"Smart" Property Buying Services for Canadians

What does the term “smart” really mean? We've found after having worked with hundreds of investment and vacation home buyers throughout the U.S. and internationally, we have created a turnkey operation where we will provide all of the information and research you need, the financial analysis that is critical for your decision making, the pricing and negotiation skills necessary to maximize your investment, and complete escrow management services from start to finish so that you are able to make a wise, hassle free, and secure real estate purchase across the border.

Buying a residential investment or vacation property in the metro Phoenix market is a decision that should be made carefully. Our team is educated, prepared and professional, and ready to provide you the turnkey services required for a smooth and easy transaction.

To get started, this website will help you gain a better understanding about the process of buying real estate in and around Greater Phoenix. If you click carefully through the tabs at the top of the screen, you will find a full explanation of all that we do to help you research, identify, acquire and manage real estate in Arizona in a safe, secure, simple and easy approach.

Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions about buying Arizona real estate.

What's makes Arizona so desirable, and why should I consider purchasing a home there?
I know it's a buyer's market, but what's the difference between a short sale, a bank owned property, a new build, a spec. home, or a resale home?
Do you manage property? How will I know my property is being cared for given that I live 1,000 or more miles away?
How much does it cost each month to own and maintain my property?
How do I know which neighborhoods are the best investment areas?
Should I buy a condo, townhome, or house?
What's an HOA and should I buy in a master planned community?
What are the property taxes in Arizona and how do they work?
Has the market bottomed out? Is Phoenix real estate a safe investment?
How do I get financing and what is involved with getting a loan?

All these questions and more are answered throughout this website, so please look around and learn as you go. Of course, if there's a question we haven't answered, please let us know, and we'll get right back to you with the answer!

We look forward to helping you find a great new vacation home or investment property!

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Calgary, Alberta

Here's what your fellow Canadians have to say!

David Jackson & Kate Dillon, Calgary Alberta , March 20 2008

Happy Canadians buyers speak out!

In mid-2007, Kate and I were seriously thinking about investing in a property in the United States. With the strong Canadian dollar and the soft U.S. housing market, we figured this would be our best opportunity to really get a property that we wanted at a great price. Our first choice was Hawaii (as we love Maui) but we began to think about how often we could realistically get to the Islands. Our second choice was Arizona, as it is an easy two-hour flight from Calgary and we have a total of 4 non-stops per day to choose from.

I, like many people, am wary of the Internet sometimes, and when I wanted to search for homes or condos on the Phoenix area MLS, I had to align myself with an agent to get access to the MLS system. I found The Carvalho Real Estate Group website and thought “what the heck”, so I entered my criteria of what I was looking for and my name and phone number and that was basically it. I am so glad I did!!!

I was immediately in touch with Kristin and had a great initial chat on the phone on what we were looking for. It really was huge that the Carvalho Group has plenty of experience with Canadian clients, and they understand the differences in our two real estate purchasing systems. We immediately began receiving MLS listings and exchanged daily emails with Kristin on what her thoughts were on the product, neighbourhood, etc.

Within 2 months (and a few trips down), we closed on a great home, on a lake, at a great price. Adriana took care of all the closing procedures and explained every step meticulously. The team was fantastic in taking care of us while we were there and while we were back at home.

We are so glad that the Internet brought us together with The Carvalho Real Estate Group as they made the entire process from start to finish so easy for us and the professional manner at every step of the way was second to none.

We now have the Arizona property we wanted and look forward to heading down on long weekends and other holiday times throughout the year. We highly recommend The Carvalho Real Estate Group. Feel free to contact them for my contact info if you have any questions for me.

David Jackson

Calgary, Alberta

Vancouver, BC

Glenn Cochrane, Vancouver, British Columbia, August 28, 2008

Happy Canadians buyers speak out!

From our first contact our agent was prepared for us. She could always find the time to go as early as we liked or as late as we liked. All questions were answered to our satisfaction. If she didn't know the answer to a question she would do research to satisfy our inquiries. She was always organized for the day and had a game plan so none of the day was lost. She showed us places that she knew we would not be satisfied with but we had to see in order to strike them off our list.

