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Displaying blog entries 11-19 of 19

Home Buyers – Protect Yourself From Equifax Breech

by Sandi Pressley

It's been all over the news. Of course you’ve no doubt heard about the massive data theft of 143 million consumer’s personal data from Equifax.  The problems this theft will cause could affect a lot of lives.  It could especially affect home buyers and mortgage applicants.

It’s likely that an enormous sensitive information was stolen from most Americans with credit, including addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license and credit card numbers.  These could be made available to the highest bidders. 

Those at the highest risk may be home buyers and mortgage applicants. This is because they have a significant amount of information on file at the credit bureaus. This could cause serious problems down the road, especially during the buying process.

There’s no need to panic, as steps can be taken to protect yourself.  You can lock down your credit files with fraud alerts or credit file freezes, which will prevent people from opening accounts in your name and will prevent them from getting credit reports.

The FTC has helpful information on identify-theft countermeasures at consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft. And if you’re thinking of doing a freeze, a good site is uspirg.org/resources/usp/protect-yourself-against-new-account-id-theft. You can also get free, three-bureau credit monitoring service being offered by Equifax at equifaxsecurity2017.com. The most important first step is to check your three credit reports for free at annualcreditreport.com and see whether anyone has been tampering with your accounts.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

6640 Santo Lina Trail NW, Albuquerque   $279,000

3 Bedrooms/ 2.5 Bathrooms/ 2670 Square Feet

Oversized corner lot w/Unobstructed views of the City, Bosque & Mountains along the Bosque in gated community. Close to to beautiful & scenic walking & bike paths!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Beware of the Rental Trap

by Sandi Pressley

Owning a home has many advantages and benefits.  One of the best things about owning a home is avoiding rising rent costs. 

The cost of renting is going up across the nation.  According to ConsumerAffairs “The cost of putting a roof over your head continues to go up. Not only are home prices still rising, but the cost of rent rose 0.5% in June.” The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University’s 2017 State of the Nation’s Housing Report also noted that “Renters continue to be more likely to face cost burdens…the number of cost-burdened renters (21 million) considerably outstrips the number of cost-burdened owners (18 million) even though nearly two-thirds of US households own their homes.”

With a 30 year fixed rate mortgage, owning a home can be cheaper than renting. Many people feel they can’t afford to buy a home because they haven’t saved enough money for down payment, or they don’t have good enough credit.  But you don’t know until you investigate the options.  If you’re considering buying a home in Albuquerque, give us a call and let a professional help you determine if you’re in a position to own your own home and not get stuck in a rental trap.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

10 Cinco Circle, Placitas, NM   $550,000

5 Bedrooms/ 5 Bathrooms (1 full, 4 partial) / 4015 Square Feet

Enjoy the extraordinary views from this spacious home, featuring 5 bedrooms, 2 living areas, and more.  Treat your guests to the upstairs bed with en suite bath.  Entertain in style with the spacious kitchen that opens into the great room.  

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

More Americans Are Choosing to Buy Than Rent

by Sandi Pressley

According to the latest US Census Bureau report, it turns out that for the first time since 2006, more people chose to purchase a home over renting in the first quarter of this year.  There were 1.22 million new households formed in the first quarter, and of those, 854,000 were first-time buyers.  That makes the home ownership rate among new households a whopping 70%!

This is great news as the rate of homeownership nationwide is currently 63.6%.  The last time the rate came close to this figure was in the 2nd quarter of 2004, when it was at the all-time high of 69.2%.

Recently, a Wall Street Journal article had this to say about the reason for the jump in first-time buyers:

“The return of first-time buyers is accelerating. In all, they have accounted for 42% of buyers this year, up from 38% in 2015 and 31% at the lowest point during the recent housing cycle in 2011, according to Fannie Mae, which defines first-time buyers as anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the past three years.”

According to Trulia’s Chief Economist, Ralph McLaughlin:

“Strong renter household formation is one of the reasons why the homeownership rate has continued to drop since the onset of the housing crisis, so any sign this trend is reversing is something to take note of. We look forward to future releases of these data to determine whether this is a statistical blip or a trend.”

What does this all mean? Basically, this indicates that as more people who can buy for the first time realize their ability to buy a home without renting first, then the overall economy will benefit.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

4401 Pershing Avenue SE, Albuquerque   $499,000

3 Bedrooms/ 1 Bathrooms / 3 Partial Baths / 4100 Square Feet

INCREDIBLE Custom single story Home-In the heart of ABQ. 2CAR garage, open floorplan showcases 3 exceptional LG living areas, all in whopping 4100 sq ft!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Tips For First Time Buyers

by Sandi Pressley

Are you a first time home buyer in Albuquerque? Buying a new home, no matter if it’s your first time or not, takes a lot of effort.  Here are a few tips that can help the process go more smoothly.

Research Early

Start looking at websites and even local real estate listings in paper journals. Write down the listings that interest you and how long they’re listed, along with any changes in asking prices.  This will give you a more accurate read on your local market trends. You can also sign up for email listing alerts that give you real time updates of new homes as they hit the market.

