{"id":19503,"date":"2020-10-15T15:03:03","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T22:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=19503"},"modified":"2024-03-14T11:56:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T18:56:50","slug":"buyer-buy-house-atlanta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-atlanta\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a House in Atlanta? Be Ready for Hot Summers and Hot Market"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From its role in the Civil Rights movement to its growing reputation as the <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/longform\/hollywood-in-georgia\/\">Hollywood of the South<\/a>, new residents have flocked to Atlanta for decades. People come for the wealth of jobs (Atlanta is home to Fortune 500 companies such as Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, and Home Depot), the four-season climate, and the affordable cost of living. So if you\u2019re hoping to buy your first house in Atlanta, the first thing to know is that you\u2019ll be competing against these other buyers who want to put down roots.<\/p>\n<p>Stunning growth since the 1960s has created a sprawling metro area that extends over 11 counties and is home to more than 6.5 million people. Congestion on area roads and highways is among the worst in the nation. Money Inc. finds <a href=\"https:\/\/moneyinc.com\/cities-with-the-worst-traffic\/\">traffic jams consume 108 hours<\/a> a year for Atlanta drivers; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/news\/world\/atlanta-yet-again-named-one-the-worst-places-commute-transit-car-recent-ranking\/Yfv86up06oBlC6y9YEpWKJ\/#:~:text=Atlanta%20was%20No.,transit%20takes%20about%2035%20minutes.\">average commute time is 35 minutes<\/a>. Smart homebuyers will factor the commute into any real estate decisions they make; as experts explain, Atlanta commutes have caused some homebuyers to regret their purchase almost immediately, a situation you definitely don\u2019t want to experience.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to the area and need help navigating the roads and avenues, read on. We\u2019ve interviewed local real estate experts with decades of experience and have done the legwork to help you narrow your target area when you buy a house in Atlanta. With this comprehensive guide, you\u2019ll find out what problems are common in Atlanta homes (and why you\u2019ll definitely want a termite inspection and termite bond) and what neighborhoods match your unique criteria for the best place to live so that you can buy a house you\u2019ll love living in for years.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19553\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19553\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A notepad used to buy a house in Atlanta.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-budget.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19553\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Sven Mieke \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Start with your budget in Atlanta<\/h2>\n<p>The median sales price of single-family homes in the region was $291,000 in May 2020, the Atlanta Board of Realtors reported. Atlanta\u2019s median home price was just a shade above <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nar.realtor\/blogs\/economists-outlook\/may-2020-existing-home-sales\">the national median of $284,600<\/a> in May 2020, according to the National Association of Realtors. (The median price is the midpoint, meaning half of all homes sold for less than the median, and half sold for more.) Remember, renovated homes in trendy in-town neighborhoods or country club subdivisions can easily cost two to three times the median price.<\/p>\n<p>At interest rates in October 2020, a 30-year mortgage on a $289,737 house with 20% down <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\">would have a monthly payment of about $1,740<\/a>. Compare that with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/blog\/atlanta-neighborhoods-most-least-expensive-rent\/\">average rent of $1,960 for a one-bedroom<\/a> apartment within the city limits cited by Apartment Guide in July 2020, and you understand why some people opt to buy a house in the Atlanta suburbs and commute instead of renting closer to work.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/smartasset.com\/mortgage\/the-cost-of-living-in-atlanta\">Property tax rates<\/a> in Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, are the highest in the state, with a median payment of about $2,700. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/personal-finance\/average-property-taxes-every-us-state?op=1\">Nationally, the median real estate tax is about $2,279.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/cost-of-living-calculator\/Georgia-Atlanta\">cost of living in Atlanta<\/a> is on par with the national average as of October 2020 (just 1% below the national average), according to Payscale. But if you\u2019re new to the area, be prepared for certain expenses.<\/p>\n<p>According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=36692\">annual air conditioning bill<\/a> will be an average <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/consumption\/residential\/data\/2015\/c&amp;e\/pdf\/ce3.9.pdf\">$149 higher than Northern states<\/a>, known for their mild summers. Atlantans use lots of air conditioning; it\u2019s not unusual to start using the AC in early April, and you may need it into October.<\/p>\n<p>Many communities in Atlanta, especially in the suburbs, are subdivisions or planned unit developments. These communities often have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-what-do-hoa-fees-cover\/\">homeowners\u2019 association (HOA<\/a>) that levies an annual fee to cover costs, such as the neighborhood pool, streetlights, and common property maintenance. Depending on what\u2019s included, these fees amount to between $50 and $100 a month and can be wrapped into the monthly mortgage payment.<\/p>\n<h2>Get the lay of the land in Atlanta<\/h2>\n<p>The city of Atlanta\u2019s population is about half a million, and it\u2019s surrounded by suburbs that stretch for miles in all directions. Interstate 285, known locally as The Perimeter, draws a jagged circle around the city and its oldest \u2019burbs. You may hear people talk about OTP (outside the Perimeter) or ITP (inside the Perimeter) when discussing where they live or work.