Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions?

Everything you need to know about buying, selling, and renting in Arizona.
Answered by the Deluxe Prime Realty team.

Questions About Buying

The first step is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. This tells you exactly how much you can afford and shows sellers you're a serious buyer. From there, we sit down to discuss your priorities [ location, size, features, and budget ] and begin searching for properties that fit.

Once we find a home you love, we'll help you write a competitive offer, negotiate terms, coordinate inspections and appraisals, and guide you through closing. The entire process typically takes 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to keys in hand.

It depends on the loan type. Here's a general breakdown:

Conventional loans: typically 3% to 20% of the purchase price
FHA loans: as low as 3.5% down
VA loans (for eligible veterans): 0% down
USDA loans (certain rural areas): 0% down

Arizona also offers down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers. We can connect you with trusted lenders who specialize in these programs to help you find the best option for your situation.

Beyond your down payment, plan for the following closing costs which typically total 2% to 5% of the purchase price:

Home inspection: $300 to $500
Appraisal fee: $400 to $600
Title insurance and escrow fees
Loan origination and processing fees
Homeowner's insurance (first year, often paid at closing)
Property taxes (prorated at closing)
HOA fees (if applicable, some communities require transfer fees)

One of the things we negotiate on your behalf is seller concessions toward closing costs. In many Arizona transactions, we're able to reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly.

A typical Arizona home purchase closes in 30 to 45 days from accepted offer. Cash transactions can close in as little as 10 to 14 days. Several of our past transactions have closed in just two weeks when conditions were right.

The timeline depends on factors like loan type, appraisal scheduling, inspection negotiations, and title clearance. We stay on top of every step to prevent delays and keep your closing on track.

You're not legally required to use one, but it's strongly recommended. In most Arizona transactions, the seller pays the buyer's agent commission, meaning our representation typically costs you nothing out of pocket.

Having a buyer's agent means you have someone negotiating on your behalf, reviewing contracts for red flags, coordinating inspections and appraisals, and guiding you through a process that involves serious legal and financial commitments. It's an advantage, not an expense.

A licensed inspector will evaluate the home's major systems and structures. In Arizona, pay particular attention to:

HVAC system: Arizona heat makes air conditioning critical. Check the age and condition of the unit.
Roof condition: flat roofs are common in the Valley and have different lifespans than pitched roofs
Plumbing: older homes may have polybutylene pipes that insurers flag
Foundation: look for signs of settling, especially in areas with expansive clay soil
Pool equipment (if applicable): pumps, heaters, and resurfacing are expensive to replace
Pest activity: termite inspections are common in Arizona transactions

We attend every inspection with our clients and help you understand what's a dealbreaker versus a normal maintenance item. If repairs are needed, we negotiate with the seller on your behalf.

Questions About Selling

We provide a free, no-obligation comparative market analysis (CMA) that evaluates your home based on recent comparable sales in your area, current market conditions, your home's unique features and upgrades, and neighborhood trends.

Online estimates from sites like Zillow or Redfin can be a starting point but they're often off by 5% to 15% because they can't account for interior condition, upgrades, or hyperlocal market factors. Our in-person valuation gives you an accurate, data-backed number you can trust. Request yours here.

Spring (March through May) is historically the strongest selling season in Arizona. Inventory is competitive, buyer demand is high, and families often want to move before the school year starts.

That said, Arizona's market doesn't follow the same seasonal patterns as colder states. Our mild winters attract snowbirds and relocation buyers year-round, which means late fall and winter can also be excellent selling periods; often with less competition.

The best time to sell is when your home is market-ready and your personal timing is right. We'll help you evaluate both.

When you list with us, you get a full-service experience:

Complimentary home valuation and strategic pricing consultation
Professional HDR photography and virtual tour
MLS listing with syndication to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100+ sites
Targeted social media and digital advertising campaigns
Personalized staging recommendations
Open house coordination and private showing management
Skilled offer negotiation and closing cost reduction
Full transaction coordination from contract to keys

Learn more on our Sell With Us page.

It depends. Not every repair is worth the investment before listing. We walk through your home and identify which improvements will actually increase your sale price and which ones won't move the needle.

Generally, we recommend addressing obvious issues like leaky faucets, chipped paint, broken fixtures, and worn carpeting. These signal "deferred maintenance" to buyers and can hurt your offers. Big renovations like kitchen remodels are usually not worth doing right before a sale — the return on investment rarely justifies the cost and timeline.

Fresh paint, clean landscaping, and decluttering are almost always worth the effort and deliver strong returns in buyer perception.

