Buying or selling a home?

Buying a home can be stressful for a lot of people, but it's not all that complex with a bit of up-front planning. So they understand exactly what to expect, I like to furnish buyers with an overview of the whole deal. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to address any questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Get ready to buy a home
There are a lot of things you'll want to contemplate before commencing your home search. You'll most likely want to form a checklist 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 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good rule to follow.

Step 2 – Contact a real estate agent
This is where Leyba Real Estate LLC comes in. I'd like to set up a time to meet with you and communicate with you regarding why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll discuss neighborhoods, school districts in the Santa Fe area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any additional economic factors that could affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also help you get started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Santa Fe, and I partner with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They can assist you in deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get approved.

Step 3 – Begin house hunting
Following our first meeting, I'll start looking for houses on the market that best suit you. I'll preview most of the homes and throw out the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses when it's most convenient for you.

As we view houses, I'll show you the positive features, as well as bad ones. I'll also ask you to talk about things you like and dislike. Oftentimes, buyers update their must-have list as we view houses and some things become far more substantial than others. If that's the situation, I'll search all the listings again and trim it down to the house you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Know the housing market
Your agent's understanding of the Santa Fe housing market is a leading agent in your home search. And I assure you I'm familiar with all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can alert you to some districts are "hot" and warrant immediate action and some that are "cool" and allow for more analysis.

When we tour houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the seller's asking price has room for bargaining or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask plenty of questions, as every real estate agent in Santa Fe will claim to know the home market. If things don't add up, just call me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step above the rest throughout the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the home you've been waiting for
I'm confident we'll find the home of your dreams in Santa Fe. When we do, I'll precisely develop your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including some contingencies. A few examples are acquiring financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

When turning in your offer, you'll probably need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit made to a seller to secure the offer to buy the property, and it's often put towards the closing costs. If your offer is accepted, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows enough time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Unfortunately most deals don't close on the beginning offer – it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this discourage you. We'll talk over whether or not to accept the counter offer, present our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

Market circumstances will play a role in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll create a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get financing
Once we sign the final deal, you'll start 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'll need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll sort out all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your mortgage lender will supply you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of closing costs within three days of accepting your application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) outlining closing costs from your lender within three days of getting your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements mandate that it has to include all closing costs and be within a close range of accuracy, and I'll examine the estimate and let you know if everything looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your home. This will probably take place at a title company or escrow office and should be a smooth and easygoing affair.

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