You’ve looked at so many properties to buy. You’ve seen homes in Downtown Nashville, Green Hills condos for sale, Belle Meade real estate, and almost every other luxury home in the Nashville area. You think you've found your dream home. It’s time to commit and make an offer, but you’re not sure you’re ready.
Know that buyer hesitation is normal
The first thing you need to do is not be so hard on yourself. Taking the plunge and buying a luxury property in the Nashville area is a big decision and buyer hesitation is normal. But you’ll never get your dream home unless you commit, so there are some things you need to know to get over your apprehension.
Understand you’re not a real estate agent
Try to remember that you don’t do this for a living, so you aren’t going to know all the aspects of home buying.
Let your real estate agent be your guide. You’re going to have questions, lots of them, and your agent should welcome your questions because that will help them understand more about what you’re looking for in a home.
As you start looking at homes, you’ll be asking questions. Each question will get you closer to understanding the ins and outs of homebuying. Once you learn more about the process, you’ll become more confident about making some significant decisions.
When you make those tough choices, you’ll start honing in on your dream home and where you want it to be.
And remember, you don’t have to look at every property your agent runs by you. If it’s not in the right neighborhood, or if a swimming pool is one of your non-negotiables and it doesn’t have one, there are plenty more to look at that have what you want. Don’t be afraid to move on.
Know the area
You’re not one to sit on the fence when deciding — picking a color to paint the walls, choosing appliances for the kitchen, and which vanity for the bathroom. Unlike all those factors, which you can reverse if needed, you can’t return a house if you decide you don’t like it in a couple of weeks.
The good news is, almost everything you decide you don’t like about your new house you can change. It might cost you a little more money than you would prefer, but you don’t like it, so you shouldn’t have to live with it.
There is, however, one thing you can not change: your home’s location.
If you find the road outside has too much traffic, or the kids have to walk too far to catch the bus, or maybe the restaurants in downtown Nashville are so far that your take-out will be cold by the time you get home.
These are the types of things you need to think about before you make that offer.
Spend time in the neighborhood. Take walks around the area and drive from the perspective house to places like the grocery store or the school the kids will be attending.
How long is the drive to the shops in Nashville or the schools in Brentwood? These things are essential because you’ll be dealing with them every day. Know your neighborhood and feel comfortable deciding that the house is perfect and precisely where you want it to be.
Consider taking notes
You’ve looked at a hundred homes in the past two weeks (okay, maybe 10 or 12). But it seems like a hundred. You’re starting to get confused about which house had the gourmet kitchen with marble counters. Was that the same one that had the home theater with recliner chairs and cinema-grade speakers? You can’t be sure.
Don’t try to keep all the properties in your head. Concentrate on one home at a time. Take notes or make a spreadsheet. Keep track of details, what you liked, and what you didn’t like. Did the property check off all of your non-negotiables? Is it offer-worthy, or do you need to do more research?
Spend time making a list of your priorities. Make sure you know your real non-negotiables and what you can live without if everything else about the house is perfect.
A good agent is priceless
Find an excellent real estate agent. You want someone professional but personable enough to feel comfortable telling them what you want and why you want it. Do you want a home with an in-law suite because your mom needs someone to look after her a little more closely? Personal things like this are essential to share with your agent. Be specific and honest; if you have a fantastic realtor, they will understand and find you what you want.
Speaking of fantastic real estate agents, Janelle Waggener is the perfect go-to realtor when looking for luxury homes in the Nashville area.
Janelle is an expert in the Nashville real estate market and takes great pride in her ability to work with clients, advising them through every phase of the homebuying process.
She is ready with in-depth details of each property. She will accompany you to all viewings, pointing out various shortcomings or advantages to help you find a house you will fall in love with in a neighborhood you are comfortable calling home for your entire family.
When you are ready to start looking for homes in Nashville, or you’ve found your dream home and need professional advice to make that offer, call Janelle Waggener to set up an appointment.
She knows how important it is to find a good fit between agent and buyer. Give her an honest picture of what you want and your goals so you can find the luxury Nashville home you’ve always dreamed of, stop hesitating, and finally, make that offer.