Today I am going to highlight another great and inexpensive day trip option for the greater Las Cruces area.  The Gila Cliff DwellingsNational Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago. The monument is surrounded by the Gila National Forest and lies within the rugged Gila Wilderness, the nation's first wilderness area. The wilderness designation means that the wilderness character of the area will not be altered by the intrusion of roads or other evidence of human presence.the Gila Cliff Dwellings were built in the 13th century by the Mogollon people. They formed the walls using chunks of Gila Conglomerate found within the caves. Mortar was required to keep the walls together. In some places you can still see the handprints of the builders. Activities in the monument include bird watching, fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, nature walks, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.

Activities in the wilderness include backpacking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, and wildlife viewing.There are several popular hot springs in the area. The closest wilderness hot spring, Lightfeather, is a 20-minute walk from the Gila Visitor Center. The most popular is Jordan, a 6 or 8 mile hike from the Visitor Center, depending upon the trailhead used. Private hot springs are also located in the community of Gila Hotsprings, four miles from the Monument.  If you enjoy the outdoors and would enjoy taking a beautiful hike in nature then this is the perfect day trip for you.  New Mexico is a stunning place and it is always fun to get out and see what our lovely state has to offer.

If you would like to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings here is how to get there

Take State Highway 15 north from Silver City. Although the distance from Silver City is only 44 miles, the travel time is approximately two hours due to twisting and winding mountain terrain. An alternative route from Silver City is along State Highway 35 and goes through the Mimbres Valley. Even though it is 25 miles longer than Highway 15, it is less winding, wider, more level, and easier to travel; therefore it takes about the same amount of time to drive. NOTE: If your vehicle, travel trailer, or RV is over 20 feet in length, you should take Highway 35.

For more information about The Gila Cliff Dwellings please visit www.nps.gov/gicl If you are intested in other great things to do around town visit our website by clicking below.

There are some fantastic real estate deals on the market right now. From properties in various stages of foreclosure to already foreclosed -bank-owned properties. You have a great opportunity to get the home you want at a bargain price. But what about those holes in the wall and that pet stained carpet? Looking past these stressful items can help you reap huge benefits financially.

Over the past several years we have seen huge numbers of distressed sales. According to RealtyTrac, 23% of all U.S. home sales in 2011 were in some stage of foreclosure. So nearly one in every four homes sold in 2011 was a distress sale. Couple this with the fact that these distressed homes sell at a significant discount to the non-distress sales (up to 40% discount for some bank-owned homes), there is a huge opportunity for buyers.

When considering buying a Foreclosure Property, look Past the Cosmetic Items: The paint may be ugly or the carpet may have spots. Or the kitchen may not be as clean as you like. None of these items should ever be a deal breaker in that they are easy and relatively inexpensive to remedy.

Focus on the Space: If you fall in love with a place that meets all of your other needs but it really requires some minor renovation, repairs or new carpet and paint that's ok too. Just make sure you estimate the cost into the overall price of the home.

Be Aware of "Too Much Work" Syndrome: When many buyers look at properties, they will often say that there's just too much work with that property. Sometimes you get that lazy feeling...or your human nature takes over and you want it to be perfect right now! Don't let this keep you from getting the best property at the lowest price. If you do find a screaming deal in a great location but it needs a new kitchen, bathroom...etc., don't hesitate to go for it.

These foreclosure properties are often the best deals in today's real estate market.  Once you've gone through the "minor" items above and have decided that this property has big potential, go ahead and hire a qualified individual to review the home for any major defects including a review of the structure, mechanical systems, roof,...etc.

Once you have a list of items to be completed, create an estimate for each item to determine your total investment required and be sure you are still getting a good deal on the home.

When comparing the cost to update and purchase a foreclosure property with a regular re-sale home, it can be difficult to stay focused on what's important. Keep in mind, if you end up adding a new kitchen or bathroom, and doing the repairs and renovations to the foreclosure property, you will get exactly what you want, and at a great price.

GET A FREE LIST OF ALL LAS CRUCES FORECLOSURES BY CLICKING THE IMAGE BELOW

Take 1-Minute to watch the Video below, and you'll find out that...

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING A HOME, WITHOUT A DOUBT,
THE BEST DEALS ARE THE FORECLOSURE PROPERTIES.

