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

This Sunday from 2PM to 4PM, Streinborn GMAC is having our monthly Super Sunday Open House. There will be 55 homes both new and resale in every section of the city and in every price range for you to visit. This link will show you all of the homes with MLS details, pictures, maps and virtual tours where available.

THE EVELYN BRUDER TEAM WILL BE SHOWING 3-HOMES. WE BELIEVE YOU WILL FIND THESE TO BE A TRUE VALUE - THE HIGHEST QUALITY AT THE BEST PRICE!

1339 GOLDENROD
2936 square feet, 4 BR, 2.5 BA It is a magnificent home w/high ceilings and a bright, flowing floorplan. Great for casual or formal entertaining. Everything is top of the line. A 1.23 acre corner. enormous backyard area for outdoor entertaining. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS, PICTURES AND A VIRTUAL TOUR

2471 Conchas Relocation forces sale of this exceptional 2200 sq ft home in Sonoma Ranch East with 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 car garage home is MOVE IN READY. The very large great room with carved wood columns, beams & vigas in ceiling, and a kiva style fireplace. The large backyard is professionally landscaped and has a View of Valley and the full western horizon CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS, PICTURES AND A VIRTUAL TOUR

4270 Salvia Loop This amazing 2810 SF, 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath Home sits on a .23 Acre corner lot.
A SPECIAL FEATURE:
Is the separate FULL CASITA with a window seat & double doors that open into A PRIVATE enclosed courtyard.
A really Great - Great Room, Gourmet Kitchen, & Breakfast Room all with views of the Organ Mountains. Outside a wrap-around private covered patio, MTN views, cooking center, and a balcony, CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS, PICTURES AND A VIRTUAL TOUR

Despite what you have heard and read this is a great time to buy a home. It is not just for First Time Buyers, but if you have been considering buying a new home - moving up or down - THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME. NOW! Take a minute and a half and watch this video )

Come out and see these homes, bring your friends. Have a wonderful day, and see if something is right for you. Don't worry if you have a house to sell, and are concerned about the change in home values in the last couple of years. We can handle these two transactions so that the net effect is profitable for you.

RETURN MONDAY - Our BLOG will be dedicated to a discussion of this whole current real estate situation as it affects you

There is a lot happening this Memorial Day Weekend, and a lot more things are going to happen in the next few weeks. We are proud to live in Las Cruces. I thought that I would take a few moments to let you know what is happening this weekend and what is to come.

May 23, 24, 25 is Memorial Day Weekend

Just a note that Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (on May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

For history buffs and more about the holiday itself, visit http://www.usmemorialday.org

I think, at this time with America's young men and women in harms way in so many places around the world, the words of Abraham Lincoln tell us why so many have died in the past, and so many more are putting their lives at risk right now.

"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, ...and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

PLEASE, Don't forget to show your support for those that have served and died and those still in harms way. FLY YOUR FLAG!

Anyone who would like a small flag for their lawn (FREE), we will personally deliver it and place it on your lawn. Just click here

LAS CRUCES AND ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO LOVES A PARTY!

Whatever activity you, your family or friends can think of is happening this weekend. The festivities, with fiestas and special events start Friday May 22 and run through Memorial Day, May 25, in communities throughout Southern New Mexico.

Summer's big kickoff weekend will feature everything from patriotic boat parades at Elephant Butte, to the grand opening of a $44 million New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe and the opening weekend for horse racing at Ruidoso Downs.

The Southern New Mexico Wine Festival is the big local Memorial Day weekend event in Las Cruces.

The Southern New Mexico Wine Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. May 23, 24 and 25 at Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west of Las Cruces on I-10. Saturday's lineup will include rock & roll from the Cadillac Kings and the Daddy Os, with hot country sounds featured on Sunday from the Moonshiners and the Josh Grider Trio. On Monday, cover bands 3+3 Trio and Undiskovered perform the biggest hits from the 70s to the present.

Vendors will offer arts and crafts and food treats. You can brush up on your wine appreciation skills at "The University of Wine" There will be talks all day - everyday to offer tips on how to enjoy wine and pair it with food and simple entertaining and summer cooking ideas and much more. You will find wine makers from throughout the State presenting their finest wines all of which will be available for tasting.

The $13 fee for 21 and up includes a souvenir glass. Entrance is free for those under 21, but minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. All active duty military get a $3 discount on May 24. All adults must have a valid photo ID.

For info, contact (575) 522-1232 or visit http://www.snmwinefestival.com or the NM Wine Grower's excellent site. http://www.nmwine.com
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THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS OF ACTIVITIES OF EVERY KIND ALL OVER THE AREA. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. The Sun- News has done an excellent job of listing all of these. I refer you to their article to see them all. Just Click Here

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Before we sign off for today I just want you to know next Monday we will let you know about two big events for the Weekend of May 30 - 31.

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In the meanwhile this week you can expect to see at least one Real Estate with information of importance to buyers and seller alike.

Thanks for following us - Evelyn

As you may (or may not) be aware, since 1987, May has been the National Stroke Awareness month. The purpose of the annually recognized event is to not only raise public awareness about strokes, but also to help educate the public on how to manage stroke risk factors, and provide a better understanding of stroke symptoms. The National Stroke Association, the driving force behind this movement, also aims to help improve the quality of life during stroke recovery for the millions of stroke survivors in the US alone.

The National Stroke Association is focusing their efforts on educating not only the general public, but also stroke survivors and health care professionals as well, on a simple three-step guide.

