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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447 Generosity Way Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $489,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,393
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2705644
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

317 Taylor Cir Cookeville, TN 38506

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,034
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2705787
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1136 Forsythia Trce Clarksville, TN 37043

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,505
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2706660
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

508 Sable Ridge Ct Nashville, TN 37221

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,072
Status Active
MLS # RTC2707204
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

107 Goodrich Ct Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $489,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,559
Status Active
MLS # RTC2708316
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

9 Eastes Ln Watertown, TN 37184

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,100
Status Active
MLS # RTC2708446
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1117 Mcgavock Pike Unit A Nashville, TN 37216

Price $489,900
Beds 7
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,905
Status Active
MLS # RTC2708566
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

4661 Forsman Ct Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,261
Status Active
MLS # RTC2709083
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

590 Prema Drive Unit 110 Chattanooga, TN 37412

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,163
Status Active
MLS # RTC2709471
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

543 Prema Unit 135 Chattanooga, TN 37412

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,144
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2709672
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1040 Michaela Cir Clarksville, TN 37043

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 4
Living Area SqFt 2,961
Status Active
MLS # RTC2740187
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

309 Seven Springs Way Unit 204 Brentwood, TN 37027

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,525
Status Active
MLS # RTC2744272
Property Type Other Condo
 
 

2105 Lakeshore Dr Old Hickory, TN 37138

Price $489,900
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,408
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2744682
Property Type Flat Condo
 
 

650 County Farm Rd Murfreesboro, TN 37127

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,385
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745392
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

6557 Frye Ln Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,634
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745691
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

575 Big Cedar Drive Dunlap, TN 37327

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,984
Status Active
MLS # RTC2745702
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1048 Gasser Rd Ashland City, TN 37015

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 1,748
Status Active
MLS # RTC2748052
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2617 Delk Ave Nashville, TN 37208

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,411
Status Active
MLS # RTC2748129
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1749 Carters Creek Pike Columbia, TN 38401

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,663
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2749523
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

611 Windtree Pass Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,037
Status Active
MLS # RTC2751480
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

114 Hampton Pl Nashville, TN 37215

Price $489,900
Beds 2
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,574
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752515
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

303 Robert E Lee Ln Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,459
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752987
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2031 Bear Creek Pt Cookeville, TN 38506

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,916
Status Active
MLS # RTC2753173
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

5417 Knob Rd Nashville, TN 37209

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 1
Living Area SqFt 912
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2753319
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

407 S Ray Rd Portland, TN 37148

Price $489,900
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,282
Status Active
MLS # RTC2753512
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

4712 Cape Hope Pass Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,140
Status Active
MLS # RTC2753952
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

923 Peeled Chestnut Ln Sparta, TN 38583

$489,900 - 5Br/3Ba -  for Sale in None, Sparta
New
Price $489,900
Beds 5
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,160
Status Active
MLS # RTC2755976
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

499 Sands Rd Pulaski, TN 38478

$489,900 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in None, Pulaski
New
Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,784
Status Active
MLS # RTC2756289
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2028b Rosemary Ln Nashville, TN 37210

$489,900 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in 2028 Rosemary Lane Townhomes, Nashville
New
Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,729
Status Active
MLS # RTC2756859
Property Type Horizontal Property Regime - Detached
 
 

24 Misty Ct Lebanon, TN 37090

$489,900 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Heritage Hills @ Stonebridge Ph27, Lebanon
New
Price $489,900
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,320
Status Active
MLS # RTC2757291
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

702 Hancock Lane Lebanon, TN 37087

Price $489,795
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,641
Status Active
MLS # RTC2752536
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2672 Stonecenter Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Price $489,755
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,556
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2672070
Property Type Townhouse
 
 

4537 Winslet Dr Smyrna, TN 37167

Price $489,520
Beds 4
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,834
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2686932
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

132 Tyler Dr Shelbyville, TN 37160

Price $489,500
Beds 6
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 3,136
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2683703
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1831 Mahala Dr Hermitage, TN 37076

Price $489,140
Beds 4
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,479
Status Under Contract - Not Showing
MLS # RTC2707744
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2020 Pleasant Cove Nashville, TN 37214

Price $489,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,826
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2680637
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

2021 Pleasant Cove Nashville, TN 37214

Price $489,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,826
Status Under Contract - Showing
MLS # RTC2684981
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

1308 Neelys Bend Rd Madison, TN 37115

Price $489,000
Beds 1
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 1,400
Status Active
MLS # RTC2591710
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

95 Prospect Rd E Fayetteville, TN 37334

Price $489,000
Beds 3
Baths 2
Living Area SqFt 2,232
Status Active
MLS # RTC2659619
Property Type Single Family Residence
 
 

3004 Sir Barton Ct Mount Juliet, TN 37122

Price $489,000
Beds 3
Baths 3
Living Area SqFt 2,009
Status Active
MLS # RTC2659906
Property Type Single Family Residence