A home buyer tutorial explaining the Arizona home buying process

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GUIDE TO THE HOME BUYING PROCESS – ARIZONA STYLE!!

Whether you are buying your very first home, or you are an experienced veteran of home buying, the process is unique in every state - and Arizona is no exception! Understanding the home buying process is the key to making it a pleasant experience, and will very likely reduce the stress levels considerably! Even if you don’t read this whole article right now, don’t hesitate to use it as a reference at any point in the real estate transaction. This article will be based on the assumption that you will be obtaining a mortgage to buy a home. Cash buyers can just skip the steps that don’t apply.

A) Interview a few Mortgage Lenders –

This is an important first step. When it comes to buying a home, you may be ready and willing, but you must find out if you are able! You may be in for a big disappointment if you skip this step. I can tell you from experience that it’s no fun to go out and look at resale homes and brand new homes, fall in love with one, only to discover you are unable to afford a home in that price range!

Get a copy of your personal credit report. This can be obtained online or locally for a nominal fee (see the Yellow Pages under Credit Report). You can skip this step and let the Lender obtain it, but having it in your hand as you interview a couple Lenders, is a real advantage – especially when it comes to sharing personal financial information with someone you are not yet sure you are going to do business with!

Get pre-qualified. Choose a couple Lenders that you want to interview. Some Lenders charge a very small fee for this, but most do not – especially if you have your own credit report! Call each one and tell them…”Hi, I’m <your name>, and I am beginning the process of buying a home, and I would like to get pre-qualified”. Some Lenders will handle this over the phone and some will ask that you meet with them in person. In general you can expect the Lender will ask you questions about your income, your debts, and your assets. Be honest and accurate. Don’t be afraid to mention you are interviewing a few Lenders – they want to earn your business!

Pre-qualification is the step that determines;

a) how much down payment and closing cost money you will need
b) what interest rate options and loan programs are available
c) how much home you can afford
d) how much your monthly payments will be

Choose ONE Lender. After you have interviewed a couple Lenders, decide on one that you feel has the best to offer, and that you are most comfortable with.

B) Interview a few Realtors –

Choose an experienced Buyer Agent. There are two sides to a Real Estate transaction – the Sellers side and the Buyers side. Typically the Seller lists their home through a Listing Agent using a Listing Agreement Contract. The Listing Agent is representing the Sellers best interest and focusing on negotiating top dollar for the Seller – the Sellers Advocate! A Buyer can contact the Listing Agent about their listing, but in doing so, there is a risk of a potential conflict of interest for the Listing Agent. The good news is that the Buyer has an advocate too, in the form of a Buyers Agent! The Buyers Agent is representing the Buyers best interest and focusing on negotiating the home for the least possible price! There is no fee to the Buyer for this valuable service. At the very least you will be well represented by your own Realtor! And it is highly documented statistically that in almost every Real Estate transaction, a Buyers Agent will save the Buyer money. For more details about the services of a Buyers Agent, click here.

After you have chosen your Buyers Agent, talk to you Mortgage Lender and have the loan officer provide you with a Loan Status Report (LSR). Another option is to have your Lender fax it directly to your Buyers Agent. This is an important document that will be necessary at the time of writing an offer on the home of your choice. Your Buyers Agent will need a copy of the LSR before presenting an offer.

NOW IT’S TIME TO GET STARTED!

Note: typical out of pocket costs incurred by the Buyer, prior to the Final Stages of Closing Escrow, are highlighted in green.

Step 1) Go out looking at homes

a) In my experience, the average is 5 – 20 homes before Buyers find what they are looking for. Keep in mind that this is just a guideline, and it could be less and it could be more.

b) How quickly you find the “right” home depends a lot on how strict your parameters are, and the current market conditions. Purchasing a home in a Buyers market is FAR different than purchasing a home in a Sellers market.

c) Trust your Realtor, and listen to your Realtors recommendations. Think about it….Just like you do with your job, your Realtor lives and breathes Real Estate day in and day out every day of the year. It’s extremely unlikely that you or your friends or relatives, know the local real estate market better than your Realtor! Use your Realtors knowledge and experience to your advantage!

