Home Buyers Overview
Deah Hendriksz walks you through every step of buying a home in Arizona, from your first conversation and pre approval to the day you get your keys. Free consultation.
A Note From Deah
Home Buying, Made Clear
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to guide you through your home buying process. It can feel confusing and complicated, so you will receive my very best service, built on all of my experience and training. My goal is to make it understandable, hassle free and a pleasure for everyone involved.
Throughout the process I am actively involved in finding the home of your dreams and negotiating a fair price. As a homeowner myself, I understand how emotional buying can be. It is also important to be informed, so I put everything you need into one Buyers Guide.
Feel free to contact me at any time. That is my commitment to you as your agent.
Inside the Guide
Your Path From First Call to Keys
Each part of the booklet takes one piece of the process and explains it in plain language.
- 01Meet Deah
- 02The Realtor’s Role
- 03What Is a Buyer Broker Agreement
- 04The Buying Process
- 05You Found a Home, Let’s Make an Offer
- 06All About Title and Escrow
- 07Home Inspection
- 08Appraisal and Final Walk Through
- 09Ready to Move
- 10Closing Day and After
Home Buying Journey
The Nine Step Process
Get Pre Approved
- Meet with a lender
- Prepare your credit
- Set a budget
Meet With Your Agent
- Discuss budget
- Research areas
- Set wants and needs
Find Your Home
- Tour homes
- Adjust criteria if necessary
Make an Offer
- Work with your agent to come up with an offer price
- Negotiate if needed
Open Escrow
- Title will send you a request for information
Order Inspection
- Have the property inspected
- Discover issues
- Negotiate repairs
Appraisal
- Your lender will order an appraisal to determine value
Schedule the Move
- Call a moving company
- Start packing
Close on Your Home
- Final walk through
- Sign closing documents
- Receive keys
Working Together
My Role and Your Role
A great purchase takes two sides doing their part. Here is what you can expect from Deah, and what she asks of you.
My Role
What you can expect from me as your buying consultant
- Treat all parties fairly and honestly
- Always keep a win win relationship
- Respect your time, needs and finances
- Be on time for all meetings
- Communicate with you openly and often
- Represent your best interest in every negotiation
- Build and carry out a complete negotiation strategy
- Consult with you throughout so every decision is informed
- Provide showing packages and recommend the best pricing strategy
- Schedule all home showings
- Show you only homes that meet your criteria
- Help schedule inspections, closing and document review
- Respond to and resolve issues quickly
- Provide post closing information and help with all future real estate needs
Your Role
What I expect from you
- Be on time for all meetings
- Keep appointments or call to cancel in good time
- Meet with a loan consultant soon after our first meeting
- Avoid large purchases or new debt without talking to your lender first
- Return calls from mortgage, title, inspection and other companies in the process
- Make an informed offer right after finding your perfect home
- Respect the seller’s property
- Tell me right away if things change
- Let me know if you will be away longer than one week
- Have fun and enjoy the process
The Realtor’s Role
A Realtor in Your Corner
An expert guide and advocate for you through the entire home buying process.
- Uncovers your goals, objectives and concerns
- Researches homes in the area and prepares a competitive market analysis
- Gets you into the homes you want to view
- Provides objective information, comps and suggestions on contract price
- Negotiates the best terms for you as a buyer
- Assists with the financial aspects of the purchase
- Requests repairs or price changes from the seller when needed
- Stays on top of the paperwork so nothing is overlooked and you understand every document before signing
- Gathers essential property documents
- Manages all dates and deadlines in the contract
- Monitors your loan status leading up to closing
- Works with the title company so closing is accurate
- Is present at closing to protect your interests
I work tirelessly to make buying a home a fun and stress free process.
Buyer Broker Agreement
Why a Buyer’s Agent Matters
Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases of your life. A seller has someone in their corner, and a listing agent owes duties to the seller. A buyer’s agent works for you and for your best interests alone.
Exclusive Representation
A buyer’s agent is committed solely to you, with unbiased advice and support through the whole process.
Off Market Listings
Your agent can tap a network beyond the usual listings, including pocket listings, which can matter in competitive markets.
