Finding the right house...it's about LIFESTYLE

by Laurel Grandle, REALTOR

Buyers come in to the office all the time, saying they want to purchase, but they can't narrow down the vast list of available properties. So from a potential of over 10,000 single family homes and over 1300 condos currently available through the Multiple Listing Service, where do they start?

First step is to determine the price range they are comfortable with and can qualify for. The buyers should select a lender and ask the lender to "pre-qualify" them for a loan. This is easy. The lender will ask a few very important questions about income, obligations, job stability and VERIFY these and write a letter, which the buyer should include with their offer (it makes the seller much more comfortable knowing that the buyers can get financed). There are many excellent lenders in our area. I like to use Renee Sunday of Wells Fargo Home Loans (865 919 4808). She's efficient, personable and extremely knowledgable. She can assist a buyer with selection of the most advantageous loan program for their situation AND assist with credit counseling, if necessary. She's a real pro!

Next step might be to determine the AREA best for the buyer: Buyers may want to be close to work, a particular house of worship, particular schools, family or they may want lake front, lake view or mountain view.

Selecting a price range and area narrows the sea of houses a bit. NOW...more questions about lifestyle: Does the buyer need a main level bedroom? Main level master suite? How many bedrooms and baths? What age house? Some buyers like the look and challenge of an older home, others prefer the lower maintenance of a newer home. Both have advantages, of course. Trying to "establish" a lawn and flower beds with a new home can be challenging, repairs on an older home and possibly high utilities can be challenging with an older home. Or the buyer may perfer the convenience of a CONDO or Planned Unit Development that has a monthly fee to cover exterior maintenance or lawn maintenance.

It's important for the REALTOR and buyer to have an initial conference to discuss what is important to the buyer: LIST the features that are important and PRIORITIZE them. There are usually compromises to be made. Decide what is most important.

The REALTOR can run a search of all the properties that fit the buyer's criteria. The list can be automatically updated and the properties that come on the market after the initial search can be e-mailed automatically to the buyer so that they don't "miss" anything.

As a REALTOR with many years of experience, I know of properties that are not in the MLS that may fit a particular buyer. It's my job to have these properties in a system that enables me to search through them, too, to find the right house for the buyer.

My job is NOT SALES as much as it is MATCHING...just matching the buyer with the right house. If the buyer likes it, he'll buy it. It's just about that simple...and yet, it's not! There are SO MANY houses on the market that it can take a few days of looking for find the right house!

If you are interested in purchasing, give me a call at 865 389 2551. Together, we can make your dream a reality.

visit my web site: http://www.LaurelGrandle.com. You can begin the search for your perfect home right there!

Laurel Grandle sells homes throughout the East TN Area, including Knoxville, Karns, Farragut, Halls, Powell, Loudon County, Knox County. She specializes in Lake homes, Luxury homes, Historic homes, New Constructionand is an expert at matching buyers with the right house, regardless of the area or price range, she has over 25 years of experience and has helped thousands of clients with their real estate needs.

Here is what some of her clients have said about her recently, “Laurel has an unlimited amount of patience. My family has very specific needs and she understood them and worked with us until we found the perfect home at the right price. I don’t think anyone else would have done that for us and we’ll always be thankful we found her and worked with her. She’s wonderful!” Margo

“Laurel has accommodated us on many occasions very quickly, as our schedules change all the time. She was always understanding of the time and date changes and she helped us find a great house.” Williams

“Thank you! It's wonderful having you as our agent and we both think you're a terrific person. Bob was right when he said we'd love you.” Joe

“Laurel really knows the area and the market. She didn’t waste any time…she showed us what we ask for in the location we wanted and made the whole move a very good experience for our family”. Robert

“Before we wrote an offer, Laurel did a detailed market analysis for us and discussed it with us so we understood what a fair price would be. She went over the entire contract in detail and clarified everything for us. We purchased with confidence and we’d never use anyone else IF we ever decide to sell!” Anne

Exit Realty Knoxville (each office independently owned and operated) is your number one resource for all your real estate needs, including listing, sales, referrals; our EXIT agents are committed to serving you—put us to work for you: 865 389 2551

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