Activities for kids this summer:Guadalupe Montessori School Summer Day Camp, 4 2-week sessions, June 8-July 31, 388-3343, www.guadalupemontessori.comMis Amigos Pet Care Center Kid's Camp, for kids and their dogs, June 15-19, 388-4101; Vacation Bible Schools at First United Methodist Church, June 23-26, 538-2371; First Presbyterian Church, July 6-10, 538-3513; First Baptist Church, July 13-17, 388-1582; St Francis Newman Center, dates TBA, 538-3662. And don't forget Silver City's great Olympic-size Municipal Pool!
Friday, May 29 Baccalaureate Mass. 11am, Santa Clara Church. For all grads of high school, college and university. "Cowboys and Indians Tour and Dinner Show." 1-9 pm.Tour from SC Visitor Center up to Pinos Altos, then on to the Cliff Dwellings, with scenic and historic stops along the way. Back to PA for a cowboy dinner, poetry, and song performance by "New Mexico's Most Enchanting Cowboy", Mike Moutoux.$60 per person, reservations required: 313-4383 PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP. 5-8 pm, WNMU Global Resource Center. Taught by Scott Pittman, permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and perennial agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in the natural ecologies. Followed by hands-on sessions at the Bayard Community Garden Saturday May 30th. 9am-12n, 3-6 pm. Free and open to the public but RSVP required. Sponsored by Grant Co Community Health Council and The Volunteer Center. director@volunteersofgrantcounty.org 388-2988 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. 5:30-8:30 pm, Silva Creek Botanical Center. Hot dogs and veggie friendly fare served. Bring lawn chair. RSVP: 388-8265; Carrie@gcecnm.org "Meet, Greet and Eat." 5:30-7pm, Episcopal Church, 7 & Texas Sts (enter through rear from parking lot). Free dinner. Healing service at 7 pm. 388-1702. Bob Einwick. 6 pm. Silver City Brewing Co, College & Pope Sts. COMPAS Street Dance. 7 pm, Morning Star parking lot. World music; all ages; free. ‘Beauty and the Beast.' 7 pm. WNMU Fine Arts Center Theatre. Broadway Rhythms featuring tap, jazz, modern dance and hip-hop students. Sponsored by Conservatory of Dance. $5, under 11 and seniors $3. .538-5865, ConvsDance@aol.com Cobre HS Graduation. 7 pm, football field. Speaker: Brian Miller. Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo. 8 pm. Gates open at 6. Southwest Horseman's Park, US 180E. Open Mic. 7:30 pm, JavaLina's, Bullard and Broadway. DJ Milligram. 9 pm, Buffalo Dance Hall. $3 cover. Country Music with Hell 2 Pay. 9 pm, Drifter. Pedal steel, country dance music.
Saturday, May 30 Gila Valley Library Annual Book and Yard Sale. 9:30 am-1:30 pm. "Downtown" Gila - 400 Hwy 211 Something for everyone. 535-4120. Silver City Farmers' Market, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Main Street Plaza, 7th St. and Main, next to the Big Ditch Park and San Vicente Creek. Fresh produce from local growers. Every Saturday Tyrone Mercantile. 10 am-4 pm. Town Plaza, Hwy 90. Buy-Sell-Trade-Barter & Vendors Wanted. 534-3911 Department of Peace meeting. 12n, Alotta Gelato, Bullard St. cinemabuddha@msn.com Joint Pain Seminar. 1-2:30 pm, WNMU Besse Forward Global Resource Center, 12 & Kentucky Sts. Local surgeons Robinson and Carreon answer questions and present Hall of Fame Catcher Johnny Bench, who will appear live. Light refreshments. Space limited. Register at 888-stryker; www.stryker.com/seminars Eric Hisaw (from Austin). 6 pm. Silver City Brewing Co, College & Pope Sts. Wally Lawder & the Flying Coyotes. 8 pm. Isaac's, Bullard and Broadway. No cover. Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo: SW Horseman's Park, Hwy 180E; doors open at 6; Final Rodeo Performance, 8 pm. Melodrama Theatre: " The Legend of Billy the Kid OR It's Just a Little Gun Play." 8 pm. Red Barn Steakhouse. The original, fast-paced Western spoof. Every Saturday through October. 388-3848
