There are several great shows this weekend. Here are the two that stood out most to us. 

Saturday - The Liars

The popular rock and pop cover band is expected to add some new songs to its extensive repertoire sometime soon. Maybe you'll see it this weekend! 

Saturday's show is at Palacio's Bar making it 21-and-over. It begins at 9:30 p.m. and cover is $5.

Sunday - Award Winning Pianist 

The 2002 International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition Bronze Medal Winner will perform in Las Cruces this weekend.

Andrey Ponochevny will share his formidable technique in a program spanning from Bach to Prokofiev at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Rio Grande Theatre.

Raised in Minsk, Ponochevny graduated from the Belarussian Academy of Music, then studied at Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. He burst onto the classical music scene in the late 1990s winning several major international prizes, including first prize at the Tomassoni International Piano Competition and the William Kapell International Piano Competition. Between his concert appearances, Ponochevny teaches piano at the University of Dallas.

The concert is part of the Las Cruces Civic Concert Association series. The concert is free for LCCCA members; single ticket price is $20 at the door. For information, call (575) 541-4051.

Have fun out there and be safe! 

Hi everyone!

Romance is in the air next week! What is your favorite spot for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner? I think a lot of you might say a home cooked, candle lite dinner, but the rest of us want something fancy! 

My choice is Double Eagle!

It's reportedly haunted by the ghosts of two starcrossed lovers who died tragically but still found a way to hang out in a romantic setting. There are cozy nooks, a lush garden room, an elegant dining area with a gold-plated ceiling, a comfy Victorian bar and even a room spiced with furnishings that once graced the Silver City bordello of the notorious Madam Millie.

Whatever your idea of romance, you're likely to find some aspect of it in the rambling, historic and elegant old adobe that houses the Double Eagle on the Mesilla Plaza.

Take your Valentine for luscious margaritas, hors d'oeuvres (try the green chile wontons for a love-enhancing endorphin rush), lunch or a snack. Get big Valentine's points by springing for the Sunday buffet, a gourmet supper or see if you can get reservations for the special annual St. Valentine's Day Wine Tasting Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

They match wines with foods and prepare a wonderful event. 

For reservations and more info: (575) 523-6700.

See everyone next week! 

One of the best things about Las Cruces is that we are big enough to benefit from just about any convenience you need, and small enough that we all seem to know each other. 

That's why Look Who's Dancing! is such an entertaining event. For a few years now, we've been going to Look Who's Dancing! to have good fun watching local celebrities impress us with great dancing abilities, and yes, to watch a few of them embarass themselves. It's all in good fun! 

Look Who's Dancing! is a special entertainment event organized to benefit the New Mexico State University DanceSport Company. Its goal is to promote social dancing to the Las Cruces community as a healthful and enjoyable activity for all ages and all skill levels.

This year the wonderful dancers include:

Christopher Cruz from Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Donna Richmond from La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services of SNM
Elaine Brown from Re/Max Classic Realty
Crystal Lay from Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering - NMSU
Debbie Calderon from The Whole Enchilada Fiesta Executive Board
Bill Connor from El Paso Electric
Austin Trout the WBA Light Middleweight Champion
Jeffrey Silva from Bank 34 & March of Dimes
Ceci Vasconcellos from Doña Ana Arts Council

Here's one of the highlights, in addition to the technical judging, competitors are competing for an additional trophy; people's choice. Community members get to buy votes; you cand drop money, at $1 increments, into the bins for the competitor you would like to vote for at the event. The competitor receiving the most money/votes wins. All money goes to the DanceSport Team. The winning competitors will receive trophies respective to the category they win.

Here are the details:

Friday January 27, 2012
7:00 pm
Onate Performing Arts Center
Las Cruces, NM

We hope to see you there! 

Most hot air balloon events are held at times of the year when favorable weather conditions are more likely and in the Mesilla Valley, that mean now!

19th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is Saturday and Sunday at the Brown Farm Field on North Camino Real. 

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was first launched in 1982 as part of The Whole Enchilada Fiesta. In 1988, the rally split off into a separate event, officially named the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally.

The first launch site was next to Burn Lake. It was moved to Mayfield High School in 1993, and then moved again to open areas owned by Southwest Cotton Growers on Valley Drive and Amador Avenue.

