Ruidoso Free Press- 2013 Real Estate Forecast

One Man’s Opinion Ain’t Worth Jack!

My list of resolutions for 2013, written out longhand on a roll of paper towels, (yeah there’s a
few) includes remembering that my opinion is but one of many. And for a person who truly
has a well defined opinion on every subject under the sun, trust me, I’m thinking this might be
a challenge. Though my endless opinions can stem from my philosophical, political or spiritual
perspectives, often, too, they are experienced based. So acknowledging that we can really only
own our own experiences, we’ll must logically acknowledge that others’ experiences are equally
valid.

With this in mind, I thought for this first article of 2013, I’d corral a few opinions from several
of my successful, experienced fellow members of our Ruidoso Lincoln County Association
of Realtors* to offer their take on a Ruidoso real estate market forecast for 2013. I’m hopeful
this provides a more balanced view of where we may head this year. Plus, this saves me from
having to write as much myself this week so maybe I’ll add combating slothfulness to my list of
resolutions if there’s any room left at the end of that roll.

Anyway, here we go … unedited, unvarnished predictions from a few colleagues, with their
brokerage affiliations and years practicing real estate in Ruidoso, listed in no particular order;

Mary Weaver | Prudential Lynch Realty | 8 years
What I wouldn’t give for a good crystal ball. Nationally, I don’t have much confidence in a
continued upward movement in the price of real estate, because people need to have jobs in order
to buy homes. The outlook for Lincoln County, however, is very good as long as the oil industry
in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico continues to thrive. Investors may also see value in
reduced prices and historically low interest rates. Eventually even the most conservative baby
boomers will retire, and Lincoln County is a good fit for people who want peace and quiet at
reasonable resort community prices. I think 2013 will be a good year for real estate in Lincoln
County.

Joe Zagone | Century 21 | 35 years
Lincoln County continues to have consistent growth and with very cold and stormy weather in
the North and East and the energy business doing well in Texas, we will be further discovered
by new permanent and part time residents. New homes under $350,000 have not been built
in sufficient numbers (the past 12 years) to meet demand and the cost to build or remodel
will continue much higher. Fantastic weather, 7 golf courses, major ski area, relatively low taxes,
interest rates, and cost of living; 2013 will see many new folks becoming owners and residents.
Best reason I heard in 2012 for buying a house in Ruidoso “There is no other place in Mountain
Country that you can still buy a great hamburger for under $10.00”

Don & Nancy Lincoln | Coldwell Banker SDC, Realtors | 46 years combined
We saw the bottom in 2009 when our sales were 50% of 2006. Each year since we have seen
steady progress in the market with 2011 & 2012 averaging 33% above the low point, and
even recently had our first multiple offer on a listing in over 3 years! We all know … “as Texas

goes, Ruidoso goes” and Texas has the strongest overall economy of our United States. We see
optimism, finally, for 2013 after the Little Bear Fire, the election and the fiscal cliff. Although
none of the above had a perfect resolution, what our customers hate worst of all is “the unknown;
just give us the rules and let’s move on”.

Keli Cox | BuyRuidoso.com | 8 years
With Ruidoso being a resort community, our market is atypical and has avoided some of the
trends of other housing markets. The local outlook is positive, with home prices holding firm
and expecting to rise. Second home buyers continue to turn out in great numbers right now,
motivated by the prospect of affordable homes and historically low mortgage rates. But this time
of year inventory is generally lower and some buyers are still struggling to find the right fit.

Ed LeBlanc | Rio Ruidoso Company | 22 years
The last 4 years have been some of the toughest I have seen. During 2012 my management and
real estate company did very well and I believed buyers’ confidence had improved. Sellers need
to be aware values have gone down and it is a buyers’ market in some cases. For you buyers it
is a great time to buy before the market trends higher. For the next 4 years lower but stabilized
prices and great interest rates make this the time to buy. For sellers, be willing to look at the
market and your property in an honest light. It may take longer to sell so have your home show
ready and priced right when buyers come.

Gary Lynch | Prudential Lynch Realty | 38 years
Having had a very good year in our office and feeling very blessed. It is still concerning to me
that the Buyers are happier than the sellers due to a buyers’ market. I have seen four markets
like what we have now, this market being far the worst. On the bright side it appears that
inventory is being whittled away and as long as our major Texas market holds up and interest
rates stay down, we could see some improvement. However, the national economy can always
play a major factor. In my opinion if we continue whittling away at the inventory, we could
possibly see some slight appreciation in 2013. We can only hope. Being fortunate enough to live
in one of most beautiful places on earth cannot hurt.

What do I think will happen with the Ruidoso market? Pretty much everything stated above,
as all these forecasts make sense to me. Lots of good perspectives here and I don’t think my
regurgitating the same ideas adds a shred of value to this article.

So best prosperous real estate wishes to all and may this be the year you find your dream home.

*Disclaimer: This is not my any means intended as an exhaustive list of successful, experienced
member Realtors of the Ruidoso Lincoln County Association of Realtors. There are many, many
more dedicated, intelligent, well qualified, affable, great looking, fair-minded, hard-working,
courageous, charming, warm-hearted, good natured, inventive, confident, passionate, honest,
diligent, friendly, dynamic, thoughtful, imaginative, reliable and plucky members in our Board,
but due to space and time limitations, unfortunately, we were only able to include a few.

For more information about Ruidoso, please contact

Bob Moroney
bob@buyruidoso.com
575-937-7437

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