http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R10MiGhBnUg

Contact us today at 575-523-2500 to find out more about building your dream home at Picacho Mountain.

One added benefit that Bob and Cheryl never expected is that Las Cruces is a perfect place to enjoy their passion for traveling and visiting new places.

In our recent reader survey we discovered that over 75 percent of our readers consider travel to be one of the hobbies they enjoy.

Unfortunately, the tough economy, the hassles of air-travel, and the cost of gas have forced many travel lovers to cut back on their excursions.

Well, there’s good news for all you travel lovers! Whether you’re looking to relocate to Las Cruces or just come for a visit, there are literally hundreds of travel destinations and places to visit within just a few hours of Las Cruces!

I don’t have the time to tell you about every unique destination New Mexico has to offer. But here of the top 7 road trips you don’t want to miss.

#1 Bird-Watching at The Bosque del Apache

Photo by Ben Vilmer

Whether you’re a bird lover or not, the Bosque del Apache is a travel destination you don’t want to miss.

Located about two hours from Las Cruces, the Bosque del Apache is a National Wildlife Refuge established in 1939 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Winter is an excellent time of year to visit the Bosque because you can spot many rare, migratory birds.

After you’ve toured the Bosque, make sure to stop in the Owl Café, which has been famous since 1945 for serving up green chile cheeseburgers!

#2 Chile Tasting in Hatch, NM

If you enjoy your green chile cheeseburger at The Owl Café, you’re definitely going to want to schedule a trip to Hatch, NM.

Located about 40 miles from Las Cruces, Hatch is the self-proclaimed “Chile Capital of the World”.  In case the term “chile” is new to you, this type of chile refers to the spicy pepper used extensively in New Mexican cuisine, which comes in either red or green.

Born from an extension of the Santa Fe Railroad Company in 1880, Hatch, New Mexico, began as an adobe post office and a railroad flag station. Over the last century, Hatch has earned bragging rights for producing some of the best green chile in the world.

Visit Hatch on Labor Day weekend to take part in the Hatch Chile Festival where you can sample and purchase some of the best chile you’ll ever taste!

#3 Scientific Exploration at Spaceport America

Photo courtesy of Spaceport America

While you’re in Hatch, you also might want to check out the Spaceport America. While New Mexico has been considered a Wild West Frontier for generations, it’s now part of a whole new frontier.

The next chapter in space transportation is being written right now in the State of New Mexico, at the Spaceport America.

As the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, Spaceport America is designed with the needs of the commercial space business in mind. Unique geographic benefits, striking iconic design, and the tradition of New Mexico space leadership are coming together to create a new way to travel into space.

Located just two hours from Las Cruces, the Spaceport America is now open for tours where you can see that construction is almost complete!

#4 Winter Retreat in Ruidoso, NM

Whether you’re looking for a winter retreat or to enjoy winter sports, Ruidoso is just a two and a half hours from Las Cruces.

Ruidoso is home to Ski Apache and the Ruidoso Downs racetrack. It is the perfect place to enjoy a little snow in the winter or some cooler weather in the summer. In the fall, take a day trip up to Ruidoso to pick your own apples and purchase freshly made apple cider.

Despite its popularity and affordability as a ski destination, this resort destination has maintained a quiet, quaint atmosphere for all to enjoy.

#5 Experience History at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Photo by Ben Vilmer

A mere three-hour drive from Las Cruces will take you deep into the heart of the Gila National Forest where you’ll find the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

Like much of New Mexico, the Gila National Forest has a rich history.  The Mogollon and Apache Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, prospectors and miners all made their mark and walked the trails of the Gila. Place names like Raw Meat Canyon, Tepee Canyon and Grave Canyon tell the tales of the past.

At the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument you can catch a unique glimpse of the homes and lives of the Mongollon Indians who lived there more than 700 years ago.  The Mogollon Indians mysteriously disappeared and archeologists have studied these dwellings to try to find clues as to what may have happened to them.

The Cliff Dwellings Monument is a great destination for the whole family.

#6 Enjoy Art in Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe is one of the most popular designations for New Mexico travelers. Just four hours from Las Cruces, Santa Fe is a picturesque town located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo (“Blood of Christ”) Mountains. Not only is it a great place to enjoy some cool weather and a higher altitude, it’s also a famous center for all things art.

