An Essential Resource Page For Performing Arizona Real Estate Due Diligence.
The information on this page is provided with the understanding that it is not intended as legal or other professional services or advice. These materials have been prepared for general informational purposes only. The information and links contained herein may not be updated or revised for accuracy. If you have any additional questions or need advice, please contact your own attorney or other professional representative.
This page is filled with reference web sites and other information that should be useful in doing your due diligence, whether you are buying or selling real estate in Arizona. Bookmark this page to easily, and quickly return this useful single website to access many other website resources when doing real estate research.
Explore the links below to find out more about Maricopa County and the cities within its borders. Arizona Department of Real Estate BUYER ADVISORY is a document provided by the Arizona Association of REALTORS®
I recommend downloading this PDF document containing several pages of websites and contact phone numbers to utilize when doing your diligence on the purchase of residential investment real estate in Arizona. This is an excellent reference document, so make sure you download it. Listed below are some general highlights of information contained in this document.
Please email me if you have any other useful information that can be added to this page, or if there is a link that is not working properly (resources@RealMarketPros.com).
Maricopa County
Web site (www.Maricopa.gov) is a great place to begin your due diligence. It has many useful links to other important county websites (Assessor / Parcel Information, County at a Glance, Employment, GIS Maps & Services, Recorded Docs, Request for Public Records Forms, Tax Information)
MLS Housing Statistics and Quarterly Housing Sales Reports
Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service: http://www.armls.com/stats.html
Local Phoenix Area Chambers of Commerce
Tempe
Scottsdale
Phoenix
Peoria
Mesa
Avondale
Gilbert
Chandler
Casa Grande
Apache Junction
Wickenburg
Northwest Valley
Maricopa County
Arizona Chamber of Commerce
Cities and Towns
Apache Junction
Avondale
Black Canyon City
Buckeye
Carefree
Casa Grande
Cave Creek
Chandler
El Mirage
Fountain Hills
Gilbert
Glendale
Goodyear
Litchfield Park
Mesa
Scottsdale
Paradise Valley
Peoria
Phoenix
Surprise
Tempe
Queen Creek
Wickenburg
The Subdivision Public Report
The Public Report ADRE website at http://159.87.254.2/publicdatabase/. Additional information about the Public Report may be found on the ADRE website at www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Property_Buyer_Checklist.html
Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement (“SPDS”) www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Property_Buyer_Checklist.html.
HOA Disclosures
A short but informative document on the purpose and effect of CC&Rs may be read at www.realtor.com/BASICS/condos/ccr.asp. Condominium and planned community HOAs are also regulated by Arizona statutes. If you have questions about your rights and remedies regarding homeowner’s associations or community associations, read the information provided at www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Purchasing_A_Home_Read_This.html#LINK11 or www.dfbls.az.gov/UserFiles/File/administration/HOA%20Package04012007.pdf Also see www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/33/01260.htm for the laws detailing these requirements.
Title Report or Title Commitment
General information regarding title issues may be found at www.alta.org/consumer/questions.cfm or obtained from the title/escrow company employed in the transaction.
Loan Documents
For information on loans and the lending process, visit the following websites: Ginnie Mae: www.ginniemae.gov/2_prequal/intro_questions.asp?Section=YPTH HUD: www.hud.gov/ Mortgage Bankers Association: www.mbaa.org/. National Association of Mortgage Brokers: www.namb.org/
Affidavit of Disclosure
Affidavit of Disclosure sample form is located at www.aaronline.com/documents/affidavit.aspx.
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form
Information about lead-based paint may be obtained at www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Purchasing_A_Home_Read_This.html#LINK12 or www.epa.gov/lead/.
County Assessors/Tax Records
Information is available on these county websites:
Coconino: www.coconino.az.gov/
Maricopa: www.maricopa.gov/assessor and http://treasurer.maricopa.gov/parcels/
Pima: www.co.pima.az.us/navigate.aspx?L1=1&L2=11
Yavapai: www.co.yavapai.az.us/
Other counties: www.az.gov/webapp/portal
Professional Home Inspection Report
A list of certified home inspectors may be found at the Arizona Board of Technical Registration website, www.btr.state.az.us. Additional information on inspections may be found at the American Society of Home Inspectors website, www.ashi.com, and guidance on hiring a home inspector may be found at www.realtor.com/basics/buy/inspnegot/hire.asp?gate=realtor&poe=propertystore.
