Avoid the Most Common Home Buyer Errors

Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and  comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas:

• Paying too much


• Losing a dream home to another buyer


• Buying the wrong home

When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Bidding without sufficient information

What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure you have researched the market. A professional realtor, can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.

Buying a mis-matched home

What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn’t consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.

Unclear title

Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements.

Outdated survey

Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).

Unexpected repairs

For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you’ll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Make the final contract subject to a favourable report.

Shopping without pre-approval

It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Tollgate Village in Thompsons Station Tennessee

It isn't difficult to find a unique subdivision to fit your specific needs in Nashville Tennessee or the surrounding areas. In fact, the most difficult part of your search might just be trying to narrow down your options.

Tollgate Village in Thompsons Station located just south of Nashville is one you must check out if you are looking to live somewhere besides downtown.  This community is beautiful and very affordable!  Condos start at $149K, townhomes at $239K, and custom single family homes are now priced from the $350K's.

One of the most unique things about Tollgate Village is that it is being designed so you rarely ever have to leave if you choose not to. Not only does this subdivison have parks, playgrounds, a pool, walking trails, a clubhouse and fitness center, it will also have retail stores built within the subdivision itself making it extremely convenient for homeowners.  Yet it is only 26 minutes from Nashville if convenience to downtown is something you need as well.  (Since this is such a young community the retail and commercial section have not yet been developed, but plans are currently in the works.)



If unique home design and architecture are another thing you desire, Tollgate is the place to find it. Tollgate has very strict architectural standards which allow each home to stand out and keeps the neighborhood from having a cookie cutter feel.



Crystal Clear Technologies provide on-site technicians which means if you have any service related problems, help is just minutes away. And billing is made easy since the fee is included in your monthy homeowner's association dues. Services included are cable, satellite, and internet. Tollgate Village residents will enjoy some of the most advanced digital information networks in Tennessee.

For more information on pricing and availability in Tollgate Village call me at 615-335-0454 or email dacia@exitdiversified.com.

Dacia Turner

www.TheEdgeRealtyGroup.com

Cell:  615-335-0454

Fax:  615-250-4214

 

 

Tollgate Village - 2908 Americus Dr.

Please visit our Open House this Sunday, February 22 from 1pm - 4pm at:



2908 Americus Dr.

Thompsons Station, TN  37179

Located in Tollgate Village, a sought after subdivision with many resort-like amenities including a park, clubhouse, pool, fitness center, playground, walking trails and underground utilities.  This home is priced to sell!   Extremely popular RiverBirch "Berkshire" plan - w/ XL Bedrooms, huge bonus/media room, open floorplan, high ceilings, Very high end finishes through-out. Perhaps the best floorplan currently available in Tollgate Village.  This home is a MUST SEE!!!

Call 615-335-0454 for a private showing or come by our Open House!

Arrington Vineyards...another Jem of nearby Nashville

Valentine's Day was such a wonderful day for me. The highlight was a surprise visit to a truly hidden jem near Nashville called Arrington Vineyards.

Although I'm no connoisseur, I do enjoy trying new wines, especially when they are made close to home.



Arrington Vineyards was founded in 2005 by country superstar, Kix Brooks (Brooks & Dunn) along with Fred Mindermann and winemaker Kip Summers.

As for my experience, here's the summary:  Valentine's Day was special in more ways than one.  Although food is not normally served at the vineyard, we purchased the Valentine's Day package, including food catered in by The Henpeck Market which was packed into neat little picnic baskets.  Along with the delicious food, we received a bottle of our choice of wine (we chose the Riesling which won Best in Show: Wines of the South Regional Wine Competition 2008. Gold Medal: Indianapolis International Wine Competition 2008.) It was crisp, sweet - but not TOO sweet - and very easy to drink...maybe a little too easy!

Since the weather was still a bit chilly the decks were covered and the fireplaces were blazing making the atmosphere extremely cozy and romantic.  Since the table was ours for the night, we were able to come and go as we pleased, so before finishing our own bottle of Riesling, we trecked downstairs to the wine tasting room where we each had the chance to try 4 of the 14 available wines.  One of my other favorites was the Encore! 06. This wine is made completely from grapes grown at Arrington Vineyards.  It is a bit more stout since it is more of a brandy, but very good!

Arrington Vineyards are open 7 days a week and offer FREE wine tastings each day.  You can buy cheese and crackers to enjoy with your wine, or bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy on the deck, lawn, or courtyard (please do not bring beer, other wines, alcohol, pets, or grills to the winery).

This is definitely a place I plan to visit and visit as often as possible.  Please let me know if you visit and which of the wines you prefer most.  Maybe I will see you there! 

 

Thinking Like a Millionaire

"I would LOVE to win a million dollars!" How many of you have ever said that? I'm going to go out on a limb and guess EVERYONE who is reading this. Here's another question: how many of you, while browsing through home listings, have ever looked at a million dollar home and said to yourself, "I would LOVE to own a home like that"? Probably the majority of you, right? I know I have said that MANY times.

So if we all want to be "millionaires", why do so many of us settle for less? Don't get me wrong, I don't believe success is necessarily measured by $$$, but I do believe we sell ourselves short far too often.



The definition of success is different for everyone. For some, it IS owning a million dollar home or having millions of dollars in the bank. For others it is the freedom to work without the pressure of a boss or corporation breathing down your neck. Still for others it is being able to go home and not think about work until the next day. The real question is, whatever your definition of success might be, are you living it? Or do you get up each day wishing something...ANYTHING would happen to get you out of the rut you have found yourself in?



What is it that keeps us from owning our dream home, or having our dream job? Is it laziness? Maybe. But I believe the biggest culprit is our negative way of thinking.



That has almost become cliche we hear it so often, but it's SO true. If I had a quarter for every negative comment I hear (or make unfortunately) each and every day, I would literally never have to work another day in my life. Negativity is infective. It's like a parasite that attaches to your soul and completely sucks the life out of you. And just like any other life-threatening infection, it is something you MUST fight against if you wish to see your dreams come true.



3 Powerful Tips to Start Thinking Like a Millionaire - This is an article I ran across while browsing the internet.  To summarize, if you want to think like a millionaire take these three steps:

1. Take 100% Responsibility - stop blaming your problems on someone or something else, EVEN if it might be someone else's fault. 

2. Master Your Attitude - my Dad always told me never SAY something is going to happen unless you WANT it to.  If you constantly say something bad will happen, it eventually will and vice versa.

3. Search for Mentors and Build Strong Networks - never feel ashamed to "copy" off of the success of another person.  Feel ashamed if you DON'T.  This doesn't mean steal or plagiarize, it means fashion and structure your mindset, your techniques, etc. after someone who has proven to be successful.  Why do you think American Idol is STILL on the air?

I wish the best to anyone who is working to see their dreams come true.  Don't ever give up!  If you want a million dollar home...then I hope someday that is what you have!

 "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson