Real Estate Information

ABQ & Surrounding Areas & Rio Rancho Real Estate

Sandi Pressley

Blog

Displaying blog entries 561-570 of 783

How to Be a Good Albuquerque Open House Guest

Tuesday, January 22, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Open houses are a great way for home buyers and sellers to meet in a more relaxed setting. It’s your chance as a buyer to peruse your next potential home and see how you can make it your own. It’s really one of the most exciting parts of the home buying process. You definitely get more from open houses than just viewing photos online.

When it comes to home photography, you have to keep in mind that they are aimed to show the best of a home. Seeing the home in person not only reveals things the photos can’t show, but also allows you to view how you can make the home yours.

When you do decide to start going to open houses, you should talk to the people who will be living with you to decide what your wants and needs are. Then do some research (our website is a great resource), talk with your agent and lender. When you take these steps, you can then make a targeted visit with the homes you’re viewing. This not only gives you an advantage over other buyers, but saves you time.

So, before you start viewing, follow these tips to get prepared.

Make It Your Job to Know Which Houses Are “Open”

There are three ways to know when a house is available for viewing:

Ask your agent. We have details on specific properties and can keep you informed of open houses on our website.

And while you’re searching, be sure to jot down the location, time, and date for any open house that strikes your fancy. It will make it that much easier to plan times and routes for hitting as many homes as possible.

Get There Early (and Say Hi to the Neighbors)

Showing up early shows you're serious about buying. You can beat the rush as well and have more time to speak with the hosting agent.

And don't be afraid to ask questions. Many home buyers avoid talking with the showing agent. But the more you speak with them, the more you'll learn about that home.

If a house seems like a match, take a walk around the neighborhood. If you see neighbors out and about, try to talk with them about the neighborhood and get the inside scoop on what life is like there.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

7904 Charger Trail NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $380,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 partial) / 2828 Square Feet

NEW ROOF! (2018) NEWER CARPET & PAINT! (2017) Single story 4BDR/3BA/2G with TWO LIVING AREAS, formal dining, oversized eat-in kitchen plus sunroom! .25 ACRE LOT. REFRIGERATED AIR. Skylights. Wet bar and wood burning fireplace in the oversized family room! Beautifully landscaped yard with mature trees, grass and shrubs! Conveniently located in Academy Estates neighborhood, close to shopping, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Alb Academy, parks, schools & restaurants! !

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Home Remodeling Projects With Top-Dollar Returns

Thursday, January 17, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Not all home improvements are created equal. These will reward you the most when it comes time to sell.

Your home is in the perfect location, came at the perfect price, with the perfect lot.

But the home itself? Perfect isn’t the adjective you’d use. But you knew that moving in, and now you’re ready to start making it just right.

But where to begin? How about with data? Data is that friend who tells you like it really is.

Because while any home improvement that brings you joy is priceless, not all add as much home equity as you might expect.

The “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS® has tons of data on how much improvements cost — and how much of those costs you can recoup.

Here are the best five home remodeling projects with equity-building might:

New Roof

If you find yourself sprinting for the buckets when it starts to sprinkle, getting a new roof should be your No. 1 to-do. Measuring rainfall from the indoors isn’t cool.

The cost: $7,500

The return: 109% at $8,150

Considering it’s what’s between you and the elements, it’s a no-brainer.

Not sure if you need a new roof? Signs you might include:

  • Shingles are missing, curling up, or covered in moss.
  • Gritty bits from the asphalt shingles are coming out the downspout.
  • The sun’s shining through your attic.
  • You notice stains on ceilings and walls.
  • Your energy bill is sky high.

Hardwood Floors

You flip on the TV to see that your fave home reno-ing duo is it at again, flipping a ranch that’s stuck in the ‘80s.

They make it to the living room, pull back the dingy carpet to reveal hardwood floors in great condition. They’re psyched — and for good reason.

Hardwood floors are a timeless classic. Refinishing is a no-brainer. Neither will you regret adding new hardwood floors if you have none.

