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Silver City, NM Real Estate News

By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Lead-Based Paint Addendum - Lead was used in paint prior to 1978. If lead is ingested, it can be deadly or harmful. Any house that was built prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Because it can be harmful, there is a lead-based paint disclosure that must be signed by all parties. The Disclosure must be signed, with date and time, prior to writing the Purchase Agreement. You will receive a pamphlet explaining Lead-Based paint hazards and you will also receive the opportunity to obtain an analysis. Please remember that it can be harmful if ingested (not inhaled).   Today's Saying: Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.   Linda Ferrara - Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty Let's hook up on Twitter and Facebook! Cell: 575-5...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Here is a link to a young man's blog who used to live here in Silver City. He wrote very good info about the area. Enjoy and have a nice week-end! http://coachraidbard.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/come-experience-the-wonders-of-silver-city/#comment-427 Linda Ferrara
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
The Title Commitment comes a few weeks after the property is under contract. The Realtor will order this. The importance of the Title Insurance is that it insures the property buyer against any title-search errors or mistakes and against loss due to disputes over property ownership. Title Insurance can additionally offer protection to the lender under similar circumstances. The Title Commitment shows all the criteria for the property to close. Typical items include 1) the existing mortgage must be paid off, 2) a Deed must be recorded at the court house. Less common items are a Mechanic's Lien that must be paid at closing. This is when the current owner doesn't pay a contractor and the contractor puts a lien on the property. This item must be paid off before the property can change owner...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Indian Hills is located north of Highway 180 in an area full of rolling hills. It is just north of the city limits so it is close to town - -which makes it popular. Each lot is at least ½ an acre - -many are 1 acre or more. Most of the homes that are in the first phase were built in the 1970's - - many have all electric heat - - remember the gas shortage back then? As you get more north into later phases, the houses are newer. Right now, a house can range from $150,000 to $450,000. Please remember that this blog was written on March 9, 2010 Depending on where the house is located, you may have natural gas or propane. There are also a few houses on city sewer; most will have a septic system. There are meandering roads to walk on. Many homes have beautiful views. You will also see abundan...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Wind Canyon Wind Canyon is a popular subdivision located approximately 3 miles west of Silver City. It features 10+ acres lots with custom-built homes. The estates are set within the High Desert area of Southern New Mexico. The land is mountainous which consists of ridges and draws. From the ridges, the view is breathtaking - reaching in some places all the way to Arizona. Vegetation consists of Native Bear grass, Yucca, Wildflowers, Side oats, Gramma grass. Trees are mostly evergreen-Pinion, Juniper, Cedar and a few Scrub oaks. The Gila National Forest to the north and the Continental Divide to the east border it. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Will the roads be paved? There are no current plans to pave the roads in Wind Canyon. They are presently being maintained by the developer. When al...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
New Mexico requires all septic systems to be permitted, approved, and inspected by the NM Environmental Department. All individual systems require a minimum ¾ acre lot (or a variance). The two most commonly used are: 1. CONVENTIONAL SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM In this system, wastewater flows from the house to the tank where settling occurs. Heavier solids (e.g. organic waste) sink to the bottom of the tank forming the sludge layer. Lighter solids (e.g. grease, soapsuds) float to the top forming the scum layer. The clearish liquid in the middle layer is the effluent. After settling out for 24 or more hours, the effluent flows out of the tank to the leach field, where it is discharged into the soil for the final treatment and disposal. Maintenance requires routine pumping of the tank. This system...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Being in the desert southwest, we occasionally get questions about water. Let me give a general overview. The ideal water flow looks like this: In the winter there's a good amount of snow pack in the mountains. It stays cold in January and February, holding the snow pack until spring. Then it melts slowly and runs down out of the mountains allowing use by the ranchers and farmers.  City Water: Residents in and near the town of Silver City are on ‘city water'. The water is obtained from several wells to the south of town. It is treated and tested regularly. It is stored in various tanks around town. You can see 2 tanks near the "W" mountain north of town. There is another up on Swan St, near the city limits sign. There are 2 on Highway 180 to the west of town. A water quality report is i...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