Yes, home values can fluctuate. While Arizona's market has generally trended upward over the past decade, individual homes can depreciate due to deferred maintenance, neighborhood changes, market downturns, or oversupply in certain areas.

Factors that help maintain or increase value include regular upkeep, desirable school districts, proximity to employment centers, and keeping up with market-standard upgrades. We can assess your home's current position and advise on steps to protect your investment.

Typical seller costs in Arizona include:

Real estate agent commissions (buyer's and seller's agents)
Title insurance and escrow fees
Prorated property taxes
Any negotiated buyer concessions (repairs, closing cost credits)
HOA transfer fees (if applicable)
Recording fees and document preparation

Total seller closing costs typically range from 6% to 10% of the sale price. We provide a detailed net sheet before you list so you know exactly what to expect. Our job is to negotiate terms that maximize what you walk away with.

Questions About Renting

Requirements vary by landlord and property, but most Arizona rental applications look for:

Monthly income of at least 2.5 to 3 times the rent amount
Credit score of 600 or higher (some properties accept lower with larger deposits)
Clean rental history with no evictions
Valid government-issued ID
Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements, or employment letter)

We can help you find properties that match your qualifications and guide you through the application process to give you the strongest chance of approval.

Typically, you should budget for the first month's rent plus a security deposit (usually equal to one month's rent). Some properties also require a pet deposit ($200 to $500) or a non-refundable administrative fee.

Under Arizona law (ARS §33-1321), security deposits cannot exceed one and a half months' rent. Landlords must return your deposit within 14 business days of move-out, minus any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear.

You can, but there are usually financial consequences. Most Arizona leases include an early termination clause that requires you to pay a penalty — commonly one to two months' rent — plus giving proper written notice (typically 30 days).

Under Arizona's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords are also required to make a reasonable effort to re-rent the unit after you vacate. You're only responsible for rent until a new tenant moves in or your lease term ends, whichever comes first.

Before breaking a lease, review your specific agreement and contact us — we can help you understand your options and obligations.

Arizona tenants have strong legal protections under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Key rights include:

The right to a habitable dwelling — landlords must maintain essential services (water, heat, AC, plumbing, electrical)
The right to proper notice before entry — landlords must give at least two days' written notice before entering your unit, except in emergencies
Protection against retaliation — a landlord cannot raise rent, reduce services, or evict you in retaliation for exercising your legal rights
The right to request repairs — if your landlord doesn't fix essential services within a reasonable time, you may have the right to repair and deduct, or in serious cases, terminate the lease
Security deposit protections — deposits must be returned within 14 business days with an itemized statement of any deductions

Yes. We provide full-service property management for landlords and investors across Arizona. Our services include tenant screening, lease preparation, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and regular property inspections.

We treat your property like it's our own — communicating every step of the way and ensuring your investment is protected. Whether you own one rental or several, we handle the day-to-day so you don't have to. Contact us to learn more.

General Questions

We are based in Phoenix, Arizona and serve clients across the entire state, with a focus on the Phoenix Metro area including Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and surrounding communities in the East and West Valley.

Whether you're looking in a specific neighborhood or exploring multiple areas, we have the local market knowledge to guide you. For clients relocating from out of state, we also provide virtual tours and FaceTime showings to help you find the right home before you arrive.

A real estate agent is licensed to help people buy, sell, or rent property. A broker has completed additional education and licensing requirements, allowing them to operate independently or manage a brokerage firm.

Oswald Nkengurikiyimana, founder of Deluxe Prime Realty, holds a broker's license in Arizona — which means he not only represents clients directly but also oversees the brokerage and its agents, ensuring every transaction meets the highest standards of professionalism and compliance.

Simply fill out our contact form or call us at (602) 930-8671 and let us know you're interested in a home valuation. We'll schedule a time to review your property, analyze comparable sales in your area, and deliver a detailed, data-backed estimate of your home's current market value.

There's no cost and no obligation. Whether you're thinking about selling now or just curious, we're happy to help.

You can reach us several ways:

We respond to all inquiries within 2 hours during business hours. For urgent matters, call or text directly — we pick up.

Absolutely. Deluxe Prime Realty is committed to full compliance with the Fair Housing Act and all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws. We provide equal service to all clients regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Read our full Fair Housing Statement for more information.

Still Have Questions?

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Can't find the answer you're looking for? Our team is happy to help with anything.
No question is too small.

(602) 930-8671 · oswaldazagent@gmail.com · Contact Page