Stop

You can stop a primary or secondary stroke cold simply through stroke management. It's true that some factors, such as your age, race, or gender are uncontrollable, however, many factors are controllable. Be sure to visit the NSA's website for a full list of factors you should be taking into consideration when it comes to lowering your risk for a stroke. The National Stroke Association provides a free stroke risk scorecard for you to download in order to determine your own personal stroke risk.

Act F.A.S.T.

If you think someone might be having a stroke it's important that you act fast in the recognition of stroke symptoms and respond quickly. If you think a person is suffering from a stroke, administer this test:

• Face - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?
• Time - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.

Spread Hope

And last, but certainly not least, help spread hope on the recovery from stroke.

Strokes are the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. It is imperative that we are all well informed on the prevention, cause, and rehabilitation on strokes. For more information on recognizing symptoms of stroke or to help spread awareness, please visit the National Stroke Association's website.

In this Rent vs. Buy decision for the First-time homebuyer, we have already addressed whether you are financially able to be a Homeowner. (Click here to see this post)

Today we are going to try to answer the question of: After weighing the Pros and Cons of Homeownership, do you still want to be a Homeowner?

Should you rent or buy

I am going to present both the pros and cons as a list with minimal commentary. This link goes to the full article that discusses each point in much more detail and provides reference links where available.

SOCIAL AND PHYSCOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP

• Freedom from noisy neighbors
• The ability to change your home as you like
• Studies show that parents who own their own home may be helping to boost their children's educational achievements, and even reduce behavioral problems.
• Homeownership builds confidence. Homeowners have pride of ownership.
• Homeowners are more involved in civic affairs
• Stability- Renters move every 3 years on average
• Homeownership contributes toward lower crime rates, and homeowners are less likely to be crime victims.
• Homeownership builds wealth.
• Depending on income, Homeowners have between 6-times to 20-times the net worthcompared to renters.

• Predictability. Fixed Mortgage Payment vs Rents.
• Financial leverage
• Leverage - You are able to use a small down payment to acquire a high value asset (Your Home).
• Real Estate is a low risk investment because...
  Your home is always marketable as long as you allow enough time and exposure.
• The ability to use your Home's Equity
• Appreciation - Almost always in the long term
• The total amount of Homeownership equity in America is thousands of times greater than the total of all other sources of wealth for the great majority of Americans.

THE TAX BENEFITS

Owning a home is one of the few times you get favorable treatment by the Internal Revenue Service.
1-You get some minor deductions when you buy your home.
2- The "Home Equity Loan" is deductible unlike the higher rate of interest you pay on credit cards or any other type of loan.
3- The best financial benefit to homeownership is when you sell your home.

• If you have owned and occupied your principal residence for at least two of the past five years, you can earn up to $500,000 profit on the sale of the home for married tax payers, and$250,000 for single tax payers, and you will pay no federal income tax whatsoever.
• And, you can do this as often as every two years for the rest of your life.

After all this, the time has come to discuss the disadvantages of homeownership, and why owning your own home can be a challenge.

• Down Payment & Closing Costs - You need a source of cash
• Repairs and Maintenance You are now the landlord.
  You to do or pay for all repairs, maintenance and replacement of everything.
• Being a homeowner is usually more costly than renting.
  Because of the mortgage payments plus added costs of repairs and maintenance.
• Buying a home may cause a substantial strain on your finances.
• Property values can drop.
  They will generally return over time, but if you have to sell the home during a depressed market you may have a serious problem.
• Don't buy a home for tax benefits.
  The benefits in the short term are minimal. It is only long term upon sale that you get a major tax benefit.
• Don't buy a home because it is a good investment.
  Other investments have a higher rate of return than Homeownership in the short term, but this is only true if you have the discipline to save and invest.

CONCLUSION

If you don't have financial stability, and you think the disadvantages of home ownership outweigh the benefits, then you are probably better off remaining a renter - at least for now.

BUT if you have the financial stability, and you think the benefits of homeownership are the things you desire in life then it is time to buy a home.

Click here for a more detailed discussion about all of these issues we have raised about homeownership's benefits and risks.

Cinco de Mayo, which means "The 5th of May" in Spanish, is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. It is not, however, Mexico's Independence day, a common misconception, which is actually the 16th of September (Dieciséis de Septiembre).

The History behind Cinco De Mayo is that On May 5th, 1862 is that the Mexican army, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, procured a seemingly impossible victory over the better-equipped French army who had not seen a defeat for nearly 50 years, and who outnumbered them almost two-to-one. This epic clash, which would also mark the last time than an army from another continent invaded the Americas, would be forever known as the Battle of Puebla. It has become a cause for the celebration of the spirit of the Mexican people to be free.

With lots of music, singing and folk dances Cinco de Mayo was celebrated . Take a moment to watch these two videos. The first are scenes from the Festival, and the second is a glimse of the folk dances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok2U3QiQgQ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adHGsgfn108

For all of your Las Cruces Real Estate Needs & Information,

Evelyn Bruder, CRS, GRI, ABR, Cyberstar
and the Evelyn Bruder Las Cruces Real Estate Dream Team
Is Available to Help you at any time.

http://www.homeslascruces.com
E-mail: evelyn@lascruces.com

Be sure to visit our Blog FREQUENTLY
we update all the time: http://www.lcrealestateblog.com

CALL ME: 575-650-7224
TOLL FREE direct line: 1-888-532-9069
OFFICE Direct Line: 575-532-2211
Steinborn Inc. Realtors, GMAC
Office number: 1-575-522-3698