Really!?! This morning as I was reviewing listings within our MLS, I was amazed at how many listings had the comment in remarks "seller is negotiable". Who doesn't already know that? Most buyers never start off wanting to offer full price. Even if a seller receives a full price offer, that is not what they put in their pocket, as they have to determine who pays what fees that are necessary for a closing to happen.   So, WHY . . . WHY . . . WHY . . . is it necessary to write in the comment section that "seller is negotiable"?    When I see that, it makes me think that the house is overpriced and the seller knows it, BUT who cares! They are thinking why not, let me see if I can get someone to pay me more! Or they are upside down and expect the buyer to bail them out!    I think it is time... 12/10/2012

 Have you had chance to check out the new restaurant in town? I finally did last night! I have to say that Carino's Italian Restaurant was pretty good and everyone I know that has gone there has enjoyed it.    Our Alamogordo location has a main dining area, a bar, and the patio dining area. Last night we sat in the patio area; it was nice. I ordered the "Lobster Ravioli", my husband and our friend had the "16 Layer Lasagna", an our other friend had the "Skilletini". For desert we shared the "Italian Chocolate Cake", which was very rich and yummy! I am looking forward to going back and trying something else.     I have been told that Mondays are Family night, which means all family size meals are half price! Even better, on Wednesdays they have half price wine; if you order a bottle of w... 06/28/2012

Does it really make a difference to use a Local Realtor over an out of town agent? Can't anyone buy or sell a house as long as they are licensed? What more do I really get out of using a local agent? Why bother going with a Realtor over any other agent? These are some of the main questions we hear when talking with buyers or sellers. Most non-real estate related folks don't even know there is a difference between a real estate agent and a Realtor. We want to answer these questions and give you an overall sense of the importance of using a local Alamogordo Realtor. Why bother going with a Realtor over any other agent? Realtors can only use this term when they subscribe and abide by the National Association of Realtors. This organization provides not only support and helpful forms and doc... 05/19/2012

You are moving right along to being a home owner, finding a lender is just as important as the search for an Associate Broker / REALTOR®. You want a lender that you are comfortable with, as they are going to learn all about your financial business. It is always a good idea to ask family and friends for recommendations; as well as checking with who you currently bank with. I recommend working with a  local lender. Some of the reasons why I recommend our local lenders are: they are familiar with our local and state rules and regulations they are easily accessible often times they have fewer fees and are more competitive  you can meet with them face-to-face you create a relationship with them they can usually expedite the lending process they are familiar with our local fees  they have kno... 05/16/2012

Have you dreamed of owning your own home, but just not sure where to start? My recommendation is that you commit to buying a home. You need to be prepared as well as committed to buying a home. You need to understand why you want to buy a home, because buying a home is a long term commitment and not something that can be returned once the sale is final.    There are many benefits to owning a home: pride of ownership creating your wealth by investing in your future a fixed house payment a tax deduction (see your accountant or tax professional for details) improve your credit You can make home improvements to increase your home's value You can decorate to your personal taste If something needs repairs, you can have it repaired to your standards Repairs can be done your timeline, not a lan... 05/10/2012

The "World's Biggest Big-Top Show" was here today at the Alamogordo Balloon Park on Le Valle Road. There was two shows 1:30 and 4:30 for the Carson & Barnes Circus. Thanks to 94Key I was able to to take my family to the 4:30pm show.    It has been years since I have been to the  circus and this was my Derian's (my grandson's) first time to the circus. He loved it and I  believe all the other children I saw their had a great time too. There was lots of laughter, cheers and applause; and lots of sticky faces! Everyone was enjoying the cotton candy, funnel cakes, lemonades, nachos, popcorn, etc.    The circus was complete with elephants, horses, dogs, camels, lamas, and great performances! Derian's favorite was Alex the clown on the trampoline and it was mine too! The trapeze artists alway... 05/06/2012

