Top 10 Home Buying Tips

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Last updated - November 8, 2017

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Here are my Top 10 Home Buying Tips (formally posted as the Five Basic Home Buying Principles) I have learned over the past 11+ years helping Buyers, just like you, find and purchase homes all across the Phoenix valley.

These tips are applicable to all residential real estate purchases.

Learn and apply these top 10 home buying tips to help you make the best home buying decision.

      1. Location, Location, Location
      2. Get Pre-Approved NOW!
      3. Consider Home Quality
      4. Determine Resale or New Home Purchase
      5. Evaluate Floor Plan, Features/Upgrades, Entertainment Value
      6. Put on Your Seller Glasses
      7. Understand Market Timing
      8. Verify Insurability
      9. Schedule Your Home Inspections EARLY
      10. Be Wise, Get A Home Warranty

Free Bonus: Click here to get access to a free PDF home buying checklist that illustrates all 10 tips from this post PLUS 2 bonus tips.


Well, what are we waiting for ... let's get started:

1
"Location, Location, Location"

If there is ONE singular feature, which is paramount and overrides all other home buying considerations, it is "Location, Location, Location."

While many are familiar with this old real estate adage, there are far too many home buyers who do not fully understand its implications or simply choose to ignore it.

You might be wondering?"

Why is "Location" repeated three times?

The best why to explain is with a picture.

Over the years I've come to view this cardinal principle visually as depicted by three concentric circles as illustrated below:

Location, Location, Location is the first home buying tip to consider when purchasing a home

The first, innermost circle as you can see is the "lot" itself.

Characteristics to consider and questions to ask when evaluting a home's lot are:

      • Lot size - do you prefer large lot for kids to play or smaller lot for easier maintenence?
      • Lot orientation (N/S or E/W exposure) - Remember, a Western lot exposure is very hot in the summer here in Phoenix
      • What's currently (or planned for the future) behind the lot - is there a single-level or 2-story home, apartments or business park, roads, a greenbelt, a park, a golf course or a lake?
      • Space between neighborhing homes - do you have enough "elbow" room?
      • Proximity to major roads, power lines, railroad lines/crossings, airports, and/or flight paths - how intense or loud is the noise from these location factors?
      • Vegetation - are trees and vegetation planted sufficiently away from the home as roots from older, mature trees and plants can affect sewer and drainage lines to and from the property?
      • Lot drainage - is the lot properly graded to divert exess rain water from pooling around the house?
      • Utilities - consider service provider and availability for sewer/septic, electricity, natural gas, phone/internet, and water (including city water, well-water, or hauled water, irrigation)

The second, larger location circle is "neighborhood."

As you drive around the neighborhood what kind of "feel" do you get? Here are some things to consider:

      • Proximity to greenbelts, parks, lakes, and/or golf courses
      • Do neighboring homes appear to be well kept and maintained?
      • Is there an HOA or multiple HOAs, and if so what are the fees and potential assessments for each?
      • Is the neighborhood gated, and if so, is the gate(s) manned?
      • Where are cars in the neighborhood parked - are cars typically parked in the garage, on the driveway, or in the street?
      • How wide or narrow are the streets? Are the streets designed to accomodate adequate guest parking?

The third, and final location circle is "community."

What's the proximity or convenience to the following:

      • Shopping / Groceries / Hardware stores
      • Gas stations
      • Restaurants
      • Schools
      • Churches
      • Libary
      • City parks
      • Open spaces
      • Freeway onramps/offramps

By resolutely following Tip #1, you will NOT ONLY enjoy your new home more fully BUT ALSO avoid making a potentially costly financial mistake.

2
Get Pre-Approved NOW!

Get pre-approved with a home loan now While financing is not a system component, feature or update in a home, getting pre-approved early is one of the top two home buying tips as you will know how much home you can afford AND you'll be ready to make an offer when you find the right home.

Here's the deal:

Getting pre-approved early and staying credit worthy will eliminate much of the stress involved in the closing process.