In 2005, the rally moved to its current site, historically known as Brown Farm Field, just east of El Camino Real and southeast of Armstrong Road.

The MVBR regularly features morning launches, a balloon glow, hot air balloon competitions, food vendors, and tethered rides for the public. In 2009, the 17th annual Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was canceled because of economic hard times, but 20 hot air balloons showed up anyway. As many as 94 balloons have appeared at a rally.

Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Schedule
Saturday
7 a.m.: Mayor's proclamation and official opening
7:10 a.m.: Memorial mass pi-ball (helium balloon) release by pilots "in memory of balloonists and all fun-loving souls who have left this earth." Naomi Vega sings "Amazing Grace."
7:20 a.m.: Presentation of the Stars and Stripes from the hot air balloon "Cool Beans II" as Naomi Vega sings the national anthem. Presentation of Colors by NMSU ROTC.
7:20 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves
8:30 a.m.: Tethered rides for the public, $2 donation
3 p.m.: Afternoon fun launch
5:30 to 8 p.m.: Balloon glow

Sunday
7:30 a.m.: Mass ascension in two waves

We hope to see you there! 

Tomorrow we're heading out to celebrate New Mexico's 100 year birthday at the Mesilla Valley New Mexico Centennial Parade. Are you going to join us?

The parade winds its way Saturday through historic parts of downtown Las Cruces starting at 11 a.m. And we just read in the Las Cruces Sun News that entries are keeping their floats a secret. We're not sure why, but that adds a little bit of excitement to the whol think. 

The 100-minute, two-mile parade will devote about 10 minutes to each decade, commemorating 100 years of statehood and what it has meant to this part of the state, with cars, equipment, representations of people and events, people born, and groups formed in each decade. The end of the final decade (2002 to 2011) will pass over the same spots as the beginning of the first decade (1912 to 1921), ending in downtown Las Cruces. Those attending are encouraged to dress in period costumes.

The parade will stage, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Loretto Town Center, travel north on Church Street, left on the newly opened roundabout, onto Water Street south and back to the staging area. The reviewing stand will be in front of the old Las Cruces City Hall, 200 N. Church St.

Parade grand marshal will be actor Dale Liikala, portraying President William H. Taft with Las Crucen Judy Roscoe as first lady Nellie Taft.

An F-22 Raptor will fly over the area at 11:35 a.m., which was the minute President Taft signed the proclamation designating New Mexico as a state.

Come early and park in downtown city parking lots, at District Court, 201 W. Picacho, Las Cruces Municipal Court, 135 E. Griggs Ave., near old or new city halls, and around the Downtown Mall, but be prepared to stay for the whole parade, as access will be restricted.

Learn more at www.mvcentennial.org.

There are plenty of ways to improve the value of your home whether you want to sell up or just invest some money into the place that you live.

Of course building an extension is one strategy, but that isn't exactly practical or affordable for the majority of people. So here are 5 alternatives which won't cost quite as much and can quickly add a little bit of value whilst at the same time making your home a little bit nicer to live in.

1. Redecorate

This is one of the simplest ways to quickly reinvigorate your home if it is looking a little bit shabby. You are never going to make a fortune just by painting a few walls of course, but if your decor is looking a little shabby, a fresh lick of paint can make your house a whole lot more salable and it will certainly pay for itself in terms of the cost.

2. Update the Exterior

Curb appeal really does matter and if the outside of the building is out of date or run down it could knock significant value off of your house, so consider putting right what you can, make sure your windows look solid, clean and are in fitting with the type of home (sash and case windows go great with cottage style homes) - replacing them if needed, make sure your guttering is all in place and consider re-painting your front door if needed.

3. Redo the Garden

Just as can the outside of your house, having a shabby and unkempt garden can cost your house a significant amount of money. Tidying up your garden doesn't have to be expensive, just having a well kept lawn and keeping it free from weeds might be all you need - but a nicely landscaped garden certainly wouldn't hurt.

4. Loft Extension

This is a slightly more expensive job, but it is certainly cheaper than a full extension and if you happen to have a good sized loft an extra bedroom can actually add significant value onto your home. The key is to use the space effectively, don't leave yourself with a house that doesn't make much sense - like having 4 bedrooms and only 1 rest room.

