LOCAL BUYING TIPS

A CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills agent can help you shop for a home, compare homes and compile your unique wish list to find the perfect home for you.

Choosing A REALTOR®

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make. That's why it's in your best interest to choose an experienced real estate agent who listens to and understands your needs, and has detailed knowledge of the are in which you want to live. When you choose a CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills agent, you're dealing with a professional who is ready to make a full-time commitment to help you capitalize on current market opportunities and assist you in making an informed decision.

To ensure you make the right choice for the long term, a CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills agent offers extensive knowledge in:

• Neighborhoods, school and market conditions
• Mortgage specialists who can assist you with your financing
• Technology that gives them an edge

Determining Your Buying Power

Early in the process, you'll want to get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. It enables you to move swiftly when you find the right home, especially when there are other interested buyers. It also indicates to the seller that you are serious and can afford to buy the property.

The price you can afford to pay for a home will depend on several factors, such as:

• Gross income
• The funds you have available for the down payment and closing costs
• Your debt
• Your credit history
• The type of mortgage you select
• Current interest rates
• Your expense-to-income ratio

Each buyer is unique and a mortgage specialist can help you find out just what you can afford.

What's Right For You?

Before deciding which house to buy, consider your lifestyle, current and anticipated housing needs and budget. It's a good idea to create a prioritized list of features you want in your new home; you'll quickly discover finding the right house involved striking a balance between your "must-haves" and your "nice-to-haves". It's important to think about your new home's location just as carefully as its features. In addition to considering the distance to work, evaluate what matters to you in terms of service, convenience and accessibility such as shopping and schools.

Be sure to talk to your real estate professional about where you want to live and what's important to you. While buyers frequently use the Internet to gain access to listings and available properties for sale, an agent brings value to the entire buying process. He or she is available to analyze data, answer questions, share their professional expertise, and handle all the paperwork and legwork that is involved in any real estate transaction. CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills agents can help their clients narrow their choices by sharing market trends and local information.

Making An Offer

Before you submit an offer, have your REALTOR® pull the most recent comparable homes sold in the area. Consult with your CENTURY 21® professional to determine if you are in a buyer's market or seller's market to help determine what to offer on the home. After weighing these factors, you will decide what you are willing to pay for the home.