REAL ESTATE R ES OURCE GUIDE 2020
September 2020
A Special Supplement to the
Roswell Daily Record
2 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
Roswell Daily Record STAFF
Publisher
Barbara Beck General Manager
SaraLei Fajardo
Advertising Director
Manny Gonzalez
Advertising Sales
Editor
John Dilmore
Melanie Page Melissa Page
Managing Editor
Ad Design
Misty Choy
Composing Director
Aric Loomis
Circulation Director
Jim Dishman Layout and Cover Design
Aric Loomis
Sandra Martinez Contributing Writers
Amy Lignor Christina Stock Lisa Dunlap
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 3
Broker talks about pricing, other tips for home sales By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record
Now is a good time to sell a home in the Roswell area, according to a local real estate broker who also has some tips on how to get the best price. Esther Purkey, president of the Roswell Association of Realtors and a broker with McDaniel Home Solutions, said that single-family home sales are holding steady in spite of the financial uncertainties caused by the pandemic. “If your house is priced right, it is going to go pretty quick typically,” she said. “Interest rates are really good and our inventory has been kind of low, so it is a good time to sell. We do have buyers looking.” She said the local area has about 140 properties under contract, starting with investment properties or fixer-uppers for $35,000. The average home price for September 2020 was $167,399. In January 2020, the average sales price of a Chaves County home was $161,924, according to the New Mexico Association of Realtors. Purkey said the first step in the process is for sellers to find a real estate agent they can trust, “someone who is going to be honest with them. Walk through the house with them and tell them the things they recommend to help sell it.” If a person is unfamiliar with realtors in the area or with selling properties, they should invite a few realtors or agents over to the house, Purkey said. By those conversations, they should know whether the person is willing to give helpful feedback and advice. “They need to be candid with the seller about what needs to be done to get the best price,” said Purkey. She said realtors should let you know if you need new carpeting or a new color of paint. She said some sellers don’t want to make the changes, but then a realtor needs to explain that a lower price probably will be the result.
Purkey’s other tips include to declutter as much as possible, both inside and outside the house, and to fix the small problems, such as leaky faucets or cracks in the wall. She also suggested repainting a house if the paint is faded or to consider more neutral colors if the current paint is “very colorful.” She recommends depersonalizing the living space as well. “Pictures on the wall are okay, but the less you have the better,” she said. She said most homeowners in Roswell do not pay for a professional designer to “stage” the home for a sale, which she does not think is needed anyway as long as the house is neat and clean inside and out. Many different websites, including blogs sponsored by the National Association of Realtors, provide more suggestions for making a home appealing to potential buyers and preparing rooms to look good for photos or 360-degree video tours. Ultimately, Purkey said, the most important factor to a timely sale is the right price. “Let a realtor do a market analysis on your home to tell you what the market is doing right now at that point in time,” she said. “What they will do is an analysis of properties that have sold in the past and the properties that have been listed and give you a range of prices that should work for your home. If you have overpriced it, it will sit there for a while.” She said realtors sometimes will agree to list a home for higher than what they think it will sell for if a homeowner is insistent on a certain price, but she said her own personal preference is to tell clients and even include in the listing agreement that the price will be reduced if there are no inquiries or other activity within two weeks. In Roswell, the average time to sell a house from September 2019 to September 2020 was 105 days, Purkey said. Of course not everyone chooses to
use a real estate professional. According to the National Association of Realtors, 11% of home sellers in 2018 were “for sale by owners” or FSBOs. The average sales price for homes nationwide sold by their owners was $80,000 less, $200,000 instead of $280,000, according to a survey done
in 2019 by the National Association of Realtors. Many different websites and books provide information for owners wanting to sell their own homes. Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.
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4 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Homeowners want large rooms, convenience, security
Lisa Dunlap Photo Several new homes are going up in the Briar Ridge area of northeast Roswell.
By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record
Smart technology and spacious rooms are some of the features that area home buyers want, representatives of local home builders say. New home construction nationwide is starting to recover following the pandemic, according to the National Association of Home Builders. During March and April, single-family home construction decreased 34% compared to February levels, but by August they had increased by 4.1% compared to February to reach 1.02 million units. Builders nationwide are reporting sometimes severe disruptions to their supply chains for building materials. Lumber prices have increased 170% since mid-April, which can raise the cost of a new home by $16,000, the home building association has written in its web posts. In spite of challenging economic times, new home construction is occurring in some parts of Roswell, including the Briar Ridge area in northeast Roswell and in a new phase of the La Bella Vita subdivision near North Union Avenue and West 19th Street. Roswell City Engineer Louis Najar said that a new single-family home subdivision in the city limits also is in its planning stages. A trend that French Brothers is seeing is the application of the new tech-
nology to all of the home buying process, said Marketing Director Aileen Carroll. “We are finding that there are a lot of changes in technology that are important to buyers, both in the home and in the home buying process,” she said. Fewer buyers start their home searches with real estate agents, she said. Instead, they go to builders’ websites to search for designs, neighborhoods and floor plans they like. “We have interactive floor plans that they can add rooms and come up with blueprints of what they want in a home,” she said. The builder has a few Roswell homes on the market, but is focusing more now in Artesia, Hobbs, Alamogordo and Las Cruces. She said new technology also extends to smart deadbolts and locks and video doorbells. They can be operated by apps on smart phones so that people can ensure that homes are locked when they are not home or can unlock a door remotely to let a guest in. Installing smart technology inside the home — such as color-changing lighting or smart refrigerators — is usually left up to the homeowner to install after purchase, said Carroll and Gaby Nasrallah, the founder of G.N. Construction LLC. G.N. Construction has been in Roswell for 30 years and has built many higher-end homes here, as well
as in Dexter and Ruidoso. It is building now in the Enchanted Hills area, where it has been active for years, and also has 25 parcels in Briar Ridge where it is starting to build as well. The company builds specifically for buyers and on speculation, as well as frames houses for other builders. “We had a home on the market for 12 hours when it sold,” Nasrallah said. W h i l e N a sra l l a h s ai d h i s c o m pany does not install smart locks or doorbells, unless a buyer specifically requests that during the building phase, it does believe buyers want a sense of security. To meet this demand, the company installs motion-detecting lights around the garage and front entrance so that people are not entering their homes in the dark. He said other features he thinks are important to Roswell buyers include spacious rooms, walk-in closets and large master bathrooms. Some people request “fancy plumbing,” such as onetouch faucets, whirlpool baths and showers with several different water nozzles. Higher ceilings also are in demand. “We used to build the 8-foot ceilings. Now it is 9 foot and up. Nobody wants
