Buyer Resources

1. Market Pulse & Forecasts

• Zillow — Phoenix Housing Dashboard · live ZHVI, days-to-pending, price curves. Zillow
• Redfin Market Tracker · median sale price & “Hot Homes” heat-map. Redfin
• Realtor.com Metro Snapshot · listing vs. sold price spread, DOM trends. Realtor
• The Cromford Report · subscription deep-dive on supply, demand & Cromford® Index. Cromford Report
• ARMLS “STAT” Monthly · MLS-sourced inventory & absorption rates. ARMLS
• CoreLogic MarketTrends · HPI projections & equity analysis.
• Freddie Mac House-Price Index · long-view appreciation chart.
• FRED Housing Supply: Phoenix · months of supply since 2000.
• Phoenix Business Journal — Residential RE · deal flow & builder moves. The Business Journals
• Axios Phoenix Housing Updates · cancellations, migration trends & quick stat hits. Axios

2. Neighborhood & School Intel

• Niche “Best Neighborhoods” Rankings – crowd-sourced grades for schools, crime & amenities.
• GreatSchools Phoenix – test scores + parent reviews at a glance. GreatSchools.org
• Walk Score Heat-Map – walk/bike/transit metrics block-by-block. Walk Score
• AreaVibes – livability & cost-of-living indices.
• CrimeGrade.org – A-to-F safety grades with interactive map.
• Phoenix Open Data — Neighborhood Associations – HOA & community-org contacts. Phoenix Open Data

3. Agent & Service-Pro Matchmakers

• Realtor.com Agent Directory – 16 k+ REALTORS®, filter by language & specialties. Realtor
• Zillow Premier Agent Finder – reviews & closed-deal counts. Zillow
• HomeLight Top-Performer Algorithm – data-science match & performance stats. HomeLight
• Arizona Association of REALTORS® Member Search – verify license & ethics training. Arizona Association of REALTORS®
• Yelp “Best Buyers Agents” – consumer-review short-list.
• Expertise.com Phoenix Agents – hand-picked 2025 list.
• Redfin Partner Agents – zero-obligation intros to local partners.

4. Mortgage Rate & Pre-Approval Toolkit

• Bankrate Arizona Rates – daily 30-yr, 15-yr & jumbo averages. Bankrate
• NerdWallet Phoenix Rates – compare dozens of lenders side-by-side. NerdWallet: Finance smarter
• CFPB Loan-Estimate Explainer – decode fees before you lock. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Arizona Mortgage Brothers – 4.9-star local broker, quick closes. AZ Mortgage Brothers
• Jeff Krueger @ First State Bank – Scottsdale lender praised for white-glove service. First State Bank of St. Charles, MO
• Freddie Mac “My Home” Tools – affordability calculators & credit prep.
• Fannie Mae Mortgage Products – HomeReady® & rate-buys for 3%-down buyers.
• VA Home Loans – zero-down option for eligible vets.

5. Down-Payment & Closing-Cost Boosters

• Arizona Dept. of Housing — “Arizona is Home” – up to $30 k assistance for first-timers. Arizona Department of Housing
• Home in Five Advantage – 3-6 % DPA + competitive fixed rate (Maricopa County). Home in Five Advantage Program
• Chenoa Fund – 3.5-5 % second-loan assistance, FHA & conventional. Chenoa Fund
• Pathway-to-Purchase – up to 10 % / $20 k in select cities. Down Payment Assistance In Arizona
• City of Phoenix “Open Doors” DPA – for buyers ≤ 80 % AMI. Home
• NeighborhoodLIFT – periodic grants when funding cycles open.

6. Property Records & Tax Tools

• Maricopa County Assessor Parcel Search – verify lot size, assessed value & tax class. Maricopa County Assessor's Office
• Maricopa Treasurer Tax Estimator – current & historical tax bills. Maricopa County Treasurer's Office
• ARMLS Public Records – sales history & deed chain.
• Phoenix Permit Portal – check open permits & violations.
• ADWR Well Registry – groundwater rights & well data.

7. Inspection, Title & Insurance Must-Haves

• Arizona ASHI Inspector Directory – licensed & certified pros statewide. Arizona Home Inspectors
• Appraisal Institute — AZ Chapter – find MAI-designated appraisers.
• Security Title Agency – valley-wide escrow offices.
• Stewart Title Arizona – 1031 & investor-friendly services.
• Arizona Dept. of Insurance Home Insurance Compare – premiums by carrier.

8. Utilities, Cost-of-Living & Services

• APS Service-Plan Selector – pick the cheapest TOU plan. aps
• SRP Basic & Time-of-Use Rates – know your kWh costs before inspection. SRP Electric & Water
• Southwest Gas Rate Schedules – natural-gas cost estimator.
• City of Phoenix Water Services – tiered usage rates & start-service forms.
• Numbeo Cost-of-Living Phoenix – groceries, childcare & restaurant indexes.
• Arizona Corporation Commission Rate Cases – upcoming utility-bill changes.

9. Education, Counseling & Courses

• HUD-Approved Counselors (AZ List) – free/low-cost classes statewide. HUD Apps
• Take Charge America Housing Help – local nonprofit, online & in-person sessions. Take Charge America
• CPLC Housing Counseling – bilingual support & credit coaching. Chicanos por la Causa
• Fannie Mae HomeView Course – free certificate meets most DPA requirements. Fannie Mae
• eHome America – HUD-approved online class with Spanish option.
• CFPB “Your Home Loan Toolkit” – step-by-step budgeting workbook.

10. Lifestyle, Commute & Quality-of-Life Helpers

• Valley Metro Trip Planner – bus/light-rail schedules & fare cards.
• ADOT AZ511 Traffic Cameras – real-time commute check.
• City of Phoenix Bike Master Plan – lane maps & safety classes.
• StreetLight Data Scorecard – traffic & mobility analytics for future value.
• Phoenix Parks & Trails Finder – gauge walkability beyond Sidewalk 101.
• Eventseeker Phoenix – keep tabs on neighborhood vibes post-move.

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