First Things First!
Be Prepared!
Buying
 When buying your home, there is more to it than just finding the home of your dreams! Preparation is the key to obtaining the home you've always wanted.
Get Pre-Qualified!
This is the most important step in buying your home. Being pre-qualified for your loan helps you and your Realtor when finding the perfect place for you and your family. When obtaining a mortgage, be a comparison shopper and look around. Just because you have an account at a certain financial institution, that doesn’t mean they will give you the best interest rate on your mortgage. A wise consumer is an educated consumer, one who has shopped around and compared. Remember, it is your choice as to what Mortgage Company you ultimately choose.
Check your credit report!
Checking your credit report and score is something you should do at least once a year, if not more. If there are any errors, you can fix it. If there are any problems with your history, you can fix those. Consumer Identity Fraud is very common these days. Know what you owe! Your credit score is very important and is a factor in the interest rate you get when purchasing your dream home. This is a Government Link to obtain a free credit report.
Where do you want to live?
Do your research and see what each community has to offer. Whether you choose Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Bosque Farms, Rio Rancho, Tijeras, Los Ranchos, Corrales, Placitas, Los Lunas or Belen, the choice of where you want to be is yours. And the more you know, the better it will be.
Do your Homework!
What options is available regarding the schools? Whether you choose Public Schools or Private Schools, it is important that you know about the Educational Options available. What district your home is in is often a factor in your choice of where you will live. You can see the facts and figures, test scores and more on the Public Education Department’s(PED) website.
Selling
Ready, set, work your tail off!
It’s a big decision to sell your home. It’s taken years to accumulate your belongings. Seems like it will take years to sort through it all.
Here’s some help:
 Make 3 different piles. Things you can’t live without, things you can live without and things that can be thrown away.
 Have a garage sale!
If you have never had a garage sale, get ready because it can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Know what you have and how much you want for it. Be ready to bargain over the price because that’s what happens! Have help on hand and have a good time. Enjoy the extra dollars in your pocket, you worked hard for that!
Donate It!
There are many Non-Profit organizations that take donations. Goodwill, ARCA, The Veterans, Domestic Crisis Centers or any place you chose. It benefits those who need it.
Clean it up!
Curb appeal is very important when selling your home. Get out your rake and trash can and get to work. A well kept home is much more appealing than one that is strewn with discarded items and yard waste.
Get a Home inspection!
The sale of your home can depend what needs to be repaired or replaced. Unsure of what you will be dealing with, it may be a wise decision for you to have the inspection done before listing your home. No surprises when you have remedied the problem before listing the home.