The cost to refinish: $2,500

The return: 100% at $2,500

The cost to buy new: $5,500

The return: 91% at $5,000

New Garage Door

No surprise that a garage door replacement project made it onto this #winning list — a new garage door provides a big boost for your home’s curb appeal at a relatively modest cost.

The cost: $2,300 (for a two-door)

The return: 87% at $2,000

There are options galore, too. A host of factory-finish colors, wood-look embossed steel, and glass window insets are just some of the possibilities that’ll give your doors bankable personality.

Better Insulation

Insulation is tucked out of sight, so it’s often out of mind — that is, until you’re forced to wear your parka indoors because it’s sooo darn cold.

The cost: $2,100

The return: 76% at $1,600 (plus the added savings on heating and cooling costs!)

New Siding

In any color! And never paint again.

Those are two of the three benefits of vinyl siding. The third, of course, is your home’s value.

But if long-time homeowners look at you funny when you mention vinyl siding, just tell them that today’s vinyl is way better than what they remember because of fade-resistant finishes and transferable lifetime warranties.

The cost: $13,350

The return: 75% at $10,000

Want fiber-cement siding instead? It also shows a strong payback of 83%. Although it’s the pricier option — you’ll spend about $18,000 with a payback of about $15,000 — it has one thing vinyl still lacks — the perception of quality.

And quality matters. Quality is the one of the most important traits that home buyers focused on when house hunting.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

231 Graceland Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108  $189,000

2 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (1 full, 1 partial) / 1530 Square Feet

Great Opportunity! Make this one your own or your investment property! Situated on a large corner lot, this gem features both formal and informal living areas; Recently re-finished hardwood floors; Cozy wood burning fireplace; separate dining room or perhaps office/hobby space; plus classic details throughout. Enjoy warm summer evenings under the ample covered patio. Close to shopping, UNM & UNMH, transporation!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

How to Enhance Your Home With Lighting

Thursday, January 10, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Back in the "old days", all you could do to turn on a light was flip a switch or turn the dimmer knob.

Well, this is 2019 and times are changing. Now you can just tell the lights to come on, like on Star Trek. (Before you know it, we'll be able to tell our microwaves to heat up our Earl Grey tea.)

Smart lighting is becoming more a part of our lives, as it's increasingly more affordable. It's a household features that will let us use lighting to alter our moods, protect ourselves, and save a ton of energy and money.

Lighting Our Homes With a Purpose

Today's lighting designs are more about being a partner in your lifestyle than just turning on the lights. All of the lighting in your home can be on a single system that can be programmed in zones, each with it's own mood.  All of these zones can be controlled by wall units, a master panel, or an app.

So in addition to “Cooking” and “Romance” zones, you might have buttons for:

  • Outdoor Entertaining – patio and walkway lights illuminate.
  • Coming Home – triggered by a timer or a smart phone, the porch, entry hall, and kitchen lights come on.
  • Nighty-Night – lights in kids’ rooms slowly fade out as they fall asleep.
  • Vacation – lights turn on and off in random patterns.
  • Panic Mode – all lights in the house flash on and off.

All you need to do at the end of a long day is just call up an app, or talk to your smart home speaker, and change the mood. You don't even have to lift a finger.

Easing the Fear of Lighting Technology

"Oh no, not another hi-tech gadget in my life", some may say. Don't worry, smart zone lighting is easy to install. If you hire a pro, your home can be retrofitted in about a half day for around $1500.

You’ll get an easy-to-understand central control unit that “talks” with new switches, light fixtures, and bulbs that are specially made to receive wireless signals. You decide on your zones and, once everything’s set up, have the light throughout your house change intensity and color on command.

DIYers Can Zone Out, Too

Relatively low-cost mini-systems are coming to market that’ll let you install your own zones, even if your geekability quotient is near zero.

The Hue is a $199 do-it-yourself starter kit from electronic manufacturer Philips. It includes a wireless hub that plugs into your home router, and three LED bulbs that respond to wireless signals.