Our agent was always pleasant and professional. I am not sure what goes on behind the scene when escrow begins, but Adriana through email and phone calls, kept us informed and up-to-date with the process of buying the home. The three months leading up to the purchase of our new home had us dealing with Kristin. We would receive many homes to look at sometimes on a daily basis over the internet so we could make decisions on where and what type of home fit our circumstance. Overall I would highly recommend The Carvalho Real Estate Group for purchasing a home in the Phoenix area.

Fort McMurray, Alberta

Toni Stacey, Fort McMurray, Alberta , August 10, 2008

Happy Canadians buyers speak out!

We arrived home safely from vacation. It is nice to come home after living out of a suitcase for 2 weeks. I was happy to get back with my horse. I would like to thank you for sending Mary our way. She is an amazing lady and so professional in her job. She made our stay worthwhile from the first day of arrival to our last day of stay in Arizona.

Our decision to purchase our home in Queen Creek was made easy because we had the very best real estate agent in the U.S. What an outstanding person she really is. We laughed and enjoyed that lady so much. It was worth the trip. You are a very lucky lady to have her on your team.

We have already passed her card to family and friends and have told them how fantastic she is. I'm sure there will be more business coming your way because of her. Her patience and her kindness was above and beyond the call of duty. She just made us feel at home and we truly have found a new friend and will keep in touch with her along life's journey.

We plan on coming back to furnish our new home there during Christmas time, so we hope to be able to meet you as well during that time. I am sorry we did not get to see you as we would have loved to, but I guess as we were pushed for time and trying to find a house, we missed out on meeting you. Thanks again for all your help and for sending Mary our way. We really appreciate all you both have done and I'm sure we will still be dealing with your team until the final things have closed on the house.

Regina, Saskatchewan

Curtis & Reagan Baylak, Regina, Saskatchewan , August 16, 2008

How did you hear about our team? Personal Referral

Who was your Primary agent? Eric Abel

What did you enjoy most about working with us?
Enjoy!! is an understatement. Eric rocked. Adriana was superb. The whole process start to close was made easy by the team.

Did you work with any other members of our team? Yes

Who else did you work with? Adriana Tirado

How do you rate Adriana's services? Above and Beyond

How would you rate our teams overall service? 11

Please rate your Realtor and/or Buyer Specialist on thier consulting approach. Excellent

Please rate your Realtor and/or Buyer Specialist on their knowledge of the market. Excellent

Please rate your Realtor and/or Buyer Specialist on their ability to negotiate the contract. Excellent

Please rate your Realtor and/or Buyer Specialist on their ability to be on time for appointments. Excellent

Please rate your Realtor and/or Buyer Specialist on their professionalism. Excellent

Please rate our closing departments ability to return phone calls promptly. Excellent

Please rate our closing departments ability to explain your obligations and/or choices. Excellent

Please rate our closing departments professionalism. Excellent

Would you use our real estate team again? Of Course

If your purchasing or selling experience exceeded your expectations, would you be so kind as to give us a brief testimonial?

Beyond expectations !!! Eric is personable, down to Earth and was genuinely interested in helping us find a house. We felt like we had known him for years. Adriana was very pleasant and efficient, she assisted us with all our needs. She even helped my wife with directions and suggestions on where to buy furniture.(very helpful when you don't know the city at all. Very professional and friendly staff!

Toronto, ON

Andree & Philip Woodyatt, Toronto, Ontario, July 19, 2008

Happy Canadians buyers speak out!

Nice office, nice people, the follow up to the purchase was amazing and continues to be so.

Mark and Adriana made the process of buying a house in Arizona all the way from Ontario, Canada, so easy and seamless it left one thinking that surely there must be more to this, and what else is there to do? But I was assured that our transaction was complete and we were now the proud owners of our winter getaway home (complete with three palm trees in the yard)!