There will be an annular solar eclipse that will only be visible to Earthlings in a few select locations, including Las Cruces, New Mexico. Annular means that it won't be a total eclipse, but 91% of the Sun's light will be blocked in this case. Consider yourself lucky. The next solar eclipse visible from Las Cruces or anywhere in New Mexico won't be until 2023, so you should be sure not to miss this one.

Even during an eclipse, it's common sense not to look directly at the Sun. On Saturday, members of NMSU's Astronomy department will be selling viewing glasses at the downtown farmers market.

The New Mexico State University Astronomy department, the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces, and the Las Cruces Natural History Museum are holding a free event so that you can safely watch the eclipse. They will have special solar telescopes and other safe Sun viewing equipment set up in the Southwest parking lot of the Mesilla Valley Mall. Viewing glasses will be for sale for $1 each or four for $3.

Another event will be held at the same time (6 to 8 p.m.) by the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces in the parking lot of Morning Star United Methodist Church.

If you don't feel like attending either events, but would still like to watch the eclipse, at least make sure to pick up some of the viewing glasses so that you can keep your eyes safe.

Other options to aid in watching include making a pinhole projector, where you poke a hole in a piece of paper, hold it above another piece of paper, let the light shine through, and create an image of the sun. You can also use welder's glass #14.

Sunglasses, tinted glass, and welder's glass #1-13 don't block enough light. Do not try to use these to watch the eclipse.

Here is a breakdown of the information for the two events being held:
   Safe Viewing of the Last Solar Eclipse visible in New Mexico until 2023

When:   May 20, 6-8pm

Where: Southwest corner of Mesilla Valley Mall parking lot
700 S. Telshor Blvd. Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011

  and
               Parking Lot of Morning Star United Methodist Church
               2941 Morningstar Drive Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011

                     It's FREE and If you have any questions, call 215-962-4772

For all of your Real Estate needs The Evelyn Bruder Team is here to assist you.
Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces' Only Cyberstar

For more information on all types of activities available for you in Las Cruces, visit our Guide to Las Cruces website

It's a great family event! They provide food and entertainment along with the tournament. You can be young or old, you can be a beginner or a pro all you have to do is assemble your team and register on site at the field of dreams. The money The Gus Macker raises from the registration fees go to a good cause. The two organizations they are supporting this year is Casa de Peregrinos, and The Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces. Casa De Peregrinos is a nonprofit and nondenominational emergency food program, provides free supplemental groceries to individuals and families at risk of hunger in Las Cruces and Dona Ana County. The Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces enables all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The team registration fee is $136.00 and you have to get there early to get a spot in the tournament. There are prizes for those who excel through the tournament, and Tshirts and more for the players. Come out and play or watch as our friendly community comes together to raise money and have a little fun in the sun.

For more activities and events in Las Cruces feel free to visit our website.

If you want more information on the Gus Macker Click the image below to be directed to their website.

jwplayer('mediaplayer88a725').setup({ 'id':'flvmovie88a725', 'width':'320', 'height':'240', 'controlbar.position':'bottom', 'flashplayer': "http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com/player.swf", 'file': "http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com/videos/stream/las_cruces_homes_sales___market_report___1st_q__2012.flv", autostart: true, events: { onReady: function() { this.play(); } } }); //

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

On July 16, 1945, at 05:29:45AM Mountain War Time (MWT) the world changed with the explosion of the first atomic bomb. The explosion took place at Trinity Site which is on what is now White Sands Missile Range.

The 19-kiloton explosion not only led to a quick end to the war in the Pacific, but this devastating technology also ushered the world into the atomic age. All life on Earth has been touched by the event which took place here.

When he observed the test, Robert Oppenheimer (who could be called the Father of this Atomic Bomb), is quoted as saying “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” (A line from Hindu Scripture)

Trinity is a national historic landmark which is open to the public only twice a year on the first Saturday in April and the First Saturday in October. Open House dates in 2012 are 7 April and 6 Oct. I have visited twice, and no matter your feelings about “the Bomb” and its subsequent use, it is worth the long trip to see this historic site.
See How to Get There: Directions to the site for the biannual Open House.

The 51,500-acre area was declared a national historic landmark in 1975.

