Whether you’ve lived in Nashville all of your life or you just recently moved to town, buying a home with professionals like a real estate agent is easier than buying on your own. As you meet real estate agents, make sure they can meet these six expectations.

1. Knowledge of Nashville’s Real Estate Market

Some buyers don’t know much about Nashville’s neighborhoods. A newcomer might not even know the difference between Berry Hill and Germantown.

An excellent real estate agent, therefore, needs an in-depth knowledge of Nashville’s real estate market. That includes information about each neighborhood:

• Public and private schools

• Crime statistics

• Access to major arteries

• Entertainment options

• Real estate prices

After talking to you about what you want from your new home, your real estate agent should be able to suggest some neighborhoods that you will like.

Ideally, the agent will work with a Nashville real estate photographer so you can quickly learn about houses in various neighborhoods.

2. Access to the Latest Information about Home Sales

Real estate listings can come and go quickly in Nashville. It is almost impossible for a typical person to keep up with changes in the real estate market. A real estate agent, however, should have access to a database that shows them the latest information.

If a house just got sold in a day, then the real estate agent should be able to find that information. If an offer was rejected, it helps to have that information, too.

3. Help Choosing a Home Inspector

Hundreds of home inspectors work in the Nashville area. Choosing a reliable one with years of experience would take you a lot of time. If your real estate agent can recommend an inspector, though, the search gets much easier.

Ideally, your real estate agent should already know a few experienced, trustworthy home inspectors. Take the recommendation so you can get an accurate inspection that tells you about the property’s pros and cons.

4. Strong Negotiation Skills

You want to spend as little money as possible when you buy a new home. To do that, you need a real estate agent with strong negotiation skills.

The best real estate agents will research properties to prepare for negotiations with sellers. They might look at home prices in the area, use the home inspector’s report, and review images from real estate photographers in Nashville. All of the information makes it easier for them to find reasons to lower the selling price.

In some cases, your real estate agent might decide that it makes more sense to ask the seller to make improvements to the home. You might not save any money upfront, but you get to move into a home that doesn’t need any significant repairs or updates.

5. A Reputation for Honesty

While you want a real estate agent who can negotiate ruthlessly to save you money, you also want an honest person who’s willing to put your needs first. Without honesty, you can’t believe anything that a real estate agent tells you.

If you feel uncomfortable with someone, then it’s probably best to find another agent. You don’t want to risk dealing with a dishonest agent.

6. Punctuality

Your time is precious, especially when trying to get the best deal on the house in Nashville. Real estates can enter and leave the market quickly, so you need a punctual real estate agent who values your time.

You don’t want to spend time standing around with the Nashville real estate photographer or home inspector, waiting for the agent to arrive.

If your real estate agent can meet these six expectations, then you can probably trust the person to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget.