Leisa Wilcox

There are several factors I'll use to review - 1) recent comparable sales in your neighborhood ("comparable" meaning not only the amount of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage -- but also upgrades, condition of the home, etc) 2) Comparable homes currently on the market 3) Motivation of the Seller -- this is so important! Are you wanting to get the highest price, no matter how long it takes? Do you need to move before school starts? Do you have the time, money, inclination to do pre-listing fixes? The seller motivations are a huge contributor to how we list and negotiate.

In my previous career, I was a TV producer -- so I feel like my job in real estate is very similar; that I smooth the way for things to happen. This can look like me being a "real estate auntie" or coach for first-time homebuyers, or a concierge for high-profile buyers who don't have the time to do some of the tasks required. I'm very personal, and I work hard to make the process as seamless as possible. I work best with clients who can trust me.

Buyers, mostly — it's the side of the business I love most. There's something great about the moment a client walks into a home and you can see it click for them. I bring the same concierge approach to a buyer search that I do to a listing: real conversations about must-haves versus nice-to-haves before we ever tour a house, so we're not wasting your time on the wrong homes.

Ask how they'll find homes before they hit the market, not just how they'll show you what's already listed. Ask about their communication style and how quickly they'll respond when something good comes up. And ask whether they work closely with lenders — a buyer's agent who understands financing can help you move faster when it matters.

What the "best deal" is, is not always financial. In general, I would most prefer that both sides "win" in a negotiation, where possible. But, whether I represent the buyer or the seller, I always only represent ONE side - never both. And sometimes, the negotiations are not always about sales price. I always find out exactly what my client needs, whether it is a long or short escrow, pre-or post closing occupancy, seller-paid closing costs, home warranties, etc. For my buyers, I work closely with their lender to determine what is best for them, then negotiate that.

Yes — this is a lot of my practice. Whether you're moving from another U.S. city or from overseas, I walk you through neighborhoods virtually before you ever set foot here, coordinate around your visit timeline, and make sure financing and logistics are lined up so you're not scrambling. It's part of why I built Portico International around the idea of finding your place in the world, not just finding a house.

Start with a conversation with me about your goals: is this an investment, a future home, a landing spot for family here, or something else? From there I walk you through what's different for international buyers — financing options (many will need a specialized international buyer loan program, since conventional U.S. mortgages usually require U.S. credit history), how closings work compared to your home country, and the tax and title basics you'll want on your radar. I hold the CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) designation specifically for this kind of cross-border work, and I coordinate the process so you're never navigating unfamiliar U.S. real estate rules alone.

Falling in love with a house before understanding what it will actually take to win it — or, on the flip side, being so cautious they lose good homes to buyers who moved faster. I try to get ahead of both by understanding a client's full picture early: financing, timeline, and what they're actually willing to flex on.

A few reasons, honestly. Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a meaningful difference if you're coming from a high-tax state — that savings adds up fast. The local economy is diverse and durable: healthcare, music and entertainment, and a steady stream of corporate relocations keep job growth strong, which supports long-term home values better than a market riding on one industry. And the Greater Nashville area keeps growing — people are still moving here for the quality of life, not just the job. But here's what I'd actually tell a buyer today: the current market has shifted in your favor. Inventory is up significantly compared to the last few years, homes are sitting a bit longer, and sellers are more willing to negotiate than they were during the peak of recent years. That combination — strong long-term fundamentals plus more near-term leverage for buyers — is a genuinely good window. I can walk you through what that looks like in the specific neighborhood or price range you