Budget

How much can you really afford?  That’s the biggest question.  It‘s recommended that you keep the cost of your home to less than 5 times your annual income, providing you’re making a 20% down payment and have moderate debt. Here’s a handy affordability calculator that can help.

Get Prequalified and Preapproved

You need to know how much you can spend before you start looking for a home.  Work with a lender to determine how much you can afford by providing simple information such as income and how much you have in savings.  This is called prequalifying. Later you can get preapproved for credit, which involves providing more documents like W-2s and bank account statement so that a lender can verify your credit.

This is just a start.  But if you follow these tips it will get you on your way to buying the home in  Albuquerque that best fits your needs.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2571 Clear Sky Street SW, Los Lunas   $175,000

4 Bedrooms/ 2.5 Bathrooms/ 2265 Square Feet

Popular DR Horton Floorplan w/ 4 bedrooms and bonus loft space upstairs. 2 living areas, open kitchen and comfortable family dining room!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Have You Considered Closing Costs?

by Sandi Pressley

As you plan on buying your next home in Albuquerque, you no doubt are already setting aside a down payment.  But have you considered closing costs? If not, then you need to remember that’s it’s an important part of the buying process.

What exactly are closing costs?  They are also known as settlement fees, and are paid when obtaining a mortgage.  These fees are charged by your real estate agent, lender and other parties involved in the transaction.  These costs can be around 2-5% of the purchase price.

Many first-time home buyers in Albuquerque don’t realize this.  And if you have a low down payment program, the closing costs could be the same amount as the down payment.

There’s a number of factors that can affect the closing costs, such as appraisal fees, credit report fees, and others.  You can work with your lender and agent to see if there’s any way to decrease these costs. You can also negotiate with the seller over who pays the fees. This is called ‘seller’s concession’ and can be used in negotiation to get the deal closed with the seller.

So make sure to talk to us early about closing costs so you won’t be caught unprepared.

 

To receive a personal consultation for your home, contact the Sandi Pressley Team directly!

Looking for the perfect Albuquerque area home? Sign-up for our free Preferred Email Listing Alerts and receive only the properties that meet your personal qualifications! Follow this link: PREFERRED EMAIL LISTING ALERTS


HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

4401 Pershing Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM   $499,000

3 Bedrooms/ 4 Bathrooms/ 4100 Square Feet

INCREDIBLE Custom single story Home-In the heart of ABQ! This home has it all! Open floorplan with large living areas, game room, and so much more.  

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Purchasing a Home is Still a Good Choice

by Sandi Pressley

Good Monday Morning!

While homeownership numbers may be down, Americans continue to believe that owning a home is still a good decision even as mortgage rates bounce up and down. According to the National Association of Realtors 2013 National Housing Pulse Survey, eight in 10 people believe that purchasing a home is a good choice and 68% believe that now is a good time to make a purchase. Since the last survey in 2011, renters who are contemplating a home purchase rose from 25% to 36% while those who stated they prefer to rent fell from 31% to 25%. More than half of the renters surveyed stated that one of their highest priorities is owning a home, up to 51% from 42%.

We remain towards the lower end of a home value cycle. This means that most likely home values will increase significantly over the next 5 years. Even though mortgage rates have ticked up slightly, they remain well below the 10 year average. This combination leads one to believe that investing in home ownership now is a wise decision.

Have An Awesome Week!

SANDI'S LATEST HOT HOME LISTING!

Property Image
9017 Galaxia Way NE
Price: $375,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 1.5 Sq Ft: 2,735
This gorgeous brick home is situated on almost 1/3 of an acre lot w/back yard access, RV parking & lots of udates! Automatic gate, decorative fencing for total privacy & security, wheel chair accessible throughout. Refrigerated air! Formal living/dining room combo, huge family room w/custom fireplace & wet bar opens to the spacious kitchen w/sunny breakfast nook. Newer windows, cook top, range hood & gorgeous marble tile. Nicely landscaped front & back. Finished oversized garage!



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Sandi

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Approaching the Current Housing Market

by Sandi Pressley

Good Monday Morning!

As the national and local Real Estate markets continue to heat up, it would be wise to approach the current housing market with a degree of caution. Yes, it is exciting that homes are once again beginning to sell in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho market areas! Is it just like the old times again? Well, maybe not. In fact we most likely will never see the old times again.

What we all need to remember is that the current upsurge in the housing market and in home values is not based on a true economic recovery. Most of the improvement in the housing market is based on current low mortgage interest rates that are being artificially created by the feds. We can all hope that both the national and local economies will rebound significantly because the low rates won't last forever. When interest rates begin to rise, look out. Will the current bubble burst? This is going to be dependent upon the condition of the economy and also on how sharp the increase in mortgage rates is. It could happen quickly though and we could slide back into a strong buyers’ market at the drop of a hat.