Sunday, May 31 The Sunday Morning Cup. 9:30-11:30 am, Yankie Creek Coffee House, Yankie & Texas Sts. Music, coffee, etc. Tyrone Mercantile. 10 am-4 pm. Town Plaza, Hwy 90. Buy-Sell-Trade-Barter & Vendors Wanted. 534-3911 "Language, Thought, and Tolerance." 10 am, Unitarian Fellowship, 3845 N Swan St. Presentation bySpecial Ed teacher Christine Einkauf; who covers ‘well-known, but controversial, theories of linguistics, current research and personal observations gathered over a lifetime, and the role of linguistic tendencies in discrimination.' Light refreshments after service. 538-0101. 4th ANNUAL TOUR OF GARDENS. 1-4 pm, Silver City. Sponsored by Evergreen Garden Club. Five unique Silver City gardens. Tickets $5 available at Dunn's Nursery and Peters Insurance Agency, or Saturdays at Farmers' Market. 388-9557 Mathew Moran. 4-7pm, Javalina Coffee House, Bullard & Broadway. Live music. "WHEELHOUSE." 7:30 pm. Wherehouse, corner of Texas & San Vicente Sts. Live, original theater by Virus Theater. Limited seating. $10 adults, $5 students. Through June 6. 313-6707, virustheater.com
Monday, June 1 Town of Hurley Regular Meeting. 5 pm, Hurley Town Hall, 101 Cortez Ave. Salsa Dance Lessons. 7 pm, Conservatory of Dance, Alabama St. $5/lesson, no partner needed. Instructor: Gail Willow. Every Monday. 388-3332.
Tuesday, June 2 Gila Senior Center Breakfast. 8 am. Every Tuesday in June. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group. 11:30 am. Café un Mundo. For people with the condition and those who help someone with MS. 534-0609; huseworld@yahoo.com Silver City Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. 7 pm, Grant County Admin Center, 1400 Hwy 180E. On the agenda: Request for variance of setback at 1507 W Combs Circle, applicants Duane and Joan Vroman; Request for variance re setbackat 1110 N Hudson St; applicants First NM Bank; Request for map amendment/zone change from Comm to Res B at 1421 N Corbin St; applicants: Jeff & Debbie Reese. 534-6348.
Wednesday, June 3 ALBERTSON'S - FIRST WEDNESDAY SENIORS 55+ get 10% off - ALL DAY Scientific Forum on Water. 8am-5pm, WNMU Global Resource Center, 12 & Kentucky Sts. Re Arizona Water Settlement Act, to identify, discuss, and recommend ways of determining the potential effects of flow modification on resources of the Gila River. Panellists include William Fagan, Univ of Maryland; ecology; Keith Gido, Kansas State U, aquatic ecology; robert Glass, Sandia Natl Lab, hydrology; Paul Marsh, aquatic ecology; Waite Osterkamp, USGS, tgeomprphology; Ron Ryel, Utah State U, biostatistics. Sponsored by NM Game and Fish Dept. Public invited; info: awsaplanning.com. To receive info packet and RSVP: 702/914-8066; Trivia Night. 7:30 p.m. Isaac's, Bullard and Broadway.
Thursday, June 4 Gila Water Settlement Act Implementation and Technical Committees. 8:30 am, Grant Co. Admin Center, Commissioners' Meeting Room. Recycling Advisory Committee Mtg. 4 pm, Southwest Solid Waste Authority, 318 Ridge Rd. On the agenda: FY10 Recycling contract; update on recycling volumes; Blues Fest recycling; upcoming recycling projects. 534-4389, "WHEELHOUSE." 7:30 pm. Wherehouse, corner of Texas & San Vicente Sts. Live, original theater by Virus Theater. Limited seating. $10 adults, $5 students. Through June 6. 313-6707, www.virustheater.com
Friday, June 5 Summertime Slow Flow Yoga. 9:30-10:30am, Dristi Studios. Iyengar-influenced class that addresses specific ailments; focus on breath, flexibility, balance, and strength for all ages. With Certified Instructor Angela Schofield. $10/drop-in; $65/10 Punch Pass. Every Friday, June 5th - Aug 28. www.BreatheSilverCity.com Spiritual Cinema: "Snow Walker." 6:30 pm, 1302 Bennett St. sponsored by SW Swedenborgians. 590-2979 "WHEELHOUSE." 7:30 pm. Wherehouse, corner of Texas & San Vicente Sts. Live, original theater by Virus Theater. Limited seating. $10 adults, $5 students. Through June 6. 313-6707, virustheater.comSaturday, June 6 First Saturday Garage Sale. 8am, Church of the Good Shepherd garage, Texas St between 6 & 7 Sts. Breakfast at Silver City Senior Center. 