Real Estate Gazette

Forbes Magazine ranks Las Cruces No. 14 on its "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" list!

Las Cruces is once again in the national spotlight with another listing by Forbes.com! Las Cruces ranked # 14 in the category “Best Small Places for Business and Careers.”

The ranking results from statistics indicating high job growth levels, low unemployment rates, and projected annual growth. Also factored in is employment in high tech fields of almost 10%. (Employers such as White Sands Missile Range and White Sands Test Facility are major contributors to the number of federal government employees living in the city.)

The presence of New Mexico State University contributes to a placing of #43 in the Education category, and no doubt contributes to the fact that almost 27% of residents have college attainment.

Historically agriculture has provided a steady economic base in contrast to the high tech industries that are rapidly expanding in the area. Las Cruces boasts exceptionally good weather and the fertile Mesilla valley as assets in agriculture, but the climate also contributes to residents’ enjoyment.

Forbes ranked the cost of living in Las Cruces at 10.7% less than the national average. Combined with low unemployment rates, high job growth expectations, great quality of education, and a beautiful natural setting, Las Cruces offers exceptional opportunities for a high quality of life.

Construction Spending in Las Cruces, NM Growing!

Great article written by John Hummer, President and Qualifying Broker at Steinborn & Associates Real Estate here in Las Cruces NM.  I wanted to share this, I believe it is very interesting and revealing of what is currently happening in Las Cruces Real Estate.

 

Invest In Las Cruces and Dona Ana County, New Mexico!

by:  John L. Hummer

Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, New Mexico:   For the first 10 months of 2010, annualized, the following is a quick diagnosis of the health of the local construction spending in our community.

New Single Family Home Permits:

# Permits Over/Under 2009:  -5%

Value of Permits:  + 29% or $44,237,400

New Commercial Building Permits:

# Permits Over / Under 2009:  + 89%

Value of Permits:  + 127% or $3,440,676

All Permits Combined:

This includes new residential / commercial structures, remodels, demolition, churches, barns, metal buildings, rock walls, storage structures, garages, carports, swimming pools, expansions

# Permits Over / Under 2009:  + 1%

Value of Permits:  + 30% or $70,628,441

We expect this growth to continue well into the future based on, but not limited to, the following key factors:

1.  Growth of Ft. Bliss, TX (45 minutes to the south).  Ft. Bliss is undergoing a $5 Billion expansion.  Ft. Bliss has a shortage of 2,200 homes to house the 70,000 increase in soldiers and family members.  Add another 30,000 population from the increase in service industry spinning off to support this growth.  Las Cruces continues to be an attractive bedroom community to accommodate this growth.

2.  Our Reputation.  Las Cruces continues to grow based on its own merits as evidenced by the continued national recognition.  A few examples of such are:

• Projected 2009 - 2001 Employment Growth: 5th in US. Strengths: low business costs, population growth, military/govt.employment.
• Milken 2010 Best Performing Cities: Ranking #8.
• Money Magazine 2010 Ranking: 14th Best County in the nation for job growth over the last 9 years.
• Where to Retire / AARP: Over the past decade, Las Cruces has consistently ranked in the top 10 of best places to retire.

3.  City of the Future.  

a. Spaceport America.  The world's first purpose built commercial spaceport will open its launch pads and runways to the world in 2011.  Virgin Galactic, Armadillo Aerospace and UP Aerospace are but a few of the burgeoning companies who have called our community home.   

b. White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico State University's Physical Science Laboratory (PSL) and Arrowhead Research Park.  These entities in concert with the Department of Defense, NASA, Honeywell, Raytheon and many others are leading efforts in the testing and design of unmanned aviation technology.

c. Alternative Energy.  Dona Ana County is ground zero for the future growth of solar energy and biofuels.    Sapphire Energy (biofuel) and Edison Solar are two new companies that speak to such growth.

d. Diversity, The Great Outdoors & The Arts. Las Cruces has to be one of the most tolerant, diverse communities in the nation.  Its proud Spanish heritage combined with pioneering spirit of the Wild West has blended one of the most inviting communities.                 

Hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature trails are in abundance throughout our fertile Mesilla Valley or at the base of the majestic Organ Mountains. Our community also boasts outstanding and growing art, theatre, symphony and recreational activities.

Las Cruces, New Mexico is a vibrant city whose maximum potential is yet to be realized.  Come grow with us!

 

NMSU Provides Las Cruces New Enthusiasm

Many of us living in Las Cruces have noticed a few more people around town.  Many of these additional faces display unbridled enthusiasm.  It happens every year about this time as new students come to Las Cruces with dreams and aspirations of receiving a top notch education at New Mexico State University.  Many students are experiencing not only a new school but a new town, new friends, and new opportunities.  As I see these students pile into dorm rooms, I cannot help but appreciate the optimism that all these new students have. 

This is also the time of the year when many students come back to Las Cruces from summer vacation or maybe an internship.  It is exciting to see all of their friends once again.  Soon Las Cruces will be full of college students all working towards improving their career opportunities.  Last year over 18,000 students were on the Las Cruces campus of NMSU.

