Buying your first home can be a daunting task and feel overwhelming... It’s a BIG decision. Here are 4 steps to get you started.

#1 Check your credit score.

Do not pass “GO”! Before falling in love with your dream home online, do a serious audit of your finances. Start cleaning up any blemishes now and boost your score in advance to nab a great rate.  You’ll thank yourself later.

#2 How much HOME can you afford?

There is more to it than a mortgage, odds are you will have a monthly PMI fee. You’ll need home insurance, taxes, utilities and possibly Home Owners Association fees. Most importantly, make sure there is wiggle room in your budget—taxes do go up, bonds get passed. You’ll need to find that sweet spot so that taking a vacation is possible also. There are several mortgage calculators online to assist. Fit your mortgage around your budget NOT your budget around your mortgage.

#3 SAVINGS.

This maybe a boring step but, you will thank yourself when that home emergency appears. PLUS you will need a down payment, inspections, appraisal and possibly more at the closing table before receiving those keys. Save as much as possible, 10% of a home’s price is a good place to start. 

#4 Shop for a Lender.

Once Step #2 and #3 are completed its time to interview some lenders. You are prepared and know your score, ask questions. They can verify you qualify for a mortgage and confirm the maximum amount of a mortgage you can afford. There is a wide variety of rates and programs available to you as a first-time home buyer so shop around and find your best option.

Your Ruidoso HOME Team can help you every step of the way, give us a call (575) 257-3221 or email us at info@ruihomes.com

You’ve decided to list your home, NOW WHAT? Getting your home ready for a showing in advance can make all the difference to buyers. Below are a few suggestions to assist you in this process.

• Remove Clutter Clear off the counters and pack unnecessary out-of-season decorative items. Don’t forget the garage also to make it look more spacious.
• Let in the Sun Clean windows and screens will help bring more light into your home. Replace any burnt bulbs and consider a higher wattage in low-light areas when possible. Wipe down walls or bush on a fresh coat of bright neutral paint to brighten up dull rooms. Replacing heavy curtains with sheer ones to show off your view.

• Keep it Clean A deep clean will make upkeep easier. It never hurts to consider hiring a cleaning service to help. 

• Maximize Comfort In the summer, close a few A/C vents on the first floor so more air will get upstairs or your hot spots. Reverse this process in the winter for the colder areas. If you don’t visit your home in the winter, please leave the heat on for showings. 
• Smells Linger It never hurts to perform a sniff test. Clean carpets and drapes to help eliminate any pet odors. Open the windows to air out the house. Consider potpourri or a diffuser. For quick fixes in the kitchen, cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract can instantly make the fridge a nicer-smelling place. Boil lemon juice in your microwave then add it to your dishwasher to eliminate musky odors. You can also run the lemon rinds from that same lemon used in the dishwasher through the garbage disposal for a similar effect.
• Take Care of Minor Repairs Sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they will give buyers the impression that the house is not well maintained. 
• Tidy-up Outdoors Season dependent; cut the grass, rake the pine needles, add new mulch to beds, trim bushes, edge walkways or keep ice/snow off them and clean out the gutters. In the summer/spring add a pot of bright flowers near the entry way for added appeal.
• Set the Scene A nice throw or new accent pillows easily jazz up a dull room. Pretty dishes or a simple centerpiece on the tables can help buyers picture themselves living there. Try staging a chess game in progress or puzzle. If you have a fireplace, lay fresh logs or a basket of flowers there.
• Make the Bath Luxurious Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight, along with old towels and toothbrushes. Do not leave medicine laying around. Add a new shower curtain and fancy guest soaps.
• Please Conceal your prescriptions, jewelry, guns and anything you do not want seen in public.

The INCREDIBLE Adventure!

This unforgettable experience came to me from a trusted friend and co-worker that 2019 was the year for me to get out of my safe zone and try new things. Going on a zipline was not my first choice but has become a major highlight in my life. It all began with the wonderfully talented, skilled and fun Ski Apache staff and instructors. From the start you know these individuals take very seriously what they are preparing you for and want you to have fun during it for the next 1.5 hours. Everyone is individually equipped with an impressive harness that at first feels heavy but then later are comforted by its security. Lastly is the fitting of the helmet indicating the fun is about to begin. It becomes obvious why this $50M facility is rated as "One of the Best in the World". You begin the adventure (no other word for it) in an 8 passenger gondola taking you to an elevation of 11,500 ft where your first and longest zipline flight begins. The views are inspiring as your eyes take you to vistas and forest seen by only a few. Once again our instructors, David & Fred, reviewed proper operation procedures with us, checked our gear, gave us a big smile and off we went for truly the thrill of a lifetime that includes 3 landing platforms ending at the bottom where it all began earlier.

My only regret is not having done it sooner. There is a saying that "most of life's regrets are not about what we did, but rather what we could have done" Maybe so.....

By: Joan Zagone / Associate Broker 

For Zipline Reservations call (575)464-3633

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We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.