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Madison Wetter

Arizona Real Estate

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Hi, I'm Madison.

Cave Creek local, real estate pro, and your go-to for all things home & desert living. Bringing you the best tips on making Cave Creek home! 

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Your offer was accepted — congratulations! If you’re a buyer who just went under contract on a home in Arizona, you might be wondering what happens next. From earnest deposits and inspections to disclosures, title work, and lender coordination, here’s a step-by-step look at what to expect once you’re officially under contract.

Submitting Your Earnest Deposit

Your first step after going under contract is submitting your earnest deposit, usually within 24 to 48 hours of acceptance. This deposit shows your good faith in moving forward and will be applied toward your down payment or closing costs.

The title company will send you instructions on how to submit it, usually by wire transfer or check. Always confirm wiring instructions directly with the title company to stay protected from fraud. Once the deposit is received, it stays safely in escrow while we move through the rest of the process.

The Due Diligence and Inspection Period

2. The Due Diligence and Inspection Period

In Arizona, your due diligence period begins the day after contract acceptance and usually lasts about ten days. This time helps you understand the home and confirm that it’s the right fit for you.

During this period, we’ll schedule inspections, review results, and talk through any items you might want to address with the seller. It’s also a great time to get to know the home and neighborhood better. You can visit at different times of day, listen for traffic, or even chat with neighbors. Anything that affects your daily life is worth checking now.

You’ll also receive disclosure documents from the seller, like the Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) and HOA Addendum. These documents outline what the seller knows about the property’s condition and any past issues. Review everything carefully, take notes, and ask questions about anything that feels unclear.

It’s also a good idea to connect with your home insurance company during this period to confirm that you can obtain a policy on the property. This ensures there are no surprises related to coverage, location, or insurance history before moving forward.

Once inspections are done, we’ll complete the Buyer Inspection Notice and Seller Response (BINSR). This document tells the seller how we’d like to move forward, whether that means requesting repairs, asking for a credit, or proceeding as is. After both parties agree and sign, the inspection period closes and your earnest deposit becomes non-refundable unless another contingency, such as financing or appraisal, still applies.

Title and Lender Coordination

While you focus on inspections and disclosures, your agent, title company, and lender are working behind the scenes to keep everything on track.

The title company checks the property for a clear title, confirms there are no liens, and prepares your closing documents. Your lender orders the appraisal, finalizes underwriting, and may ask for additional documents to keep your loan moving forward. Meanwhile, I’ll stay in close contact with both to make sure deadlines are met and everything stays organized.

One important note: now isn’t the time to make big financial changes. Avoid buying a car, opening new credit cards, or taking out loans without checking with your lender first. Even small shifts in your debt or credit score can affect your approval.

What Comes Next

Once the due diligence period ends, we move into the final stretch: appraisal, loan approval, and your final walk-through before closing.

For now, focus on:

  • Sending your earnest deposit on time
  • Completing inspections and reviewing disclosures
  • Asking questions about anything that feels unclear
  • Staying in touch with your lender before making financial changes

Every transaction has its own details and timeline, but the goal is always the same — a smooth, confident path to closing on your new Arizona home.

Final Thoughts

Going under contract is one of the most exciting stages of buying a home. With clear communication and a strong team, it can also be one of the smoothest. Your agent, title company, and lender are all working together behind the scenes to make sure everything lines up for a successful closing day.

If you’re buying in Cave Creek, Carefree, or North Scottsdale, I’d love to help you through each step with clarity, care, and confidence.

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Join My List!

Cave Creek local, real estate pro, and your go-to for all things home & desert living. Bringing you the best tips on making Cave Creek home! 

ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Madison.

I’m Madison Wetter, a Cave Creek real estate agent and longtime local. Growing up here means I know how to help sellers shine and guide buyers to the space, style, and community they’re looking for in Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale.

Meet Madison

From growing up here to guiding you now.