Hiring a great home inspector is a key part of the due diligence or inspection period. Getting a home inspection is like getting a physical from your family doctor. The home inspector will check out all of the home's systems to make sure that they are working properly, and recommend you follow up with a specialist (plumber, roofer, etc) if there are any signs of issues.

Choosing the right home inspector can be the difference between relaxing in your new home or potentially spending thousands of dollars on unexpected repairs. One of the first things you should do to ensure you get a great home inspector is to check with the Arizona Board of Technical Registration. You can find their website at https://btr.az.gov.

If you have questions about hiring a home inspector or are ready to start the home buying journey, please feel free to reach out to me.

Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431 Cell
[email protected]

The real estate market is heating up, and some buyers are getting BURNED! With the hottest real estate market since 2006, buyers need to really understand and plan for entering the current real estate market. A big part of that preparation is hiring the right REALTOR and lender. In this episode, I'm sharing what is happening in the market and what to expect, as well as important questions to get the right agent in this market.

Ready to start your home buying journey?

You can reach me at :
Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431 Cell
[email protected]
www.yourfirsthomeaz.com

First time home buyers are facing stiff competition from repeat buyers so far in 2021, but they are also discovering that they have 3 key advantages over repeat buyers. In this episode, I'm discussing these advantages, which include: down payment assistance, no buyer contingencies, and expectations. Together, these are giving first time home buyers an edge in winning the home of their dreams.

Ready to start your home buying journey?

You can reach me at :

Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431 Cell
[email protected]
www.yourfirsthomeaz.com

Not sure what questions to ask during the due diligence period when buying your first home? The Buyer Advisory is an important and valuable document your REALTOR should provide you with to assist you with your due diligence and home buying questions. This 14-page document is full of information and resources, as well as commentary from the Arizona Department of Real Estate. By carefully reviewing this advisory, you can find insight and resources to help you ask the right questions about your potential new home. I consider it a must-read for anyone purchasing a home, but especially first time home buyers.

As always, you can reach me at:
Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431
[email protected]

The due diligence period is full of many things to consider and almost as many things to do. Many first time home buyers aren't sure what questions to even ask, but you're in luck! The Arizona Association of REALTORS residential purchase contract offers you crucial insights from the seller in the form of 2 critical documents the seller should provide you. They are the Seller's Property Disclosure Statement and the Insurance Claims Report. These two documents, along with the Buyer Advisory are instrumental in understanding the condition of the home, and discovering any important facts about the home that might just change your mind about purchasing that home. In this episode, I'm going to discuss these two documents in more detail and help you understand how to use them to know what questions to ask.

As always, you can reach me at:
Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431
[email protected]

Will 2021 be a good year to purchase a first home? 2020 was a difficult year for many first time home buyers. So, how will 2021 compare? It's important for first time home buyers to understand the real estate market and determine for themselves if it's a good time to purchase a house. In this podcast, I will be discussing some of the predictions by economists as well as what I am seeing so far in 2021.

In this episode, I discuss 2 online articles. You can find them here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/11/2021-housing-market-predictions/

https://magazine.realtor/news-and-commentary/economy/article/2021/01/real-estate-in-2021-plenty-of-reason-for-optimism

As always, you can reach me at:
Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431
[email protected]

The National Association of REALTORS is the target of multiple lawsuits. These lawsuits target the way that a buyer's agent is paid a commission. So why are sellers targeting the buyer's agent's commission? Well, there are a few reasons. First, it's been traditional for the seller to pay for the buyer's agent, but this practice started in a different time and the tradition hasn't changed with the times. Second, the plaintiffs against the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) allege that the NAR is conspiring with 4 major real estate companies to keep a buyer's agent's real estate commissions artificially high. Finally, they allege that a buyer's agent does not contribute in a significant way to the real estate transaction.

The NAR has asked the courts to dismiss these lawsuits as being baseless and full of incorrect and false information. However, the National Association of REALTORS just agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice, which alleges the NAR is in violation of antitrust laws and creating an environment that is anticompetition.

If you would like to learn more about these lawsuits, I've referenced the following online news articles:
https://therealdeal.com/2020/06/08/a-trifecta-nar-sued-again-over-buyer-broker-commissions/

https://therealdeal.com/national/2019/06/18/class-action-cases-over-broker-commissions-pick-up-steam/

https://therealdeal.com/2019/04/17/nar-hit-with-another-antitrust-suit-over-buyer-broker-commissions/

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/48832-nar-slapped-with-second-class-action-lawsuit-to-end-buyer-broker-compensation/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/average-commission-rate-for-home-sales-heads-down-toward-5-percent/2017/01/09/4ee3f048-d6a8-11e6-b8b2-cb5164beba6b_story.html

If you have any questions about real estate commissions or anything else related to buying your first home, please feel free to reach me at:

Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431 Cell
[email protected]

Last week the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) was sued by the Department of Justice alleging that the NAR was responsible for anticompetitive policies and violations of anti-trust laws. This and other law suits the NAR is facing could have a significant impact on real estate commissions and who pays them.

If you would like more information on the DOJ's claims, be sure to check out https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-antitrust-case-and-simultaneous-settlement-requiring-national

If you have any questions about purchasing your first home, you can reach me at:
Christopher Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431
[email protected]

Once your offer has been accepted you'll be ready to start the purchase process. There are many things to do including inspections, your due diligence, getting a loan, and LOTS of paperwork. In this episode, I cover the overall escrow process that brings you to become the new owner.

In this episode, I discuss the impact the elections have on the real estate market. 2020 has been unlike any previous year in recent history and many people want to know how the elections will affect the current real estate market. I think there are 4 key reasons that the real estate market will remain unchanged. They are:
1. Historical Data
2. Strong Buyer Demand
3. Historically Low Interest Rates
4. Millenials Are Entering The Market Like Never Before

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode. If you have any questions about the real estate market, relocating to the Phoenix metro area, or purchasing your first home, you can reach me at:

Chris Eppich
Associate Broker
HomeSmart
(480) 295-9431 Cell
[email protected]