Celebrate The 4th Of July In The Enchanted Circle

If you are looking for festive fun look to the Enchanted Circle, with parades, vendors, family activities, amazing firework displays and much more. The Enchanted Circle offers the perfect place to gather the entire family for true mountain amazement and wonder.

Here is a list of activities and places throughout the Enchanted Circle:

Arroyo Seco – Starting at 12 pm , the annual parade which is said to be the quirkiest of the area with unexpected floats, unusual costumes and humorous manner that please the crowd. Parking is limited, so come early! Festivities run from 10 am until 4 pm along the main thoroughfare, Hwy 150.

Eagle Nest –Parade begins at 2 pm. There will be loads to do here going from 11am-5pm with, activities, vendors, a fabulous BBQ lunch at the Volunteer Fire Department, and the beautiful fireworks over the lake after dark (about 9:30 pm) give the lake effect illusion of double fireworks. Don't miss out! Call (575) 377-2420 for more information.

Red River – The Annual 4th of July Main Street Parade is a time-honored tradition in Red River. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes westward down Main Street, enjoy an AWESOME live performance by a regional band in Brandenburg Park, food, cooling drinks, and good old fashioned family fun! For more information call 877-754-1708.

Taos Ski Valley – 'TSV' as it's known to the locals, offers a parade, a rubber duck race, fun games and live music. The rubber ducky race starts at 2 p.m. with the parade, music and other events to follow. It's all free. Call 800-517-9816.

Taos - While it leaves the parades to other nearby communities, Taos Fire Department does however host an hour-long fireworks display at the Salazar Road Extension. This prime location allows the show to be seen throughout the area. Fireworks launch once the sky is fully dark, usually around 9:15 pm.

While enjoying all the 4th of July fun in the Enchanted Circle you may just want to stay here forever or perhaps a vacation home will suit you best. If so, choose New Mexico Mountain Properties for all your Angel Fire or Taos Real Estate needs. With locations in Angel Fire and Taos we have the Enchanted Circle covered with our exceptional mountain homes for sale in Angel Fire and authentic adobe homes for sale in Taos as well as scenic land for sale in Taos , Angel Fire, and the entire Enchanted Circle!. For those who want seclusion and off grid living, our Earthships for sale in Taos might entice you. Or, our condos for sale in Angel Fire and the Taos Ski Valley might be your choice. Whatever you are looking for, our dedicated agents go that extra mile to assist you in making your dream a reality Call us at 575-377-2626 in Angel Fire, 575-758-5852 in Taos, or speak directly to an agent at 575-770-3306. We are here to serve and welcome you.

Balloons Over Angel Fire

Balloons over Angel Fire in this beautiful summer event. Early every morning from June 19th -21st look to the Angel Fire skies for a glorious array of color in the skies. This annual event is one to see. So venture down to Angel Fire and enjoy cool crisp mountain air, activities, and more, and watch the sky fill with color and wonder!

Friday – June 19, 2015

7 AM-9 AM Balloon Mass Ascension at Angel Fire Resort Balloon Launch Field

7 AM-9 AM Balloon Tethers at local businesses

9 AM-4 PM Angel Fire Resort Chairlift open

9 AM-5 PM Chile Challenge Pro-GRT Mountain Bike Race

10 AM-1 PM Moreno Valley Farmer's Market at Golden Eagle RV Park, Eagle Nest

10 AM-6 PM Red River Art & Wine Festival at Brandenburg Park, Red River

Saturday – June 20, 2015

7 AM-9 AM Balloon Mass Ascension at Angel Fire Resort Balloon Launch Field

8 AM-12 PM Holy Angels Benefit Golf Tournament

9 AM-5 PM Chile Challenge Pro-GRT Mountain Bike Race

9 AM-5 PM Angel Fire Resort Chairlift open

10 AM-6 PM Red River Art & Wine Festival at Brandenburg Park, Red River

1 PM-6 PM 3rd Annual Bear Benefit Rib Cook Off at Enchanted Eagle Park, Eagle Nest

1:30 PM-5 PM Nashville to New Mexico concert at Eagle Nest Lake State Park

2 PM-3 PM "Rapunzel" presentation by Missoula Children's Theater, Eagle Nest

5 PM-7 PM 1 Night 2 Unite Concert, Balloon Glow Field

8 PM-9 PM Balloon Glow at Balloon Glow Field ABG Balloon After-Glow Party - Village Center with live music and specials

Sunday – June 21, 2015

7 AM-9 AM Balloon Mass Ascension at Angel Fire Resort Balloon Field

9AM-4 PM Angel Fire Resort Chairlift open

9 AM-5 PM Chile Challenge Pro-GRT Mountain Bike Race

11 AM-4 PM Red River Art & Wine Festival at Brandenburg Park, Red River

While Enjoying the Angel Fire Balloon Fest, you might just choose to check out Angel Fire real estate so that you can own a piece of this enchanted area for yourself! If you do, allow New Mexico Mountain Properties to assist you.

We have scenic mountain land for sale in Angel Fire as well as private getaway Angel Fire homes for sale. If you would like to be where the action is, our Angel Fire condos for sale might suit you best.

Whatever you are looking for, our dedicated staff will help you find the perfect piece of angel Fire property. Call us at 575-377-2626 or 575-770-3306.We are here to serve and welcome you to our colorful valley town...

6 Ways To Quickly Pay Down Your Mortgage

Taking out a loan in your 20's or 30's and paying it off in your 50's or 60's can seem stressful and you get a nauseating feeling in your stomach when looking at your mortgage statement and seeing those dreaded lines: "360 payments" and "Payoff Date: 2044." But there is hope, and you don't have to be stuck with a 30-year schedule.