<\/p>\n<p>Atlanta has multiple employment centers. Starting on the southern rim of I-285, there\u2019s the airport and Delta Air Lines HQ, with Tyler Perry Studios just up the road. Moving north, you\u2019ll find Downtown (home to Georgia-Pacific and Coke headquarters), Midtown, and Buckhead. The region is criss-crossed by three other interstate highways, which all intersect I-285 and create busy commercial centers with office highrises, shopping malls and apartments.<\/p>\n<p>Public transportation is limited, especially outside the Perimeter. The MARTA subway system has lines that spread in all four directions from downtown, but many areas of the city are a long way from the nearest station.<\/p>\n<p>Relocating buyers should consider where they\u2019ll be working and how long a drive they\u2019re comfortable with, advises <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/jennifer-mahota-ga-294216\">Jennifer Mahota<\/a>, a top agent with 15 years experience selling in Atlanta\u2019s northern suburbs, including Cumming.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of people think they can handle an hour each way, and within six months, they are totally over it,\u201d ready to move closer to the office or find a new job closer to home, she says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe always recommend taking a drive during rush hour, see what it\u2019s like,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia real estate contracts include a due diligence period, typically lasting between 10 and 14 days, so if you\u2019re worried about losing out on a house in a hot market, you can make an offer and take your test drive during due diligence. (But if you change your mind after the due diligence period is over, you could lose your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-earnest-money\/\">earnest money<\/a> deposit.)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19554\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19554\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A house in Atlanta you can buy.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-house.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (I Do Nothing But Love \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Know the housing in Atlanta<\/h2>\n<p>Houses in Atlanta run the gamut, from small cottages in in-town neighborhoods to elegant McMansions in country club communities.<\/p>\n<p>The age of the housing stock varies as well. In town, you\u2019ll find older homes, many in gentrified neighborhoods, along with newer infill pockets and condominiums. Because the entire city burned during the Civil War, the oldest houses are from the late 1800s. Of these, the most glamorous are the Victorian beauties in Inman Park, but you\u2019ll also find cottages and shotgun houses in other neighborhoods. Suburban options range from mid-century ranch homes in close-in areas to newer one-and two-story houses farther out.<\/p>\n<p>Mahota, who has handled more single-family home transactions than 85% of Cumming agents, says buyers can expect to get a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home on a slab for around $360,000 in the Cumming area as of late summer 2020. Many of the houses built in the late 1990s have been updated, and there is some new construction.<\/p>\n<p>Homes that are updated and move-in ready are in high demand. Popular features include white cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and granite countertops. Gray is the go-to interior paint color. Open-concept floor plans are popular, and Mahota\u2019s suburban buyers are also looking for yard space.<\/p>\n<p>When showing houses, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/tyler-carder-ga-372616\">Tyler Carder<\/a>, a top buyer\u2019s agent with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/joanne-m-curtin-ga-242987\">Joanne Curtin team<\/a>, cautions buyers to pay less attention to cosmetic updates and focus on whether pricey items like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-house\/\">old, inefficient windows<\/a> and HVAC systems have been replaced. The team has 19 years experience selling in the northern suburbs, including Alpharetta and Roswell.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHouse flippers sometimes cut corners\u201d by not updating costly systems, he says, and \u201cfirst-time homebuyers sometimes fall victim to that\u201d if their agent doesn\u2019t point it out. Buyers can easily repaint walls if they don\u2019t like the colors, and even changing out faucets or lighting can be a cost-efficient update, but having to replace the HVAC system is a big expense.<\/p>\n<p>Local agents always advise getting a home inspection. And in addition to a standard inspection, Atlanta homes should undergo a termite inspection, says home inspector <a href=\"https:\/\/johnmeasehomeinspections.com\/\">John Mease<\/a>. He owns one of Yelp\u2019s top-ranked inspection companies in Atlanta and has inspected more than 10,000 homes.<\/p>\n<p>Mease advises getting a termite bond from a licensed pest control company. A kill bond guarantees the company will come back and exterminate any termites discovered later, while a repair bond also covers the cost of repairing the damage the termites cause.<\/p>\n<p>However, \u201cour No. 1 concern is moisture, because it brings termites, rot, and mold,\u201d Mease says. He explains that the soil in Atlanta is a dense clay that holds water, which can perk into basements.<\/p>\n<p>During an inspection, inspectors \u201cphysically probe classic spots \u2014 windows, doors and frames looking for moist spots or rot.\u201d Inside the house, Mease uses an infrared camera to spot moisture issues and to find hot and cold spots that indicate insulation problems.<\/p>\n<h2>Atlanta neighborhoods to consider<\/h2>\n<p>When you buy a house in Atlanta, you\u2019ll quickly discover the city has something for everyone.<\/p>\n<h3>If good schools are a concern<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.areavibes.com\/atlanta-ga\/candler+park\/livability\/\"><b>Candler Park<\/b><\/a> has an 86 Livability Score according to AreaVibes, including an A+ in amenities. The neighborhood is walkable with parks, shops and restaurants, and a MARTA station nearby.<\/p>\n<p>AreaVibes gives local schools an A+, with Lin Elementary School ranked third among all Atlanta Public Schools. The median home price here is much higher than the area average, $433,750.<\/p>\n<h3>If you want the big city experience<\/h3>\n<p>Living in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.areavibes.com\/atlanta-ga\/midtown\/livability\/\"><b>Midtown<\/b><\/a> gives you great access to Atlanta\u2019s art scene, from the historic Fox Theatre to the High Museum of Art. Piedmont Park \u2014 where you\u2019ll find the Botanical Gardens, walking trails and open spaces \u2014\u00a0 is practically your backyard, and you have easy access to MARTA subway stations.<\/p>\n<p>The median home value in the area is about $318,000, and this is one place where you\u2019ll find plenty of condos. While AreaVibes gives the amenities an A+, the crime rate is higher than the citywide average.<\/p>\n<h3>If you want a close-in suburb<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.areavibes.com\/decatur-ga\/livability\/\"><b>Decatur<\/b><\/a>, a small town just to the east of the city of Atlanta, is near Emory University and the federal Centers for Disease Control. It has a subway station, so you can jump on a MARTA train to get to work or to Mercedes-Benz Stadium downtown for a Falcons or Hawks game.<\/p>\n<p>AreaVibes gives it a 76 livability score, including an A+ for amenities. Housing here is pricier than the Atlanta average, with the median home valued at $384,300. Housing options range from smaller homes from the middle of the last century to infill houses built in the last two decades.<\/p>\n<h2>When to buy a house in Atlanta<\/h2>\n<p>The housing market in Atlanta tends to be seasonal. Houses usually go on the market in the spring, and buyers like to be moved in before school starts in early to mid-August.<\/p>\n<p>For buyers, that means you must be ready to move fast if you\u2019re looking for a house in the spring or summer. HomeLight research shows that Atlanta homes sell the fastest from April to August, cutting two to seven days off the yearly average time on the market. Houses also sell for a premium in June, when the average sales price is 7.58% above the annual average.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a bargain, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/best-time-to-sell-house\/atlanta-ga\">houses sell for 12.44% below the yearly average in February<\/a>. Early in the year, homes sit on the market for nearly two weeks longer than the annual average, giving you more time to consider the purchase before you have to act.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19555\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19555\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"An agent who can help you buy a house in Atlanta.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta-agent.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19555\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Brooke Cagle \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Find a top buyer\u2019s agent in Atlanta<\/h2>\n<p>In a hot market like Atlanta, it\u2019s imperative to have a top buyer\u2019s agent. The area has nearly 18,000 real estate agents, and working with a top agent can definitely save you money. The best Atlanta buyer\u2019s agents get properties for up to 18% off list price on average, according to HomeLight research. At just over $44,000, that\u2019ll buy you a lot of trips to the movie theater to watch Atlanta-filmed fare during your life as a homeowner!<\/p>\n<p>New listings in Atlanta go under contract quickly, and Mahota says that top agents like her are willing to go above and beyond for their buyers, driving through neighborhoods and knocking on doors to find options for those clients.<\/p>\n<p>The best agents are also familiar with the area, including the traffic and commuting issues that come with certain locations, and they can help steer you to the neighborhood that meets your needs.<\/p>\n<p>Ready to start looking for a home in the ATL? Begin the search by locating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/atlanta-ga\/top-real-estate-agents\">top buyer\u2019s agent in Atlanta<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Ben Dutton \/ Unsplash)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you buy a house in Atlanta, choices range from renovated intown homes to sprawling suburbs. But locals suggest test-driving your commute before you buy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":209,"featured_media":19552,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[192,638,641],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-buyers","category-house-hunting","category-find-home"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Welcome to the Big Peach: How to Buy a House in Atlanta<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When you buy a house in Atlanta, choices range from renovated intown homes to sprawling suburbs. But locals suggest test-driving your commute before you buy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-atlanta\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Buying a House in Atlanta? Be Ready for Hot Summers and Hot Market\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When you buy a house in Atlanta, choices range from renovated intown homes to sprawling suburbs. But locals suggest test-driving your commute before you buy.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-atlanta\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HomeLight Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gohomelight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-10-15T22:03:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-03-14T18:56:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hl-blog.homelight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/buy-house-atlanta.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sandy John\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gohomelight\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gohomelight\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sandy John\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Welcome to the Big Peach: How to Buy a House in Atlanta","description":"When you buy a house in Atlanta, choices range from renovated intown homes to sprawling suburbs. But locals suggest test-driving your commute before you buy.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-atlanta\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Buying a House in Atlanta? Be Ready for Hot Summers and Hot Market","og_description":"When you buy a house in Atlanta, choices range from renovated intown homes to sprawling suburbs. 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