Buying a Home in the East Valley of Phoenix
Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek. Troy Holland and Kathy Dietz have each worked this market since 2005, and they will walk you from your first showing to the day you get the keys.
The East Valley is not one market
A condo near Tempe Town Lake, a lake-community home in Chandler and a new build in Queen Creek are three different purchases. Prices, HOA rules, commute times and even the inspection list change from one city to the next.
Troy and Kathy work out of the HomeSmart office in Gilbert and have spent two decades in these neighborhoods. Their job is to make sure you know what you are buying before you sign.
New build or resale
Gilbert, Queen Creek and southeast Mesa have new construction a few streets from resale homes built in the 1990s and 2000s. We put builder incentives next to resale pricing so you can compare the real numbers.
HOA rules and fees
Most master-planned communities here have an HOA. We get the dues, rules and rental restrictions in front of you before you write an offer, not after.
Built for the desert
A house here goes through 110-degree summers. Roof underlayment, AC age, pool equipment and termite history matter more than they do in most markets, and we know where to look.
Meet Troy and Kathy
Two agents, one phone call away. Both started in real estate in 2005, so they have helped buyers through rising markets, falling markets and everything between.
Troy Holland
REALTOR® · HomeSmart, GilbertTroy grew up in Salt Lake City and earned a bachelor’s degree in business finance from the University of Utah. He moved to Phoenix after graduating and started in real estate in 2005.
He has worked with buyers and sellers through the ups and downs of the market since then. He and his wife, Brittany, are raising three children in Arizona.
Kathy Dietz
HomeSmart Elite Group · GilbertKathy has lived in the Valley since 1984. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Purchasing and Logistics Management from Arizona State University and co-founded a retail and manufacturing business that grew from a 500-square-foot shop to four Valley locations.
Licensed since 2005, she is a top producer with the Elite Group at HomeSmart and a Zillow Premier Agent. 98% of her business comes from referrals and repeat clients.
How we take you from search to keys
Six steps, in order. We handle the paperwork and the deadlines so you can focus on choosing the right house.
Start with a conversation
We talk through budget, timeline, must-haves and which parts of the East Valley fit your commute. You also sign a buyer-broker agreement at this stage, so you know what we do for you and how we are paid.
Get pre-approved
A lender’s pre-approval letter gives you a real price range and tells sellers your offer is solid. If you do not have a lender yet, we will give you names to compare.
Tour homes with a plan
Save searches and favorites on this site, then we tour the short list together. We point out what the listing photos leave out: road noise, lot orientation, deferred maintenance.
Write a strong offer
We pull recent comparable sales, check how long the home has been listed and structure the price, earnest money and terms to fit that seller’s situation.
Inspect and negotiate
The standard Arizona purchase contract gives buyers a 10-day inspection period unless both sides agree to change it. We line up inspectors, read the reports with you and negotiate repairs or credits.
Close and get your keys
Appraisal, loan underwriting, title and escrow all run at once. We track every deadline, do the final walkthrough with you and meet you at the title company to sign. Most financed purchases close in 30 to 45 days.
East Valley cities we cover
We also help buyers in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Tell us where you work and how you spend your weekends, and we will narrow the map with you.
Gilbert
Our home base. Master-planned communities such as Agritopia, Morrison Ranch, Power Ranch and Val Vista Lakes, plus the Heritage District downtown.
Chandler
Ocotillo and Fulton Ranch lake communities to the south, established neighborhoods to the north and the Price Road employment corridor on the west side.
Mesa
The largest East Valley city. Las Sendas and Mountain Bridge sit in the northeast foothills; Eastmark and Cadence are in the growing southeast.
Queen Creek
Newer homes and larger lots in communities such as Hastings Farms, Harvest and Barney Farms.
Tempe
Closest to central Phoenix and ASU, with condos near Town Lake and older single-family neighborhoods to the south.
San Tan Valley & Apache Junction
The outer edge of the East Valley in Pinal County, where prices are often lower and the drive to the freeways is longer.
Have a home to sell before you buy?
We list homes too, so one team can plan both moves and line up the closing dates. Start with a free valuation of the home you own now.
East Valley home buying FAQ
Ready to see homes?
Call or text either of us. We will set up your search, answer your first questions and get you into the homes you want to see.
Troy Holland and Kathy Dietz · HomeSmart · 2680 S Val Vista Dr, Bldg 1, Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85295
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