Resources
Buy and sell with a plan.
Checklists that remember your progress, calculators that do the math, and the official Tennessee links.
The buying steps
From your credit to the keys.
- Check your credit & savingsKnow what lenders will see before they see it.
- Set your real budgetWhat you can borrow isn’t what you should spend.
- Get preapprovedA letter that makes sellers take you seriously.
- Hire your buyer’s agentInterview a few, then sign clearly.
- Shop with a clear headNeeds first, wants second, neighborhood always.
- Make a strong offerPrice is one lever; terms are the rest.
- Inspect, appraise & compare loansThe week that protects your money.
- Close & get the keysThree days to review, one hour to sign.
What can I comfortably afford?
You can comfortably buy around
A house payment of a month, at most.
Comfortable means the house payment stays under 28% of income and all debts under 36%. Taxes and insurance at 1.1% of the price a year, mortgage insurance under 20% down. An estimate, not a loan offer.
Official guides
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Buying a House
Free guides for every step.
- Free, HUD-approved housing counselors
On consumerfinance.gov.
- Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance: Verify a license
Before you hire an agent, the Tennessee Real Estate Commission asks buyers to check the agent’s license.
First-time buyer programs
From the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency: Great Choice Home Loan
Helps Tennesseans of middle and moderate income buy a home; its down payment assistance requires a homebuyer education class.
What can I comfortably afford?
You can comfortably buy around
A house payment of a month, at most.
Comfortable means the house payment stays under 28% of income and all debts under 36%. Taxes and insurance at 1.1% of the price a year, mortgage insurance under 20% down. An estimate, not a loan offer.
The selling steps
From your numbers to closing.
- Check your numbersEquity, taxes, and timing, before the yard sign.
- Pick your listing agent & planMarketing, pricing, and fees, all on the table.
- Price it right, day oneThe first two weeks decide your leverage.
- Prep, repair & stageSmall money, big first impression.
- List, market & discloseGreat photos, honest paperwork.
- Review offers & negotiateThe highest number isn’t always the best offer.
- Clear contingencies & closeStay responsive; keep the file moving.
Seller net sheet
Estimated net
Before any fees you agree to.
Official guides
- Tennessee Department of Health: Residential Property Disclosure Act
Most sellers must give buyers a disclosure statement about the property’s condition (T.C.A. § 66-5-201 to 210).
- Tennessee Comptroller: Information by County
Each county’s assessor, trustee and property tax rate in one place.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: Recordation tax
The realty transfer tax is $0.37 per $100 of the price; a new mortgage is taxed at $0.115 per $100, first $2,000 exempt.
Moving checklist
Six steps. Tick them off.
- Research and scout.Compare cost of living, taxes, and commute patterns. Plan a scouting visit, or have a local agent video-tour neighborhoods for you.
- Book movers & gather records.Get three written quotes. For interstate moves, verify the mover’s USDOT registration on the FMCSA website.
- Give notice & schedule switches.Schedule utility stop and start dates and file USPS mail forwarding.
- Transfer the essentials.Move prescriptions, update insurance, and pack a first-week box: documents, chargers, tools, basics.
- Walk through, photograph, carry valuables.Photograph the old place empty. Keep IDs, closing documents and hard drives with you.
- Make it official.Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration, and register to vote.
The full checklists
All the steps, in your inbox.
One PDF and one image, ready to print or keep on your phone.
Private consultation
Questions about a step? Ask Jason.
The team answers the same day.