Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO

A few days ago, I was doing simple tasks around the home; I had laundry going, towels drying, and just a few dishes left to wash. I started the warm water and watched it run down the drain for a second before I asked myself, "I wonder how much water I use on any given day?"

The very next day, I received a list of "consumption statistics" via my RSS feed, essentially detailing how wasteful we can be without even realizing it. According to the article I read, the average US citizen consumed 575 liters of water per day in 2008. When the numbers stand alone, it doesn't seem so bad, right? However, if you look at other parts of the world, we Americans seem a little extravagant. In 2006, China's average water consumption per day, per person was approximately 86 liters.

I read through the whole list and found myself a little startled by the numbers and facts presented to me. I've never been one to focus on the negative side of anything, so rather than chronicling all the things we might be doing wrong, I decided to write about the things we can do to make our planet a little bit nicer for generations to come.

Going green and saving money really do go hand in hand! I've organized this list to help you and your family make a difference without breaking the bank.

1. Unplug it! Look around the room you are sitting in. How many electronics are plugged into the wall, absorbing electricity and sitting dormant? If you looked at your kitchen, I'll bet your toaster, coffee maker, and microwave are all plugged in even when they're not in use. Try unplugging all the appliances and electronics that you use least often; the toaster, lamps, phone chargers, computer chargers, DVD players, and so forth. You'll be amazed at how big of an impact it will make on your bills and the planet.

2. Recycle! This is truly the most beneficial, convenient, and easy way to help Mother Earth. Separate trash cans for recyclable and non-recyclable materials to help your family get into the habit of dividing up their trash. If you don't know where your local recycling plant is located, most city homepages have a section with all the information you need. If you live in the Las Cruces area, click here.

3. Switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs! These special compact fluorescent light bulbs cost about $1 more than the usual incandescent bulbs, but last up to ten times longer. They typically pay for themselves in about six months and can save you $30 over the course of their lifetime. They can be found at any grocery or hardware store.

4. Try a Clothesline! If you have two trees, a basketball hoop, or any kind of pole or post in your backyard, setting up a clothesline for the summer months is incredibly easy. You can purchase a clothesline, or any kind of pliable, soft wire, at any home store. With a clothesline, a pair of pliers, and clothespins, you're all set up to utilize the heat and the bright summer sun. You'll be amazed at how much your energy bill drops when you rarely use your dryer, especially in the summer when the rate for electricity skyrockets. If you feel like getting handy and making a more permanent fixture, this site can help you put it all together.

5. Make a big investment! If you're fortunate enough to be in a solid financial position to make a big purchase, why not rethink your water-guzzling dishwasher or washing machine? Big chains like Sears and Best Buy have employees that can tell you all the benefits of buying the new, "green" models of such appliances and how to reap in the benefits to get the most bang for your buck. If you're gearing up to buy a new car, talk to your auto dealer about bio-diesel, hybrids, and MPGs to ensure you're going to be getting a big return on gas spending while still minimizing your carbon footprint.

In essence, I want to make sure that I do my part to make this planet just a little bit better for everyone, especially those to come. I have enjoyed so much of my time just soaking in all the wonders that this planet offers to us; every day before I go to work I look up at the Oregon Mountains and think, Wow. So every time I help a young, budding family secure their future by buying their dream home, I want to know that their kids are going to enjoy this wonderful place as much as I did and continue to do.

The original article and statistics can be found here.

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For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO,Cyberstar
The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team
CALL 575-650-7224 or TOLL FREE direct line: 1-888-532-9069 1-888-532-9069

If you are a First Time Homebuyer visit our newest website:

http://www.YourFirstHomeInLasCruces.com

OFFICE Direct Line: 575-532-2211 Office number: 1-575-522-3698
Steinborn GMAC Real Estate

I participate in social networks - join me:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynbruder
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http://twitter.com/evelynbruder

I had an errand to do today that took me downtown. Being a Real Estate Agent, I thought that I would take a few minutes to visit some sights and neighborhoods in the area. “A busman’s holiday” (That’s for those of you old enough to remember that expression.)