When we talk about ‘closing' we are actually talking about a series of events. A closing takes place at the Title Company or through the mail. (We don't require an Attorney to close in New Mexico). Here are the steps to the Closing Process: •1.      The Title Company creates the Final HUD (Housing Urban Development) Statement and gathers all other required documents with information from the contract and the Lenders. •2.      The Title Company sends the statement to the Lender and the Realtors for review. •3.      Lenders and Realtors make any required changes. •4.      Title Company updates statement. •5.      Buyer and Seller sign closing documents either in person at the Title Company or through the mail. •6.      Buyer brings or wire transfers down payment to Title Company (sometime...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Today I read this blog from Catherine Lucas when she visited our area. I hope you enjoy her description and photos of Silver City, NM. http://photocatseyes.typepad.com/photocatseyes/2010/02/silver-city-a-hidden-gem.html   Make it a great day!   Linda Ferrara Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty 575-519-9249  
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
You're thinking that maybe it's time to sell and move to Silver City, NM. To straighten up the house you should have a Yard Sale.  Here are some Tips to make a Yard Sale easier: 1. Some towns require that you have a permit or license. Check with them to see if this is required where you live. 2. Contact your neighbors, friends and family to see if they want to join in. Have a whole neighborhood doing it gets more traffic. We used to have a multi-family sale and it would become a little party. In the morning we had a big urn of coffee and donuts, in the afternoon someone made a bunch of hotdogs. It was actually quite fun. 3. Advertise. Put an ad in the classified papers, and put up big signs at major intersections and in stores near your home. The simpler the better. "BIG SALE ---à" is a...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
I have buyers in town just now who are not familiar with some of the southwest architecture. So I thought that I would explain what some of the terms mean. My dear friends and neighbors were kind enough to allow me to photograph their gorgeous home for this blog. Thanks Lynn and Julian!  Banco - Built-in Benches. They are commonly next to Kiva fireplaces     Canale - A water spout that drains water from a flat roof     Corbel - a supporting timber under a beam or arch       Kiva Fireplace - southwest style fireplace      Latillas - Small peeled poles used to form a ceiling.      Lintel - this is the exposed crossbeam above a window.        Nichos - niches built into the wall       Saltillo Tile - a clay or terra cotta floor tile       Talavera Tile - colorfully decorated Mexican tile Vi...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
A Seller's Disclosure is a multi-page document that the Seller completes to show all the details about their property. In New Mexico, a Seller is not required to complete this form. However, if the Seller HAS completed the form, the Buyer is required to receive and sign it. There are times when it is not appropriate for the Seller to complete the form. For example, the Owner passes away and the Brother of the Owner is selling the property. He has never seen the house and certainly doesn't know anything about the property. Sellers are required to disclosure any material facts they know about the property. The document will cover such things as title, zoning and legal information, structural, plumbing, water supply, sewer, roof, gutters, electrical, heating and cooling, homeowner associat...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
The 3.3 million acres of Gila Wilderness offers a playground for the adventurer. The area is rich in history including Indian dwellings, conquerors, ranchers, miners, conservationist Aldo Leopald, and hunter Ben Lilly. The beauty of the area includes indescribable vistas, canyons and caverns, rivers, arroyos, mountains and mesas. It is a hiker's delight any time of the year. If you want to enjoy a guided tour, check out: http://blackbearexplorers.com/?p=22 Come to Silver City, take a deep breath of fresh air and say, "Ahhhhhhhhh".     Linda Ferrara - Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty Let's hook up on Twitter and Facebook! Cell: 575-519-9249
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