An all cash purchase of course eliminates much of the stress, but most homebuyers will need to borrow funds to purchase their home. Finding an experienced, competent, and professional loan officer will help to mitigate much of the closing process stress.

Remember, you and your lender will need to sign the pre-approval letter, which should be produced using the AAR Pre-Qualification Form.

Loan officers will also help you to determine and to qualify for the loan that best suits your financial situation, as there is a plethora of loan types from the more traditional such as:

      • Conventional loans
      • Jumbo loans
      • FHA loans
      • VA loans
      • USDA Rural loans

Choosing between a mortgage lender/banker or mortgage broker is also important. Typically, there is more control over the loan process when using a mortgage lender/banker, wherein they handle the loan origination, loan processing, and underwriting services all “in-house.”

Additional Financing Tip:

To boost the value of your purchase offer in the "eyes" of the Seller, be sure your loan officer processes your loan application through your respective loan's automated underwriting system and to note this on the AAR Pre-Approval Form.

Be Diligent, Don't Forget:

Once you've been pre-approved--be diligent and don't forget--to avoid opening new lines of credit, making high-dollar purchases, or moving money around between accounts.

Lenders want to see stable, reliable borrowers and engaging in these activities may result in your loan being declined.

I cannot emphasis enough the importance in selecting the right lender, getting pre-approved early, and remaining credit worthy to help reduce stress and to ensure the loan is funded and closed on time without any “last minute” surprises from your lender.

3
Consider Home Quality

The quality of homes available on the open market is distributed much like grades are within a traditional bell-curve grading system, wherein there are:

      • a few Exceptional properties,
      • a fair amount of Great properties,
      • and many Good properties, including decent homes requiring some "tender loving care (TLC)."

Any one of these quality type homes--except "Don't Touch" homes which should be avoided by most home buyers--should be fine to purchase, so long as it matches your expectations.

Fixer-Upper homes, for example, are great for investors who have time and money to commit to the project

In like manner, TLC homes may also provide a fantastic opportunity for home owners to purchase these homes for undermarket value and transform it into a beautiful place to live.

Infographic depicting the distribtuion of the quality of homes using a bell curve graphic

Location, features, finishes, upgrades, cleanliness, and maintenance levels all contribute to the property’s overall quality grade. 

Don't be fooled! 

A word of caution ... beautifully staged homes create more demand and will often sell for higher prices over similar non-staged homes but the handsome furniture, pretty wall-mounted pictures, and colorful pots & plants DO NOT NECESSARILY add to the quality of the home.

When selling your home of course, staging is a great strategy to receive top dollar for your home in the least amount of time. 

For example here are several photos of a listing I sold in 7 days, which NOT ONLY exhibits a beautifully staged home BUT ALSO the A+ qualities we've been discussing.

A home staged well will often sell for higher prices

A home staged well will often sell for higher prices

From a buyer’s perspective however, remember when you view a well-staged home to temper your emotions to be careful not be oversold with Seller's personal property that does not convey with the sale of the home.

Learn to be discerning 

      • Are the grout lines in the new tile flooring crooked or is the tile layed unevenly? 
      • Are the new cabinets really new or are have they been painted over and mounted with new shiny hardware? 
      • Have the new baseboards or crown molding been cut with ugly gaps in the mitered joints?

If this is the case “buyer beware”, for this is often a sign of a cheap fix-n-flip remodel and you may be buying a lesser quality home than what your originally thought.

4
Determine "Resale" or "New" Home Purchase

Resale homes have the biggest advantage in that they are available for immediate move-in.

In addition features added to a resale home by the seller/owner can be purchased at a discount.

For example, when a homeowner installs or replaces a soft water system, flooring, window coverings, or appliances they are generally paying full retail prices, whereas when they sell their home these upgrades usually do not add full retail value to the overall market value of the home.

And the biggest difference to buying resale is the homeowner has already invested money into the front/back landscaping which will save the new home owner considerable money.

