Real Estate Gazette

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

  

  
  

There are many steps in the home buying process.  Many can be time consuming and frustrating while others are easy and do not take much of your time.  Regardless of the process now is a great time to invest time and energy in your future and your finances.  There are great opportunities to buy Las Cruces NM Real Estate.  If you have credit issues take a look at the article below.  There are many possibilities for financing and people that can help you get your finances in order.  Give us a call and we would be happy to help!

 

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.

1. Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.

2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.

4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.

5. Don’t purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit cards until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.

6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.

7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.

8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.

 

 

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. www.REALTOR.org/realtormag

A Quick Note from Zane and Connie

Now that 2010 has arrived, we want to take this opportunity to look back over 2009, which was a year of change for us, most notably our move from Coldwell Banker to Steinborn GMAC. While the decision was not an easy one, there is no doubt it was the best decision for us and more importantly for our clients. We now have access to tools and resources to provide the very best service for our clients. Many businesses and Realtors have been hurt by the global economy, and while we definitely felt the effects, we refused to let anything keep us from doing the best job possible for every person with whom we have made contact. Our preparation and determination enabled us to increase our 2009 sales while many others were just trying to stay afloat. Emerging from 2009 as stronger Realtors, we know the way to succeed regardless of economic factors, is to build relationships with our clients and put out all the effort and extra hours necessary to ensure success. We appreciate the support of friends, family, and past clients, knowing that the referrals that all of you send us are invaluable. We sincerely value each of you. Thank You!

P.S. Look for our 2009 real estate recap in the next issue of The Real Estate Gazette!

Appeared in the Jan. 2010 Real Estate Gazette.  Click here to view.

December 2009 Home Sales, Las cruces NM

　 December Home Sales

　

1169　　　　　　　　Homes for Sale

56　　　　　　　　　　　　Manufactured Homes for Sale

136　　　　　　　　　　Average Days on the Market

　

95　　　　　　　　　　　　　Homes Sold in Dec

1　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Manufactured Sold in Dec

82　　　　　　　　　　　　 Average Days on the Market

　

$167,425.　　 Median Price of Sold Homes

$219,000.　　 Median Price of Active Homes

　

71　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Homes Sold in Dec 08

6　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Manufactured Sold in Dec 08

　

12　　　　　　　　　　　　　Homes for Sale for 1 Million or more

What our clients say!

“Connie and Zane were extremely helpful in our house search.　 They made themselves available to show us a home at anytime and even multiple times.　 Connie continually checked the new listings. 　The exact home in the exact neighborhood we wanted listed and 4 days later we put in our offer.　 Thank you both so much for the pleasant home buying experience.” Mr. and Mrs. Franzoy

A Walk Through Las Cruces’ Past, Organ Mining District

Organ Mining District

Organ credits its founding to tale of a lost gold mine. In 1849, Juan Garcia, a prospector searching for the Lost Padre Mine, established the first mine in the Organ Mountains. He soon sold the mine to Hugh Stephenson. In ten years, Stephenson mined it for $90,000 worth of silver and lead. By the 1880s, mines like the Modoc and the Torpedo were removing silver, lead, and copper from the Organ Mountains. On February 26, 1885, the town of Organ was established. It had a population of 200, two general stores, seven saloons, a Catholic church, a schoolhouse, and a baseball team. Organ's glory days ended in the early 1900s when prices for lead and silver began to fall. (Courtesy of The Branigan Cultural Center)

 

See entire article at Real Estate GazetteHere.

Connie Hettinga Named Las Cruces Mover and Shaker

 

The Las Cruces Sun News named Connie Hettinga one of Las Cruces’ Movers and Shakers for 2010 in a front page article Jan. 1, 2010. Also on the first, Hettinga takes over as the President of the Realtors Association of New Mexico. Connie’s commitment to both the professional realtors’ organization and Las Cruces started the moment she moved to the city. After spending years in real estate in Anchorage, Alaska, Connie knew the importance of being involved in her community. For the first time since 1991 Las Cruces has a strong voice in the state’s real estate landscape.