If you’re looking for artistic inspiration or just enjoy art, take a walk down Canyon Road. On Canyon Road you’ll find more than 100 art galleries and studios, unique specialty shops, world-class restaurants, and the historic adobe architecture that gives Santa Fe its legendary southwestern charm.

“I think Las Cruces and New Mexico are a wonderful resource and inspiration for art,” says Picacho Mountain resident and artists Steve Jarvis. “It really keeps you motivated. There are a lot of galleries I enjoy. I believe Santa Fe a true asset of Las Cruces. Three or four times a year we love to go up there and get inspiration at Canyon Road.”

#7 Rejuvenate in the Hot Springs at Truth or Consequences, NM

If you’re looking for some rest and relaxation, make the 75-mile drive to Truth or Consequences (also referred to as T or C), NM and stay in one of the many bed and breakfast inns.

Originally named Hot Springs, Truth or Consequences was renamed in 1951 following a challenge from a popular radio show. T or C is popular for its therapeutic hot springs, which is where it originally got its name.

T or C is a perfect destination for a short day trip, where you can enjoy a hot spring soak for as little as $4 dollars at one of the many hot spring spas. Or you can turn it into a weekend get-away at one of the rustic bed and breakfasts found there.

It’s Your Turn

These are just a few of the great destinations that make life a trip when you live in Las Cruces, NM. For more information on these and other great New Mexico travel destinations check out the following resources:

• Off the Beaten Path: New Mexico by Richard K. Harris
• Travel Guide NM – http://www.travelguidenewmexico.com/
• The New Mexico Tourism Department – http://www.newmexico.org/

Life’s a trip in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Come visit us soon to experience all there is to do and see here. Call us today at 575-523-2500 and we can assist you in scheduling your next visit.

While the rest of the country was preparing for the first wave of winter storms, I spent most of this past weekend relaxing in the back yard, reading, and watching my kids play in the warm sun.

I have to admit, I suffer from a severe, self-diagnosed fiction addiction. I know that fiction is the junk-food of the literary world, but I just can’t help myself. That being said, I’m completely captivated right now by Erik Larson’s latest non-fiction: In the Garden of the Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin.

There aren’t many things that I enjoy more than sitting outside with a great book. According to the results of our September Reader’s Survey, I’m not the only one!

Based on our survey results, 89 percent of our readers currently enjoy reading as a regular hobby. Reading is more popular than any other hobby on our survey.

Since you love reading as much as I do, I want to share five reasons why Las Cruces is a great place to feed my fiction (and occasionally non-fiction) addiction!

#1. Coas Bookstore

Do you remember the scene in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast where the Beast takes Belle into the castle library? Well, that is how I felt the first time I walked into Coas Bookstore.

Maybe it’s not a castle, but Coas Bookstore is a reader’s wonderland.

The store’s main location is in the heart of Downtown Las Cruces at 317 N. Main St. The store doesn’t look like much from the outside. In a world of shiny Barnes & Noble stores with high-priced coffee, you might be tempted to pass by… That is until a book title in a window display catches your eye. Then, once you enter the store, you’ll be hooked.

Whether it’s a signed first-edition copy of your favorite book, an out-of-print or hard to find title, or a book you’ve never heard of, Coas has treasures for every book lover just waiting to be found. Coas has a section for almost every topic: fiction, cooking, biographies, astronomy, business, health – pretty much anything you can think of!

Coas is where I found Markus Zusak’s riveting The Book Thief, an entire collection of hilarious Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich, and so many more.

Coas has two Las Cruces bookstore locations offering customers new, rare, used and out-of-print books at rock-bottom prices. Not only that, but the stores boast one of the largest used book inventory in the Southwest – more than 450,000 books in-stock! Plus they also buy, sell and trade books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, audio books, records, maps, games and more.

The best part is that when you’re finished with a book, you can bring it back to receive store credit toward your next purchase!

Next time you’re in Las Cruces, make sure to take a trip to Coas Bookstore!

#2. Barnes and Noble Bookstore at NMSU

If you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for at Coas Bookstore, you might want to head over to the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The bookstore, which opened this past summer (2011), is a beautiful new addition to the NMSU campus.

The new, two-story bookstore features a full line of NMSU gear, a variety of both education and non-education book titles, and a Barnes & Noble Cafe. It’s a beautiful facility with a pleasant atmosphere in a college setting; a great place for students and non-students alike to escape and enjoy a good book.

#3. Clubs & Educational Resources

Education is one of the cornerstones of the Las Cruces community. New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Branch Community College and the City of Las Cruces together provide outstanding resources for the book enthusiasts and education lovers in the area.