In Depth Market Insight
Specialized knowledge of pricing trends and neighborhood dynamics helps you decide well and spot hidden gems.
Skilled Negotiation
A seasoned negotiator can save you thousands, on price and on the terms and conditions that serve you best.
Coordinated Process
From viewings to inspections to closing, your agent handles the logistics for a smooth path to homeownership.
Insider Property Advice
Your agent looks past the surface to potential and pitfalls, including resale value and needed repairs.
Buyer Broker Agreement Questions
What is a Buyer Broker Agreement
It is a legally binding contract between a buyer and a broker. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both sides and confirms that you are using the broker’s help to search for and buy a home.
Should I sign a Buyer Broker Agreement
Yes. For an agent to show you homes or help you purchase, you will be asked to sign one.
What if I buy with a different broker
Unless your agreement allows it, that would breach the contract and the original broker would be due a commission.
What if the seller is not offering the commission we agreed on
Either you pay the difference or the broker agrees to accept the commission offered. Then an addendum is written and signed by both parties.
Prepare Your Finances
How Is Your Financial Health
Knowing your financial picture confirms you are ready for the purchase and the long term costs of owning a home.
Look at Your Savings
Keep three to six months of expenses set aside, plus funds for the down payment, closing and moving costs.
Review Your Spending
Know where your money goes each month, and how much is bills and necessities versus extras.
Check Your Credit
Request your report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Fix errors, pay down card balances, pay bills on time, and do not open or close accounts until you are approved.
Compile Your Documents
Lenders ask for ID, federal tax returns, W2 or 1099 forms, pay stubs, profit and loss statements and bank statements.
Get Pre Approved
How Much House Can You Afford
Pre Approval Basics
Lenders recommend not stretching beyond a home that costs more than three to five times your annual household income. Unless you are paying cash, you need a pre approval from a lender. Unlike pre qualification, it means a lender has verified your finances for a specific loan amount.
Down Payment and Other Costs
A down payment is typically between 3.5% and 20% of the purchase price. Closing costs usually run 2% to 5%, and you should also plan for insurance, inspection, appraisal and HOA dues.
During the Loan Process
- Do not change jobs
- Do not make any large purchases
- Do not pay off existing accounts unless the lender requests it
- Do not switch banks or move your money around
You Found a Home
Let’s Make an Offer
In a market where demand is higher than the number of homes available, it is important to act fast.
How Much to Offer
We review recent sales, current buyer activity and the value of the home in its present condition, then settle on the price you want to offer.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
You may only get one chance to make a good impression, so we build your very best offer together.
Healthy Earnest Deposit
A strong earnest money deposit shows the seller you are serious.
Cash and Quick Closings
A deal that does not depend on loan approval is attractive, and many sellers prefer to close within 30 days.
After You Submit
The seller accepts and you are under contract.
The seller feels the offer is not close enough to negotiate further.
The seller offers different terms. You can accept, decline or counter again.
Under Contract
Inspection, Appraisal and Closing
Home Inspection
A qualified inspector reviews structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling and interiors, flags what needs repair and estimates the life left in major systems. A wood infestation report is also required by most lenders. If issues come up, we negotiate for credits or fixes.
Appraisal
Your lender sends an appraiser to confirm the price lines up with the property’s value. An appraisal is a professional opinion based on recent comparable sales, and it helps guide your loan terms. Homeowners insurance is also required by lenders before closing.
Closing Day and After
You complete a final walk through, sign closing documents and receive your keys. Deah is there to protect your interests, and her help does not end at closing, from restaurant tips to trusted tradespeople.
Take It With You
Read the Full Buyers Guide
The complete booklet covers agency, the buyer broker agreement, financing, offers, title and escrow, inspections, appraisals and closing, plus worksheets to help us with your search.
Open the Buyers GuideFree Consultation with Deah
Let’s Talk About Your Home Search
(425) 407-2800, any day 7 am to 7 pm
Tell Deah where you are in the buying process and what you are looking for. She will take it from there.
Call Now(425) 407-2800