the 8 foot anymore,” he said. Another newer trend, he said, is more people requesting gas lines, in addition to electric. Some people even ask for dedicated gas lines for stoves and ovens. “They say it works better for cooking,” he said. “Gas gets hotter than electric.” With the generally mild weather in Roswell, outdoor living is important to buyers, so both Carroll and Nasrallah said that they give attention to creating attractive and functional patios. Carroll said desert-scaping or xeriscaping is the trend for yards, with many people choosing no grass at all, to cut down not only on the costs of maintaining turf but also labor. Nasrallah said his company also includes gas or electric fireplaces in each home, ensures an energy-efficient home with insulation and double-insulated windows, and pays a lot of attention to entrances and doors. “You always have to have a nice entryway,” he said, “to give the house a good look.” Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575-622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 5
US homes sales rise 2.4% in August By MATT OTT AP Business Writer
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Sales of existing homes rose 2.4% in August to its highest level since 2006 as the housing market recovers from a widespread shutdown in the spring brought on by the coronavirus outbreak. The National Association of Realtors said that sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6 million homes sold last month. Sales are up 10.5% from a year ago and back to preCOVID-19 levels of early 2020. It’s the the third straight monthly gain for sales of existing homes following big, consecutive declines in March, April and May. The median price for an existing single-family home reached $315,000 in August, up 11.7% from August 2019. Last month was the first time the median price for a home breached $300,000. Despite rising prices, the lack of available homes has buyers snatching them off the market faster every month, especially with interest rates settling at historic lows under 3%. Properties remained on the market for 22 days in August, down from 31 days in August of last year, NAR’s report noted. It said 69% of homes sold in August 2020 were on the market for less than a month. A lack of available homes has been a problem for years, long before the
virus outbreak spooked many homeowners into staying put. The number of property listings for sale in August was 1.49 million units, a decline of 18.6% from this time last year. Many economists fear the lack of inventory will continue to stoke higher prices, pushing many would-be firsttime buyers out of the market. Firsttime buyers made up about a third of purchases in August, about the same as all of 2019, according to a report from NAR that year. Historically, the Realtor group says, first-time buyers have made up about 40% of the primary residence home buyers in the market. “This lack of supply continues to push home-price growth higher,” said economist Joel Kan of the Mortgage Bankers Association. “The 11% gain in prices is far above income growth and threatens overall affordability — especially for first-time buyers.” Regionally, home sales have climbed everywhere for three straight months when compared with the previous month. Median home prices grew at double-digit rates in each of the four major regions from one year ago. Sales jumped 13.8% In the Northeast and 1.4% in the Midwest. The South and West saw more modest gains of 0.8% over the previous month. All four regions saw median price gains of more than 10% from one year ago.
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson In this April 1, 2020 photo, a “For Sale” sign stands in front of a home that is in the process of being sold in Monroe, Wash., outside of Seattle. Sales of new homes jumped again in July, rising 13.9% as the housing market continues to gain traction following a spring downturn caused by pandemic-related lockdowns. The Commerce Department reported Tuesday, Aug. 25, that July’s gain propelled sales of new homes to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 901,000.
6 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Roswell home sales, prices go up in 2020 By Lisa Dunlap Roswell Daily Record
If looking at 2020 state and local residential home sales data only, it would seem that the coronavirus was a prime time for purchasing a new home. “When all this COVID first started and they considered realtors essential employees, I did not slow down. I was really busy,” said Esther Purkey, president of the Roswell Assocaition of Realtors and a broker with McDaniel Home Solutions. Information from the local association and the New Mexico Association of Realtors bears up Purkey’s personal experiences. According to data from the local association, as provided by Purkey, the number of single-family homes sold in Roswell from September 2018 to September 2019 was 682. The number for September 2019 to September 2020 was 623. The average sales price actually has increased from one year to the next. It stood at $167,399 for the period of September 2018 to September 2019, and was at $188,800 for September 2019 to September 2020. “The interest rate is good for buyers and, as far as price for your home, it is good for sellers,” Purkey said. In fact, mortgage interest rates are lower than they have been in about five decades, with an average of about 3.04% for a 30-year fixed rate loan as of Sept. 16, according to Mortgage News Daily. That means that some people can afford bigger homes, as monthly payments would be lower than with higher interest rates. Another factor keeping prices steady is the low inventory of homes for sale in Roswell. There were 132 homes on the market in September. “That is probably at least half of what we normally have, maybe even a third,” Purkey said. “We have had
Source of data: New Mexico Association of Realtors
more than 300 on the market.” Another statistic is time to sale. It was 112 days for the 12-month period of September 2018 to September 2019, but had dropped a bit to 105 days for September 2019 to September 2020. Statewide information from the New Mexico Association of Realtors shows similar trends. That data indicates that the average sale price for
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residential homes in the state in August 2019 was $263,946. The average price in August 2020 was $311,306, a 15.21% increase. While there were 2,514 houses sold in New Mexico in August 2019, the number was 2,628 in August 2020, a 4.53% increase. Homes sold in New Mexico from January to August 2019 numbered 16,915, with the median price of $215,000. For the first eight months of 2020, there were 16,783 houses sold, with a median price of $232,000. National trends are similar to what is being seen in New Mexico and Chaves County, with the National Association of Realtors indicating that is due primarily to low mortgage rates. But that doesn’t mean that every resident is doing well financially, given high unemployment and reductions in unemployment benefits. According to a National Association of Realtors report, a Census Household Pulse Survey from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31 found that a significant percentage of New Mexico residents, 5.3%, were behind on rent or mortgage payments or think they could be in coming months. Senior Writer Lisa Dunlap can be reached at 575622-7710, ext. 351, or at reporter02@rdrnews.com.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Exterior renovations that can improve home value Metro Creative Services
Renovating a home to improve its value can be a smart investment. Interior improvements, such as updating kitchens and baths, offer good return on investment, but there are plenty of exterior renovations that can add value to a home and give it that coveted “wow” factor. Improve the entryway The front door is the focal point of a home’s exterior. Invest in a new door or paint it a striking color to add appeal. Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report 2019” indicates changing an entry door to a steel replacement can offer 74.9% ROI. Such a door provides visual appeal and added security — things buyers look for. In addition to the front door, make sure that the entryway has a level walkway, steps that are in good repair, accents that are free from rust or tarnish, and decorative plants. Outdoor lighting Outdoor lighting can add to the ambiance of a property and serve as a security feature. Utilize different lights, such as a bright light by the entry, uplighting in trees and shrubs for drama, a light-lined path to the door to improve visibility, and motiondetection lights to improve the security of the property. Landscaping Abundant and well-planned landscaping can instantly boost curb appeal. According to the landscaping company Lawn Starter, 71% of prospective home buyers say a home’s curb appeal is an important factor in their buying decisions. As buyers use the internet to look for their dream homes, there’s no denying a beautifully landscaped, nicely photographed property can entice buyers to click and read more about a house.
