Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How may I purchase one of these quality properties?
2. How can I be assured that the title is good?
3. How may I finance my land purchase?
4. What are the finance charges?
5. May I pay cash?
6. What closing costs do I pay?
7. What are property tax rates?
8. Am I required to improve my land?
9. What other costs should I expect if I improve my land?
10. Do you have other properties that aren't listed?
11. Do you have more photos?
12. How may I inspect this land?
13. What is the elevation?
14. What is the climate like?
15. What type of plants grow here?
16. Does zoning permit a mobile or modular home? 
17. May I build my own home?
18. May I live on the land while I'm building?
19. Are there roadway and utility easements?
20. How much water may I use?
21. Should I buy land with an existing well?
22. Why should I buy 10, 20 or more acres if I don't use it all?
23. Is land a good investment?
24. How long has your company been in business?
25. How can I contact you?

1. How may I purchase one of these quality properties?

• E-mail or call us with the following: your name(s) as you want it to appear on the title, mailing address, phone, email address, day of the month you want your payments due on, marital status, and the property you want to purchase.
• Within a few days, the simple, easy-to-understand contract (please click here to see an example) will be prepared and emailed (or sent by USPS, if you prefer) to you.
• Sign, notarize and return the papers with a check or money order for the down payment.
• An accepted copy will be returned to you, at which time (subject to the contract terms) you may take possession of the land.

2. How can I be assured that the title is good?   Upon receipt of your down payment, a title insurance policy (guaranteeing that you have clear, unencumbered, marketable title to your land) will be ordered for you from a reputable title insurance company. This cost is paid by the Seller. Within 6 to 8 weeks (depending upon the title company's work load) the insurance policy will be mailed to you.

3. How may I finance my land purchase?   By completing a Real Estate Contract (please click here to see an example) with the Seller. The Contract is fully-assumable. During the term of the contract you will make payments to the Seller (or to a company the Seller employs to maintain those records).  When you have paid the entire balance, a deed will also be recorded in your name.

4. What are the finance charges?   Currently, contracts are at the fixed percentage rate of 7.9% a.p.r.  Terms listed provide for complete repayment in approximately 15 years depending on size and improvements. However, you may save interest and shorten the payment term by voluntarily making larger payments (or completely prepaying) at any time. Monthly payments may be reduced by making a larger down payment.

Return to Top of Page

5. May I pay cash?   Yes.

6. What closing costs do I pay?   None. Survey, title insurance and recording fees are paid by the Seller.

7. What are property tax rates?   This varies somewhat, but averages approximately 0.75% of the full value. For example, annual taxes on land valued at $10,000 would be about $75. Partial exemptions are available for veterans (and their widows) who are NM residents. Also, there is a partial exemption for all NM head's of household.

8. Am I required to improve my land?   No

9. What other costs should I expect if I improve my land?   The total amount needed to provide all "utilities" ranges from $0 to approximately $15,000, depending upon existing improvements, your needs, and changing technologies:

• Good quality water wells for these locations cost about $3,500 to $6,000 (gravel-packed 5" diameter PVC casing).
• A pump, motor and pressure system will cost about $2,000 to $3,500 installed. Please note that (unless otherwise stated) lands offered with wells do not include these items.
• Septic systems cost about $2,500 to $3,500 complete.
• A 100 amp electrical meter loop costs about $700 installed; $1,100 for 200 amp.
• The cost of extending electric service from existing lines is based upon expected revenue vs. cost to the electric company. Meter locations effect the cost.  Extensions up to about 125 feet from an existing transformer to a new meter are typically free, while a 250 foot extension requiring a new transformer might cost $1,000 to $2,000. The price of land farther from existing service is discounted, thus offering the opportunity for that appreciation if/when others extend the line.
• New telephone line installations cost about $30 to $150, depending on location. Monthly service costs about $30. Cell phone service is also available in the area.

Return to Top of Page

10. Do you have other properties that aren't listed?   Yes. However, those published are very representative of available prices, terms and locations. Please contact us directly (e-mail or phone 520-742-2202) with your specific needs, so that we can advise you of other properties which may be better for you.

11. Do you have more photos?   Yes. However, those published on this web site are probably the best quality, and very representative of the available lands. Purchasers frequently tell us that photos can't do the property justice -- that seeing it first hand better reveals relative sizes and how attractive it really is. We suggest that you visit and see for yourself.

