Arizona MLS Real Estate Search

Need help with ANY AZ Mortgage or Down Payment Assistance Programs in AZ?

We can help you get qualified for ANY AZ mortgage so you can buy a home including the several Down Payment Assistance Programs in AZ!   There are a few First Time Home Buyer Programs in AZ as well!! Which mortgage program is best for you?  What program will get you the best payment?  Are you looking for an FHA Loan, VA Loan, USDA Loan, Jumbo Loan or a Conventional Loan?  We're here to help get you the most up to date mortgage rates in Arizona with the best payment that fits your situation!

Also get access to our Realtor MLS UPDATED EVERY 5 Minutes!  That means EVERY home from EVERY Real Estate Company that is currently for Sale and FASTER THAN ZILLOW!

Questions or need help to get started with the mortgage process?
Call/text us at (480) 442-2502 or click the LIVE CHAT below.

Step 2: KNOW THE BENEFITS OF HOME OWNERSHIP

One of the key factors in your decision related to buying a home in Arizona is knowing the benefits of home ownership.

If you are deciding if you should buy a home, you want to know the financial and social benefits of home ownership.

What Are the Benefits of Home Ownership?

Pride in Home Ownership

There is a special kind of pride in home ownership that you just won’t get by renting. When you buy a home, you experience a sense of accomplishment. You worked hard to be able to buy your home and now you can make it your own. You can furnish it the way you want and you can decorate it to your liking. You can maintain it and keep it beautiful. Your home becomes an extension of who you are and you take pride in owning your home. The results of one recent survey indicated that Americans believe that owning their own home is as important as being successful at their job.

Stability and Security

Your home is a place to call your own. It is your shelter in more ways than one. It provides protection against both physical and non-physical elements. Among the social benefits of home ownership is the fact that owning a home can provide a feeling of comfort and stability. You gain a feeling of belonging and sense of community as you plant roots and create strong ties with your family, friends and neighbors.

Because You Own Your Home, You Can Tailor It to Make It Yours

It’s your home. You can do what you want to it. This is a pretty simple concept, but it is significantly different from renting. If you want to repaint, you can. If you want to install different flooring, you can. If you want to remodel the home, you can. If you want to put in a pool, you can. You’re only limited by your budget, your local building codes and possibly your home owners association.

Owning Can Be Cheaper Than Renting

When you buy a home, you decide what you can afford and how much you want to put down. Most people finance their home and have a monthly payment. If you have a fixed-rate mortgage, then your principal and interest payments will never go up. Furthermore, over the life of the loan, the amount that you pay in monthly interest will decrease as you pay down the loan. On the other hand, the market level for rental payments typically increases year over year.

Owning A Home Builds Wealth

“Homeownership plays a pivotal role in the U.S. economy and has historically been one of the primary sources of wealth accumulation for middle class families,” – Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

Look at the Buy versus Rent example provided in Step 1: SHOULD YOU BUY A HOME IN ARIZONA? of this series.

In that example it showed that renting this home in Avondale, Arizona would result in rent payments of close to $70,000 over 5 years with no return and no wealth creation. However, if you bought the same home, with a purchase price of $154,600, your mortgage payments over 5 years would likely be a little less (yes, owning can be cheaper than renting). However, you would have over $52,000 in equity. That is your money! Plus, in that example, owning the home resulted in an additional $11,000 in tax deductions.

With that said, it is likely that either you or someone you know lost their home – or their equity – in the past decade’s financial crisis. Many people learned that home values don’t always go up. Home values fluctuate; they go up, down and stay flat. Nevertheless, most people agree that, even when adjusting for inflation, home values increase to over time.

Even if you believe you can’t count on appreciation, you can still think of your home as a forced long-term savings plan. When you pay your mortgage every month, a portion of the payment reduces the amount that you owe. This monthly reduction of your mortgage increases your equity. Eventually, you should be able to pay off your home and you will no longer have a mortgage payment.

Home Ownership Has Tax Benefits

If you want to know for certain what tax advantages you will have by owning a home, you should speak to your personal CPA or tax advisor. When you do, here is a short list of the benefits of home ownership that you should ask her or him about:

Mortgage Interest Deduction: Typically, you are allowed to deduct the mortgage interest that you pay from your taxes owed. If you pay points to buy down your interest rate, they may be deducted too. Finally, if later on you choose to obtain a loan against your home to do home improvements, the interest on that loan may be deductible too.

Property Taxes: To avoid double taxation, property taxes that you pay on your home is typically fully deductible from your federal income taxes.

