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One of the Top Reasons to Own a Home in Albuquerque

by Sandi Pressley

Do you want a really good reason to own a home in Albuquerque? Besides being a fantastic location to live, when you own your home, it's what can be called a “forced savings plan.” When you make your mortgage payment, part of it is applied to the principle balance. Each month, you owe less on the home. The difference between the value of the home and what you owe is called equity.

If your home's value has increased since you bought it, then your equity increases. On average, home owners gained more than $65,000 in equity over the last 5 years. That's a lot of money!

When you compare spending habits to 10 years ago, we find that homeowners also are no longer tapping into that equity to buy expensive items. They were pulling out cash (equity) from an appreciating asset, and then spending it on rapidly depreciating items. That is not the case today.

The number of homeowners that currently have at least 50% equity in their home is astonishing. According to the Urban Institute, 37.1% of all homes in the country are mortgage-free. In a home equity study, ATTOM Data Solutions revealed that of the 62.9% of homes with a mortgage, 25.6% have at least 50% equity. That number has been increasing over the last five years.

By doing a little math, we can see that 53.2% of all homes in this country have at least 50% equity right now. Of all homes, 37.1% are mortgage-free and an additional 16.1% with a mortgage have at least 50% equity.

As we can see, owning a home in Albuquerque is far different from renting. Owning a home means that your mortgage payment comes back to you in the form of equity in your home. That doesn’t happen with your rent payment. Your rent helps build your landlord’s equity instead.

Let us help you find the home of your dreams in Albuquerque. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

1800 Cooke Canyon Drive NW, Albuquerque, NM  $385,000

4 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (1 full, 2 half) / 2690 Square Feet

Mountain Views! This popular one story Pulte floorplan has 4BDRS/3BA plus separate office/study with French doors!! Light, bright and open featuring two walls of sliding doors opening to the outdoor living space, covered patio showcasing mountain views! REFRIGERATED AIR! Tankless Water Heater! Approx 19k in new engineered wood flooring! 11k Professionally landscaped backyard with grass, roses, shrubs! Gourmet kitchen has built-in stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, huge teardrop shaped Island, granite counter tops, beautiful cabinetry, backsplash & walk-in pantry. Master suite has bay window, large shower, raised granite dual sink vanity & walk-in closet!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

 

Who to Know When Buying a Home in Albuquerque

by Sandi Pressley

How do I get approved for a home loan? Who will help me find the right home in Albuquerque? Don’t panic! Here are the top four people you need to know when it comes to buying a home.

The Person Who Approves the Loan

One of the first people you’ll need to work with is a loan officer or lender. This is the person who helps you understand the ins and outs of getting a loan, as well as any requirements or conditions.

Before speaking with the loan officer, however, you may want to estimate what a monthly mortgage payment may look like, which you can do with a simple mortgage calculator. Your monthly payment will include homeowners insurance, property taxes paid into an escrow account, and, if you put down less than 20%, PMI or private mortgage insurance.

Remember: The bank will provide an initial number of what it thinks you can afford based on your gross monthly income. But it’s up to you to account for your own personal budget and living expenses.

Once you’ve spoken with the lender, it’s worthwhile to get a preapproval letter, which shows how much the bank would be willing to lend you based on your full financial picture. Without this letter, most sellers won't take you seriously and may not even accept your offer.

The Person Who Finds the Home

A real estate agent is usually the first person that most people speak to during the homebuying process. You need someone who understands the housing market in Albuquerque.

When you begin your home search, you might start with an online search. While these property listing sites provide formatted data on available properties, a REALTOR®, such as Sandi Pressley, will have access to the latest information and can provide any updates or correct misinformation found online.

A REALTOR® can work on your behalf or on behalf of the seller. When you’re buying a home, it’s important to work with a buyer’s agent, whose responsibility is to you, not the seller.

You should ask the agent all the questions that are important to you — how much other homes in the area recently sold for, how long those homes were on the market, and any other questions that might help you make an informed decision.

The Person Who Inspects the Home

Once you have found a home, made an offer, and signed the contract to buy, it’s time to hire a home inspector. The contract will specify how many days you have to get the inspection. The home inspector will come to check things like structural integrity, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and cooling, the condition of windows, walls, door frames, ceilings, the attic — basically anything that can be seen without going into walls.

The Person Who Checks Ownership of the Home

The title officer or title company checks the ownership of the home to make sure there are no potential disputes with previous owners, and, ultimately, will issue title insurance for the property. This insurance protects you and the lender if there are claims or lawsuits against your ownership of the property.

Each person has a distinct role in the homebuying process in Albuquerque, and being informed about exactly what you need from them helps make the process run smoothly. The key is patience — it’s all worth it when you get the new keys to your home!

Looking to find the perfect home in Albuquerque? Let us help you find the perfect home in Albuquerque. And make sure to join us twice a week on our blog for more great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

104 Sandia Mountain Ranch Drive, Tijeras, NM  $479,000

3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms (2 full, 0 half) / 2608 Square Feet

Resort style living in the mountains with incredible views on approx 3.25 acres in Sandia Mountain Ranch!! Custom elegance featuring TPO Roof, Refrig Air, Sec System, Water Softener, Skylights, Private Elec Gate. Amazing outdoor living space featuring a huge raised deck for entertaining, relaxing in nature taking in the mountain views! Great room features wall of windows, wood beam ceiling, wood stove. Custom kitchen features cherry cabs, granite countertops, walk-in pantry, bkfst bar & nook. Master suite features his/her vanities, jetted tub, sep shower, two walk-in closets. Finished & insulated oversized 2CG!

Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

 

Displaying blog entries 41-42 of 42

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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