land, the emotional response you elicit in a buyer is often what seals a deal. Neutral colors allow buyers to picture themselves in your house.

To appeal to their olfactory pleasure senses, employ the age-old tactic of baking fresh cookies before potential buyers arrive -- then leave them for your visitors to enjoy. Or at least light a candle or two. To convey an inviting atmosphere, de-clutter the place with renewed vengeance, stow away your inexpensive or tattered furniture and box up cherished mementos. Remember that the illusion of space is almost as important as the space itself.

When the Evelyn Bruder Dream Team puts your home Online, it receives unique positioning and exposure. If you are looking to sell your home in Las Cruces, you need a comprehensive online marketing plan. 

Here's a sample of the things we've found to work:

1. Our Website Network

We sell your home on OUR OWN Internet Network of Real Estate Websites.

View This Site Map and Visit Our Websites

These are all of our Websites. All are custom-designed and self-administered. This arrangement provides specific benefits for your home that are rarely found among Realtors with one "template" website.

A. The power to customize and maximize the presentation of your home.

See what this looks like. 

B. We draw in home buyers. A potential home buyer may be searching for information about our area, or something else that is provided on one of our niche or specialized sites.

They can get their desired information easily, but all of these sites allow them to search your home among our "Featured Listings."

Most potential Buyers will want to search the MLS database. Each of these sites encourages them to search, and makes it easy for them to do that. We have created the Most Advanced Homes Search Possible, and we make the home buying experience, not only easier, but actually fun.

C. All of our Websites offer information or services which results in many of these browsers identifying themselves as potential home buyers, and by following up quickly, we can find out if they might be a buyer for your home. They then become a part of our Targeted Marketing Campaign.

2. Craigslist

A very important source of buyers in this new Marketing world is Craigslist.

We get significant response from our postings of home listings. Responses are most heavily from in-town potential buyers, but many are from out of town Buyers looking to retire or relocate to Las Cruces.

We post daily. Your home will appear on a 3-day rotation, and every posting has a link to your Virtual Tour or Virtual Tour Video.

Click here for an example of what our Craigslist postings include.

Again, we have a report generator which will tell you how many individual visitors saw your home per day.

3. Realtor.com

We pay for, and provide you with, an enhanced property listing created on Realtor.com. This is the largest and most used national home search website. It accounts for 82% of all real estate searches in the US. We in effect are creating (and we market it as such) a single property website for your home.

Here is an example of one of our listings with detailed explanations.

Enhanced listings are seen first on Realtor (yielding as much as twenty times more exposure than non-enhanced listings). We will provide you with weekly reports of the number of times your home has been "viewed."

While these are 3 key elements of your home's online marketing plan, this list is far from complete. Visit our Selling a Home in Las Cruces Website for the rest of the list.

Since we are involved in real etate on an hourly basis, we often forget that others are not. Yesterday I met a friend of a friend who asked me why she should work with a buyer agent. 

I thought this stuff was pretty common knowlege, but apparently not. Here are 5 reasons should work with a buyer agent. 

1.Only a "Buyer Agent" can Guarantee to:

•Represent only you, the Home Buyer
•Negotiate only on the Home Buyer's behalf
•Provide the true facts (good and bad) about:
Value,
Market,
Neighborhood conditions, and
Obvious physical defects.

2.A "Buyer Agent" Can Do A Better Job For You Because:
•They have a legal obligation to put the Home Buyer's interests first
•Other Agents will not disclose things beyond those required by law
• They will disclose factors which might be detrimental, or make a property less desirable
•Buyer Agents are negotiating only on your behalf to get the lowest price on the best terms

3.A "Buyer Agent" Owes You, The Home Buyer, The Duties Of:

•Confidentiality
Buyer Agents are prohibited from disclosing:
The real price a Home Buyer is willing to pay
The amount of mortgage a Home Buyer is actually qualified for
How much cash a Home Buyer has to work with
The level of a Home Buyer's motivation to buy a particular home

•Undivided Loyalty
Buyer Agents are prohibited from advancing any interests that are adverse to their Buyer.

•Full Disclosure
Buyer Agents" are required to disclose all information which might affect their buyer's best interest
What they know about the Seller's own motivation for selling
The price the Seller paid for the home
Deferred maintenance or defects in the home, o Price comparables for similar homes,
The listing history of the home
Potential problems in the neighborhood

4.Your "Buyer Agents" will help you:
With finding and negotiating for the right real estate
With the evaluation of financing alternatives
With the choice of a qualified home inspector
With the choice of other professionals as needed.

5."Buyer Agents" goal is NOT TO SELL their clients any specific property.
The Buyer Agent is there to assist you in every way possible to finding the right home for you.

Learn more about our buyer services on our Buying a Home in Las Cruces. 

We started talking with a couple about how they wanted their dining room to function and we got into a detailed conversation about dining room furniture. 

When choosing your dining room furniture, you should start with the dining room table.

The first thing you'll need to consider is shape. Choosing the right shape for your dining room table is going to set you on the right path toward maximizing the room's space and creating the best atmosphere for your home.

Specific considerations for these different shapes are discussed below, but also remember to consider what, if any, auxiliary uses you might have for dining room. Some homeowners use the dining room as their home office as well. Others may use it as a sitting room, either for reading or entertaining. Is it more important that your dining room provides a daily dining area for your family? Or do you need a more formal area for guests and parties?

Round Dining Room Tables

A round dining room table is the most space-efficient shape possible. It is also the least formal. You should consider choosing a round table if you have a smaller dining room. Realize, also, that a round dining room table doesn't create a "head of the table." This can be a plus for casual and family dining and for diffusing power relationships in stressful family or business settings. If you like to play cards or board games, a round table will allow everybody to reach the middle of the table.

Square Dining Room Tables

Similar to a round table, a square dining room table creates a bit more formal atmosphere but sacrifices the use of extra space in the room. A moderately-sized, square dining room best accommodates this shape. Not entirely casual, but not entirely formal either, couples who like to entertain their coupled friends may find this table ideal. Each couple can have their own side of the table and nobody has a privileged place. A square dining room table is another good table for games.