5. New Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house in terms of value, and if your kitchen is looking a bit old or un-inspiring, getting a new one can often add significant value. If you are able to fit the kitchen yourself you can potentially make a profit, but even if you have to pay someone else, you will probably add enough value to offset the cost of the investment.

Installing a security system may seem like a chore, but modern technology has made the installation process much easier. In fact, the set-up process for wireless systems may only take about 30 minutes at the most.

1. Buy a Kit

Most of the best security packages provide the essential devices for keeping the house secure. These are kits available for a lower price than if someone tried to buy every individual security component.

Standard kits come with a central panel and a number of security sensors to detect movement of the windows and the doors. They don't often come with state-of-the-art devices, such as glass-break detectors or passive infrared sensors. However, they usually have most of the essential parts that people will need to protect the house.

2. Use Wireless Sensors

Most of the earliest wireless sensors were often unreliable, because they wouldn't trigger the alarm even when it detected any movement around the doors and windows. The newest alarms are much more effective, thanks to revolutionary changes in wireless technology.

Every wireless alarm system now uses a central panel as a hub to operate the wireless sensors around the house. This panel can detect the battery life for each sensor around the house. This can actually save plenty of energy around the house, because it doesn't rely on as many wired sensors as the older security system models.

Each sensor only needs a lithium ion battery. Although it may seem like people are spending more than they should spend on batteries, they are actually cutting the amount of electrical energy they use inside the house. The battery sensors also help to prevent a person's home from experiencing a brownout due to an overuse of power.

3. Use a Manual Monitoring System

Although many security providers offer a home monitoring system, many of them are unwieldy and expensive to use. Many of the automatic systems could inadvertently use the phone line to call 911 for a false alarm. This could cause people valuable money, especially if people have a bad habit of tripping the alarms and forgetting the passcode.

Thus, people should instead purchase their own home monitoring system. Although it may seem like a hassle to string all the cords to a DVR (digital video recorder), it gives people more freedom to watch everything themselves. Rather than relying on a middleman in a monitoring station, people can watch all suspicious activity around the house from their own monitor.

Q-See's monitoring kit especially provides exceptional recording capabilities. The cameras can automatically record anything that triggers the motion detectors, allowing people to replay this material. The cameras may lack microphones, but the DVR still provides a big hard drive to save all the video data for future reference.

Although a do-it-yourself security might seem like a strenuous chore to complete, it pays off it the long run. A well-produced system will provide long-lasting protection to ensure that anyone's house is secure.

Often we run out of room in our homes to store or use all our stuff. If you're like us, you are going through a continual cycle of upgrading, trading, and recycling.

So if it turns out that you don't need your garage space to house a car, truck, or other vehicle, why not consider turning that additional space into the game room you've been dreaming of?

Both parents and kids can benefit from having a place to watch movies, play video games, and even knock off a round of billiards or air hockey away from the hustle and bustle of the heart of the household (the centralized living room/kitchen/dining area). And game nights with the guys will no longer leave the whole house stinking of cigars.

So if you've got plenty of reasons to build a game room, here are a few ways you can transform your garage space to suit your needs.

For starters, you need to clear everything out and do a massive cleaning. Even if you're the first owner of your current home you've probably been using the garage to house some toxic chemicals like automotive fluids, paint, fertilizer and pesticides (just to name a few). Since you probably don't want to be breathing in lingering fumes from these items, it pays to clean up any spills and really scrub the concrete before you lay down flooring. Once you've done this preliminary work you should have an energy assessment done. The technician will tell you which areas need to be sealed in order to keep pests out and hot or cold air in.

Now you're ready to start the fun part: decorating! If this is a man-cave, you'll likely want to install masculine touches from floor to ceiling. Dark wood planks or dark-colored carpeting are a good place to start and you can make the space (which is often rather spacious) a bit cozier with a wall color that is deep and saturated. Cool colors like blues, greens, and purples will provide the relaxing atmosphere you seek.

Of course, if this is also going to be something of a play room for the kids you should opt instead for a neutral color of carpeting (that will hide stains) and a brighter wall color.

Once you've got the foundation in place it's time for the finishing touches. You'll want to add furnishing, for certain, and if you have the space, comfortable and oversized pieces are surely the way to go.

