SRAM Tour of the Gila was very Cool

It seems the rush from last week's event is starting to wane with the W word in everyone's vocabulary again. Was that some fun or what? I only took photos during Stage 4 , and the Q is questionable too. But I think you can see some parts of town, and hopefully some of you will come out and visit. Unique in many ways. Hope you enjoy.

STAGE 4 photos - Tour of the Gila (downtown) Silver City New Mexico 5-2-2009

A Short 20 second video from Broadway and Bullard. A Fan points out Lance when he flies by.

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Back On topic: I see where today's release highlighted an increase in "pending home sales." This seemed to add fuel to an enthusiastic stock market today with a belief that things really are getting better. There are two ways of looking at any improving sales numbers that are provided.To say things are truly much better is one of the ways to look at it.

We know that builders (nationally) have few projects actually getting built. Those numbers are reported as way down. Now since there are fewer homes being built, and there are more pending sales that become sales, if it turns out that most of the reported sales are not REO, Short Sales, or distressed properties in some financial way, I might just agree that it's getting better.

More as time allows... Come on over to Silver City and give it a feel....

IT'S GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME.

Beyond Blogging - "To be Named" News for Silver City

Good Morning Silver City!

Beautiful weather. Gardens are greening. People out and about. Lots of out of state license plates.

Hey why not? The weather is perfect, Lance Armstrong is in town riding in the Tour of the Gila races this week.

It's hard to stay focused on the work, but we are getting it done over at Hacienda Realty (we are the GMAC franchise on Hwy 180 across from Pinon Plaza)... The office is starting to have a familiar buzz to it, with an obvious increase in walk in traffic.

Hope everyone has been allowing themselves some time for outdoor activities. Our weather is one of the things we boast about. Silver City is famous for it's 4 gentle seasons. Enjoy this season. Be prepared too. It doesn't take long for something new, weather wise, to occur.

ANNOUNCING

I've taken suggestions to heart and will publish a small e-newletter as well as share here occasionally with the blog. First e-issue to be emailed sometime in May. I may be able to publish monthly, but that may be a lofty goal for us at this time. My priorities remain taking care of current customers and clients with the long term goal of increasing my real estate and mortgage business networks.

What should we call the Newsletter? We have several thoughts and a default name but wonder what you might like. Please post with any suggestions you have?

We aren't going to be strictly Real Estate either. I'm hoping for a mix of stories about Silver City, New Mexico, real estate, education, entertainment, humor, health, living well, history, "how to," etc...

At least one Reader submitted article will be featured in each subsequent issue on a subject of writer's choice - I'll pick contribution from one of you that will be of interest to the group. A link for potential contributors to access and post will be included in the first issue.

SUBSCRIBE to Free n Fun e-newsletter coming May 2009

At some point, I will probably need to limit the number of subscribers that I can email without arranging for additional mail services with our host. I will update here if current email service capabilities are taxed. Please sign up soon using the link above to be included in the mailing.

You may OPT OUT at any time by email just as easily too

Census Bureau Says 1 in 9 Homes Vacant

The U.S. Census Bureau says one in every nine homes in the United States is sitting vacant, and economists predict that it won't change nationwide for at least three years. The number of housing units in the United States increased by 8.65 million from 2002 to 2007, but during that period the number of U.S. households rose by only 6.7 million. Subtract a half-million homes that will be torn down or lost to fire, and that leaves 1.3 million units.

Hmmm. That's seems to mean there will be a lot of great buying opportunities. We are seeing them in Silver City (finally), and yet the market seems like it is showing signs of recovery.

The first quarter sales stats for the regional MLS are out and we saw a continuing decline in sales units. In spite of the decline, the median home prices were relatively stable. This is a combination of some Buyers still paying above fair value for their dream homes being offset by the bargain hunters scoring the real deals that are showing up.

NEWS: There is a new mortgage service setting up shop in town. An independent loan brokerage with affiliations (in progress of finalizing) with wholesale lending institutions.

Home Loan New Mexico is locally owned and was just approved for license in New Mexico as a Mortgage Company. Refinancing and purchase loans are available. A full disclosure lender, you will know what the fees are before committing to the loan. Offering high discounts to credit holders with FICO above 720. Additional discounts for loan sizes above $250K too.

Visit our newest member for free rate information and quote. Pre Qual (pre qualification) is available too. First Time Buyer questions are welcomed. Home Loan New Mexico

NM Mortgage Finance Authority - Making the free $8000 for first time buyers even easier

Can it get any better? Well of course. That's a stupid question anytime you hear it. However when you are talking incentives and reasons to be a buyer of New Mexico property, it doesn't get much better.