8-10am. 205 W Victoria St. Silver City Farmers' Market. Every Saturday, 8:30 am.-12 n, Main Street Plaza, 7 St & Main, next to the Big Ditch Park. Fresh produce from local growers. Mindfulness Meditation Retreat. 9 am - 5 pm. St. Mary's Marian Hall, on Alabama Street. Two days. 388-4894 or email gentledl @ gmail.com Food Pantry. 10am-12n. Wherehouse, San Vicente & Texas Sts. Every first Sat. Tyrone Mercantile. 10 am-4 pm. Town Plaza, Hwy 90. Buy-Sell-Trade-Barter & Vendors Wanted. 534-3911 Beginning Embroidery. 10 am, Aunt Judy's Attic, 1950 Hwy 180E. 388-1620 Weight Management Plan Course. 10-11:30 am Start-Up Class; 11:30-Noon, Sleep. Curves for Women, Memory Lane. Free; members and non-members welcome. Coffee and Conversation. 10:30 am, Javalina Coffee house, 201 N Bullard. Sponsored by New Church of SW Desert. 519-2579; www.southwestswedenborgians.com Soup n' Salad Tasting at Mimbres Senior Center. 11am-2pm. Musical entertainment. Donation. "WHEELHOUSE." 7:30 pm. Wherehouse, corner of Texas & San Vicente Sts. Live, original theater by Virus Theater. Limited seating. $10 adults, $5 students. Through June 6. 313-6707, virustheater.com Melodrama Theatre: " The Legend of Billy the Kid OR It's Just a Little Gun Play." 8 pm. Red Barn Steakhouse. The original, fast-paced Western spoof. Every Saturday through October. 388-3848 Rhythm Mystic. 8 pm. Isaac's, Bullard & Broadway. No cover. Metal Bands. 9 pm, Drifter. $5 cover. Doors open at 8.
Sunday, June 7 The Sunday Morning Cup. 9:30-11:30 am, Yankie Creek Coffee House, Yankie & Texas Sts. Music, coffee, etc. Tyrone Mercantile. 10 am-4 pm. Town Plaza, Hwy 90. Buy-Sell-Trade-Barter & Vendors Wanted. 534-3911 24 CLUB ANNUAL BUILDER'S HOME TOUR. Noon - 4pm. A variety of local homes, plus refreshments at Seedboat Gallery from 1-4pm. Tickets $15; 388-9506; 590-4282.
Distinctive and appealing historic home built in 1898 - situated on almost half an acre. Beautifully maintained adobe with high ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, large rooms and spacious living/dining room. Wonderful, mature landscaping with covered front porch and large outbuilding. Great location and large parking area in front. Wonderful home or office!
This brand-new home encompasses all that you could possibly want if you're thinking about moving to Silver City. Really beautifully built home, high ceilings, lovely custom tile work, covered back patio, and 5 acres in the Loma Blanca subdivision. This home was built by the same builder of 26 Otis (the gorgeous Adobe that sold last year). Let me know if you'd like to see this home today! I also have the building plan, the survey and information about the subdivision if you're interested. Click here for more info.
The weather is blissful. The sun is out, the temps are in the high 50's, low 60's and it's February 3rd. Is it possible that spring is already here? I won't be so sure of myself to say that, but I did see buds on a tree today. O' glorious Silver City.
That's right folks! Believe it. Mortgage rates dropped last week to 5.25% for a 30-year fixed and 5.125% for a 15 year fixed. Is your heart beating with excitement...mine sure is. This is fabulous news for anyone (yes, I know you're out there) thinking about buying right now.
Let me just illustrate the difference in what a 6.25% interest rate (which you would have gotten ten days ago) and TODAY's interest rate which is 5.25%.
Let's just say you decided to buy this incredibly beautiful new home on Cullum Drive (shameless promotion here) for $329,000 with 10% down. The amount financed would be $296,100:
@ 6.25% your payments would be: $1823/month
@ 5.25% your payments would be: $1635/month
That's almost a $200 difference in your monthly payment. Figure out how much that saves you for one year...for 30 years...
Feel free to call Donna or me and we'll hit the streets looking at the different properties available. We'd love nothing more than to help you find your dream home at your dream mortgage rate.
