1. Home
  2. Buy

Buyer guide

Buying a home in East Tennessee, step by step

Whether it's your first home or you're moving here from somewhere else, here's how it works with me — in plain English, no pressure.

The seven steps

From our first call to your keys

  1. Let's talk

    A call or a coffee. What you're looking for, where, your timeline, and what you can comfortably spend. You don't need to have it all figured out — that's what this conversation is for.

  2. Get pre-approved

    Before we tour, talk to a lender and get a pre-approval letter. It tells us what you can borrow, and it makes your offer real to a seller. If you don't have a lender, I'll introduce you to one I trust.

  3. Tour homes

    We'll set up showings around your schedule. I'll tell you what I see — the good and the not-so-good — so you can decide with clear eyes.

  4. Make an offer

    Price, terms, timing. I'll walk you through what's typical for the area and negotiate on your behalf.

  5. Under contract: inspection and appraisal

    A home inspection tells you what you're actually buying. The appraisal confirms the value for your lender. If something comes up, we'll talk through your options together.

  6. Final walk-through

    One last look before closing to confirm the home is exactly as agreed.

  7. Closing day

    Sign, get your keys, and go home. I'll be there.

First home? Nothing here is a dumb question. I'll explain every document before you sign it, and I'll say so when something is worth walking away from.

Moving here from out of state? Most of this can happen remotely. Start with the relocation guide — it covers the areas I serve and how a long-distance move works with me.

What I help with

From first homes to forever ones

First-time buyers

The whole process, explained as we go. You'll never be the only one in the room who doesn't know what a word means.

Relocation

Families and first-time buyers moving to the Knoxville area are who I serve best. Virtual showings, focused trips, honest area advice.

Luxury

Homes that need a quieter, more careful process — and a negotiator who knows what the details are worth.

Lake & mountain

Norris Lake and Sharps Chapel shoreline, and the mountain views north and east of Knoxville.

Land & farms

Acreage in Blaine, Corryton and Gibbs — lots, farms, and the land for the home you envision.

Selling too?

A lot of buyers are also sellers. We'll plan the timing so you're not carrying two homes — or none.

Seller guide

Payment calculator

What would a monthly payment look like?

Play with the numbers. Then talk to a lender for real ones — this is a sketch, not a quote.

Estimated monthly payment $—
Principal & interest
$—
Property tax
$—
Insurance
$—
HOA
$—
Loan amount
$—

For illustration only — not a quote, a pre-approval, or an offer of credit. The interest rate shown is an example, not a current rate. Actual rates, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues and closing costs vary by lender, property and borrower. Verify every number with a lender before making decisions.

Need a lender?

Start with someone I trust

Pre-approval is step two, and the right lender makes the rest of the process smoother. Ask me for an introduction.

Home financing
Hannah Blevins

The Blevins Collective

Step one

Let's talk about what you're looking for.

Call, text, or book a call — whatever's fastest for you.

865-292-8162 · sara@hilarykilgore.com