Top 3 Things New Chattanooga Home Buyers Should Do

Purchasing a home in Chattanooga and NW Georgia can be an exciting adventure!  It can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time.    There are a few things that you should do before going to look at homes or even going to open houses.

Here are the top 3 things to do before looking for a home in Chattanooga or NW Georgia.

1. Commit to one Real Estate Agent 
The contract and loan process  can be tedious and overwhelming.  The typical Chattanooga or NW Georgia real estate transaction involves  a dozen or more separate individuals – insurance agents, mortgage brokers and underwriters, home inspectors, termite inspectors, appraisers, title company representatives,  buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, bankers, title researchers and others.  You will need a real estate agent to follow up with these professionals, so that all of the pieces come together for your closing.

It is your  real estate agent’s job to organize the chaos, educate you on your market and real estate documents, advocate for you and your interests and guide you go through the process of purchasing a home.

2. Look at your budget and Decide how much you can afford
The lender is going to look at your financial picture and tell you how much that you can borrow.  You will need to look at your budget with honest eyes and decide how much you feel comfortable spending each month for your mortgage.  The lender may approve you for $500,000, but you might decide that you are only comfortable spending $400,000.  As you look at your budget, leave plenty of room for savings, vacations, buying furniture, home maintenance, repairs etc.  You want to avoid being house poor after you purchase your home.

3.Make a list of your Needs and Wants
Consider what you want in a home and what you need in a home.  The wants and needs list includes items like features, amenities, location and can include the schools that you prefer.  After viewing a few homes with your agent, you may need to re-evaluate your list of wants and needs.   You may find that some of wants and needs are not realistic for the price range that you are.  If this is the case, then you should re-evaluate your home search criteria.  If your needs and wants change, be sure to communicate this to your agent.  Purchasing a home can be an emotional roller coaster, but clearly defining what you want and need in a home can help you to stay focused as you search for a home.

If you are searching for a home in Chattanooga or NW Georgia and would like to hire a real estate agent, please give me a call. I’ve been selling homes in the Chattanooga and NW Georgia market since 2002, I would love to help!

Rolanda Pullen Daniel

Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty

2125 Hickory Valley Rd

Chattanooga, TN 37421

423-894-6762 or 423-596-1568

rolandapullendaniel@gmail.com