Is the cost of a real estate agent’s commission worth it? (read more)

85% of home buyers use a real estate agent; 75% of home buyers use the internet to search for homes. After finding a home of interest, they typically drive by to check out the neighborhood. The average home buyer searches for eight weeks before purchasing a home.

Buyers Guide to East TN Real Estate

Purchasing real estate is one of the most important and costly transactions you will ever make. Your first step is to determine the area you want to live in. While looking at different areas some things to consider are: quality of neighborhoods in the immediate area, quality of schools, average pricing for homes, major employers, and nearby resources such as fire department, library, grocery stores, etc. After choosing the area that best suits your family, it's time to start searching for your new home.

Resources for Buyers
When you search for real estate from this site, whether it's residential, condos, or land, you will be directly linked to the public Knoxville MLS. The advantage to this is that you will see everything on the market that an agent would see. There is of course more to the home buying process than simply finding a home online. A real estate agent will play a critical role as you will need them to actually tour the home. An agent can also help you find a good source of financing.

Financing is a big step in the process of buying a home. You really need to be pre-approved for a mortgage before seriously looking at new homes. Being pre-approved means that you've been screened by the lender and approved for a loan. This can be very helpful when it's time to make an offer. Sellers will likely go with a buyer that has been pre-approved, since there's less risk of the deal falling through.

A real estate agent will also be extremely helpful when it's time to negotiate and make an offer on the home you want. It's typically not a good idea to use an agent that is already representing the seller, this could compromise your best interests. Buying a home is a lengthy process, but with a knowledgeable agent and the right resources, it can be a great memory you'll have for years to come.