Here are some of the great resources avid readers can enjoy in Las Cruces:

• Numerous clubs and organizations for both readers and writers
• Continuing education classes through Dona Ana Branch Community College Community Education program
• Clubs and events for readers of all ages through the Branigan Public Library
• Book signings and meet-the-author events at Branigan Library and Coas Bookstore
• Free Books by Mail program through Branigan Library
• Lecture series and other education events through NMSU
• Numerous other Bookstores with events and reading groups

#4. Experience History First Hand

Las Cruces has a rich cultural and historical heritage that book lovers can see first hand.

Las Cruces has seen the like of notable figures, such as Geronimo, Victorio, Albert Fall and the discoverer of Pluto, the late Clyde Tombaugh. But none are more notorious than the infamous William H. Bonney, a.k.a., Billy the Kid.

Billy the Kid visited the Las Cruces area many times. On his final visit he stood trial in a Mesilla, NM courtroom for the murder of Andrew “Buckshot” Roberts. He was found guilty and sentenced to hang by Judge Warren Bristol. During his sentencing, Judge Bristol told Billy he was to be hung “until you are dead, dead, dead!” According to the legend, Billy shouted back, “And you can go to hell, hell, hell!”

He was taken to Lincoln, NM, where he escaped and was later shot and killed by Lincoln County Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881.

Today you can read the real story The Kid and other Wild West Outlaws in books like The Shooters by historian Leon Claire Metz. Then visit the actual building in Mesilla that housed the jail and courtroom where Billy the Kid was tried.

#5. Weather

Reading is one of those hobbies that you can enjoy year-round, no matter what the weather is like outside. But why get stuck reading indoors during the dreary days of winter when you can be outside soaking up the sun?

Las Cruces is one of the few places I know of where you can enjoy a good book outdoors year-round. As we mentioned in our August newsletter, studies show that being outdoors can improve your health. It’s good to know that I can improve my health as I feed my fiction addiction just by reading outdoors!

Whether you’re addicted to fiction, like me, or love a great non-fiction selection, Las Cruces is a great place for book lovers of all ages.

Contact us today at 575-523-2500 to find why Picacho Mountain is the best place to buy your dream home.

Retirement isn't what it used to be... In a good way! Here's my family at my father's gas company retirement party back in 1983. That's me on the far left.

by Bob Pofahl

I’ve been thinking a lot about retirement lately.

Like many Baby Boomers, I’m a workaholic because I love what I do. My kids like to joke that I will retire when I die.

My father is about to turn 91 years old. When he retired at the age of 64, after working for 40 years for the gas company, retirement meant a future of puttering in the garage and playing dominoes at church.

I can’t see myself embracing retirement any time soon if that’s what’s in store for me (sorry Dad).

C.S. Lewis once said that, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” That’s the vision I have for my retirement.

When I finally grow-up and retire… someday… I want to be like Picacho Mountain community member Steve Jarvis.

Meet Steve Jarvis

Steve and his wife Moana first discovered Picacho Mountain when they were planning for Steve’s retirement. Steve enjoyed a long and successful career, but he’d put many of his dreams and passions on-hold during those years as he focused on his career and raised a family.

As he neared retirement, Steve was ready to turn his focus back to some of his old passions and some new dreams as well.

“My dream in all my years of working was to live in a beautiful home with a beautiful view, and still be able to walk, bike and jog from where I lived. And you can do all of that here at Picacho Mountain. It’s just perfect,” says Steve. “This is all I ever wanted.”

Pursuing Lifelong Passions

When Steve and Moana relocated to Las Cruces in 2009, Moana decided she wasn’t quite ready for retirement and took a job at New Mexico State University.

Steve, on the other hand, was ready to jump into retirement with both feet.

“I’m a hobby guy,” says Steve. “I was career manager at General Electric, but I think I most enjoy my life when I am able to do my hobbies. I was never able pursue my hobbies at my fullest. That’s what I love about being here, at Picacho Mountain, is that I can.”

Cycling is one of the main hobbies that Steve has pursued with passion since retiring at Picacho Mountain. Steve cycles two to three hours a day, five days per week.

“First and foremost, what I love about Picacho Mountain and Las Cruces is that the weather lets me do that,” says Steve. “Cycling is something I want to be able to do for the next twenty years. That is far and away my most important interest and hobby.”

