1. Decide to buy.Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. We call home ownership the best “accidental investment” most people ever make. But, we believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an “intentional investment” that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out.

Base your decision to buy on facts, not fears.

  1. If you are paying rent, you very likely can afford to buy
  2. There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. All you need to do in the short run is find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run
  3. The lack of a substantial down payment doesn’t prevent you from making your first home purchase
  4. A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily stop you from buying a home
  5. The best way to get closer to buying your ultimate dream home is to buy your first home now
  6. Buying a home doesn’t have to be complicated – there are many professionals who will help you along the way

2. Hire your agent.

The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals-insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.

Seven main roles of your real estate agentA Buyer’s Real Estate Agent:

  1. Educates you about your market.
  2. Analyzes your wants and needs.
  3. Guides you to homes that fit your criteria.
  4. Coordinates the work of other needed professionals.
  5. Negotiates on your behalf.
  6. Checks and double-checks paperwork and deadlines.
  7. Solves any problems that may arise.

Eight important questions to ask your agent

Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent:

  1. Why did you become a real estate agent?
  2. Why should I work with you?
  3. What do you do better than other real estate agents?
  4. What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs?
  5. What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them?
  6. What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home?
  7. What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials?
  8. Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients?

3. Secure financing.

While you may find the thought of home ownership thrilling, the thought of taking on a mortgage may be downright chilling. Many first-time buyers start out confused about the process or nervous about making such a large financial commitment.

From start to finish, you will follow a six-step, easy-to-understand process to securing the financing for your first home.Six steps to Financing a Home

  1. Choose a loan officer (or mortgage specialist).
  2. Make a loan application and get preapproved.
  3. Determine what you want to pay and select a loan option.
  4. Submit to the lender an accepted purchase offer contract.
  5. Get an appraisal and title commitment.
  6. Obtain funding at closing.

4. Find your home.

You may think that shopping for homes starts with jumping in the car and driving all over town. And it’s true that hopping in the car to go look is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, driving around is fun for only so long-if weeks go by without finding what you’re looking for, the fun can fade pretty fast. That’s why we say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs, both for the short and long terms.

Questions to ask yourself

  1. What do I want my home to be close to?
  2. How much space do I need and why?
  3. Which is more critical: location or size?
  4. Would I be interested in a fixer-upper?
  5. How important is home value appreciation?
  6. Is neighborhood stability and priority?
  7. Would I be interested in a condo?
  8. Would I be interested in new home construction?
  9. What features and amenities do I want? Which do I really need?

5. Make an offer.

When searching for your dream home, you were just that-a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective of your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies (or “conditions” in Canada).

Price-the right price to offer must fairly reflect the true market value of the home you want to buy. Your agent’s market research will guide this decision.

Terms-the other financial and timing factors that will be included in the offer.

Terms fall under six basic categories in a real estate offer:

  1. Schedule-a schedule of events that has to happen before closing.
  2. Conveyances-the items that stay with the house when the sellers leave.
  3. Commission-the real estate commission or fee, for both the agent who works with the seller and the agents who works with the buyer.
  4. Closing costs-it’s standard for buyers to pay their closing costs, but if you want to roll the costs into the loan, you need to write that into the contract.
  5. Home warranty-this covers repairs or replacement of appliances and major systems. You may ask the seller to pay for this.
  6. Earnest money-this protects the sellers from the possibility of your unexpectedly pulling of the deal and makes a statement about the seriousness of your offer.

6. Perform due diligence.

Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can’t return it if something breaks or doesn’t quite work like it’s supposed to. That’s why home owner’s insurance and property inspections are so important.

A home owner’s insurance policy protects you in two ways:

  1. Against loss or damage to the property itself
  2. liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property

The property inspection should expose the secret issues a home might hide so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you sign your closing papers.

  • Your major concern is structural damage.
  • Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked.
  • If you have a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. If the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, you might want to walk away from the purchase.

7. Close.

The final stage of the home buying process is the lender’s confirmation of the home’s value and legal statue, and your continued credit-worthiness. This entails a survey, appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and finance. Your agent will keep you posted on how each if progressing, but your work is pretty much done.

You just have a few preclosing responsibilities:

  1. Stay in control of your finances.
  2. Return all phone calls and paperwork promptly.
  3. Communicate with your agent at least once a week.
  4. Several days before closing, confirm with your agent that all your documentation is in place and in order.
  5. Obtain certified funds for closing.
  6. Conduct a final walk-through.

On closing day, with the guidance of a settlement agent and your agent, you’ll sign documents that do the following:

  1. Finalize your mortgage.
  2. Pay the seller.
  3. Pay your closing costs.
  4. Transfer the title from the seller to you.
  5. Make arrangements to legally record the transaction as a public record.

As long as you have clear expectations and follow directions, closing should be a momentous conclusion to your home-searching process and commencement of your home-owning experience.
8. Protect your investment.

