Are you purchasing your home in Santa Fe? Leyba Real Estate LLC can help.

For many people, purchasing a home can be a stressful event. But with a bit of planning ahead of time, it's not very hard. I like to furnish buyers with a road map of the whole deal so they understand exactly what they can expect. Below are my nine steps to buying a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm glad to answer questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to buy a home
Before you start your home search, there are several things you should do. It's likely that you'll want to form a list of must-have features, get a feeling for what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and start planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or close to 30 percent of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb to adhere to.

Step 2 – Get in touch with a real estate agent
That's where I come in. We'll arrange a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your future plans. We'll talk about the mortgage and housing industries, other economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future, as well as neighborhoods and school districts in the Santa Fe area.

I'll also help you facilitate 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 kind of loan is best for you, as well as help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Begin looking for a home
After we meet, I'll begin looking for homes on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll research most of the houses and exclude the duds, and then we'll book appointments to tour the houses whenever it's convenient for you.

When we view houses, I'll identify good features, as well as negative ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and dislike. It's pretty common for buyers to update their list of must-haves as we tour houses and some things become far more necessary than others. If that's the case, I'll search the listings once more and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Comprehend the market
Your agent's understanding of the Santa Fe market is a fundamental factor in your house search. And I can assure you I'm informed of all the neighborhoods and school districts, and I can alert you to which districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for thoughtful analysis.

As we view houses, I'll be sure to tell you if the list price has room for negotiation or if I believe the house is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be on guard and make sure you ask lots of questions. Any real estate agent will claim to truly know the home market. If it doesn't seem like they know everything, call me at 505-473-0223 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house of your dreams
I'm positive we'll find your dream house in the Santa Fe area. When we do, I'll carefully create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored to suit your needs and the home, including a lot of contingencies, such as acquiring financing, finishing the inspection, and a clear title.

Upon sending in your offer, you'll likely need to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to a home seller to secure an offer to buy the property. The amount is typically applied to the closing costs. If the offer is accepted, we should close on the home within 30 to 60 days after. This allows ample time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate the deal
Most deals aren't closed on the beginning offer. It's very common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll consider whether or not to take the counter offer, propose our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and move on.

Market conditions will play a big part in how aggressively we negotiate the contract. We'll also work within your financing budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll formulate a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain your loan
After we sign the final deal, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't take long at all. However, you should to keep in close contact with your lender. And I'll care for all the property information your lender will need to close the loan.

Step 8 – Close the deal
Your lender will provide you with a Loan Estimate (LE) of your closing costs within three days of getting your loan application. You'll get a Loan Estimate (LE) detailing closing costs from your lender within three days of receiving your application. This estimate rests on the loan amount. RESPA requirements dictate that it has to include all closing costs and fall within a strict range of accuracy, and I'll analyze the estimate and let you know if it all looks permissible.

Then it's time to close on your house. This will most often take place at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and calm event.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! It's time to move into your new house. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, simply contact me at 505-473-0223 or e-mail me at .