Once the hub and bulbs are installed, you control everything from your smartphone, setting up zones (called “scenes” by Hue), and choosing color combos from millions of possible hues. You can even add tricks, such as having your lights flash when one of your tweets is re-tweeted.

If you get hooked on your Hue, you can expand — additional bulbs are $60 each. And because it’s linked to your internet router, your hub can be accessed from virtually anywhere using your smart phone, tablet, or laptop. Working late? Delay your “Coming Home” mode for an hour — and save energy.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2020 Mountaineer Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $300,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 2370 Square Feet

Casual elegance in this Incredible 4BDR/4BA with hard to find attached casita/guest suite/man cave or office!! Master Suite is on the main level!! Soaring wood beam ceilings, light, bright and open! An entertainer's floor plan with lots of space for family and friends! Fully landscaped beautiful backyard. Close to KAFB, Sandia Labs, UNM, Foothills!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Stay Warm in Albuquerque at these Top Coffee & Tea Houses

Tuesday, January 8, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

With that cool nip in the air, we all need something warm and revitalizing to start the day - or keep it going for that matter. And what better place to find the perfect cup of java or tea than in Albuquerque’s fine coffee houses? Here’s a list of some of the best coffee and tea houses in Albuquerque to warm up your day.

Pinon Coffee House

Pinon features coffee roasted locally by New Mexico Piñon Coffee. You can also enjoy pastries and breakfast burritos made in house, with new pastries flavors created every week.

Prismatic Coffee

If a great cup of espresso is all you need, then Prismatic is the place. They don’t feature food items, except for an outstanding stroopwafel made in house. Otherwise, you’ll just find superb coffee and a relaxing atmosphere to work or relax.

Satellite Coffee

As co-founder Jean Bernstein says “Coffeehouses are where we fuel up, exchange ideas, people watch, and hopefully get a little warmth. With coffee, all things are possible.” At Satellite Coffee you’ll find regular patrons hanging out, enjoying the outstanding coffee choices and relaxing vibe.

Humble Coffee Company

Humble Coffee is a craft coffee shop that specializes in single-origin espresso and brews. Located in the Nob Hill/University and Downtown neighborhoods of Albuquerque, you’ll also find a tasty supply of locally made breakfast burritos and pastries.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9300 Thornton Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $375,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2717 Square Feet

 Light, bright and open floor plan on this custom-built NE Heights beauty with 4 bedrooms and over-sized 3 car garage. Full pitched tile roof. Separate laundry room with W/D that stay! Close to schools, shopping and lovely park!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Common and Costly Remodeling Mistakes New Owners Make

Thursday, January 3, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

 

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2020 Mountaineer Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $300,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 2370 Square Feet

Casual elegance in this Incredible 4BDR/4BA with hard to find attached casita/guest suite/man cave or office!! Master Suite is on the main level!! Soaring wood beam ceilings, light, bright and open! An entertainer's floor plan with lots of space for family and friends! Fully landscaped beautiful backyard. Close to KAFB, Sandia Labs, UNM, Foothills!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Can You Afford That House in Albuquerque?

Tuesday, January 1, 2019
by Sandi Pressley

Are you planning on buying a home in Albuquerque? If so, you no doubt have already figured out how much money you need for your down payment, the mortgage payments, and so forth.

Yet how much will that home cost after you move in? Here are six life factors to consider when buying a home:

Green Thumb?

If you love landscaping and gardening, then buying a home with a lawn will be a fun adventure. But if you’re not into gardening, then buying a home with a lawn or landscaping can cost you about $100 or more a month for professional landscape maintenance. Are you willing to skip the lawn in favor of hardscaping to reduce costs.

Make sure to factor your hobbies and services into your monthly budget to see if the numbers still work out in the black.

Pool Time

It can get hot in the Southwest, so a pool might sound like a great idea to stay cool. Yet one truth remains – pools cost money maintain. You should add up the costs of pool maintenance and servicing, energy, and insurance (along with liability if you have small children).  After you take all that into consideration, you may decide you would be better off heading to the neighborhood swimming hole.