Throughout the course of your home-buying experience, you’ve probably spent a lot of time with your real estate agent and you’ve gotten to know each other fairly well. There’s no reason to throw all that trust and rapport out the window just because the deal has closed. In fact, your agent wants you to keep in touch.

Even after you close on your house, you agent can still help you:

  1. Handle your first tax return as a home owner.
  2. Find contractors to help with home maintenance or remodeling.
  3. Help your friends find homes.
  4. Keep track of your home’s current market value.

Attention to you home’s maintenance needs is essential to protecting the long-term value of your investment.

Home maintenance falls into two categories:

  1. Keeping it clean: Perform routine maintenance on your home’s systems, depending on their age and style.
  2. Keeping an eye on it: Watch for signs of leaks, damage, and wear. Fixing small problems early can save you big money later.

 Search All Homes

Sort by:

202 Bonifay Dr Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,505
Status Active
MLS # RTC2706484
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

107 W Harbor Ct E Hendersonville, TN 37075

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,688
Status Active
MLS # RTC2706794
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

711 Bright Hill Rd Smithville, TN 37166

Price $549,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 4,181
Status Active
MLS # RTC2707542
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

760 Mires Rd Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,500
Status Active
MLS # RTC2708066
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2609 Quarry Rd Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,321
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2708630
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1706 18th Ave S Unit 301 Nashville, TN 37212

Price $549,900
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,131
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2708908
Property Type Flat Condo
 
 

116 Nickolas Cir Lebanon, TN 37087

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,587
Status Active
MLS # RTC2709089
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

3475 Crockett Pointe Unit Jf1-34 Jasper, TN 37347

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,374
Status Active
MLS # RTC2709489
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2047 Beverly Ct Springfield, TN 37172

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,341
Status Active
MLS # RTC2739572
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

544 Vernon Cir Nashville, TN 37209

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,853
Status Active
MLS # RTC2740280
Property Type Horizontal Property Regime - Attached
 
 

6804 Oakshire Ct Brentwood, TN 37027

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,370
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2744485
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

4750 Highway 31 W Cottontown, TN 37048

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,065
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2744530
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2816 Whitebirch Dr Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,665
Status Active
MLS # RTC2744568
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1008 Streamdale Pt W Antioch, TN 37013

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,813
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2744883
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

207 Queen Ave Nashville, TN 37207

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,507
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745469
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1010 Lakeview Cir Ashland City, TN 37015

Price $549,900
Beds 5
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 3,263
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745808
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

17 Ashington Ln Brentwood, TN 37027

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,882
Status Active
MLS # RTC2746650
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

7925 Harpeth View Dr Nashville, TN 37221

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,514
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2746725
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

200 George Ln Tullahoma, TN 37388

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,075
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747396
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

111 Country Club Dr Hendersonville, TN 37075

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,583
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2747782
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5445 Mainsail Dr Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,262
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747788
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

103 Dorcas Dr Hendersonville, TN 37075

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,245
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2747836
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2401 Buena Vista Pike Nashville, TN 37218

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 1,400
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747858
Property Type Manufactured On Land
 
 

2943 Kellner Dr Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,746
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747879
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2911 Chaucer Dr Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 3,116
Status Active
MLS # RTC2748113
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2717 Camden Ct Thompsons Station, TN 37179

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,022
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2748399
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

521 Boiling Springs Rd W Portland, TN 37148

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,896
Status Active
MLS # RTC2748600
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

4123 Merryman Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37127

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,393
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2749272
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

245 Hermitage Avenue Unit 202 Nashville, TN 37210

Price $549,900
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 657
Status Active
MLS # RTC2749645
Property Type Flat Condo
 
 

920 South St Unit 222 Nashville, TN 37203

Price $549,900
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 772
Status Active
MLS # RTC2749690
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

429 Ruby Oaks Ln Murfreesboro, TN 37128

$549,900 - 4Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Nature Walk, Murfreesboro
Open House
Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,743
Status Active
MLS # RTC2749844
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

8320 Old Nashville Hwy Mc Minnville, TN 37110

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,044
Status Active
MLS # RTC2749945
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2253 Richard Garrett Christiana, TN 37037

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,310
Status Active
MLS # RTC2750173
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

153 Grove Ln S Hendersonville, TN 37075

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,503
Status Active
MLS # RTC2750947
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

13 Cedar Grove Drive Fayetteville, TN 37334

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,532
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751056
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

406 Brookridge Dr Gallatin, TN 37066

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,263
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751704
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

236 Stratford Dr Cookeville, TN 38506

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,000
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752170
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1753 Liberty To Dismal Rd Liberty, TN 37095

Price $549,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,057
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752670
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3610 Lantern Ln Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $549,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,610
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752682
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2005 Big Oak Dr Spring Hill, TN 37174

Price $549,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,315
Status Active
MLS # RTC2753123
Property Type Single Family Residence