SANTA FE (AP) - First-time homebuyers can find new financial assistance from the state and federal government.
Gov. Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority announced a loan program Tuesday that will help lower-and middle-income New Mexicans make a down payment in buying their first house.
The program takes advantage of a tax credit that was created as part of the federal economic stimulus package. First-time homebuyers* can get a federal tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price of a home, up to $8,000.
The finance authority will provide a no-interest loan up to $6,500 for a down payment and individuals can use their federal tax credit to pay off the loan.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

*Remember First Time Buyer is considered as any one not owning a primary residence for the immediate three years prior to the new purchase. Questions? Please call me. I am here to be of service.

Hope you get moving soon. Don't be one who will have to say I missed the biggest buying opportunity of my life.

Off topic: Greatest opportunity of our life in the stock market too. getting in (Rolling the dice) now seems like the thing to do. After converting nearly half my little 401K into a mmkt position last year, I have been steadily tossing pocket change at the market since January. Still have MMkt $ and will keep picking up a handful of shares each time the market pulls back (or until I run out of bullets)

Deals: US Steel at $21, Caterpillar at 22, and Freeport McMoran at about the same. GE below $10, JASO well not everything is rosy, C under $2, AIG at .41 (hehheh), NAVR (anime) at .28, ... and on...

Obama's Plan - Making Home Affordable Program

Dear Friends,

Refinancing and Loan Modification for the masses is here. I think most Americans will find this interesting. Healing is in progress. It will be slow to take effect, but I foresee the end results as positive. Details of the plan and an online form with a basic "do I qualify?" link on the Obama Plan main page. Link is below. You owe it to yourself to read.

The Obama Administration unveiled a new website on its Making Home Affordable Program.

The program has two main components:

(1) refinancing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans for borrowers who are current and have loan-to-value ratios of 80%-105%, and

(2) loan modification for borrowers in default or at imminent risk of default who have high debt-to-income ratios and mortgages with balances up to $729,750.

The new website is designed to make information about eligibility, free counselors, and other program details readily available. It also includes links that let borrowers learn whether they have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan.

www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov *

Another must read for all home owners and potential home owners.

*From the same folks who allowed us to provide a Trillion dollar hand out to traditionally run good old boy networks, those who need the extra profits the least.

New Mexico Home Loans are coming soon. A Full disclosure Lender provides the costs upfront -not at the closing table. And certain "additional" profit disclosures are not required to be given the consumer (either by law or as basic customer service) by major baking institutions. Wouldn't you like to know how the bank will profit from you and just how much they may be earning on your transaction? Ask for full disclosure. Wouldn't it be nice to get a worst case scenario when you apply? Full costs are disclosed with every new accepted application.. It doesn't get any better, and it will save you money on a refinance or your new purchase home loan.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The ACT and how it applies to and how it will affect home buyers is detailed in this presentation from NAR (National Association of Realtors).

See Presentation

It's important that people really understand this is in fact a government program that any US citizen may take advantage of if they meet the first time buyer criteria. Please note that first time buyer is defined as anyone who has not owned a primary principal residence in the last three years. Note also that a vacation home is not considered as a primary residence, so those Americans who own a "second" or "vacation" home and who have not been able to claim a primary residence during the 3 year period WILL ALSO QUALIFY...

Does your Real estate professional know what this means for you? The savvy one's do. Please call me for information and free documents that will explain in detail how you may take advantage of this high dollar cash incentive.

For Americans who are in a position to do so, it has never been such a good time to be entering the home buying market. Between all time low interest rates, motivated sellers, and $8000 to apply to the bottom line, it simply can't get much better than this...

Remember that this $8000 does not have to ever be paid back - as long as you don't sell in the first 3 years of ownership - in which case you get to pay Uncle Sam back for the money advanced through the recovery act as signed into law....

What are you waiting for? Contact your Realtor today.

The best buying opportunity of your life is here! Now!

If you don't have a Realtor that you trust, please let me have the opportunity to show you how working with me as a Qualifying Broker is in your very best interest. Let my knowledge and skill set deliver for you.

dreamhomenm@gmail.com

Visit my website for the scoop on the economic recovery package and the latest on the New Mexico scene and real estate market.

www.dreamhomenewmexico.com

Avoid Foreclosure Docs from Freddie Mac

Just posted some information from Freddie Mac on how to avoid further issues with your home mortgage. Good information is available to help most every homeowner. I have access to the resources which you need. Please let me help.

The document may be viewed online as a .pdf file by clicking HERE!

Please visit the Dream Home New Mexico website for all of your Silver City NM real estate needs...