Now that you have contacted a lender, chosen the area you would like to live in, and have a “Must Have” list in hand, please contact us (if you haven’t already) and we will build a custom search for you! All available homes matching your criteria will be emailed to you as they come on the market. You’ll be able to look at photos, view virtual tours, maps, and read details about homes that fit your needs in your chosen location. Once you’ve found homes you are interested in seeing, just let us know and we are happy to show them to you.

We will discuss with you the different kinds of listings on the market right now and give you the background information for each home on your list. From short sales, to foreclosures, to regular listings, we can help you navigate the ever-changing market and successfully close on the home of your dreams!

If you are curious about how much our services will cost you, you’ll be pleased to hear that we provide expert, full service buyer’s representation to you free of charge! Our commission is paid at closing from the seller’s proceeds.

Please email or call us today to set up your customized search. We look forward to working with you!

Once you have pre-approval from a lender, and you’ve determined the location, it’s time to start thinking about the features you want in a home. Depending on the area you are looking in, there may be a lot of inventory on the market right now. With so many choices, you’ll need to make some decisions about the kind of home that best suits your lifestyle.

You may want to make a “Wish List” of the features you would like in a home. It’s fine to sit down with pen and paper, and write down everything you envision. However, trying to find a home in your price range, in the location you desire with all of those features may be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. It’s time to narrow your list down to include the most important items, and primarily things about the home that would be difficult to change. This might be called your “Must Have” List.

For example, if you want a home with a “split floor plan”, which means the master bedroom is separated from the other bedrooms, that is a feature that is difficult to change unless you undergo a major construction project. On the contrary, if you want stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, that’s something that can be changed.

Once you have it all down, take a pen and circle the most important items on your list- the things you really want regarding the structure or “bones” of the home. Here are some things you may want to have on your “Must Have” list…

• Single Level or Two-Story?
• Swimming Pool?
• Split Floor plan?
• HOA or no HOA?
• Number of Bedrooms?
• Approximate Square Footage?
• Do you need an RV Gate?
• Walk-in closet?
• Fireplace?

While it is important to be a bit flexible as your dream home in the perfect location and price range may end up looking a little differently than you first pictured it, it’s good to have an idea of what you want, and what you don’t want, as you begin searching.

Please email or call us if you would like us to review your “Must Have” list with you or if you have any questions. We look forward to helping you find your dream home!

Location is perhaps the most important decision you’ll make when purchasing a new home. Your entire lifestyle will be affected by the location you choose. There are so many factors to consider, such as…

• Will you be commuting to work?
• If you have children, the neighborhood schools are likely to be a big part of your decision. Are the schools in the area compatible with your needs?
• Do you prefer an area with a Home Owner’s Association, or one without?
• Do you like the continuity of a master planned community, or do you want to live in an area with more variety?
• What amenities would you like to be located in close proximity to your neighborhood?
• What recreational activities do you participate in?
• If you have family and friends you spend a lot of time with, would the location be conducive to frequent visits?

Give some thought to these factors as you choose the location of your home. You can change a lot of things about a home, but you’ll never change the location.

If you currently live outside Arizona and would like some guidance, please call or email us. We are native Arizonans and are very familiar with many different locations!

Before you begin the search for the home of your dreams, it is important to contact a lender to get pre-approved for a loan.  Nice properties that are priced aggressively often sell rapidly.  Foreclosed properties loaded with upgrades and located in desirable neighborhoods often have multiple offers on them in a matter of days after coming on the market.  You’ll want to be prepared to submit an offer quickly when you find the right home.  Having to wait to get pre-approved before you can complete your offer may cost you valuable time, and the buyer who is prepared will have an edge.

Our goal is to educate our clients and give you every advantage possible.  The first step is to be prepared with a “Loan Status Report”.  The Arizona Association of REALTORS® Purchase Contract requires a Loan Status Report (commonly referred to as an L.S.R.) accompany an offer when the buyer is financing the home.  A lender can provide you with this form, which outlines the type of loan you are pre-approved for and the amount.

The pre-approval process is important because it will provide you with not only the amount of the home you can shop for, but also how much cash you will need at closing for the down payment and closing costs.  There are a variety of loans available, with varying down payments.  A mortgage specialist can assess your situation and tell you which loan best meets your needs.

Cash buyers are not required to submit a Loan Status Report.  In this case, you will be required to submit “Proof of Funds” along with your offer.  A recent statement from your financial institution demonstrating you have the funds to complete the transaction is usually sufficient.

If you would like a referral for a lender, please send us an email.  We’d be happy to provide you with contact information for local lenders with whom we’ve had pleasant transactions.

When it’s time to sell, you must be confident that every element of negotiating the best terms and the highest price has been set before your home is even listed.

Start with the resources we’ve provided. There is no charge for this information. These will help get you started in terms of assessing your real estate situation and planning for a stress-free and successful sale.

The real estate market in Phoenix is volatile, especially lately, and it takes a team of professionals to move your house quickly, professionally, and profitably.

When you’ve decided to sell, we will be your advocates, your guides, and your fierce negotiators. We will work hard to make yours a great sale.

We look forward to it.

Sincerely,
Bob & Sherry