Welcome To Maricopa County Homebuyer's Course

Here's What You Need to Know About Owning or Buying a Home in Maricopa County...

WELCOME TO

MARICOPA COUNTY HOMEBUYER'S COURSE

Here's What You Need to Know About Buying a Home in Maricopa County...

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Homebuyer's Course

WELCOME TO YOUR HOME BUYING COURSE

You Need An Expert

Buyer's Compensation

Choosing the Right Lender

Making an Offer and Negotiations

Your Offer Is Accepted

Inspections Are Complete

The Final Steps

New Changes In Compensation Structure

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Arizona, Maricopa County offers an unparalleled blend of serene suburban living and the convenience of city life.

Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade your living situation, our tailored market updates, captivating community videos, and comprehensive real estate insights make your home-buying journey seamless and enjoyable.

Exclusive Market Updates

Stay ahead of the curve with our up-to-minute market updates. From the latest listings to price trends, we ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions. Maricopa County's real estate landscape is dynamic, and with our expert analysis, you're always in the know.

market Updates


Considering Buying?


Buying a home can be an exciting but also challenging experience. If you're planning to buy a Maricopa County home, it's important to be prepared and aware of what to expect throughout the process. This short guide is designed to provide buyers like you with valuable insights and tips to navigate the purchase of your Maricopa County property successfully.

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Home Buyers Guide

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Spring is here!

The Spring Real Estate Market is thriving, and we are seeing a significant increase in demand for homes in Voorhees, especially from millennials.

In fact, the current absorption rate in our area is only 3 months, which means that if no more homes come on the market, we will only be able to sustain the current demand for up to 3 months.

This is great news for anyone considering selling their home, as the high demand can lead to a boost in your bottom line.

If you are thinking about selling your home, now is the perfect time to do so. To get started, it's essential to focus on your curb appeal, which can significantly impact the value of your property. That's why we've put together a helpful checklist to help you get started.

Friendly reminder: Before you make a repair, be sure to check with a real estate agent to make sure it is worth your return on investment. Feel free to Book A Call with me if you have any questions or want a free consultation!

Are you a little behind on your spring cleaning? Grab a copy of the Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist that was featured last month.

Preparing for a possible move this summer? Click below to check out our moving checklist to get your whole house ready for the next home!

Want to know what is happening throughout Maricopa County Now?

Click below for a full live schedule of local events around town!


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Buying A Home From A Lender's Perspective


DOWNLOAD TO ACCESS:

The Complete Guide to Buying A Home

market Updates

buying new construction? buyer beware

Local market update

NAR's Commission Settlement:

Understanding Buyer's Agent Compensation

National Market Update

Buyer Tips

Community Videos

3 best sandwich Shops

Best Burrito in Brentwood

Best Hot Dogs in Brentwood

MJ's Cafe in brentwood

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL Home Buyer SEMINAR maricopa COUNTY

If you're either thinking about purchasing a new home or already made the decision to purchase a house, but you still have questions or concerns regarding the process, price or anything else - let me tell you:

You're in the right place.

This free home buyer seminar is giving you the exact step by step blueprint on everything you need so you can get clarity on everything A-Z and guide you to you make the best decision in purchasing your new home.

You will learn about timelines and timing, inspections, loan pre-approvals, negotiations, and so much more.

Take a look around and let us know how we can help you.

Debbie Atwood | Realtor & Broker

Atwood Group

Brokered by Realty One Group/AZ & Daily Realty/ WA

AZ SA703860000

WA 4777

WELCOME TO THE VIRTUAL HOME BUYER SEMINAR LIBRARY

Enjoy the latest & most up-to-date marketing & sales tactics to help you purchase a NEW home.

Thinking About Buying?

Are you thinking about buying a home but you don't know where to start?

  • ​Learn to take advantage of Tax Saving opportunities instead of throwing your money away

  • Walk through the important aspects of purchasing a home

What to Expect When Buying a Home

Purchasing a home is most likely

going to be one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime.

  • ​We keep a close eye on the national and local Real Estate markets and keep you informed!

Home Buying Process -

First Step

The first step when looking to buy a home is getting qualified for a loan.

  • ​Before doing anything else you need to know what you can afford by getting qualified for a loan

  • ​Don’t go house hunting before going mortgage shopping

Pre-Approval vs

Pre-Qualification

Why you need an approval rather than just a pre-qualification.

  • Pre-Qualification is not a true approval but the initial step in a home loan process where you discuss your financial situation with a loan officer - nothing is verified

  • Pre- Approval is where the buyer provides the lender with the necessary documents to tell them what they are approved for, which loan option is the best for them and what the interest rate will be

10 Must Not’s When Buying a Home

Once you find your dream home, we need to make sure you get to move into it.