Here are six ways you can speed up your repayment clock:

1. Refinance into a 15-year or 20-year loan

Although a 30-year mortgage is what most people consider, most financial companies offer you the option of taking out a 15- or 20-year loan instead. These loans are paid off faster,and applied to principal reduction, rather than interest. With a 15-year loan you will face a larger payment but contrary to what others say, it is not double of a 30 year loan. Each month, you will divert a larger sum of your payment toward your principal and interest payments. The total interest paid over the life of the loan will drop since you will reduce principal faster, and 15- and 20-year loans are usually at a lower interest rate.

2. Make payments as if you've refinanced

Should you refinance or simply make extra payments toward your original loan? Refinancing from a 30 into a 15-year loan does have it's drawbacks. First, you lose out on flexibility. If an emergency arises you might not be able to pay the higher payments. Second, you will have to pay another round of closing costs, which adds up to a few thousand dollars. Which could take you a lot longer to reach the break-even point. If you are close to the end of your mortgage term it might not be wise to refinance, If you are concerned about the two drawbacks of refinancing, just make enough extra payments to pay off the rest of the loan instead.

3. Refinance into a 30-year with a lower interest rate:

If you took your mortgage out before the recession, when interest rates were around 5–6%, now would be a good time to reduce that rate. If you have good strong credit and a low debt-to-income ratio, check into about refinancing into a 30-year loan at a lower interest rate. Once you refinance, your monthly payments will go down instead of going up. This will save you interest over the life of your loan, but it will not speed up your payoff date... it will actually make it longer.

4. Find cheaper homeowner's insurance

The lower your homeowner's insurance premiums is, the less you will pay each month. Be smart look around at other insurance companies and ask about bundle pricing and take advantage of a lower rate. Request a higher deductible. If you are able to lower your homeowner's insurance premium, your monthly mortgage payment will drop. Keep making the same payment, so that you can put the difference toward speeding up your payoff date.

5. Make biweekly payments:

Instead a one lump sum mortgage payment each month, make a biweekly payment instead. How will this help speed up the process? Well, since there are 26 biweekly pay periods each year, you will actually make one extra month's payment every year without knowing or feeling it.

6. Downsize or monetize:

You can always downsize into a cheaper home if you want to be free of your mortgage. Sell your home and use that equity to make a large payment on a new more efficient home. Or you can monetize your existing home. Add an apartment to your home to gain rent. You can use this rental income to pay down the mortgage. Yes, you might face challenges with renters but a fully paid off mortgage might just be worth it.

New Mexico Mountain Properties in Taos and Angel Fire, NM will gladly assist you in locating that perfect piece of Taso or Angel Fire Real Estate . We have scenic mountain land for sale in Angel Fire and Taos, or perhaps our off-the grid homes for sale in Taos might give you that serenity you've always wanted. If it's excitement and smaller living your looking for try our condos for sale in Angel Fire or Taos Ski Valley. Whatever your looking for, we at New Mexico Mountain Properties are here to help to find your dream. Our knowledgeable brokers go that extra mile so you don't have to. Give us a call at 575-377-2626 in Angel Fire, 575-758-5852 in Taos or 575-770-3306 and speak directly to a Broker. We are here to serve and welcome you to this breathtaking mountain area.

Is An FHA Loan Right For You?

FHA loans can be appealing, but beware of these potential pitfalls that can cost you over time.

Federal Housing Established loans or FHA loans, are mortgages with relaxed restrictions, they sometimes offer borrowers a better deal compared to conventional loans, but before deciding it's important for you to know the pros and cons, to understand how this type of loan works.

Here are 4 things to look at..

1) Advantages Of FHA Loans:

FHA loans make homeownership more accessible because you can qualify for a down payment of just 3.5%, even with a low credit score. You can also use money that was gifted to you for the down payment. This is a great way for young and first-time homeowners who have struggled to try and get the 2% down payment all at once or for those who have had credit problems in the past.

2) Understanding How FHA Loans Work:

FHA loans can get costly due to the borrower needing to pay a premium which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which means if you default on your payment the FHA promises to pay back the bank that made the loan so the lenders take no risk. That's why FHA loans have more relaxed restrictions than conventional lenders do.

3) Potential Pitfalls:

Understanding the downside to FHA loans is very important. For example, the fees can cost you with an FHA loan which come from the underlying insurance fees. The current fee costs you 1.75% with an ongoing fee of 0.85%. So because of that permanent insurance payment, it makes FHA loans far less attractive to the buyer.

4) Is An FHA Loan Right For You:

Anyone with a credit score of less than 600 would be better served with an FHA loan due to the fact that most conventional lenders are looking for scores above 700 to even consider you. Also. those in the buyers market can benefit as well because it allows you to pay up to 6% of closing costs compared to the 3% other lenders allow, and to anyone who a down payment of less than 5%, regardless of your credit history. Do keep in mind the pitfalls though with having to maintain the insurance fees for many years that could end-up costing you a lot in the end.

So if your looking into FHA loans these tips might help with understanding what your pros and cons are..

If your looking to purchase or sell a home, come to New Mexico Mountain Properties and see our vast selection of homes for sale in Angel Fire as well as our Taos homes for sale. If it's land you are looking for, our mountain view land for sale in Angel Fire and Taos might just spark your interest. Take a look at our condos for sale in the Taos Ski Valley and Angel Fire Resort, some just steps to the slopes. Give us a call at 575-377-2626 in Angel Fire, 575-758-5852 in Taos or 575-770-3306 and speak directly to a broker. Our dedicated and energetic staff is here to serve and welcome you to our beautiful area.