According to Steve, you can bicycle all year long in Las Cruces. Having lived in Ohio for many years, with harsh winters and humid summers, year-round cycling was one of the most attractive things about Las Cruces.

“Cycling was a passion of mine and I wanted to do it more than just seven or eight months of the year,” says Steve. “And truly you can, you can cycle all year long in Las Cruces. I also think the terrain is great for enthusiast cyclists like me.”

But cycling isn’t the only hobby that retirement has allowed Steve to rediscover. In his late twenties, Steve first discovered he had a knack for painting. Unfortunately, he got away from painting for about forty years while he focused on his career.

Once Steve and Moana settled into their new life at Picacho Mountain, Steve’s began focusing intently on painting and has shown a great talent for art.

“I just relish being able to do it again,” Steve says.

In addition to the peaceful seclusion, Steve says that the majestic views from his Picacho Mountain home of the Mesilla Valley and the Organ Mountains help to inspire him as he paints.

“I think Las Cruces and New Mexico are a wonderful resource and inspiration for art,” says Steve. “It really keeps you motivated. There are a lot of galleries I enjoy going in. I also enjoy going to Santa Fe. That is a true asset of Las Cruces. Three or four times a year we love to go up there and get inspiration at Canyon Road.”

Another passion that Steve has pursued in Las Cruces is bird watching. The popularity of bird watching has exploded in recent years. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service there are over 51.3 million “birders” in the U.S. alone.

“I discovered it about ten years ago and got obsessed with it for a while,” says Steve. “One of the many reasons we came to Las Cruces was because it’s near some of the sky islands.”

Steve tells me that Sky Islands are high-altitude mountains that are isolated by surrounding lowlands of a dramatically different environment. Birds from Central America and South America come to the Sky Islands located in the Organ Mountain range. For many of these bird species, this is as far as they go in the winter. So Las Cruces is a fantastic portal to see birds you won’t see anywhere else in the U.S.

“I used to fish, but you’re always looking down at the water,” Steve laughs. “When you’re birding, you’re looking out at everything. It’s something you can do for a long, long time.”

Dream New Dreams

While Steve has spent the last several years rediscovering some of his lifelong passions, he’s also taken some time to come up with some new dreams.

Cooking, gardening, wood-working and walking are a few of the other new things that Steve is enthusiastic about in his new “retirement” life at Picacho Mountain.

“I’ve really embraced gardening and the different plants that grow here,” Steve tells me. “I love that you don’t have to mow, weed and water so regularly. I have joined the Picacho Hills Gardening Club and I’ve enjoyed the people I’ve met at the club and at the local nurseries.”

While some people imagine the desert to be drab and colorless, Steve, like many other local residents, has found desert landscaping to be full of vibrant color and life.

Fostering the Imagination

No matter what stage of life you’re in, life at Picacho Mountain fosters the imagination and inspires you to pursue your passions.

According to Steve, the best part of Picacho Mountain is the total quality of the lifestyle.

“When I was a kid dreaming of my life, I don’t think I could have imagined anything better than this. I remember saying that I want to live on the side of a mountain or hill with a fantastic view, yet I still want to be able to jog and walk in an area that is level and not terribly hilly. At Picacho Mountain you have the Million Dollar View, yet it’s a gradual terrain going down into the valley so we can walk, bike and anything we want to do. We just look out our window and thank heaven we are here. It’s all we could ever want.”

Steve says they know they’ve made the right choice because Picacho Mountain is the type of community where they want to be. “The people we’ve met here are just wonderful. We think the people here are kind of like us; they are high-quality, interesting people. There is much more of a sense of community here.”

That sense of community, coupled with the quite seclusion you’ll find here at Picacho Mountain, make this the perfect place for you.

Call us today at 575-523-2500 to find out why Picacho Mountain is the place to find your home and begin pursuing your lifelong passions.

According to international fitness coach, Tim Powers, over 95 percent of work was performed manually with human hands at the turn of twentieth century. Today, less than 3% of all labor is performed manually. Technology has increased productivity but caused us to live an indoor lifestyle that’s sedentary and inactive. These two factors have significantly increased disease and obesity in the US.

With over 350 days of sunshine each year and a moderate climate, Las Cruces is one of the best places in the country for you to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.

That is one of the reasons I’m passionate about green building. The purpose of preservation is to create healthier indoor and outdoor environments for our Picacho Mountain community members to enjoy for generations to come.

