THE BUYER’S GUIDE
Find a home. Feel at home.
A practical path from your first questions to your next front door.
BUYER EDUCATION · AUDIOFROM MATTHEW’S BUYER RESOURCE LIBRARY
Steps to Buying a Home.
A little understanding makes the next step easier. Listen to this home-buying podcast at your own pace, then bring your questions to Matthew. You don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Prefer to read? Explore the written buyer’s guide.
Buying a home in Knoxville, step by step
Clarify the search and how we will work together
Share your must-have features, preferred locations, regular destinations, and timeline. Discuss representation, services, and compensation with Matthew before beginning tours, and review any required agreements so you understand the relationship. A clear brief helps turn a wide online search into a useful shortlist.
Create a complete buying budget
Ask your lender about a comfortable monthly payment, estimated cash to close, and any funds you need to keep available. Budget separately for inspections, moving, and immediate maintenance or changes. Compare the actual property expenses as you tour; two homes with the same asking price can have different ongoing costs.
Learn the area, then compare the homes
Use the community guides to organize an exploratory visit. Drive the routes you will use and compare the actual streets and properties. Verify any school assignment, service provider, association rule, or water-access claim directly for the address. Keep your practical observations alongside the features you love.
Make an offer with the whole plan in view
Review relevant property information and discuss price, financing, contingencies, deposits, timing, and other terms with Matthew. Make sure the offer reflects what you understand about the home and the purchase. If you also need to sell, connect that timing to the lender’s requirements and a realistic backup plan.
Use the contract period to investigate
Arrange the inspections and specialist input appropriate to the property within the agreed deadlines. Read the reports, ask follow-up questions, and review available documents. Inspection findings, an appraisal, and title work serve different purposes; keep track of what each process does and which questions remain open.
Keep financing and closing tasks moving
Respond promptly to lender and closing-provider requests. Discuss changes to your finances with the lender before acting, and keep the agreed deadlines visible. Review your closing information and ask for explanations of unfamiliar items. Confirm payment instructions directly using a phone number you already trust.
Walk through the home and plan possession
Coordinate the final walkthrough and any agreed work with Matthew. Confirm when you receive possession, how keys and access devices will be delivered, and when to arrange utilities and moving services. Keep important records and maintenance information accessible as you settle into your new home.
Good questions.
Straightforward answers.
Clear communication and education are central to how Matthew works. We will agree on how to stay in touch, explain each decision before you make it, and connect you with guides and resources you can revisit. Ask questions at any point.
Start with a conversation about your goals and a discussion with your lender about your budget. We can then build a search around what matters most to you.
Yes. Matthew can help you narrow your search, coordinate visits, and discuss video walkthroughs so you can learn about homes before traveling.
Think about the routes you travel, the amenities you use, and the home itself. Visit at different times of day, verify property-specific details, and compare what you experience.
Absolutely. Share the listing link or address with Matthew. He can help you investigate the details and arrange the next step.
LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT’S NEXT
A good move starts
with a good conversation.
No pressure. Just a clear path forward.