Termites and Other Wood Destroying Insects and Organisms
The Structural Pest Control Commission (“SPCC”) regulates these inspectors and can provide the buyer with information regarding past termite treatments on a property by calling 800-223-0618. The SPCC publication, “What You Should Know About Wood Infestation Reports,” can be found at www.sb.state.az.us/TermiteInsp.php. Additional information may be obtained at the SPCC website at www.sb.state.az.us.
Repairs and New Construction Information
The Registrar of Contractors’ (“ROC”) publication, “Hiring a Licensed Contractor,” is available on the ROC website, www.rc.state.az.us/Consumer_menu.html. The Arizona Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry may be contacted at http://aznari.com/. For information regarding permits, contact the city or county building department.
Roofing Information
See the ROC information on hiring a licensed contractor online at www.rc.state.az.us/Consumer_menu.html or the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association at www.azroofing.org.
Swimming Pool Barrier Information
Pool barrier contact information for Arizona cities and counties may be found at www.aaronline.com/documents/pool_contacts.aspx. The Arizona Department of Health Services Private Pool Safety notice may be found at www.hs.state.az.us/diro/admin_rules/pool_rules.htm. The state law on swimming pools is located at www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/36/01681.htm.
Square Footage Details
An appraiser or architect can measure the property’s size to verify the square footage. A list of appraisers may be found at the Arizona Board of Appraisal, http://www.appraisal.state.az.us/Directory/. A list of architects may be found at the Board of Technical Registration, www.btr.state.az.us.
Sewer, Septic and Other On-Site Wastewater Treatment Facilities
For information on current inspection and transfer of ownership requirements, contact the county environmental/health agency or the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at www.adeq.state.az.us/environ/water/permits/wastewater.html.
Water/Well Information
For information on wells and assured/adequate water, go to www.azwater.gov/dwr/Content/Find_by_Program/Wells/default.htm or www.azwater.gov/WaterManagement_2005/Content/OAAWS/default.asp.
For information regarding water uses and watersheds affected by these adjudications, and the forms upon sale of the property, contact the Department of Water Resources at www.azwater.gov/dwr/Content/Find_by_Program/Adjudications/default.htm.
Additionally, the Verde Valley Water Users assists members in matters pertaining to the Gila River System Adjudication. www.verdevalleywaterusers.org/homepage.htm
Soil Problems
For additional information on earth fissures, visit www.azwater.gov/dwr/Content/Hot_Topics/Earth_Fissures_in_Arizona/Earth_Fissures_in_Arizona.pdf. To investigate areas in Arizona where expansive soils exist, go to www.az.nrcs.usda.gov (search “shrink/swell”) or www.azgs.az.gov (“Geologic Hazards”). A list of state certified professional engineers and firms can be found at www.btr.state.az.us.
Previous Fire/Flood
Your insurance agent may be able to assist you in obtaining information regarding fire, flood, or other past damage to the property.
Pests
Cockroaches, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, scorpions, termites and other pests are common in parts of Arizona. You should seek the advice of a pest control company. A source of information on scorpions may be found at www.desertusa.com/oct96/du_scorpion.html.
For information on termites or bark beetles, which have been reported in some forested areas, see www.sb.state.az.us/.
Endangered and Threatened Species
Information may be obtained by going to the following U.S. Fish and Wildlife website, www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/, or contact the appropriate planning/development service department.
Deaths and Felonies on the Property
An Arizona law states that sellers and real estate licensees have no liability for failure to disclose to a buyer that the property was ever the site of a natural death, suicide, murder or felony; see www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/32/02156.htm.
Indoor Environmental Concerns
Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Environmental Health www.hs.state.az.us/phs/oeh/invsurv/air_qual/mold_contents.htm
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites also contain valuable information: www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html and www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm.
Radon gas and carbon monoxide: Radon gas and carbon monoxide poisoning are two of the more common and potentially serious indoor air quality (“IAQ”) concerns. For information on radon levels in the state go to www.arra.state.az.us/radon.htm.
Clandestine drug labs: For information on remediation of clandestine drug laboratories, and to view a list of seized homes, please visit the Board of Technical Registration website www.azbtr.gov/listings/drug_lab_site_clean_up.asp.
Other: For information on other indoor environmental concerns, the EPA has a host of resource materials and pamphlets available at www.epa.gov/iaq/iaqinfo.html and www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/index.html.