I’ve lived in Las Cruces for 35 years, and I realized that there are treasures that mark the history of our area, and, if you are like me, you just haven’t taken the time to appreciate them. So, no matter how long you have lived here, if you are a native, a visitor, or you are considering relocating to Las Cruces, I’m going to invite you to relax, smell the roses, and take a trip back in time.

I’d like to take you back to the actual founding of the “town of Las Cruces.” You need to take a ride through the Mesquite Historic District. Take a drive down Mesquite Street, turn off on the side streets, and see the homes, and businesses, that are all that is left of the “real Las Cruces downtown.”

The highlight of your trip back in time is a little park that I venture to guess few of you have heard of or seen: Jardin de Mesquite. You will find this beautiful little park at the corners of Spruce & Tornillo. The ornamental garden park is in the heart of what was the original Las Cruces Town site. The park is essentially eight, 6x8- tiles, that make up a huge mural depicting the history of our community.

I hope that you will watch my short video of Jardin de Mesquite, and that it will inspire you to visit the park. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYjeWrkziiM

If you are a First Time Homebuyer visit our newest website: http://www.YourFirstHomeInLasCruces.com

OFFICE Direct Line: 575-532-2211 Office number: 1-575-522-3698 Steinborn GMAC Real Estate

I participate in social networks - join me:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynbruder

http://facebook.com/evelyn.bruder

http://twitter.com/evelynbruder

Money is a scarce resource these days, and the last people we want to give it to are the banks and credit card companies. There are many hidden charges that they take advantage of. I thought that exposing a few of their tricks would be helpful.
LET ME KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE YOU HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO:

1. Be aware of BANK FEES.

2. Credit Cards charges will kill you.

3. Credit Cards will really kill your College Student children.

4. Taking a trip out of the country? Your bank and credit card company are happy.

5. Keeping your money in the bank? It may be better off elsewhere.

6. Online banking is the way to go, but watch out for certain problems that will cost you money and create more fees for the bank.

For details read on >>>

1. Beware of those BANK FEES" - Check your bank statement carefully. With a failed mortgage market, banks are looking for reliable revenue streams. Hence punitive fees for overdrawing your account,, or for using a competitor's ATM are increasing. Do you wonder how you are told that you are overdrawn and are charged a fee? Watch for this trick. Banks will change the order in which it pays charges to your account. If the large debts get paid first, that increasing the likelihood that you will be overdrawn when they get around to multiple smaller purchases.

2. Credit Cards will kill you. Regardless of what your credit card agreement says, you can never be sure how much interest banks will charge you. For example, nearly all cards have a default rate. Banks can raise your interest rate to as high as 30% when you've done something wrong, usually after two late payments in 12 months. Some banks have cut that to one late payment. Worse is the fact that banks can also change the terms of your agreement, raising your interest rate whenever they like.
Watch your bills see when they post charges, when you have to pay by, and calculate if they are charging you interest even though you pay on time. Be aware of what rate of interest you are paying on the unpaid balance, and when and for what you are incurring "additional fees."

3. If you have a student in College - the banks are happy to issue them credit cards which they can't afford. Banks make millions on the unpaid balances, late fees, and minimum payment system that students use because they fall further behind each month. You need to make sure your child is not living on a credit card.

**Note: If you or your child are making the minimum payment required in order to not have late fees, this payment is calculated by the credit card company so that you will never pay off your bill, and you will keep accumulating interest charges each month.
This is the time to consider a low interest, tax deductible home equity loan to pay off these high interest debts that you'll never pay off any other way.

4. Taking a trip out of the country? - Your bank is very happy. Check in advance how your bank handle overseas transactions. Is there a fee attached to each transaction? Take out cash from an ATM overseas, and you'll get hit with a foreign-transaction fee, plus a fee for using a competitor's ATM. It can cost up you $10 just to withdraw $200.
Overseas credit card purchases aren't much better. Visa and MasterCard charge 1% of the purchase price for converting currency. And the issuing bank may take another cut, which can bring the total to 3% of your purchase price.

