The Arizona first-time buyer checklist.
From "I think I'm ready" to keys in hand — every step in order, with the documents, decisions, and milestones that actually matter.
Phase 1 — Before you start shopping
- ☐ Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus (free at annualcreditreport.com)
- ☐ Note your rough FICO score range — exact number not needed yet
- ☐ Add up your total available cash (checking, savings, brokerage, gift funds)
- ☐ Decide your rough target city or counties in Arizona
- ☐ Estimate your target purchase price range
- ☐ Identify income sources: W-2, self-employed, military, mixed
- ☐ Book a free 20-minute call with a lender (us, or one you trust)
- ☐ Have a rough timeline: Shopping in 30 days, 3 months, or longer?
Phase 2 — Pre-approval documents
Once you've decided to move forward, gather these. Most lenders need the same documents.
- ☐ Two most recent pay stubs
- ☐ Two years of W-2 forms
- ☐ Two years of personal federal tax returns (all schedules)
- ☐ Two most recent bank and asset statements (all pages, even blank ones)
- ☐ Photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- ☐ Authorization to pull credit
- ☐ If VA-eligible: DD-214 or statement of service
- ☐ If self-employed: Two years of business returns + year-to-date profit-and-loss statement
- ☐ If using gift funds: Signed gift letter from the giver
More on what each document does on the mortgage process guide.
Phase 3 — During shopping
- ☐ Get pre-approval letter in hand before you start touring homes
- ☐ Find a real-estate agent you trust — interview 2–3 if possible
- ☐ Talk through your offer strategy with both your agent and your lender
- ☐ Tour homes within your pre-approved range (don't push the ceiling)
- ☐ Refresh pre-approval letter if it expires before you find a home (free)
- ☐ Run scenarios on specific homes with your lender before making offers
Phase 4 — Under contract (the 30-day clock)
- ☐ Read your Loan Estimate (federally required, arrives within 3 days)
- ☐ Schedule and attend the home inspection
- ☐ Review the inspection report with your agent; negotiate repairs or credits
- ☐ The lender orders the appraisal (you pay at closing)
- ☐ Respond to all underwriter document requests within 24 hours
- ☐ Get homeowners insurance lined up
- ☐ Lock your interest rate (timing varies — talk to your lender)
- ☐ Don't Open new credit, change jobs, or make large unexplained deposits
Phase 5 — Closing day
- ☐ Receive Closing Disclosure three days before close (federally required)
- ☐ Wire cash-to-close to the escrow company (or bring a cashier's check)
- ☐ Do the final walkthrough with your agent the day of or day before closing
- ☐ Bring photo ID to the signing
- ☐ Sign the loan documents at the title/escrow company (~45 minutes)
- ☐ Receive keys when funding records
Keep this checklist somewhere easy to reference. Most Arizona first-time buyer closings that go smoothly are the ones where the buyer worked through these milestones in order.
Common questions
How long does the whole Arizona buying process take?
Typically 60–90 days from "I'm ready" to keys, including the time to find a home. Once under contract, expect 30–45 days to closing. Pre-approval before shopping is what makes that timeline possible.
Can I skip pre-approval and just write offers?
Technically yes, but you'd be at a major disadvantage. Most Arizona sellers — especially in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and competitive metros — won't seriously consider an offer without a pre-approval letter attached. Why pre-approval beats pre-qualification.
What if I miss a step?
Most missed steps are recoverable. The exceptions: changing jobs mid-process, opening new credit during underwriting, and missing the cash-to-close wire deadline. Everything else is fixable with a conversation.
Do I really need a real estate agent?
On the buyer side, the seller typically pays the buyer's agent commission, so a buyer's agent costs you nothing out of pocket but represents your interests in negotiation, inspection, contract terms, and closing coordination. Skipping an agent is rarely worth it for first-time buyers.
What if my situation doesn't fit a standard checklist?
That's normal — most buyers have at least one wrinkle (self-employment, recent move, student loans, gift funds, etc.). The 20-minute call we offer is designed to identify your specific wrinkles before they become problems.
Want a custom checklist for your specific situation?
Twenty minutes on the phone. No pressure, no commitment, no hard sell. Just a realistic conversation about what may fit and what steps come next.