  • ​Don’t change jobs; becoming self employed or quit current job

  • ​Don’t buy a vehicles

  • ​Don’t use any charged cards or let your accounts fall behind

  • ​Don’t spend money you saved for closing

  • ​Don’t omit any debt or liabilities from your loan application

What are the Pros and Cons of Purchasing a Home?

Whether you’ve never owned a home before or it’s been a while since you’ve purchased, let's talk about the pros and cons.

  • Pro: Your wealth can increase as you build equity in your home through 2023 averaging about 3%

  • Con: Maintenance costs; work and money to keep a home in good condition

How Much Money Do I Need To Purchase a New Home?

Most people are afraid that it will cost them thousands and thousands of dollars to purchase a home in Brentwood.

  • ​There are various loans and grants to qualify to purchase a home

3 Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted

Are you competing with other buyers on your dream home or do you want to make sure you’ve got the best chance of getting your offer accepted?

  • Make sure you offered a competitive price on a home

  • Put down a larger earnest money deposit

  • ​Let the seller know that you have not written offers on any other properties

SHOULD I WAIT TO BUY?

Interest rates have risen quickly the

past couple of years, some buyers

responded by hitting the pause button.

  • What has history shown us?

WANT TO GET A FREE CUSTOM MARKET PROPOSAL?

Go to the next page to request a custom market proposal for your specific home

click on community images for information on just a few of our favorites

Lets Get You Prepared To Buy A Home

MEET THE TEAM

Here's your team that will help you throughout the

entire selling & buying process

Krista Mashore |  Realtor & Broker

DRE # 01346304

Jaynlin Miller | Marketing and Seller Specialist

DRE #02195224

Josh Vitale | Listing Specialist 

DRE #02009638

Heidi Kugl

Buyer’s Specialist

DRE #01329047

Debbie Atwood | Realtor- AZ #SA70386000

Broker- WA #4777

Meet Debbie Atwood

Debbie Atwood - Atwood Group, is licensed in both Arizona & Washington State and is brokered with Realty One Group in AZ & Daily Realty in WA.

Debbie has been a licensed Realtor/Broker for 24+ years. She has put together an unbeatable team whose primary focus and goal are happy clients with highly successful outcomes.

Debbie is the Co-Author of The Strategic Seller, and is known for her innovative marketing techniques and plan. Debbie supports our Veterans and has extensive experience in the VA home buying and selling process. She is also an avid supporter of our First Responders and has developed a program that supports Law Enforcement K-9 Units, "Support The Paws That Enforce The Laws". Since moving to Arizona, she has found the retiree and second home client to be one of her favorite clients to work with.

Debbie's ultimate goal is to help clients, and her community in any way she can. Debbie lives full time in Arizona and travels regularly to Washington in order to serve her clients. When she is not selling homes she enjoys cooking, reading, taking classes and spending time with her family.

SUPPORT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES

Chelsea Fusion

622 1st St, Brentwood

(925) 392-8868

Top 5 Things To Do In Brentwood

Cap's Oaks Street Bar & Grill

144 Oak St, Brentwood

(925) 634-1025

Top Tacos in Brentwood

Taqueria El Tarasco

41 Sand Creek Rd C, Brentwood

La Costa Taqueria

335 Oak St, Brentwood

Visit our blogs for more real estate tips, home tips, and local information!

Why Firt Time Home Buyer Stata crashed to 21 percent

Why First-Time Buyer Stats Crashed to 21 Percent and What It Means for 2025

December 11, 20253 min read

Market Insights/ Atwood Group Brokered with Realty One Group

Every week another headline claims first-time buyers are disappearing. NAR’s newest report shows first-time buyer stats crashed to 21 percent, a huge drop from the typical 40 percent we used to see before the Great Recession.

That number looks alarming, but there’s a reason the data seems broken. Different groups measure first-time buyers in completely different ways, and it creates a confusing picture.

Here’s the truth without the noise.

NAR Counts Only True First-Time Primary Residence Buyers

NAR uses the cleanest definition out there.
They ask one question.
“Was this your first home purchase?”

If you bought a primary residence, you’re in.
If you bought an investment or vacation home, you’re out.

Mortgage data and federal definitions are much looser. HUD and the IRS count anyone who hasn’t owned a home in three years as a first-time buyer. That includes:

  • divorced buyers

  • widowed buyers

  • former owners who re-entered the market

  • buyers who sold long ago and are now stepping back in.

