The time has come. You are about to buy your first house. It is exciting. More than that – you really are starting to enjoy this feeling. However, the home buying process in Tennessee isn’t as easy as it seems at first. Tennessee is a state that welcomes foreigners, college graduates, young professionals, people with families and seniors.
Living in Tennessee is more than a well-made decision. On the other hand, buying your own home is a process. And one that will take your time and require your complete devotion. On all levels. But, this shouldn’t scare you. We are here to guide you through this whole process. Step-by-step. So, let’s dive in!
Prepare yourself mentally
Yes. This step is of utmost importance. Home buying process in Tennessee, or anywhere else for that matter, isn’t something we come across every day. It is a unique experience. And one you shouldn’t take lightly. For many reasons. One of them being – you will not want to make a mistake. Any mistake in relation to real estate investments won’t only cost you money, but your time and energy as well. And that is why coming well prepared is the best thing you can do. Here is how to do it:
- Check your credit score and report
- Evaluate how much you can afford
- Find an agent to lead you through this process
- Get pre-approved by your lender (if you are not planning on paying in cash)
- Start looking at homes and explore your options
- Start visiting open houses and do home inspections
- Make an offer
- Start negotiating
- Get your keys and prepare for your moving day
Check your credit score and report
It is needless to say how important your finances are once you decide to buy a house. Your credit score and report will affect every aspect of your home buying process in Tennessee (or anywhere else for that matter). So – check them and make a strategy accordingly.
Evaluate how much you can afford
Before you start looking at houses and start planning renovations, you should definitely take a break to think. How much are you willing and even more importantly – how much are you able to spend on this home? Once you calculate your budget and get your finances in order you will have a much clearer picture of this whole process. Your finances, or rather how much you can afford, will determine the size, location and every other detail of your new house.
Find an agent to lead you through this process
Home buying really is a process. And one that requires some level of expertise. You not having one really isn’t a shame. Not when you can hire an agent to take care of everything for you. You don’t need to be a lawyer and handle all this by yourself. Hiring a reliable and experienced real estate agent will make things so much easier on you. Simple as that. So, before you start looking for houses in your favorite Tennessee area – start looking for agents with a good reputation and many years of experience. The same goes for movers. You could visit a site like BestCrossCountryMovers and start looking for a suitable moving company well in advance. It will take some time, but when your moving day comes closer – you will be more than happy you found your mover on time.
Get pre-approved by your lender (if not buying in cash)
If you aren’t planning on purchasing your first house with cash, you will need to lend some money. However, getting pre-approved by your lender is something that will make this home buying process so much easier. Sellers will take you more seriously, and above all else – you will be sure about the amount you are ready to spend. So, gather all the necessary documentation and visit your lender as soon as possible. You don’t want to lose any of your valuable time, and like every other process out there – this one can take some time.
Start looking at homes and explore your options
This is the part of the process you’ll love. Everybody does. And for a good reason. You will be looking at potential homes and plan your new life in them. Your real estate agent will find you homes based on your own criteria, and the chances are – you will see many houses that you love. On the other hand, you will soon have to make your decision.
Start visiting open houses and do home inspections
Online ads are appealing. However, seeing these homes in person is a much better option. And especially when you are about to make such a huge decision. So, start visiting open houses. Look around. Explore your options.
Also, be sure to do home inspections before making any steps towards purchasing any property. This step is of crucial importance and something your real estate agent will be more than happy to help you with.
Make an offer
Once you find a home you are interested in, it is time for you to make an offer. Let your real estate agent advise you through this process. You will not want to make an offer that is too high, or too low for that matter. Offers that are too high can get you your house faster, but they can also make you spend more money than you should. On the other hand, you don’t want to offend your seller and lose the house you like because of making an offer that is too low.
Start negotiating
When it comes to negotiating, let your agent assist you as much as possible. Also, make sure to use all you got. Every negotiating skill comes in handy, and this is the right time to use it.
Get your keys and prepare for your moving day
Once the negotiations are over and the papers are signed, it is time for you to start preparing for your moving day. And the best way to do so is by contacting professional movers who can handle this task for you. It doesn’t matter if you are planning on moving locally, or from another city – Tennessee movers can simplify your long-distance move. And all you have to do is to ask!
Nina Smith 
Kim Marks