Are you purchasing a home in Santa Fe?

With a little planning ahead of time, purchasing a home isn't that hard, but the event can be stressful for many people. I like to supply buyers with an outline of the whole deal so they'll know exactly what they can expect. Here are my nine steps to buying a home. If you have any questions regarding this information or if you're prepared to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Get ready to purchase
There are many things you'll want to contemplate before starting your home search. You'll probably want to form an index of items you want, get a plan of what neighborhoods you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. Ensuring your mortgage payment is less than or close to 30 percent of your net monthly income is a good guideline to follow.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent in Santa Fe
This is where I can help. I'd be happy to set up a time to get together with you and speak with you about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about 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 assist you in getting started on your loan. There are some excellent mortgage professionals in Santa Fe, and I work with a lot of them, so you'll be in great hands. They will help you decide which type of loan is best for you, as well as help you get approved.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After our initial meeting, I'll begin finding homes on the market that are a great fit for you. I'll preview most of the homes and throw out the duds, and then we'll set up appointments to tour the houses whenever it's most convenient for you.

When we tour houses, I'll point out good features and bad ones. And I'll ask you what things you like and don't like. Generally, buyers revise their wish list as we tour houses and some items become more substantial than others. If that happens, I'll go back through all the listings once again and narrow it down to the home you've been wishing for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My understanding of the Santa Fe home market is an imperative aspect in your house search. I'm familiar with all the schools and neighborhoods, and I will communicate which districts are "hot" and require prompt action and others that are "cold" and allow for careful consideration.

When we tour homes, I'll let you know when the seller's asking price has room for bargaining and also when I know the house is "priced to sell." Every real estate agent will tell you they know the market, but take notice, and be sure to ask your agent lots of questions. If things don't add up, just call me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at , and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. My market knowledge will help you stay a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I know we'll find the home of your dreams in the Santa Fe area. When we do, I'll meticulously develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be made to suit your needs and the home. We'll include a lot of contingencies, such as obtaining financing, finishing the inspection, and a clean title.

When turning in your offer, you'll need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a seller to secure an offer to purchase the property, and it's most often put towards the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted, we should close within 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Most contracts don't close on the beginning offer, and it's widely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let it intimidate you. We'll discuss whether or not to accept the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and go on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on market circumstances. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And at the end of the day, we'll assemble a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Secure financing
Once the contract is signed, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. This won't take very long at all if you're already pre-qualified, but you'll want to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll look after all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your loan application. The estimate rests on the loan amount, and RESPA requirements order that it has to contain all closing costs and be within a tight range of accuracy. I'll examine the estimate and let you know if it all looks all right.

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

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