The 4th of July is an exceptionally important day of the year as it marks our nation's birth and independence. Across the country citizens step out to celebrate this occasion and the people of Las Cruces are no different. The City of Las Cruces will be hosting multiple events on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th.

Kicking off the festivities is the Wells Fargo Electric Light Parade on Friday, July 3rd, at 9pm. The parade begins at Apodaca Park, on the corner of Madrid Avenue and Solano Drive, and travels South on Solano, turns left onto Hadley, left again on Walnut and comes to an end at Sierra Middle School on the corner of Walnut Street and Spruce Avenue. The Las Cruces Street Fest will immediately follow the parade and Journey Unlimited will perform live at the Hadley Complex, located at 1605 E. Hadley, at 10pm.

Las Cruces residents are invited to attend the City's 4th of July celebration on July 3rd-4th at the Hadley Complex, 1605 E. Hadley.

The fun doesn't stop there however! Celebrations continue on Saturday as well with local bands taking the stage at 4pm and Creedence Clearwater Revisited performing at 8pm. Mayor Ken Miyagishima will also be giving a speech at 10pm that evening which will immediately be followed by the annual fireworks display.

There's going to be a great deal of entertainment, food, drinks, not to mention fireworks. The Electric Light Parade and Street Fest promise to be exciting and fun events for the whole family so be sure to come on out and join us!

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For All Your Real Estate Needs Contact
Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO,Cyberstar
and the The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team
CALL 575-650-7224 or TOLL FREE direct line: 1-888-532-9069

If you are a First Time Homebuyer visit our newest website:
http://www.YourFirstHomeInLasCruces.com

OFFICE Direct Line: 575-532-2211 Office number: 1-575-522-3698
Steinborn GMAC Real Estate

I participate in social networks - join me:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynbruder
http://facebook.com/evelyn.bruder
http://twitter.com/evelynbruder

The time has never been better for new home owners to purchase their first home. Not only are interest rates at their lowest levels in forty year but this is also the most affordable housing market in the last eighteen years as well. At present, you also have the opportunity to receive a free, non-repayable, $8,000 tax credit when you purchase your first home. First time buyers, you must act now to take advantage of this opportunity because this tax credit expires on November 30th, 2009. We understand that buying a home can be a confusing and time consuming process for anyone, especially first time buyers. Let us help you get started on the right path to finding, financing, and buying your first home today.

First Time Home Buyer Fair

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009

Time: 9am registration and continental breakfast will be served
Location: 150 East Idaho, Las Cruces, NM (next to Comcast Cable)
Cost: FREE - This seminar is completely free, there are absolutely no costs or obligations
Registration: You may register online or by calling us at: 1(575)532-2211.

The First Time Home Buyer Fair will be hosted at 150 East Idaho Avenue in Las Cruces (next to Comcast Cable) at 9am. The aim of the fair is to not only provide you, our guests, with the essential information you need in order to find, finance, and purchase your first home. The First Time Home Buyer Fair is free to attend (with no obligations of any sort) however seating is limited. To reserve your seat, you can register online by filling out the form provided on our website or by simply calling us at 1(575)532-2211. We will also be providing our guests with a Comprehensive First Time Home Buyer Information Package.

The seminar will cover a wide range of need-to-know information for first time home buyers including, but not limited to:

• Reviewing your financial status
  
• How to pick a lender (don't get intimidated into picking the wrong one!)
  
• Your Credit: credit reports, credit scores, and how to repair or improve yours
  
• Pre-Qualification/Pre-Approval: Documentation you will need and determining how much you qualify for
• Mortgages: There are multiple types to choose from, which is right for you?
  
• Upfront Financial Obligations: Down payments and closing costs
  
• The Tax Benefits of being a home owner
  
• Selecting a Realtor and what they can do for you
  
• The Closing Process: Inspection, insurance, title company

Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer session where we encourage you to speak up if anything remains unclear or you need more information. All speakers will be available for personal consultation immediately following the seminar. You may also arrange for a more private appointment in order to discuss your questions and individual situation.