What is the home buying process in Arizona?
If you're renting, thinking about buying, or trying to understand how buying a home actually works in Arizona, this episode breaks it down step by step.

In this episode of State 48 Homeowner, Scott Kooiman and Twila Edwards of Klaus Team walk through the Arizona home buying process from start to finish, using real-world examples and today's market conditions.

This episode covers:
• Renting vs buying in Arizona
• When it makes sense to stop renting
• How to choose the right buyer's agent in Arizona
• What a Klaus Team Home Guide does for buyers
• Mortgage pre-approval vs pre-qualification in Arizona
• Why you cannot make an offer in Arizona without a valid pre-approval or proof of funds
• How buyers determine what they can afford
• Solidifying home buying criteria after pre-approval
• What it's like to view homes with a buyer's agent
• How offers work in Arizona real estate
• Earnest money in Arizona and how it applies to your down payment
• Close of escrow timelines and contract strategy
• What items are included in a home purchase
• Who pays closing costs in Arizona
• What happens when your offer is accepted
• The Arizona home inspection process
• The Arizona BINSR (Buyer's Inspection Notice and Seller Response) explained
• Negotiation strategy, buyer protection, and advocacy
• The appraisal process in Arizona
• The closing process and getting the keys

This episode is designed for first-time home buyers in Arizona, renters considering buying, and anyone who wants a clear explanation of how the Arizona real estate process works.

If you've ever asked:

• How do I buy a house in Arizona?

• What are the steps to buying a home in Arizona?

• Is buying better than renting in Arizona?

This episode is for you.

What happens to the house in a divorce?

For many homeowners, divorce and real estate collide in painful and expensive ways. The home is often the biggest asset, the biggest debt, and the most emotionally charged part of the divorce process — and it's where people make the most costly mistakes.

In this episode of State 48 Homeowner, host Scott Kooiman of Klaus Team Real Estate Solutions sits down with family law attorney Marco Brown, founder of Brown Family Law, to explain what homeowners need to understand about divorce and your house — before emotions and assumptions lead to years of financial fallout.

We break down:

• What really happens to the house in a divorce

• Common misconceptions about keeping the house after divorce

• How Arizona community property law treats the marital home

• Divorce housing options: selling the home, one spouse keeping it, or deferred sale

• How equity, debt, and property division are handled

• Why co-ownership, nesting, and "we'll figure it out later" usually fail

• What happens when one spouse refuses to cooperate or move out

• Court-ordered home sales and forced resolutions

• Why walking away emotionally before finances are settled is dangerous

You'll also hear a critical mortgage and lending reality check from Steve Farrington of Unity Home Loans, explaining:

• How divorce affects mortgage qualification

• Debt-to-income ratio issues during divorce

• Using spousal support as qualifying income

• Refinancing after divorce — and what happens when rates are higher

• Credit risks when you're still tied to the mortgage

• How missed payments impact both spouses

• How to protect yourself financially during a divorce

Before you make a decision — especially in a moment of stress — it's critical to talk to professionals who understand how family law, divorce mortgages, and real estate intersect.

This episode is part of our "When Things Go Wrong" series, covering what happens to your home during divorce, death, disability, and major life transitions — so homeowners can make informed, confident decisions when it matters most.

Co-signing a loan often comes from a place of support — whether you're trying to help a family member or friend qualify for a car, student loan, or even a mortgage. But before you put your name on the dotted line, it's important to understand what co-signing really means for your credit, financial future, and relationships.

In this episode of State 48 Homeowner, we break down how co-signing works, the legal and financial responsibilities involved, and why it may have more consequences than benefits — even when everything goes right.

We're also joined by Steve Farrington, our lending and mortgage expert, who explains how co-signing affects mortgage approval, why lenders use the lowest credit score between borrowers, and what to consider before agreeing to co-sign.

Finally, we discuss practical alternatives that allow you to support someone financially without risking your credit or long-term goals.

Whether you've been asked to co-sign or you're thinking about asking someone else to, this episode offers clear, balanced guidance to help you make an informed decision.

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 - What is Co-signing?
02:02 - The Problem with Co-Signing
02:50 - Co-Signing for a Mortgage
03:50 - The Emotional Trap
04:42 - Real World Fallout
05:42 - Smarter Ways to Help
05:52 - Coach, Don't Co-Sign
06:08 - Help Them Build Credit
06:22 - Gift What You Can
06:45 - Connect with a Lender Early
07:01 - The Run-Down
07:49 - Next Steps