New homes have the advantage of builder warranties, very little maintenance for a longer period of time, and new main appliances and building systems such as A/C, roof, windows, kitchen appliances, etc.

Builders are also including more and more upgrades into the homes than they traditionally have in the past, but the front and back landscaping is usually not included, which can be very expensive.

Even with the many upgrades included, a typical buyer will spend between 12.5% and 15% more than the base price for additional upgrades (not including landscaping) plus any lot premium.

The downside is it’s kind of like buying a new car, as soon as you drive it off the lot you cannot sell it for the same amount as you purchased it, though in time when the market rises so will the new home’s value.

New homes can take months to build and with today’s labor shortages the build times can significantly delay any planned move-in date.

5
Evaluate Floor Plan, Features/Upgrades, Entertainment Value

The fifth tip is "to evaluate the floor plan, features and upgrades, and the entertainment value of the home for your family, friends, and guests alike."

To help make this tip section easier to read I've divided it into the following three tiers:

Tier I - In this tier section we begin to focus on the basic, fundamental features and characteristics of the home, or what I sometimes call the “bones” or “skeleton” of the home … things that generally cannot be changed after purchasing without considerable expense:

      • Lot - as previously addressed above
      • Levels - single-level, 2-story, multi-level, and with/without basement
      • Great Room or Family Room (including formal living and dining rooms)
      • Kitchen - cabinetry, gas-vs-electric appliances, pantry
      • Master Bedroom - split, separate tub & shower, closeted/private toilet, walk-in closet, dual sinks, separate makeup counter
      • Ceiling height - vaulted or flat, high or low
      • Bedroom sizes
      • Separate den/office
      • Theater Room
      • Loft area
      • Separate guest entrance and/or casita
      • Covered patio
      • Fireplace - gas or wood burning
      • Number of garage spaces - including side-by-side and/or tandem spaces
      • Roof - all tile, composite shingle, foam, etc
      • Foundation - slab versus post tension slab
      • Age of home - lead based paint, foundation, kitchen and HVAC appliances, plumbing, electrical

Tier II - In the second tier section we look deeper into the home's particular features and upgrades ... things like:

      • Cabinetry - flat, raised-paneled, glazed, dovetail joints
      • Counters - granite, Silestone, Corian, laminate
      • Flooring - vinyl, natural stone, tile (ceramic, porcelain), laminate, engineered wood
      • Lighting - led, recessed, outdoor flood lights/security, ceiling fans
      • Soft Water - system in place or loop only
      • R/O Water - leased versus owned
      • Outdoor electrical outlets - outlets under eves for holiday lighting
      • Obsolete enterainment niches
      • Laundry room - cabinets, sink, storage
      • Energy Features - solar panel (leased or owned), hot water heater, etc
      • Security systems (leased or owned)
      • Security screens/doors
      • Potential Odors - pets, previous smoker, strong cooking smells, how long has home been vacant, etc
      • Sewer - public versus septic
      • City services
      • Cable/Internet availability and download/upload speeds
      • Cell coverage

Tier III - In our final tier section we turn our attention to the potential entertainment value of the home, including landscape/hardscape and other miscellaneous items:

      • Large floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
      • Pool - play pool or diving pool; plaster, quartz, or pebble-tec; chlorine or salt
      • Hot Tub/Spa
      • Outdoor speakers
      • Misting systems
      • Ramada or shade Structures (wood, vinyl, or Aluma-wood)
      • Built-in BBQ Grille (natural gas, propane, charcoal, or electric)
      • Outdoor kitchen
      • Yard - grass, turf, xeriscape, natural desert
      • Mature vegetation and trees
      • Decorative retaining walls
      • Planter boxes
      • Storage sheds

6
Put on Your Seller Glasses

So What Does This Really Mean?

Whether you are relocating for job or family purposes, looking for an investment property, or acquiring a second home there will come a day when you (or your estate) will eventually sell your home. 

Therefore, any unusual or peculiar features about a prospective home is likely to be viewed in the same light by potential future buyers for your home. 