If you plan to add a pool, don't expect to get back more than 50% of the cost when you sell your home. Yes, pools are fun, but they are an investment. Factor time and money into your future plans when buying a home with this special feature and, once again, ask yourself if the numbers add up to support your other financial goals.

Children

If you’re buying a home and plan to start a family in the next few years, don’t just consider the amount of mortgage you can afford under your current expenses. Factor in daycare costs and then determine what your cash flow will look like. You may have to adjust the amount of home you’re looking to purchase.

Entertainment

Have you taken into account your entertainment costs? Most of us like to eat out, go see a concert or a movie, or go to a game. You should add up how much you normally spend on entertainment and see how you can balance those costs with owning a home. You may love your new home, but you may not want to feel trapped in it because you don't have the money left to have fun.

Retirement

If you’re in your 20s, you should try to save 10% of your income; in your 30s, you should be saving 15%. If you need to cut back on your retirement savings to make a home purchase work, think hard about when you’ll be able to get back to your ideal contribution levels and how much you may be losing out on during that time.

Although home ownership can help build long-term wealth, it’s important to also maintain retirement savings for future security.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

2020 Mountaineer Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $300,000

4 Bedrooms / 4 Bathrooms (2 full, 2 partial) / 2370 Square Feet

Casual elegance in this Incredible 4BDR/4BA with hard to find attached casita/guest suite/man cave or office!! Master Suite is on the main level!! Soaring wood beam ceilings, light, bright and open! An entertainer's floor plan with lots of space for family and friends! Fully landscaped beautiful backyard. Close to KAFB, Sandia Labs, UNM, Foothills!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Lesser-Known Fees That Factor Into the True Cost of Home Buying

Thursday, December 27, 2018
by Sandi Pressley

Buying a home can be a tricky process, and there are plenty of little costs that can add up. How can you prepare to cover these costs?

Since most people focus on the larger costs, such as the down payment and mortgage payments, they tend to overlook the smaller fees that come with buying a home.

Here are a few of these lesser known fees and what they could cost you.

Home Inspection

A home inspection is critical to protecting you from buying a home with hidden issues that could ruin your finances. The inspector looks for structural and general issues with the home. Inspections cost between $300 and $500, and whether or not you end up purchasing the property, you still need to pay this fee. You may also have to hire a specialist if specific issues are found, such as foundation issues or termites.

Appraisal Fee

This appraisal report goes to your lender to assure it that the property is worth what you’re paying for it. If you’re selling, review the appraisal thoroughly for any oddball numbers or descriptions that could affect the value of your home. An appraisal can take about 2 hours and costs between $200 and $425.

Application Fees

Before ever approving you for a loan, the lender is going to run your credit report and charge you an application fee, often lumping the credit report fee in with the application fee. This can run $75 to $300. Be sure to ask for a breakdown of the application fees to understand all costs.

Title Services

These fees cover a title search of the public records for the property you’re buying, notary fees for the person witnessing your signature on documents, government filing fees, and more. These can cost between $150 and $400, and it’s important to get a line item for each cost.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

When you put down less than 20% on your new home, the lender requires that you purchase PMI once you reach 78% of your loan-to-value ratio or you have 22% equity. So PMI is a policy that you have to buy to protect the lender from you. PMI rates can vary from 0.3% to 1.5% of your original loan amount annually.

Tax Service Fee

This is the cost (about $50) to ensure that all property tax payments are up to date and that the payments you make are appropriately credited to the right home.

Always ask questions when it comes to understanding the fees you’re paying. If possible, print out documents and go through them with a highlighter to indicate any areas you have concerns about. Discuss them with your lender or real estate agent and determine if you can negotiate any of them down.

Don’t be afraid to price shop to ensure you’re getting the best value. Just because you’re spending hundreds of thousands on a home doesn’t mean you should be comfortable throwing thousands of dollars at fees.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

8309 Rancho Paraiso NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120  $269,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2276 Square Feet

You don't want to miss this picturesque almost 1/4 acre with backyard access. This is a fabulous 4 bedrooms home. Master is on the first floor. Spacious, well appointed kitchen. Light, bright wonderful family home. Pride of ownership is apparent. Balcony with fantastic views upstairs. Sought after neighborhood with easy access to all amenities. Don't wait to see this sensational home!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Getting a Mortgage With a Low Credit Score

Thursday, December 20, 2018
by Sandi Pressley

Here's a fact many people don't know. The credit score to buy a house can be as low as 580!