 Do you want to buy a home, but you have been told that because of your current credit score you do not qualify? Yet, no one explained to you what you need to do to improve your credit score. Or maybe you know your credit is not the best and you want to improve it so you can purchase a home in the future.    Lenders can help you by giving you some advice on what you need to do to clean up your credit or you can hire someone who works with you on improving your credit score. Bob Harrington at Credit Repair New Mexico may be able to help you. Bob recently visited with us here at Affinity Real Estate; he explained to us how he works with clients to help them improve their credit scores and/or possibly clear up any issues that may need to be resolved.    If you are ready to take control of ... 05/01/2012

 I am not your traditional real estate professional and that is just one of many reasons why I  chose to hang my license at Affinity Real Estate in October 2007. Affinity provides me with a positive work environment that contributes to my success.    To me a traditional real estate professional is one who is does things they way they have always done them. You know, they take a listing, put it in the MLS, a sign in the yard with flyers, a print ad or two, maybe an open house, and then they what for the buyer to come along . . . In today's market and with tech savvy buyers and sellers, real estate professionals need to do more than the traditional marketing.    Some of things that I do that make me a non-traditional real estate professional are:   working at Affinity Real Estate, which i... 04/30/2012

We moved to Alamogordo, NM just over six years ago; and when we told people we wanted to have a garden in our yard, every said good luck. But what they really thought was that we were crazy, because most of them did not believe we could have much of a garden. Well, I am here to tell you that YES you can grow a garden here in Alamogordo! This will be our seventh season of gardening and we ( I should say my husband) has an amazing garden! Our back yard is a has a veggie garden, a herb garden, a flower garden, and as of today a baby turtle garden. Now to get a fire pit and fruit tree. Currently we have garlic, onion, spinach. mixed lettuces, radishes, carrots, ten different types of tomatoes, big jim peppers, jalapeño peppers, poblano peppers, cayenne peppers, zucchini, eggplant, melons, s... 04/29/2012

Affinity Real Estate is locally owned and operated; the owner / Broker Karen Krupovage opened the doors in September of 2005. The goal was and still is to create a company that excels in customer service and in always doing the right thing. We are a group of real estate professionals who pride ourselves on providing the best our profession has to offer to our clients and the community. Our philosophy is: "It's all about YOU!" At Affinity we look after your best interest, not ours!    Affinity is not your traditional office and we like it that way. Some of the ways that make us untraditional are: Small Office - which allows for a group of real estate professionals that work well together and toward the same goal; we have healthy competition within our office; non-competing owner / broker... 04/24/2012

 Happy Earth Day! Today is the day that worldwide events are held to increase awareness and appreciation of  our earths natural environment. I think it is important for all of us to be aware of how our actions impact our earth. It is not just about what we do on one particular day, but what you do on a daily basis    Here are a few of the things that my family does at my house to be green: Turn off lights and ceiling fans in rooms you are not in We use a programable thermostate Use cloth napkins and real plates (no paper plates in my house) Use natural cleaning products   Compost kitchen scraps  plant a vegetable and herb garden recycle aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, and plastic I am sure there are few things I am forgetting . . . What other things do you and your family do to help sa... 04/22/2012

  what that means is the "Otero County Association of REALTORS®" does not make SOLD information publicly accessible; nor is it automatically shared with public online real estate search engine sites. Our SOLD information is only shared with our members of our association.  . . . what does that mean to you?  Whether you are a buyer and/or a seller, you have peace of mind that the final information from the purchase and/or sale of your home is not displayed all over the internet.  It also means that when buyers and sellers are searching online the information that you may find on some search engines is not a hundred percent accurate. You must realize that the information that you find on the different search engines is only as good and accurate as it can be, because of the source of infor... 04/18/2012

 You worked hard getting you home ready for the marketing photos! You made sure that is was in tip top shape in order for your photos to make their great first impression! Now that the hard works is done . . . you have to remember to keep the house in tip top shape!    That means your home needs to be in show condition 24/7! Once you list your home for sale, you have to remember that your home is no longer yours! Potential buyers want to see your home, not your stuff and especially not your mess! So keep it clean; pretend that everyday you are getting ready for a photo shoot!     An easy way to keep things together is to remember to put things away once you are done using them . . . and make sure everything has a home! If it something that you don't use daily and can survive without for... 04/12/2012