Property Boundaries
For more information, visit the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors website at www.azpls.org. A list of surveyors may be obtained from the Board of Technical Registration at www.btr.state.az.us.
Flood Plain Status
Find details on flood plain status at:
Maricopa County: www.fcd.maricopa.gov/.
Pima County: www.rfcd.pima.gov.
Other parts of the state: www.azgs.az.gov/index.htm.
FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center: www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm.
Insurance (Claims History)
Property owners may request a five year claims history from their insurance agent or purchase a C.L.U.E. report online at www.choicetrust.com or by calling 866-527-2600. For more detailed information on homeowner’s insurance, please read “The New Reality of Property Insurance – What You Should Know” at www.aaronline.com/documents/insurance.pdf.
For additional insurance information or to file a complaint against an insurance company, visit the Arizona Department of Insurance website at www.id.state.az.us/
Other Property Conditions
Plumbing: Check functionality. Also, a national class action suit has been settled, providing relief for qualifying leaks in polybutylene pipes (PB). For more information, see www.pbpipe.com/ or www.aaronline.com/documents/polyb.aspx or www.polybutylene.com/selling.html
Cooling/Heating: Make sure the cooling and heating systems are adequate. Arizona State Chapter affiliate of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America: www.acca-az.org/.
Environmental Concerns
For environmental information, search the ADEQ website at www.adeq.state.az.us. The ADEQ website contains information regarding the locations of open and closed landfills (Solid Waste Facilities) at www.adeq.state.az.us/environ/waste/solid/other.html and wildfire information at www.adeq.state.az.us/function/about/wildfire.html
Electromagnetic Fields
For information on electromagnetic fields, and whether they pose a health risk to you or your family, visit the following websites: www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf/
www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Electromagnetic_Fields_and_Cancer_Risk_.asp or http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=31421
Superfund Sites
To check if a property is in an area designated by the ADEQ as requiring cleanup, see www.adeq.state.az.us/environ/waste/sps/phx.html for available maps to view. The EPA also has information on Federal sites at www.epa.gov/superfund/spanish/index.htm (Spanish).
Freeway Construction and Traffic Conditions
Arizona Department of Transportation (“ADOT”) website at www.azdot.gov/Highways/. Check ADOT maps to find the nearest future freeway routes and roads in the area slated for widening. For traffic conditions, visit www.az511.com/.
Crime Statistics
To check the crime statistics for the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert and Peoria, go to www.faxnet1.org. A visit or
For a list of all Arizona city links, go to www.azleague.org.
Sex Offenders
This information may be accessed at www.azsexoffender.org. The city of Glendale has a new website to update residents on sex offenders in the city, go to www.glendaleaz.com/police/sexoffenderinfocenter.cfm for more information.
Military and Public Airports
The map for military airports may be accessed at: www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Airport_Maps/Territory_in_the_Vicinity_of_a_Military_Airport.html; view maps for many of the public airports at www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Airport_Maps/Territory_in_the_Vicinity_of_a_Public_Airport.html.
Forested Areas
For information on protecting your property from wildfire, go to www.firewise.org/ or http://www.land.state.az.us/divisions/fire_old.htm. See also, Arizona Firewise Communities, http://cals.arizona.edu/firewise/. Contact county/city fire authority for information on issues particular to your community.
Zoning/Planning/Neighborhood Services
Know and understand the zoning restrictions on your property.
Phoenix: www.phoenix.gov/PLANNING/index.html
Scottsdale: www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Topics/Planning.asp
Tucson: www.ci.tucson.az.us/planning.html
Other cities and towns: www.azleague.org
Schools
You can obtain information on public and charter schools, such as; test scores, school ratings, state academic standards and educational resources. Visit www.ade.state.az.us for more information. You may find that your children cannot attend the school nearest you and may even be transported to another community.” www.azre.gov/PUBLIC_INFO/Documents/Property_Buyer_Checklist.html
City Profile Report
Information on demographics, finances and other factors drawn from an array of sources, such as U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.homefair.com/find_a_place/cityprofile/.
State Information
Links to state agencies, city and county websites: www.az.gov
Maps and information based on address (Geographic Information System): www.az.gov/webapp/govinfo/main.do
Fair Housing Information
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability.
For more information, visit HUD’s Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity website at www.hud.gov/groups/fairhousing.cfm. For information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm. For the Arizona Office for Americans with Disabilities, visit www.azada.gov.