Step 2) Writing an offer on a home

All offers to purchase a home should be in writing. Realtors have a saying; “verbal means nothing”. Terms and Conditions are not legally binding unless they are in writing.

a) Offers are typically written on an Arizona State approved Purchase Contract, which is 9 pages long!

b) There are additional documents that are incorporated with the Purchase Contract, so please expect at least 2 hours to write an offer.

c) Bring your Checkbook! Typically you will give your Realtor a check for what is known as the Earnest Money or Earnest Deposit. Typically the check is made out to an Escrow Company or Title Company of your choice. Typically this money is applied towards your down payment at Close of Escrow. Your Realtor will explain this in more detail.

d) After all documents pertaining to the written offer are complete, it's the Buyers Agent right and obligation to present the Buyers offer to the Seller by going through the Listing Agent. Ideally, the Buyers Agent is obligated to present the offer in a face to face meeting with the Listing Agent and Seller. However, this scenario requires the Sellers written permission and is less common in our area. More commonly the Buyers Agent will fax the Offer, all pertaining documents, and a carefully written "pro Buyer" cover page to the Listing Agent. The Listing Agent will then present the Offer to the Seller. Contract negotiations between the Buyer and Seller are strictly done through the Buyers Agent and Listing Agent - much like the function of a Lawyer in legal matters. And again I emphasize that all contract negotiations should be done in writing. Remember, in a real estate transaction, verbal agreements mean nothing!

Step 3) Contract Acceptance – a meeting of the minds

a) When an Offer is presented to the Seller, the Seller is given a specific time frame to reply. The Seller has three choices when receiving an offer.
1) Accept the offer as written
2) Counter Offer the Offer
3) Reject the Offer

b) In the event there is a Counter Offer, the Buyers Agent will present it to the Buyer. The Buyer is given a specific time frame to reply. The Buyer has three choices when receiving a Counter Offer.

1) Accept the Counter Offer as written
2) Counter Offer the Counter Offer
3) Reject the Counter Offer

c) At some point in this process either an acceptance or rejection will be achieved. Rejection means going back to step 1. Acceptance means to proceed to the next step!

d) The offer has now become the Purchase Contract between the Buyer and Seller. Both Buyer and Seller are legally bound by the terms and conditions agreed upon in this contract.

Step 4) Opening Escrow –

a) The Escrow Period begins at Contract Acceptance and ends at the Close of Escrow. Close of Escrow (commonly referred to as COE) is technically the moment the home is legally recorded in your name. However, the phrase “Close of Escrow” is used often to refer to the final stages of closing the transaction (details in step 8).

b) An Escrow or Title Company is employed to essentially take care of the accounting part of the Real Estate transaction. They function as an unbiased party in the transaction, using the existing terms and conditions of the Purchase Contract as the Escrow Instructions. An Escrow Officer will be assigned to handle your transaction, with assistance from their associates.

c) There are a number of fees incurred by the Escrow or Title Company. The party responsible for paying some of these fees is negotiated and agreed upon in steps 2 and 3.

d) During the Escrow period, both Buyer and Seller will receive many pertinent documents relating to the transaction. Contact your Realtor and Escrow Officer for guidance and recommendations as to how to properly fill these out.

e) Some documents from the Escrow or Title Company may require the Buyer and/or the Seller to employ a legal professional or tax professional. However, this is more common when there are complex personal legal and tax ramifications involved. The party employing these services would pay the cost.