We are very lucky to live in a college town.  The diversity and events a campus like NMSU can provide adds to our quality of life.  This year, more than ever, I appreciate seeing the hope and enthusiasm that NMSU inspires.  The hope that this fall brings Aggie football and Coach Walker more wins. . .  The opportunity for Aggie Volleyball to continue to increase its place on the national volleyball scene. . .  The chance for graduates to proudly finish school and realize their dreams.  This time of year in Las Cruces allows us to forget about the economy.  This time of year in Las Cruces is all about opportunity.  While we may not be freshmen arriving at NMSU this week, we can learn from those freshmen.  This is a great opportunity for all of us to regain our focus on what is important, what our goals are, and how we are going to achieve those goals.  It is a great time to regain our passion for life.  I look forward to growing and reaching my goals this year just like thousands of students across this great nation.

GO AGGIES!!!

 

Zane Fikany

575.640.4374

www.LasCrucesNMProperties.com

Zane@LasCrucesNMProperties.com

www.RealEstateGazetteLC.com   The Finest Real Estate Newsletter in Las Cruces.

Steinborn & Associates Real Estate

575.523.2850

Dona Ana County Ranks 14 in CNN Money Article!

CNNMoney.com lists Dona Ana County number 14 on thier list of 25 "Where the Jobs Are".  The article references 34.5% job growth from year 2000 to 2009.  Click the link to check it out!http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/moneymag/1007/gallery.best_places_job_growth.moneymag/index.html

Want Las Cruces NM and Mesilla Real Estate Information?

Real Estate Gazette Soon to be Mailed!

For all of you in the internet world that doesn’t know www.RealEstateGazettLC.com originally came from our Newsletter that is mailed out to approximately 2,000 people.  These are our friends, our family, our clients and our future clients.  As the popularity of our Newsletter increased and the lack of quality information for the public became overwhelming obvious we decided we must have a venue in which we could provide more information and do it in a format that allowed us to get information out immediately.  Now we have created a new group of followers online that we could have never reached otherwise.  So if you are not currently getting our Newsletter mailed to you or you would like to make sure your friends and family are getting the newsletter please drop us a line.  The Newsletter has become one of the strongest marketing materials for our clients.  After every Newsletter our clients get valuable exposure to their home and we are able to provide a little information on Las Cruces Real Estate.  We cannot wait to continue adding valuable information to anyone that finds information the key. 

To look at all of Las Cruces and Mesilla MLS Listings please go to www.LasCrucesNMProperties.com

Lance Armstrong Riding in the Tour of the Gila

One of the greatest things about living in Las Cruces is the great mountains New Mexico features so near by.  The trip to Ruidoso or Cloudcroft allows Las Cruces residents to get away to trees and cool weather.  Las Cruces is also a quick trip to Silvercity and the Gila Wilderness.  Lance Armstrong is finding out first hand about the area as he competes in the "Tour of the Gila".  The 7 consecutive Tour de France winner has competed in this race before so he knows about the high elevation and difficult course.  What a great oppurtunity for Southern New Mexico to host one of Americas most dominate athletes.

Follow the race here!

RelocateAmerica.com Recognizes Las Cruces

Residents in Las Cruces NM are getting used to making the top of many lists in media outlets from around the country.  RelocateAmerica.com has now named Las Cruces the number 3 city for their top 10 recovery cities in its 13th year of naming the top places in America to relocate.  The top recovery list focuses on areas that have a strong economic base and are poised to grow in the future.  The Las Cruces economy has long laid its hat on agriculture, where Las Cruces produces world famous chile, onions, and has become one of the top producing regions in the world for pecans.  The national defense and space industry has been a big contributor to a strong economy and only looks to grow as space travel changes from a government program to the private sector, thanks to Spaceport America.  New Mexico State University has been educating New Mexicans and other students from around the world.  The continued growth of NMSU has solidified the local Las Cruces economy for years.  On top of the strong economy the word is out on Las Cruces!  The great weather and low cost of living have brought retirees and people looking for a higher quality of life to the region. 

 

On top of being number 3 on the top 10 recovery cities from relocateamerica.com, Las Cruces was also named as 1 of the 100 top places to live in 2010. Our small, friendly community is poised for growth in the coming years.  This is a great time to relocate to Las Cruces and Mesilla New Mexico! 

 

Interested in Relocating to Las Cruces?  For Information Click Here

 

Top 10 Recovery Cities

 

Top 100 Places to relocate

 

 

 

National home sales rise more than expected

Many Las Cruces home owners are waiting patiently for other real estate markets around the country to see an increase in sales.  Las Crucens know there are many people eager to relocate to our great community but first must sell their current home.  According to the National Association of Realtors home sales around the country have indeed increased.  This is great news to local homeowners.  Click Hereto see NAR Article!  For local information please go to www.LasCrucesNMProperties.com or Call Connie Hettinga 575.640.7279 or Zane Fikany 575.640.4374

Connie Hettinga Lends Expertise to Local Paper

Not only are home owners realizing the strength of the local Real Estate Market in Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley but so has the local media.  Our community has long been a great place to live and work.  The local economy has been very resilient.  Connie was recently asked about our real estate market by the Las Cruces Sun News.  While the article does not get into detail it is nice to finally see the media seeing the real estate market as we do.

Article below:

http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-business/ci_14864563

To search all of Las Cruces Homes:  www.LasCrucesNMProperties.com

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!