Home Office Deduction: If you use a portion of the home exclusively for an office for your work or small business, you may be able to deduct certain home expenses from your taxes.

Capital Gains Exclusion: If, after living in your home for two years (two out of the last five to be precise), you sell your house for a gain, you may be able to keep the profits as tax-free income. There are restrictions that apply, but they are fairly generous to the average American.

Other Limited Benefits: There are a few other tax benefits for which you may be eligible depending on where you live, how you bought your home, if you have private mortgage insurance or if your house has certain energy-saving systems (ex. solar panels). These benefits are often restricted and/or temporary so you need to do your homework.

You can find Tax Information for Homeowners from the IRS here.

Legal Disclaimer

This home buyer series is intended to provide general information regarding the process of how to buy a house in Arizona. It is not intended to provide buyers with legal, accounting or financial advice. You are advised to seek the services of a skilled professional this those fields.

Additionally, this home buyer series does not set forth all qualification criteria for any of the loans described herein; all interested persons must successfully meet qualification criteria and complete the application process to obtain such loans.

HOMES WE CAN HELP YOU FINANCE

$314,000
2 Beds 2 Baths 7067319 MLS 1,128 SqFt.
Move-in ready and meticulously updated, this Questa Vista condo delivers the rare combination of modern finishes, low-maintenance living, and an unbeatable Tempe location -- all just minutes from ASU, Downtown Tempe, and Tempe Town Lake. Step inside to a fully reimagined kitchen featuring brand-new countertops, a new sink and faucet, and freshly refaced cabinetry with soft-close hinges and updated hardware throughout. Both bathrooms have been refreshed with new vanities, and the home is finished with all-new lighting -- including updated fixtures in the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room -- plus new light switches and kitchen-safe electrical outlets for true peace of mind. Comfort and efficiency were top of mind here too: a newer AC unit has cut summer utility costs nearly in half, a Nest smart controller puts climate control right at your fingertips. A newer water heater rounds out the major mechanical updates, so the big-ticket items are already done. Beyond the interior, enjoy thoughtful touches like a private balcony finished with tile flooring and greenery -- a perfect spot for morning coffee or evening downtime -- along with a new front door lock and handle set and refreshed bedroom hardware throughout. Located within the well-maintained Questa Vista community, this home offers effortless access to ASU, major employers, freeway systems, and everything Tempe's vibrant dining and entertainment scene has to offer. Whether you're a first-time buyer, an investor, or looking for a low-maintenance lock-and-leave lifestyle, this condo checks every box.

850 S River Drive Unit 2041, Tempe

$255,000
2 Beds 2 Baths 7067238 MLS 1,038 SqFt.
Welcome to this beautifully renovated 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouse in the established Villas Mesa II community. Thoughtfully updated throughout in 2026, this 1,038 sq ft home offers a fresh, modern feel with extensive improvements, creating a truly move-in-ready home. The completely remodeled kitchen is the heart of the home, featuring stylish white shaker cabinetry and hardware, white, veiny quartz countertops with a convenient pass-through to the great room, new stainless steel GE range, range hood, refrigerator, sink with pull-down faucet, dishwasher, disposal, and updated LED lighting. Both bathrooms have been completely refreshed with stylish finishes, including a new downstairs vanity, faucet, updated plumbing, and attractive gold accents. The upstairs bath has also been updated with a brand-new vanity, hardware, toilet, faucets, and accents, along with professionally regrouted tile with durable epoxy grout and a new exhaust fan. Extensive updates continue throughout the home, including the dramatic 15-foot ceiling above the staircase, fresh interior paint, new baseboards and trim, new carpet and pad throughout the upstairs, and new tile at the stair landing. New lighting and ceiling fans add to the modern, comfortable feel, while every switch, outlet, and cover has been replaced for a clean, updated finish. Additional improvements include three new windows with matching stucco repairs, a new security door, new blinds, updated locksets, and freshly painted fencing. The property also includes two assigned parking spaces, one covered and one uncovered, for added convenience. Step outside to the private patio, offering plenty of space for outdoor seating, dining, and entertainment. Low-maintenance artificial turf creates an inviting outdoor setting, while the laundry room has been enhanced with new, spacious shelving. With extensive renovations completed by licensed contractors and documentation available, this home offers the opportunity to move in and enjoy. Conveniently located in Mesa with easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, and major roadways, this beautifully updated townhouse combines modern style, thoughtful improvements, and comfortable living in one inviting home.

1342 W Emerald Avenue Unit 403, Mesa

Start Your Search

All information should be verified by the recipient and none is guaranteed as accurate by ARMLS. Copyright 2026 Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.