We can help you get connected to a good lender too. In this day and age we would highly suggest going with a local lender. We're finding it's harder and harder to close loans on properties with out of town lenders or mortgage brokers. We have a great list of lenders in our Insider's Guide-Local Mortgage Help and you can also play with our Mortgage Calculator too.
Two casita workshops! Beautiful, immaculately kept home on private cul-de-sac street in Indian Hills. Nicely landscaped with drip irrigation, open view of hills and mountains, peaceful setting with long, shaded front porch for relaxing. This roomy, easy to maintain home is perfect for easy living. The many fruit trees and lovely plants in the backyard are protected from the deer with a nice chain-link fence. The casita in the backyard is currently being used for a garden shed, but could be finished out to create a guest house. The second casita near the garage is finished with insulation and electricity and makes the perfect shop.
Interior Features
High ceilings, lots of storage, fireplace, large master bedroom and master bath
Exterior Features
2 casita workshops, lovely landscaping with fruit trees, fenced in backyard
VIBRANT HOME WITH CHARACTER & COLOR AND AMAZING OUTDOOR ATMOSPHERE! Don't let the Hanover address fool you. This property is 3miles from the Mimbres Valley and 6 miles from Hanover. This beautiful 2800 SF home is nestled on 8 acres of gorgeous country land with quick access to Hwy 152. Enjoy quiet nights and dark skies, perfect for star gazers. Bird watchers will love this property!
Interior Features
Beautiful, artsy Mexican tile, open floor plans with rooms for everyone or every project, separate den and possibly second kitchen in utility room, water softener and drinking water distiller, surround sound speaker system installed in living room ceiling, inside screen porch with incredible views. Unique and colorful rooms with many surprises like hand-tiled shower with Syzygy tiles. 1232 sq foot downstairs has wonderful southern exposure and could be used for artist studio or separate living as there is a partial kitchen and full laundry facility. Downstairs has 3 bedrooms (with Ikea wardrobes/closets added this year) and 1 full bath.
Exterior Features
Large (48' x 36') RV+ 2 car garage and workshop with lots of outlets, long country porch, and outside back patio near hot tub. Great horse property with some existing corrals. 8 acres nestled among large mature oak, pinon, and juniper trees with a view of the Kneeling Nun to the west. The house is set back and down from HWY 152 for privacy.
Additional Features and Amenities
Excellent horse property fully fenced and complete with a pole barn. Water from the well can be sent via hoses to this site. 2 seasonal arroyos (one on the property and a larger one just south of the property line) provide water to the ground table and lovely creek sounds after seasonal rains.
<!-- Invisible row for fixing columns' width ratio -->
Just Kidding! It'd be hard for anyone living in the southwest to ever say that. But I am here to report we've been having glorious rain storms for the whole month of July carrying over to August. I have no idea what this equates to in inches, but we've had rain at least several times a week. The land around Silver is lush, green and overgrown. There are even parts that, dare I say it, look a bit Ireland-ish (except for the yucca, juniper, pinon, and cacti that is).
Now, not to glorify the area too much, I will tell you that it's been particularly hot here this last week. Temperatures have been in the upper 80's and low 90's which doesn't sound so bad, but there has been high humidity and everyone is complaining. Us locals think it's hot even if it cools down to the 70's by 7 PM and the 60's at night. I think when you live here for awhile your tolerance for high heat or high humidity diminishes.
Today, I was watching my daughter play at the Penny Park and it was very hot (91 degrees with high humidity). The storm that was building finally cooled things off with some cool breezes before it started POURING down rain. We drove to Alota Gelato for ice cream and water was rushing down the street on Bullard. (Side note: there is a reason that the downtown streets have very high curbs. There is also a reason why "Bullard" street is the main drag downtown and not "Main" street. The street formerly known as Main St. was flooded out during the early 1900s and is now officially known as the "Big Ditch".) Anyway, the storm lasted while we ate our gelato. When the rain stopped, we waded back to our SUV which luckily has high-clearance, drove home and considered mowing the lawn since the grass grew 6 inches while we were gone.
Some days (like today) I think business is picking up, buyers are calling, offers come in, and I can't answer all my emails. I get excited about all the potential out there. So many people think about moving here--we really do have a wonderful climate and easy living. I fantasize about what it would be like if all of my listings would easily go under contract. Then I come home and watch the news or read a local newspaper article and realize how bad the market is. Silly me! What was I thinking.