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
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Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. www.CVECOOP.org Address insects and minor repairs Improving home value may come down to fixing areas of the home that can negatively affect its appeal to buyers. Hire an inspector to look at key components of the house and recommend what needs to be fixed. This way it is discovered before home buyers come in and do their own inspections. Termite infestations, deteriorating roofs and hidden water leaks are some things that might need fixing. Repaint (or reside) the exterior A fresh coat of paint or new (or cleaned) siding can instantly give homes a facelift. Neutral, warm and inviting colors tend to have the widest appeal. Adding manufactured stone veneer to the home can offer a 94.9% ROI, says Remodeling. And after doing the front door and siding, investing in a garage door replacement offers the highest ROI of all exterior projects listed on the “Cost vs. Value Report 2019.” This improvement returns 97.5% when selling.
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8 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
Home buying during the COVID-19 outbreak
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
How home design trends are evolving for social distancing
Metro Creative Services
Metro Creative Services
Homeowners know that the process of buying a home can be both exciting and nervewracking. The anxiety associated with buying a home has hit new heights during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Historically low interest rates and limited inventory has made 2020 an especially unique time to buy a home. It’s also a competitive and potentially expensive time to buy a home. While the economic consequences of COVID-19 have been severe, the Federal National Mortgage Association, also known as Fannie Mae, forecasted a significant increase in median home prices in March 2020. City dwellers have scrambled to buy homes outside of cities, where social distancing is more difficult and the risk of getting COVID-19 appears greater than it is in suburban or rural settings. That’s led to a lot of competition among prospective buyers. Prospective home buyers willing to enter the hectic fray and shop for a home during the COVID-19 outbreak may benefit from knowing what to expect as they search for their next home.
COVID-19 has brought changes to everything, and home design is no exception. Experts are expecting to see lasting impacts on everything from the materials we use to the rooms we prioritize. Check out these and other noteworthy trends: Houses over apartments: Many people who live in condos or apartments do so to be closer to the action — work, entertainment and shops — and never planned on spending much time at home. But the pandemic has changed that, and more people are going to want a home that offers plenty of room and outdoor space in case they need to self-isolate again. Self-sufficiency: A hard lesson we’ve learned is that things and services we thought we could count on aren’t necessarily a sure thing, so items that increase self-reliance will become very popular. Expect to see more homes with sources of energy like solar panels, sources of heat like fireplaces and stoves, and even urban and indoor gardens that allow you to grow your own produce. Outdoor living: Between playgrounds closing and parks becoming overcrowded, many of us are turning to our balconies, patios and backyards for fresh air and nature. This means we’re going to be investing more in our outdoor spaces, with functional kitchens, soothing water features, cozy firepits, and high-quality outdoor furniture to
• Get ready for virtual tours. Buyers might once have scoffed at the notion of buying a home they’d only seen in videos, but virtual tours have become the new normal in the wake of the pandemic. An April survey from the National Association of Realtors found that home tours had declined sharply. While 98 percent of realtors reported taking clients on home tours as recently as February, that number had declined to 63 percent by April. As many regions pause their reopening plans, prospective home buyers should ready themselves for virtual tours as opposed to in-person home tours. • Expect limited inventory. While home prices are up, many people are
holding onto their homes. The NAR reports that total housing inventory at the end of May 2020 was down nearly 19 percent from the end of May 2019. Buyers will have less inventory to choose from, so those intent on buying may need to prioritize what they need in a home and focus on finding properties that can fulfill those needs. • Expect to move quickly. Realtors have seen homes sell within days of being listed, and that has put pressure on buyers to move quickly. It also highlights the importance of finding a home inspector before your search begins as well as a lender who can handle quick closings. Ask around for recommendations, but make sure you have these two important professionals lined up before beginning your search. Doing so will give you a better chance of buying in an unusual time. • Make the best down payment you can afford. A high down payment makes buyers look better no matter the state of the economy. An offer with a high down payment looks like a stronger offer, and that can make the difference between winning and losing a potential bidding war.
create a much-needed escape. Healthier spaces: Thanks to spending more time indoors and reprioritizing our health, we’ll turn to design to help ensure our homes are safe and healthy for our families. We’ll see a rise in products like water filtration systems as well as materials that improve indoor air quality. For new homes and additions, alternatives to wood-framing like insulated concrete forms, which offer improved ventilation for healthier indoor air quality and an environment that’s less susceptible to mold, will be key. Home office space: Business experts are suggesting many companies will see that working from home is not only possible but offers tangible benefits, like saving money on office space rent. With working from home on the rise, creating a home office space that inspires productivity will be a major project many of us tackle. Luxury home office furniture that feels chic and blends into your décor as well as ergonomic chairs and desks will see a major boost. Custom and quality: With the hit to the economy, people are going to be buying less, but what they do buy will be better quality, while at the same time making an effort to support American businesses. When it comes to design, trends will shift to locally made furniture, custom-built homes and pieces and materials that stand the test of time.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 9
How to design your dream custom-built home Metro Creative Services
There are many advantages to designing your own home. Gone are the builder-basic styles, layouts that don’t work for your family and exteriors you can’t tell apart from your neighbors’. To help with your planning, check out these tips. Find the right property. There are no limits to what you can create with a custom-built home, but the size and quality of your lot do impose restrictions. While you don’t need to have everything decided when you purchase the property, make sure you have a general idea of what you need — your architect can help with this. Also, double-check zoning laws, so you don’t wind up not being able to build your dream three-story home on a residential street that only allows bungalows. Consider your lifestyle. What kind of lifestyle do you want to live? What’s important to you? From bigger ele-
ments like smart home automation and sustainability to smaller considerations like storage and organization, think of these things when designing
the layout and built-in elements. For example, if you hate shoveling, now is the opportunity to make sure you have the shortest driveway possible.
