Buying a Home
When you buy a home, it is one of the largest investments you will make in life. You are not just choosing a house, it is the place in which you will raise your family. Being prepared in the beginning will make this process less overwhelming and chaotic. The items on this page are meant to provide you with detailed information and to assist you in making an intelligent and informed decision. Remember, if you have any questions about the process, we’re only a phone call, text, or email away!
Hiring a Home Inspector
Designed to help you understand the overall condition of a property, home inspections could potentially save you considerable time in the purchase process and potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs. Here are the types of inspections to consider when hiring your home inspector:
Standard Home Inspection
Areas which may be covered include lot grounds, roofs, exterior surfaces, garage/carport, structure, attic, basement, crawl space, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, fireplace/wood burning devices, and appliance condition. Remember to review your inspection rights that are clearly stated in the Purchase & Sales Agreement and that they may vary from area to area. In some cases homes can be sold “as-is” even though an inspection may take place. You still have the right to a professional home inspection. It may be the best money you spend.
Radon Gas Inspection
Radon gas levels are detected and measured in this type of inspection. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that between 15,000 – 22,000 deaths per year result from radon gas exposure, therefore they recommend that all homes be tested for radon gas. The EPA recommends that homes containing 4.0 or more Pico Curies per liter be remedied. The cost of said remediation is normally the responsibility of the seller.
Termite Pest Inspection
A termite pest inspector will inspect the property for the presence of wood-destroying insects (WDI) or wood destroying organisms (WDO, i.e. fungus) and conducive conditions that exist. Inspection requirements vary by state, and most home inspectors will include any visible insects or damage on their reports. Some may also have a licensed termite pest inspection company in their arsenal.
Asbestos Inspection
Lab analysis will determine if asbestos fibers are present and evaluate their condition. If friable or non-friable conditions exist, buyers should seek professional assistance. Consult your home inspector if you suspect this is present. They are a one stop shop.
Composition Board Siding
Consult your home inspector if this product exists on the home you are purchasing. The condition of this type of siding and any areas of high moisture should be evaluated during the home inspection. This is a key product manufactured to replicate traditional wood siding at a fraction of the cost.
Lead Paint Inspection
The painted surfaces of a home can be evaluated to determine the presence of lead paint. Homes that were constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead exposure can be harmful to young children and babies. Children with lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches. Download the lead based paint pamphlet for more information.
Septic
SeptiChekTM is an evaluation performed by an on-site waste management professional. It involves accessing the cover of the septic tank to examine the fluid level inside the septic tank. The tank is then pumped to check the condition of the tank and its baffles. The leaching field is probed to check the level of sub-surface liquid waste (effluent). This test alerts the buyer to a wide range of potentially costly septic system repairs or failures. The SeptiChekTM evaluation provides more reliable information of potential problems than a septic dye test. This is typically a buyer expense. If the house is on a septic system, the seller should provide a Subsewage Disclosure & Permit if one is on file with the state.
Pool/Hot Tub Inspection
This determines the overall condition and operability of a pool and/or hot tub’s equipment. Additionally, the condition of the pool deck will be inspected for deterioration and/or other noticeable defects if they are open and accessible at the time of inspection.
Private Well Flow and Potability Inspection
Some loans may require this. It is designed to determine whether or not a private well adequately supplies water to the house. Samples are sent to a lab for potability (drinkability) analysis.
Stucco Siding Inspection
There are two types of stucco siding buyers need to be aware of: cement-based “traditional” stucco and synthetic stucco. An inspection of the siding’s application according to manufacturer’s installation specifications is recommended. Synthetic stucco siding is commonly referred to as Exterior Insulated Finish System (EIFS).
- When considering a home with stucco exterior, we recommend an inspection be conducted to determine the condition of the siding.
- Synthetic stucco is predominately found in the Southeast but it is present in homes in other areas of the country as well.
- Hidden structural damage has been documented in synthetic stucco homes in 34 states.
