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Avoid These 9 Buyer Traps Before You Buy in Arizona

“A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.”

Buyer Beware

No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment. But for many homebuyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be because many fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:

  • paying too much for the home they want, or
  • losing their dream home to another buyer, or
  • (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.

A systemized approach to the homebuying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that’s best for you.


This important report discusses the 9 most common and costly of these homebuyer traps, how to identify them, and what you can do to avoid them.

9 Buyer Tips

  1. Bidding Blind...What price should you offer when you bid on a home? Is the seller’s asking price too high, or does it represent a great deal? If you fail to research the market in order to understand what comparable homes are selling for, making your offer would be like bidding blind. Without this knowledge of market value, you could easily bid too much, or fail to make a competitive offer at all on an excellent value.
  2. Buying the Wrong Home...What are you looking for in a home? A simple enough question, but the answer can be quite complex. More than one buyer has been swept up in the emotion and excitement of the buying process only to find themselves the owner of a home that is either too big or too small. Maybe they’re stuck with a longer than desired commute to work, or a dozen more fix-ups than they really want to deal with now that the excitement has died down. Take the time upfront to clearly define your wants and needs. Put it in writing and then use it as a yard stick with which to measure every home you look at.
  3. Unclear Title...Make sure very early on in the negotiation that you will own your new home free and clear by having a title search completed. The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, leases or the like.
  4. Inaccurate Survey...As a part of your offer to purchase, make sure you request an updated property survey which clearly marks your boundaries. If the survey is not current, you may find that there are structural changes that are not shown (e.g. additions to the house, a new swimming pool, a neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.). Be very clear on these issues.
  5. Undisclosed Fix-ups...Don’t expect every seller to own up to every physical detail that will need to be attended to. Like you, the sellers will be looking out for themselves. Ensure that you conduct a thorough inspection of the home early in the process. Consider hiring an independent inspector to objectively view the home inside and out, and make the final contract contingent upon this inspector’s report. This inspector should be able to give you a report of any item that needs to be fixed with associated, approximate cost.
  6. Not Getting Mortgage Preapproval... Pre-approval is fast, easy and free. When you have a pre-approved mortgage, you can shop for your home with a greater sense of freedom and security, knowing that the money will be there when you find the home of your dreams.
  7. Contract Misses...If a seller fails to comply to the letter of the contract by neglecting to attend to some repair issues, or changing the spirit of the agreement in some way, this could delay the final closing and settlement. Agree ahead of time on a dollar amount for an escrow fund to cover items that the seller fails to follow through on. Prepare a list of agreed issues, walk through them, and check them off one by one.
  8. Hidden Costs...Make sure you identify and uncover all costs - large and small - far enough ahead of time. When a transaction closes, you will sometimes find fees for this or that sneaking through after the “sub”- total - fees such as loan disbursement charges, underwriting fees etc. Understand these in advance by having your lender project total charges for you in writing.
  9. Rushing the Closing...Take your time during this critical part of the process, and insist on seeing all paperwork the day before you sign. Make sure this documentation perfectly reflects your understanding of the transaction, and that nothing has been added or subtracted. Is the interest rate right? Is everything covered? If you rush this process on the day of closing, you may run into a last minute snag that you can’t fix without compromising the terms of the deal, the financing, or even the sale itself.

Find out if your agent offers a Buyer House-hunting Service, which takes the guesswork out of finding just the right home that matches your needs. This type of program will crossmatch your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an on-going basis. A program like this can help you to affordably move into the home of your dreams.

$398,500
2 Beds 2 Baths 7079190 MLS 1,472 SqFt.
Welcome to this beautifully updated and spacious Mariposa model, featuring a desirable open floor plan with split bedrooms for added privacy. Gorgeous tile flooring flows throughout the home, complemented by large windows that fill the space with natural light and a neutral color palette that is both inviting and versatile. The well-appointed kitchen features maple cabinetry with crown molding, granite countertops, a stylish backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a convenient pantry. The spacious primary suite offers a charming bay window and a beautifully updated en-suite bath with dual sinks, a glass step-in shower, and a generous walk-in closet. Step outside to enjoy the low-maintenance backyard, complete with a large covered patio and attractive paver accents--perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Added bonus, new roof underlayment 12/2025 with a 30 year guarantee. Located in The Grand, a 45+ resort-style active adult community offering an exceptional array of amenities, including four golf courses, pickleball, bocce ball, three pools including an indoor lap pool, a two-story fitness center, a 1/4-mile padded walking path, numerous clubs and activities, and miles of scenic walking paths. The HOA also maintains exterior landscaping and provides pest control, making low-maintenance living even easier. For a guest packet and additional community information, visit the clubhouse at 19726 N Remington, Surprise, AZ.