12. How may I inspect this land?   Easy-to-follow maps are available here at our web site. A map of the general area can be found on our Home Page.  More detailed maps are included on the detailed information pages for each property (from the Properties for Sale page, click on the property of your choice).  If you live some distance away, El Paso airport is less than 2 hours from the lands, while Albuquerque and Tucson airports are each about 3 hours away. If you would like to meet with us, we will be happy to schedule an appointment to meet in Tucson or in Deming.

13. What is the elevation?   Approximately 4,300 feet.

14. What's the climate like?   Sunny and dry. Average annual rainfall is 9". Average snow fall is 1". Average humidity is 25%. Summers average 100 days with daytime temperatures over 89 degrees (but seldom over 100) and due to the elevation, evenings are considerably cooler. Afternoon thunderstorms in July and August tend to hold down daytime highs. Winters are noted for clear skies and sunny weather.  Daytime temperatures during the coldest months, average well into the 50's. Winds average 10 miles per hour and, as elsewhere in the Southwest, during late winter and spring, moderate to strong winds may blow some dust. (summarized from Chamber of Commerce information)

Return to Top of Page

15. What type of plants grow here?   Many native plants (various varieties of trees, bushes, grasses, yuccas, mesquites, flowers, cacti, sage, creosote, etc.) will grow profusely without irrigation. This type of landscaping is encouraged for its beauty and low maintenance.  Lawns, gardens, trees, bushes, flowers, etc. not native to the desert can also be easily grown, although some irrigation is usually required in the sunny, dry climate.

16. Does zoning permit a mobile or modular home?   Yes, unless otherwise noted and restricted. Most of the land listed at our web site is outside of a "3-mile radius" from Deming and not zoned. Luna County does not permit mobile homes manufactured prior to (older than) June 15, 1976.

17. May I build my own home on the property?   Yes. Alternate materials, designs and construction may be used. Building permits are available through the County at a cost of $40 plus $1.50 per $1,000 of estimated value over $3,000.

18. May I live on the land while I'm building?   Luna County permits residency in self-contained RVs for up to 30 days without utility connections and up to 240 days per calendar year if there is a well, approved septic system and electric power on the property.  Time extensions are available under some circumstances and also if an approved residence is under construction or an approved modular or mobile home has been ordered.  Regardless, sewage, solid waste and environmentally hazardous materials must be disposed of in a manner permitted by governmental authorities.

19. Are there roadway and utility easements?   Yes. Combined roadway and utility easements (total 30 ft to 50 ft. wide) are reserved from one side of all parcels. Corner properties have such easements on two sides. Some parcels also have utility only easements (8 to 30 ft wide) reserved from interior property lines. Maps included on the detailed Properties for Sale web pages show actual dimensions (including easements) rounded to the nearest foot. Survey plats are provided to all purchasers.

Return to Top of Page

20. How much water may I use?   The State Engineer controls water usage as follows. 

• Each domestic well must have a permit (easily obtained through the State Engineer's Office in Deming for $125).
• Each land owner may only have one domestic well in their name in NM at any time.
• Each domestic well shall not produce more than 1 acre-foot (approx. 325,000 gallons) annually per household served by the well.
• Regardless of the number of households served, no domestic well shall produce more than 3 acre-feet (approx. 975,000 gallons -- a considerable amount of water) annually.
• Each domestic well shall not be used to irrigate an area greater than one acre (this need not be contiguous, thus offering various opportunities, such as the random planting of trees over a large area).

21. Should I buy land with an existing well?   This probably depends upon your plans and available cash. Nearby wells indicate that underground water is available to each of these properties. If you won't need water in the near future, then you may want to defer that expense until later.  On the other hand, we occasionally offer properties with wells, septic systems and electric meter loops at attractive terms and pricing.

22. Why should I buy 10, 20 or more acres if I don't use all of it?   To provide space between yourself and your neighbor. However, we recommend that you limit the size of your purchase to a price that is within your budget so that you can enjoy it!

23. Is land a good investment?   We don't know what the future may hold. Therefore, we think of land as a "security blanket" rather than an investment. We offer the following thoughts (pro and con):

• The world's population is increasing, but the land area is not.
• When your land is paid for, you will own real property -- not rent receipts.
• After your land is paid for, property taxes (question 7) will remain a recurring cost.
• More land cannot be printed (unlike money, stocks and bonds).
• Land typically takes longer (and costs more) to resell than stocks or bonds.
• Good, usable land can provide a home site now, for relocation, at retirement, or for your heirs.

24. How long has your company been in business?  Our family-owned business has been incorporated and in good standing in New Mexico since 1983.