Considering moving to Santa Fe: Advice? (mortgage, loans, refinance)

[mortimer]

Xavious Orgus asks some more:

> ... when would ... pull the trigger on a Santa Fe home? ...

When you are ready to move from wherever you are now.
When you can afford it.

Waiting for 'market signals' is nuts unless this is just a business for you.

[Vinegaroon]

There has been no better time to buy in Santa Fe than now in my opinion. Our market will rebound faster than most, because of the amount of folks moving in here from out east, Texas and California.

[mortimer]

Towanda, eager to do some art:

> ... do they run shuttles from some places at the outskirts of town ...

I recommend trying out one of the city busses:

Santa Fe Trails Transit

Do it some time when you are not in a hurry and see if it works for you.
The #6 bus runs up from St. Francis and is the one most near you.

It runs from just before 6 am to just before 7 pm on weekdays - once per hour -which is better than many important Albuquerque routes.

It may not be particularly economical or efficient since you'll have to drive your car to a parking lot, but it will save the hassel of driving downtown and parking fees.

[Xavious Orgus]

I should be able to do something this summer/fall. I need to get down there and scout the area to find the best area for me.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by mortimer

Waiting for 'market signals' is nuts unless this is just a business for you.

Also very difficult if not impossible. For an almost hilarious example of disagreement among 'experts' read Economic Clouds? Wall Street Sees Signs of Sunshine - New York Times

Watching the story ricochet from optimism to pessimism and back is like watching a ping-pong match.

Is there an area of agreement? Yes -- six months of downturn -- then some say the worst is over -- others say no.

[Xavious Orgus]

I am not too worried about a home losing some value in the short term, as I plan to stay in this home for a long time (But....maybe the house will have other ideas?!!?). Rather, I am hoping to purchase as much home as possible in my modest price range.

[Lovehound]

My own situation supports what's been said above. I'm not particularly motivated to begin looking at SF real estate at the present because I recognize I'll have to sell my own house first, and I expect that I won't find any action on selling my house until the Los Angeles market improves. I doubt that will happen for at least a year or two. I can't afford to own two houses so it may take two years to sell my house and rent in SF before I could seriously consider purchasing a SF home.

Just what you said. Market has got to improve elsewhere first.

[Dancingearth]

I lived in Eldorado eight years and didn't find it to be hot--I didn't have any airconditioning and rarely felt like I needed it since it always cooled down at night. It was a little dusty. Nor is it that far from Santa Fe--I commuted everyday to work - it was a beautiful drive and not that much traffic. And I could not believe the views--I could see the fires in Los Alamos (although not the lights you'd want to see.) I'd sit and watch lightning storms in Santa Fe and the east side of the Sandias and be sitting under the stars. If I had known I'd be moving back, I wouldn't have sold my house.

[Towanda]

Thanks for the information about the bus service!

[Dancingearth]

It depends on how close is close. I live a mile from the plaza now. Traffic jams? LOL I live three miles from work (have to drive from the east side to the west side with the plaza in the middle) and I don't think I've ever spent even 15 minutes to get to work or home. Guess I'll find out this summer but I plan on walking more than. And although not quite as quiet as Eldorado it certainly is still very quiet. It's not a noisy town although I've heard I should stay home the night of Zozobra or I won't be able to get home until late. I like the area I'm living in but wish there were sidewalks to walk into town--it's a busy road and I won't walk it after dark.

Cerrillos is the worst for traffic and is the busiest --I avoid it which is easy to do. I noticed since moving back that people are more uptight on the roads--lots more honking and people in a hurry. I'm looking forward to walking more but will be very careful--saw two pedestrians almost run over this week because two cars couldn't wait for them to cross the road--scary. There isn't that much traffic here to be so uptight but I suppose it's relative to what they are use to.