Are you considering purchasing a home in the near future? Most people think that the first step is finding a REALTOR® and it is , as well as finding a lender. When I first speak with my buyers I always encourage (actually, insist) that they contact a local lender of their choice to get pre-qualified.    As a buyer, speaking with a lender and getting pre-qualified before your home search begins, is a win win for all parties involved! Here are a few reasons why:   Lets you the buyer know exactly what you qualify for, so you look at houses within your budget Lets you the buyer determine what price range you need to stay within to keep you from being mortgage poor  It shows your REALTOR® that you are serious and they will continue to work hard for you It gives you the buyer the opportunity ... 03/15/2012

While I understand buying is not for everyone; I do think that when you are in the market for a rental property, you should consider buying. Here are a few reasons why I recommend that YOU seriously consider purchasing a home:   Today's interest rates are very low making it even more affordable to buy a home verses renting Our current rental market appears to have a shortage of desirable homes and affordable price ranges Investing in YOUR future is always a good idea Buying may allow you to deduct your mortgage interest on your income taxes (speak with your accountant) Fixed monthly payment; let's you budget accordingly (no surprise rent increases) Make improvements; what's important to you and when the time is right    If you think buying a home may be in YOUR best interest, please spe... 03/13/2012

Yes, I know you live in your house, but really no one wants to or needs to see the inside of your toilet. So, please put the seat down when you are done. As a seller this is just one of many things you need to be doing to make sure your home is in show condition when buyers are looking at your home!    Sellers, buyers need to see your home, not your stuff! So, if you don't use it every day pack it up and put it in storage! Show off your house not your collections.    Sellers, fix it! If you have any honey do's get them done, before you put your home on the market. Buyers want a home that is move in ready. Today's buyers don't want to fix your honey do's!    Sellers, your home needs to spotless! That means windows, kitchen and bathroom counters free of clutter, no dishes in the sink, no... 03/08/2012

Did you know that no matter where you are I can help you with your real estate needs? Yes, I am only licensed in  New Mexico, but I can still help you even if you do not reside in New Mexico.   How? Glad you asked! You see, through various real estate sources I have connected with real estate professionals all over the United States. And as a REALTOR® I can refer you to another REALTOR®; someone who I would recommend.   With your consent, I will connect you with a qualified REALTOR®; and yes this REALTOR® will pay me a referral fee when you either sell or purchase a home with them. Now, just so you know when I refer you to another REALTOR®, I am still available for you.    While each state has different laws; I can still share my real estate expertise with you. This will allow you to be... 02/14/2012

 I am happy to share with you my new and improved website www.MicheleSims.com - Thanks to Cam of "Cam Will Design" my new website is up and running!   There is still lots to do; it will be a work in progress.  I would appreciate if you take a moment to stop by and check it out. Be sure to let me know what you think; I especially would like to know what information you would like to see here.   02/13/2012

I work hard to get YOUR home sold! I may not be the top producing broker in our area. I don't rely on my franchise name to bring me buyers or sellers; nor do I  have a need to keep a lawyer on retainer in case I do something that could be considered questionable. Yes, I follow the rules and not because I have to, but because I want too! Rules are there to protect all parties involved.  What I do is put my knowledge of real estate to work for YOU. I am not afraid to tell you when I don't know an answer to your question or how to handle a new situation; but YOU can be sure that I will find that information out for you.  I have a marketing plan to market your home; I do more than put your home in the MLS, a sign in the yard, a flyer box, and a lockbox. I work with YOU to get your home sold... 02/10/2012

 I mean how do you know if your broker is doing everything they can do to get your property sold. How do you ensure that a potential buyer does not slip thru the cracks? Does your broker gather all the information from you upfront and has it easily available to other brokers? And do they gather relevant information that you the seller may not have? Do they market the property accordingly?   I cannot tell you how frustrating it is when I have a buyer for a property that another broker has listed and there is no information available. Even more frustrating is when you try to contact the listing broker and they do not return calls, say they will get that information to you (but never do in a timely manner), and/or just give you lip service! I know that there is nothing more frustrating the... 01/28/2012