Health Benefits of Outdoor Recreation
Before we look at some of the awesome outdoor activities you can enjoy here in Las Cruces, lets look at a few of the benefits of outdoor recreation.

Recent research indicates that spending time outdoors is associated with a host of physical health benefits. These benefits include:

• Increased cardiovascular function
• Reduction of blood pressure
• Accelerated healing
• Disease prevention
• Vitamin D production
• Weight loss
• Weight management and more

The benefits are not only physical.  Outdoor activity can also improve your mental health. Enjoying the great outdoors can decrease stress levels, enhance your mood, alleviate symptoms of depression, improve self-esteem, and reduce anger and tension.

While many indoor activities tend to be more isolated and solitary, outdoor activities tend to encourage social networking and connectedness.

I have seen this first hand among the community members in Picacho Mountain. I often see our community members interacting as they walk, cycle or simply gather on a patio to visit with one another, like it used to be when we were growing up – neighbors knew neighbors.

“There are just so many things to do outdoors in Picacho Mountain.
It’s wonderful for people like us who like to keep fit and healthy”
Karen Woods, Picacho Mountain Community Member

Types of Outdoor Recreation
As you can see, there are so many benefits to spending time outside. So why don’t we spend more time outside? Weather is one of the biggest reasons.

Compared to most of the country, Las Cruces’ weather is perfectly suited for you to enjoy outdoor recreation.

As a Picacho Mountain community member, you don’t have to worry about extreme heat like Arizona residents, summer humidity or frigid winters like your East Coast and Mid-West friends, endless dreary, grey days like North-Westerners or the annoying traffic jams of the West Coast.

In Las Cruces you won’t have to worry about another hurricane evacuation or go running for the cellar for a tornado warning.

“I used to get a little bit depressed about this time every year back East because Labor Day had past and I knew in another month it was going to get cold; the leaves would start falling, I’d have to spend three weeks raking them, and then I’d have to prepare to start shoveling snow. In contrast, I really look forward Fall and Winter here in Las Cruces. The weather is just wonderful. There’s really just not a bad time of year here!”
Steve Jarvis, Picacho Mountain Community Member

At Picacho Mountain you can enjoy beautiful sunshine year-round. So lets get outdoors!

There are many outdoor activities and hobbies that can easily be enjoyed in Las Cruces including:

• Walking
• Hiking
• Running
• Mountain biking
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Bird-watching
• Gardening
• Golf
• Tennis
• Softball, baseball and soccer
• Astronomy
• Geology
• Outdoor arts and crafts
• And so much more!

Here are just a handful of activities enjoyed by the Picacho Mountain community members.

Gardening
Coach Powers says that gardening is a surprisingly good way for everyone, including those of us in the 50+ crowd, to get exercise.

“In terms of quality and beneficial exercise, gardening offers a ‘whole brain-whole body’ activity that improves heart, lung and vascular function,” says Coach Powers. “Gardening also increases functional strength, body flexibility and elasticity. It also significantly increases metabolic rate and reduction in body fat percentage.”

Plus, you get the added benefit of enjoying the beauty of your garden and the nutritious whole foods you grow.  We just participated in Art in the Garden  There was a tremendous turnout from Las Cruces residents as well as El Paso and surrounding towns.  Here at our Picacho Mountain Visitor Center, we showcased native Southwest plants supplied by Enchanted Gardens of Las Cruces.  In addition, we had members from the Dona Ana County Master Gardeners Association with information about all aspects of gardening and landscaping in Las Cruces.

Tennis
If you’re into tennis, then you’re in luck! Picacho Mountain community members enjoy exclusive membership at Picacho Hills Country Club where you can take advantage of their lighted courts, tennis instruction, tennis tournaments and sports camps.

Las Cruces also has the Lions Tennis Courts featuring regulation size lighted courts that are free and open to the public. You will also find great tennis facilities at the  and New Mexico State University.

Cycling
Cycling is another increasingly popular sport for baby boomers and other “older” Americans.

Cycling is great exercise without the back, knee, hip, and shoulder injuries that are so common among runners and tennis players. Plus, it is better cardiovascular exercise than golf.

The gentle rolling hills, high quality roads, and minimal traffic make Picacho Mountain one of the most popular cycling destinations in Las Cruces.

“Here in Picacho Mountain the amount of traffic on the road is so light that it really isn’t a problem to bicycle and feel safe. On the other side of Las Cruces, even though there are bike paths, it’s still not nearly as nice as it is here.”
Dale Woods, Picacho Mountain Community Member

Walking & Hiking
If you want a more leisurely way to enjoy the outdoors, you might consider hiking or walking.