This isn't a home office; it's a place to kick back! Leather is a good choice because it is modern and manly, but also because the kids are less likely to destroy or stain it than something plush. Now you just have to add the hallmarks of a game room (a felt-covered table for poker, a flatscreen TV with plenty of game consoles hooked up, surround sound, and maybe even a bar if it's just for the bros). Make sure to include storage for all of your media, poker chips and cards, and any other paraphernalia.

Although it's not like you're going to put up a collection of Peterbilt day cab trucks for sale, along with extra parts and tools, you'll likely have to do plenty of work to turn your garage into an awesome game room. So take the time to make a plan and before you know it you'll be holding ‘em, folding ‘em, and racking them up in your brand new game room.

Believe it or not, a common question we get from sellers and buyers is whether or not they should replace windows or ask to have windows replaced.

How should you know if replacing windows is a good idea? 

When you sit next to your windows is the air around them noticeably cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer?

If you place your hand on the interior glass, is the glass cold in the winter and warm in the summer?

Turn off the lights and slowly move a candle around the perimeter of the window. If the dances than you've got a draft problem.

Do your windows get stuck in the open or closed position?

Is there any broken glass or trim on the inside or the outside?

Rotten trim can be hidden under paint.

If any answered yes to any of these than you more than likely need to replace your windows.

There are lot's of different brands of windows to choose from. Some of the most popular, as well as expensive, are Pella, Marvin, and Anderson windows. You don't need to buy the most expensive windows that money can buy in order to get a quality product. Check out brands like Eagle, Bonneville, and the 200 series from Anderson. You'll find that these brands are very competitively priced and that the windows are very high quality.

If all goes well, replacement windows are very easy to install. But how often does everything go perfectly according to plan?

I always hire a contractor for these types of jobs. It's not worth the headache and the hassle that comes along with a medium sized home improvement project like this one.

Before doing the work yourself, get a few quotes from local contractors. They can usually replace a house full of windows in a day and the peace of mind is often well worth the price.

This is the final blog in a series on financing your home. Before we get to the final step, let's review the first 5. 

Step 1: How Much Can You Afford?

Step 2: Selecting a Lender

Step 3: Selecting a Loan

Step 4: Shop. Compare. Negotiate

Step 5: Loan Pre-Qualification & Pre Approval

And Finally, Step 6: Loan Approval

Processing and Underwriting - Expect a time delay in getting final loan
Avoid the most common problems with these worksheets:
Mortgage Application Checklist
Mortgage Loan Flow Sheet

Neither pre-qualification nor pre-approval nor a means you are guaranteed a mortgage. In order to get final loan approval and money delivered to the title company at closing, the loan must be processed and then be underwritten.

The processing department must order appraisals, title work, and verify employment and credit report. The underwriter must make sure that your loan meets the requirements for the particular loan program you are using. Problems with these final steps can often be traced to buyers not having submitted the necessary financial items and paperwork in a timely manner, and the fact that Processing and Underwriting are separate departments within the lending institution which can create a bureaucratic delay in completing this process.

For more information on Financing Your Home, visit our Buying a Home Website. 

For the past few weeks we've been discussing financing. Last week we covered Selecting a Lender and Selecting a Loan. 

This week we want to talk about the next two steps in the process. 

Step 4) Shop! Compare! Negotiate!

In "Step 3) Selecting A Loan," we provided the Mortgage Shopping Worksheet so that you could compare the loans being offered by different lenders.

Now that you know about rates, points and fees, and different types of mortgages, we want to provide you with 2-calculators
•Which loan is better?
•Which lender has the better loan?

These will help you when you are using your work sheets to compare products and making your final decisions. Remember Mortgage Loans are a commodity! Use your "Worksheet and Questions" to make lenders and brokers compete with each other for your business. Let each lender know that you are shopping for the best deal.

You are the Buyer; the Lender wants your business Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate until you get to the best possible Rate and Terms.

Step 5. Loan Pre-Qualification & Pre Approval

In "Step 1) Determine How Much Can You Afford," we emphasized the need to meet with a loan officer and get a Pre-Qualification Letter listing an estimated amount that you qualify to borrow.This was based on your credit report and information you provided about your income and debt payments. Your qualification amount was based on this information, and the affordability calculator we provided.

Now that you have determined the Lender and the Type of Mortgage that you are going to use to finance your home purchase, it is time to go to the next level - Pre-Approval.