Having a Buyer's Agent - especially one with Foreclosure Expertise -
assures that you will have a Personal, Trusted Advisor to guide you
so you end up buying the best home available for the best price.

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Housing affordability conditions have reached the highest level since recordkeeping began in 1970, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

• NAR's Housing Affordability Index rose to a record high 206.1 in January.

• An index of 100 is defined as the point where a median-income household has exactly enough income to qualify for the purchase of a median-priced existing single-family home, assuming a 20 percent downpayment and 25 percent of gross income devoted to mortgage principal and interest payments

This is the first time the housing affordability index has broken the two hundred mark, meaning: the typical family has roughly double the income needed to purchase a median-priced home.

"For buyers who can qualify for a mortgage, now is a very good time to become a homeowner." NAR President Moe Veissi says this latest data underscores buyer opportunities in today's market.

NAR projects the affordability index for all of 2012 will remain at all time highs.

For more information, visit www.realtor.org
This portion of the blog is based on an Article printed from RISMedia: http://rismedia.com
URL to article: http://rismedia.com/2012-03-08/housing-affordability-index-hits-record-high/

So What does this mean for us here in Las Cruces?

In Las cruces, during the last 12 Months 960 single family homes sold. The median price of these Las Cruces Homes was $159,450 (This means that half of the homes sold were under $160,000). Use our affordability calculator below to see that  homes in this price range are extremely affordable. However, you will want to do a few things before starting out to buy that house.

First is to check out this list of eight things you should have squared away before you consider buying a home.

Then Determine What Price Home Can YOU Afford to Buy. The amount that you are "qualified to borrow," will allow you to determine:
• What price home you can you afford.
• How much of a Mortgage you will qualify for.
• What will your Monthly Payment Be?

The amount of loan you qualify for will be based on your credit score, current salary, employment history, and current debt. You can use this "Affordability Calculator." It Will give you a good idea of what price home you are qualified to buy even before visiting Lenders, and it will enable you to see what things you need to change in your life to qualify for the home you want to buy.

Lastly, use our FREE, Online, No Obligation VIP ADVANCED MLS Search to see all of the homes available in your price range?

For more info about buying a home in Las Cruces please visit www.buyingahomeinlascruces.com

Let's be honest: money is tight right now for everyone. We are all thinking twice before making purchases, putting every expense under a microscope, and saving like never before.

But what if you have to move?

It can often be a huge expense with the cost of trucks, packing, and planning. Here are some smart and clever ways to save (and make) some money during a move:

Use free materials
Think you need to buy special boxes and packing peanuts to get your beloved items from point A to point B? No way! You can pick up a variety of boxes at local supermarkets, shops, and wholesale outlets for free. Be sure to ask before taking them, though. Use that old stack of newspapers to wrap fragile dishes, glasses, and knick-knacks with. You can also utilize your suitcases, backpacks, and reusable bags to pack items. The bags are coming with you regardless, so why not put them to good use?

PYO (Pack Your Own)
Packing services can get up to the thousands depending on how many things you have to pack. Spend a few weekends before your move sifting through all of your possessions to decide what's staying and what can go. Once you decide what is coming with you, pack it up and put the boxes aside.

Purge and profit
Now that you have decided what is necessary and unnecessary, it's time to make some money. Sell everything you cannot take or do not want by having a moving sale or post everything with prices on free online marketplaces. Anything left over you can give away to a charity. Not only is your donation tax-deductible, but some charitable organizations will even arrange for a truck to pick up all of your unwanted items for free.

Eat up
Remember those canned goods, boxes of pasta, and non-perishables you stacked your pantry with thanks to recession-busting sales at the grocery store? It's time to reap what you have sown! Create some delicious dishes with your pantry staples instead of buying tons of groceries that may go to waste. Not only will you save money by saving on food, but you may discover some creative meals to make on a budget.

Shop around
You don't have to choose the first moving company you come across to take care of everything. Speak with multiple moving companies to get an idea of how they operate and how they charge. Choose a company that you feel the most comfortable and confident about. Also, be sure to ask plenty of questions so you won't be surprised about the bill after the move.

Saving on a move doesn't have to be hard. Just a few adjustments to your moving plan can help you save hundreds of dollars without compromising anything.

For more ideas on how to make your move better, visit our Moving Guide and our Moving Checklist.