I sometimes have customers confusing an Appraisal and a Home Inspection so I thought that I would clarify this for you. An Appraisal is an opinion of value used most often by a bank who wants to ensure that they are not giving a loan for more than the value of the property. If a Buyer is paying cash, they may request an Appraisal to ensure that they are not overpaying for the property. Generally, The Bank requests the Appraisal and the Buyer pays for the Appraisal which is sent directly to the Mortgage processing department. A Home Inspection is not required by a bank in most instances. It is used for the Buyer to understand the condition of the property. I wrote a detailed post about Home Inspections and the process on January 19, 2010.   Linda Ferrara - Associate Broker Coldwell Banke...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
I'm an avid gardener from way back so when I moved to the Southwest I had to learn some new rules. The ground is rocky here so it is likely that you are going to have to grow vegetables in raised beds. You probably will need to be fenced in to keep out the critters. It takes a long time to get the top soil that is delivered to be a rich soil. Make friends with someone with horses and get manure. You don't need calcium - -the soil is high in calcium. There is something called caliche which is big, hard deposits of calcium. The plants will be smaller in general but there'll be good size vegetables. Back in New Jersey, the tomato plants would be 6 feet high. Out here, maybe 3 feet tall. And you don't have to plant each plant so far apart. For water, I have a holding tank for rain water tha...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
1. Price is essential in our current market. Be realistic about what has sold in the past. Look at what your competition is and price yours less. 2. Get your house market-ready. In my February 16, 2009 blog I talked about specific ways to clean up and declutter your property. 3. Be flexible about showings. If your house is difficult to show, agents will simply skip it. There are a lot of homes on the market right now, make yours easy to get into and show. There should be a lock box on the door and the house should be pristine at all times. 4. Decide ahead of time what price is the lowest you can accept and what terms would be acceptable (moving out quickly, what is included, what is excluded, etc.) 5. Take away any objections ahead of time. If the house needs to be painted, PAINT IT. If...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
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: Month: Avg High - Mean - Avg Low   January: 51 °F - 38 °F - 24 °F July: 87 °F - 73 - 58 February: 55 °F - 41 - 26 August: 84 °F - 70 - 56 March: 60 °F - 46 - 30 September: 79 °F - 65 - 51 April: 68 °F - 53 - 36 October: 70 °F - 56 - 41 May: 77 °F - 61 - 43 November: 59 °F - 46 - 31 June: 86 °F - 71 - 53 December: 52 °F - 39 - 25  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: 1,819,046Populatio...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
One of the first things done after getting a property "Under Contract" is to have a Home Inspection. I occasionally get a buyer who does not want a Home Inspection. To me, it is the best money ever spent. If you REALLY do not want a home inspection, I will make you sign a document that says that although I encouraged you, you chose to not get an inspection and that you will not hold me or my Broker liable for any problems at the property. We feel that they're that important. A good Home Inspector will show you how the mechanics of the home work. They will show you idiosyncrasies about the property, take photographs of issues and a whole lot more. Most of the Home Inspectors in our area will give you a detailed Report about all aspects of the home (plumbing, electric, roof, etc.) that in...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
I feel compelled to write about the people in Silver City. They're nice. I come from New Jersey and I wasn't used to it. But you know what? You get used to it - -fast. I remember when I first moved here I was on line at the grocery store. I was third in line. The clerk at the check-out was talking to the first customer. I was irritated that I was waiting and they were chatting. Then I began to listen. The clerk was asking about the health of the customer's mother. Hoping she was okay and feeling better. I felt like a heel for being impatient. This is the reason we moved here! The people are nice. I took a deep breath and enjoyed the fact. My husband and I laugh when we have strangers in cars waive to us in our car. We laugh because they use their whole hand.... Not just one finger like ...
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By Linda Ferrara
(Coldwell Banker Enchantment Realty)
Have you ever heard of Cowboy Action Shooting? Or the Single Action Shooting Society www.sassnet.com ? Well if you want to play cowboy / cowgirl, you'll want to check this sport out. Using 3 different types of guns (2 pistols, 1 shot gun and 1 rifle), you ‘get' the bad guys by following a scenario. You may shoot 10 pistols, 9 rifle and 4 shot gun, being timed and misses counted along the way. The fun begins before hand when you choose an alias, get dressed in 1890's garb and build a gun cart. My husband belongs to the local club, www.gilarangers.com . What a nice, fun bunch of people! They shoot out in the Mimbres on John Fowler's ranch. They have permanent stages set up for variety. Imagine shooting your pistol from the bar doors, then moving to the train ticket counter and shooting yo...
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