There are many beautiful trails and recreation areas in and around Las Cruces where you can enjoy a hike. Many people are unaware of the beautiful hiking trails that are open to the public in the Picacho Peak area, including Box Canyon Dam and Spring Canyon.

Walking also serves as a great way to benefit from being outdoors. Picacho Mountain streets and walking trails are designed to be pedestrian friendly so that you can be safe as you enjoy the views and get your exercise.

“My wife Moana and I love to walk. We started walking together here at Picahco Mountain. It’s such a nice ritual. She tells me about her day and I tell her about my life in retirement. It’s also a great workout. It’s aerobic because we walk up the hill. Then we turn around and see the view of the valley and really enjoy it as we’re coming down the hill. Walking is one of those things, like bicycling, you can do for many, many years.”
Steve Jarvis, Picacho Mountain Community Member

These are just a few of the recreational activities that can be part of your outdoor lifestyle at Picacho Mountain. Whether you’re an avid runner or just enjoy a glass of wine of the patio, you will be enchanted by the breathtaking views and mild climate here in Las Cruces, NM!

To find out more about how you can enjoy your passion at Picacho Mountain, call us today at 575-523-2500.

More importantly, many have come to learn the health benefits of cycling. Because of the moderate climate year-round, Las Cruces, New Mexico is a hugely popular relocation and vacation destination for bicyclers. Let’s hear directly from a few of our Picacho Mountain community members why they love cycling at Picacho Mountain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gd7-0VWqbo

Call us today at 575.523.2500 for more information about how you can enjoy an outdoor lifestyle here at Picacho Mountain.

Have you heard that some city governments have been shutting down front-yard lemonade stands? Well, I’ve been busy perfecting the art of making homemade lemonade in my own kitchen.

I learned a few things about turning lemons into lemonade from my 90-year-old grandmother who recently passed away. You have to pick your lemons at exactly the right time to make the perfect glass of lemonade. If you pick your lemons too soon, they will be juicy but lack that yummy tartness that makes lemonade so great. If you wait too long to pick your lemons they will dry up and get bitter.

Timing the purchase of your new home can feel a little bit like trying to make the perfect glass of lemonade. With all the negative news you hear these days, it is easy to feel like the world is full of either overripe or under ripe lemons.

The truth is now is the best in generations to purchase a new home.

The Perfect Blend

There are two main economic factors that impact your decision to purchase your dream home: price and interest rate.

Fearful buyers become too focused on price alone; fearing that home prices will continue to drop.

Savvy homebuyers like you know that both price and interest rate make today the best time to buy.

Home prices may not continue to drop, but it will be decades before you see interest rates this low again.

The perfect blend of record low interest-rates coupled with the tremendously low new home prices make today the perfect time to “pick” your new home.

Higher Rates = Higher Payment

Purchasing your new home at a fixed 30-year interest rate today will actually cost you less in your monthly budget than waiting for prices to drop but buying at a higher rate.

According to Wayne Yamano, Vice President and Director of Research at John Burns, many people are just assuming that mortgages rates will stay low forever and that home prices will continue to fall. That will likely change soon.

“If prices stayed flat and mortgage rates inched up 1 percentage point from 4.5% to 5.5%, the same house would cost you 12% more per month to buy. A movement from 4.5% to 6.5% would increase your mortgage payment by 25%. Needless to say, the impact of mortgage rates is tremendous.”
Wayne Yamano

Look at the history of interest rates over the last 40 years, it’s only a matter of time before rates jump again.

Put in a different perspective, Yamano compares a downward change in prices coupled with an upward change in interest-rates.

“Did you know that if prices fall another 10%, but mortgage rates rise 1 percentage point, fewer people will be able to qualify to buy a house? Add to the equation the discussion in D.C. about reducing the allowable Debt/Income ratios on mortgages, and even more people will be unlikely to qualify.” Wayne Yamano

Maybe you’re not in the market for a new home just yet. Maybe you prefer to wait another five years before making your next move.  But if you are ready for a change let this be a word of encouragement for you.  Now is the best time to pick those lemons and turn it into the perfect glass of lemonade. When it comes to buying a new home, there may never be a better time than now to pick your home!

Picacho Mountain has the perfect home for you. Give us a call today at 575-523-2500 and we’ll help you select your home.