In her short time as a Realtor in Las Cruces(now 7 years), Hetttinga has won many awards including Realtor of the Year, and along with real estate partner Zane Fikany, Readers’ Choice Realtor of the Year in 2008.

Congratulations, Connie, on your awards and recognition, but more importantly, thank you for your professionalism and your commitment to the community.

 

First appeared in the Real Estate Gazette Jan. Issue.  Click Here to view!

Las Cruces Lucky to Have a Diverse Economy

While 2009 was not a banner year for some area businesses, Las Cruces has been lucky to have a strong economic base that has helped the community through a tough Global Recession. While many areas rely on a specific industry, Las Cruces has a diverse economy and workforce.

Las Cruces’ strength starts with its location at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and Interstate 25, a strong transportation hub for goods and travelers alike. Combined with the fertile and majestic Rio Grande Valley, the backdrop of the Organ Mountains, and 350 days of sunshine, the foundation for healthy living and business opportunity is obvious.

Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University. A Land Grant College originally, NMSU grew to 31,000 students in 2008 and exceeded those numbers in 2009. Traditionally noted for its agricultural studies and strong engineering department, NMSU is also known for much, much more. The University provides Las Cruces with Division I Athletics and a plethora of cultural events.

Many people have heard of the rich farmland in the Mesilla Valley, providing world famous chili and also some of the most productive pecan farms anywhere. NMSU provides research farms and the latest innovations to improve production of a wide range of crops. Agriculture has always been a strong economic force in southern New Mexico, but it is no longer the only industry.

Many government jobs, including those right over the Organ Mountains at White Sands Missile Range, also benefit the local economy. White Sands, with its long history of missile and space experiments, provides a vast number of government and private sector opportunities. Local, county, and state government offices also contribute to the economic base, as well as the medical hub for the area and a variety of other service industries.

Just a quick glimpse of the Las Cruces economy proves that it is every bit as diverse and rich as the people in the Mesilla Valley. While we have our share of economic issues, there sure isn’t a better location for quality of living, economic opportunity, and low cost of living. Anyone would find Las Cruces a great place to make a living and raise a family.

Give us a call today so we can share some of the gems available in this area.

 

This article appeared first in the Jan. Issue of the Real Estate Gazette LC.  Click here to view!

Time is Running Out to Get the Most Desired Residential Lots in Las Cruces!

 

　

La Tierra Escondida features great views and some gated and equestrian lots still available.　 Interest has been brisk, and lots have been selling quickly, so the owners have decided to increase rates effective February 1, 2010.

Now is the time to get into this great subdivision at rock bottom prices!

Give us a call to see the remaining bargains at the fabulous La Tierra Escondido.

Article first appeared in the Jan. issue of the Real Estate Gazette LC.  To view it in it's entirety please click here.

Time is Running Out to Get the Most Desired Residential Lots in Las Cruces!

　

La Tierra Escondida features great views and some gated and equestrian lots still available.　 Interest has been brisk, and lots have been selling quickly, so the owners have decided to increase rates effective February 1, 2010.

Now is the time to get into this great subdivision at rock bottom prices!

Give us a call to see the remaining bargains at the fabulous La Tierra Escondido.

Article first appeared in the Jan. issue of the Real Estate Gazette LC.  To view it in it's entirety please click here.

New Federal Courthouse Opens in Las Cruces, Profile Attached

Rendering of the new Las Cruces Federal Courthouse.  Provided by www.nmcourt.fed.us

Construction has finally ended on the new federal courthouse after several years of construction.  The 91.2 Million dollar facility is now open for business even though a formal grand opening is not planned until July 9, 2010.  The facility features eight courtrooms and 134,000 square feet of usable space. And like all of Las Cruces' best real estate the building includes great views of the Organ Mountains.

Great profile of our newest building:

http://www.nmcourt.fed.us/web/DCDOCS/files/LCcourthouse.html