Build for the future. Your needs and wants right now are at the top of your mind, but a custom home is a significant investment in time, money and energy. It’s also likely you want this to be your forever home, so it’s a smart idea to build for tomorrow. Think about how your family will evolve and what your future needs will be. Consider building materials that are designed to stand the test of time. Avoid the fantasy trap. This is your dream home, so it’s OK to indulge on that outdoor fireplace or luxury bathroom tiles that you’ve been envisioning. But to keep your budget in check, focus on the priorities and items that will give you the best value for your dollar. Invest in features that will improve your everyday living and boost your property value, like energy-efficient construction or a finished basement.
10 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Outlook positive for local real estate industry By Amy Lignor Special to the Daily Record
key said. “At the start of the pandemic there were some listings removed from the market, but not that many, allowing sales to remain strong. When it comes to adding or meeting pandemic requirements, that has pretty much been driven by the sellers’ requests. Some have wanted hand sanitizer, masks and gloves worn while showing the home, but the majority of sellers have had no restrictions. “One thing we did do was discontinue open houses, mainly because of the governor’s mandates regarding crowd size. We also suspended our monthly Realtor meetings for the same reason.” Advertising and marketing programs, like those for organizations, local clubs, and small businesses have been adapting in their own way. Real estate marketing and being able to reach buyers has been done mostly “through our local Realtor magazine called ‘Enchanted Homes,’” Purkey said. “We have also expanded our online work and kept active through various Facebook groups. In addition, of course, there are all the online home search websites that our MLS feeds into that are utilized by most, if not
When it comes to real estate, Esther Purkey knows the ins and outs of the industry. Born and raised next door in the Lone Star State, she moved to Roswell for her husband’s job in 2005. Real estate, she said, was “always something she had an interest in, but didn’t have the opportunity to do before.” So after settling in Roswell, she proceeded to find a spot in the real estate realm and began to learn more and more about the business that would eventually become an integral part of her life. In regard to the trying times we’ve all been dealing with, Purkey was able to shed some light on the pandemic and the changes that have had to be made and requirements that need to now be met in the housing market. Surprisingly, while the global issues have been difficult to maneuver through, Purkey said that the real estate market has not changed that much. “One thing that has, however, is that we have a shortage of inventory,” Pur-
all, buyers out there.” Having a positive outlook for the future is tough, at times, when looking around and seeing small businesses or restaurants having to close up shop because of the backlash from the coronavirus. However, Purkey feels that one market that does have a good, clear view of success in the coming years is real estate. “Looking ahead to 2021, I believe the market will remain strong, especially as long as interest rates remain low. This is a great time to buy a home ... and sell.” Purkey wants people to know that even if they are hesitant to move forward on the purchase or sale of a home, starting the process now is a decision that should be easy to make. “With our inventory being very low right now, if you have been considering listing your property but just haven’t for some reason, now is an absolutely excellent time to do so. “Before listing, simply make some minor repairs, such as touching up or redoing paint on the walls, cleaning up the yard, decluttering as much as possible, and doing a thorough cleaning to make your home shine bright. And for
Submitted Photo Esther Purkey
a list of Realtors who can serve your needs, simply call Susan at our Association office (575-622-4726) and she will assist you.”
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SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 11
Custom home-buying tips for first timers Metro Creative Services
Even considering being able to design your own custom home is an exciting prospect. Whether you’re ready to take the plunge or just exploring your options, here are tips to keep in mind. Know what you’re signing up for. Building a custom home is a significant undertaking and a major life decision. It’s a big commitment in terms of time, money and energy. While this shouldn’t scare you away from your dream home, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the kids or busy caring for an ailing parent, it may be best to start this later. Hire the right professionals. You may be a DIY pro, but this isn’t a project
you want to take on yourself, even partly. Key professionals you’ll need to work with include an architect, plumber, electrician and more. Consider also working with a designer who can help with the interiors to make sure the space is as functional as it is beautiful. Do your research to find quality pros — this isn’t the time to skimp on labor. Think about furniture layout early. While it may seem a bit premature to start decorating your living room before the foundation is laid, knowing how you’ll want to use and lay out each room can help you during the building and design process. For example, you can save time and money down the line when you know from the getgo you’ll want a window seat and two large couches to face the fireplace. Know where to save and spend.
Costs can quickly add up, so it’s important for you to decide early on what matters most to you, and what’s worth investing in. You can always upgrade your flooring or cabinetry, but you can never change the foundation. Prepare for the unexpected. Building a new home is a process, and you can minimize stress by embracing that it will be unpredictable and can change throughout the journey. Plan for things like weather delays and higher costs. The unexpected can also lead to positive changes in your plans. For example, you might come across a new flooring material that’s more ecofriendly, or a smart home automation system might hit the market and you’ll want to integrate it into the design. Be flexible.
Why it’s smart to have a smart home Metro Creative Services
Devices are everywhere. According to a recent visual networking index forecast from Cisco, by 2021, there will be four networked devices and connections per person across the globe. Those figures are even greater in North America, where Cisco estimates each person will have 13 networked devices and connections by 2021. With all those devices, it’s no surprise that a greater number of people are embracing the smart home movement. Those who have yet to jump on the bandwagon can benefit from learning more about smart homes and why it’s intelligent to have a smart home. What is a smart home? According to SmartHomeUSA.com, the term “smart home” is commonly used to define residences in which appliances, lighting, heating and cooling units, televisions, computers, entertainment systems, and security systems are capable of communicating with one another. Each of these compo-
smart home owners can adjust the temperatures on their heating and cooling units while away from home. That means they can arrive home each night to a comfortable home without having to run their HVAC systems all day while no one was home. In fact, the CNET/Coldwell Banker survey found 45 percent of Americans say that smart home products save them an average of $98.30 each month.
nents can be controlled remotely, typically via a smartphone. Why is it smart to have a smart home? The benefits of a smart home are numerous, and will likely only multiply as people utilize more devices.
that smart home technology saves them an average of 30 minutes per day. That’s an especially beneficial advantage for busy parents and/or professionals who find it difficult to juggle all of their daily responsibilities.
• Time: A recent joint survey from CNET and Coldwell Banker found that 57 percent of Americans say
• Money: Another benefit to smart homes is their cost savings. Because devices can be controlled remotely,
• Investment: Whether you’re a developer or a single-family homeowner, real estate is an investment. Making a home as appealing to prospective buyers as possible is a great way to get a better return on your real estate investment. The CNET/Coldwell Banker survey found that 81 percent of buyers would be more likely to buy a home if smart home products were already installed. That can make the market for your home more competitive, ultimately earning you more money at resale.
