Home Buying FAQ

Yes, in almost every case. Pre-approval sets a realistic budget range, shows sellers you are finance-ready, and helps your agent filter homes that actually fit your payment comfort zone. In competitive segments, buyers without pre-approval often lose time and miss the strongest listings in the first 3-7 days on market.

Plan beyond the down payment. A practical estimate is to reserve additional funds for lender fees, title/escrow, appraisal, prepaid insurance, and prorated taxes. The exact amount varies by loan type and negotiated seller credits, so review your Loan Estimate line by line early.

Usually yes. A strong inspection can reveal roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, drainage, and safety issues before closing, when you still have leverage to negotiate repairs, credits, or price.

Look at more than the monthly HOA fee. Review reserve strength, recent meeting notes, pending special assessments, short-term rental restrictions, parking rules, exterior modification limits, and violation history. Two homes with similar prices can have very different long-term carrying risk depending on HOA governance quality.

Because taxes directly change your monthly payment. Similar homes in nearby areas can carry meaningfully different annual tax bills, which affects affordability, resale math, and rent-vs-own comparisons.

Get quotes before your inspection period ends. Confirm replacement-cost coverage, deductible level, exclusions, and whether premium changes are expected after claims or property age updates. Early insurance review prevents last-minute surprises that can break financing.

Heat performance is a financial issue, not just comfort. Compare insulation quality, window efficiency, roof condition, orientation, shade coverage, and summer utility history. In Phoenix, two homes at similar price can produce very different annual cooling costs and indoor comfort levels.

Start with condition and operating cost. Ask for the pool surface age (plaster/pebble), pump/filter age, heater and automation status, and any leak or crack history. In Phoenix, pool evaporation, chemical balance, and summer energy use can add meaningful monthly cost, so request recent utility bills and service records when possible.

Extremely important in Phoenix. Ask for system age, service records, major component replacements, and warranty status. If equipment is near end-of-life, budget for replacement and use that data in your repair or credit negotiations.

Review water source disclosures, irrigation setup, landscape demand, and any known plumbing leaks or slab history. In desert markets, water strategy affects monthly ownership cost, yard maintenance planning, and long-term livability expectations.

Test-drive commute routes at real peak times. A home that feels close on a map can still add significant daily stress depending on freeway merges, school-zone traffic, and your normal departure window.

Yes. Base price is rarely final price. Compare lot premiums, structural options, design-center upgrades, appliance packages, and timeline risk. Also confirm builder warranty scope, workmanship standards, and what is truly included versus shown in the model home.

Arrive prepared: pre-approval ready, proof of funds available, and clear offer terms with minimal friction. Winning in a competitive spot is often about certainty and speed, not always the highest number.