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Home Buying & Selling Articles

Practical, plain-English articles for buyers and sellers.

Browse our categorized real estate articles covering mortgage rates, first-time home buying tips, and strategies for sellers. Whether you're buying or selling in Phoenix or nationwide, these guides help you make smarter decisions and potentially save thousands in commissions.

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Featured Real Estate Guides

Start with one of these core guides, then explore related articles below for more specific buying and selling topics.

Probate Real Estate Guide

Learn how probate home sales work, including timing, costs, agent choice, and estate value.

Divorce Real Estate Guide

Understand options for selling, buying out, or dividing home equity during divorce.

First-Time Home Buyer Guide

Follow the buying journey from budgeting and pre-approval to offers, inspections, and closing.

Buyer Programs by State

Explore down payment assistance, loan options, and local resources for first-time buyers.

Helpful Tools for Buyers & Sellers

Looking for quick answers? Use these tools to estimate affordability, compare agents, and understand commission costs.

Home Affordability Calculator

See how much home you may be able to afford.

Real Estate Commission Calculator

Estimate real estate commission costs.

Compare Real Estate Agents

Compare agents and potentially save on commission.

Market Updates and Current Articles

Stay current with the latest Phoenix market update and our newest home buying and selling articles.

Latest Market Update

Phoenix Metro Real Estate Snapshot

Weekly snapshot of Phoenix Metro real estate: median prices, listings, mortgage rates, cancellations, and buyer/seller tips - July 26, 2026

Updated 7/27/2026

Phoenix Metro

Current Articles

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Buying Now and Refinancing Later? Make Sure the Home Works at Today’s Payment

7/31/2026

Buying with plans to refinance later can work, but the home should remain affordable at today’s payment. Learn how to stress-test the complete ownership cost.

Foreclosure Resource Center: Options, Process, and Selling Your Home

7/30/2026

Understand foreclosure, preforeclosure, notices, timelines, homeowner options, selling before foreclosure, and how to compare experienced real estate agents.

What Is a Short Sale in Real Estate and How Does It Work?

7/30/2026

Learn what a short sale is, why lender approval is required, who participates, how the transaction works, and what approval means for the remaining debt.

Short Sale Resource Center: Process, Approval, and Selling Your Home

7/30/2026

Understand real estate short sales, lender approval, eligibility, documents, timelines, deficiency questions, foreclosure interaction, and how to compare experi

Short Sale vs. Foreclosure: Differences, Timeline, Credit, and Homeowner Options

7/30/2026

Compare short sale vs. foreclosure, including control, approval, timing, deficiency, credit, tax, relocation, and the homeowner decisions involved.

Market Updates

Weekly snapshots and broader market trend articles to help buyers and sellers understand current conditions.

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Mortgage & Financing

Articles about affordability, rates, loan options, credit, and the financing decisions that shape your budget.

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Understanding the Mortgage Process

This guide simplifies the mortgage process for home buyers—covering steps, loan types, and tips for securing the best rate.

Updated 5/23/2026

Mortgage Rates Recap for Buyers

You can’t control rates, but you can control when and how you buy. Here’s a simple breakdown of everything you’ve learned.

Updated 5/23/2026

PMI, Loan Types and Budgeting Tips

Learn how different loan types affect your budget, what PMI really is, and how to choose a financing plan that fits your first home.

Updated 5/23/2026

Fannie & Freddie Change Credit Scoring

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now accept VantageScore 4.0, expanding mortgage access by using rent, utility, and telecom data to help more buyers qualify.

Updated 5/23/2026

First-Time Buyers

Guides for budgeting, touring homes, making offers, and avoiding common first-time buyer mistakes.

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Inspections, Appraisals and Escrow

The deal isn’t done yet. Here’s what to expect (and how to avoid delays) during inspections, appraisals, and the escrow period.

Updated 6/18/2026

Why Location Matters When Buying

Location is crucial when buying a home. Learn how to evaluate neighborhoods and choose the perfect spot for your first home with this guide.

Updated 5/23/2026

Preparing for Your Home Inspection

Learn how to prepare for your home inspection, what to expect on inspection day, and key questions to ask so you can buy with clarity and confidence.

Updated 5/23/2026

Homebuying Terms You Need to Know

The homebuying process can be confusing. This glossary covers essential real estate terms to boost your confidence and help you make informed decisions.

Updated 5/23/2026

Selling Strategy

Practical articles for sellers on commissions, timing, prep, agent choice, and protecting equity.

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Private Listings vs. MLS Listings

Learn how private listings compare with MLS listings, including the pros, cons, and when selling off-market may make sense.

Updated 6/17/2026

Complete Guide to Selling Your Home

Selling your home can feel overwhelming, but the right plan makes it rewarding. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate the process with confidence.

Updated 5/23/2026

Divorce & Probate

Resources for more complex home sale situations where timing, communication, and equity protection matter.

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General Buying & Selling

Additional buying and selling articles that do not fit neatly into one category but still offer practical guidance.

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AI Won't Replace Real Estate Agents

Artificial intelligence is changing real estate, but the future belongs to skilled agents who can demonstrate value and compete for clients.

Updated 6/17/2026