Buying your first home is exciting - but when you've never done it before, it can also feel like there are about a thousand things you're supposed to know. That was the case for a young couple I recently helped buy their first home in North Surprise, just outside of Vistancia.

They had been living with family and were ready for a place of their own (and more space for their two dogs!). They came to me through a referral from a lender I work closely with, and from the beginning, they were pretty much starting from scratch. They knew they wanted to buy. They just needed help figuring out everything that came next!

Their First-Home Wish List

Their goal was to stay around $400,000 while finding a home near Vistancia or in North Surprise. Being reasonably close to family and friends mattered, as did freeway access and affordability.

They also weren't thinking only about their first few years in the home. They wanted something that could potentially become a rental property when they eventually decided to move on.

Their wish list included:

• At least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms

• A garage large enough for his truck

• Enough backyard space for their two dogs

• A gas stove - he loves to cook

• Low HOA fees

• No solar lease

• A newer home without major concerns about aging systems like the roof or A/C

It wasn't an unreasonable list—but finding all of it around $400K proved harder than expected!

More Than 20 Homes—and a Lot of Compromises

We started looking in June and toured more than 20 homes.

At this price point, we found plenty of possibilities, but there was almost always a catch. Some homes hadn't been maintained particularly well. Others had surprisingly small bedrooms or living spaces. Garages were often too small for the truck, or the backyard wasn't going to give two dogs much room.

Every house seemed to require a compromise.

Along the way, they made an offer on one home that we believed was overpriced. The sellers weren't willing to negotiate enough to make the numbers make sense, so my buyers made the decision to walk away. And sometimes that's exactly the right decision!

Buying a home isn't about winning a negotiation at any cost. It's about buying the right home at terms you're comfortable with.

Sometimes the Right House Is One You've Already Seen

After that offer didn't work out, we went back to searching. That's when I suggested we reconsider a house we'd already toured. They had liked it the first time. The price worked. The location worked. They liked the finishes. It had the space they needed, a yard for the dogs, and almost everything else on their list.

There was just one problem: The garage was smaller than they wanted.

They had originally eliminated the house because of it. But after seeing more than 20 homes, something had become pretty clear: nothing else had come nearly as close to checking all their boxes. So we went back.

This time, they looked at the house differently. Instead of asking whether it was perfect, they asked whether the smaller garage was a compromise they could comfortably make in exchange for everything else the house offered. The answer was yes! By mid-July, they were under contract.

Then Came the Inspection...

Inspections can be intimidating for any buyer. For first-time buyers, a long inspection report can feel downright terrifying. There were several items that needed attention, including A/C, plumbing and drywall repairs.

We talked through their options. My initial recommendation was to negotiate a credit so they could hire contractors they trusted after closing. Ultimately, they felt more comfortable asking the sellers to complete the repairs before they purchased the home.

The negotiations took some time, but we reached an agreement. And we didn't simply assume everything had been fixed. Before closing, the inspection company returned to reinspect the agreed-upon repairs, and we completed a final walkthrough of the property.

And We Negotiated Their Closing Costs, Too

One of the biggest concerns for many first-time homebuyers is how much cash they'll need in addition to their down payment. As part of this purchase, I was able to negotiate seller concessions that covered all of my buyers' closing costs, my compensation, and several important repairs.

In fact, instead of bringing additional money for closing costs, these buyers actually received money back at closing.

That's not something every buyer or every transaction will be able to accomplish, but it's an important reminder that the asking price isn't the only part of an offer that can potentially be negotiated. The terms matter, too!

From First-Time Buyers to Homeowners

Throughout the process, there were a LOT of questions - and there should be.

We stayed in close contact through texts, phone calls and emails. I use detailed emails throughout my transactions to explain what's happening, what's coming next and what buyers need to do, but I'm also there for all of the questions that come up between those steps.

By closing day, the nerves had been replaced by excitement. They were finally getting their own keys. They were already talking about cleaning, painting, furniture and all the little things they wanted to do to make the house theirs. And they couldn't wait to bring their family over and proudly show them their first home.

That's a pretty great way to end a home search!

The Lesson I Hope First-Time Buyers Take From Their Story

After touring more than 20 homes, making an offer that didn't work out, walking away, and ultimately going back to a house they'd initially crossed off the list, these buyers learned something I wish more buyers knew going into the process:

**There probably isn't a “perfect” house. **Every home comes with tradeoffs. The goal isn't to find a house where you wouldn't change a single thing. It's figuring out which things truly matter to you, which things you're willing to compromise on, and finding the home that gives you the best combination of the two.

There may not be a perfect home. But we can absolutely work toward finding the best home for you.

Thinking About Buying Your First Home in the Phoenix Area?

You don't need to understand the entire home-buying process before you start. That's part of what your real estate agent and lender are there to help you with!

If you're considering buying your first home in North Phoenix, Peoria, Surprise, Vistancia or another part of the Phoenix area, I'd be happy to help you understand your options, your budget and what the process would actually look like - without pressure to buy before you're ready!

Courtney Bullock, REALTOR®
Courtney Sells Arizona | Run to Your Dream Home