Buying or selling a home in Santa Fe? Leyba Real Estate LLC can help.

Buying a home is stressful for a lot of people. However, with some planning ahead of time, it's not that hard. I like to supply buyers with an outline of the entire deal so they know exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have questions regarding this information or if you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase a home
There are plenty of things you need to take into account before starting your home search. It's likely that you'll want to put together an outline of features you need to have, plan for what school districts and neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 1/3 of your monthly income is a good rule to go by.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Santa Fe
This is where I can help. We'll schedule a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll discuss the mortgage industry, other economic factors that might affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Santa Fe area.

I can also help you begin the loan process. I work with some of the best mortgage professionals in Santa Fe, so you'll be in great hands. They'll help you decide which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking
After our initial meeting, I'll start searching for available houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll preview many of the houses and ignore the duds, and then we'll schedule appointments to view the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

As we view the houses, I'll identify good features, as well as negative ones. I'll even ask you about things you like and don't like. It's pretty common for buyers to change their must-have list as we tour houses and some items become far more necessary than others. If such is the case, I'll go back through the listings again and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Know the market
Your agent's awareness of the Santa Fe market is a leading aspect in your house search. And I can assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can let you know which districts are "hot" and call for immediate action and the ones that are "cool" and allow for careful analysis.

When we tour homes, I'll be sure to tell you if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, trust your instincts and be sure to ask lots of questions, as every real estate agent in Santa Fe will claim to comprehend the market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, contact me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at , and I'd be glad to answer any questions you might have. My understanding of the market will help you stay a step ahead throughout the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been looking for
I'm sure we'll find your dream house in the Santa Fe area. When that happens, I'll meticulously develop your purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies, such as getting financing, completing the inspection, and a clean title.

Upon sending in your offer, you'll probably need to submit "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a seller to secure an offer to buy the property and is most often applied to the closing costs. If the seller accepts your offer, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of contracts don't close on the first offer. It's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let it intimidate you. We'll figure out whether or not to accept the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or decline the seller's offer and go on.

The state of the market will play a vital role in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. In addition, we'll work within your financing limits. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
Upon finalizing the contract, you'll begin working with your lender to close the loan. It won't be a long process at all if you're already pre-approved, but you need to keep in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll manage all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your loan application. The estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to contain all closing costs and fall within a narrow range of accuracy, and I'll study the estimate and let you know if everything looks adequate.

Then we'll close on your home. This will most often happen at a title company or escrow office and will likely be a smooth and pleasant occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply call me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at .