Having a low credit score doesn't mean that owning a home is impossible. It will mean, however, that a mortgage will cost you more than if you had perfect credit. But there are still many lenders that will work with you.

Here’s what you need to know about low-credit score mortgages:

What Counts as "Low Credit"?

We first need to get past the myth that you have to have amazing credit to buy a house. Lenders will take into account your entire financial picture. If you have a stable income, regular payment history, and cash in hand, this will all help if your credit isn't so stellar.

Here’s how FICO generally categorizes credit scores:

  • 800+ = Excellent credit score
  • 740-799 = Very good credit score
  • 670-739 = Good credit score
  • 580-669 = Fair credit score
  • Below 580 = Poor credit score

Having a credit score below 669 usually makes you what is called a  “subprime” borrower, according to FICO. This means that a loan will cost more, since you're a bigger risk. You will also have fewer options.

Your primary low-credit-score mortgage option will be FHA , which sometimes give loans with credit scores as low as 580. But the lower your score, the more it will cost you.

How Does Your Credit Score Affect Interest Rates?

Having a lower score means you will usually pay more of a down payment, higher interest rates, and private mortgage insurance.

Buy Now Or Work On My Credit?

If you pay a ton for rent, then buying now might be better, then you can refinance when your credit improves. For others, it may be smart to how promptly you pay your bills; it accounts for 35% of your score. A lender can help you decide. Or you can use an online tool to estimate the cost of different scenarios.

If you’re going to apply for a low-credit-score mortgage, more cash in the form of a bigger down payment helps. Plus, it can reduce your interest rate, which reduces your monthly payment.

How Do I Boost My Credit Score?

If you opt to work on your credit before getting a mortgage, here are a few ways to do it:

  • Look into rapid rescoring. You’ll work through your lender to fix errors and update information with the credit bureaus quickly, sometimes within days or weeks, rather than months. This isn’t credit repair, but a way to accelerate getting updated information through the system and into your report. Discuss with your lender whether this is a worthwhile pursuit for your circumstances.
  • Find a reputable credit counselor to guide you as the industry is fraught with scams.
    • Check your credit report for errors.
    • Pay off credit card balances.
    • Pay off other outstanding collections.
    • If you don’t have credit, get a credit card or small loan and establish a good payment history. (No credit is low credit.)

Even if you have a low credit score, a mortgage isn’t out of reach. While it may cost you more to buy now, in the end, it may be less expensive than waiting. And you’ll get the joy of owning a home to call your own.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1133 Santa Ana Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $499,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3550 Square Feet

 Oversized .46 Acre Corner Lot! Incredible backyard for entertaining family & friends with the great room & game room opening on to the covered patio, pool area and beautiful landscaping! Conveniently located close to the golf course, shopping, easy access to KAFB, Sandia Labs, downtown ABQ!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Things to Know Before Accepting - or Rejecting - an Offer For Your Home

Tuesday, December 18, 2018
by Sandi Pressley

If you have your home on the market, you'll soon be getting offers. When that happens, you'll need to decide which offers are best for you.

Your real estate agent will be a huge help with this. Agents know how to determine the pros and cons of an offer, since there's more to it than just dollar signs. They have a sense of your financial and personal goals, so they can help you decide if the offer being made matches those goals.

Before the first offer rolls in, here’s what you need to know about the offer evaluation process, including the main factors that should go into making a decision with your agent.

When vetting offers, evaluate these areas in addition to price:

The earnest money deposit.

An earnest money deposit, or EMD, is the amount of cash a buyer will pay when the agreement is signed to show they're serious about buying your home. This money is usually held by the title company and goes toward the down payment at closing.