Last night my family, friends, and I ate at "Heart of Italy". Our friends who were stationed at Camp Darby in Italy have eaten here a few times and have told us how the food reminds them of their time in Italy! And since my husband and I lived in Pordenone, Italy that we should give it a try too!    The owner is originally from Pordenone, Italy and yes the food reminds us of real Italian food! If you are looking for Olive Garden style food, then this is not the place for you! You will not find any Alfredo sauce or meatballs; as these are American items not Italian items . . . in fact you will not find either of these items on a menu anywhere in Italy! I have traveld all over Italy in my four years of living over there . . . and believe me there are way better things to eat than Alfredo... 04/11/2012

They say a photo is worth a thousand words . . . and how true this is! Who hasn't seen a photo that speaks to you! I find this to be true, especially in real estate! Who hasn't told their REALTOR® that the photos of that house are amazing . . . I want to see that one!    Sellers you have only one chance to make a great first impression . . . and that is why it is important to make sure your REALTOR® takes the best possible photos of your home . . . and that those photos are taken before your home is ever entered into the MLS system.      When a new listing is entered into the MLS and published it has a chance to be seen immediately by potential buyers. Unfortunately, if their are no photos available the potential buyer may not even give your home a chance; they want to see photos! Phot... 04/10/2012

The Alamogordo Market is moving right along .  .  . 04/05/2012

 If you have listened to the national news these past few years then you have heard about all of the doom and gloom in the real estate market. While there is truth in the national news concerning the market, you need to remember that real estate is all about location, location, location! It is not just where the house is located, but also where the market is located! So, before you believe everything you hear in the media . . . you need to consult with the local real estate professional and find out how the market is in your location, because not all markets are doom and gloom!   The Alamogordo real estate market has held stable over the past few years. Our homes were not over inflated when the market was at one of its peaks a few years ago. Therefore, we have not seen an over abundance... 03/23/2012

Our town is way behind in being green . . . but I do believe we are starting to see a few changes, but if you ask my husband he will tell you this just is not happening fast enough!   We do not offer curbside recycling, but you can recycle newspapers, paper, cardboard, and aluminum by dropping them off at either South Florida and First Street or North Florida and 26th Street. Also the Connivence Center at 33 Gravel Pit Road in La Luz accepts #1 & #2 plastic, mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, and tin cans.     We have a few builders who are now choosing to build ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes . These homes are inspected and tested by a third party (HERS Rater) to give them a rating and ensure that the home is ENERGY STAR compliant. Sims Green Energy Services  is the only HERS Rater in... 03/22/2012

It is in my opinion that technology and real estate go hand in hand; especially since they say that over 90% of home buyers start their search online. It is my belief that today's REALTORS® must learn to use technology to sustain their business.    There are many forms of technology available to real estate professionals . . . it is all about figuring out how much technology one is going to use and how to make it work for them. I would say I am knee deep in technology . . . I love technology and how it helps me work more efficiently.   I am a big fan of Apple products (they just work for me) and I love how the iCloud lets my iPhone, iPad, and Macbook Pro always be in sync with each other. This has allowed me to have access to all my information no matter where I am at. Technology has al... 03/21/2012

 We are all familiar the saying "Beauty is only Skin Deep" and that saying can also apply to houses, especially new construction homes.    I have yet to find a buyer who doesn't love all the shiny new plastic, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, etc.;  and most will pay more for these items . . . BUT what about what is under all the beauty? As a buyer are you concerned with the structure of the home? Did you know that while a builder is building to code, that does not necessarily mean you are getting the best quality home built. Building to code is considered to be the lowest quality home that is legal to build.   It is up to buyers to demand more quality and energy efficiencies from the builders! Did you know that an ENERGY STAR® Certified built homes are third partied certi... 03/16/2012