Linda Ferrara

February 9, 2009

Buying a house, moving. It's traumatic. I remember telling a young couple that it was normal to be nervous, to lose some sleep. Still, it's one of the best investments most of us ever make. Consider the following when buying a house:

• If you're not comfortable with your Realtor, find one that you are comfortable with. It's important to find someone you respect, you understand, and that you're confident they respect and understand you and your needs. Be sure their communication style fits with yours.
• Educate yourself on the process. Even if you've bought properties in the past, a lot has changed. Just type in "Home Buying" into your favorite web browser. There are tons of great websites with great information.
• Get pre-approved for a loan first. Find out what you can afford before looking at properties. It will be a more efficient use of your time. It will make for a stronger offer. It shows all parties that you are serious.
• Don't expect everything to be perfect when buying a house. Don't wait until everything is perfect to buy a house. In home buying, you may not get the perfect house, and the best interest rate and the lowest price. Do your best to find what you need. I sometimes suggest to people that they write down the 3-5 things that are most important to them in a house. This helps them focus on what is most important.
• If you want to confuse yourself, ask for everyone's opinion. I do suggest being informed, but if you ask many many people, you're going to get many many conflicting opinions. Choose a few people who have been through the buying process - the same few people whose opinion you respect.
• Occasionally I get a Buyer who wants to ‘win' the negotiation. It is possible for a transaction to be win-win. The Seller wants to sell; the Buyer wants to buy. It doesn't have to be win-lose. When you're buying, concentrate on getting those items that are most important. I would hate to think that someone would walk away from a home they love because the washer is not included.

In closing, take it step-by-step, accept that this will be a stressful time, and move forward. Most Realtors want to help you and inform you. Let them.

Saying: "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."

-Abraham Lincoln

February 9, 2009

If you're ready to move to Silver City (and I hope that you are!), there are some things to consider. I hope this list will help you determine your needs and wants:

• How close / far to town?
• How many acres?
• Home Requirements
  • # of Bedrooms
  • # of Baths
  • Age of Home
  • Other Requirements (Workshop, Office, Guest House, Horses, Close to Forest, Off-the-grid, etc.)
• What kinds of things would you love to have? (fireplace, views, southwest-style home, views, green building, etc.)
• What is your price range?
• Do you require a fenced in yard for children or pets?
• How much repairs / renovations are you willing to perform?
• Is a well (for water) acceptable?

February 7, 2009

I just back from Chocolate Fantasia and I'm on a bit of a sugar high! That's a lot of chocolate - -even for me. I'm a 15 chocolate-kisses-a-day kind of girl, but today was over the top! Here's how it works. You buy a ticket and a map for $20. If you follow the map to all the different stores, you get 20 pieces of chocolate from the chocolatiers. My favorite was a piece of rich caramel, covered with dark chocolate with shavings of salt on top. There was also a mousse from a neighbor - that was outstanding! The best location had to be "The Beach" held at Manzanita Ridge" (Furniture store). You 'swam' through the 'water' (strips of plastic from ceiling to floor) into the 'ocean' (a room of blue and bubbles) to receive your chocolate-in-a-shell from a mermaid. The chocolate looked like a giant pearl -- I haven't tasted it yet - - but it looks good! Second location in popularity was The Blue Dome Gallery where Patrick Conlin was dressed up as a fortune teller who read your fortune. His costume was hysterical (this is the #1 Realtor in town dressed up in super-drag) but the chocolate fortune cookie was even better! My fortune? "Live Your Life". Beautiful.

We ran in to all kinds of people we know (Kim, you were right - -Blue Dome was great!!), had lunch at Diane's, saw a gigantic puppet parade, ate chocolate. Life is good.

Enjoy the photos while I enjoy more chocolate!

February 6, 2009

Well it's another sunny day in Silver City, NM. It's in the 60's like it has been for the past few weeks. Chocolate Fantasia is this week-end. I'm planning on cooking some good food on Sunday. I've been cooking a bit extra for a neighbor with cancer - -mac and cheese was her request for this week-end. I'm also putting together a flag - patchwork wall-hanging for the Rotary Auction. Hoping for a hike on Sunday morning.

There may be some rain coming our way - - which is good for the desert! Maybe I can wear some of my sweaters next week!

That's all for now - - enjoy!

February 6, 2009

Since my last post talked about gathering information to help you decide where to move, I thought that I'd give you as much Silver City detail as I can come up with. I hope it helps.

Location: Southwestern New Mexico

Grant County seat: Silver City (population 13,335)

Closest Metropolitan areas: Las Cruces, NM 112 miles - El Paso TX, 154 miles - Tucson, AZ 199 miles - Albuquerque, NM 235 miles - Phoenix, AZ 266 miles.

Elevation: 5,920 ft.

Temperature:

Average Annual Precipitation: 15.8" - High 3.2" August - Low .2" April

Average Relative Humidity: 31%

Census Bureau Quick facts on Grant County: 2000

Population, New Mexico: 1,819,046
Population, Silver City: 14,066
Population, Grant County: 31,002

Cost of Living Index: 93 100 = National Average 110 = 10% more expensive

University: Western New Mexico University www.wnmu.edu

Medical Services: Gila Regional Medical Center www.grmc.org

Things to do nearby:

• Gila National Forest: 3.3 million acres of rugged beauty
• City of Rocks: Geological Monument
• Gila Cliff Dwellings: Indian Cliff Dwellings dating from 1280-1300.
• Lake Roberts: Fishing, boating, hiking, birding
• The Catwalk National Recreation Trail: hiking, picnicking
• Mimbres Regional Arts Council: brings in a wide variety of cultural events www.mimbresarts.org
• Palomas, Mexico: shopping
• Rock Hound State Park: Collect Semi-precious stones
• Historic Downtown Silver City: Shops, restaurants, walking trails, museum, Victorian buildings, micro-brewery
• Penny Park: skate park, imaginative climbing structures, slides, swings, bridges, balance beams, castle structures and picnic grounds, shaded by mature cottonwood and elm trees