12 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Congratulations to Roswell’s
TOP PRODUCERS
Brynn Arnold
Scarlet Castillo
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Marion Hobbs
Ramona Kilpatrick
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Jermaine Montoya
Daisy Olaguez
Gen Outland
Berkshire Hathaway
Ramsie Hernandez Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Dan Coleman
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Bill Davis
Miracle Ebright
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Berkshire Hathaway
Linda Kirk
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Alex Pankey
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Rocky Langley
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Tricia Hart
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Lindsey McKay
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Michelle Rhoads Charlotte Thompson Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Jennifer Wilcox
Starla Nunez
Riley A. Armstrong
Diana Bergman
Anjy Cooper
Ana Garcia
Berkshire Hathaway
Enchanted Lands, REALTORS®
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 13
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Congratulations to Roswell’s
TOP PRODUCERS
Ashley Gaston
Josh Lusk
Marcia Tidwel
Jim Moore
Leo Armstrong
Yolanda Archuleta
Hannah Brown
Trina Brown
Keller Williams
Home Solutions
Home Solutions
Esther Purkey
Leesa Chesser
Cherri Snyder
Melodi Salas
Home Solutions
Homestead Realty
Homestead Realty
Taylor & Taylor
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Century 21 Home Planning
Lana Reese EXP Realty
Mindy Longmire Dynamic Properties
Angel Mayes Gold Star Realty
Jesse McDaniel
Elizabeth Molina
Home Solutions
Home Solutions
McDaniel
McDaniel
Paul Taylor III
Todd Taylor
Taylor & Taylor
Taylor & Taylor
Ranchline
Ranchline
McDaniel
Marie Campos
Michelet
EXP Realty
McDaniel
Sherlea Taylor Shirley Childress Cheryle Pattison Ranchline
Taylor & Taylor
RE/MAX
First Place Realtors
RE/MAX
Michelet
Sam Pettit RE/MAX
First Place Realtors First Place Realtors
EXP Realty
McDaniel
Ranchline
Lynn Graves Sun Country Realty
14 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Life of a Realtor — balancing work and home By Christina Stock Roswell Daily Record
Being a realtor may be one of the most challenging and rewarding professions that calls on a variety of talents. A realtor has to be able to really listen to his clients — on both sides — either representing the seller or finding a perfect home or business for the buyer. Any successful realtor, such as Dan Coleman, who has been a realtor for more than 15 years, knows what it takes. It is important that his clients know that he is trustworthy, that he knows the neighborhood, and of course, has the legal and fiscal know-how and is able to communicate it, especially while guiding his clients. Asked what his favorite part of his profession is, Coleman said, “Working with the first-time home buyers. That is the most fun and I tell you why. Because they are so excited, they are eager to learn. They don’t know the process — you get to walk them through, teach them, hold their hands and show them. They are super appreciative. They take a lot of nurturing and I enjoy that. Then seeing them smile ear to ear, when you sign, get the keys and now you own something. That’s the most fun, the most rewarding of the whole entire job.” There is also a lot of flexibility from the realtor’s side requested. Showings of homes may take place at all times of the day or night, holidays and weekends. Then there are buyers who don’t really know what they are looking for. A good realtor is just as professional showing the first house to the buyer as they are at the 75th showing. Coleman said that he has several hobbies that balance out his workload, though, during the pandemic, some are impossible to pursue. His newest passion is being on stage as an actor at Roswell Community Little Theatre. He became vice president of its board and is playing a butler in “Francine’s Will,” which premiered Sept. 11. Asked if he was nervous, Coleman said that was not the case at all, which he contributes to his
Christina Stock Photo Pictured is Dan Coleman on the stage of the Roswell Community Little Theatre with fellow actor Gina Montague. Coleman was cast as the butler in the comedy “Francine’s Will,” which premiered Sept. 11.
experiences in the realtor business. “I have been involved in the local and the state realtor association, so I’m always at meetings, I’m always in front of people, I am always presenting. I have been a president three times for the local association, I’ve run the Band Boosters at Roswell High and the parent advisory at Monterrey (Elementary School) as president. I had to get in front of people and run meetings. So really, being in front of people and speaking doesn’t affect me at all, it doesn’t make me nervous,” he said. Coleman said that he only worried that he would get distracted and forget his lines, which happened during the Sunday matinee of “Francine’s Will,” when a man in the audience laughed so loud it caught his attention. His fellow actor Denise Samuels helped him out and nobody recognized the glitch. Coleman said that he had been enjoying the performances of RCLT together with his late mother for many years. “Being a participant is a new one. I like it,” he said. Another hobby he has enjoyed since he was young is going to the movies. Coleman said this hasn’t changed and some-
times he would see up to three films in a day, which is now impossible with socialdistancing regulations due to the pandemic. “I’ve always enjoyed movies. I was 15 when I started at the movie theater — I just started driving — I worked at Park Twin, which is coincidentally where the RCLT is now. It’s cool to be back in that building,” Coleman said. Another hobby or rather a passion Coleman enjoys is traveling. “I love to get away. I love to travel in the country and I like to travel out of the country. I like to see things and every time I travel, I like to go and see the history. I like to see the architecture, the buildings — what’s their claim to fame — the experience of it all. That’s one of my biggest hobbies, one of my fun things,” Coleman said. One of his most memorable trips was visiting Romania and the ruins of Vlad Tepes, who inspired Bram Stoker to write the gothic horror novel “Dracula.” “We went to the ruins to his actual castle, which is called Pele ș Castle, a 1,400-step trek up the side of a mountain. When you get up there, there are few walls standing. That was very inter-
esting. We were gone abroad and were in Romania for about 10 days and in Austria four, so a full two-week vacation. The buildings over there are 700 and 900 years old, they are still standing. There are fortresses, there are castles, there are churches that are still standing and they are still used. To see those places and to get the history from them was just incredible,” Coleman said. Additionally, Coleman said, he enjoys sampling the food of the different places he travels to. Next on his list — as soon as restrictions are lifted — Coleman hopes to be able to go on a cruise and visit Italy. One trip he hopes will happen next year. Coleman is Berkshire Hathaway Enchanted Lands Realtors’ Roswell office team leader and associate broker. “Berkshire Hathaway does a yearly conference,” he said. “Last year, we were in Nashville. We have a trip scheduled in March to go to Las Vegas (Nevada). I’ve been to Vegas twice before, not for business, just for fun. I really got my hopes up. I got reservations made at the hotel, I got plane tickets, and I’ve got the conference registration all lined out. Hopefully, in March I’ll be in Las Vegas for a week. “We need it to happen. Parts of the conferences will be different than the years past. There will be distancing, there will be a larger space between vendors and such. “Hopefully, we will be able to meet again,” Coleman said. “We had Zoom meetings all the time and I appreciate that platform and the ability to see people and communicate, but there is just nothing like seeing somebody in person, even with a mask. It’s good to see people’s eyes at the very least. Everywhere I go right now, I have a mask on. I don’t like it, but you just have to do what you have to do.” Christina Stock may be contacted at 622-7710, ext. 309, or at vision@rdrnews. com.
