The best district is the one where you and your children feel comfortable.  When I ask parents which school district is best, they always seem to choose the district where their children attend.  I have to believe this is at least partially due to the fact that people tend to gravitate toward an area where they feel comfortable.  I’ve found that the schools reflect the style of the families that support them.  The Cave Creek district is a great example.  It reflects the rather casual, very friendly flavor of the more rural community. 
            Websites that I recommend to Buyers for researching the area schools and getting registration information are: 
            Scottsdale Unified School District               www.susd.org
            Cave Creek Unified School District            http://www.ccusd93.org/
            Paradise Valley Unified School District      www.pvusd.k12.az.us

            It’s always a good idea to visit the school campus that your children will be attending before you purchase your home.   top ^

 Generally the Buyer will pay: 

• Costs to obtain a new loan such as the credit report, origination fee, discount points, document  preparation and the appraisal fee.
• Lenders title policy premium - for a new loan
• Half of the escrow fee
• Recording charges for documents in Buyers name
• Notary fees
• Termite Inspection
• Interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to first payment date
• Home warranty premium per contract *
• Hazard insurance premium for first year
• Homeowner’s Association transfer fee per contract *
• Change of record fees and beneficiary fees for assumption of an existing loan
• All pre-paid items such as interest and funds for an escrow account>

            * These are often negotiated and/or split 50/50.     top ^

            They are confusing!
            Owner-occupied residential properties are assessed at 10 percent of the properties full cash (market) value.   The tax jurisdictions set tax rates on the basis of the total assessed valuation within their boundaries and the amount of the levy to be raised.  The total tax rates may vary considerably from one area to another.
            When you’re considering purchasing a home, be sure to ask how much the latest assessed real estate taxes on the property are.
             For a full and really confusing explanation of Arizona Property Taxes go to http://www.arizonatax.org/images/Explanation.pdf               top ^

           This is really important.  How you take title can have significant legal, estate planning and tax consequences.  You’re wise to obtain legal and tax advice. 
            Your basic choices for taking title in Arizona   are:

• Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship – There is one title and each joint tenant holds an equal and undivided interest.  There maybe two or more equal owners.  They need not be married.  Signatures of all the joint tenants are required to convey or encumber the property.  The joint tenancy may be broken if any of the joint tenants conveys his interest without the others.  Title of the property goes to the last surviving joint tenant outside of probate. 

• Community Property with Right of Survivorship – Each spouse holds an undivided one-half interest in the estate, and it requires signatures of both spouses to convey or encumber.  The estate passes to the surviving spouse outside of probate.  Both halves of the community property are entitled to a stepped up tax basis as of the date of death.

• Sole and Separate Property – A husband or wife can acquire title sole and separate if the property is owned by either spouse before they are married or by gift, devise, descent or specific intent after marriage.  (Arizona is a community property state.  Property acquired by husband and wife is presumed to be community property unless legally specified otherwise.)

•  Community Property – Each spouse holds an undivided one-half interest in the property.  Signatures of both spouses are required to encumber or convey the property.  Each spouse can will their half of the property.  Upon death the estate of the decedent must go through probate or be adjudicated.

• Tenants in Common - Each owner has a specific undivided interest in the property and separate title to his interest.  Each owner can encumber or transfer his interest without the co-owners.  However, signatures of all the tenants are required to convey or encumber the whole.  The portion of ownership can be disproportionate.  Each tenant’s portion passes to his heirs by will or intestacy.

There is a box to check on the Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract which indicates that how you take title will “be determined before Close of Escrow.”   You’re smart to check this choice while you research which form of title is best for you.  top ^