16118 W Starlight Drive, Surprise

$825,000
4 Beds 2 Baths 7079186 MLS 2,294 SqFt.
NEW INTERIOR PAINT, an entire KITCHEN REMODEL with sleek QUARTZ COUNTERS, clean-lined shaker cabinets, a modern tile backsplash, and stainless appliances. You'll also find NEW BATHROOMS completed in 2023 with the homeowner suite offering a custom WALK IN SHOWER with floor-to-ceiling tile work, soap inlet and DUAL SINKS. All this while also providing PRIVATE ACCESS TO THE BACKYARD great for a night cap by the pool without disturbing the rest of the house. The bold accent walls and playful tropical touches paired with the ICONIC ARCH EXTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, wood burning brick fireplace and SOARING VAULTED CEILINGS give the home personality you won't find in a cookie-cutter build. Step outside and the value keeps stacking up with TWO COVERED PATIOS and a GAZEBO for year round outdoor living. Admire your SPARKLING PRIVATE POOL framed by Mountain preserve views, then work on your short game on the 6-HOLE PUTTING GREEN, freshly finished with NEW TURF AND CURBING in 2024. Additional turf space to enjoy and gather under the GAZEBO LOUNGE while soaking up the sunset skies! With NEW PALMS AND SUCCULENTS IN 2024 and a NEW DRIP IRRIGATION INSTALLED for convenience, this presents a perfect garden opportunity in the ELEVATED GARDEN BEDS. Don't miss the ideal RV PARKING, BOAT PARKING OR TRAILER PARKING for the toys! And the STORAGE ROOM off the 2 CAR GARAGE! No HOA allows the flexibility we all love, yet the community is mature, well maintained and the sidewalks throughout make for lovely walks in the neighborhood while soaking up those MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Even walk directly from your door to HIKE THE PHOENIX MOUNTAIN PRESERVE! It's a rare combination: a home that's move-in ready today and built to perform as a vacation retreat or short-term rental tomorrow. Add in a LOCATION, just MINUTES from hiking trails, Top Golf courses, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and a lineup of Local Restaurant favorites, plus QUICK FREEWAY ACCESS putting Sky Harbor just 20 minutes away, and this one checks every box!

2331 E Sunnyside Drive, Phoenix

$1,350,000
4 Beds 6 Baths 7079171 MLS 2,784 SqFt.
Step into elevated Desert Hills living on this gated, 1+ acre estate where privacy, space, and refined design come together in a rare no-HOA setting. Wide-open Arizona views greet you immediately, setting the tone for a residence that feels like a private retreat in the Sonoran Desert. This semi-custom home offers the upgrades and scale today's buyers seek -- from its oversized 4-car garage and covered RV capacity to its heated pool and spa designed for year-round enjoyment. Beyond the remote-controlled entrance, the property unfolds with a sense of sophistication and openness. Thoughtfully oriented on a north-south axis, the home captures mountain outlines, soft morning light, and vivid desert sunsets, creating a backdrop that enhances both everyday living and outdoor entertaining. Inside, the gourmet kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the home, granite surfaces, a substantial island, and extensive cabinetry. The kitchen opens seamlessly to the great room and casual dining area, creating a welcoming environment for everyday living and entertaining. A separate formal dining room adds versatility and can be tailored as an office, den, or media lounge. The primary suite offers a serene retreat with a coffered ceiling, space for a sitting area, and direct access to the patio and pool. The spa-inspired bath features dual sinks, granite counters, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and an expansive closet. Three additional bedrooms are thoughtfully placed on the opposite wing of the home for enhanced privacy. The estate's outdoor amenities elevate the experience: an oversized 4-car garage measuring 40' x 26' with extra height, epoxied floors, and built-in cabinetry; a 50-amp RV outlet; and a new 10' x 10' TuffShed. The heated pool with water feature and elevated spa is complemented by a phone-controlled automation system. A full-property landscape drip system ensures effortless care in this completely enclosed block walled yard. For those who value recreation and open space, more than 700 acres of untouched State Trust Land lie directly across the street, offering immediate access to hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-road exploration. Cave Creek Regional Park and the Desert Hills Trailhead are just minutes away, with Lake Pleasant and Bartlett Lake within easy reach. This Desert Hills property offers a rare combination of land, luxury, freedom and lifestyle -- an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking space, privacy, and elevated living in one of the Valley's most desirable rural-residential communities. Book a tour today, this home is impeccable and you'll fall in love at first site. Select furnishings, artwork, and two Harley-Davidsons may be available for purchase outside of escrow through a private bill of sale. No personal property is included in the sale of the home.

36312 N 16th Street, Phoenix

$425,000
4 Beds 3 Baths 7079111 MLS 1,978 SqFt.
Welcome to this stunning, bright, spacious and like-new - Taylor Morrison Home! This gorgeous property is in the well-known community of COMBS RANCH! This spectacular household is situated in a cute cul-de-sac and boasts one of the biggest backyards in the neighborhood. This home is sure to impress with one of the most desirable floor plans equipped with 4 Bedrooms | Bonus Room | 2.5 Bathrooms and Great Room. The sellers spared no expense designing the interior and exterior. We know you will love the tile throughout - yep, no carpet! The fixtures, fans, counter tops and cabinetry are beautiful! The backyard has turf, pavers, fire pit, dog run and so much more. Do not wait or hesitate for a new build, the time and expenses can be overwhelming. This property is priced to sell and requires no work - it's ready for the new owner to unpack and enjoy! Combs Ranch offers a sparkling community pool, parks, tot-lots, basketball courts, ramadas, trails, greenbelts and mountain views. The location of this community is right down the street from the Queen Creek Olive Mill and Schnepf Farms. A little further east is Pecan Lake Entertainment and QC District. You will have endless options for shopping, dining and entertainment. Last but not least, there are many options for schools, gyms, golf courses, medical facilities and churches. Please do your research, check the facts and schedule your private showing today!

37646 N Bridlewood Lane, San Tan Valley

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