Buying or selling a home in Santa Fe?

For many people, buying a home can be an intimidating event. But with a bit of up-front planning, it's not all that complex. I like to furnish buyers with a road map of the entire deal so they'll know exactly what to expect. Here are my nine steps to purchasing a home. If you have questions regarding any of this information or if you're ready to get started, simply contact me here or e-mail me at .

Step 1 – Prepare to purchase
Before you begin your home search, there are a lot of things you'll want to take into account. You'll probably want to make a checklist of items you want, get a feel for what neighborhoods you'd like to live in, and begin planning around your budget. Keeping your mortgage payment less than 1/3 of your monthly income is a good principle to adhere to.

Step 2 – Connect with a real estate agent in Santa Fe
This is where I can help. We can book a time to get together so we can talk about why you want to buy a home and get an idea of your plans for the future. We'll talk about everything from neighborhoods, school districts in the Santa Fe area, the mortgage industry, to any other economic factors that could potentially affect your purchase today or in the future.

I'll also help you facilitate the loan process. There are some very good mortgage professionals in Santa Fe, and I partner with a lot of them, so you're in great hands. They will assist you in deciding which type of loan is best for you and help you get qualified.

Step 3 – Start looking for a house
After we meet for the first time, I'll start looking for homes on the market that are a good fit for you. I'll preview most of the houses and throw out the bad ones, and then we'll set up appointments to view the houses when it's convenient for you.

When we view the homes, I'll call attention to good features and bad ones. I'll also ask you what things you like and don't like. Most often, buyers revise their wish list as we tour houses and some things become more important than others. If that's the situation, I'll go back through the listings another time and trim it down to the home you've been waiting for.

Step 4 – Get a grasp of the housing market
My knowledge of the Santa Fe home market is a fundamental factor in your house search. I am conscious of all the schools and neighborhoods, and I'll communicate certain districts are "hot" and call for prompt action and others that are "cool" and allow for careful analysis.

As we view homes, I'll make sure to communicate when the seller's asking price has room for bargaining and also when I believe the home is "priced to sell." Be mindful and make sure you ask plenty of questions, as every real estate agent will tell you they understand the housing market. If things don't add up, call me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at , and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. My knowledge of the market will keep you a step above the rest through the entire deal.

Step 5 – Find the house you've been looking for
I'm confident we'll find your dream house in Santa Fe. When we do, I'll precisely develop your home purchase offer. The offer will be tailored with your needs in mind and the home, including some contingencies. A few examples are obtaining financing, carrying out the inspection, and a clear title.

When we submit your purchase offer, you'll likely want to present "earnest money." This is a cash deposit submitted to the seller to secure the offer to buy the property. The amount is typically applied to the cost of closing. If your offer is accepted by the seller, we should close on the home about 30 to 60 days after. This allows plenty of time for your mortgage financing.

Step 6 – Negotiate
Unfortunately most contracts aren't closed on the first offer, and it's extremely common to receive a counter offer. Don't let this intimidate you. We'll discuss whether or not to take the counter offer, submit our own counter offer, or refuse the seller's offer and go on.

Market conditions determine how aggressively we negotiate the contract. In addition, we'll work within your financing budget. And at the end of the day, we'll create a deal that works well for you.

Step 7 – Get a loan
Upon signing the deal, you'll start working with your lender to close the loan. This shouldn't take long at all if you're already pre-approved, but you need to stay in close contact with your mortgage lender. And I'll look after all the property information your mortgage lender needs to close the loan.

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

Then it's time to close on your house. This will most likely happen at a title company or escrow office and will most likely be a smooth and relaxing occasion.

Step 9 – Move in
Congratulations! Now you can move into your new home. Enjoy it. And if you need anything or have any questions, just contact me at 5054730223 or e-mail me at .