Looking for a Real Estate Agent (foreclosure, mortgages, credit score)

[Gettingaway]

Hi,
I am looking for a real estate agent that is familiar with the Nashville, TN area, patient, and experienced with working with first time homebuyers. I am looking to move to Nashville in the summer 2009 and would like to know what I should be doing to prepare for the move. We will be visiting back and forth this year and would like to get to know the neighborhoods and area a little more. Can anyone recommend an agent? Also, how do I get a listing of foreclosed homes?

[Kim918]

I moved here is August and had a great Real Estate Agent. He was more than helpful to my husband and I. I think you would really like him. Since you are not supposed to advertise on here, I will PM his information.

[gbone]

Originally Posted by Gettingaway

Hi,
I am looking for a real estate agent that is familiar with the Nashville, TN area, patient, and experienced with working with first time homebuyers. I am looking to move to Nashville in the summer 2009 and would like to know what I should be doing to prepare for the move. We will be visiting back and forth this year and would like to get to know the neighborhoods and area a little more. Can anyone recommend an agent? Also, how do I get a listing of foreclosed homes?

Gettingaway, Nashville is a fairly large area. If you know roughly which side of town you would be interested in(convenient to work) you should try to find a Realtor who is familiar with that part of Nashville. As a first time home buyer one of the first things that I would recommend is for you to know where you stand financially and how much house you can comfortable afford. Go to an established and reputable lender who also has offices in the Nashville area and tell them that you want to be prequalified for a loan. This will let you know what the maximum loan amount you might get approved for. However, I would caution against actually borrowing the maximum amount. I would suggest that you steer away from Adjustable Rate Mortgages and go for a conventional loan. Conventional loans are much less risky. You might also want to look at FHA financing as less down payment is usually required for this than most conventional loans. 100% financing with interest only loans are also riskier. Find out what you credit score is right now if you don't know. In general, the higher your credit score the better interest rate you could qualify for. With your not moving until 2009 you also have time to improve your credit score no matter what it is now. This could help you get a lower interest loan.
Additional information regarding an agent. Interview at least three and don't just go with someone because someone else recommended them that you didn't know. You can go to the Real Estate Professional Forum on City-Data for some excellent information on what to look for in a good Realtor.
As far as foreclosure information, your Realtor can provide you with this information or you can just search online.
I hope some of this is helpful and good luck in your search.

[scottv]

I recently purchased by first home and my agent was great...she is also on this forum, but I will PM with her information and website-I used her site a lot for searching, it was great because you can see all the houses on a map and it is easier to search for your criteria than by zip code like some other sites...good luck in the search!

[Gettingaway]

Thank you for the helpful information!!