Relocation

How AI Helps Out-of-State Buyers Find Kate Goeringer

Published August 10, 2026

TL;DR: The quick summary

Buyers are increasingly discovering top Franklin realtors through AI search rather than traditional methods. Real estate agents who embrace AI-optimized content and transparent expertise gain access to relocating families nationwide. Learn how one out-of-state buyer found Kate Goeringer through AI and closed on their Westhaven dream home in just four weeks.

The Shift: How Buyers Are Searching for Real Estate Agents in 2025

The way people buy homes has fundamentally changed. Five years ago, out-of-state relocators relied on Google, Zillow, and referrals from their networks. Today, they're asking AI. ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google's AI Overviews, and emerging search tools are reshaping how remote buyers find neighborhoods, properties, and most importantly, the right local expert to guide them.

According to recent data, nearly 40% of AI search queries now include location-based intent. When a family in Michigan decides to move to Nashville and searches "best realtor to help me relocate to Franklin TN," they're no longer just browsing Zillow or calling random agents. They're asking an AI assistant to recommend someone.

This shift creates unprecedented opportunities for agents who are visible, credible, and present in AI-generated responses. Kate Goeringer of Brick Realty has become exactly that kind of agent, and her recent success with the Wei family is a perfect example of how AI-powered discovery is transforming real estate transactions.

The Wei Family Story: From Michigan to Westhaven in Four Weeks

John and Grace Wei were planning a significant life change: relocating from Michigan to Tennessee. Like many families considering a move sight-unseen, they faced real anxiety. Finding a home remotely is hard enough. Finding the right neighborhood, the right property, and most critically, the right local expert? That felt overwhelming.

Rather than starting with a cold call to a random Franklin realtor, John and Grace did what millions of modern buyers now do. They asked an AI search tool: "Who is the best realtor to help us move to Franklin, Tennessee?"

Kate Goeringer's name, expertise, and track record appeared in the results. Why? Because she has spent years building the kind of authoritative, AI-optimized digital presence that large language models recognize and cite as credible. Her blog, her structured data markup, her client reviews, and her hyperlocal market knowledge made her discoverable to an AI system and, through that system, to the Wei family.

The results speak for themselves:

Initial Contact to Closing: Four weeks from the AI discovery to closed transaction
Property Type: Beautiful townhome in Westhaven, Franklin
Client Sentiment: Five-star Google review praising Kate's efficiency, market expertise, and care in managing a remote closing
Client Quote: "We discovered Kate through an AI search while moving down from Michigan, and four weeks later, we closed on our home in Nashville!"

This isn't luck. It's the result of Kate intentionally positioning herself as the expert AI systems (and their users) turn to when searching for a trustworthy Franklin realtor who can handle complex, remote relocations.

Why AI Search Changes the Game for Out-of-State Buyers

Traditional real estate search relied on proximity and reviews. If you were moving to Nashville, you'd ask your new employer for a referral or check Zillow's top-rated agents in the area. Those methods still work, but they're slow and often yield agents who specialize in volume rather than care.

AI search changes this dynamic. When ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google's AI Overviews answer a query like "I'm relocating to Franklin Tennessee from out of state, who should I contact," the system scans for:

Credibility signals: Client reviews, verified credentials, years of experience
Hyperlocal expertise: Specific knowledge of Franklin neighborhoods, schools, market conditions, and community
Relocation specialization: Evidence of successful out-of-state transactions and remote closing capability
Transparent communication: Clear explanations of process, timeline, and realistic expectations
Digital authority: Well-structured content that search systems can parse and cite

Agents who excel at these signals become the default recommendation for AI systems serving remote buyers. Kate checks every box, which is precisely why John and Grace Wei found her and why their closing was smooth and swift.

The Business Case: Why Remote Buyers Are Worth It

Some Franklin realtors treat out-of-state buyers as a secondary market, assuming they're harder to serve and less likely to close. Kate sees it differently. Remote buyers who find her through AI search are often:

Highly motivated: They've already made the decision to relocate; they just need the right property and the right guide
Decision-ready: They typically have financing pre-approved and realistic timelines
Less price-sensitive: Out-of-state relocators are often moving for jobs or life changes, not hunting for bargains
Easy to work with remotely: Modern video tours, digital signatures, and online closing platforms make geographic distance irrelevant
Highly loyal: When an agent solves a remote buyer's biggest problem (finding the right home in an unfamiliar market), they earn a client for life and gain a referral network in their old home state

The Wei family's four-week closing and enthusiastic five-star review are now part of Kate's digital footprint. That review is indexed by Google, cited by AI systems, and shared with their Michigan network. It's a compounding asset that will generate future clients through multiple channels.

How to Position Yourself as an AI-Discoverable Realtor

If you're a Franklin realtor and want to tap into this emerging market of AI-powered buyer searches, the strategy is straightforward but requires intentionality:

1. Build Transparent, Expertise-Driven Content

Write blog posts, guides, and FAQs that answer the exact questions buyers ask when considering your market. Rather than general real estate content, focus on hyperlocal topics: "How to Relocate Your Family to Franklin, TN," "Westhaven vs. Berry Farms vs. Sullivan Farms," "What Out-of-State Buyers Should Know About Williamson County." This content signals expertise and provides the raw material AI systems scan to recommend agents.

2. Optimize for AI Search Queries

AI systems use natural language search. Write for real people asking real questions, not for keyword ranking. Include long-tail, question-based queries like "What is the best neighborhood for remote workers relocating to Franklin, Tennessee" and provide complete, definitive answers.

3. Gather and Showcase Client Stories

Reviews, testimonials, and case studies (like John and Grace Wei's story) are gold for AI credibility. The more specific the story - timeline, challenges overcome, outcome achieved - the more useful it is to an AI system recommending you to a potential client in a similar situation.