Renting is easy, you find a place, you sign a lease, you pay a monthly payment, if something breaks you call the landlord. At the end of your lease you walk away with nothing. Your landlord is ahead of the game, as for the past year you have made his mortgage payment and possibly put a little money in his pocket. The landlord is improving his credit, as well building his wealth with your money. Why not put your money to work for you? Home ownership has always been a good investment and will continue to be. Buying a home comes with responsibility, but can allow you to increase your net worth.        Some benefits of buying a home are:  • A fixed house payment  • A tax deduction on your taxes     (see your accountant or tax professional for details) • Pride of Ownership • A higher net wor... 01/19/2012

Fun Things to Do and See in Alamogordo With our endless days of sunshine and dry, warm air, the amount of fun events, activities and things to do in Alamogordo makes for one fun life. Here are just some of thefun things to do in Alamogordo New Mexico. Feel free to send us an email if you have an event or activity you would like us to promote - info@cbsn.com Alameda Park Zoo Located at 1021 S White Sands Blvd, theAlameda Zoo is something for the whole family. Open daily from 9am to 5 pm except Christmas and New Year's Day, the Alameda Zoo offers more than 12 acres of exotic and indigenous animals. With extras such as and education center, food, gift shops and playgrounds there is no limit to how long you stay and enjoy the zoo. The Alameda Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Southwest and seaso... 01/18/2012

Loyalty is defined as the quality of being loyal to someone or something. It has recently come to my attention that customers are only as loyal as their pocket book. Even though a customer will pledge their loyalty to you, in the end it boils down to their bottom line.    I have a customer who purchased a home from several years ago and since then whenever she has had a real estate question she calls me. Then a few months ago we started discussing listing their home. In the end she went with another company, because they offered a lower commission rate. I really appreciated my customer calling me, and I could tell it was hard for her to tell me that she was going to list with another broker as she wanted to be loyal to me . . . BUT . . .   I wished her the best and truly there are no ha... 01/17/2012

When you list your home with me, we aren’t just putting it on the market.  We’re forming a partnership to get it SOLD.  Whether you’ve sold several properties in the past, with or without a professional, it’s my goal to make selling your property with me one of the easiest real estate transactions you’ll ever experience. My promise to my SELLERS is to . . . Listen to your real estate needs to understand your real estate objectives Provide accurate and current data so that you can make informed decisions Ensure that all required documents are completed properly Create a personalized marketing plan for your home Personally supervise the closing process ensuring that all deadlines are met Marketing Tools that I use to market your home . . .  Multiple Listing Service Supra Lock Box Keys Yar... 01/16/2012

 This is a question that everyone is asking, has been asking and will continue to ask real estate professional. My questions is "Why?" - Why are you asking?  Do you really want to know how the market is or are you just trying to make small talk?    I think it is important to find out why a person is asking you "How is the market?" - because it is such a huge question and needs to be answered accordingly. If your are making small talk - well the market is good, "buyers are buying and sellers are selling!" If you are thinking about buying a home,  yes this is good time to buy. If you are thinking of selling, yes the is a good time to sell. I could give you a list of reasons why now a good time to buy and/or sell, but I will save them for another blog or two.   Now if you ask someone one e... 01/14/2012

I am excited to announce the new facebook page for "Hermoso El Sol" Subdivision in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This is a place for friends and neighbors to stay connected and to find out what is going in the neighborhood. The goal is to create a comfortable spot for the home owners, investors, and renters to post yard sales, fun photos of the neighborhood, arrange playmates at the neighborhood park, organize a neighborhood Barbecue, etc.   Hermoso El Sol Subdivision in located just south of Panorama off of South Florida. Hermoso El Sol was developed in 2004 by Tool Belt Land Development. The first phase of Hermoso El Sol is comprised of about 80 lots. Phase two will have about 53 lots, which is currently under construction.   You will find homes ranging from approximately 1300 square feet u... 01/04/2012