Selecting the right lot location also plays a major role in supporting this first basic home buying principle. 

Here's the kicker:

Ignore this principle and the financial consequences can be disastrous, as the usual remedy is to severely discount your sales price and experience a much longer time on market when it’s time for you to sell. 

Remember, single-level ranch style home casts the widest “net” for potential future homebuyers when it comes time to selling your home.

7
Understand Market Timing

Often times I am asked:

"When is the best time to purchase a home?"

As one peer of mine stated the best time to buy real property in Arizona was during the third quarter of 2011, when the real estate market hit the bottom and home values began to steadily rise.

Putting this historical fact aside, this question is truly impossible to answer as there are too many factors in play, FROM personal and family circumstances and preferences TO local and national economic influences.

As best stated in the AAR Market Conditions Advisory ("Advisory") the real estate market is cyclical and values go up and down; the Advisory further emphasises:

"It is impossible to accurately predict what the real estate or financial market conditions will be at any given time."

Here's my bottom line advice:

"The best time to buy is when you have found the 'right' home AND can afford it."

"Are there any historical housing trends that may provide Buyer insights on the market?"

For those Buyers who like dig into the housing data, there are some historical housing trends that may be useful to consider.

Based on my analysis of 425,000 sales records, here are four graphics depicting various real estate trends within the Maricopa and Pinal county real estate markets between January 1, 2012 and December 21, 2016:

In this first stacked line chart, you can clearly see a trend where the most number of sales occur in the months between April and June or the 2nd quarter of each year ... this may suggest more demand (ie, harder to negotiate on price) during the 30-45 day period prior to these months when contracts are being executed.

Stacked line chart depicting the closed sale transactions in the Phoenix Metro area between 2012-2016

Here in the second stacked line chart, you can see the average Days On Market trend peaking in February of each year ... this may suggest Sellers having listed their homes in December may be more open to negotiating favorable prices.

Stacked line chart depicting the average Days on Market for homes in Maricopa and Pinal counties between 2012-2016

The Market Supply graph appears to confirm these two previous observations, in that market supply or housing inventory is highest in February of each year. Basic economics suggests when there is more supply prices generally soften.

Stacked line chart depicting the housing market supply for the Phoenix Metro area between 2012-2016

And finally the last graphic depicts the composite average of the Sold-to-List Price ratio. As the chart clearly illustrates the gap between the original sales price and the final sold price trends from the widest to the smallest between the first and third quarters of each year ... again, this confirms our demand and supply trends of the previous three graphics.

Graph illustrang the composite average of the sold to list price ratio in Maricipa and Pinal counties between 2012-2016

8
Verify Insurability

In most cases the property's insurability is not an issue but it does need to be verified—along with the premium rates—during the Inspection Period (normally within 10 days of contract acceptance) as some property insurers will not provide coverage should the subject property have a poor or long loss history record.

Another important insurability component is whether or not the subject property is located within a flood plain and if flood insurance is required as typical homeowner policies do not cover damage caused by floods.

The cost of flood insurance can be significant to your overall mortgage payment, and so the premium should be ascertained at the very beginning (or before opening escrow) of the Inspection Period.

And finally the property will need to have a clear title before taking possession to ensure you as the new owner you have free and clear title of the property and that there are no financial liens against it.

Be sure to also examine and understand the title exceptions in Schedule B of the Title Commitment report.

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent

For most people buying a home is usually the largest single purchase they will make and so finding and choosing a knowledgeable, competent insurance agent who is backed up with a reputable insurance company is crucial.

9
Schedule Your Home Inspections EARLY

Once you've found the right home, negotiated the right price, secured a purchase contract, and have opened escrow with your earnest deposit you are now ready to perform your property inspections.

Don't forget or delay to schedule these inspections early as the Buyer's Property Inspection Period is usually limited to just ten (10) days AND getting appointments set on the calendar with various contractors can take a day or two depending on their busines backlog.