What's the difference? Pre-qualification is an estimate based upon your credit report and the income and debt information you provided. The Pre-Approval process now requires you to provide all the documentation required in a full Loan Application, and the lender will now verify all of that information. This Loan Application Checklist will help you have all the documentation the lender needs.

A Pre-approval Letter is a firmer commitment on behalf of the lender as to the amount they will loan you.

The lender has now done all the verification work required for a full approval except for a final repeat credit report, verification of income, the home purchase agreement, appraisal, title search, and finally underwriting.

Last week we started talking about our 6 Step Process to Financing Your Home. We covered the first step: Determining How Much You Can Afford. This week we want to cover selecting a lender and selecting a loan. 

Step 2) Selecting A Lender

While there are many people who prefer to deal only with their regular banking institution, as your REALTOR advisors, we will probably suggest you SHOP around to find both a lender and a loan that are most suited to your needs.

Home Financing is a competitive market. Visiting with Banks is OK, but you should consider contacting more than one Lender and lending institution (Banks, Credit Unions, Private Mortgage Lenders, Mortgage Brokers, as well as a host of reputable Online Lenders).

You need to interview and evaluate each individual lender personally as well as rate their company, and the products they offer. Be prepared with a questionnaire and compare them side by side. We will provide a Mortgage Shopping Worksheet to assist you.

Whomever you choose to represent you, make sure that you have selected the Lender that you trust, and who you believe has expertise, and will provide you with the service and results that you expect and deserve.

Step 3) Selecting A Loan

A mortgage is a product! There are many different models and prices.

Each mortgage / home loan product has a different price, different terms, with different benefits and drawbacks. You have a variety of financing options available to you, each one is designed to meet different goals and financial situations. You'll want to compare all of these factors.

Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars. Two tools that will be particularly useful for you are this chart comparing the pros and cons of the most common types of Home Loans and who may find them most useful, and this Mortgage Shopping Worksheet with questions you should ask each lender about each type of Mortgage that they offer so that you can compare them side by side to help decide which lender and which loan is best for your needs.

Next week we'll talk about steps 4 and 5. To read all 6 steps visit our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website. 

We've outlined a 6 Step Process to Financing your new home on our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website. 

This morning we want to talk about Step 1 in that process: Determine How Much You Can Afford

You should not even begin the Home Buying Process until you determine
•Is it better for YOU to Rent or Buy?
•Have you considered the Pros vs. the Cons of Homeownership?
•Can you afford to be a Homeowner?

If being a Home Owner is still right for you, now, you can you take the first step in the Financing Process:

Determine What Price Home Can You Afford to Buy?

Knowing what you can afford will save you a lot of time and frustration because you can limit your search to homes thatare appropriate for you, and then and then when you make an offer you know that you probably qualify to buy that home.

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team Buyer's Agent will assist you in setting up meeting with lenders, in person or online. We will do this as soon as possible.

The amount that you are "qualified to borrow," or getting Pre- Qualified does not obligate you to any particular lender, but it will allow you to determine:

•What price home you can you afford.
•How much of a Mortgage you will qualify for.
•What will your Monthly Payment Be?

The Evelyn Bruder Buyer's Agent knows the main factors that determine the amout of loan you qualify for are your credit score, current salary, employment history, and current debt. We will provide you with an "Affordability Calculator." Using this, you can get an idea of what price home you are qualified to buy even before visiting Lenders .

Your Lender will do similar calculations base on the information you provide, and then give you a "Pre-Qualification Letter" stating that you should qualify to borrow this amount of money for your home purchase.

Your Buyer's Agent Realtor, as your trusted advisor and counselor will tell you that Lenders often qualify a homebuyer for a loan amount that exceeds what you really can afford. Together you should determine if you really should borrow that much. Willyou have extra money left, or will you be "house poor"? You and your Realtor can decide the actual amount you want to borrow. Remember that you can always borrow less than you qualify for.

Congratulations! You have completed Step 1 of the Financing Process

Next week we will continue our introduction of these remaining steps in the financing process. If you'd like to read all 6 steps right now, visit our Buying a Home in Las Cruces website.

It is important to note that the financing process is an essential part of the home buying process and you should be following these steps at the same time that you are home hunting. It is only when these two come together at the end that your home purchase is successful and hassle free

Last week our water heater wasn't putting out as much hot water as it used to. Have you ever had that problem? 