If only, if only, if only I could just turn off the negative press and stop people from talking before they tell me about how bad the market is. I'm very susceptible...
In reality, sure...I know our market has cooled off a bit. Residential sales are down 50% from last year. But, wait, for the last few years hasn't real estate in our area been "booming"? Maybe selling what we sold last year was a bit unusual in the grander scheme of things. Maybe it's not that things are so slow as much as it is that we're just returning to a state of normalcy.
Today, I think our market is pretty good. Today, I got two offers on two of my listings, one of my listings was shown twice today, and I have two closings next week. And, tonight, I've decided to type this blog instead of watching the nightly news so maybe I'll have a good real estate day tomorrow too.
"I'm going to wait and see what happens with the real estate market (election, gas prices, the war, interest rates) before I decide to purchase property."
I can't tell you how many times I have heard this phrase in the last six months. Yet, I can feel the interest and pent up desire from potential buyers who tell me this. So many people are looking, checking out Silver City and trying to make a decision to buy property here but are holding back because of the questionable times in our economy right now.
People often come to Silver City and think that they can "get a good deal" because the real estate market is slow. Well, first, let me say that it is not slow in Silver City, New Mexico like it is in the rest of the country. Yes, there are absolutely more homes on the market now than there were two years ago. And yes, home prices have gone down a little (itty-bitty) bit, and yes, houses are sitting on the market longer. But that is relative compared to what the market was like two years ago when it was "hot". There were fewer choices, there were hardly any homes worthy of purchasing under $200,000, and the homes that were desirable would have multiple offers on them. That was not a fun market for buyers!
Having more options creates a much better market for buyers. Even so, many are waiting to see if prices will go down some more. Worried that if they purchase now, property values may go down after they've purchased. And that could happen...could. Although I can tell you that I purchased a home a year ago, right at the end of our "hot" market, and my property value has already gone up (we're remodeling). This is true for many of my customers as well--even in this market.
Instead of looking solely at price, consider a couple of other equally (if not more) important issues when it comes to buying a home. While interest rates are still fairly low, they're expected to go up. As I write this, I believe that interest rates are around 6.75% for a primary residence. And many economists are predicting that the interest rates will rise rather than fall. Consider what you pay for a $200,000 home with a 6.75% interest rate versus an 8% interest rate or a 10% interest rate (click here for Mortgage Calculator). When my broker started her career in real estate, interest rates were as high as 19%! Just about the only affordable way to purchase a home was to find a seller who was willing to finance it for you at a lesser rate.
Another big consideration is that the guidelines lenders follow have continued to tighten since the mortgage "crunch" started last summer. Many factors are used in determining if a bank will loan money, they include the buyer's income, credit scores, length of employment, loan amount borrowed, etc. Currently, in some lending situations, the government sets these guidelines and they have become less rigid in an attempt to boost the economy. In fact, one of the best options around right now is the FHA home loan which is a government insured loan. (No, it's not just for first time home buyers and it's not government assistance for low income buyers in any way.) With the FHA loan, rates are competitive, as little as 3% down payment, the upfront mortgage insurance can be financed, the loan is assumable, and the limit is up to $270,050 in southern New Mexico. This is a great option for anyone buying a primary residence under this dollar amount.
Note to sellers: It's also a great time to sell. There's already talk in the economic world of the capital gains tax (tax that's charged on the profit of a real estate sale) as much as doubling in the next few years.
So, even though buying a home may seem risky right now with so many scary factors in the economy, be sure you weigh out your decision with the different factors. I often tell people, the higher the risk, the higher the rate of return. Ten years ago you would have gotten a smashing deal on property here. But ten years ago nobody knew that Silver City would turn into the cool artsy historical town it is today. That was the risk and it has tremendously paid off for those buyers. Is there still room for property values to go up in Silver City? Well, many of us that are in love with Silver City sure think so and we've certainly seen it happen in enough other cool small towns.
So my thoughts to all those with the "wait and see" mindset: Be careful that you don't turn into one of those people who wishes they would have purchased property when there was a lot to offer, the rates were low, and the loans were easier to get. If you wait till after the election or early next year to make a decision, you're liable to find yourself competing for the property you want because everyone that's "waiting to see" what happens is going to be ready the same time you are-when they feel better about the economy. Now is a great time to buy, and with some foresight you can stake your claim and you'll be one of those people who feels good about having taken action in the middle of uncertainty.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
39 Cullum Drive
;)
;)
