A group of women volunteers will break ground on a new HABITAT FOR HUMANITY house Jan. 12 as part of Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity's Women Build project. The project is being underwritten by Lowe's Companies Inc. which is providing a $25,000 grant to co-sponsor the home. Lowe's also will provide free clinics on home construction basics for women participating in the build. The Women Build program brings women from all walks of life together to learn construction skills and then use those skills to provide more housing. Women interested in volunteering on the build can contact Habitat's volunteer coordinator, Winni DuBois, at (505) 265-0057 x103, or at volunteer@habitatabq.org. Keep updated with more information on Albuquerque housing by going to my site at www.RealEstateInABQ.com

According to crime reports compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation one out of every six homes will be burglarized this year. By making it more difficult for intruders to get into your residence, you can greatly reduce your chances of being robbed. The more a burglar has to work to get into your home, the less chance you have of becoming his victim. There are several things you can do to make your home less vulnerable, below are some home security tips that are easy to implement, and will keep you and your family as safe as possible. • Trees located near windows or shrubbery that might shield a burglar from view can be major flaws in your home-protection plan. Consider your landscaping plan in light of your protection needs. • Keep all points of entry to your home well-lit. Consider installing motion-sensor lights on the rear and sides of your home and position them in out-of-reach places so they can't easily be turned off by a would-be thief. • Talk to your neighbors ab

Do you want to buy a home but feel you cannot because you have bad credit? The reality is you are not alone and most people are embrassed and discouraged because of their poor credit history. The average American now carries about $8,000 in credit card debt and bankruptcy rates have soared over the past couple of years. In addition, filing for bankruptcy stays on your credit history for 10 years, and can significantly lower your credit score. The good news is that you can buy a home and there are many mortgage companies who specialize in working with consumers with bad credit. They can help you to get a clear picture of where you stand and what steps you need to take to achieve your goal of home ownership. However, keep in mind it is a good idea to do research and make sure you are dealing with a reputable company. It is always advisable to shop around for the best bad credit mortgage company in the market. The lending market can be broken up into two main segments, the prime, thos

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Thinking of tackling some home improvement projects? You may be wondering, ‘can I really do it myself?’ The answer is “YES!” With a little research and some hard work, you can fix, repair, build on or enhance you home. Supplying your own elbow grease to a home improvement job is a worthy effort to save you money and boost the bottom line of value returned to your home. In addition, there is a certain satisfaction that results from completing a project with your own two hands. Even so, there are some guidelines you should try to follow to make the most out of your project. •Safety first! Always use eye protection and dress for safety: wear sturdy clothing, boots, gloves and be sure to wear a mask to avoid breathing dust and fibers. It is a good idea to also keep a good first-aid kit on hand. •Get the best. Build with quality equipment, materials and workmanship. Skimping up front means skimping on the boost-in-value end. •Before you undertake any do-it-yourself home improvement projec

When it comes time to buy a home there are some important factors to consider to ensure you make the right decision. You may want to buy a home in a particular neighborhood, or maybe you are looking for a large back yard. House hunting can be exciting, it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Use the tips below to help lead you in the right direction so make your experience a positive one and in the end find that house of your dreams! • Create a list. Think about what you and your family really need and want in your home. Focus in on the features you must have, would like to have, definitely don't want and would prefer not to have. Your goal is to find the right home for your family without falling in love with one that doesn't suit your needs. A good idea to get started is to think about what you like and dislike about your current home. • Location, location, location. You've probably heard this old real estate cliché several times, but the point still bears repeatin

Please tune in every month for my new Albuquerque Real Estate Podcast and updates on the market at my site at www.realestateinabq.com My newest Podcast can be heard at http://www.talkrealty.com/lindadevlieg Happy Holidays!