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 15
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Brynn Arnold
Scarlet Castillo
Dan Coleman
Bill Davis
Brad Davis
Miracle Ebright
501 N. Main St. | Roswell, NM 88201 | 575-622-0875 www enchantedlandshomes.com
CONGRATULATIONS To Our Top Producers
Tiffany Goodloe
Tricia Hart
Ramsie Hernandez
Linda Kirk
Rocky Langley
Melody Lykins
Gen Outland
Alex Pankey
Michelle Roads
Lindsey McKay
Marion Hobbs
Jermaine Montoya
Charlotte Thompson Blanca Valverde
Ramona Kilpatrick
Daisy Olaguez
Jennifer Wilcox
16 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
How to save up for your first home Metro Creative Services
Home ownership is a dream for people across the globe. Many people save for years before buying their first homes, squirreling away every dollar they can with the hopes they can one day become homeowners. But thanks to factors beyond their control, even the most devoted savers can sometimes feel like their dream of home ownership may never come true. According to the Pew Research Center, American workers’ paychecks are larger than they were 40 years ago, but their purchasing power is essentially the same. Things aren’t much different in Canada, where analysis from Statistics Canada and the Bank of Canada has shown that, since 2015, wage growth in Canada has been weaker than in the United States. Various challenges can make it difficult to buy a home. However, some
simple strategies can help prospective home buyers build their savings as they move closer to the day when they can call themselves “homeowners.” • Determine where your money is going. If you’re finding it hard to grow your savings, audit your monthly expenses to determine where your money is going. Using exclusively debit or credit cards can simplify this process, as all you need to do is log into your accounts and see how your money was spent over a given period. If you routinely use cash to pay for items, even just to buy coffee on the way to work, keep a notepad handy so you can jot down each expense. Do this for a month and then examine how you spent your money. Chances are you will see various ways to save, and you can then redirect that money into your savings account.
• Become a more savvy grocery shopper. Another great way to save more money is to alter something you already do each month: grocery shopping. If you haven’t already, sign up for discount clubs at your local grocer. This is a largely effortless way for shoppers, especially those buying food for families, to save considerable amounts of money. Shopping sales at competing grocery stores also can save money.
foodies, but it can get you that much closer to buying your own home.
• Dine in more often. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that Americans spend, on average, 6% of their household budgets on food. However, the USDA also notes that Americans spend 5% of their disposable income on dining out. If these figures mirror your spending habits, you can nearly cut your food spending in half by dining out less frequently. That might be a sacrifice for
Things you need to know about home inspections Metro Creative Services
The process of buying a home can be unlike any experience prospective buyers have ever had. After finding a home they like and coming to an agreement on a sale price with the seller, buyers can expect to add many items to their to-do list. One of the first things to jot down on that list is scheduling a home inspection. Home inspections are a vital part of the home buying process. Such inspections can protect buyers as they’re on the cusp of making what will likely be the most significant investment of their lives. Understanding the home inspection process can help buyers during an exciting yet potentially nerve-wracking time in their lives. What is a home inspection? The American Society of Home Inspectors defines a home inspection as an
objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house. Inspectors will conduct visual examinations from the roof to the foundation of the home. Additional structures on the property, such as sheds or detached outdoor living areas, are not typically included in the examination. Do I really need a home inspection? A home inspection is a vital component that can help buyers make the most informed decision possible. Forgoing an inspection can leave buyers vulnerable to potentially costly repairs and issues with a home that might have been detected with a proper home inspection. In addition, some lenders insist that buyers have home inspections conducted before they will allow them to borrow money. What do inspectors examine? The ASHI notes that inspectors will
examine the condition of various parts of the home. The heating system, central air conditioning unit, interior plumbing and electrical systems, roof (though inspectors will not climb onto the roof), attic and insulation will be examined. Inspectors also will examine walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, the foundation of the home, basement (or crawl space), and structural components. Can a home fail inspection? Homes cannot fail home inspections, which are just assessments of a home’s existing condition. Municipal inspections are separate inspections conducted by government agencies to verify that a property is in compliance with local codes. Home inspectors will provide detailed reports describing the condition of a home and indicate if any repairs are in order.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 17
Roswell Association of Realtors 2019 Top Producers
Lisa Dunlap Photo Pictured during a February gathering are Roswell Association of Realtors 2019 Top Producers. In front, left to right: Brenda Lee, Mindy Longmire, Hannah Brown, Trina Brooks, Sam Pettit, Shirley Childress, Leesa Chesser, Jesse McDaniel, Jim Moore, Lana Reese, Cherri Snyder, Charlotte Thompson, Angelica Leyva, Ramsie Hernandez, Diana Bergman, Elizabeth Molina, Esther Purkey, Jen Wilcox, Scarlet Castillo, Dan Coleman, Ashley Gaston, Alex Pankey, Marcia Tidwell, Josh Lusk, Ana Garcia, Rocky Langley, Leo Armstrong and Chuck Hansen. Back row: Daisy Olaguez, Marion Hobbs, Cheryle Pattison, Sandra Stewart, Melodi Salas, Lynn Graves, Kaitlyn Adams, Ramona Kilpatrick, Riley Armstrong, Starla Nunez and Marie Campos.
