Buy a Home in Tucson, AZ Imagine buying your dream home. Let me help you make it happen.

Buying a home can be one of the most significant investments in life. The more prepared you are at the outset, the less overwhelming and chaotic the buying process will be. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned expert, buying a home is a huge commitment in terms of time and money. But, much more than that, the process of finding a home that perfectly fits your lifestyle should be fun. My goal is to provide you with detailed information to assist you in making an intelligent and informed decision. As a thank you for taking the time to visit my site, download my Buyer Guide. Remember, if you have any questions about the process, I’m only a phone call away (520) 269-0147.

What You Should Know Before You Start Looking

You need a good agent!

One that will work hard for you. I am dedicated to helping you find the right home, at the best price. I want you to find the home that will make you happy and successful in real estate ownership.

When you hire me to help you buy your home, I want to know what you want and how much can you afford. Then I’ll find a way to merge these two priorities and find the home that you’ll enjoy owning.

Get pre-approved for home loan

Getting a good mortgage loan specialist is just as important as finding a good agent. Unless you have cash, you need to research mortgage lenders, programs, and interest rates well before beginning your home search. A good lender will crunch your numbers, debt-to-income ratio, and let you know how much money you can comfortably afford to put toward your mortgage payment each month. Once you are pre-approved, and know how much you can afford, you can shop for homes with confidence. Your lender can make a loan commitment that will lock in your interest rate (usually as long as you purchase within 90 days) if rates are going up. Or, float the rate and lock it in later if rates may be going down. A good lender will know what to do. If you would like to know more, my Senior Loan Officer of Mortgage Lending Jeannie Davis is ready to help. For your convenience, she can be contacted directly under the Finance tab on my site.

Keep your objectives in mind

When you have made the decision you are ready to buy, take some time to consider what exactly you would include in your dream home if your choices and financial resources were unlimited. Once you have put together this dream list, scratch off the items that you know are unrealistic. Then make another list from the items that remain, grouping them into must-haves (needs), would-likes (wants) and things it would be okay to have included. Sometimes the idea of owning a home can overwhelm your practical sense, so keep your feelings in check. Keep the list handy, and judge each home by the list instead of by details that could distract you from your goal. My experience shows that when such a list is created before beginning the actual home search, buyers do not have the opportunity to become enamored with a specific home that might not have everything that they are truly seeking. Once alone, we can go over the pros and cons of each home. I can help you stay on track while still keeping our eyes out for a great property.

What do you want?

Do you like the idea of cleaning your own gutters? Do you shudder at the thought of lawn care? Would you rather just pay a fee every month and have everything done for you? Would obeying rules about when you can have your garbage cans out bother you, or would a neighborhood like this interest you? The answer to these questions can help you narrow down the search for the right type of property for you.

Online Search

If you’re searching for a home online, you’re not alone; lots of people are doing it. The question is, are you using all of your available resources, and are you using them wisely? Here’s why the Internet is a great place to start the home-buying process, and the truth on why it should never be your only go-to resource when it comes to making such an important decision.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the three most popular information sources home buyers use in the home search are:

• Online website (93%)
• Real estate agent (86%)
• Mobile/tablet website or app (73%)

Clearly, you’re not alone if you’re starting your search online; 93% of home buyers are right there with you. The even better news: 86% of buyers are also getting their information from a real estate agent at the same time.

Here are 3 top reasons why using a real estate professional in addition to a digital search is key:

1. There’s More to Real Estate Than Finding a Home Online. It’s a lonely and complicated trek around the web if you don’t have a real estate professional to also help you through the 230 possible steps you’ll face as you navigate through a real estate transaction. That’s a pretty staggering number! Determining your price, submitting an offer, and successful negotiation are just a few of these key steps in the sequence. You’ll definitely want someone who has been there before to help you through it.
2. You Need a Skilled Negotiator. In today’s market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars. From the original offer to the appraisal and the inspection, many of the intricate steps can get complicated and confusing. You need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.
3. It Is Crucial to Make a Competitive and Compelling Offer. There is so much information out there in the news and on the Internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates. How do you know what’s specifically going on in your area? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much or offending the seller with a low-ball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring a real estate professional who has their finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying experience an informed and educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

If you’re ready to start your search online, let’s get together. You’ll want an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) who is educated and informed at your side who can answer your questions and guide you through a process that can be complex and confusing if you go at it with the Internet alone.

Make the offer

This can be a maze of “buyer”, “seller”, “chattels”, “deposit”, and “completion”. I’ll be happy to prepare the paperwork and go through it with you before submitting it. Remember, the seller may reject or counter your offer. Avoid setting your heart too early on the home you hope to own. A pre-approval letter must accompany the offer (or proof of funds if buying w/cash).

• Pre-Approval letter: lets the seller know that you have been pre-approved for the price you are offering (supplied by your lender).

Once the offer is accepted Earnest Money must be deposited to title company in order to open escrow.

• Earnest Money: this is a negotiable amount, deposited to a neutral third-party escrow/title company that proves the seriousness of your offer to the seller. Earnest money is not the same as the down payment for your loan. It is held in an escrow account for the duration of the contract & applied towards your closing costs at close of escrow (COE).

Get all necessary inspections done

A home inspector will check for signs of harmful materials like asbestos, lead paint and mold. They’ll also check for evidence of pests, faulty wiring and leaks. This is a crucial part of the home purchase. Not getting an inspection done means that you could be, for example, stuck in a home with a bad case of black mold and no recourse other than to pay for its removal. The inspection is designed to help understand the overall condition of the property, and potentially save you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Inspections will cost a few hundred dollars, but are worth it in the end. There are several inspectors in the area that I’d be happy to recommend.

Do a final walk-through

Before closing the deal. I’d be happy to do this with you to make sure that everything agreed upon is completed prior to the final signing.

From the first interview that determines your requirements to the moment that you receive the keys, I can help you with the complicated process of buying a home. Have fun and don’t hesitate to contact me to find out more about how I can make the home buying process easier!