I started "Life in Alamogordo" in January 2011; it a one stop spot on the web for you to stay informed about Alamogordo and the surrounding areas. I have created three main sections: 365 Things To Do In Alamogordo; Alamogordo NM Real Estate and More . . . ; and Purple Press. There is also tabs to find out some information about Alamogordo, Me, and Events.  So far this spot on the web has had great feedback. For me it is still a work in progress and in time I hope will have bigger impact in my community! I would appreciate it if you would take a moment and visit my blog and I look forward to any ideas you may have that I can use to improve it or things you would like to see here. 05/29/2011

I love Christmas! It is my favorite holiday! But really . . . not in May! Come on people PLEASE take down your decorations!! 05/25/2011

Buyers do you know how your Associate Broker/REALTOR® is treating other Associate Broker/REALTOR® in their association? Do they have a good working relationship with everyone? Is the Associate Broker/REALTOR® working for you in your best interest or theirs? Just yesterday I had conversation with another Associate Broker/REALTOR® that got me to thinking about just that. Here is just how that conversation went:    Really, you just didn't call me up and question the commission for a property that I am listing!  And then you tell me that because I agreed on a commission that suits my seller's needs, that you don't think it is enough money for you to bother  showing  . . . you then have the nerve to flat out tell me that you will not show the property. You defend yourself by saying that you ... 05/24/2011

How was your Monday? I had a very interesting day, but a good day all in all. I held an open house yesterday, everyone loved the views that this home has and the tile work! If you would like to see 31 Stonewood Drive, call or text me at 575.491.6673! This past week in Alamogordo for site-built and new constructions homes 10 SOLD - out of those 10 homes 8 of them were under $150,000, 1 was over $250,00, and 2 of the 10 were new construction. As of today there  are currently 83 properties under contract; out of those only 57 are site-built or new construction homes, ranging in list price from $42,500 up to $525,000. To me it seems things are moving in real estate, Now is the time to buy and/or sell! Until next week . . . 05/23/2011

Buyers ask and ask again until you understand 100% before you ever sign on the dotted line. It is very important that you understand what you are doing and how you are doing it and how the different scenarios can play out in the future.   Well, there is no crystal ball and who knows what can happen down the line, but it is your responsibility to make sure you understand everything completely. Who cares if the questions may sound stupid ASK; who cares if you have asked the questions a hundred times all ready ASK again!    I know that I want my buyers to make sure they understand everything, so please keeping asking me questions. And if I don't have the answer for you, I will ask someone to make sure we are all on the same page.      While I appreciate your total confidence in real estate... 05/19/2011

WOW! It's Monday already, where did the past week go? And now after reviewing my agenda for this week it is gonna be busy too! I don't know about you, but I would not have any other way.     Thank you to everyone who help and participated in my "Open House Extravaganza" yesterday! It was a great success and hopefully my sellers will be receiving an offer soon, because several of the visitors showed an interest in the home! I know that Glenn & Dian Ward in my office held an open house yesterday too, and they also had a great turn out. Yes, buyers are out and they are looking to buy. So, now is the time to get your home on the market and make sure it is in tip top shape.In the past week in Alamogordo only, site-built and new construction homes 6 closed. And as of today there are currently... 05/16/2011

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce members meet once a month for what is known as "Fan Club". They meet the second Friday of every month at 8 a.m. - the current set location is Tia Lupe's Mexican Restaurant. Each month a different chamber member volunteers to sponsor the Fan Club meeting (they pay for the food and drinks made by Lupe and supply the door prizes). One of the benefits of being the sponsor is that, that chamber member gets to give a short presentation about what their business does. Today's sponsor was the Alamogordo Daily News. They put on a cute presentation about graduation and how local members could sponsor a graduating student. I have been a member of the Alamogordo Chamber since 2010 and this was the first Fan Club I have been to. I had a great time and enjoyed meeti... 05/13/2011