This morning, I was contacted by a buyer who wanted to see a Franklin TN townhome. Within a few minutes, I learned he had a single-family home to sell and hadn't been pre-approved for a mortgage. Not a good combination in our market where homes are selling in the first day. I explained it was going to be difficult to get him into a home with a sale of home contingency.
I agreed to show him the townhome with the understanding that should he decide to purchase it, I would represent him in the transaction and we would talk about listing his home.
Upon meeting, it was clear this buyer really doesn't want to use an agent. He moved here two years ago from the Midwest. Unfortunately, he didn't use an agent then and didn't really know much about the town he bought in. Now he's decided it's a good time to sell it and buy in an area more conducive to his active lifestyle.
I asked how much he knew about Franklin. Nothing. He's basing his decision to move here on a friend's recommendation. In other words, he's going to make the same mistake he made two years ago.
It's a mistake buying a Franklin TN home without a buyer's agent.
That's not the way to buy a home. Especially, given he doesn't know anything about the area. An experienced real estate agent can help guide him to the right house in the right location.
I love Franklin for a lot of reasons but when my husband and I moved here in 2006, we carefully investigated the entire Nashville area before settling in Franklin. It wasn't a haphazard decision and we had the aid of a good real estate agent who knew the area well.
This isn't the market to go it alone. Homes are selling at asking price and above. Without any guidance, a buyer could easily end up paying too much for a home. If this buyer makes the same mistake he made two years ago, he could end up losing money.
Buyers often think they'll save money if they go it alone. Instead it ends up costing them money; either now or further down the road.
I told this buyer the smartest advice I could give him was to commit to a knowledgeable real estate agent who could help him buy a home and sell his--not to make the same mistake he made two years ago. Besides, it won't cost him anything to have a buyer's agent and he'll likely save money on the sale of his home if he uses one agent for both.
Don't make this same mistake. Use a qualified real estate agent to help you get the best house for the best price. When you're ready to do this, contact Tammie White of Franklin Homes Realty LLC at (615) 495-0752.
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