We most likely will see a continuation of low rates for the foreseeable future, but the best bet is to take action now if you are considering a home purchase. One thing that history has proved to us is that the market we have today won't be the market that we have a year from now.

Have An Awesome Week!

SANDI'S LATEST HOT HOME LISTING!

Property Image
13139 Blackstone Rd NE
Price: $450,000 Beds: 5 Baths: 2.5 Sq Ft: 4,028
Gorgeous custom brick home on almost 1/3 acre lot, lovingly cared for. Two+ living spaces provide plenty of room for entertaining & privacy. Delightful kitchen w/Thermador stove, custom cabinets & sunny breakfast nook. Master retreat w/2-way fireplace, jet tub, separate shower & view balcony. Huge Rec room in finished basement & sauna! Many architectural details include vaulted ceilings, clerestory windows, arched doorways & skylights. Parklike yards w/pond, water fall + established landscaping.



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Sandi

Visit Website

It is Still a Great Time to Purchase a Home

by Sandi Pressley

Good Tuesday Morning!

Yes, the market is heating up and the inventory of homes available for purchase has decreased significantly over the past six months. In fact, homes that are in great condition and priced well don't stay on the market long. The Albuquerque and Rio Rancho market area is even seeing multiple offers again. It is still a great time to purchase a home. Mortgage interest rates remain at historic low levels and home prices have not increased significantly, although this is on the horizon if current market conditions continue.

If you're a home buyer, among the things you can do to be prepared is to have a plan of action. If you're an aggressive buyer eager to find a home, hire a real estate agent that can help you find what you're looking for and will act quickly when properties hit the market.

When a home is first listed it will get the most attention. In a hot real estate market that could mean not just viewings but multiple offers and even offers that are over the listing price (not something we're used to thinking about lately, but that's the nature of real estate - it cycles through ups and downs).

So, if you're really serious about finding a home in a market where the inventory has dropped and the prices have increased, be prepared to take action the minute homes come on the market. Don't delay and say, "I'll drop by this weekend when I get a free moment." In some of today's markets, procrastination could be the deal breaker.

The Sandi Pressley Real Estate Team has 5 Home Buyer Specialists. Our Specialists do not list homes, they only work and represent home buyers. Working with a Home Buyer Specialist can make a significant difference in a market like the one we are in today. A Buyer Specialist knows the market, keeps on top of the current home inventory and can help you be on top of the best home purchase opportunities as they come about. Having a real estate agent working for you in this capacity in this market can make a significant difference in what kind of home you find and how much you pay for it. Contact us if you are interested in being fully represented as a buyer. You will love this approach to purchasing a home.

Have An Awesome Week!

SANDI'S LATEST HOT HOME LISTING!

Property Image
416 Monte Alto Pl NE
Price: $275,000 Beds: 4 Baths: 1.5 Sq Ft: 2,463
Well-maintained, single story home, nestled in the foothills on nearly 1/3 acre lot. Light & bright floorplan w/large great room, eat-in kitchen, formal dining & 4 spacious bedrooms. Master has shower & walkin closet. Some of the many recent updates include combo refrigerated air/heating unit & new stucco in 2012, new windows throughout in 2010, new appliances, light fixtures, updated baths in 2009 & new metal gate in 2012 to obtain back yard access. Huge 25x12 workshop insulated & finished!



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Sandi

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It is a Fact

by Sandi Pressley

Good Monday Morning!

It is a fact! Over 90% of all home searches conducted nationally begin online. Searching for homes online is by far the easiest and most efficient way to look for homes. Long gone are the days where interested home buyers ride around town with their Realtor viewing home after home while thumbing through the pages of an MLS book. Online home shopping is convenient and it allows the prospective home buyer the ability to keep up with current listings and prices.

There are many resources that will allow you to search for homes online and some are much easier to navigate and have more options than others. We have found that here in the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Surrounding market areas the best home search site is www.albuquerquehomesolutions.com. This state of the art site will allow you to search properties, on line, based on your search criteria and then save your search so that you are not re-entering it every time you conduct a search. This site also offers you the ability to set up a property alert, which will automatically e-mail you information on new properties meeting your search criteria as they hit the market.

Now is an excellent time to be shopping for a home. With home prices remaining low and mortgage interest rates at historic low levels, there is great opportunity and www.albuquerquehomesolutions.com is a great tool to use during your home search.

Have An Awesome Week!

SANDI'S LATEST HOT HOME LISTING!

Image Unavailable
1020 La Poblana Rd.
Price: $179,000 Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Sq Ft: 1600
Sitting on an almost 1/4 acre lot in the North Valley, this spacious home is a must see for your Buyers! Updated and well maintained, it features a 1 car garage with storage, gleaming hardwood floors, 3 large bedrooms, 1 full bath, huge living room with corner fireplace, spacious kitchen w/sunny breakfast and a formal dining room which could be used as office. Just completed landscaping front/back. Large back yard with covered patio and 15x13 storage/workshop. Room to park RV/travel trailer.



AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Sandi

Visit Website

Displaying blog entries 11-19 of 19

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com