Those buyers inflate the numbers everywhere except in NAR’s report.

🌵See some of our favorite communities

Why First-Time Buyers Look Older Than Ever

The median age of a first-time buyer is now 40. That’s not a small shift. It’s a complete change in who can afford to buy.

Here’s what’s driving it:

  • Affordability is brutal. Prices, rates, and competition squeeze out younger buyers.

  • Cash is showing up more often. Eight percent of first-time buyers paid cash last year, backed by family wealth transfers.

  • Millennials never caught up. Homeownership for buyers under 35 sits at 37 percent, still behind Gen X and boomers at the same age.

  • Life events reset the clock. Divorce and loss push more buyers into “first-time buyer” status under federal definitions but not under NAR’s.

If you feel like younger buyers are struggling more than ever, they are.

The Hidden Group NAR Doesn’t Count

A growing trend isn’t showing up in NAR’s numbers.
Some buyers can’t afford a primary home where they live so they get creative:

  • they buy a rental out of area

  • they partner with friends or family

  • they invest first to build equity

These buyers are entering homeownership, just not the way the old playbook looked.
But NAR doesn’t count them because they didn’t buy a primary residence.

So yes, first-time buyers are still out there. They’re just taking different paths.

How NAR Actually Collects the Data

The NAR survey covers July 2024 through June 2025.
More than 6,100 recent buyers responded through paper, online, and text.

It’s the only dataset that measures people who bought their first primary residence in the last year. That’s why their 21 percent number matters. It’s the truest snapshot we have.

First-Time Buyers Didn’t Disappear. The Market Changed.

They’re not gone.
They’re older.
They’re dealing with higher costs.
They’re navigating tight inventory.
And they’re competing with cash.

If you’re trying to break into the Phoenix Valley market as a first-time buyer, I’ll help you see what’s possible and where the real opportunities are. No guesswork.

FAQ:

Q: Why are first time home buyers older in 2025?

A: Affordability, higher interest rates, and more cash-backed competition push the average age up. Median age is now 40.

Q: Why does NAR’s first time buyer report look different from mortgage data?

A: Mortgage data counts people who haven’t owned in three years. NAR only counts true first-time primary residence buyers.

Q: Are first-time buyers still buying in the Phoenix area?

A: Yes. But they’re older, more strategic, and often need guidance to win in a tight inventory market.

Q: Why are cash first-time buyers increasing?

A: Wealth transfer. Younger buyers are receiving help from family and choosing to buy with cash to stay competitive.

Q: Does NAR count first-time investor buyers?

A: No. If you bought an investment property instead of a primary home, NAR doesn’t count you as a first-time buyer.

Contact:

Debbie Atwood

📞 425-750-4970

✉️ [email protected]

🌐 www.atwoodgrouprealestate.com

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first time home buyer statistics 2025NAR first time buyer reportwhy first time buyers are older nowPhoenix first time home buyershousing affordability 2025cash buyers first time home buyersmillennial homeownership declineprimary residence vs investor buyersreal estate market trends 2025
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Debbie Atwood-Realtor/Broker

Debbie Atwood is a Licensed Realtor/Broker in WA, AZ & FL

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT DEBBIE ATWOOD

“Working with Debbie was a pleasure.”

"Debbie was excellent during my weekend of house hunting when I arrived from CA. She handled the long distance process and kept me updated. She also consoled my concerns about all of paperwork needed. This house fit my needs and will be a good home for my anticipated long term needs. I would strongly recommend her to anyone needing to make a move."

PATRICK

“The best example of a professional realtor, best experience I've ever had.”

"I have had experiences with other Realtors, and I felt Debbie has excellent communication, response times, and compassion for both sellers and buyers. Truly my best experience ever dealing with a realtor selling and purchasing. Her calm, helpful, and concerned personality really meant a lot to me. The best example of a professional realtor, best experience I've ever had."

TOREY

“When selling our home, she literally saved us from making an awful decision!.”

"Debbie Atwood is an outstanding, trustworthy broker and my wife and I already recommend her to everyone we know. My kids will use her when they grow up if she's still in the market at that time! That's how much we love her. This was our second time working with Debbie and she always goes above and beyond and has your best interests at heart. When selling our home, she literally saved us from making an awful decision! Her experience in the market is next to no one, she's at the top of her class. If you speak to Debbie for two minutes, you immediately see her knowledge and expertise. Debbie made what can sometimes be a difficult and painful process very stress-free for our family. If you're looking for a broker in the area and you don't reach out to speak with Debbie, you already made your first mistake. Again, she is top of her class!"

THE PADILLA FAMILY

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