- Moisture readings are taken to determine if the system has already experienced water intrusion.
Working from Chaos: How to Launch Your Home Business While Moving into One
Photo via Pexels
Moving into a new home feels like trying to fold a fitted sheet in the middle of a hurricane. Now toss in the delicate machinery of launching a home-based business, and you’ve got a balancing act even Cirque du Soleil would flinch at. But for many of us, especially in the remote-work era, this juggling act is the only option. You want your business to have a heartbeat before your houseplants do, but you’re dodging boxes, tangled in Wi-Fi cords, and trying to remember where you packed your printer ink. Here’s the thing: it’s doable. You just need a method to the madness, and that starts with making peace with the chaos—and then building on top of it.
Claim One Corner of Sanity First
Before you unpack the kitchenware or hang up your jackets, carve out a dedicated space that’s strictly for work. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just intentional. You’re not creating the ultimate office here, you’re creating a psychological boundary that tells your brain and body, “This is where work happens.” Even if the rest of the house looks like a packing tape graveyard, that little zone becomes your launchpad. Keep it clean, keep it functional, and above all, keep it sacred from house clutter.
Build Your Schedule Around What’s Already Moving
You don’t have to bulldoze through your move to make time for business. Instead, work out a timeline and look at your existing momentum—installers coming in, family visiting to help, furniture arriving—and build your work pockets around those beats. Use the waiting times, the early mornings before the chaos starts, or the quiet evenings after everyone’s gone home. This isn’t about strict balance. It’s about learning the rhythm of your new life and composing your work to match its tempo.
Don’t Wait for ‘Settled’ to Protect Yourself
Filing your business as a limited liability company isn’t just paperwork—it’s protection, plain and simple. It draws a legal line between your personal finances and your business dealings, which means if things ever go sideways, your home, car, and sanity stay off the table. You don’t need to drop thousands on a lawyer, either; these days, you can form a Tennessee LLC with ZenBusiness, a top-rated formation service that can walk you through the whole process without the headache or the hefty invoice. In the middle of a move and a launch, that kind of peace of mind is worth its weight in bandwidth and bubble wrap.
Go Light on the Equipment at First
You don’t need a full-blown command center on day one. What you need are your essentials: laptop, reliable internet, basic supplies. This is about mobility and flexibility while the house finds its rhythm. Don’t make the mistake of buying gear just because you’ve got more space now—wait to see what your workflow actually requires in this new environment. Let the house teach you what the business needs, not the other way around.
Treat Time Like Inventory
One of the quickest ways to sink both your move and your business is by treating time as limitless. It’s not. Time is a commodity, and you’ve got to budget it like cash. Use short, focused bursts—90 minutes here, an hour there—and protect them fiercely. Don’t try to run a six-hour workday right out the gate. You’ll burn out, lose track of your boxes, and forget whether you fed the cat. Slow, consistent work wins the day.
Get Help With Networking
While unpacking boxes and juggling client calls, one of the smartest plays you can make is designing a custom business card that doesn’t just say who you are—but shows it. Using an app that blends high-quality templates, generative AI, and a smooth, no-fuss editing experience, you can create cards that actually feel like an extension of your brand, not an afterthought. It’s a fast way to legitimize what you’re building, even if your desk is still a folding table and your internet’s riding on a hotspot. Just choose a business card template for printing that fits your vibe, make it yours, and let the algorithm do the heavy lifting while you focus on the hustle.
Launching a business and moving into a home are both seismic shifts. Doing them together isn’t about perfection—it’s about resilience, creativity, and a little bit of caffeine. Just remember: no one builds an empire in perfect conditions. They build it in the mess, one box and one idea at a time.
Discover the difference with Lory Breckler, your trusted real estate expert in Middle TN, and let her guide you to your dream home or help you sell with confidence!
