First-Time Buyer FAQ

No, but almost everyone uses one anyway. The seller's agent represents the seller, not you, and Arizona's paperwork has real deadlines attached to real money. A buyer's agent is there so someone in the transaction is actually working for you.

Less than you probably think. Conventional loans can go as low as 3% down, and some programs go lower. The number that actually matters is what a lender qualifies you for, which depends on your income, debt, and credit — talk to a loan officer before you assume you're priced out.

A deposit you put down after your offer is accepted, showing the seller you're serious. It gets credited toward your purchase at closing. If you back out for a reason your contract doesn't protect, you can lose it — which is exactly why the contingencies in your offer matter.

Usually four things: principal, interest, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. Add mortgage insurance if you're putting less than 20% down, and HOA dues if the property has them. If a quote you're given only covers principal and interest, it's not the whole picture — ask what the full payment looks like.

Yes. The paperwork looks different — usually two years of tax returns instead of pay stubs — so the process takes a little more documentation, not more luck. Talk to a lender early so nothing holds up your timeline later.

Pre-qualified means a lender took your word for your finances and gave you a rough estimate. Pre-approved means they verified it — income, credit, debt — and it carries actual weight with a seller. In a competitive offer, pre-approved is what you want in hand.

From accepted offer to closing, usually 30 to 45 days, mostly dictated by your loan's underwriting timeline. The search itself before you're even under contract varies a lot more — it depends on inventory, your must-haves, and how many houses you're willing to see in a weekend.

Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response — the Arizona form you use after your inspection to ask the seller to fix something, credit you for it, or nothing at all. It has a hard deadline built into most contracts, so it's not a step to sit on.

Buyer agency agreements now spell out how a buyer's agent gets paid before you start touring homes, and that can include seller contributions, negotiated terms, or a direct fee depending on the deal. It's worth an actual conversation up front rather than an assumption — ask me before we go look at anything.