18 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Millennial Money: Home costs don’t stop at a down payment By SARA RATHNER of NerdWallet
If you’re saving for your first home, there’s no shortage of advice out there — some of it questionable, even if you do have an avocado toast habit. Still, it’s true that your down payment may be the biggest check you ever write. But once you move in, it’s also true that the cash tends to just keep flying out of your bank account like that money-with-wings emoji. If you drain your savings on closing day, you’ll have to delay furnishings or repairs, to say nothing of less-pressing cosmetic changes. A sizable cash cushion makes the cost of owning a home more manageable. But even if you lack that cushion, it helps to at least know what to expect and what else you may need to finance or start saving for again. Here’s what I learned. 1. THINGS WILL BREAK I’ve lost count of the handymen, electricians and plumbers who have paraded through the home my husband and I bought in October 2019. As I type this, our dryer is being repaired for the second time since we moved in. All told, we’ve spent around $1,300 on small fixes. Repairing issues yourself is costeffective, but only if you know what you’re doing. If a repair involves dangerous work, or you lack the skills and equipment to do it safely and correctly, hire a licensed and insured professional. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? — PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE HOME INSPECTION. “Leaking roofs, mold, electrical and plumbing issues are the mostly commonly noted concerns on an inspection report,” says Day Coker, owner of AC by Day C, an HVAC maintenance and repair company based in High Point, North
renovations, especially if you need to hire a general contractor. Wolf recommends getting on the contractor’s schedule during their low season and buying some items when they happen to be on sale, even if the installation has to wait. 3. EVEN ‘MOVE-IN-READY’ HOMES NEED WORK
AP Photo/John Minchillo In this July 21, 2020, file photo, a homeowner tours their new home, in Washingtonville, N.Y. When it comes to buying a home, it’s common to focus all your saving efforts on the down payment. But set a savings goal for other homeownership costs, too, especially in that first year.
Carolina. If the inspection turns up issues, negotiate with the seller to either repair them or lower the selling price. — FIND OUT THE AGE OF MAJOR APPLIANCES. When you can estimate how many years an appliance has left, you can save up for its replacement. — CREATE A REPAIR FUND. Aim to save around $5,000, says Chelsea Lipford Wolf, co-host of the “Today’s Homeowner” TV show and creator of “Checking In With Chelsea,” a home improvement blog and video series. “That would cover most home systems that you would need to repair to keep your house running.” 2. YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME As a renter, you may have put up with lumpy sofas or rickety chairs, thinking eventually you’d have “real” furniture in your own home like the kind you see at a carefully staged open house. But you’re purchasing a structure; the furnishings typically don’t come with it. We spent around $8,000 on furni-
ture this year. Another sneaky expense? Smaller accessories like towel racks, shower curtains, shelves, and storage bins that make a space functional. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? — SAVE ON FURNITURE AND DECOR. Brand-new, solid wood furniture is expensive, but antiques are well-constructed and can be had for a fraction of the price. Between antique stores, estate sales and Craigslist, we spent less to score high-quality pieces. — DO THE SMALL STUFF YOURSELF. When in doubt, watch a tutorial on YouTube or ask for guidance at a hardware store. I’ve hung art, shelving and curtain rods, and our current project is painting our guest room, which doubles as my office. We hire a handyman only for more complicated work. — PLAN FOR THE BIG STUFF. “Beyond the first year, that’s when you see people taking on bigger projects,” Wolf says. “They’ve had a chance to live in their house and use the space.” Begin to budget for
A new neighbor told me she spent $500 on an electrician to replace older, ungrounded electrical outlets throughout her house. We lucked out with modern outlets, but not enough of them. We hired an electrician at $75 an hour to install more than a dozen additional outlets. Neither our house nor our neighbor’s was sold as a fixer-upper. “The first year of homeownership is usually spent finding out all of the flaws you didn’t notice during open house and the final walkthrough,” Coker says. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? — BE NOSY AT THE OPEN HOUSE. Pepper the real estate agent with questions, flip all the light switches and open all the closets. Look for furniture in an illogical place, which may be covering damage. “It’s perfectly acceptable to lift up a rug to make sure there’s nothing funky under there,” Wolf says. — ASSESS WHAT CAN WAIT FOR LATER. Your home inspector can identify what needs to be fixed now and what can wait. You can begin saving for future renovations while you make do with the cramped kitchen or lackluster backyard. — DON’T PUT OFF MAINTENANCE. Little issues balloon into expensive repairs. Routine maintenance on even new appliances and systems can help them last longer and run more efficiently.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Eco-friendly trends in green home design Metro Creative Services
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 19
EXCELLENCE, PURE AND SIMPLE...
An eco-friendly home offers many benefits. Besides reducing your carbon footprint and being better for the environment, you can save lots of money on your energy bills in the long run. Plus, many of the latest trends are simply beautiful. Here are some to consider for your next home or remodel: Bamboo materials: Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be harvested gently, without disturbing the surrounding environment. It’s also a great alternative to hardwood, since it can regenerate faster than trees. The timeless material is very popular for flooring and can also be used for bathroom and kitchen cabinets. When buying this material for your home, look for a high-quality, sustainable producer since cheaper versions can be less sturdy. Passive house: Go beyond efficient appliances with an entire house that uses little-to-no energy. Derived from the German Passivhaus, passive house is a movement that refers to a design process that creates buildings that have a small ecological footprint and require little heating or cooling. Use the philosophy to guide decisions for your home — from adding solar panels on your roof to boosting your insulation. Reclaimed pieces: One of the quickest and easiest ways to have a positive environmental impact is buying as little new as possible. The next time you need a piece of furniture, create something rustic by recycling or upcycling an old or vintage item with a new coat of paint or a fresh wood stain. If you’re planning a demolition, try decon-
EXPECT IT
struction instead — “un-build” the structure and find elements you can salvage or reclaim, like exposed brick and wood beams. Water conservation: With more parts of the world experiencing drought, saving water is one of the top concerns for environmentalists. Wasting water is also expensive and leads to higher utility bills. Upgrading your home with water conservation features can go a long way, and most are designed to look sleek and minimalist. Opt for low-flow showerheads, toilets and sink fixtures. Insulated concrete forms: Many homeowners now prefer to build with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) because the material offers better energy efficiency and performance than traditional wood.
Connie DeNio RE/MAX First Place Realtors Inc. 575-626-7948
Cheryle Pattison RE/MAX First Place Realtors Inc. 575-626-2154
Alex Pankey Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Carole Schlatter Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Enchanted Lands REALTORS®
Enchanted Lands REALTORS®
575-626-5006
575-626-0950
As a CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designee we have completed hours of advanced study in productive listing, selling, law, investment taxes and much more. Requirements to receive the CRS Designation guarantee that you are enlisting the help of a proven performer with several years of experience.
Insist on the Best... Demand a CRS
20 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
Debunking some myths about radon Metro Creative Services
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that forms when certain radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. Though radon is naturally occurring, when people are exposed to it at levels deemed to be excessive, the consequences can be dire. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Many people first learn of radon when buying a home. Home inspectors may ask prospective homeowners if they want radon tests conducted on a home they’ve made an offer on, leaving some to wonder what radon is and how, if it’s naturally occurring, it can pose such a potentially significant threat? That unfamiliarity may lead some prospective home buyers to begin researching radon, which unfortunately is not always so easy. That’s because there exists a host of misinformation about radon, so much so that the Environmental Protection Agency feels it necessary to debunk a host of myths regarding radon.
