Looking to Buy Your First Home?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - As a first-time home buyer in today's real estate market, you likely have many questions about how to navigate the buying process. Purchasing a home is a major life milestone, but it can also be a daunting task. The good news is that you're not alone. Many people in Arizona are searching for their dream home, and My Home Group and its talented agents are here to guide you in the right direction.

Here's a guide to buying your first home in today's real estate market in Arizona.

1. Determine your budget: Before you start looking for a home, determine your budget. Consider your income, expenses, and savings to determine how much you can afford to spend on a home. Don't forget to factor in additional costs such as closing costs, property taxes, and home insurance and warranties and any utilities set up that you need including any necessary updates you may need to make to the home before moving in. Be sure to have some additional money saved.

2. Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Once you've determined your budget, it's time to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you a better idea of what homes you can afford and help you make a more competitive offer when you find the right home. My Home Group can connect you with any of our trusted lenders to get pre-approved.

3. Find a real estate agent: Working with a My Home Group real estate agent can make the home buying process much smoother. Our agents and teams can help you find homes that meet your criteria, negotiate with sellers, and guide you through the closing process. My Home Group has almost 3,000 experienced agents, a lot of whom specialize in helping first-time home buyers.

4. Start your search: With your budget and pre-approval in hand, it's time to start your search. Use My Home Group's online search tools to find homes that meet your criteria if you have not connected with an agent yet or are still exploring your options. You can search by location, price range, number of bedrooms, and other features that are important to you. Your agent can help define the best areas to get everything your looking for.

5. Visit open houses: Visiting open houses is a great way to get a feel for the market and see homes in person. My Home Group and your MHG agent can help you find open houses in your desired area. They can also pull reports on home recently sold in the area, nearby schools, parks, etc.

6. Make an offer: When you find the home you want to buy, work with your MHG agent to make an offer. Your agent will negotiate with the seller to come to an agreement on price and other terms. This is time to let your agent shine and lean on them to help support your negotiations. Its important to tell your agent what any non-negotiables are or the must haves when buying the home you're making an offer on.

7. Close the deal: Once your offer is accepted, it's time to close the deal! This involves signing all the necessary paperwork and transferring ownership of the property. My Home Group will guide you through the closing process to ensure a smooth transaction. Then, celebrate and coordinate your move in to your first home!

Buying your first home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to be prepared. With this guide and the help of My Home Group and your skilled MHG agents, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect home.