home buyer's

GUIDE

a little bit

ABOUT US The Wilson Group Real Estate Services is one of Nashville’s most experienced real estate companies. Owned and Operated by Christie Wilson since 2007, the firm was founded in 1988 by her late father, Hal Wilson. Since then, The Wilson Group Real Estate Services has grown into one of Nashville’s premier boutique real estate firms. We specialize in working with buyers and sellers for your housing, investment and commercial needs, as well as offer a full service property management division for your investments. 70+ full-time real estate agents 2 convenient locations: Sylvan Park & Green Hills Named among the 'Top 25 Woman Owned Businesses' and 'Top 25 Residential Real Estate Firms' in Nashville by the Nashville Business Journal Named one of the 'Best Places to Work' and 'Best in Business' by the Nashville Business Journal Our motto: 'Love Where You Live!'

Our mission is to provide excellent service and expertise, by navigating our clients through a successful real estate transaction with knowledge, professionalism and fun.

@TheWilsonGroupRealEstate

in our

COMMUNITY Many of us here at The Wilson Group are proud Nashville natives. We are committed to this wonderful city and stay involved in our community through ongoing relationships with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, Greenways Nashville, YWCA, and many other community organizations including but not limited to:

Nashville Wine Auction Sylvan Park Elementary McCabe Park Little League Father Ryan High School Nashville Rescue Mission Gilda's Club Rotary Club of Nashville Community Resource Center Goodwill East Nashville Athletics Big Brothers / Big Sisters St Jude’s Children Research Second Harvest Food Bank Red Cross + More

the home buying

PROCESS Having your own full time Buyer’s Agent representing you is not a luxury - but a must to ensure that you have proper representation throughout every step of the transaction. Buying a home can be challenging in today's market. You need patience, expertise and a competent strategic negotiator to advocate on your behalf. The home buying process is both exciting and somewhat scary, especially if you don't have the right people on your team. DID YOU KNOW? The Buyer’s agent will have a minimum of 80 critical tasks and communications to complete from contract to closing. The Buyer’s agent communicates not only with the buyer but with the lender, title company, the listing/seller’s agent, inspectors, engineers, surveyors, contractors, HOA, tradesmen, insurance company and more throughout the entire process. The Buyer’s agent manages not only all the above details but also the emotional aspect of the transaction for the buyer. Detail management and expectation management is critical throughout the process.

buying a home

SIMPLIFIED Initial Real Estate Consultation Determining Your Real Estate Needs

Application for Loan Pre-Approval

Make An Offer

View Properties

Negotiate / Counter Offers

Offer Accepted! PROPERTY INSPECTION (Buyer's Agent Coordinates)

Repairs Negotiated

Repairs Made

FORMAL LOAN APPLICATION

(Buyer's Agent Oversees & Lender Coordinates) Final Credit Report Ordered

Appraisal Ordered

Verification of Income, Assets, + Debts

Secure Homeowner's Insurance

RECEIVED

TITLE COMMITMENT ORDERED (Buyer's Agent Oversees & Title Co. Coordinates)

Title Search Performed

RECEIVED

Loan Package Assembled Submitted To Underwriter and/or Loan Committee

LOAN APPROVED

All Loan Docs To Title Company Attend The Closing + Sign

The Mortgage Funds

New Deed + Mortgage Are Recorded

THE HOME IS YOURS!

The Seller Is Paid

frequently asked

QUESTIONS Q: What does it cost to use a buyer’s agent? A: It doesn’t cost the buyer anything out of pocket. The seller pays a pre-negotiated commission to the listing agent, who in turn pays the buyer’s agent through cooperation under the multiple listing service (Realtracs). Q: What are closings costs? A: Closing costs are expenses incidental to the sale, such as appraisal fees, loan fees, recording fees, etc. They are usually between 2-3% of the home’s price and can be negotiated in the contract. Q: Do I need to talk to a lender before searching for property? A: If you are not paying cash for your home, we recommend getting pre-approved with a local lender. Sellers need to know you are financially ready to buy, and many offers won’t be accepted without an accompanied pre-approval letter. Q: Do I really need a home inspection? A: Yes, you really need a home inspection. While a home inspection can cost upwards of $500-$1000 depending on the size of the home you are purchasing, we want you to know what you are buying. It is an unbiased evaluation of the physical condition of the home provided by a professional who does not benefit financially from a successful closing. Q: What is earnest money? A: Earnest money is a deposit the buyer gives when making an offer on a property. If the offer is accepted, the buyer has a certain amount of time (stipulated in the contract) to provide the earnest money via check or wire transfer. Q: What makes up a monthly mortgage payment? A: Remember this acronym >> PITI. This stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance - the sum components of a mortgage payment. PITI represents your total monthly mortgage payment, and helps both the buyer and the lender determine the affordability of an individual mortgage.

we know

NASHVILLE We consider ourselves experts on Middle Tennessee and the greater Nashville area. From Bellevue to Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville to Nolensville, Brentwood to Inglewood, each Nashville neighborhood has it's own unique vibe and style. If you're curious about a certain area, we'll give you the scoop!

*Map provided by visitmusiccity.com*

utility services

INFORMATION DAVIDSON COUNTY Nashville Electric Service - (615) 736-6900 Piedmont Gas - (800) 752-7504 Metro Water Services - (615) 862-4600 Harpeth Valley Water - (615) 352-7076

WILLIAMSON COUNTY Mid TN Electric Membership - (877) 777-9020 H.B. & T.S. Utility District - (615) 794-7796 Franklin Water & Sewer - (615) 794-4572 Brentwood Water Dept - (615) 661-7061 Piedmont Gas - (800) 752-7504

WILSON COUNTY Nashville Electric Service - (615) 736-6900

CHEATHAM/DICKSON COUNTY

Piedmont Gas - (800) 752-7504

Cumberland Electric - (615) 792-5651

City of Lebanon Gas - (615) 444-6300

Second South Cheatham - (615) 952-3094

West Wilson Utility - (615) 758-5682

Dickson Electric System - (615) 446-9051

City of Lebanon Water - (615) 444-6300

Greater Dickson Gas Auth. - (615) 441-2830

Mt. Juliet Sewer - (615) 754-2554

Water Authority Dickson Co - (615) 441-4188

PDQ Disposal - (615) 254-6666

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

OTHER UTILITIES Comcast - (800) 266-2278

Mid TN Electric Membership - (877) 777-9020

Google Fiber - (866) 777-7550

Murfreesboro Electric Dept - (615) 893-5514

AT&T - (800) 331-0500

Atmos Energy - (888) 286-6700 Murfreesboro Water Resources - (615) 890-0862 Consolidated Utility District - (615) 893-7225

MOVING

CHECKLIST Sort, purge, pack and label Buy supplies: tape, bubble wrap, boxes, etc Create a moving binder: keep track of estimates, receipts, and an inventory of items Organize school records if transferring school districts Take measurements to make sure furniture will fit Choose your mover and confirm the arrangements Separate valuables so as not to get lost in the move Submit change of address online or at the post office Notify important parties of the address change: banks, employers, subscriptions, etc Arrange to be off from work on moving day Recruit family and friends to help Double-check the details with moving company, storage facility, etc Transfer utilities Connect TV and internet Change your locks Set up your home security system Test your smoke detectors and all other important mechanics