At Home with Ed & Karin · Northeast Tennessee
A little knowledge.
A more confident
home search.
Welcome to the Home Buyer’s Success Academy. Short videos, plain-English notes, and practical next steps—all in one place.
FREE TO EXPLORE / LEARN AT YOUR PACE / LOCAL GUIDANCE
Your homebuying classroom—with a friendly local guide.
Pull up a chair
You don’t have to learn it all at once.
Start with Ed’s introduction, follow the suggested path below, or jump to the question on your mind. Bring a notebook—and your questions. There’s no pop quiz.
Each lesson includes a video, a short written guide, and a practice prompt to help you apply the topic to your own plans.
Your learning path
From “where do we start?”
to “what happens next?”
Open any lesson to watch and read. The order below is a suggested learning path.
Start with a plan
01Welcome to the Home Buyer’s Success Academy2:12 min
A home search is easier when you understand the steps before you start. Use this course at your own pace, and keep a running list of questions for your real estate agent and lender.
Write down why you want to move, your ideal timing, and the biggest question you want answered.
02Get your finances organized2:13 min
Bring your income, monthly expenses, savings, and debts into one clear picture. Leave room in your plan for moving costs, ongoing upkeep, and the other parts of life that matter to you.
Make a simple monthly spending list. Mark what you want to keep comfortable after you buy.
03Are you ready to buy?3:30 min
Readiness includes your plans and your day-to-day comfort with owning a home. Think about how long you hope to stay, what maintenance you can manage, and how a move fits your life.
List three reasons buying fits your plans and three things you still need to work through.
04How much home fits your life?2:15 min
The purchase price is only part of the picture. Ask your lender to explain the estimated full payment and discuss expenses that may sit outside it, such as utilities, repairs, and association dues.
Choose a monthly housing range you want to discuss with your lender. Avoid treating an online estimate as approval.
05Choose a lender4:50 min
Ask lenders how they communicate, what documents they need, and how they explain loan choices. Clear answers and a reliable process matter throughout your purchase.
Prepare the same questions for each lender so you can compare their answers.
06Search online thoughtfully1:22 min
Online tools are a useful starting point. Check where a listing came from, what information a website asks you to share, and whether the property is still available before planning a visit.
Save a few homes that interest you and write down what you like about each one.
Find your fit
07Define the home you need0:43 min
A clear search brief saves time. Think about daily routines, the kind of space you use, and practical needs such as access, parking, work areas, or outdoor space.
Describe an ordinary day in your next home. What features would make that day easier?
08Choose your real estate agent4:17 min
Look for someone who listens, explains the process, and understands the area you are considering. Ask how showings, communication, representation, and the next steps will work.
Write down your preferred way to communicate and what you expect from your agent.
09Plan for a down payment4:16 min
Down-payment requirements depend on the loan and your circumstances. Your lender can explain which options may fit and how they affect your overall plan.
Ask your lender for a written breakdown of your expected upfront costs and available loan options.
10Build your wish list3:44 min
Separate must-haves from preferences. A short, honest list helps you recognize a good fit and compare homes without getting distracted by every attractive feature.
Make three columns: must have, would be nice, and does not work for us.
11Expand your search options2:16 min
If the search feels narrow, revisit one preference at a time. A different layout, nearby community, or flexible move date may give you more choices without losing your priorities.
Pick one preference you could adjust and one requirement you want to keep firm.
12Make the most of home tours3:42 min
Use a consistent checklist at each showing. Look beyond decorating and note the layout, condition, surroundings, and questions that need a closer look.
After each tour, record two strengths, two concerns, and the questions to ask before moving forward.
Make a clear offer
13Understand the local market2:30 min
A listing price is one piece of a larger picture. Ask your agent about comparable properties, recent activity, property condition, and the information that supports an offer strategy.
Bring one property you like to your agent and ask what current local evidence helps explain its price.
14Think through negotiations2:00 min
Price is important, but timing and other terms also affect a purchase. Work through your priorities with your agent and decide where you have flexibility before negotiations begin.
Choose your three most important goals and the point where you would want to pause and reassess.
15Put online home values in context4:01 min
An automated estimate is a starting point for questions. It cannot replace a close look at the property, its condition, and the most relevant local market information.
Compare an online estimate with the listing details. Note what the estimate may not tell you about the home.
16Prepare an offer5:48 min
An offer should fit the property, your goals, and your comfort level. Ask your agent to walk through the proposed terms, important dates, and choices before you sign.
Keep a short list of the terms you want explained. Ask questions until you understand what you are offering.
Move toward closing
17Understand earnest money4:16 min
Earnest money is part of the contract conversation. Its amount, handling, and what happens to it depend on the agreement and circumstances. Ask your agent to explain the terms before you commit.
Ask who holds the deposit, when it is due, and which contract deadlines you need to track.
18Know what happens under contract4:52 min
After an offer is accepted, several people may be working toward closing. Stay organized with a calendar of inspections, lender requests, and other contract milestones.
Create a contact list and a shared timeline with your agent. Confirm where to send each question.
19Review the money needed to buy9:54 min
Ask for a clear estimate of the funds needed to complete your purchase and what each item covers. Review updated figures with your lender and closing team as the purchase moves forward.
Keep your estimates together and write down any change you want your lender or closing team to explain.
Turn learning into a plan
Your questions.
Our next conversation.
Buying in Northeast Tennessee? Ed & Karin can help you connect what you’ve learned to your home search.
Prefer to explore first? Browse our relocation guides or start a home search.
A simple starting checklist
- The communities you’re considering
- Your preferred moving timeline
- The features you need most
- The monthly cost range you want to discuss with a lender
- The questions you still want answered
You don’t need every answer before you reach out.
At Home with Ed & Karin | Epique Realty. These written guides and practice prompts support general homebuyer education; they are not verbatim video transcripts. Loan options, costs, contract terms, and eligibility depend on your circumstances. Ask your lender, real estate professional, and closing team about your specific purchase. Watching a lesson does not require registration. Videos are hosted by YouTube.
Ask Ed & Karin a homebuying question
Tell us what you would like help with. We will follow up about your Northeast Tennessee home search.
Our team of professionals will be with you every step of the way, from preparing your home for the sale, to handing the keys to the new buyer.