Step 5) Time is of the Essence - means that there are specific time frames identified in the Purchase Contract that are strictly adhered to. “Days” are calendar days unless otherwise noted.

a) Escrow opened at the Escrow or Title Company and Earnest money deposited – typically within 24 hrs or one business day from contract acceptance.

b) Buyer begins completing loan process upon contract acceptance. If not already done, Buyer will give money to the Mortgage Lender for ordering the Appraisal.

c) Home Owners Association (HOA) documents delivered to Title.

d) Sellers Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) delivered to the Buyer within 5 days of contract acceptance. Buyer responds within 5 days.

e) Insurance Claims History (or C.L.U.E.) delivered to Buyer within 5 days of contract acceptance. Buyer responds within 5 days.

Step 6) Inspection Period – Buyer’s opportunity to perform any and all inspections that are material to the Buyer. Be sure to discuss the Buyers Inspection Period with your Buyers Agent at the time of writing the Purchase Offer.

f) Buyers Inspection Period begins upon contract acceptance, and expires as identified on line 182 of the Purchase Contract. Typical Inspection Period is 10 days after Contract Acceptance.

g) At a minimum, the Buyer will order and have performed a professional Home Inspection and Wood Infestation (Termite) Inspection during this time frame.

h) Buyers Inspection Notice delivered to Seller prior to the end of the Inspection Period. Be sure to discuss the Buyers Inspection Notice with your Buyers Agent at the time of writing the Purchase Offer. Form used - Buyers Inspection Notice & Sellers Response (BINSR)

i) Seller has 5 days to respond to the Buyers Inspection Notice. Any party in receipt of additional Inspection Period Notices has 5 days to respond to the other party.

j) Buyer applies for Homeowners Insurance. If not done already, Appraisal should be ordered at this point.

k) Buyer to approve/disapprove Preliminary Title Report within 5 days of receipt.

l) Buyer to approve/disapprove HOA CC&R’s within 5 days of receipt.

Step 7) Appraisal

m) In the event of a low Appraisal, Buyer may elect to cancel within 5 days.

n) If not done already, Buyer should finalize packing and moving plans.

Step 8) Final Stages of Closing Escrow – The Closing Date is identified in the terms and conditions agreed upon in the Purchase Contract.

o) Buyer should arrange for utility company connections to be placed in their names 10 days to 2 weeks prior to the Close of Escrow date.

p) Buyers Final Walkthrough should take place 3-5 days prior to the Close of Escrow date. Seller to have all repairs that were agreed upon in the Inspection Period completed by this time.

q) No later than 3 days prior to Close of Escrow date, Buyer will review the HUD Settlement Statement, sign loan documents, and deliver closing funds to the Escrow or Title Company

Step 9) Close of Escrow Date – This is the day that the Escrow or Title Company will properly disperse funds and Record the new Deed, to complete the Real Estate transaction.

r) Title Company properly and officially disperses Buyer and Seller’s funds.

s) Title Company will record the new Deed in the new Buyer’s name, with the County Office where the property is located.

t) Title Company will notify the Buyers Agent that Recordation has taken place.

u) Buyers Agent will notify the Buyer, and arrange for house keys (and garage door openers – if applicable) to be delivered to the Buyer.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Real Estate Transaction is behind you and it’s time to move into your new home!

At some point in your moving plans it will be time to choose a Realtor. When that time comes, please consider the wisdom of choosing an experienced Buyers Agent. I sincerely hope you will consider contacting me for an informal no obligation interview. The interview can be done by phone, by email, or in person (my preference). Let's find out if we will work well together! Contact me today, and we can get the ball rolling!!

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______________________________________________________________________

Kevin A. Hanley - Coldwell Banker Chandler Arizona
Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
1045 W. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248

The information presented on this Web site is intended for the purpose of providing information and resources regarding the multi-faceted real estate market in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, and is not intended for any other purposes. To that extent, by continued use of this site, the user affirms the understanding of its purpose, understands the importance of verifying pertinent information, and releases KEVIN A. HANLEY, REALTOR® from any claims arising out of his/her use. Kevin A. Hanley is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is owned and operated by NRT Incorporated.

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