As you can see from the enumerated list below there are numerous property inspections that can and should be completed.

But how do you know which inspections to do?

For most residential homes completing a professional property inspection, a roof inspection, and a heating/air conditioning ("HVAC") inspection by licensed, bonded, and insured professionals would be satisfactory as a minimum core of inspections. I would also include a separate pool inspection if the property had a swimming pool/spa.

Depending on the results from the property inspection, the age, and other characteristics of the home (like pool/spa equipment, septic, well water, etc) it may be necessary to complete other inspections.

Remember:

During this period you as the Buyer have the right to conduct a variety of property and location inspections to ascertain value and condition of the subject property, as well as, suitability of the property and surrounding area, so getting these inspections scheduled early is critical:

Physical Condition of the Property:

      • Repairs, Deferred Maintenance, Remodeling and New Constructions Issues
      • Square Footage
      • Property Valuation
      • Roof
      • Swimming Pools and Spa Equipment, including safety barriers
      • Septic
      • Sewer
      • Water/Well Issues
      • Soil Problems
      • Pests (termites, scorpians, bed bugs, roof rats)
      • Deaths and Felonies on the Property
      • Indoor environmental concerns (mold, radon gas, Chinese drywall, drug labs, carbon monoxide, other)
      • Property Boundaries
      • Flood Insurance / Flood Plain Status
      • Plumbing (including polybutylene pipes), heating/clooing, electrical, windows
      • Foundation Issues

Conditions Affecting the Surrounding Area:

      • Environmental Concerns
      • Electrical Power Lines (electomagnetic fields)
      • Superfund Sites
      • Freeway Construction, Road Noise, and Traffic Conditions
      • Crime Statistics
      • Military Airports and Public Airports
      • Zoning, Planning, and Neighborhood Services
      • Schools
      • Churches
      • Libraries
      • City Profile Information
      • Expansive soil, Fissures

Important Disclosure Documents a Buyer Should Review:

      • Purchase Contract
      • MLS Printout & Information (square footage, rooms, baths, etc)
      • The subdivision Disclosure Report (Public Report for new homes)
      • Seller's Property Disclosure Report ("SPDS")
      • Insurance Claims History Report OR CLUE Report
      • Appraisal Report
      • Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
      • Homeowner's Association ("HOA") Governing Documents
      • HOA Disclosures, fees, and potential assessments
      • Community Facilities District
      • Title Report/Commitment
      • Loan Information and Documents
      • Home Warranty Policy
      • Affidavit of Disclosure
      • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (for homes built prior to 1978)
      • Professional Inspection Reports
      • County Assessors/Tax Records
      • Pests, including: Termites and Other Wood Destroying Insects and Organisms, scorpions, bed bugs
      • Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act ("FIRPTA")
      • Solar Info (leased -vs- owned)

10
Be Wise, Get A Home Warranty

Not all home warranty companies provide the same coverage or level of service, so evaluate their various plans (and riders) and consult with your Realtor®.

Cost of these plans vary considerably, but are often priced between $400 - $680 based on the type of coverage and riders included. Most plans include a modest deductible between $45 - $65 per service call as well.

Big ticket items, such has HVAC systems, can be costly to replace, so having a home warranty in place during the first year of homeownership provides peace of mind and financial relief should these covered policy items require repair or replacement.

Be sure also your home warranty company NOT ONLY has a full replacment policy for these expensive items BUT ALSO covers the cost of appliance removal.

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Congrats! You just completed reviewing my Top 10 Home Buying tips checklist.

I'm hopeful you found these tips insightful, practical, and easy to remember.

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This checklist beautifully illustrates all 10 home buying tips ... plus 2 other BONUS tips, including how turbo boosting your offer to win more deals.

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Discussion

#1 By Jeff D. at 5/14/2018 2:37 PM

Awesome home buying checklist (Top 10 Home Buying Tips) article --- especially the Bonus Tips. I had no clue about the financial assistance programs that were available to me. LOVE IT!!!!

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