Negotiating Tips to Get the Right Price on Your Dream Home

Whether you’re looking to purchase your first home or your fifth home, you instinctively want to get the most for your money. In order to make sure that the house of your dreams comes with the right price tag, it’s important to go into the negotiation process well-informed.

Of course, the price of every home is at least somewhat negotiable, but what really matters is your negotiation style and plan of attack. By incorporating the following strategies into your home search, you’ll have a much better chance of landing the perfect deal.

Enter the home search process financially prepared. In other words, know your finances inside and out before you even think about calling a real

Your Mortgage Checklist

Buying a home is one of the most notable milestones in anyone’s life. It’s especially significant if it’s your first home! Naturally, making the decision to purchase a property is a huge investment of  your money and your emotions. Because of that, it is crucial that you know precisely what you’re getting into before signing on the dotted line.

What You’ll Need to Provide When Applying for a Mortgage:

• Personal information, such as your full name, birthdate, social security number and address
• Proof of your current income (pay stubs, bank statements, job contract)
• Job history, federal tax returns and federal W-2 forms for the past two years
• Social Security benefit information (if applicable)
•

The Parks Realty Mobile App Can Help You Find the Home of Your Dreams

Parks wants to help you find the home of your dreams however we can. To better suit the needs of our customers, we proudly offer our free smartphone app to allow you to conduct your home search on the go!

The world depends on being mobile now more than ever. You deserve a real estate app that can keep up! Our mobile application has everything you need to search for the perfect home in Middle Tennessee.

Tailored to Your Mobile Lifestyle

Smartphones play a very important role in our lives. They benefit our daily lives in such a way that it is almost hard to remember what we did without them!

There seem to be smartphone apps to tackle just about any task, so why not

Real Estate Tips for Agents in 2016

If 2016 is anything its predecessor, real estate agents are going to be in for another great year. As the market continues to rebound, there might not be a better time to be a real estate agent than the present!

Whether you are an experienced agent or just starting out, solid advice should always be something you seek out as you grow as a real estate agent. At Parks Realty, we understand the value of sound guidance. We put together a list of tips for real estate agents to make 2016 their best year yet.

Build Your Brand

Building a brand that represents you and your services is pivotal to being the best agent possible. The main benefit of establishing a personal and professional brand is consistency.

Essential Loans Types and Terms for First Time Buyers

It is easy for first time home buyers to quickly become overwhelmed with a slew of strange terms and phrases. In order to help beginners better understand one aspect of the home buying process, we have put together a helpful collection of some common loan types and lending terms that everyone should be familiar with when buying a home.

Parks Realty is here to help you understand what you are getting into when purchasing a home! Contact us today if you have any questions.

Understanding Loan Types

First Time Buyer

One great option for those looking to a purchase their first home is a first time buyer loan. These loans are offered by FHA-approved lenders and cater to the unique

Start Your Career in Real Estate in 6 Steps

If you are just starting out or looking to transition into a fast-paced, rewarding career path, have you considered becoming a real estate agent? Real estate agents assist individuals and families find the perfect home and/or sell their current house. To become a real estate agent, one must follow a specific path in order to meet all of the required certifications and licensing.

Step 1: Understand the Requirements in Your State

Each state in the United States of America has different rules and regulations for becoming a licensed real estate agent. In order to get started on your new career, reach out to the Tennessee Real Estate Commission to learn more about the necessary steps for licensing.

Everything Homebuyers Need to Know and More About the TRID Changes

Did you know that on October 3rd, 2015, the closing process will significantly change for the first time in many years? The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules will go into effect on October 3rd, and drastically change the mortgage disclosure experience.

Here at PARKS, we want our homebuyers to be fully informed and aware of the changes taking place as these changes may affect your current home buying process.

Why The Change?

Some homeowners and home buying prospects might tell you that the mortgage disclosure and closing process is a bit complicated. The new changes, also known as the “Know Before You Own” rule, is being put into place to make the entire process

1. We are licensed professionals with local market expertise.  We have access to the most recent, accurate market information and the ability to give you advice, reports, statistics and details that may not be reliable on the Internet.

2. We help you stay objective.  Everyone knows how stressful and emotional buying and selling can be!  Staying objective and unattached helps the negotiation process.

3. We negotiate on your behalf.  Involving an impartial REALTOR® to help navigate the negotiations is always a good idea.  We know what to look for and we understand contracts, closings, title insurance, deeds, etc.

4. We know the business and can make informed recommendations about repairs, renovations, cost estimates.  We

Are you thinking of putting your house on the market?  Naturally if you speak with a real estate agent or read articles online you will find several great ideas of things to do to improve your curb appeal and increase the value of your home’s listing price.  Well, there are some things you might consider doing that will not improve the value of your home.  Here are a couple:

Repaint in bright, unique colors.

Painting your child’s room in Thomas the Tank Engine Blues and Red is one thing, but having your entire kitchen burnt orange and your living room deep sea blue will send many house hunters running.  If the time has come to refresh your paint colors, check out the popular colors for the year and lean towards the more neutral tones.  Its

People ask all the time, which blogs do you follow?  Good question!  There are so many great blogs out there its hard to keep up with all of them, but here are a few that we watch locally and nationally; some real estate, some not as much.

Houzz

Houzz is so much more than a blog!  They offer so many great resources, Q&A forums,  ideas for every possible room of the house, great photos and much more.

styleblueprint

This is a great southern blog – kind of a what’s going on in and about Nashville and other metropolitan southern cities.

eat.drink.smile.

If you’re a local foodie, there’s no doubt you already follow this blog.  Beth always helps us find the best new restaurant for our out of town guests or if we’re