Buying in Arizona

Because it's never just a house.

Before you buy in Arizona, there are things you need to hear — and we will actually tell you.

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For every buyer

There's a difference between an agent who opens doors and one who actually walks you through the decision. We ask the questions you haven't thought to ask. We slow you down when you need it and move fast when the moment is right. When it's time to negotiate, we fight for every term — and when the contract gets complicated, we make sure you understand exactly what you're signing. We tell you the truth about this market — including the parts you didn't come here to hear.

Before you start looking
If you've been reading articles about how affordable Arizona is — we need to talk. The Valley is a lot of things, but inexpensive isn't one of them.
What your money gets you here is real — space most cities stopped building decades ago, homes designed around what's outside the walls, and architecture that treats the desert like a feature, not a problem. You notice it the first time you walk in.
Jen & David
Where we work

Neighborhoods you'll hear us talk about.

A short list of places we know well. Not the only ones — just the ones that come up most often when buyers ask where to start.

Paradise Valley
Large lots, discreet gates, and old-money quiet under Camelback and Mummy Mountain.
Arcadia
Irrigated lots, mid-century bones, citrus trees. Feels like a secret until you live there.
North Scottsdale
DC Ranch, Troon, Silverleaf, Desert Mountain — big skies, serious golf, custom architecture.
North Phoenix
Mountain Preserve trails out your back door, city views from the ridge, homes built into the terrain.
Scottsdale
Old Town energy to quiet estate roads — more ground than most people realize until they start looking.
Central & North Central
The Biltmore, Camelback Corridor, Encanto — tree-lined streets and walkable pockets.
Tempe & South Scottsdale
College-town energy meets real neighborhoods. Walkable, growing fast, and one of the best values in the Valley.
West Valley
Goodyear, Buckeye, Surprise, Peoria — new construction, space, and some of the fastest-growing communities in the state.
East Valley
Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek — strong schools, family neighborhoods, and easy access to everything.
Don't see your neighborhood? Ask us — we work everywhere from downtown Phoenix to the far north.
Good questions

Buying here, answered

How does a buyer’s agent get paid in Arizona — do I pay you directly?
In most cases you won’t pay us out of pocket. Since the industry changes in August 2024, buyer-agent compensation is fully negotiable and agreed in writing before we start. The most common arrangement is still the seller covering our fee through a closing concession, but it can also be paid by you or built into your offer with a matching seller credit. Either way, you’ll know the number up front — no surprises.
Do I have to sign a buyer-broker agreement before you can show me homes?
Yes. As of August 2024, agents are required to have a signed written buyer agreement in place before touring homes with you. That’s a good thing: it spells out exactly what we’ll do for you and how we’re paid — and by law that fee is fully negotiable, not set by any standard rate. We’ll walk you through it line by line before you sign anything.
What’s the difference between pre-qualified, pre-approved, and fully underwritten?
These are three levels of lender review, and which one you’ll have depends on your lender. Pre-qualified is a quick estimate based on what you tell the lender. Pre-approved means they’ve verified your documents and pulled your credit. Fully underwritten means an underwriter has actually reviewed and signed off on your file — the strongest position, though not every lender offers it. The stronger your financing, the stronger your offer reads to a seller, so we’ll talk through where you stand before we write.
How much earnest money is typical on an Arizona offer, and is it refundable?
Typically 1–3% of the purchase price, deposited into escrow within a few days of acceptance. It’s refundable if you cancel within your contract’s contingency windows and follow the notice steps — the standard Arizona contract gives you a 10-day inspection period to do your due diligence (unless you agree to something different), plus financing and appraisal contingencies. One thing we cannot stress enough: wire fraud is real and active in real estate. Criminals send fake wiring instructions that look completely legitimate. Never wire funds based on emailed instructions alone — always call escrow at a number you’ve independently verified before sending a dollar, and use two-step verification wherever it’s offered. We’ll walk you through safe wiring every time.
What should a home inspection cover in the desert?
Everything a standard inspection covers, plus what matters most in Arizona: the AC and HVAC system (non-negotiable here), the roof (our sun is hard on materials, and flat roofs need a closer look), pool and spa equipment, and any sign of foundation or soil movement. We’ll often recommend specialist inspections — roof, pool, or HVAC — when a home warrants it, so you’re not guessing.
Can you represent me on a new-construction purchase, and should I bring my own agent to the builder?
Yes — and you must bring us on your very first visit. The salesperson in the model home works for the builder, not for you. Here’s the catch most buyers don’t know: if you tour or register at a new-build community without your agent, the builder typically won’t let an agent represent you afterward. Bring us from day one and we’ll negotiate upgrades and incentives, review the builder’s contract (which is written to protect them), and our fee is typically covered by the builder.
When you're ready

Let's talk before you fall in love with the wrong listing.

A thirty-minute call is usually all it takes to know whether we're the right fit. No pitch, no pressure, no buyer's agreement to sign.

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“Jennifer and David were not the first agents we had worked with but they easily exceeded all the others. They had a very deep knowledge of the entire area and process from start to finish. We have already recommended them to multiple friends. We highly recommend them to any first-time buyers.”
Daryl H. · First-time buyer guidance
One more thing

Buying a home here should feel exciting — not exhausting. If you're coming from somewhere else, you're about to meet a market that's more particular than the internet told you. If you've been here a while, you already know. Either way — we'd rather earn the conversation than pitch you into one. Buying from out of state? Our out-of-state buyer’s guide to the Valley covers what to expect before you start.

— Jen & David
Griffin · Cohen  •  Compass Arizona