Buy a Home

Your path to a home in Arizona made clear.

From your first pre-approval call to picking up the keys — here’s how the process works, what it’ll cost, and where to start if this is your first time buying.

The process

Five steps from search to keys.

Every purchase is different, but the shape of the process stays the same.

01

Get pre-approved

Talk to a lender before you shop. Pre-approval tells you what you can actually afford and makes your offer stronger when you find the right home.

02

Define your search

We narrow things down by neighborhood, budget, and must-haves, then set you up to see new listings the moment they hit the market.

03

Tour homes & make an offer

Once we find the right fit, we build a competitive offer around current comps and your lender's terms.

04

Inspection & appraisal

A licensed inspector checks the home's condition, and your lender orders an appraisal to confirm its value before final approval.

05

Close & get your keys

Sign the final paperwork, wire your closing funds, and the home is officially yours — usually 30–45 days after your offer is accepted.

Budget it out

Mortgage calculator

Get a quick estimate of your monthly payment based on price, down payment, and rate.

New to this?

First-time buyer guide

Answers to what most first-time buyers ask us before they start looking.

How much down payment do I actually need?

Conventional loans can start as low as 3–5% down, and FHA loans allow 3.5% for qualifying buyers. Putting down less than 20% usually means paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you build enough equity.

What credit score do I need to qualify?

Most conventional loans want a score of 620+, while FHA loans can work with scores as low as 580 (sometimes lower with a bigger down payment). Your rate improves as your score climbs above 720.

What are closing costs, and how much should I budget?

Closing costs typically run 2–5% of the purchase price and cover things like lender fees, title insurance, appraisal, and prepaid property taxes/insurance. We’ll walk you through an exact estimate once you’re under contract.

Should I get pre-qualified or pre-approved?

Pre-qualification is a quick, informal estimate. Pre-approval involves your lender verifying income, assets, and credit — it’s what sellers actually want to see attached to an offer.

Is down payment assistance available in Arizona?

Yes — programs like Home in Five and Arizona’s HOME+PLUS can help cover down payment and closing costs for buyers who qualify. We can point you to a lender who works with these programs.

Ready when you are

Let's find your next home.

Tell us your budget and must-haves, and we’ll help you move through every step above with confidence.