We contacted our plumber to come out and look at it, and he suggested we drain and flush the tank. Sure enough, this regular maintenance trick solved the problem and we learned our lesson. 

Here's what he shared with us.

Drain and Flush Water Heater Tank

It's recom­mended you drain and flush your tank at least once a year. This helps remove debris and sedi­ment from the tank.

Most water heaters have a plastic drain valve located at the bottom of the tank.

Connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Be Careful, as these valves typi­cally are not of the best quality and can easily break.

Once you have the hose attached to the drain valve Turn off the elec­tricity to the water heater (at the circuit breaker) or turn the gas off to your water heater.

Next, turn off the cold water supply to the water heater. Usually located at the top of the water heater.

Open the drain valve slowly to check for leaks where the hose connects to the valve. If all is well open the valve and let the water drain. Open the pres­sure relief valve on the side of the tank to make it drain faster.

Once the tank is empty, open the cold water supply on the top of the tank to flush any remaining sedi­ment out. Let the water run for about 1 minute, then turn off the cold water supply.

Once the tank is empty Close the pres­sure relief valve. Then Close the drain valve and discon­nect the hose. Have a towel ready for any mishaps.

Turn the cold water supply back on. Open a faucet in the kitchen or bath­room to relieve the air being flushed from the tank and let it fill.

Once the tank is filled turn off the open faucet and turn on the elec­tricity to your water heater.

For gas water heaters be sure to follow the direc­tions in your manual for turning the gas back on to your water heater.

That's it. You now have a cleaner more effi­cient water heater, and you did it yourself.

By following these two easy do-it-yourself water heater main­te­nance tips you can save energy, money and add more life to your water heater.

Days Inn & Suites (Eddie's Bar & Grill)

901 Avenida De Mesilla, (575) 524-8603
Country Western artist Clay Mac will headline the New Year's Eve event, which begins at 9 p.m., inside the hotel ballrooms. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Eddie's Bar & Grill will be open that there's no cover charge.

De La Vega's Pecan Grill and Brewery

500 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 521-1099
Welcome the New Year in style at De La Vega's Masquerade Ball. Prepare for a night of cocktails, hors d'ouerves, a dessert bar, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Presale tickets are $10 a person or $15 a couple. Tickets will be $20 per person at the door. Private booths are also available for $250. 21+.

Dublin's Street Pub

1745 E. University Ave., (575) 522-0932
Get your friends together for a night of drinks at the local college hot spot. Welcome the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight. 21+.

Graham Central Station

505 S. Main St., (575) 524-9131
Drink specials will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring $2 wells and domestics. Enjoy a variety of music in all four bars (country, Latin, hip-hop and karaoke) and free party favors for all attendees. $15 presale tickets. 21+.

Hotel Encanto

705 S. Telshor Blvd., (575) 525-9212
Dance your way to 2012 at Hotel Encanto's Holl-E-Wood New Year's Eve featuring music by DJ Cypher. You can also catch host Cabezon MC and DJ Flipz spinning inside Azul Ultra Lounge. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per single or $65 per couple. You can also take advantage of the "Take the Elevator Home" special that includes access to the event and a room for two for $170. 21+.

Meson de Mesilla

1803 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 652-4953
For a top-notch New Year's Eve meal, check out Meson de Mesilla from 5 to 9 p.m. For starters, enjoy oysters on the half shell or oysters Rockefeller, as well as a Caesar salad or tomato bisque. Entrees include your choice of a beef, pork, chicken or salmon dish. Finish off your meal with a chocolate-covered strawberry and sparkling wine or cider. Meals are $49.95 per person. There will be a party in the lounge till 1 a.m. featuring live music, party favors and a champagne toast. There is a $15 cover for the lounge party, or free for hotel guests. Rooms start at $89.

Palacio's

2600 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 525-2910
Catch Phat Soul at the Mesilla bar starting at 8 p.m. Tickets for the New Year's Eve event are $25.

Ramada Palms de Las Cruces

201 E. University Ave., (575) 526-4411
The Ramada Palms is kicking off 2012 with the grand opening of the Passion Ultra Lounge and a party inside the main ballroom featuring Sunny Padilla and the All-Stars. Tickets for both events are available at the front desk for $35 per event. 21+

St. Clair's Winery & Bistro

1800 Avenida de Mesilla, (575) 524-2408
Enjoy dinner at St. Clair's featuring a buffet and live jazz music provided by Tuco John. The bistro will be open until 10 p.m.