A standard EMD is 1% to 3% of the cost of the home. If a buyer tries to back out of an offer for no good reason, the seller typically keeps the EMD. Therefore, the higher the earnest money, the stronger the offer.

The down payment. 

In most cases, a mortgage requires some down payment. The size of a down payment can determine the strength of an offer. As a seller, your main concern is for the transaction to close. And for that to happen, the buyer’s mortgage has be approved.

In most cases, a larger down payment indicates that a buyer has the cash to make sure the sale goes through. This means that if the appraisal comes in higher than your contract’s sale price, the buyer with a higher down payment would more likely be able to cover the difference with the large amount of cash they have available.

The closing date. 

Closing is when the final paperwork is signed and the sale is final. The entire process, from accepting an offer to closing, takes between 30 and 60 days.

Three days before closing, the buyer receives a closing disclosure from the lender, which he compares with the loan estimate he received when he applied for the loan. If there are material differences between the buyer’s loan estimate and closing disclosure, the closing can’t happen until those amounts are reviewed and approved. But this is rare.

Some transactions can take more time, depending on the buyer’s financing. For example, the average closing time for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is 43 days, according to Ellie Mae.

Whether you want a slow or quick settlement will depend on your circumstances. If you’ve already purchased your next home, for instance, you probably want to close as soon as possible. On the other hand, you may want a longer closing period if you need the proceeds from the sale to purchase your new home.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1133 Santa Ana Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123  $499,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 3550 Square Feet

 Oversized .46 Acre Corner Lot! Incredible backyard for entertaining family & friends with the great room & game room opening on to the covered patio, pool area and beautiful landscaping! Conveniently located close to the golf course, shopping, easy access to KAFB, Sandia Labs, downtown ABQ!!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Tips to Save for a Down Payment on Your First Home in Albuquerque

Thursday, December 13, 2018
by Sandi Pressley

Buying your first home bring up all sorts of good feelings. But before you get there, you have to get through the daunting task of making sure you have enough for a down payment. You may have to come up with as much as 10% - 20% of the purchase price, which can be a large sum.

So now its time to get creative! Here's 3 creative ways you can put together the money you need faster than you may think.

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing has become a popular way for people to raise money for projects. Popular crowdsourcing sites such as Kickstarter have been used to fund all sorts of projects. So why not crowdsource your first home?

If you're getting married, for example, you can skip the traditional registry and use sites such as Feather the Nest and Hatch My House to raise your down payment. According to Hatch My House, they've helped home buyers raise more than $2 million for down payments.

Ask the Seller to Help (Really!)

Seller concessions are where the seller will work with you to reduce closing costs. If the seller wants to close the deal quickly, they may work with you in this way. The fewer the closing costs, the more money you can put toward your down payment.

You real estate agent may be able to help you negotiate a deal, such as 2% of the overall sales price in concessions to help with the closing costs.

There are, however, limits on concessions depending on the type of mortgage. For FHA mortgages, the cap is 6% of the sale price. For Fannie Mae-guaranteed loans, the caps vary between 3% and 9%, depending on the ratio between how much you put down and the amount you finance. Individual banks have varying caps on concessions.

Government Options

You can also look into programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, that help with down payments and closing costs. If you meet particular income requirements, you may qualify.

Your profession may also determine what programs are available through HUD. The Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program can help those who are law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers, or EMTs.

If you're a veteran, the VA will guarantee part of a home loan through commercial lenders. In many cases, you don't need a down payment or private mortgage insurance, and it will help you secure a  competitive interest rate.

Check back on our blog every week for more real estate advice and local articles about living in Albuquerque. And make sure to follow us on Facebook for up to date real estate news for Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

9300 Thornton Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109  $375,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 partial) / 2717 Square Feet

 Light, bright and open floor plan on this custom-built NE Heights beauty with 4 bedrooms and over-sized 3 car garage. Full pitched tile roof. Separate laundry room with W/D that stay! Close to schools, shopping and lovely park!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 561-570 of 783

Syndication

Categories

Archives

Contact Information

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
Send an Email

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