For Parents with Children When Moving
Moving is one of the most stressful life events there is, reports CBS News Minnesota, beating the pain of divorce and having kids! As a parent who’s planning to move soon, expect to have your work cut out for you. You’ll have to keep thousands of little details straight, troubleshoot problems constantly, and also look after your kids. It can be more than a little stressful, sometimes to the point of being overwhelming.
Organization and planning are your best friends – having a plan for the move and starting move-related work early can help you pull it off seamlessly and minimize the stress. To help ensure everything goes well and you don’t hit too many roadblocks along the way, we offer this mini-guide on how to move smoothly.
Consider your kids’ needs
If you didn’t know, moving is especially tough for kids because they leave behind everything they know and love. As such, be extra gentle and reassuring, and broach the subject of the move as early as you can.
- Initial conversation: Talk to your child about the move to minimize resistance, temper tantrums, and meltdowns. Be reassuring, highlight the positives, and draw pictures of the move to help them understand what to expect.
- Needs and living preferences: Your child may need some things from your new location, which you should account for. Some examples are education options, socialization, entertainment, and medical treatment. Also, they might prefer some home types over others.
- Practical logistics: Finally, also consider how you’re going to look after your kids while moving. You may need to hire babysitters, help your kids pack, have the new home cleaned and childproofed, help them settle in, and more.
Leave 3-6 months for home-buying
Buying a home doesn’t happen overnight. Home-buying involves preparing your credit score, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, networking with realtors, finding a new home within your budget, selling off your old home (if applicable), negotiating with the seller, closing, and, finally, moving! Start as early as you can. When you’re ready to purchase a home in the Middle TN area, reach out to expert realtor Lory Breckler.
Create a living expenses and moving budget
Having a living expenses budget for your first few weeks in your new location can help you see to all your expenses, save money, and have peace of mind. Research the costs of living at your destination before you move to avoid unpleasant surprises. Also, consider moving expenses. Having a moving budget can help you see to all necessary expenses.
Touch base with old friends
Moving back to your home town? Harness the power of the internet to reconnect with your high school classmates from your hometown or nearby areas. By inputting relevant details such as the name, graduation year, and school into a search engine, you can swiftly locate and reconnect with old friends.
Book reputable movers in advance
Having experienced movers in your corner can make your life much easier. Good movers can assist with everything from packing and organizing to transport and safety. Keep in mind that the best movers tend to be fully booked, especially during busy times (like the holidays). As such, make sure you book your movers weeks in advance to guarantee access to their services.
Create a moving checklist
Moving involves countless tasks big and small. Examples include packing, gathering documents, registering for services, having your mail forwarded, closing contracts, informing your acquaintances, hiring handymen, and much more. Creating a moving checklist, running up to the date of the move, will help you stay organized and on track.
Start packing early
Packing is harder than you think and, also, incredibly time-consuming. It involves getting rid of things you don’t need, putting items in temporary storage, gathering boxes, organizing your stuff, and more. Doing it early will help you avoid stress. Prepare a room in your home for your packing material. Label your boxes and tape them up securely. You can put delicate items in special crates or bubble wrap for extra protection.
Use a home maintenance app for repairs
A home maintenance app serves as a handy digital tool that can guide you through the process of making repairs in your new home. It provides step-by-step tutorials, allows you to discover more options for professional services, and lets you track your repairs. This modern solution not only helps you save time and resources but also empowers you to maintain and improve your home’s value with ease.
Conclusion
Having a moving checklist and starting work on moving-related tasks early is an excellent way to ensure you remain on track, avoid problems, and keep your stress levels way down. Working with experienced movers can also reduce your workload greatly. Note that feeling settled in at your new location could take a few weeks – having a routine for you and your kids will be immensely helpful.
Image via Unsplash
For Retirees
Browse these resource links from RetireGuide:
retireguide.com/guides/downsizing-for-retirement/
retireguide.com/guides/aging-in-place/
Do you suspect nursing home abuse? Here’s what you need to know.
https://www.levinperconti.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nursing-home-abuse.html
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