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.

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1076 Noble Loop Unit 16 Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2746226
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

1068 Noble Loop Unit 20 Nashville, TN 37211

$525,000 - 3Br/4Ba -  for Sale in Woodbine South-noble Place Townhomes, Nashville
New
Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Active
MLS # RTC2762580
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

72 Periwinkle Leoma, TN 38468

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,125
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752161
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1062 Noble Loop Unit 13 Nashville, TN 37211

$525,000 - 3Br/4Ba -  for Sale in Woodbine South-noble Place Townhomes, Nashville
Open House
Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 1,842
Status Active
MLS # RTC2707592
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

3402 Acadia Ln Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,877
Status Active
MLS # RTC2755677
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

9293 Briley Rd Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,800
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747555
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

610 21st Ave N Unit 202 Nashville, TN 37203

Price $525,000
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 625
Status Active
MLS # RTC2603993
Property Type Loft
 
 

314 4th Ave Nw Winchester, TN 37398

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,629
Status Active
MLS # RTC2696721
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

38 Baker Dr Monterey, TN 38574

Price $525,000
Beds 5
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,160
Status Active
MLS # RTC2707191
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1041 Ervin Pace Rd Chapmansboro, TN 37035

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,680
Status Active
MLS # RTC2708137
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5023 Suter Dr Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,550
Status Active
MLS # RTC2705841
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5049 Singing Hills Dr Antioch, TN 37013

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,951
Status Active
MLS # RTC2747500
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5693 Snow Creek Rd Santa Fe, TN 38482

Price $525,000
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 816
Status Active
MLS # RTC2707095
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

609 Whitthorne St Shelbyville, TN 37160

Price $525,000
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 676
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751477
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

506 Proximity Cir Nashville, TN 37207

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,287
Status Active
MLS # RTC2749963
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

4500 Saunders Ave Nashville, TN 37216

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,495
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752201
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5012 Edmondson Pike Nashville, TN 37211

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,620
Status Active
MLS # RTC2673386
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1506 Cotillion Dr Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,454
Status Active
MLS # RTC2757729
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2142 18th Ave N Nashville, TN 37208

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,900
Status Active
MLS # RTC2739559
Property Type Horizontal Property Regime - Detached
 
 

3138 Fishing Ford Rd Petersburg, TN 37144

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,280
Status Active
MLS # RTC2756952
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3549 Burgate Trl Thompsons Station, TN 37179

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,925
Status Active
MLS # RTC2760390
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

5138 Reagan Dr Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,903
Status Active
MLS # RTC2753519
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1560 Old Gallatin Rd Portland, TN 37148

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,297
Status Active
MLS # RTC2758115
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

283 Carter Rd Tullahoma, TN 37388

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,224
Status Active
MLS # RTC2755347
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5744 Sonoma Trace Antioch, TN 37013

Price $525,000
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,075
Status Active
MLS # RTC2757321
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5345 Ashburn Rd Springfield, TN 37172

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,502
Status Active
MLS # RTC2703100
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1304 Chickering Dr Franklin, TN 37064

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,332
Status Active
MLS # RTC2760846
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

518 Proximity Circle Nashville, TN 37207

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,237
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2621246
Property Type Horizontal Property Regime - Attached
 
 

4215 Harding Pike Unit 709 Nashville, TN 37205

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,461
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2693050
Property Type High Rise
 
 

2168 Houston Bend Road Se Lebanon, TN 37087

Price $525,000
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,883
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2751401
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

202 Pigeon Roost Rd Brush Creek, TN 38547

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 1,267
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2750767
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2311 Northview Ave Nashville, TN 37216

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,031
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2704436
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2776 Jutes Dr Thompsons Station, TN 37179

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,180
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2747670
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

8104 Cedar Grove Rd Cross Plains, TN 37049

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,940
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2753027
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

275 Cobblestone Lndg Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,592
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2748379
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

208 Hillcrest Dr Ashland City, TN 37015

Price $525,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,612
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2740171
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3994 Cooper Creek Rd Woodlawn, TN 37191

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,770
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2680643
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

246 Harpeth Hills Dr Kingston Springs, TN 37082

Price $525,000
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,320
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2746434
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1009 Whitley Pl Hendersonville, TN 37075

Price $525,000
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,452
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2758229
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

810 W End Cir Franklin, TN 37064

Price $525,000
Beds 1
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 778
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2757252
Property Type Single Family Residence