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Your search for the right home begins with a clear understanding of the home lifestyle you most desire. We understand that your idea of 'home' goes beyond the physical characteristics of a house and its offerings. 'Home' also reflects a certain style that you can call you own, an everyday lifestyle a particular community offers. Lifestyle needs are as individual as people themselves. That's why The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty represents the most diverse and desirable lifestyles in Middle Tennessee. Whether it's the city life, or the comfort and peacefulness of back country, modern or old-style Southern Traditional, we will help you find your 'home'.
YOUR PATH TO HOME OWNERSHIP
Get Loan Pre-Approval
Interview different lenders and determine which one has the right program for you. Take the appropriate steps to get a full loan pre-approval. If help is needed, we are here to assist.
View the Best Homes in Your Price Range
With one of our agents, determine which properties fit your criteria and begin viewing them.
Decide on a Home and Make an Offer
Once you have decided on a property, you and your agent will complete the necessary paperwork and come up with your offer
Negotiate Terms and Reach an Agreement
Your agent will work with the seller’s agent to come to terms that are acceptable to both you and the seller.
Complete Financing Paperwork
One you have an accepted contract, you will complete gathering any paperwork required by your lender and start working towards a successful closing.
Inspections
During the inspection period, you will have a formal home inspection to make sure your home has no major hidden flaws.
Lender Orders Appraisal
During the period between contact and closing, your lender will order an appraisal to warrant the value of your new home. (If appropriate)
Final Walkthrough
You and your agent will perform a final walkthrough (usually the day before closing or the day of) to make sure any requested repairs have been completed.
Closing
Attend your closing and sign all the necessary paperwork. Make sure to prepare a cashier’s check to cover the amount you are planning to put down and your closing costs.
Move In!
HELPFUL TIPS
See Existing Listings First - Once the market is exhausted and no listings on the market apply to you, begin with all new listings from that day forward. Once we know your price range and a detailed description of what type of home you are looking for, we can set you up on an automatic update of new listings. When new homes come on the market that interest you, we can go see them right away to beat the competition to hot properties. In a competitive market, timing is everything.
Become Area Savvy - Investigate listed and sold properties in your preferred area to get an idea of the average prices, list price/sales price ratios, and the average days on the market. With the guidance from us, a knowledgeable buyer has an advantage.
Refrain from Low-Ball Offers - a good agent will not allow sellers to price their home well beyond the competition. If our research shows that the home is priced in the same range of similar properties, do not offer a low-ball offer. You run the risk of not being taken seriously and put yourself at a disadvantage for future negotiations with the seller and their agent. This is the most common mistake that buyers make.
Show Them You Mean Business - a great way to let sellers know you are serious is to include a strong earnest money deposit with your offer. An aggressive buyer puts down a good amount of earnest money. This deposit is money that goes toward your purchase price. IF the offer doesn’t work out, your money is returned.
Keep It Simple and To The Point - together we will come up with a contract free of unnecessary contingencies. Be flexible and think about a win/win throughout the negotiation process. A buyer who is willing to accommodate a seller’s needs, will in turn get a better deal.
Don’t Do It By Yourself - as your real estate professional, we will provide our expertise to help you get pre-approved, find the right property and negotiate the best deal. We are here for you every step of the way.