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

Purchasing a home is stressful for most people, but it's not all that difficult with a bit of planning ahead of time. So they know exactly what to expect, I will supply buyers with an outline of the whole deal. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. When you're ready to get started, just contact me here or e-mail me at . I'm happy to address questions you have about this information.

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
There are a lot of things you need to contemplate before you start searching for a home. When you start your search, you'll probably want to assemble an index of features you want, get an idea of what neighborhoods and school districts you want to live in, and begin working on your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than or close to 30 percent of your monthly income is a good guideline to go by.

Step 2 – Communicate with a real estate agent in Santa Fe
This is where I come in. We'll set up a time to get together so we can talk about your real estate needs and get an idea of your upcoming plans. We'll discuss neighborhoods, schools in the Santa Fe area, the mortgage and housing industries, and any additional economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

I can also assist you with getting started on your loan. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Santa Fe, and I work with a lot of them, so you can rest assured that you're in great hands. They will assist you with choosing which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start your search
Following our first meeting, I'll begin finding houses on the market that suit your needs. I'll research many of the homes and remove the bad ones, and then we'll schedule appointments to tour the houses at a time that's convenient for you.

As we view houses, I'll point out good features and negative ones. I'll even ask you to tell us about things you like and dislike. For the most part, buyers change their must-have list as we view houses and some items become far more important than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through all the listings once again and trim it down to the house you've been dreaming about.

Step 4 – Understand the market
Your agent's knowledge of the Santa Fe market is a leading element in your house search. And I can assure you I'm conscious of all the school districts and neighborhoods, and I can communicate which neighborhoods are "hot" and demand immediate action and some that are "cold" and allow for more consideration.

As we tour houses, I'll let you know if the seller's list price has room for bargaining or if I believe the home is "priced to sell." When working with an agent, be mindful and be sure to ask lots of questions, as any real estate agent will tell you they know the market. If things don't add up, just call me at 505-473-0223 or e-mail me at , and I'd be more than happy to answer your questions. My understanding of the market will keep you a step ahead through the entire process.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been waiting for
I'm certain we'll find your dream home in the Santa Fe area. When that happens, I'll precisely create your real estate purchase offer. The offer will be tailored keeping your needs in mind and the home, including several contingencies, such as getting financing, carrying out the home inspection, and a clean title.

Upon presenting your offer, most likely you'll want 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 often applied to the cost of closing. If the seller accepts the offer, we should close on the property about 30 to 60 days afterward. This allows sufficient time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
A lot of deals aren't closed on the beginning offer. It's pretty common to receive a counter offer. But don't let this intimidate you. We'll figure out whether or not to consent to the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or reject the seller's offer and move on.

How aggressively we negotiate the contract depends on the state of the market. In addition, we'll work within your budget. And when it's all said and done, we'll compose a contract that works well for you.

Step 7 – Obtain a loan
Upon completing the deal, you'll begin working with your mortgage lender to close the loan. If you're already pre-approved, it shouldn't be a long process at all. However, you need to stay in close contact with your lender. And I'll deal with all the property information your lender needs to close the loan.

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

Then it's time to close on your house. This will likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will most often be a smooth and stress-free affair.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you have any questions, simply contact me at 505-473-0223 or e-mail me at .