American Medical Association, agree that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. Myth: Radon only affects certain types of homes. Reality: No home is immune to excessive radon levels. The way a home is constructed may affect its radon levels, but even homes constructed in ways to prevent radon levels from becoming excessive are not immune to high levels of radon. Myth: My neighbor’s home has low radon levels so mine must as well. Reality: Radon levels vary from home to home. A neighboring home that is mere feet away from your own may have low radon levels, but that does not mean the homes surrounding it do as well. The EPA notes that testing is the only way to determine if a home has a radon problem. Myth: Homes with radon problems cannot be fixed. Reality: House hunters can breathe a sigh of relief if a home they like has been determined to have high levels of radon. The EPA notes that radon issues cannot just be addressed, but addressed in a way that should not bust homeowners’ budgets. Prospective home buyers might even be able to negotiate radon remediation into the terms of their buying agreements. Myth: Radon is geographically specific.
Myth: Scientists are not sure radon is a legitimate problem. Reality: All major health organizations, including the CDC and the
Reality: High levels of radon have been discovered in every state of the United States, a country so geographically diverse that it’s reasonable to conclude that no place on Earth is immune to radon.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
Mastering the art of negotiation Metro Creative Services
The ability to negotiate the prices of products and services in today’s economy is a valuable skill. In this era of economic uncertainty, people are looking for ways to stretch their paychecks as far as possible. Negotiation can be an effective way to stick to a budget without compromising on the things you need or want. Even those who hate to haggle can work on skills that make them more adept at the art of negotiation. • Research your numbers. A clear picture of the value of products and services can make it much easier to negotiate when you are buying something. For example, some auto dealerships may come out with an inflated price for a car, then make a deal by lowering that price to what seems like a steal. But as a buyer if you go in already knowing the data you understand when to say no to an offer, and when to push for a lower sale price. Armed with this information, it’s also possible to ask a dealer to match a competitor’s price. • Know the motivation. There may be motivation, such as a deadline, behind a sale that makes the seller more inclined to accept a lower offer. For example, if a seller is moving and needs to be in his or her new house by a certain date, you may be able to make a lower bid on the home if you can accommodate a quick closing. • Offer a ridiculously low amount. The financial information site MoneyCrashers.com suggests offering a low-ball amount when negotiating. They attest that studies show that with a ridiculous offer or counteroffer, a negotiator gains satisfaction from getting the seller to make concessions. Furthermore, the seller also will feel like he achieved something
by convincing the negotiator to pay any value more than the low-ball offer — even if it turns out that the item is worth more money. • Be willing to walk away. Negotiation expert Ed Brodow advises against negotiating unless you have the option to walk away. By being willing to say “no” to an offer, a negotiator’s resolve can force the other party to make concessions, especially if he or she has no other buyers. This can work well with “timed pressure” or a deadline after which a person walks away and goes with a competitor. Something along the lines of “I will use XYZ company instead of yours if I don’t hear back from you on my price by 2 p.m.” Sometimes the seller will be willing to lower the price in these instances.
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 21
22 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
How credit scores can affect your finances for years Metro Creative Services
Monthly budgets help people make the most of their money. While a person’s income will affect how much they can spend on housing, food and clothing each month, another, more abstract factor can have a big impact on monthly budgets as well. Nearly every adult has a credit score, which can fluctuate daily. Various factors, including a person’s age and track record in regard to paying bills, combine to produce a credit score. According to the credit reporting agency ExperianTM, credit scores range from 300 to 850, though most consumers’ scores fall somewhere between 600 and 750. The Fair Isaac Corporation create what’s known as a FICO Score, which is used by many lenders to determine prospective borrowers’ creditworthiness. FICO scores are often characterized using five terms: VERY POOR Scores between 300 and 579 FAIR Scores between 580 and 669 GOOD Scores between 670 and 739 VERY GOOD Scores between 740 and 799 EXCEPTIONAL Score between 800 and 850
Some consumers may feel that these are just numbers on a page. But in certain instances, such as when consumers attempt to buy a home, a credit score can have a dramatic effect on a person’s monthly budget. When borrowing to buy a home, borrowers with desirable credit scores may be eligible for considerably lower interest rates than borrowers whose scores fall into the “Very poor” or “Fair” range. Over the length of a standard, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, a low interest rate can save borrowers tens of thousands of dollars in interest fees. In addition to paying more in interest fees, ExperianTM notes that borrowers with subpar credit scores may have to do even more to earn the trust of lenders. Borrowers whose scores fall into the “Very poor” range may be required to pay a fee or make a deposit when opening a new credit account, and some might not be approved for credit at all. Borrowers whose scores fall into the “Fair” may be classified by lenders as subprime borrowers, making it hard for them to open new credit accounts or secure loans without a cosigner.
Custom Built Mattresses and Renovations
Darel Devenport Owner 201 North Main Street Roswell, NM 88201
(575) 624-1000
dareldevenport@gmail.com
RV and Truck Mattresses Englander Sealy Custom Beds Air Beds Waterbeds Bunk-Beds
Memory Foam Adjustable Beds Day Bed
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020 23
24 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020 • ROSWELL DAILY RECORD
HOME PLANNING
400 W. Second St. | 622-0021 C21HP.COM
Turning Dreams into Reality. Excellent Brokers with Outstanding Results.
Riley Armstrong 910-4655
Starla Nunez 626-5403 Qualifying Broker
Ana Garcia 840-0956
Anjy Cooper 626-7545
Ashley Gaston 317-7004
Diana Bergman 420-0049
Jennifer Lewis 806-470-7604
Josh Lusk 317-3232
Trevor Nunez 575-626-5299
Jim Moore 626-5352
Allen Shanley 505-315-1716
Marcia Tidwell 420-5210
Century 21 Home Planning is owned and operated by
STARLA NUNEZ,575-626-5403 & RILEY ARMSTRONG, 575-910-4655
Let us find the home of your dreams with service you deserve and people you can trust.
COME TO US FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS! THE MARKET IS HOT!!!! NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL!!!! BRING US YOUR LISTINGS!!!
“Invest in Roswell – Where Living is Easy” For all your residential, commercial & property management needs call or come by Century 21 Home Planning - IIR Property Management 400 W. Second St. Roswell, NM 88201 575-622-4604
HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL Each Office is Independently Owned And Operated
Jeanette Schaffer 637-0446
Hank Townsend 575-420-6457