Ten Pin Alley

1021 E. Amador Ave., (575) 526-8855
Get the family together for a night of Rock and Bowl at Ten Pin Alley. Their New Year's Eve celebration is $25 per person and includes a Mexican buffet, complimentary champagne or cider and party favors. The party starts at 9 p.m. Early lane reservations are highly recommended.

No matter what you're celebrating this holiday season, spending time in Mesilla on Christmas Eve, no matter what the temperature is, will warm your heart. 

Everything comes alive as hundreds, possibly thousands, descend on the plaza to share the dramatic luminarias, light displays and caroling with families and friends. There will be live music beginning at 5:30 and events throughout the evening.

You can get free apple cider and cookies near Josefina's Gate from the time the sun goes down until 9 or 9:30 or so. Or stop by Vintage Wines for some posole. Denise Chávez, author and Border Book Festival founder, hosts an open house from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every Christmas Eve at BBF Foundation headquarters, the Cultural Center de Mesilla, 2231-A Calle de Parian in Mesilla.

Most Mesilla businesses will be open late for what some merchants say is the busiest shopping day of the year in the town.

Arrive early for parking close to the plaza. Two streets, one on the east and another on the west side of the Plaza, will be closed from 3 until approximately 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Parking for physically handicapped individuals will remain open at the north end of the Plaza, as will east-west Plaza streets, Calle de Santiago and Calle de Parian.

This time of year is special no matter where you live. In Las Cruces you have several seasonal performances to choose from if you're looking for something special to do. 

One of our annual favorite things to do is watching The Nutcracker ballet. 

The Las Cruces Chamber Ballet's 28th annual production of The Nutcracker ballet, runs through Sunday at New Mexico State University's Atkinson Music Center Recital Hall.

The LCCB is New Mexico's oldest continuously performing ballet company. It first performed E.T.A. Hoffman's imaginative tale, set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's enchanting musical score, in 1983, on the steps of the old Las Cruces City Hall.

This year's cast includes Jacquelin Huerta as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Federico Garcia, as her Cavalier, Katharine Pryor as Clara, Emily Mackenzie as the Snow Queen, Victoria Pryor as Dew Drop Fairy and Harlequin Doll, Travis Manning as Drosselmeyer, Ashleigh Randazzo as Fritz, Applehelen Kirby as the Rat Queen and Matthew Turner as the Nutcracker Prince.

Special community celebrity Mother Gingers are Cynthia Risner-Schiller, principal at the J. Paul Taylor Academy, Dr. Michael McGuire of Las Cruces Orthopaedic Associates, Amy Orlando, 3rd Judicial District Attorney and Luan Wagner Burn, executive director of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, are $19 and $21 and are available at the Pan Am Box Office, (575) 646-1420.

For information, call Michele's Dance Academy, (575) 527-1893.

Also, you can view a live performance of The Nutcracker from the Bolshoi Theatre from the Royal Opera House at a special event at Cineport 10. The Mesilla Valley Mall theater will cinecast the two-hour ballet at noon Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $20 each. Purchase tickets ahead of time at the theater or call (575) 524-7933 for information.

Have you ever been to the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park? This Saturday is the perfect excuse to get out there and see what a great park we have along the river. 

The Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is celebrating its third anniversary from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday with special multicultural events, holiday treats and entertainment.

Events begin with a 3 p.m. bird and nature walk that usually lasts about 45 minutes. Following the nature walk, attendees are welcome to help with the lighting of the lumniarias in the park plaza at around 4:30 p.m.

There will be a presentation on the dreidel and its significance, a traditional lighting of the menorah for Hanukkah, a Christmas tree lighting with traditional carols and plans for recognition of the Kwanza holiday as well. 

At 5 p.m., Matachine Indian dancers will perform, with a presentation about significance of each dance. At 6:45 p.m., Mariachi Espuelas del Plata will perform.

Refreshments will include a donation of tamales from Roberto's, as well as hot beverages to help keep attendees warm. Kirwan said there will be outdoor heaters and a heated event tent, and that the visitors' center will be open as well.

