Joules,
Depending on circumstances, and each home presents its own unique situation, I'd give myself 30 - 60 days. To search for homes, please visit my website - it's free with no log-in required and it gets you right into the realtor multiple listing service.
http://www.cr-az.com/page5.html

Scott
AZ's REBATE Realtor

I'd estimate 2-4 weeks. Key factors are:
- How quickly seller responds (1-5 days)
- How quickly you complete inspections (normally you have upto 10 days, but can go quicker), if you want any repairs - this can take some time to negotiate or complete.
- How long HOA takes to get you documents if home is in a HOA area
- How quickly Title Company can complete their Title Search

Personally, I recommend that you start looking at the market early to find the house you really want - the inventory changes quickly and I think you'd be better off shopping early and possibly even purchasing a little early to get the right home versus getting yourself forced into a short timeframe to find "something".

If you'd like a free customized web search set-up for your which is directly linked to MLS and updated as soon as an agent offers a property - I'd be happy to set one up for you. It's a nice way to read the market and get an idea of what a good deal is!

Patty Fisch
West USA Realty Revelation
pattyfisch@westusa.com

Joules,
Cash sales can close quickly, especially if the home is vacant. But if it's occupied, the seller may not be able to move quickly. Each home is unique in how quickly a closing can occur.

Scott
AZ's REBATE REALTOR®

Joules,

Welcome to Phoenix!

The time period will depend. On a regular sale the seller usually responds within 24 hours (depending on how your agent structures the offer). After that a cash closing could take 1 or 2 weeks. A financed closing will take somewheber between 30 and 60 days, depending on the type of financing.

Foreclosures will typically take anywhere between 3 days and a week to respond, sometimes more. Cash closings will take between 2 weeks and a month depending on the bank.

Short sales might take somewhere between 2 and 6 months just for a response and many never even close.

Hope this helps and please let me know if you need more detailed information.

Carlos J. Ramirez, PC, ABR, CNE
Associate Broker/Realtor, HomeSmart -
http://www.SmartAZRealty.com

A lot will depend on the circumstances of the home that you choose. A cash closing will accelerate the typical 25-45 day process, but you will still need time for all inspections to be completed (approx 4-7 days when rushed) and allot time to negotiate repair issues and time for the seller to complete repairs (another 5-10 days). Your total anticipated time will be approximately 14 days if there are no major issues. If it is a vacant home with very few or no repair issues, you could close in as quickly as 7-10 days. A vacant home where you decline to do inspections (a major error on your part) could close in as few as 2-3 days. An occupied home will require time for the seller or renters to vacate. If you are dealing with a short sale or foreclosure your time frame will be from 30-120 days, even with an all cash offer.

Hi Joules21,

Thirty days is a conservative period to work with depending upon any inspections you may want to complete. Additional delays could be associated with distressed sales involving banks. Don't forget to factor in the time necessary to locate the property that suits your purchase criteria.

Allen Madril
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI
Phoenician Properties Realty
(602) 460-9085: Cell

Typical escrow period for cash transactions is 7-14 days.

-----
PAUL WELDEN
HomeSmart
602-503-4010
Buyer's Agent Realtor