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:

2136 Creekland View Blvd Nashville, TN 37207

$529,448 - 4Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Heritage Creek, Nashville
Open House
Price $529,448
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,274
Status Active
MLS # RTC2699057
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

249 Cavalcade Loop Gallatin, TN 37066

Price $529,040
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,420
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2698709
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

483 Centre Street Pleasant View, TN 37146

$529,000 - 3Br/4Ba -  for Sale in Pleasant View Village Phase V-a, Pleasant View
New
Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,338
Status Active
MLS # RTC2762942
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

411 Larkspur Ln Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,768
Status Active
MLS # RTC2758302
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

76 E Thompson Ln Nashville, TN 37211

Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,055
Status Active
MLS # RTC2693595
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

203 N Charlotte St Dickson, TN 37055

$529,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Downtown Dickson, Dickson
New
Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,597
Status Active
MLS # RTC2761981
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

526 Margaret Cir Mc Minnville, TN 37110

Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,105
Status Active
MLS # RTC2761099
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

8231 Hwy 70 S Nashville, TN 37209

Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,525
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2747814
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3335 Hill Town Rd Santa Fe, TN 38482

$529,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in None, Santa Fe
New
Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,754
Status Active
MLS # RTC2762652
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1256 Brentwood Highlands Dr Nashville, TN 37211

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,268
Status Active
MLS # RTC2702744
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

119 Kelleys Chapel Rd Waynesboro, TN 38485

Price $529,000
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,016
Status Active
MLS # RTC2668748
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3322 Mimosa Dr Unit A,b Columbia, TN 38401

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,160
Status Active
MLS # RTC2695414
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

13465 Lantana Rd Crossville, TN 38572

Price $529,000
Beds 2
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 1,108
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747900
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

108 Catherine St Brush Creek, TN 38547

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,425
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745122
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

405 Fox Run Cv Henderson, TN 38340

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,099
Status Active
MLS # RTC2748596
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1430 Meridian St Nashville, TN 37207

Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,214
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2746454
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2014 Everest Dr Gallatin, TN 37066

Price $529,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,550
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2752034
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

704 Keeton Ct Old Hickory, TN 37138

Price $529,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,300
Status Active
MLS # RTC2705240
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

727 41st Ave N Nashville, TN 37209

Price $528,995
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,544
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2664116
Property Type Other Condo
 
 

714 Hancock Lane Lebanon, TN 37087

Price $528,970
Beds 5
Baths 5
Living Area SqFt 3,075
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752545
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1922 Hildebrand Lane Columbia, TN 38401

$528,900 - 5Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Bear Creek Overlook, Columbia
New
Price $528,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,684
Status Active
MLS # RTC2762882
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2612 Browning Way Clarksville, TN 37043

Price $528,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,781
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752166
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1593 Cedarbrooke Ln Lebanon, TN 37090

Price $528,301
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,314
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751756
Property Type Zero Lot Line
 
 

1919 Hildebrand Lane Columbia, TN 38401

Price $528,140
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,517
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2570066
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2844 Jessie Ct Thompsons Station, TN 37179

Price $528,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,458
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2748195
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

723 41st Ave N Nashville, TN 37209

Price $527,995
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,560
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2672057
Property Type Other Condo
 
 

8585 Shelbyville Rd Morrison, TN 37357

Price $527,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 3,130
Status Active
MLS # RTC2684418
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1224 Wallace Way Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $526,520
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,437
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2682970
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

930 Meadowcrest Way Lebanon, TN 37090

Price $526,290
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,345
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751977
Property Type Zero Lot Line
 
 

2306 Batavia St Nashville, TN 37208

Price $526,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,800
Status Active
MLS # RTC2703934
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

6906 Chatsworth Ct Murfreesboro, TN 37129

$525,900 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Sycamore Grove, Murfreesboro
Open House
Price $525,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,582
Status Active
MLS # RTC2757541
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1548 Heller Rdg Spring Hill, TN 37174

Price $525,900
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,468
Status Active
MLS # RTC2686627
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

102 Sable East St Lot 156 Gallatin, TN 37066

$525,811 - 3Br/4Ba -  for Sale in The Paddock At Kennesaw Farms, Gallatin
New
Price $525,811
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,037
Status Active
MLS # RTC2762027
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1434 Autumn Leaf Lane Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $525,465
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,023
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2707270
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

309 Jasmine Park Dr Hermitage, TN 37076

$525,400 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Wembley Park, Hermitage
Open House
Price $525,400
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,228
Status Active
MLS # RTC2563546
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2684 Stonecenter Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $525,084
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,280
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2672069
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

301 Bluebell Dr Clarksville, TN 37043

Price $525,000
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,005
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2761461
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1228 Valerie Lane Unit 63 Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2621256
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

1068 Noble Loop Unit 20 Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2620954
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

1226 Valerie Lane Unit 64 Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2621255
Property Type Townhouse