5/20/12 BP Newsletter: Pacing Your Investments, Increasing Profits, & Speeding Up New Deal Screenings
Hide thisSaturday, May 14
We can see and have the world today in just a few seconds and within a few clicks of the button. We can take virtual tours wherever and whenever we want to; chat with our friends and even connect anew with long lost ones even if they’re thousands of miles away from us; send letters to almost anyone we know and expect answers right away, even within minutes; and of course, search and shop for our dream homes online.Saturday, February 19
Imagine a uniquely-styled 2,400 sq. ft. home in the foothills of a scenic mountain with pool, patios, gourmet kitchen, fireplace, a huge bath with jetted tub...and on...and on... But probably you’re just looking at one of the uncommon yet equally charming abodes among Placitas homes for sale through Placitas MLS. Does it dazzle you and take your breath away? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Residents here at the first time they had a sight of this little place (Placitas), they’re simply bewitched – beguiled by the innate qualities surrounding the pueblos and of course, the adobe houses or simply called Adobes.
While oftentimes, different house types have historical significance on how they came about, like the Victorian homes in the West Coast, Colonial-styled houses in some parts of New York, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts; and here in Placitas, New Mexico, it’s the humble earthy-styled abode called Adobes. Although the word is often used to describe an architectural style, adobe is actually a building material which is a natural mixture of straw, clay, mud and occasionally dung. In some parts of Latin America, cactus juice or lime is used for waterproofing. Modern adobe houses sometimes incorporate concrete or asphalt to strengthen and waterproof the bricks. Some adobe houses consist of large stones that are held together using the straw, clay, and mud mixture. After adobe bricks are formed, they are laid out to dry in the sun for several days. Methods of construction vary considerably by climate.
The oldest ones were built by the Indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States, Latin America and South America. The bricks were cheap to produce and could easily be made with natural resources. The Spanish started making adobe bricks as early as the 8th century BC.
But more than the Adobes historical roots, this kind of indigenous abode is perfect and typical to desert places where temperatures fluctuate routinely each day. Adobe houses provide natural insulating properties. The dense thermal mass of adobe bricks and walls keep homes cool in the heat and retain heat when it's cold outside. The thermal properties of adobe houses are the main reason that adobe homes are so popular in hot, arid regions of the world. The adobe method of construction is also more fireproof than other home construction styles.
So, the next time you visit Placitas, you know now how these unique houses came to be. But if you’re getting bored in that usual flat of yours or single family home you have, you may want to look into some affordable Placitas homes for sale, or ask a sales agent in Placitas real estate .
Thursday, February 10
Homes for sale are overflowing in the market, and home buyers are understandably excited as house prices and mortgage interests are in their lowest. But a flooded market does not guarantee an easy deal, especially if home buyers are ill-prepared in the process.
The first step a home buyer should do is search online through multiple listing services or MLS, say, Placitas MLS for Placitas homes for sale. He should have in his mind already what kind of house he’s going to buy, better yet, he should have the paper (the details of his dream home) on hand when he’s browsing through multiple listings. Remember though that fairly priced houses in good locations are bought quickly in the market, that’s why you need to be diligent as well when home hunting, especially when other home buyers might be on the lookout as well in that same dream home you’ choose.
If you’ve really decided to become a home owner, say, in Placitas real estate then you need yourself to pre-qualify and be pre-approved for a loan. Pre-qualification can be done online or through phone and only takes about several minutes. Obviously yet initially, your lenders should have an assessment of your finances, including your income, assets, and of course, debt. Through this, they will draw how much mortgage amount you may qualify. (The stress is on “you may qualify”). Getting pre-approved, on the other hand, is another matter, much more important, and the tasks harder to complete. But if you hurdle this process, you’re good to go – you can now approach the seller with more confidence.
Start to hire professionals like real estate agents and/or attorneys. They have the experience, and more often than not, deliver the results you want on time and according to your allotted budget. Real estate agent will be your bridge (and your ally) when negotiation comes.
Prepare yourself for the negotiation proper. Negotiate. With that said, don’t make a lowball offer. Don’t add insult to injury. Sellers may be struggling, too, at this time in this depressed market, but you don’t need to make a sloppy judgment by coming up with an unreasonable offer. You, your sales agent and the transaction will be out the door at once.
Follow these steps, test the waters first, and engage in that home-buying plunge of yours confidently. Don’t swim alone, tag along your sales agent with you; and don’t wade too far (re: dreaming too big about a dream home you can’t afford or procrastinate, as other buyers might grab that home you truly liked). Don’t forget to enjoy your home-buying swim!
Thursday, February 10
Imagine a uniquely-styled 2,400 sq. ft. home in the foothills of a scenic mountain with pool, patios, gourmet kitchen, fireplace, a huge bath with jetted tub...and on...and on... But probably you’re just looking at one of the uncommon yet equally charming abodes among Placitas homes for sal through Placitas MLS. Does it dazzle you and take your breath away? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Residents here at the first time they had a sight of this little place (Placitas), they’re simply bewitched – beguiled by the innate qualities surrounding the pueblos and of course, the adobe houses or simply called adobes.
While oftentimes, different house types have historical significance on how they came about, like the Victorian homes in the West Coast, Colonial-styled houses in some parts of New York, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts; and here in Placitas, New Mexico, it’s the humble earthy-styled abode called Adobes. Although the word is often used to describe an architectural style, adobe is actually a building material which is a natural mixture of straw, clay, mud and occasionally dung. In some parts of Latin America, cactus juice or lime is used for waterproofing. Modern adobe houses sometimes incorporate concrete or asphalt to strengthen and waterproof the bricks. Some adobe houses consist of large stones that are held together using the straw, clay, and mud mixture. After adobe bricks are formed, they are laid out to dry in the sun for several days. Methods of construction vary considerably by climate.
The oldest ones were built by the Indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States, Latin America and South America. The bricks were cheap to produce and could easily be made with natural resources. The Spanish started making adobe bricks as early as the 8th century BC.
But more than the Adobes historical roots, this kind of indigenous abode is perfect and typical to desert places where temperatures fluctuate routinely each day. Adobe houses provide natural insulating properties. The dense thermal mass of adobe bricks and walls keep homes cool in the heat and retain heat when it's cold outside. The thermal properties of adobe houses are the main reason that adobe homes are so popular in hot, arid regions of the world. The adobe method of construction is also more fireproof than other home construction styles.
So, the next time you visit Placitas, you know now how these unique houses came to be. But if you’re getting bored in that usual flat of yours or single family home you have, you may want to look into some affordable Placitas homes for sale, or ask a sales agent in Placitas real estate.