First, have you ever wanted to restore an old piece of furniture or artwork?

When my wife and I were younger, one our favorite hobbies was traveling to junk shops and art sales around New Mexico in search of hidden treasures. Some of our favorite pieces of art and furniture are discarded pieces we discovered in the most unlikely places. There is such a great feeling that comes from discovering a forgotten treasure that can be rescued, restored and preserved, to be enjoyed for years to come.

One of the only things that’s more rewarding than restoring the beauty of something old, is having the opportunity to preserve something beautiful before it’s destroyed.

That is why I made Preservation of Nature one of our core principals at Picacho Mountain. It’s a privilege to build homes in an area as beautiful as Picacho Mountain. No matter how much I enjoy restoring beauty, being able to preserve it is even better.

Picacho Mountain is set in the Chihuahua Desert between the rolling Doña Ana and picturesque Organ Mountains. One of the biggest misconceptions about Las Cruces is that it’s a barren desert. Nothing could be further from the truth! Sure, there are some things that don’t grow here, but there are thousands of beautiful native plants that flourish year-round in this climate.

The luxury homes at Picacho Mountain are developed for you with a deep respect for the natural beauty and history of the land. By preserving desert open spaces, sculpting roads and walking paths into the natural contours of the land, and complementing the natural desert with additional native plant life (xeriscaping), the developed spaces have become a natural extension of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.

Preservation is not always the easy choice. In many cases, preserving nature at Picacho Mountain has required more time, money and care than simply scraping the land bare to build homes. But once you visit Picacho Mountain you’ll see that it’s worth the effort

Preservation of nature makes for a more beautiful community, but it also saves you money. Purchasing a home site at Picacho Mountain is like buying a canvas that already has a beautiful backdrop painted on it. You get to spend your time and money painting your dream home onto this already breathtaking backdrop. Here’s what one of New Mexico’s top home builders has to say about building a home at Picacho Mountain:

“Building at Picacho Mountain saves homeowners money in the long run because you have all this natural beauty around you. Your home site has already been landscaped for you. Why tear it up and then have to pay extra money to have it re-landscaped. Why the home is complete it feels like it just grew out of the ground here and is just a part of the natural landscape.”
Wayne Suggs, Las Cruces Home Builder

My kids may never truly appreciate all the treasures we restored all those years ago, but I am confident that you and your kids will be enjoy the preservation that is happening today at your future Picacho Mountain home site.

As promised, if you’d like to experience the art of preservation for yourself, be my special guest at the 4th Annual Artists of Picacho Hills Art in the Garden Tour coming up Sunday, Sept. 18 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Watch this video for more information or visit the Art in the Garden facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwhtVOpCWNs

To schedule a private tour, call Ruben today at 575-523-2500.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8BOXuQJYEI

This is the forth time that Las Cruces has made the top twenty on this list.

Forbes looked at small cities from across the U.S. and based their ranking on 12 areas relating to past and future projected job growth, business and living costs, income growth, education, projected economic growth, and quality of life areas such as crime rate, cultural and recreational opportunities and net migration patterns.

Forbes reports that, “In most of these hot hubs you’ll find a strong university or two, providing rich cultural life and the kind of technology transfer that sparks entrepreneurial activity – giving that educated population lots of reasons to stick around.”

That is exactly what you’ll find in Las Cruces and at New Mexico State University.

NMSU features one of the country’s best science and agricultural programs and is home to the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra. Plus, NMSU and Dona Ana Branch Community College offer endless opportunities for continued education and community classes.

In addition to the university I discovered another reason that I love living here… Los Poblanos Organic (LPO) Farms in Las Cruces is now doing weekly home delivery of organic fruits, veggies, and other fresh foods in select areas around Las Cruces.

The Las Cruces Farmers Market is one of my favorite places to pick up fresh, locally grown produce each week. That is where my husband and I met Charlie from LPO Las Cruces. Charlie got me connected with LPO farms online where I am able order fresh produces and much more each week. One of the great things about LPO Farms is that they have locations all over New Mexico. That way you can get a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies, locally grown right here New Mexico and support our local farmers at the same time! You can read more about Los Poblanos Organic Farm here.

To find out more about what makes Las Cruces, NM the best place to live, come by our Las Cruces, New Mexico Model Home at 7038 Calle Estancias today and enjoy some free Starbucks Coffee. Call 888.511.9872 for directions or to schedule your tour.