How to get a good deal when buying a home in Arizona

So you’ve d decided to purchase a home.  You know the exact neighborhood you want to be in, and you know exactly what features you want it to have – granite countertops, tile flooring, vaulted ceilings, and of course a pool for some summertime fun.  You have done your research and decided you can afford the home, but if you could get it for a great deal that would be much more ideal.
So how do you go about getting a good deal on a new home? First, before you pull the trigger on that perfect move in ready home let’s explore a little bit what gives that home value.

The Perfect Phoenix Location

By far the biggest influencer is location.  We’ve all heard the adage “Location, Location, Location” Certain neighborhoods, zip codes or cities can drive up or down prices tremendously.  But consider this, typically in highly “desirable areas” the areas immediately outside the official boundaries are just as nice, but can be had at a slightly lower price.  These “location perimeter” homes can typically offer some of the best value.  In Example, Tatum is the dividing line for North Phoenix and North Scottsdale.  On the Scottsdale side of Tatum Blvd, homes sell for on average 10% higher than homes on the Tatum Side.  We are talking a difference of a couple hundred feet.  Homes are in the same school district, have the same taxes (This area of Scottsdale has Phoenix taxes), built at the same time, yet fetch an extra $30,000 for a Scottsdale mailing address. If you are looking for a deal and can sacrifice some vanity, try scouting out some good perimeter neighborhoods to maximize your dollar.

Updated Homes vs non-Updated

Another chance to get a good deal is looking at fixer uppers.  Now, this isn’t for everyone but there is a ton of money to be saved/made here so here me out.  Before you write off this option consider this scenario:  A fully updated move-in ready home at 40^th Street and Indian School (Arcadia Lite Area) sells for $550k. A home one half the size on the same size lot in the same neighborhood sells for $250k, but needs work.  A contractor can completely renovate the home, put on an addition and give you a near BRAND NEW gorgeous home of the same size for around $225k. That’s a total investment of $475k for a home that’s now worth $550k.  That’s a whole lot of equity to be had at move in!

Negotiating a Home Purchase

In the first two examples, we look at tangible factors that go into pricing. However, these examples are only applicable to certain properties and only certain buyers will be daring enough to take on the risk for the rewards.  For everyone else your fate lies in the negotiations of your contract.

In addition to just purchase price, there are lots of other terms and negotiable points on a purchase that can really sweeten or sour a purchase.

-Home warranties
-Repairs
-Inspection Periods
-Seller Concessions
-HOA Transfer Fees
-Contingencies

Getting creative with these negotiable terms is what really is going to make the difference in your purchase.  But fear not, getting into the technicalities of each is a lesson for another day.  After all, that’s why you work with a knowledgeable and experienced buyer’s agent – to make sure you secure the absolute best deal and terms possible for your new home purchase.

Search Homes