Arizona buyer question
What do I need to buy a house in Arizona?
A plain-language checklist of the money, documents, and people involved in an Arizona home purchase, with official sources.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
The short answer
Quick answer: You generally need a way to pay (cash or a loan, ideally applied for before you offer), earnest money, and time to review Arizona documents: the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS), title commitment, HOA and community facilities district disclosures, and a Public Report for new subdivisions. The standard resale contract defaults to a 10-day inspection period.
Source: Arizona Department of Real Estate, Buyer Advisory (January 2025) and the Arizona REALTORS® resale purchase contract (August 2024 form). Last updated .
What's on the Arizona home-buying checklist?
| Item | What it is | Who provides it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan application | Your request for a mortgage, with income and asset documents | You, to a lender | Before you make an offer if possible, or right after (ADRE) |
| Loan Estimate | The lender's estimate of the loan's costs and payment | Lender | Within 3 business days of your application (CFPB) |
| Purchase contract and earnest money | Your offer, plus a deposit showing you're serious | You and the seller | When you make an offer; the contract says where the deposit goes |
| Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) | The seller's answers about the property's condition and history | Seller | Early in escrow |
| Title commitment | What the title insurer will cover, and exceptions (Schedule B) | Title or escrow company | During escrow |
| HOA disclosures | Bylaws, rules, budget, dues, and any special assessments | Seller or the HOA | Within 10 days of acceptance or notice (A.R.S. §33-1806) |
| Public Report (new subdivisions) | The state-required disclosure report for a subdivision | Developer (subdivider) | Before you sign (ADRE) |
| Closing Disclosure | Final loan terms and closing costs | Lender | At least 3 business days before closing (CFPB) |
Timing shown is general. Your purchase contract controls the actual deadlines.
What should I do before making an offer?
Know your monthly budget, not just a price
Property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and special-district charges (such as a CFD) can make two homes with the same price cost different amounts each month. Settle on a monthly budget first. How much house can I afford? walks through it.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
Talk to a lender early
The Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) advises completing a loan application before making an offer if at all possible, and otherwise right after. You'll get a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying. Get requested documents to your lender quickly, because the lender has to fund into escrow before the close of escrow date.
Check licenses
Real estate agents are licensed by ADRE. Loan officers can be checked on NMLS Consumer Access. Escrow agents are licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI).
Ask about down payment help
The Arizona Industrial Development Authority's Home Plus program offers down payment and closing cost assistance through participating lenders. Income limits and homebuyer education apply, and eligibility isn't guaranteed. See first-time buyers in Arizona.
Which Arizona documents will I review?
The purchase contract
Most resale purchases use the Arizona REALTORS® Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract. It sets your earnest money, inspection period, and close of escrow date. ADRE warns that waiving contingencies, such as the loan, inspection, or appraisal contingency, can put your earnest money at risk.
Seller's Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS)
Most sellers provide an SPDS answering questions about the property. Real estate brokers aren't responsible for verifying it, so ADRE advises buyers to review it carefully and verify anything of concern.
Title commitment
This shows what the title insurance will cover and lists exceptions in Schedule B. Your title or escrow officer, an attorney, or a surveyor can answer questions about it.
HOA documents
In a planned community, Arizona law requires resale disclosures, including bylaws, rules, the budget, dues, and any special assessments. For communities with fewer than 50 properties, the seller delivers them within 10 days after your offer is accepted; for 50 or more, the HOA delivers them within 10 days after the seller's notice (A.R.S. §33-1806).
Community facilities district (CFD) charges
Some newer areas sit in a CFD, which adds lines to the property tax bill. Check the detailed tax statement. See what a CFD tax is.
Public Report (new subdivisions)
Developers must give buyers a Public Report before a contract is signed. It covers items like utilities, flooding and drainage, taxes and assessments, and HOA details. ADRE doesn't verify everything in it, so check what matters to you.
What happens after my offer is accepted?
By default, the Arizona REALTORS® resale contract gives you a 10-day inspection period after acceptance, unless a different number is written in. During it you arrange inspections, review the SPDS and HOA documents, and use the Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller's Response (BINSR) to ask for repairs or cancel. See the full Arizona closing timeline.
How do I protect my money?
Wire fraud is a real risk at closing. ADRE and the CFPB advise confirming wiring instructions in person or by phone at a trusted, verified number before sending money, rather than relying on instructions sent by email.
Buying in a specific place? Compare Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, or all 40 Arizona cities.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your agent, escrow officer, or an attorney can answer questions about your contract.
Ready to see what fits your monthly budget?
Search Arizona homes with each home's property taxes, HOA dues, and insurance built into the estimated payment. We never sell your information or pass it to other lenders or marketers. Only Daryle Messina (NMLS #183491) contacts you.
Opens a third-party home search site. Payments shown there are estimates to help you search, not a loan offer or rate quote. Your actual payment depends on price, down payment, credit, taxes, insurance, HOA, and loan program.
More Arizona home buyer questions · Calculators · Homes by monthly budget · All Arizona cities
Sources
- Arizona Department of Real Estate and Arizona REALTORS®, Buyer Advisory (updated January 2025)
- Arizona Department of Real Estate, Property Buyer's Checklist
- Arizona REALTORS®, Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract (August 2024 form; inspection period section)
- Arizona Revised Statutes §33-1806, planned community resale disclosures
- Arizona Constitution, Article 9, Section 24 (real property transfer taxes)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, What is a Loan Estimate?
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Closing Disclosure explainer (page last modified Oct. 10, 2023)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Mortgage closing scams: how to protect yourself and your closing funds
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, Financial Enterprises licensing (escrow agents)
- Arizona Industrial Development Authority, Home Plus program (program terms as published; income limits effective April 6, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Buying a Home
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a real estate agent to buy a house in Arizona?
It isn't legally required. The seller's broker represents the seller, so you may want your own licensed agent. You can check any agent's license with the Arizona Department of Real Estate.
What is the SPDS in Arizona?
The Seller's Property Disclosure Statement, where the seller answers questions about the property's condition and history. Brokers don't verify it, so ADRE advises buyers to review it carefully and verify anything that concerns them.
How long is the inspection period in Arizona?
By default, 10 days after contract acceptance in the Arizona REALTORS® resale purchase contract, unless the parties write in a different number. Buyers use the BINSR form to respond.
Does Arizona have a real estate transfer tax?
The Arizona Constitution (Article 9, Section 24) bars new taxes or fees on the act of transferring real property, except those that existed on December 31, 2007. Ask your escrow officer about recording and other closing costs.
What is a Public Report?
A disclosure report that developers of new subdivisions must give buyers before a contract is signed, covering items like utilities, flooding and drainage, taxes and assessments, and HOA details. ADRE doesn't verify all of it.
How do I check if an agent, loan officer, or escrow company is licensed?
Agents: the Arizona Department of Real Estate. Loan officers and mortgage companies: NMLS Consumer Access. Escrow agents: the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.