Buy a home
Buying a home in the East Valley
From your first “can we afford this?” to the day you get the keys, explained step by step, in words that make sense.
The path to your keys
Seven steps from “what can we afford?” to moving day
Each step comes with a clear next move, so you're never guessing what happens next.
Pick a monthly payment, not a price
Include taxes, insurance, HOA and summer electric bills. A lender can show you your own numbers; I'm glad to introduce you to one.
Get pre-approved
A real pre-approval, with documents reviewed, not a quick online estimate. Do this before you tour a single home.
Sign a buyer agreement
Arizona buyers now sign a written agreement with their agent before touring. It spells out what I do for you and how I'm paid, and it's negotiable.
Tour homes with a plan
Split your list into must-haves and nice-to-haves. I set up MLS alerts so you see homes first, not after they're under contract.
Make an offer
Price comes from recent sales, not the list price. Terms, closing date and seller concessions matter too.
Inspect and negotiate
Inspection typically runs about 10 days. You submit repair requests in writing and the seller agrees, counters or declines.
Appraisal, loan approval and closing
Closing usually comes 30 to 45 days after your offer is accepted. Don't change jobs or make big purchases until you have your keys.
Looking at new builds?
Call me before our first visit to the builder
Many builders need your agent with you on the first visit for you to have representation. We'll walk the model homes together and ask the builder the hard questions together.
Builders in Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and across the East Valley often offer incentives. Know what's on the table, what it requires, and how it compares to a similar resale home before you sign.
Questions we'll ask the builder together
- What's included vs. upgrades
- Lender incentives and what they require
- Build timeline and warranty
- HOA fees and lot premiums
- Whether VA loans are accepted
Who's on your side
The sales rep in the builder's office works for the builder
Builder sales reps are usually friendly and know their homes well. That's part of the job. But they represent the builder, and their duty is to the builder's interests, not yours. Price, incentives, contract terms and timeline are all negotiated with someone on the other side of the table.
The builder's sales rep
- Works for and is paid by the builder
- Represents the builder's interests
- Sells the builder's homes on the builder's terms
- Can't advise you whether the deal is right for you
Your agent
- Works for you, under a written buyer agreement
- Represents your interests, not the builder's
- Compares the price and incentives to resale homes and other builders
- Reads the contract and incentive conditions with you, and negotiates for you
Many builders only allow buyer representation if your agent is with you on your first visit. If you register on your own first, you may lose the chance to have an agent represent you on that purchase. Call me before you go.
Veterans and service members
Using a VA loan to buy in the East Valley
I served six years in the Air National Guard as a C-130 crew chief, so I know the language. VA loans work across the Valley, and I can walk you through the process step by step and how to write an offer a seller takes seriously.
Loan specifics come from a lender. I'll introduce you to one and help you compare Loan Estimates line by line.
Before you shop
- Ask your lender for a pre-approval and a VA certificate of eligibility
- Ask whether the builder or seller accepts VA loans
- Compare Loan Estimates from two or three lenders
- Ask about seller credits toward your closing costs
- Shopping before pre-approvalYou fall for a home you can't get.
- Budgeting by price, not paymentTaxes, HOA, insurance and summer power bills add up.
- Opening new credit mid-processA new car or credit card can sink your loan approval.
- Skipping or rushing the inspectionIt's your best chance to find problems and negotiate.
- Walking into a builder's office aloneThe sales rep works for the builder, and you may lose the chance to have your own agent.
- Assuming “inventory is up” means lowballGood homes still sell near asking.
- Waiting for the “perfect” timeBuy when the payment and the home work for your life.
Ready to start your search?
Book a free buyer call. You'll leave with a clear plan, even if the plan is to wait.