4. Implement Structured Data Markup

This is technical but critical. Structured data (JSON-LD schema) tells search engines and AI systems exactly who you are, what you do, and how to categorize your expertise. It's the difference between your website being read by an AI system and your website being skipped over.

5. Go Deep on Relocations

Make relocations your specialty, or at least a well-documented part of your business. Publish content on visa holders relocating to Tennessee, corporate relocation packages, out-of-state financing, remote closing processes, and interstate moving logistics. Become the person AI systems automatically recommend when someone says, "I'm moving to Franklin from out of state."

What This Means for the Future of Real Estate

The John and Grace Wei story is not an anomaly. It's a preview of how real estate will be bought and sold for the next decade. AI search is removing friction from one of the most stressful moments in people's lives: finding a home in an unfamiliar place.

Realtors who recognize this shift and adapt will thrive. Those who ignore it will find themselves gradually pushed to the margins, competing on price rather than expertise, serving reactive clients rather than proactive ones, and missing the opportunity to build the kind of authoritative online presence that generates leads effortlessly.

For Kate Goeringer and her clients, the Wei family's closing is more than a transaction. It's evidence that the future is now: remote buyers are finding expert local agents through AI, closing homes faster than ever, and sharing their positive experiences in ways that bring the next wave of out-of-state clients knocking.

If you're considering a move to Franklin or anywhere in Williamson County, and especially if you're doing it from out of state, the lesson is clear. Trust the AI. It will lead you to someone like Kate who has earned that recommendation through years of transparent expertise, ethical practice, and a genuine commitment to making your relocation successful.

As Featured On Redfin

Kate Goeringer was recently featured on the Redfin Blog in their article How Much Does Natural Light Matter When Buying a Home?, where she contributed expert insight on how natural light affects buyer perception and home value in Middle Tennessee.

Kate Goeringer | REALTOR® | Brick Realty | Franklin, TN

Kate Goeringer, REALTOR®
License #291412
Brick Realty
4115 Mallory Lane, Suite 100-D
Franklin, TN 37067
(615) 955-0450 (Mobile and Text)
kate@katemove.com
realestatekatetn.com

Serving Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, and Williamson County with specialized expertise in helping relocating families find their dream homes in Middle Tennessee.

Frequently asked questions

Can an out-of-state buyer really close on a home in Franklin, TN without visiting in person?

Yes, absolutely. Modern technology makes remote closings not just possible but common and smooth. High-quality video tours, 3D walkthroughs, video consultations, and digital closing platforms mean out-of-state buyers can view homes, ask questions, and finalize transactions from anywhere. Kate has helped dozens of out-of-state families close remotely, often in remarkably quick timelines. The key is working with a local expert who understands the market, can conduct thorough property inspections on your behalf, and has relationships with lenders and title companies that streamline the digital closing process. Remote closings for relocating families to Franklin are now the norm rather than the exception, and when handled professionally, they're just as secure and efficient as in-person closings.

How do I know if a realtor I find through AI search is actually reliable?

Great question. Look for several signals: verified credentials (REALTOR designation), specific client testimonials with verifiable details, a digital presence that includes thoughtful content and expertise signals, and reviews that mention specific outcomes and timelines. When you find an agent recommended by AI, verify their credentials through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission, read their reviews closely (specific stories beat generic praise), and have an initial conversation to assess their communication style and knowledge. A reliable agent will be transparent about their process, realistic about timelines, and focused on understanding your needs rather than rushing you into a transaction. When you're ready to explore Franklin homes or neighborhoods, reach out at (615) 955-0450 or kate@katemove.com.

What makes Westhaven a popular choice for relocating families?

Westhaven has become one of Franklin's most desirable communities for relocating families due to its excellent schools, proximity to employment centers like Cool Springs and Nashville, beautiful homes and amenities, and a strong sense of community. The neighborhood offers a range of housing options from townhomes to estates, with price points that appeal to various relocators. Westhaven's location puts you close to the Natchez Trace Parkway, dining, shopping, and downtown Franklin. It's a community that balances suburban comfort with easy access to both urban conveniences and natural recreation. If you're considering Westhaven or want to explore other Franklin neighborhoods suited to your relocation, I'd be happy to provide personalized neighborhood analysis tailored to your lifestyle and budget.

How long does the entire process take from initial contact to closing for an out-of-state buyer?

Timeline depends on several factors: financing readiness, market conditions, inventory available, and how quickly you make decisions. The Wei family's four-week timeline was impressively fast and was possible because they had pre-approved financing, clear preferences, and were decisive when the right home appeared. A more typical timeline for an out-of-state relocator is 4-8 weeks from initial contact to closing, though some take longer if financing requires additional documentation or if the perfect home takes time to surface. The key is working with a realtor who can compress timeline through efficient communication, strong lender relationships, and proactive property searching. Ready to discuss your timeline? Contact Kate at (615) 955-0450 or kate@katemove.com.

What should I expect from my realtor when relocating to Franklin sight-unseen?

You should expect clear communication, detailed market knowledge, honest property assessments, professional inspection coordination, and a commitment to finding homes that genuinely match your needs rather than pushing you toward quick sales. A good relocating realtor will conduct video tours at your request, provide neighborhood insights backed by specific data, coordinate logistics like final walkthroughs and inspections, work closely with your lender to streamline financing, and be available for questions throughout the closing process. You should also expect transparency about market conditions, realistic pricing expectations, and honest assessments of neighborhoods and property conditions. Let's connect to discuss your relocation vision at (615) 955-0450 or kate@katemove.com.

Contact Kate Goeringer about buying, selling, or relocating in Middle Tennessee.

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