The landmark and what visitors are allowed to see includes: base camp, where the scientists and support group lived, the obelisk that marks ground zero, where the bomb was placed for the explosion, and the McDonald ranch house, where the plutonium core to the bomb was assembled. The fence around Ground Zero has a display of historical photos. (SITE MAP)

A few words about what happened seems appropriate here:

The device exploded with an energy equivalent to around 20 Kilotons of TNT. The heat of the blast vaporized the steel tower and melted the desert sand and turned it into a green radioactive glassy substance. It was called Trinitite, and it can still be seen in the area. It left a crater in the desert 10 feet (3 m) deep and 1,100 feet (330 m) wide. The shock wave was felt over 100 miles (160 km) away, and the mushroom cloud reached 7.5 miles (12 km) in height.

The Alamogordo Air Base issued a 50-word press release that "a remotely located ammunitions magazine containing a considerable amount of high explosives and pyrotechnics exploded," but that "there was no loss of life or limb to anyone." A newspaper article published the same day stated that "the blast was seen and felt throughout an area extending from El Paso, to Silver City, Gallup, Socorro, and Albuquerque.

Though the actual cause was not publicly acknowledged until after the August 6th Bombing of Hiroshima, the people of New Mexico knew what had happened.

The following references are well worth your time.  Take a few moments to read and learn more about this historic event and site that make up an important part of the very fabric of New Mexico and the United States. You will get some insight into WWII, the Manhattan Project, and especially important is the theory and reasons behind the bomb.

http://www.wsmr.army.mil/PAO/Trinity/Pages/default.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_%28nuclear_test%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project

INFO:

There is no admission fee for this event. Food and souvenirs are sold there. Cameras are allowed at Trinity Site but their use is strictly prohibited anywhere else on White Sands Missile Range. There are no ceremonies or speakers.

For more information:
Contact the missile range Public Affairs Office at (575) 678-1134

See How to Get There: Directions to the site for the biannual Open House.

A splash of cobalt on the walls will make white cabinetry and framed photos pop. Instantly! Balance out the brightness with accents on the warmer side, like a mod orange vase or fresh veggies in a centrepiece bowl.

Home offices are all about efficiency, so their colors should be anything but sleepy! Keep the energy level up with a combo of high-contrast hues like apple green, orange, and espresso. Multicolored file folders and a funky chair cushion add even more eye-catching appeal.

Create an inviting entryway with a rich tone like orange that begs to be noticed the moment you walk through the door. Painting the opposite wall another warm shade like deep yellow creates depth (hint: adding a wall mirror enhances the effect). Also, play with patterns. A scrolled rug and floral furniture complement the color scheme without overpowering it.

Who knew books and tchotchkes could make such a stylish statement? Grouping similarly hued objects brings focus to a cluttered bookcase. Stagger your boldest colors on key shelves, like the top, bottom, and middle, leaving neutral space in between. You can also create this look on a windowsill, console table, or nightstand.

Your home is such a wonderful place to call your own and express your personality, color is a great way to do that. It's easy, and low cost!  Go to a home improvement store and start collecting paint swatches you can see what colors look good together and start exploring what color scheme you would like in your home.

For more tips for home owners, Real Estate News, Local news and events, and much more more, check back with our blog and our website at www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

Here is one review of the show I found online.

"My children are 3 and 4yrs old (boy and girl). They sang along and danced the whole time. The characters did very well keeping the attention of toddlers and the older kids. This was well spent money and time!"

This looks like a great event to spend with your children or grandchildren I know my grandbabies would sure have a blast! You can find more information about this event online >HERE<

For more information on local events, news, Real Estate news, etc... Visit our website at www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

Here is a video promo for the Live event!

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

Activities in the wilderness include backpacking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.There are several popular hot springs in the area. The closest wilderness hot spring, Lightfeather, is a 20-minute walk from the Gila Visitor Center. The most popular is Jordan, a 6 or 8 mile hike from the Visitor Center, depending upon the trailhead used. Private hot springs are also located in the community of Gila Hotsprings, four miles from the Monument.  If you enjoy the outdoors and would enjoy taking a beautiful hike in nature then this is the perfect day trip for you.  New Mexico is a stunning place and it is always fun to get out and see what our lovely state has to offer.

If you would like to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings here is how to get there

Take State Highway 15 north from Silver City. Although the distance from Silver City is only 44 miles, the travel time is approximately two hours due to twisting and winding mountain terrain. An alternative route from Silver City is along State Highway 35 and goes through the Mimbres Valley. Even though it is 25 miles longer than Highway 15, it is less winding, wider, more level, and easier to travel; therefore it takes about the same amount of time to drive. NOTE: If your vehicle, travel trailer, or RV is over 20 feet in length, you should take Highway 35.