Opened in 2008, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is New Mexico's 34th state park, encompassing 300 acres of bosque (riverside forest) along the Rio Grande and 600 acres of adjacent Chihuahuan Desert. The park is a refuge for wildlife and a haven for people seeing the quiet enjoyment of nature.

The park is at 5000 Calle del Norte, along the western bank of the Rio Grande, southwest of the town of Mesilla. Admission to the anniversary fiesta is free

It is understandable to have questions when coping with a new and challenging situation, especially when a home is at stake. The reality is that millions of homeowners across the country are finding out that they have more questions than answers.

We hope that the following information will help you better understand the circumstances. If you have further questions not addressed below, or would like additional information resources, feel free to Contact Us.

Do I qualify for a short sale?

The qualifications for a short sale include any or all of the following:
1.Financial Hardship - There is a situation causing you to have trouble affording your mortgage.
2.Monthly Income Shortfall - In other words: "You have more month than money." A lender will want to see that you cannot afford, or soon will not be able to afford your mortgage.
3.Insolvency - The lender will want to see that you do not have significant liquid assets that would allow you to pay down your mortgage.

What is a mortgage modification?

A mortgage modification is a process through which your mortgage lender changes any or all of the following:

• Your interest rate
•Your principal balance (through a reduction)
•Your loan terms (example: from an adjustable to a fixed rate)This process can allow borrowers to stay in their property when they can no longer afford their current mortgage payments.

Why would a lender modify my mortgage?

Lenders have realized that in some cases it is better for them to work with current borrowers to lower payments or possibly improve terms in order to keep homeowners in their properties. The average foreclosure can cost a lender from 35-50% of the value of a property, so keeping borrowers in their homes is a good option for everyone.

Visit our Avoid Foreclosure Website for more frequently asked questions regarding foreclosures. 

A friend asked me the other day what will happen to the Las Cruces real estate market in 2012. 

Not being Nostradamus I hesitated to give a prediction, but the truth is that the real estate market is pretty good for certain people, especially buyers. Plus mortgage rates remain at their lowest point in nearly 60 years, and prices are settling. 

And people still move up and still move down -- buying and selling homes to meet those ends. Here are 5 tips for you looking to engage in real estate next year.

1. Buyers - Redefine Value

If your home has been on the market far too long, there's a good chance you're not facing market realities. The value of your home isn't what the tax assessor says it is, or the sum on that two-year-old appraisal you have filed away. It's not what a similar-size home that sold across town. It's what a buyer is willing to pay today.

To arrive at that sum, the sales prices of foreclosures and short sales must be factored into the equation, along with the average value of seller concessions in your submarket. These factors are advanced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, in its appraiser code-of-conduct revisions to ensure more accurate documentation of market conditions. If your agent tells you that you're overpricing your house, he or she may not just be trying to grease the wheels for a quick commish, as you might suspect.

2. Hire Professionals

As tempting as it is to share the seller's agent to save a couple grand, don't.

The same goes for using the other party's inspector and appraiser. They were hired by the seller and have a fiduciary allegiance to the person who's paying them.

Don't automatically opt for real estate professionals referred to you by your agent either. A huge capital purchase is not the time for such friendly accommodations.

Briefly interview three of each by phone. Make sure your appraiser and your inspector (and perhaps a separate termite inspector) are appropriately state-licensed or state-certified and, ideally, have been practicing for at least five years and have done more than 200 inspections or appraisals. Compare the results of your inspector's findings with the inspection findings of the other party, and you're likely to stumble on disparities or omissions.

3. Sellers - Think Like a Buyer

Put your ego aside, sellers. Your for-sale home is no longer about you -- it's about the buyer. So be empathic.

What would you expect to see on a tour of a for-sale home? Even though you're essentially marketing brick, mortar and land, the emotional response you elicit in a buyer is often what seals a deal. Neutral colors allow buyers to picture themselves in your house.

To appeal to their olfactory pleasure senses, employ the age-old tactic of baking fresh cookies before potential buyers arrive -- then leave them for your visitors to enjoy. Or at least light a candle or two. To convey an inviting atmosphere, de-clutter the place with renewed vengeance, stow away your inexpensive or tattered furniture and box up cherished mementos. Remember that the illusion of space is almost as important as the space itself.