For more information about The Gila Cliff Dwellings please visit www.nps.gov/gicl If you are intested in other great things to do around town visit our website by clicking below.

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

2012 Las Cruces Arts Fair

March 16 -18, 2012 in the Las Cruces Convention Center

In its 2nd year, the Las Cruces Arts Fair is the newest juried fine arts and crafts event in the Southwest. The 2012 Arts Fair will be held in the Las Cruces Convention Center, a venue that maximizes space for artists and artisans to show their work to an enthusiastic public. The inaugural Arts Fair was a huge success for participating artists and the art aficionados from New Mexico, Texas and the Southwestern borderland.

The Arts Fair is a juried event for artists producing original work in acrylics, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, oils, watercolors, fabric, leather, weaving, glass, jewelry, metals, mix media, photography, porcelain, pottery, sculpture, and wood. Mass-produced or factory-produced work in any category is not permitted.

The 2012 Las Cruces Arts Fair begins on Friday evening, March 16, 2012, with a ticketed VIP preview. Artists and artisans will have the opportunity to connect with collectors and aficionados. The show opens to the general public on Saturday morning, March 17, and will run through Sunday evening, March 18.

Businesses and corporations interested in underwriting and sponsorship opportunities please contact the Doña Ana Arts Council Development Committee. Call the Arts Council Executive Director Ceci Vasconcellos at (575) 523-6403.

Here is a video report of Last Years Arts Fair

Our community offers an extensive array of arts and cultural opportunities ranging from art galleries and studios, museums, to a wonderful variety of performing arts, theater, music and dance.

To learn more about Las Cruces Arts and Culture visit our guide to Las Cruces website

by clicking the image below

13th Cowboy Days festival

March 17 and 18, 2012
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Farm and Ranch Heritage museum's
annual tribute to New Mexico's ranching heritage,
Begins on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, and continues on Sunday, March 18.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Admission is $4 per person. Children 4 and under are admitted free.

The festival also will have a centennial flavor this year as New Mexico celebrates 100 years as a state. A living history performance, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day, is called "Time Travel to 1912: A New Mexico Statehood Celebration" where visitors can interact with characters from that era as they celebrate statehood, debate issues of the day, deliver soapbox speeches, play games and introduce you to life in 1912

Wonderful and diverse activities for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages will take place over the weekend.

• A centennial scavenger hunt also will take place, with finishers eligible for prizes. Junior Cowpoke Training returns for the second straight year and children who go through a series of fun activities and games are eligible for a certificate. Pony rides, featuring the museum's new ponies, will be offered, and there also will be horseback rides in the pasture and stagecoach rides around the parking lot.

• Some of the top ropers in the area will compete at the museum's roping arena both days, and the charros from Vado, N.M., return to do Mexican-style rodeo demonstrations at 3:30 p.m. each day.

• Demonstrations are a popular element in all of the museum's special events. Attendees may enjoy blacksmithing, horseshoeing, roping, sewing, weaving, dowsing, and chuck wagon cooking. On Sunday only, Pat Howard and his working dogs will demonstrate herding.

• Live music will be ongoing at three different venues, and performers such as Hot Lead, Eddie Harrison, Chris Freeh, Kenny Arroyos, James Michael, Yolanda Martinez, Skunk Valley, Jim Jones, and Randy Granger will be among the entertainers. Authors from the Western Writers of America will do readings in the museum's theater, and cowboy poet Bob Neely, and author Slim Randles also will entertain.

The popular gunfight re-enactments will take place twice both days, and there also will be an old-fashioned medicine show, and a 19th Century Fashion Show.

A variety of arts and crafts vendors will have booths throughout the museum campus, and there also will be plenty of food.

Also during the event, the museum will host a plant and tree sale at its greenhouse. Admission is required for the sale.

For more information, visit www.nmcowboydays.com or call the museum at (575) 522-4100, or Helping Hands Event Planning at (575) 527-1232.

Our community offers an extensive array of arts and cultural opportunities ranging from art galleries and studios, museums, to a wonderful variety of performing arts, theater, music and dance.

To learn more about Las Cruces Arts and Culture visit our
Guide to Las Cruces Website

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

[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

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.